Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 208
Episode 208: Homecoming. (1)
July of the year of Gyeongsul (1430).
A large fleet arrived in Jemulpo.
It was a fleet of two very large dhows and three regular large dhows.
Foreign ships that entered Jemulpo under the escort of Joseon naval Panokseon carefully docked at the dock.
As the ships docked at the dock, people began to disembark, with Koreans at the forefront.
Those who had left for Aden in the year of Musin (1428) had returned.
* * *
Like last time, the fleet approaching Joseon encountered the Joseon Panokseon in the middle.
“Do you think the patrol area has increased compared to when we left?”
“That’s right.”
To the question of Oh Ha-seok, a subordinate officer who saw the Panokseon approaching from afar, Seon Dong-jin, a junior officer next to him, nodded and answered.
Oh Ha-seok, who saw the Panokseon opening its bow to simultaneously maintain the effective range of the artillery and project maximum firepower, gave an order to Seon Dong-jin.
“I’m very nervous, but I’m very nervous. Tell the captain not to act rashly.”
“yes.”
“If possible, I tell you to pray a white prayer.”
“ancient!”
The fleet that encountered the Panokseon headed to Jeollasuyeong.
Just like last time, Woo Soo-young immediately sent a dispatch to Hanseong. A few days later, Pabal returned from Hanseong. As expected, the dispatch that came back came with an order to send it to Jemulpo.
That’s how Mansur’s fleet came up to Chemulpo. The fleet, which sailed north through the Yellow Sea under the escort of the Joseon Navy, arrived safely in Jemulpo.
* * *
At the dock where the fleet docked, soldiers who had been waiting in advance stood guard.
The official who saw Oh Ha-seok and his group getting off the boat with Oh Ha-seok at the head approached them first.
“This is Byun Kang-seok from Hojo. “Welcome back safely.”
“This is Oh Ha-seok, a naval officer. Nice to meet you.”
“But the number of people…”
When Byeon Kang-seok, who had secretly checked the number of people in the group, cautiously opened his mouth, Oh Ha-seok answered in a bitter voice.
“I lost five. “Two of them met pirates on the way, and three of them suffered from endemic diseases.”
“Ah… may the deceased rest in peace.”
“Thank you on behalf of the bereaved family.”
After a short conversation, Hojo’s officials, including Byeon Kang-seok, quickly got back to their work.
The number of crew members in the fleet was confirmed, and the people were asked not to leave their residences carelessly, while the types and quantities of goods brought were recorded to create an inventory.
“Does work get done faster?”
Byeon Kang-seok smiled bitterly at Oh Ha-seok’s answer.
“You know what mediation is like, don’t you? “If you don’t want to get cursed instead of eating, you have to be diligent.”
“Ah… right.”
Oh Ha-seok, who was nodding his head, muttered without realizing it.
“The return has come.”
* * *
The Koreans led by Oh Ha-seok headed straight to Hanseong.
Oh Ha-seok and his party passed through Gwanghwamun and entered Geunjeongjeon Hall and bowed deeply to King Sejong, who was sitting on the temple.
“Seven people, including Sergeant Oh Ha-seok. “I inform you that I have returned from a mission!”
King Sejong responded to Oh Ha-seok’s report.
“It was a truly long and difficult journey, and I am truly grateful to have returned here. “Good job.”
“I am devastated.”
“Yeah… I heard you lost five. “Are all the others okay?”
“Thanks to heaven’s protection, everyone else is safe.”
“Thank goodness. Do Seung-ji, please listen.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
King Sejong gave orders to Do Seung-ji.
“In accordance with the newly established ordinance, send a letter from the Seungjeongwon to the families of those who died, informing them of the death, and send condolences in the name of the deceased. And support the bereaved families in accordance with established laws.”
“I follow your orders.”
To Sejong’s command, Do Seung-ji responded with a sigh. After hearing King Sejong’s order, Oh Ha-seok bowed with great gratitude.
“I am devastated. A thousand years! A thousand years! “A thousand years!”
* * *
As an aside, the local government had a strong influence on the procedures and support measures for soldiers and officials who died in battle or other official duties.
The ‘Veterans Act (報勳法)’ was the first law to be established when the military police began. And it was one of the laws that was further strengthened as King Sejong’s royal power was strengthened as the royal palace progressed.
“It was said that he was wise to the military. How can subjects only be those who wear official uniforms and work in the royal palace? Since people died and were injured while working for their country, it is their duty to uphold its loyalty!”
Because King Sejong’s will was so strong, the ministers had to follow his will.
“The Lord Sang’s will is so strong….”
“How can you be the Lord Sang? “Can’t the Crown Prince be seen behind that?”
He remembered the fact that he had strongly advocated for measures to protect veterans from the time he announced his political views.
But the scent went one step further.
“If the king does not honor the people, will the people honor me? The people are the children of Abamama. So, I think we should respect it.”
“I see. “Tell me where and how you want to do it.”
Hyang said what he thought. Sejong, who listened to Hyang’s story for a long time, nodded.
“You are right.”
Since then, it has been legislated that people with a rank of at least Pachong or Jangnyeong (Jangryeong (4th grade) or higher) visit those who left their hometowns and die while serving in the military or from accidents or overwork while performing official duties to inform them of their deaths and offer condolences. If the child responsible for the funeral is too young or the only parents are elderly, it is also specified by law that an official who has paid condolences remains behind to perform the funeral.
This equally applied to noble Jurchen people and anti-Japanese rebels. As a result, the Jurchen people and the anti-Japanese soldiers fought more fiercely than the Korean soldiers.
