Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 501

Episode 501: Those who earn, those who spend. (3)

There was an order from King Sejong, but the reason was also reasonable, so ships in charge of communication exchange were assigned.

Of course, it was inevitable that some noise would occur in the process.

“Isn’t it inefficient to use all those precious ships for communication purposes?”

“A sailboat is faster than a sailboat, so it can’t be helped, right?”

“In addition, the cargo capacity of the pilot ship was considerably reduced due to the space for loading fuel and fresh water. “It’s not efficient.”

“Even if the load capacity has been reduced, it is still a significant amount!”

“But will the existing challenger-level wires be assigned to communications work? If that happens, instead of the cargo, the captains will be loaded and they will hear the sound of tongues clenching.”

As this war of words continued, incense broke out and traffic had to be organized.

“It is true that for communication purposes, the base ship is more useful than the existing challenger-class wire. However, it is not the best idea to continue to divert steamboats. So, we will develop a dedicated line as quickly as possible.”

“But right now, the shipyards are in a difficult situation…”

When Jo Mal-saeng, worried that the construction of the wires might be delayed, tried to raise a counterargument, Hyang raised his hand to stop him.

“It takes time to design and it takes time to build, so there is plenty of room. And as a test, one ship will be built here and then a shipyard will be built in Shinji for construction. “By the time the design is completed, Area 51, which was created in a new area, will have sufficient capabilities.”

“Haona….”

As Jo Mal-saeng continued to cling to him, Hyang dealt the final blow.

“Then, the Captain, go directly to Shinji and persuade Abamama.”

As soon as Hyang finished speaking, Jo Mal-saeng changed his words.

“Your plan is truly reasonable!”

After that, Jo Mal-saeng never opened his mouth again.

After sorting out the matter, Hyang took up the ruler and compass again that night.

“Hmm… As for speed, of course… If we enlarge the sea emergency to its original size and then add a steam engine… this would be the right answer, right?”

But soon Hyang had to change his plan.

* * *

“This is a letter sent by His Majesty the Prime Minister.”

“I understand.”

Hyang, who had a neat posture according to etiquette, politely accepted the letter sent by King Sejong.

Hyang broke the seal on the envelope, took out the letter, opened it, and calmly read the contents inside.

After reading the letter carefully for a while, Hyang put down the letter and let out a long sigh.

“Whoa~.”

Hyang sighed several times and looked over the contents of the letter again and gave an order to the eunuch.

“Bring the Prime Minister and the Left Deputy Prime Minister.”

“Yes sir.”

After a while, Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom received a call and visited Seunghwadang.

“Did you call me?”

“Yes, Abama has sent a letter.”

“Perhaps…”

When Hyang mentioned King Sejong, Kim Jeom’s face turned pale. Hyang opened her mouth as she looked at Kim Jeom’s face.

“I’ll start with the conclusion. “You need to open the storeroom.”

As soon as she spoke, Hyang held out King Sejong’s letter, and Hwang Hee accepted the letter with trembling hands.

“Whoa~.”

“Haa~.”

Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom, who took turns reading King Sejong’s letter, let out a long sigh.

Briefly, the contents of the letter sent by King Sejong were as follows.

-You said money came in? You need this and that, so take it with you and send it to me. Send it quickly.

The three continued to sigh, but the outcome was decided.

“Since Abama ordered it, I must send it.”

“Of course.”

“I will prepare.”

“Please take care of me.”

“no. “As a subject, this is something I must naturally do.”

* * *

“Whoa~.”

“Haa~.”

After leaving Seunghwadang, Hwanghee and Kim Jeom let out another long sigh.

“For the first time in a long time, I thought I was only worried about prices rather than spending…”

In response to Kim Jeom’s wet complaints, Hwanghee silently patted Kim on the shoulder.

* * *

If one were to select the best group of professional officials in relation to balanced finances at this time, it could be said that the officials of the Joseon Dynasty, especially the Ministry of Finance and Economy, were the best.

From the early days of Gyeongjang, they had been in charge of changing the economic structure of Joseon from an agricultural country to an industrial country, having been tormented by Hyang. They had gone through all kinds of trial and error in the process of training, gained experience, and raised their level.

As those trained in this way trained new recruits, Ministry of Finance and Economy officials were evaluated as the most talented of all. Of course, there was something to say next.

‘His personality is as bad as his abilities.’

In any case, because they were such disciplined people, they were doing their best to ensure stable economic growth in Joseon.

For these people, the funds coming from Japan were an unexpected variable and a subject of caution.

‘If you don’t manage it properly, you’re in trouble!’

* * *

“Still, I was worried about prices because so much silver was coming in, but isn’t this a relief?”

Kim Jeom nodded at Hwang Hee’s words.

“That’s true. Many of the items His Highness requested are made in Area 51 or the royal workshop, so we can prevent more goods from being released into the market than necessary. “The problem is… Just call the Minister of Finance and Economy and talk about it. Why are you calling me?”

Hwanghee smiled bitterly and responded to Kim Jeom’s complaint.

“If that happens, won’t the Prime Minister’s Office become a borrowed barley sack? “Everyone has to follow the chain of command to avoid conflict later.”

“I know that, but I feel like I’m the only one being criticized.”

“It’s like being caught in the middle. By the way…”

Hwang Hee paused for a moment and her expression became reluctant.

“No matter how much I think about it, the last part of the letter bothers me.”

Kim Jeom also nodded at Hwang Hee’s words.

“Is that the case, too? So do I. The same goes for the last letter….”

