Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 82
Episode 82: The White Clothes Master (1)
As March entered, strange rumors began to circulate in Hanseong.
Hanseongbu Panyun Kwon Jin heard the rumor and immediately reported it to King Sejong.
“majesty. “Right now, false rumors are going around in the city.”
“True words? Something?”
“It’s truly a blasphemous thing to say…”
“It’s okay. “Tell me.”
In response to King Sejong’s words, Kwon Jin carefully explained the true words.
“’When crows caw in the pine trees of Jongmyo Shrine, the sky changes the weather, rain falls and black clouds drift, this is the time when the dynasty changes.’ “…”
Before Kwon Jin could finish his sentence, Sejong slammed the armrest and shouted.
“Such cheeky!”
In response to King Sejong’s shouting, the ministers kept their mouths shut and only watched.
“okay. “Have you found the source of those blasphemy words?”
“We are doing our best to investigate.”
“Be sure to find the person spreading such false statements!”
“I follow your orders.”
King Sejong, who gave an order to Hanseongbu Panyun, gave an order to the criminal punishment judge.
“Even these days, there are ruthless people who attempt arson?”
“I beg your Majesty, but there are still people who commit such outrageous acts.”
“Have you seen these cheeky people?”
Sejong once again hit the armrest and expressed his anger.
After the great fire that occurred in February, people appeared in Hanseong trying to set fires and then take advantage of the opportunity to commit theft.
But their attempts often ended with only burning houses.
This was because the military forces defending the capital were left from their garrisons and deployed throughout Hanseong to rebuild the damaged area and maintain public order.
Soldiers were not the only ones deployed in large numbers.
Residents of each room and block also formed groups and climbed onto the roof to keep watch in all directions.
As soon as the sun set there, traffic was banned. After sunset, anyone except those who were permitted to work at night or who had permission to work at night was immediately arrested and imprisoned in the Pocheong prison.
Even though security was strengthened, people who attempted to set fire to get a quick meal continued to appear.
Due to the arson they committed, more than 50 houses were burned down even after the great fire, and casualties and victims occurred.
However, those who set fire like that were immediately caught by the police officers and Byeolsun soldiers and were severely punished.
* * *
‘The dynasty is changing!’ While the investigation was underway to catch the person who spread the false statement, another rumor began to circulate.
‘This fire was started by Jo Mal-saeng from the Military Police! When the king vacated the capital, Jo Mal-saeng, the military governor, ordered people to set a fire and burn the weapons, and Goksan-gun Yeonsanjong did not follow the king’s journey and tried to plot things. Also, on the day the fire broke out, Jo Mal-saeng’s son Joseon and his relative Yi In of Gongnyeong tried to set off the fire and ride on horseback to attack the palace.’
When this rumor spread, Jo Mal-saeng bowed down before King Sejong and cried out for his innocence.
“majesty! God would not have done such an outrageous thing! Please believe in God’s loyalty!”
“I guess so. “Gyeong has been in charge since the reign of the previous king.”
While comforting Jo Mal-saeng, who complained of injustice, King Sejong gave an order.
“Quickly find out who is spreading these rumors and arrest them!”
After a massive investigation that covered the entire Hanseong area, the suspect was caught.
“We have caught the suspect.”
“Who is it?”
“My name is Kim Yong-saeng, who served as vice-governor.”
Sejong expressed doubts about Hanseongbu Panyun’s answer.
“If you’re a deputy, isn’t he at least a high-ranking official of the third rank? “Why would someone like that spread such false rumors?”
“I’m trying to figure out that reason right now.”
“Hand it over to the Uigeumbu and confirm the facts as quickly as possible.”
“I follow your orders!”
After a few days, Uigeumbu Jeok directly reported the findings to King Sejong.
“It is said that Kim Yong-saeng committed this act because he had a deep personal grudge with Yeonsanjong of Goksan-gun, the military magistrate, Jo Mal-saeng.”
“Huh~.”
King Sejong sighed at the explanation of Uigeumbu manufacturing.
“What on earth made you so angry that you did something like this? “Whether the accusation works or not, won’t one side be completely destroyed?”
Sejong’s question was valid.
The accusation of treason was a gamble that risked the lives of both those who committed the accusation and those who suffered.
If the accusation was true, the entire family of the person accused would be ruined, and if it was false, the opposite situation would happen.
“That is…”
“Say.”
According to King Sejong’s order, Uigeumbu Manufacturing reported the situation.
“… That is why Kim Yong-saeng, who harbored a grudge over the bribery issue, spread false rumors.”
“Huh…”
Sejong was so stunned that he couldn’t speak. King Sejong’s eyes were fixed on Jo Mal-saeng, prostrate on one side.
“A military report.”
“Yes yes! majesty!”
“Gwain remembers what the late King said to you. ‘I really want to make you a priest, but I’ll do it slowly, so don’t hesitate.’ “It was.”
“Your Highness…”
Sejong’s voice became increasingly colder.
