Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 478
Episode 478: Deputy Cleaning (3)
The buildings that Hyang was to clean were in full swing, but King Sejong immediately gave Hyang a job to do.
“It will be easier in the future if you know how to plan ahead.”
“…Yes, Abama.”
Following King Sejong’s order, Hyang used the empty rooms in the Donggungjeon – the former site of a research institute – to conduct business.
Around the office where Hyang mainly worked, officials from Cheomsawon organized documents coming from the administration.
“You are acting with complete determination. Haha~.”
Hyang let out a long sigh as he looked at the tidal wave of documents rushing in front of him.
In principle, decisions regarding foreign and defense personnel were to be made by King Sejong.
But Sejong passed even this on to Hyang.
“You should know this in advance too. “I just pay.”
In other words, the documents related to foreign affairs and defense personnel were all organized first, and then King Sejong only looked at the results and made a decision.
Thanks to this, King Sejong was able to have an unprecedented amount of free time. Sejong used the time he secured as an asset to start a new project.
“Hmm… shall we take a look?”
* * *
Taking advantage of the increased free time, King Sejong began to stir up agencies affiliated with the executive branch.
The first to be destroyed was the Joseon National Conservatory led by Park Yeon.
“I told them to sort out the miscellaneous songs sung by the people, but how could the result be like this? Are we still ignoring miscellaneous people, considering them to be mean?”
“It’s not that…”
“If not that, something else?”
“…I will do it right.”
“Do it straight. “I will be watching clearly.”
“I will do my best!”
King Sejong, who had overturned the Joseon National Conservatory, then headed to the Entertainment Office.
“Bring the documents. “Please bring not only the final copy but also all documents sent from the front-line entertainment center.”
Anpyeong froze at King Sejong’s short and concise command and held out the documents.
“Here I am!”
“Hmm… let me see.”
Sejong, who was sitting at the desk where Anpyeong was working, put his glasses on his nose and started looking at the documents.
While Sejong was looking through the documents, Anpyeong was standing at attention in front of the desk, waiting. This was because I had already heard that Park Yeon had broken up.
“huh? Hmm….”
King Sejong, who was looking through the documents coming from all over Joseon, soon began to select a few documents.
“This is a little strange. Anpyeong.”
“yes! majesty!”
Normally, the word ‘Abama’ would have come out, but the word ‘Your Highness’ came straight out of Anpyeong’s frozen mouth.
Sejong, who glanced at Anpyeong, opened several reports and showed them to Anpyeong.
“As far as I know, these regions are similar in number of people and amount of taxes paid. However, there seems to be some difference in the revenue coming into the entertainment complex. “Go to the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of General Affairs right now and tell them to bring the family register and tax payment ledgers for the last three years for the regions I have selected.”
“yes! majesty!”
After a while, officials from the entertainment office who had received instructions from King Sejong returned with documents.
“Let’s use the conference room.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Following King Sejong’s orders, officials lined up documents on the long desk located in the center of the conference room.
King Sejong, who was looking through the books lined up in chronological order with three years of records of the towns he had pointed out, soon nodded.
“As expected… Anpyeong, come here and see.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
King Sejong, who had Anpyeong next to him, traced the contents of the books with his fingers and explained them.
“Look. These eight towns have similar populations and the same amount of taxes paid each year. But compare the profits of the general entertainment venues of the two towns on the left and the remaining towns.”
Anpyeong, who was examining the documents at Sejong’s order, muttered with a serious face.
“The profits are very low.”
“yes? “What do you think is the reason?”
“That…”
Anpyeong couldn’t answer Sejong’s question right away. The first thing that came to mind was embezzlement. But when he said it right away, it felt like he was saying he was incompetent. That’s why Anpyeong couldn’t answer properly.
King Sejong asked himself whether he knew how Anpyeong felt.
“The most suspicious thing would be embezzlement. “Even though the state of affairs has progressed and officials have become more generous, people’s greed is endless.”
“But isn’t the punishment for embezzlement very severe?”
“You probably think, ‘I’m confident I won’t get caught!’ and then take action. “It is true that it is difficult for the central government to individually inspect reports coming from all over Joseon.”
“Still…”
Sejong continued as he saw Anpyeong looking uncomfortable at the suspicion that his subordinates had committed fraud.
“The second thing that is suspicious is probably the lack of skills of the officials, right? The gisaeng who show off their singing and dancing at the general entertainment center are not skilled enough, or the quality of other attractions is so poor that it is not fun. You heard it too, right? “It’s a story about Koreans traveling around the country to watch famous baduk players play.”
“yes.”
The case that Sejong mentioned was a famous story.
* * *
As the general entertainment center was created, a baduk match hall was created.
Soon, the best players from each town appeared one by one, and the top players from towns that were closer began to join in and determine who was superior.
Since this was what the county and officials expected, rules such as time limits were soon created and a nationwide baduk competition was held.
In this way, fierce competition took place every year for the position of Guksu, the best Baduk player in Joseon.
And in the town where Guksoo was born, people who knew a bit about Baduk from all over Joseon gathered to watch Guksoo play Baduk.