The last part of the letter sent by King Sejong was as follows.

– The situation in Japan and Europe is unstable, so although my body is in this distant place, my heart is in Hanseong. Of course, it’s not that I don’t trust you, Crown Prince, but I hope you understand that it is the inevitable fate of a ruler. I ask you again and again to report everything without exception.

Both Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom were at stake in this part.

“Rather, it is important to keep emphasizing it. “I feel like it’s too much to worry about…”

“I agree.”

Hyang inside Seunghwadang also had a similar expression and his head was crossed.

“Something seems suspicious.”

And when the dedicated communication lines began to come and go according to the timetable, King Sejong’s plan was revealed.

* * *

“This is a letter from Your Highness.”

Hyang, who took the letter and opened it, muttered softly.

“You put the straw in the right place.”

-I received the report you sent last time. After reading the report and thinking about it, I thought that the scale of this or that of the policies we had prepared could be reduced a bit. Then, since the budget has been reduced by a certain amount, please pay a certain amount out of the budget secured in that way and the profits received from the Japanese government.

And the funds saved in that way…

– Looking at the last report, the profits earned from the Japanese country were quite large. If done incorrectly, it could become a diplomatic dispute, so why not release a significant portion of those funds? Coincidentally, Shinji was in great need of cotton and grains for clothing… (short story)

The letter sent by King Sejong began with concerns and praise, but most of the content was a list of demands.

Hyang, who was looking at ‘Sejong’s shopping cart list’, sighed and burst into laughter.

“They say time never goes anywhere…”

* * *

The purchase list sent by King Sejong was truly exquisite, as if the tune that had run the government for over 20 years had not disappeared anywhere.

It was King Sejong who used Shinji as a means of circumventing the impact of the funds flowing in from the Japanese Empire without straining the government’s control and private supply capabilities.

In particular, the paragraph added to the end of the letter requesting cotton and grain for clothing was truly appropriate.

– Purchasing cotton and grains needed for cotton from the Japanese country in this way will calm the dissatisfaction of the Japanese country that may arise due to excessive spending and at the same time create an opportunity for Joseon to control the Japanese government.

After checking this last paragraph, Hyang nodded.

“This part was already a bit difficult for me to push through, but it turned out well.”

* * *

‘The governance of the Japanese country is subordinated to our Joseon.’

This part has been steadily progressing since the beginning of the gyeongjang. However, as the Japanese Empire fell into a state of civil war, a war of words was gradually taking place between government officials.

“The Japanese civil war that is happening now is an opportunity given by heaven! “They must be thoroughly subjugated!”

“That’s true, but wouldn’t it be morally problematic? I don’t mind the feuding lords of the Japanese country, but I feel like it sucks the blood of their people…”

“Modo? What kind of Tao? And what about the people? “Have you forgotten that the Japanese who have been harassing us since the end of the Joseon Dynasty are also citizens of that proud Japanese nation?”

“But it’s a bit weird to want us to be the same…”

“Have you ever seen such an arrogant man?”

In this situation, the letter sent by King Sejong was the best card.

“This way, we can take care of both the cause and the practical benefit.”

* * *

Hyang, who gained the support of King Sejong, immediately summoned the ministers.

“Abama sent this letter, and I also have the same thoughts.”

The ministers who read the letter sent by King Sejong quickly nodded to Hyang’s words.

“It will truly be an exquisite number.”

“That’s right. If we do this, we can take care of both justification and practical benefit.”

While all the ministers who had been divided on opinions responded positively, Kim Jeom expressed his thoughts to Hyang.

“To facilitate this plan, I think it would be good to use Daenae and Guju Tamje. “What do you think?”

Hyang nodded at Kim Jeom’s words.

“I think so too. And I don’t think Daenae will hate it either.”

“That’s right.”

* * *

If we look at the relationship between Joseon and Ouchi and other Japanese lords, the lords of Joseon and the Japanese kingdom were connected with Ouchi as a stepping stone.

The starting point for this situation was the ‘Ouchi guarantee’ requested by Joseon.

-We will only sell weapons to lords who have Ouchi’s guarantee!

Through Joseon’s decision, lords who wanted to purchase Joseon weapons had no choice but to go under Ouchi.

In this process, Ouchi not only provided a credit guarantee but also a payment guarantee.

Guns and artillery, as well as the most important gunpowder, were expensive items. Because of this, it was difficult to purchase small and medium-sized fiefdoms, and that was when Ouchi came forward.

“I will pay for you.”

“Thank you so much! “I and my territory swear allegiance to the matriarch!”

By doing this, Ouchi brought small and medium-sized fiefdoms into his shadow, and Joseon strengthened its influence through Ouchi as a medium.

* * *

However, no matter what the intermediate process was, those who ultimately bore the burden were the Japanese people. Naturally, complaints about Joseon began to emerge among the people.

And Han Myeong-hoe visited Ouchi.

“long time no see.”

“Oh Han Gong! “Welcome!”

Mochiyo was happy to welcome Han Myeong-hoe, but inside she was full of worry.

‘How much more are you going to take out? It’s just too much…’

As if he knew how Mochiyo felt, Han Myeong-hoe made a vaguely apologetic expression.

“I sincerely apologize for making such an apologetic request to someone who is busy with big business.”

“It’s okay. “What’s going on?”

“Yes, we have items needed for Joseon and would like you to sell them. “I will definitely pay the price.”

Mochiyo’s face brightened at Han Myeonghoe’s words.

“is it? Something? “Just say it!”