Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 721

Episode 721: Seonwi (3)

“Thanks to the monopoly, the natives’ fortunes are progressing smoothly.”

“Is that so?”

Hyang, who was studying the report while listening to the official’s explanation, burst into laughter.

“This is it… Was the report I received from Seoul an understatement?”

The information written in the report that Hyang was now checking went beyond what he had received in Seoul.

If the report arriving in Seoul had recorded only brief details such as the number of monopoly stores increasing and the changes in revenue and expenditures earned through monopoly stores and those that were in deficit and those that were converted to surplus – although it was a thick book in several volumes – it would be now. What Hyang was seeing was recorded in more detail.

“This is it…”

Hyang, who was checking the contents of the report, was at a loss for words.

“This cannot be considered a simple monopoly.”

The official nodded immediately at Hyang’s evaluation.

“I think what His Majesty said is the most accurate.”

Hyang, who was listening to the official’s words and checking information related to the monopoly, was lost in thought.

“How should I say this? Not only is it the center of transactions, but it also serves as the central base for political communication and security…”

* * *

As Hyang said, Shinji’s monopoly store had many differences compared to our magazine’s monopoly office.

The only thing they had in common was that they sold monopoly products such as salt, candy and pepper, as well as products from the private sector, and that the size of the monopoly stores and how many locations to set up were determined by the size of the population.

Shinji’s monopoly had more roles.

Their traditional role was to familiarize the people with the market economy by selling monopoly items and other products, understand the public sentiment through the people who came and went to the monopoly stores, and find out what the people’s lifestyles were like by looking at their consumption patterns.

There was something else added to Shinji’s monopoly.

First, it was a garrison and supply depot for the imperial army.

The imperial army stationed in Xinji was an organization centered on cavalry and artillery, almost identical to the organization operated by the empire in the Liaodong region.

In order to reliably subdue a large area with a small unit, the correct answer was to have strong mobility and firepower.

The problem was that proper supply was essential to operate it smoothly.

In order for war horses to exert their strength properly, they had to be fed proper feed, not just grass. The same was true for the guns and artillery used by cavalrymen and artillerymen. There had to be sufficient bullets and gunpowder that were properly managed in a proper management facility.

And the place that made this possible was the monopoly where supplies were regularly supplied.

Of course, the imperial army did not unconditionally live in the monopoly.

There were people everywhere targeting monopoly stores full of salt, candy, spices, etc. This was the same in Shinji. No, in Shinji, that desire was even stronger.

Not only salt and candy spices that I had never tasted before, but even fabric so soft that I couldn’t believe it was made by humans. Thanks to this, in the early days of establishing the monopoly, we had to fight against the natives who attempted to plunder us.

However, as the imperial army took hold, the monopoly was secured.

The second was a place for political consultation.

This second role arose as an addition to the first role.

Shinji’s monopoly store, like ours, had its operating scale and number of stores determined by population size.

In large tribal associations such as the Iroquois Confederation, about 10 monopoly offices were established, but in areas where minority tribes were located in the outskirts, 2 to 5 tribes were grouped together and operated by one monopoly office.

Although there were differences, the standards for installation location were the same.

-A place with easy transportation and a source of drinking water nearby.

Retail outlets established according to these standards have become the best places for people to meet.

When people gathered like that, dissonance of one kind or another was bound to arise, and it was natural for the political leaders of the tribe to gather at the monopoly and talk to resolve it.

However, what is interesting is that just as there were few cases of good relations between countries bordering each other, the relations between tribes that were close to each other were not smooth.

Even though they were branch tribes branching out of one large tribe, there were some who growled whenever they met. Because of this situation, it was not uncommon for minority tribes to take out their weapons whenever they met.

This was where the imperial army shined. There were no idiots taking out weapons in places where the Imperial Army was stationed. The imperial army went one step further and allowed natives entering the monopoly to use the monopoly only if they handed over their weapons to the imperial army.

And Sejong was not the type to just ignore this situation.

King Sejong immediately applied the imperial army’s monopoly stationing to all monopoly stations being established in the new area.

Through this process, the empire’s control over the noble tribes was strengthened.

Following that, they even pushed for a policy of turning the monopoly into a demilitarized zone (excluding the imperial forces).

And the empire was dispatched to protest against the tribes that refused. However, some tribes rejected King Sejong’s policy until the end, using force against the messengers sent by King Sejong, and King Sejong mercilessly suppressed these tribes.

Of course, these hard-line measures were not the only measures taken. He brought together political leaders – chiefs, elders, warriors and shamans – of tribes that were already wealthy as well as tribes struggling over wealth, held a banquet and negotiated, and succeeded in coordinating the conflict by acting as a mediator between the tribes in conflict.

In this process, not only King Sejong but also Empress Soheon played a major role. In most Native American tribes, especially the Iroquois Confederacy, women also held considerable political power. Queen Soheon invited the ‘eldest mothers’ of these tribes to chat with them and build friendships.

By using the monopoly, King Sejong was able to secure a firm grip on Shinji’s political control.

