Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 702
Episode 702: Sixtieth Birthday (9)
Hyang immediately closed his mouth at Sejong’s firm answer.
Sejong and Wan seemed rather surprised by the quick abandonment of the scent.
‘Why this bastard?’
‘Why Your Majesty?’
Sejong, unable to overcome his curiosity, immediately asked the reason.
“Is the emperor quick to give up this time? Do you have any health problems? “Shouldn’t we at least call the royal doctor right away?”
To Sejong’s question full of worry, Hyang answered with a humble smile.
“It was something that was already expected to some extent.”
“So, you took a quick stab at it? “Is it a good thing to do, or is it something we can’t do anything about?”
“ha ha ha.”
“Hey you bastard!”
Wan, who was watching this scene from the side, muttered to himself.
‘This scene doesn’t feel familiar!’
It was natural. Because it was a situation where Wan was broken by Hyang every time.
After the skit ended, Hyang asked Sejong with a serious face.
“How did you view the Crown Prince’s handling of affairs? “I think it’s very good.”
Sejong nodded at Hyang’s words.
“The emperor’s judgment is correct. What the crown prince lacks right now is experience. There are old officials, including the Prime Minister, so they will not easily fall into a crisis, but they have one advantage. As I already said, they are experienced old gods, so they will not fall into crisis easily, but on the contrary, if they make even the slightest mistake, the emperor can be swayed by the old gods. There are only two ways to stop this: either have overwhelming ability and experience, or purge. “Doesn’t the emperor also remember Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s group?”
Hyang immediately nodded at Sejong’s point.
“I remember it clearly.”
* * *
When King Sejong had just escaped Taejong’s convergence and entered into his own government, his most powerful helper and rival was Ryu Jeong-hyeon, the Prime Minister, and the old officials who followed him. The old subjects, who were fed up with King Taejong’s dogmatic politics, tried to break King Sejong’s momentum and establish a republican political system dominated by theocracy.
However, they were purged on a large scale through the ‘Duchang Incident’ and the government underwent major changes.
And the descendants of Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s faction had not yet been pardoned or reinstated.
King Sejong had no intention of doing so, and Hyang also did not mention anything about their amnesty and reinstatement.
‘The foundation of the empire, or rather the emperor, is still weak! At least 100 years must pass! If you do it wrong, you will become Amitabha Buddha! The democratic revolution is not a revolution from above, but a revolution from below!’
* * *
Meanwhile, Wan’s face, who was listening to Hyang and Sejong’s story next to him, was full of resignation.
Although many words were exchanged, there was only one conclusion.
-I leave everything to the crown prince!
The idea was to gain experience quickly, but the reality was that Hyang and Sejong would just sit back and watch. Of course, it’s normal to click your tongue every now and then to upset someone.
Even though Wan was so resigned, he also inherited King Sejong’s blood. In addition, there was something I learned while working with the research institute, Area 51, and government officials – especially the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
‘I can’t die alone!’
Wan made a firm decision and intervened in the conversation between Hyang and Sejong.
“I am truly humbled, but even if Your Majesty goes to Shinji, the situation will return, so won’t it be difficult for the old gods to recklessly try to tyrannize?”
Sejong looked like he didn’t understand Wan’s words and asked back.
“Why should I get involved in political affairs?”
“Yes, of course it is the situation…”
Sejong cut Wan off firmly.
“What I can do is advice, not interference. If I step forward carelessly, the imperial authority will be shaken. “This is actually poison.”
Wan had no choice but to bow his head in response to Sejong’s firm answer.
“Soson’s thoughts were short-lived.”
‘Can not help it! Seson, I will only trust you! Grow up quickly!’
* * *
While Sejong Hyang and Wan were talking, the conversation was also going on in Gyotaejeon.
Empress Soheon, who returned with King Sejong, had gathered the empress and queen of Hyang, the crown princess, and the bean, and was conducting a command and inspection.
“It’s been a while since I last saw you, but everyone seems to be in good health.”
“Thank you.”
Empress Soheon, who started with a well-wishes, looked at the Crown Princess and Bean and asked a question.
“It’s great to see you guys looking healthy too.”
“Thank you.”
“How is your health?”
“There is no major problem.”
“In order to continue the royal family and avoid troubles, we must give birth to many healthy children. However, giving birth is a difficult task that takes a toll on your body and mind. That’s why you should always pay attention to your health and have the right mindset so it shouldn’t be a cause for concern. This must be kept in mind.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Although the Crown Princess and Bean nodded slightly in response, Empress Soheon’s questions did not end.
“Do you shoot a bow?”
“It’s just a matter of pretending.”
“Well… then what about the horse gun?”
“That too…”
In response to the Crown Princess and Bin’s response, Empress Soheon immediately turned to the Empress and the Empress. Empress Dowager Soheon, who noticed the fact that they were unable to make proper eye contact, immediately clicked her tongue strongly.
“Tsk!”
As soon as Empress Soheon clicked her tongue strongly, the Empress and the Empress became very nervous.
‘Something happened!’
Empress Soheon, her expression hardened, glared at the empress and empress.
“What have you done? Archery and gunplay are the best means to train the mind and body, so why do they come to this?”
“I apologize!”
In response to Empress Dowager Soheon’s reprimand, the empress and queen concubines bowed their heads in unison and asked for forgiveness, and the crown prince and queen became restless.
Empress Soheon had a stern look on her face and gave advice to the Crown Princess and Bin.
“When I told you to train hard in archery and gunmanship, it wasn’t just for your health. It is also a precaution in case something unpleasant happens at the palace. Of course, there are internal affairs, but you are the ones who will protect His Majesty the Emperor and the Crown Prince to the end. “We must not forget this.”
