Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 748
Episode 748: The Emperor of the Second Lieutenant (1) Ju Ji
-jin, who was defeated in the war that took place in the 30th year of King Sejong’s reign (1448), committed suicide in Liaodong Province.
At that time, Joo Gi-jin and his wife committed suicide together, and his concubines, eunuchs including Wang Chung, and court ladies all became prisoners of Joseon.
The person who received the most attention in the process was Joo Gyeon-sim, Joo Joo-jin’s only son.
The Joseon military commanders all looked perplexed when they saw Zhu Gyeonsim wrapped in a blanket because he was just born.
“The biological mother was also taken prisoner, but it would be difficult to look after the child alone.”
“Find a nanny right now!”
“ancient!”
Fortunately, among the captured women was Joo Gyeon-sim’s nanny, which put the Joseon military commanders at ease.
“No matter how much you are the child of an enemy monster, you cannot kill a blood clot. “Isn’t it possible to tarnish the name of our Joseon military?”
The Joseon military commanders all nodded at Choi Yun-deok’s words.
“That’s right.”
* * *
The war ended with Joseon’s victory. Joseon, which had taken care of everything from the previous agreement, asked Ming about the future of Zhou Gyeonsim.
-What will we do with the dead Joo Jin-jin’s concubines and child?
The Emperor of Ming and his officials were troubled by Joseon’s questions. After much deliberation, Ming answered Joseon.
– I will bring back all the concubines, eunuchs, and court ladies who wish to return. But let Joo Ji-jin’s son stay in Joseon.
“joy! “That’s a clear answer!”
After hearing Ming’s answer, Hyang snorted. And this was the same for the ministers of the court.
Now, the Ming Dynasty was in a situation where Emperor Gyeongtae succeeded Emperor Seondeok. The problem was that Gyeongtaeje was not a descendant of Seondeokjae, but was born from a side line.
Emperor Gyeongtae ascended to the throne according to the orders of Emperor Seondeok, but being a successor to the royal family was likely to cause problems in the future.
Because of this, Ming abandoned Zhou Jianxin.
“Anyway, I have heard your answer, so please act accordingly.”
“I follow your orders.”
“ah!”
Hyang, who was trying to sort out the issue regarding the state of affairs, let out an exclamation as if he suddenly remembered something and added an order.
“Request for child support from Joo Gyeon-sim and receive it properly.”
“Are you talking about child support?”
Hyang nodded to the question asked by Hwang Hee, who had a confused expression.
“exactly. Anyway, aren’t they royal family? You will need to find a suitable place to live within the four main gates, and you will also need to find people to take care of you. Is that it? We have to provide clothing and food for the future, but doesn’t that all cost money? “We don’t have enough money to spend, so shouldn’t we be spending that much?”
“I’m getting it back!”
Kim Jeom was the first to come forward and agree with Hyang’s words.
In this way, Joseon once again robbed Myeong’s wallet.
-No matter what, the child is heir to the Ming imperial family. Are you going to make him live in poverty?
In this way, he gently scratched his pride and ripped off his wallet.
Joseon, which even paid child support for Joo Gyeon-sim from the Ming, followed the Ming’s demands.
Joo Ji-jin’s concubines and palace eunuchs who were captured were asked whether they would return, and those who wanted to return were all put on ships and sent back to Ming.
While most people hoped to return, there were some who decided to stay.
They were Concubine Joo, Joo Ji-jin’s concubine and biological mother, and the eunuch Wang Chong.
In the case of Concubine Zhou, it could be seen as natural since she was Zhou Jianxin’s biological mother, but Wang Chong was unexpected.
“Although you are forced to entrust your life to an enemy country, you are the only blood relative of the King of Liaodong. Of course I have to take care of it.”
The superficial reason was the same, but Wang Chong’s intentions were different.
‘There have been rumors that the person currently on the throne is sickly! Succession issues will inevitably arise! Waiting for that time! Just like Kang Tae-gong did!’
It was a life-threatening decision.
When the returnees and those who stayed were divided, Hyang provided them with a residence in the western section of the Four Great Gates.
Next, they searched for and assigned employees to take care of the household chores, and even set up a surveillance post to prepare for any unexpected incident.
In addition, the Ministry of Finance and Economy established the ‘Jugyeonsim Management Office’, a temporary department to execute child support received from people.
This was for accurate budget execution and management. Additionally, the township gave a special order to the person in charge of the management office.
-In the future, when the time comes when Ju Gyeon-sim needs to learn, he will be sent to a social democratic academy. Even if Joo Gyeon-sim’s biological mother refuses, they will forcibly execute it, and they will refuse even if there is a request to find a separate writing teacher. There are no special exceptions.
-If you wish to study more advanced studies after graduating from the Social Democratic Institute, this is permitted. However, learning industry, academia, and crafts is prohibited.
With the situation settled like this, Zhou Jianxin was forgotten by everyone.
In this way, Zhou Gyeonsim, who had been forgotten by everyone, was brought to the surface again.
* * *
Upon receiving Ming’s request, the empire immediately confirmed Zhou Jianxin’s situation.
Wan’s eyes lit up after checking the report from the department in charge.
“Have you already turned 18? Hmm….”
According to the report from the management office, the current situation of Zhou Gyeonsim was as follows.
-Current age: 18 years old. single.
-The mother, Joo, is also in good health.
-Personality is friendly and polite and maintains good relationships with neighbors.
-After finishing Social Ministries School, I finished middle school last year. Currently studying at home in order to be admitted to this academy.