When people gathered like this, the town was soon overflowing with money. It was because of the money that those who gathered together spent on eating and sleeping.
Thanks to this, there are parents who ask famous baduk players to train their children if they think they have some talent for baduk.
* * *
“So, get ready for the business trip.”
“yes?”
When Anpyeong looked puzzled by the unexpected business trip order, Sejong explained further.
“No matter how many documents related to entertainment are received from Hanseong, it seems difficult to properly understand the reality. Because fun has a strong personal aspect. And even if it is embezzlement, it is difficult to find if you decide to hide it well. In such cases, it is necessary to suppress it with power. So get ready for the business trip. “I also have to write a plan and give it to the crown prince, so let’s say we leave in three days.”
“yes? yes.”
After finishing his business, King Sejong left the entertainment center. Anpyeong, who was seeing King Sejong off after leaving the entertainment hall and heading to Gyeongbokgung Palace, tilted his head.
“You look kind of excited? Anyway…”
Anpyeong, who was speechless, had a bright expression on his face.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been on a business trip! How long has it been since this business trip! “Seong-eun is devastated!”
* * *
That evening, Hyang received the business trip plan and itinerary written by Sejong.
“I understand why you’re going on a business trip, but…”
Hyang, who was looking at the plan and schedule sent by Sejong with eyes full of suspicion, suddenly pointed out a finger. Hyang, who had been calculating something by counting her fingers several times, muttered without realizing it.
“Miss Lee…”
Hyang suddenly stopped speaking and looked back at the naeguan.
“Stay out for a while.”
“yes?”
“Stay out.”
“yes.”
Only then did Hyang, who had let the inner coffin go, grumble in peace.
“This gentleman… How did he choose the date when the market would be held? And…”
Hyang picked up the schedule and walked towards the map hanging on one wall. Hyang, who was exploring the route by tracing the map with his finger, soon turned his head.
“shell!”
“Yes sir!”
“Go to my study right now and get the geography paper!”
“Yes sir!”
After a while, Hyang, who was looking through the geography book that the eunuch had brought, sighed.
“Huh~. “Okay then.”
On the road that Sejong passed through, there was a village where famous delicacies were served. And on the day we arrived at the village, there was always the word ‘Hyu (休)’ written on it.
Hyang, who was looking at the schedule, raised her voice internally.
‘Are you saying you want to work 5 days a week in Joseon during this time? Even the officials work six days a week!’
Hyang, who was grumbling internally, soon showed an expression of understanding.
“Because you have hardly ever had a proper rest until now…”
* * *
Looking at the holidays for Joseon officials, they were guaranteed five days of rest every month. Usually, the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd were fixed holidays, and the remaining day was one of the 24 solar terms.
In addition, each ministry had holidays guaranteed according to its internal regulations, and paid leave was also guaranteed.
Of course, holidays such as Lunar New Year and Chuseok were also closed.
Therefore, when the New Year’s calendar came out, the front of Seoungwan was crowded with officials. The purpose was to find out how many holidays are created by overlapping regular holidays and seasonal holidays.
Every time I saw that scene, Hyang muttered softly.
“When the calendar comes out, counting days from play is the same now as it is in the 21st century…”
But the king had no holidays. Although he was able to rest on holidays such as Lunar New Year, Daeboreum, Chuseok, and Dano, his job as a king meant that there were no legally guaranteed days off.
Outside of holidays, the only time the king could rest was when high-ranking officials of the second rank or higher died.
In that respect, King Sejong was truly unlucky. This was because there were so many subjects who lived long lives, perhaps thanks to the medicine that came and went.
* * *
In any case, it was Sejong’s decision and Hyang had no right to veto it.
After reviewing the schedule and plan again, Hyang immediately wrote a new document and presented it to the inquirer.
“Immediately deliver these documents to the Railway Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Ministry of National Defense. “I also make it clear that it must be completed within two days.”
“yes. Lowering.”
The officer who received the documents quickly disappeared outside.
Special trains, carriages, and escort troops would be formed according to King Sejong’s schedule and the orders of the township.
After writing the order and sending it out, Hyang thought for a moment and then called another eunuch.
“Call the Colonel immediately.”
“Yes sir.”
After a while, Colonel Suksu, who received a call from the village, hurriedly came running. After receiving the courtesy from Colonel Suksoo, Hyang immediately gave an order.
“Follow Abamama on her business trip and take a close look at where she ate and what food she ate. “If you only eat meat, go ahead and eat some vegetables as well.”
“Yes sir.”
“And if there is a food that Abamama’s evaluation was particularly good, make sure to record what region it is from and even record the recipe.”
“yes?”
“If Abamama wants to eat that food again later, are you going to make her go there again?”
Colonel Sooksu, who was confused by the explanation of the scent, immediately understood and answered loudly.
“Oh no! “I will definitely write it down thoroughly!”
* * *
Three days later, King Sejong went on a business trip. Hyang, who was seen off to the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace, smiled slightly when she saw Queen Soheon standing next to King Sejong.
‘The officers will say that you can’t distinguish between public and private affairs, but it’s nice to see!’
Thus began ‘Sejong’s Gourmet Travel’ under the guise of a business trip.