“I will keep this in mind!”
In response to Empress Soheon’s words, the Crown Princess and the queen hurriedly bowed their heads and muttered in their hearts.
‘They say you are the heroine of the world, indeed!’
* * *
At the time when the old Hanseong was engulfed in flames, King Sejong and Hyang had vacated the capital to observe military training.
Naturally, confusion arose due to the absence of the highest decision-maker, and it was Empress Soheon who resolved it. Even though she was pregnant at the time, she pushed the officials to decide on priorities and lead the way in extinguishing the fire.
That wasn’t all. When the rebels led by Prince Yangnyeong and Seo Seon invaded Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Naegeumwi, under orders from King Sejong, attempted to evacuate her outside. However, she was a female leader who scolded the Naegumwi who came to her and ran to Geunjeongjeon with her own bow.
In history before Hyang intervened, she died before King Sejong, but after Hyang intervened, she still maintained good health along with King Sejong.
* * *
After hearing Empress Dowager Soheon’s reprimand and advice, the Empress and her party politely went outside.
“I’m sorry! “The heavenly concubines are angry!”
As soon as they came out, the Crown Princess and the Queen apologized to the Empress and the Queen Mother by bending their backs at a 90 degree angle.
“Tsk!”
The Empress, who clicked her tongue with an angry face, gave orders to the Crown Princess and Bean.
“After breakfast tomorrow morning, come straight to the archery range.”
“yes. mama.”
“When you come, don’t just come. Be sure to bring a jumping rope, bowstring, and horseback gun. “You have to bring that yourself, too.”
“Yes mama.”
After giving the order, the Empress turned to the court lady standing next to her and gave the order.
“Send someone to the people inside the duke and marquis to convey my order. From now on, those who do not attend the archers and musketeers on time should not even think about seeing my face.”
“Yes mama.”
In this way, the notoriety of the ‘Gyeongbokgung Mafia’ became even stronger.
* * *
After all the big and small commotions, Sejong and his party returned to Shinji.
And as Sejong and Hyang said, Wan had to gain experience by handling more tasks.
But Hyang didn’t just sit idle.
“Anyway, I’m leaving for Shinji next year. “There are a lot of things to take care of before Wan can be comfortable.”
The first thing Hyang dealt with while worrying about Wan’s reign was the personnel policy, or to be more precise, the handling of the ‘Gang of Four’.
“If you take me to Shinji, it would be easier for me, but if Jinpyeong goes with you, it’s a problem. “If you do it wrong, you could get in trouble at Shinji.”
Hyang, who was worried about preventing the meeting between the four, or rather Han Myeong-hoe and Jinpyeong, made a personnel change to the four.
Han Myeong-hoe was moved to the Ministry of General Affairs, Seong Sam-moon to the Ministry of Justice, and Kwon Ram to the 3rd Vice Minister of Education, a subordinate branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From the outside, it was a miracle. However, Han Myeong-hoe’s expression was not very good.
“You’re telling me to try my best.”
At a small dinner party held just for the four of them to commemorate the personnel change, the other three who heard Han Myeong-hoe’s words tilted their heads.
“What are you talking about? “In terms of the old rank, isn’t it an unprecedented promotion from the 3rd rank to the 2nd rank of servant?”
Han Myeong-hoe smiled bitterly at Kwon Ram’s question.
“It’s an unprecedented promotion, right? But the location is the problem. We all are vice ministers, but our positions are third vice ministers. “From the outside, I am 4th in the hierarchy of the ministry, but from the inside, it is too much for me to go any further than that, even if it is just a little crooked.”
“ah!”
At Han Myeong-hoe’s words, the other three let out exclamations at the same time. As Han Myeong-hoe said, if you look at the position of Vice Minister from the outside, you can see that he was a high-ranking official. But if you look at it internally, it was 4th in line.
Looking at the personnel policy of the empire that we have seen so far, when a minister resigns, the person who takes over immediately is the first vice minister. The seat of the person whose experience and ability was recognized was the First Vice Minister, and the hand prepared just in case was the Second Vice Minister.
But it was not the Third Vice Minister. The position given to those who were recognized for their abilities or experience but still felt a bit lacking was the position of third vice minister.
In some ways, the 3rd Vice Minister was a position that was almost no different from the management officer at the level immediately below. If no clear results were shown, the position of third vice minister was to see the management officer below be promoted to second vice minister.
The other three, who understood what Han Myeong-hoe said, emptied their glasses with bitter faces.
“As expected, it is Your Majesty. “I just can’t see you being comfortable.”
In response to the words of encouragement, Seong Sam-moon filled his cup and accepted the words.
“But wouldn’t it be a good opportunity? “It’s such a close call, so wouldn’t it be possible to get greater recognition if we perform well?”
“Is that so?”
When Hawiji looked intrigued by Seong Sam-moon’s words, Han Myeong-hoe added.
“What Maejukheon – Seong Sammun’s nickname – is right. To tell the truth, from the perspective of the assigned ministry, we are like a rolled stone. That means it will never be looked upon favorably. But if the results are recognized there, it means things will be solid from then on. I don’t know what you think, but I have no intention of stopping here. If you were born as a boy, shouldn’t you at least reach the position of ‘one-in-one and all-in-one’?”
The other three nodded in unison at Han Myeong-hoe’s ambitious words.
“yes!”
“If you’ve already entered the workforce, you should see it through to the end!”
Meanwhile, Hyang, who received the report through Milwi, shook her head.
“As expected, it’s Hanmyeonghoe. “It’s Han Myeong-hoe.”