Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 476
Episode 476 Daericheongjeong (1)
May, the 24th year of King Sejong’s reign (1442, Imsul year).
King Sejong summoned all ministers and vice ministers.
King Sejong’s face was filled with mixed emotions as he looked wordlessly at the faces of Vice Ministers gathered in Geunjeongjeon.
“Looking at it like this today, many people’s positions have changed.”
“That’s right.”
Hwang Hee responded to King Sejong’s words as a representative, and everyone else bowed their heads.
But similar thoughts occurred in many people’s minds.
‘It’s changed quite a lot.’
As King Sejong said, many people left their positions and new people filled their positions.
For example, Heo Jo stepped down due to old age, and Kim Jong-seo filled the vacant position.
And the position of Minister of Justice was filled by Hwang Bo-in.
Many others were replaced. As people’s positions changed, prominent figures who had lived through a turbulent period from the late Goryeo Dynasty to the early Joseon Dynasty disappeared into the backwaters of history.
And new people like Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in began to come to the forefront of history.
Those who pondered King Sejong’s words thought the same thing at the same time.
‘But why suddenly?’
The moment the question came to mind, all the ministers and vice ministers gathered at Geunjeongjeon reached one conclusion.
‘It’s either a lieutenant or a proxy!’
And their thoughts were correct.
“This year has been 25 years since Gwain became the king of this country. It has truly been a long and difficult time. There were many unfortunate events due to Gwain’s immorality, but he was able to overcome the crisis with the help of many loyal subjects. Through many policies, including the introduction of light, Joseon has become wealthy and stable operations have become possible. So, I’m going to have the crown prince act as a proxy.”
“Your Majesty is still in good health, but it seems too early to act as proxy.”
“What the Prime Minister said is truly correct! “It’s still early!”
The ministers, starting with Hwang Hee, expressed their opposition, but King Sejong did not back down.
“The crown prince is already 26 years old and has accumulated quite a bit of experience while running the research institute and Area 51. So it feels rather late. And in order to facilitate the development of the new land, I thought it would be best for me to go and lead the way myself, so I came to think of acting as a proxy.”
Hwang Hee came forward and opposed King Sejong’s claim.
“Haona Shinji has just established a beachhead.”
“I don’t want to go right away. I need at least two years to organize what has happened so far and properly plan for the future. So, during that time, I will have you do the cleaning for me and I will concentrate on Shinji’s work.”
“Haona….”
“Stop.”
When Hwang Hee tried to object again, King Sejong raised his hand to stop Hwang Hee from speaking.
“I did not ask the governor’s opinion. It was notified. As I said before, the crown prince has already grown up and has no shortage of time to look after state affairs. Rather, I think it will be a failure if I don’t back down from here.”
Hwang Hee bowed her head in response to King Sejong’s firm answer.
“I honor the sacred ground.”
“Then please prepare accordingly.”
“I follow your orders.”
* * *
After the assembly, all the ministers rushed to the conference room attached to the Prime Minister’s office.
“Shouldn’t we oppose it until the end?”
The other ministers nodded to the question of Kim Jong-seo, who was one of the youngest.
“That’s right.”
“There is a high probability that Your Majesty has another plan!”
Many ministers were convinced that King Sejong’s declaration of proxy cleanliness was a trap.
This was because he had already experienced bloodshed due to the seniority scandal at the end of King Taejong’s reign. At that time, Queen Wongyeong’s Min family was shattered due to this scandal.
Hwang Hee shook her head as she looked at the ministers who were convinced that this incident was Sejong’s ‘trap card’.
“It’s probably not a trap.”
“Are you sure?”
“As your highness said, the situation is such that proxy purification is forced. “Is there anyone other than Your Highness who can lead the development of the new land?”
The ministers remained silent in response to Hwang Hee’s rebuttal.
“That’s true, but…”
“Your Majesty is still strong, so it is actually the right time. Pioneering unexplored territory takes a lot of mental energy. “The longer it is delayed, the more difficult it will be for His Majesty the Lord.”
Sejong is now 45 years old. He was in his prime. In addition, his health was quite good thanks to the township’s ‘Project to Make a Healthy Pig’. As Hwang Hee said in her experience, the process of navigating unexplored land was quite stressful. It was certain that it would be even worse for King Sejong to do such a mentally taxing job at a time when his physical abilities had declined due to his age.
“That’s true, but…”
As the ministers continued to feel anxious despite Hwang Hee’s words, Hwang Hee organized the situation.
“You will know whether this is a trap of His Majesty the Lord by looking at the crown prince’s actions. To be precise, this is the response your Majesty will give to the Crown Prince’s actions.”
“That would be best.”
The ministers who were nodding at Hwang Hee’s words began to stand up one by one.
“In that case, we should move in advance. We need to reorganize the materials related to Shinji and look into those who will be going to Shinji with His Highness in advance. “If you make a choice, you will have to listen to that sound right away.”
“You guys thought well. And the Minister of General Affairs, please stay for a moment.”
Kim Jong-seo, who was about to leave after telling the others about Hwang Hee’s nomination, remained in tears.
After everyone else left, Hwang Hee glared at Kim Jong Seo.
“Is the work worth doing?”
“yes? “It’s worth it.”
“So these days, ‘the guys in the General Affairs Department suck.’ “Can you hear this even in my ears?”
“That’s a conspiracy!”
“do it properly. If the crown prince takes charge of the affairs, things will become twice as difficult. Because they will be examining not only the Crown Prince but also His Highness more carefully. “If you get caught at that time, you are the one who suffers.”
“I’m working hard!”
“Have you worked so hard that your name pops up in every corner of Hanseong?”
“That was after work…”
“Is the General Affairs Department free enough to allow you to leave on time?”
