Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 790
Episode 790 Noblemen, go to Shinji. (2)
As spring came into full effect, the first line of the Shinji conquest army that departed from the mainland arrived in Shinji.
Arriving at Chosi, the first group relieved themselves of the fatigue accumulated from the nearly two-month voyage and then set off on their way to Sinji Temporary Palace.
* * *
About 15 days later, an event hall was set up to welcome the conquering army at the railway station located at the entrance of Shinji Temporary Palace. On the temporarily created platform, local government officials gathered and waited for the conquering army to arrive.
“Even though the speed of the iron horse has increased thanks to the efforts of Jinpyeong and Area 52 craftsmen, it is surprising that it takes nearly 15 days.”
Jinpyeong, who was next to Hyang, responded to Hyang’s comment.
“I said it would take some time to come because I was going through training at the same time.”
“Really? Anyway, I’ll be busy again once the crazy people in the far south are sorted out, right? The Duchess will be a little upset.”
Jinpyeong responded to Hyang’s words with a bright face.
“How can physical hardship be a problem for someone who has become a member of the imperial family? I will have to face a long separation from my family again, but I know very well that I have to endure it because my wife and children are also members of the royal family.”
Hyang, who saw Jinpyeong’s words and expression, smiled and accepted the words.
“You child, erase the smile from the corners of your mouth before you speak. He’s over 50 and still can’t manage his facial expressions.”
“Hmph!”
* * *
‘What the empire lacks is people.’
This was one of the problems that had not yet been solved.
In particular, Shinji’s talent shortage problem was even more serious.
Although the headquarters continued to attract officials and educate indigenous people to create officials, there were still many vacancies for the key positions of ministers and vice ministers.
Although the chiefs and elder warriors of the indigenous tribes were absorbed into relationships and politics, there were still limitations in seeing the big picture.
Thanks to this, officials who came to Shinji from the beginning and rose to high positions are expected to hold at least two concurrent positions.
Thanks to this, Sejong and Hyang continued to lead busy lives.
Holding concurrent positions did not mean that checks would be weakened, but there was a high possibility of corruption occurring.
Audits and checks to prevent this were entirely the responsibility of King Sejong and Hyang.
Therefore, King Sejong and Hyang had to look at documents and check the receipts and disbursements of the budget more strictly and meticulously than when they were on the mainland.
Of course, it was too much for Sejong and Hyang to do alone, and helpers were needed.
King Sejong chose the Empress as his assistant, and Hyang chose Jinpyeong as his assistant.
Empress Soheon, whose own government was wiped out through Taejong’s political maneuvering, was able to become King Sejong’s biggest helper for that very reason.
In Jinpyeong’s case, it was an iron horse and a steam engine.
“You know that if officials are corrupt, you won’t be able to lay a railroad, right? They’re using the budget as an excuse.”
“I know very well.”
“Really? Then find out on your own.”
“yep!”
At Hyang’s words, Jinpyeong’s eyes lit up, he cross-checked the documents, found the problem, and went out to inspect the site.
The reason Hyang was able to run Jinpyeong with peace of mind was because Shinji’s railroad construction went more smoothly than expected.
This was because, unlike the main site, where a mountain appeared again after crossing one mountain, most of the railway in Shinji was plain, except for the mountainous areas that had been difficult in the beginning.
In other words, the difficult section was already almost over before Jinpyeong arrived, so the burden on Jinpyeong was greatly reduced.
Hyang did not just leave Jinpyeong like this and entrusted him with the role of auditor.
As an aside, Jinpyeong’s family was very grateful to Hyang for this decision. This was because Jinpyeong, who used to be outside all the time because he was busy working on railroad construction, started commuting to work regularly and spent more time with his family.
However, Jinpyeong’s eyes were always on the railroad, and he was excited by the news that the conquering army was coming this time.
This was because the railroad could be further expanded if the conquering army conquered the south.
* * *
Hyang and Jinpyeong, who were bored waiting for the conquering army to arrive, continued their conversation.
“There was a lot of praise for Marquis Uigyeong and Count Hae-yeon, saying they were doing a good job.”
Jinpyeong sighed in response to Hyang’s praise.
“Woo~. What do I do if I do well? There’s no one who wants to follow in their father’s footsteps…”
Jinpyeong grumbled with an expression of displeasure.
Unlike the history before Hyang intervened, Jinpyeong did not have a concubine. Thanks to this, Jinpyeong and his wife Yoon only had two sons and one daughter.
At a time when fertility was the trend, the number of children was very small.
Thanks to this, the scent was enough to murmur like this.
“Isn’t this the reason why the royal descendants’ direct lineage almost disappeared from the mid-Joseon Dynasty and collateral lines appeared frequently?”
Suspicions were just suspicions, and Jinpyeong’s children lived a life different from the history before Hyang intervened.
The biggest characteristic was that, unlike in history before the intervention of incense, no one lived a short life.
In this situation, Hyang stroked his chin and his eyes lit up.
“Is it true that my father’s life was short-lived because of his karma?”
However, like Jinpyeong’s complaints, there were no children who followed in Jinpyeong’s footsteps.
The eldest son, Crown Prince Soong, showed interest in public administration, especially finance-related fields, and immediately committed himself to the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
Although it was a tough job that involved working overtime every day and struggling with numbers, Soong enjoyed the work.
From Soong’s perspective, Shinji’s finance work was the best environment.
The second son, Hwang, also chose a different path from Jinpyeong.
Because he was naturally weak, Jinpyeong and his wife paid great attention to his health. Seeing the Jinpyeong couple like that, the scent of Hyang was triggered.