And the struggles of the Jurchen people and those who resisted the Japanese had a chain effect that further fueled the fighting spirit of the Korean soldiers.
* * *
After reporting to King Sejong at Geunjeongjeon, Oh Ha-seok and his party were able to receive three days of vacation.
When he returned to the military unit and the ministry and announced his return and announced a three-day vacation, his colleagues in the military unit and the ministry all responded in the same way.
“Rest for three days! Absolutely rest! Don’t even dream about things like Gibang, just rest! “Regardless of whether your back is exposed or not, just lie down and rest!”
“huh? Still, I came back after two years and even drank alcohol…”
“Shut up and rest!”
Oh Ha-seok and his group, who were tilting their heads at the words of their colleagues, were able to understand the reason three days later.
* * *
As soon as they arrived three days later, the first people to visit them were the medical doctors of the National Assembly.
“Let’s go to the internal medicine clinic for a moment!”
“yes? yes?”
“What a name.”
Oh Ha-seok and his group, who were taken to Naeuiwon, were robbed from head to toe.
They looked at their complexion, checked their eyes for jaundice, and even examined whether they had gained or lost weight.
The medical doctors concluded their investigation by sticking out their tongues to examine the white spots and feeling the pulse, and soon delved into the most important issue.
“You said there were people who died from endemic diseases, right?”
“exactly.”
“Rest in peace.”
“Thank you.”
“What are the symptoms of endemic diseases? “What is the treatment?”
“Eh… So…”
As soon as they joined, it was Oh Ha-seok and his group who got into trouble at the hospital until they had to leave.
* * *
Their work did not end there.
Interpreters belonging to the Ministry had to write lengthy reports on the Arabic and native languages they had learned in the Aden region.
The report did not end there. Subsequently, a detailed report was written on the geography, environment, customs, and tendencies of the residents of the Aden region.
“You went to a place called Alexandria?”
“yes. To sell the goods taken from Joseon at auction….”
“Write a report and bring it. “In particular, don’t forget how much it was sold for and what the reaction of the people in the western region was.”
“Yes…”
“But how should I write Alexandria in Idu?”
“Well…”
Both the superior who gave the order and the person in charge of carrying out the order could not help but think with a puzzled look on their face. In particular, the person in charge of writing the report had to turn white and break into a cold sweat.
“It’s not just Alexandria that’s named like this… Let’s start with Aden right now…”
“Damn it.”
The superior swore without even realizing it.
* * *
A similar thing happened in the military unit.
“Did you call me?”
“okay. “I called you.”
Starting with Oh Ha-seok, Byeongjo Cheomjeong (Jong 4th Rank), who gathered together those who participated in the voyage, got straight to the point.
“You must have kept proper records during the voyage, right?”
“yes.”
“Write a report. “Write down everything, including changes in wind direction at ports you visited during the voyage.”
“yes.”
Oh Ha-seok and his group responded with calm expressions.
This was because I had already expected that I would be writing a report on the voyage.
However, as Cheomjeong continued to speak, the faces of the group began to turn yellow.
“What I’ve said so far is basically what needs to be written, and there are other things that need to be written in separate reports. First, make a report detailing the defense status of the ports we stopped by along the way. In addition, a report was written on the characteristics of the port residents and their reactions to foreigners. And you also met pirates along the way, right? “Whether the pirates we encountered along the way were Chinese, Japanese, or other pirates, we’ll organize them and write down the size of the pirate ship, whether it’s armed, whether it’s equipped with guns, and how vicious they are, and make a report.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“And I heard there’s a really big one among the boats that came this time? “I also write a detailed report on that.”
“yes. All right.”
“There are a lot of people waiting up there, so you’ll have to fill it out properly.”
Hearing Cheomjeong’s words, Oh Ha-seok and his group swallowed their dry saliva. Looking at the faces of the group, Cheomjeong added.
“Oh, the deadline is six days.”
“It’s too late. “You have to give it at least ten days…”
Oh Han-seok came forward and protested, but Cheom-jeong shook his head.
“Did you know that a record of the voyage of a eunuch named Jeonghwa came from the Ming Kingdom in the past? You have to compare it and write a separate report. But you guys are procrastinating? “The Chief of Byeongpan will be scolded by the Chief Minister, so will everyone from the Chief of Byeongpan to the superiors right above you leave you alone?”
“… still.”
“You rested well for three days, right? Now I have to work. Come on, write a report.”
After saying those words, Oh Ha-seok and his group left the room of the peak and looked blankly at the sky.
Oh Ha-seok looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh.
“Whoa~. “I guess there was a reason why I told you to rest.”
* * *
Meanwhile, the officials of Hojo, who were organizing the inventory of goods brought by Mansur, paid attention to one product.
“Did black bean tea come in?”
“Black bean tea….”
The Hojo official who was searching for items cheered.
“there is! “It’s in!”
The surrounding officials flocked to the colleague’s shout.
“there is? “How much is the quantity?”
The officials had been suffering from withdrawal symptoms since they ran out of coffee in the second half of the year.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Huehui people’s residential complex, Mansour gathered together people working in the court, including Hassan.
“I have a favor to ask of you.”
“What do you ask?”
“Let us obtain larger and more powerful artillery pieces.”
At Mansour’s words, the faces of Hassan and other officials gathered in the room turned white.
“Canvas! “Are you out of your mind?”
“I can’t help it.”
Mansour continued speaking with an earnest expression.
“We need artillery to ensure the safety of trade routes and to protect our family in Aden. And the Fuhrers.”
“Huh…”
Mansour briefly concluded the current situation.
“Right now, our family is walking on a single rope to cross a cliff. We absolutely need Joseon’s artillery to protect our family.”