“….”
Kim Jong-seo closed his mouth with an expression of resentment.
* * *
Kim Jong-seo was said to be the best in Joseon in terms of speed of handling work thanks to his experience working under Hwang Hee. Kim Jong-seo, who originally had outstanding abilities, became the strongest thanks to Hwang Hee’s training.
His predecessor, Heo Jo, was also a formidable person, but Kim Jong-seo was one step ahead of him.
The problem was Kim Jong-seo’s unchanging ‘love for Hanseong.’ To be precise, it was ‘Hanseong’s love for Gibang’.
That’s why Hwang Hee complained about Kim Jong-seo like this.
“I don’t understand why a guy who doesn’t even enter the gibang of the three major cities is hanging himself in Hanseong!”
* * *
“do it properly. “If you don’t like it, I will step in and destroy it first.”
“Great! “I will soon be sixty!”
“mind! I’ll be nine years old soon! “A guy who doesn’t even have dried blood on his head!”
It was Kim Jong-seo who boasted about his age in front of Hwang Hui, who was recorded as the longest-serving politician in Joseon history, but was completely shattered.
* * *
Sejong’s remark about Daecheongjeong was quickly conveyed to Hyang as well. After hearing the story, Hyang muttered with an embarrassed expression on his face.
“Do I have to commit the grave crime of plastering….”
‘With Abama’s personality and the current situation, I think it’s a real vicarious cleansing, so I don’t think there’s a need to commit the capital crime of plastering…. But I’m criticizing you again for not doing it. It seems like a shame… He’s a shameless imbecile aiming to take his father’s place…’
Hyang, who had been calculating this and that, let out a long sigh and stood up.
“Anyway, politics is…. Intro! Get your mat ready! If possible, get a thick and fluffy one!”
* * *
Hyang, who was greeted by the eunuch, headed to Geunjeongjeon. A mat was laid out in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, and Hyang took off the dragon robe and hat he was wearing and handed them to the eunuch.
When Hyang finished preparing and was about to kneel down on the mat, a merchant ship came out of Geunjeongjeon and ran towards Hyang.
“Your Majesty told me to tell you this. ‘Don’t do anything stupid and come in right now! If you keep doing that, I will be elected immediately!’”
Hearing Sang-seon’s message, Hyang sighed and looked back at the internal officer belonging to the East Palace.
“I guess I’ll have to put on my clothes again.”
“yes. Lowering.”
* * *
After getting dressed again, Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon.
Sejong, who was sitting on top of the temple and examining documents, looked at the scent and grumbled.
“Why is a guy with such a good mind sitting around doing nothing?”
“….”
‘Shouldn’t we also knock on the stone bridge?’
Sejong seemed to have penetrated the inner feelings of the scent and continued speaking with a chuckle.
“why? I was told to knock on the stone bridge and cross it, so are you going to do that? You bastard! “Shouldn’t you try dipping it in poop or soybean paste?”
Hearing Sejong’s words, Hyang let out a long sigh.
“Whoa~.”
And the officers and clerks were sweating and worried.
‘How should I use it to preserve its status?’
‘Never let me see this sedge!’
“Come and sit down. “Please bring the chair to Crown Prince Sang-seon.”
“yes.”
After Hyang sat down on the chair brought by the eunuch, King Sejong got to the point.
“I don’t know how much you may have heard, but the current situation requires proxy cleaning.”
“That’s true, but the order was given so suddenly that not only the minors but also the ministers can’t hide their bewilderment.”
“Even if I said it in advance, would anything change?”
“….”
“Of course, I really want to take the throne right now, but if I do that, I’m sure you’ll make a mess first, so I’m starting with proxy cleaning.”
“But Abamama is still strong, so Soja is stepping forward…”
“I told you to stop talking nonsense. You are now old enough to look at government affairs. therefore. Get ready right away. “Get things sorted out quickly.”
“Yes…”
Sejong opened his mouth, looking at Hyang, whose face was still full of dissatisfaction.
“Seja. “How old is the crown prince now?”
“It’s nine now.”
* * *
In the meantime, while working here and there, Hyang diligently gave birth to children. The Crown Princess and Yangwon’s children were six sons and three daughters.
It was as if three people were born at the same time, and the genders were such that if the Crown Princess gave birth to a son, the others also gave birth to a son.
In this situation, Hyang patted her waist and criticized herself.
“It was worth the effort to keep my back in check… but three people hit it off so well… did I have this kind of talent?”
And the evaluation of the children born that way was very good.
‘He is very outstanding, just like his grandfather and father.’
‘He is inferior to his father, the crown prince, but he is very outstanding compared to children of the same age.’
One more thing to add is that, except for Wan Du-seul, all the other children were named by ministers who were good at naming names. And the reason was because of the scent.
‘You can’t name it Po Pa Sik!’
Lastly, Hyang recalled Wand Seul’s first birthday party, studied the children closely for a while, and then came to a conclusion.
“I don’t think there’s a second-rounder like me?”
* * *
“I have a proposition for you.”
King Sejong, who asked Hyang about the age of the crown prince, suggested something to Hyang.
“I will stay in Shinji for 15 years, including 15 years of preparation, and then come back. And at that time, the crown prince will be 24 years old, so you can take the throne and go to Shinji. If you want to go and create Area 52 there, I’ll allow that too. “What do you think?”
“Why 15 years?”
“By then, I will be 60 years old, so shouldn’t I come back and have a 60th birthday party?”
“If you make it 10 years….”
“Did laying the foundation for Shinji take 7 or 8 years? “It will take at least 10 years.”
Hyang, who had been calculating for a moment at Sejong’s words, immediately bowed his head.
“I obey your command with a joyful heart!”