“Medicines are good, but it is said in medical texts that moderate physical training is better for health.”
The influence of Hyang, who was the crown prince at the time, was so great that Jinpyeong and his wife searched for famous warriors.
Unlike in history before the intervention of Hyang, Jinpyeong was obsessed with steam engines, so there were no warriors or merchants at home.
In the end, after hearing the story, King Sejong ordered Naegeumwi to select a person from Naegeumwi and send him to Jinpyeong.
Perhaps Hwang’s prescription was effective, and Hwang’s constitution gradually changed to a healthier state.
The problem was next.
Hwang, who became interested in radish through Naegeumwi, who taught him, immediately applied for military service. Then, he was put in a challenger-level battle line and began to follow the path of the navy.
As a result, Huang was now serving as a captain at the Imperial Naval Base guarding the route between the mainland and Suez.
Lastly, Uisuk, who was loved as the only daughter of the Jinpyeong couple, followed in the footsteps of her aunt, Princess Jeongso, and became a medical professional.
Since all of Jinpyeong’s children were capable, Hyang decided to bring them with him when he came to Shinji.
There are two reasons.
-They are all talented people.
-I am taking it out of the headquarters to prepare for any unexpected events.
In making this decision, it was Hwang who made us think about scent.
“Both Sung and Hwang are capable, but if they make a mistake, both the administration and military government can fall under Jinpyeong.”
According to this analysis, Hwang, unlike his other brothers, continued to work at the southwest naval base.
What was interesting was that Jinpyeong and Soong, who lived together in Shinji, complained every day.
The conflict between the father and son became more severe when Jinpyeong took on the role of auditor.
“Look! Director of Finance! What is this budget? Why is this the only budget allocated for railway construction!”
“That’s enough! Isn’t that a 5 penny increase compared to last year’s budget?”
“This isn’t enough! We can’t speed up the railroad construction with this budget!”
“Is the only work being done here in Shinji? National defense is more urgent as a priority! The construction of the front lines is being delayed due to a lack of budget right now! That is more urgent! It has already been approved by His Majesty the Situation!”
“Hey you bastard!”
“I’ll say it again, this has already been approved! I’m at work! Please leave!”
Jinpyeong, who was kicked out of Soong’s office, was furious and beat his chest.
“Before, only my older brother was mistreating me, but now he’s also mistreating my son! I can’t live because I’m so angry!”
* * *
“…Oh brother! That’s what I mean! I’m so angry that I can’t live!”
“Okay, okay. I’ll pay more attention…”
While Hyang was listening to Jinpyeong’s complaints with a bitter smile, the sound of the iron horse’s whistle was heard from afar.
Ppaeaek~.
Hearing the sound of a whistle coming from afar, Hyang and Jinpyeong looked at their clothes again and straightened their postures with serious expressions.
Soldiers carrying military uniforms began to descend one after another from the iron horses that arrived at the station.
Beep! Beep!
“Move quickly!”
“Oh, keep your heat!”
The soldiers took their seats at the event site under the direction of executives with whistles on their mouths.
Jinpyeong, who was watching the soldiers taking their seats in line with Oh, slowly leaned towards Hyang and asked a small question.
“Brother, no, Your Majesty. Are the people we are seeing now soldiers or thieves?”
In response to Jinpyeong’s question, Hyang also gave a small answer with a slightly confused expression.
“I, and Jim, are curious too.”
The soldiers lined up in front of Hyang and Jinpyeong had close-shaven heads and bushy beards. And his eyes were full of venom and murder.
“A military courtesy to His Majesty the Emperor!”
“insect!”
When Lee Jing-ok, the commander-in-chief, ordered a military salute in a loud voice, the soldiers saluted in unison.
After receiving the military courtesy of the conquering army, the village welcomed them with a short and simple speech of encouragement.
“Thank you for your hard work in coming to the Presidency. I hope to punish the cruel and ruthless people who enjoy cannibalism in the south and establish proper principles in Shinji.”
“insect!”
After giving a short and simple speech of encouragement, Hyang went down from the stage and looked at the generals and soldiers and encouraged them.
Hyang, who was looking at the generals and soldiers while encouraging them, looked at Lee Jing-ok and asked briefly.
“I heard in the documents I sent and the documents I received that most of the conquering army were noblemen. But the people I see now are not noblemen, but rather…”
Lee Jing-ok smiled heartily and answered at the sight of Hyang slightly slurring his words.
“Hahaha! People from the nobility are coming to welcome you! But aren’t they coming to the civil service examination center now to watch civil service exams, rather than to fight a war? That’s why I trained them a bit!”
Jinpyeong, who was listening to Lee Jing-ok’s answer from behind, muttered softly.
“How can I train a nobleman to become a thief?”
The officials who heard Jinpyeong muttering around him nodded at the same time.
Hyang, who had been looking at the soldiers once again while listening to Lee Jing-ok’s words, looked at Lee Jing-ok again.
“Seeing that they all have strong bodies, it seems like they were chosen carefully. They are truly trustworthy.”
Lee Jing-ok smiled and responded to Hyang’s words.
“I have practiced some virtue.”
“huh?”
“There are many people who not only have a generous heart but also a generous body, hahaha!”
“huh?”
Lee Jing-ok’s cheerful laughter made Hyang think, ‘No way?’ They had expressions like this, and a small sound of teeth grinding could be heard among the soldiers lined up.
Pop!
This was because those who had become less generous thanks to Lee Jing-ok ground their teeth without realizing it.
“huh?”
“Where does the sound of teeth grinding come from…”