“Hmm…”
Wan, who was looking at the report, asked the ministers.
“Looking at your age, you should already be married, so what’s the problem with you being single?”
Prime Minister Hwang Bo-in stepped forward and answered Wan’s question.
“I guess his origins aren’t the problem?”
“ah? I see…”
Wan nodded at Hwang Bo-in’s answer.
* * *
Thanks to the child support he received from the Ming Dynasty, Joo Gyeon-sim’s life was without any shortcomings. These days, more and more foreigners were settling in the empire, and marrying such foreigners was no longer a novelty.
So, in a way, he was a good groom with good judgment.
This was because he had never lived a poor life.
However, no matter how friendly the neighbors were, no one thought of him as a suitable partner for their daughter.
This was because he was Joo Ji-jin’s child.
No matter how much Joseon grew into an empire through that war, Joo Gyeon-shim was a newborn at the time, so even if he was not directly guilty, being ‘Joo Ji-jin’s child’ was a stigma that could never be erased.
* * *
Wan, who was looking at the report, moved on.
“In the Ming Dynasty, it was said that the reason for finding Zhu Jianxin was because Zhu Zhu Jin’s legitimate son, but strictly speaking, isn’t he a bastard and not a legitimate son?”
Hwang Bo-in came forward again and responded to Wan’s point.
“If you ask me, that’s true, but I think it’s safe to say he’s a legitimate child since he doesn’t have any children with Mr. Jeon, the maintenance man, and he’s the only child.”
“‘If you wear it on your ear, it’s an earring. If you wear it on your nose, it’s a nose ring.’”
“You can look at it that way, but Zhu Gyeonshen is almost the only one who is closest to the bloodline of the predecessor, Emperor Seondeok.”
Wan nodded at Hwang Bo-in’s answer and immediately gave an order.
“There’s no need for us to worry about their succession issues, right?”
“That’s right. Rather, the more complicated and noisy their succession issues become, the more comfortable we will become.”
In response to Hwang Bo-in, Wan made a decision right away.
“Then let’s send it to you as quickly as possible.”
“I follow your orders.”
* * *
That night, Wan received Milwi’s report in the safe house.
Wan, who was checking the reports obtained and organized by the Secret Service agent who had disguised himself as an employee of Joo Gyeon-sim’s house and the Secret Service agents lurking nearby, tilted his head.
“A patient with middle school disease? “Is there such a thing as middle school disease?”
In response to Wan’s question, the person in charge of the milwi smiled slightly and answered.
“To be precise, it is not a disease. “It simply refers to the behavior often seen by men and women in the age group attending middle school.”
“Behavior?”
In response to Wan’s question, the person in charge of the Militia explained about middle school soldiers.
-It is common practice in Joseon as well as nearby regions to recognize a person as an adult at around 14 years of age.
-However, although the body has grown to the point where it can be recognized as an adult, the mind is often still immature.
-There are cases where unusual behavior occurs due to this disharmony, and this is collectively called middle school illness. This is because it is often seen among those who attend middle school.
-A common characteristic is being more serious than necessary or thinking pessimistically. Or, there are cases where they show excessive sense of entitlement. Or, they think that they are a very special being, but that specialness has been sealed for some reason.
“Special? seal?”
In response to Wan’s bewildered question, the person in charge of the mill added with a wry smile:
“Why don’t you say that you have fetal dreams when you have children? But when you look at those prenatal dreams, there is nothing out of the ordinary, so you just think of them that way. “There are more than one similar legend.”
“Huh…”
Wan, who was shaking his head at the person in charge’s explanation, asked with a serious face.
“Shouldn’t we find a cure for this? “If I do something wrong, I think it will be difficult to fit in with the world, right?”
The person in charge smiled slightly and responded to Wan’s face full of worry.
“Time is the cure. After about 1-2 years, once you get to know the world, you will get out of the middle school sickness. “If there are any aftereffects, it could be that you end up being the subject of teasing at a drinking party or that you jump up and kick the blanket off while you’re sleeping.”
“You know so well? “Have you suffered from that disease too?”
“My son is sick.”
“Ah…”
Wan nodded without realizing it and looked at the report again. Wan’s eyes lit up as he studied the report.
“There’s a woman you like?”
“yes.”
“How is their relationship?”
“I am in a situation where my head is desperately chasing after me. “I don’t think he regards the woman as anything more than a close companion.”
“This is getting interesting. “Tell me to pay more attention to it.”
“I follow your orders!”
As an aside, Wan wrote a letter about this middle school soldier and sent it to Hyang. The scent of Wan’s calligraphy was intoxicating.
“ha ha ha! “Even at this time, I’m still in my second year of middle school!”
* * *
A few days later, an official from the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited the house where Zhou Jianxin lived.
“welcome.”
The official entered while being greeted by Wang Chong, the eunuch who played the role of the butler, and politely bowed to Lady Zhou.
“Have you been well so far?”
“I am at ease thanks to the mercy shown by His Imperial Majesty. So, what’s going on today?”
In response to Mr. Joo’s question, the official took out a document from the bag he was carrying and handed it to Mr. Joo.
“This is a state letter sent from the Ming Dynasty. “You need to return home.”
“yes? Why? “Why are people who have forgotten about us all of a sudden asking us to come back?”
There was deep resentment in Mr. Joo’s words.
The official answered Joo’s question briefly.
“Prince Joo Jin-jin should take over the throne.”
At the official’s words, Mr. Zhou and Wang Chong’s eyes began to shine at the same time. A dark venom was slowly being stained in those shining eyes.