* * *

Hyang, who understood the situation up to this point, looked serious and muttered.

“Tae Sang-tae left us a very difficult homework.”

The official who heard Hyang’s murmur nodded without realizing it.

Although it was only 10 years, King Sejong created a solid foundation for Shinji. And the officials of Shinji, who saw it right next to them, were busy sticking their tongues out every time.

‘This is indeed the situation!’

‘The elders’ stories about the situation were not exaggerated!’

The officials of Shinji, who had seen and experienced King Sejong in person, were looking at Hyang, who took charge of Shinji after King Sejong, with a mixture of anticipation and worry.

‘Danggeum’s situation is said to be as talented as Taesang’s, but is it really…’

‘Shinji’s situation is completely different from the main site, but is it really…’

Whether or not he knew the feelings of Shinji’s officials, Hyang came up with his own plan.

‘There is definitely a problem with relying solely on force. There are limits to supplying troops from the headquarters. And there is a significant possibility that Europe will cross the Atlantic within 10 years at the earliest. Even without Columbus.’

Hyang, who clearly knew that history had changed significantly due to his intervention, was confident that the advance of Europe would be faster than expected.

‘The answer is to attract indigenous people to the military. For this purpose, unauthorized rule is the worst move. The problem is that we need to expand Shinji’s territory at the same time… Hmm… What?’

Hyang, who was thinking about the future, sighed without realizing it.

“Whoa~. “The door to suffering is wide open.”

‘I think Taehyang made up his mind and took action?’

The scent seemed to show King Sejong smiling mischievously. And this was true to some extent.

Before Hyang left for Shinji, he explained his plan to King Sejong.

At that time, King Sejong mainly listened and did not give much advice.

“I wrote it briefly in the report on the situation, but…” He

only started things like that every now and then to prevent him from going too far.

In the end, Hyang arrived at Shinji and wrapped his head on the iron horse heading to Mishushigama.

Jinpyeong said something indifferently at the sight of that scent.

“That’s why you can see Taesang well, right? “He always did what he was told to do and stayed in Area 51 and the research lab whenever he had the chance… Isn’t it probably because he was worried that he would do the same thing here as well?”

At those words, Hyang gritted his teeth and accepted the words.

“Jinpyeong. “Would you like to open that door and go out for a moment?”

“The iron horse is running now, so you want me to open the door and get out?”

“huh.”

Jinpyeong immediately fell flat on his face at Hyang’s short answer.

“I’ll just keep my mouth shut and work on the railroad plan!”

Hyang, who was glaring at Jinpyeong, who immediately buried his nose in the map, sighed again.

“Whoa~. I can’t help it. I have no choice but to do it right. Because Tae Sang-tae is not the kind of person who would leave impossible homework….”

Everyone knew that although the work King Sejong entrusted was always difficult, nothing was impossible.

Therefore, although Hyang grumbled, he did not lose motivation.

* * *

With that in mind, Hyang took in the surrounding scenery with a much more relaxed mind and enjoyed Shinjiman’s food.

“The taste of the soup is unique, isn’t it? “It’s unusual, but it doesn’t taste bad.”

The hostess who placed the food in response to Hyang’s evaluation smiled brightly and responded.

“This is a stew made using meat rice cakes made by the people of Shinji.”

“Meat rice cake?”

When the scent showed curiosity, Sooksu explained in more detail.

“Meat rice cakes are made by making beef jerky from the flesh of bison or deer, mixing it with grain powder, and kneading it with hardened oil.”

After listening to Sooksu’s explanation, Hyang soon discovered its identity.

‘Pemmican? Did you end up eating real orthodox pemmican, not factory made? ‘Not bad?’

After eating a few more spoonfuls of soup, Hyang continued his evaluation.

“No matter how much the soybean paste is boiled, it doesn’t have as much flavor as I expected. “It seems like your skills are good.”

At Hyang’s praise, Suksu smiled brightly and bowed his head.

“That’s too much praise. The ingredients were good. When I first encountered meat rice cake, I thought a lot about how to cook it. But the meat rice cakes that come out these days have almost no flavor to enjoy.”

“is it?”

In response to Hyang’s reaction, the official next to him added a comment.

“There are rumors that the Imperial Navy also wants to purchase it in large quantities. “If we succeed in supplying the military, there will be people among the residents of the new area who are as wealthy as the rich people in the main area.”

“Hoo? how?”

When the scent showed curiosity, the official excitedly explained the reason.

Imperials who first encountered meat duck had a hard time enjoying its flavor.

“It’s easy to eat, but the smell is a bit strong.”

“No matter how much meat it is, the smell is too strong. “The taste is so boring!”

Even though he continued to complain, the imperial people could not throw away the meat rice cakes. This was due to the unique habit of imperial people who were sincere when it came to eating.

“Besides, it’s meat! meat!”

In the end, the people of the empire started boiling soup to enjoy it even a little bit. The people of the empire looked happy after eating the soup made with soybean paste and seasoned with vegetables found nearby.

“okay! “This is what it tastes like!”