“Please stay safe for the time being. “Listen to the Great Constitution.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Investigate the bribery issue related to the Military Provisions.”
“I follow your orders!”
Daesaheon’s voice as he answered seemed excited.
Daesaheon was not the only one who was excited. The officials of the Constitutional Department, who had been fed for the first time in a long time, conducted a tenacious investigation.
As a result, what could be said to be the largest bribery scandal of the Joseon Dynasty, not even the reign of King Sejong, was uncovered.
It was a scandal recorded in the Annals as the ‘Kim Do-ryun Bribery Case’.
“According to the investigation, a person named Kim Do-yeon manipulated the lawsuit by giving bribes to current and former officials, including the military magistrate and Goksan-gun Yeonsanjong. As a result, they took away all the property and slaves of brothers Kim Song and Kim Jin living in Hongwon-hyeon, Hamheung Province, and made hundreds of their relatives into slaves.”
“Huh…”
King Sejong seemed at a loss for words upon hearing Dae Heon’s report.
According to Daesaheon’s report, Kim Do-yeon’s case was truly an incident that clearly showed what ‘human-faced mind’ is.
The incident started when the criminal, Kim Do-yeon, became greedy for Kim Saeng’s property. Kim Saeng, who was friends with Kim Do-yeon’s grandfather, moved to Hamgil Island and, through many twists and turns, became a self-made man with a huge rice field and over a thousand slaves.
Kim Do-yeon, who was greedy for this property, fabricated documents and filed a lawsuit claiming that Kim Saeng was originally a slave in his family but had run away to Hamgil Island.
In order to win this lawsuit, Kim Do-yeon paid a huge amount of bribes to high-ranking officials.
Thanks to the bribes he gave, Kim Do-yeon won the lawsuit and made Kim Saeng’s 426 descendants, over 1,000 slaves, and the rice paddies and fields his own.
“… So, the list of people who received bribes from this person named Kim Do-yeon is as follows.”
King Sejong opened the scroll submitted by Daesaheon and checked the names written on the scroll.
“The names of the military inspector general and Goksan-gun are at the very front.”
At King Sejong’s words, Jo Mal-saeng suddenly bowed down and shouted.
“Please kill me!”
Ignoring Jo Mal-saeng’s cries, King Sejong gave orders to Daeheon.
“The Saheonbu and Saganwon should immediately investigate and report how much money the people on this list received.”
“I follow your orders!”
The voices of Daesaheon and Daesagan, who answered loudly, were full of life.
Meanwhile, Hyang heard the rumor while working at the research institute and hurriedly organized the documents.
“When something like this happens, it’s sad to just watch. “We must use this opportunity to eradicate the practice of bribery!”
Saheonbu and Saganwon fluttered like fish out of water.
According to a report sent by the Haengdae Inspector (an inspector dispatched to each province by the Saheonbu) sent to Hamgil Island, a total of 132 slaves were offered as bribes to 19 current and former major and minor officials.
And the person who received the most was Jo Mal-saeng (36 people).
Daesaheon Kwondo, who submitted the list to King Sejong, protested as follows.
“Among the bribes received by Jo Mal-saeng, the slaves alone amount to 780 crowns. According to the law, they will overlook up to 40 punishments, but if it exceeds 80 punishments, they will be sentenced to death by hanging!”
“is it?”
“He may be a famous god who was highly trusted by the previous king, but if you forgive someone like this, who will follow the law?”
“Haa~.”
When King Sejong showed hesitation, Daesaheon and Daesagan simultaneously bowed and raised their voices.
“Please inform me!”
“He must be put to death! “Please inform me!”
As Daesaheon and Daesagan raised their voices and insisted on capital punishment, King Sejong looked at the military inspector general with eyes full of resentment.
Sejong was lost in thought as he looked at Jo Mal-saeng’s trembling back as he lay face down.
He was a vassal whose name had been raised in recognition of his ability since the reign of the previous king.
And one of those who followed his own advice and gave good opinions was Jo Mal-saeng.
It would have been standard to follow the law and impose capital punishment, but the problem was that accepting bribes was part of the daily life of officials.
If all the officials who received bribes were punished according to the law, only those with little experience who knew how to carry out the orders they received would be left in the government.
‘I feel like I want to destroy everything like the king said… but the situation is…’
“Abama. “Can I tell you what Soja thinks?”
Hyang, who read Sejong’s expression, opened her mouth and Sejong responded as if he had been waiting.
“Hehe.”
“The punishment of those who accepted bribes is urgent, but it is also urgent to restore the identities of those who have been harmed by unjust lawsuits. How do you feel about handling this from now on?”
“I see! “Send someone immediately to restore the identity and property of Kim Saeng’s descendants who were harmed by the false lawsuit!”
“I follow your orders!”
“Also, Kim Do-yeon, who committed this serious crime, must be punished.
Kim Do-yeon’s sins are not just one or two.
First, he filed a false lawsuit for his own greed, so that is one crime.
Second, he is guilty of disrupting the country’s public affairs by manipulating documents to claim civilians as slaves.
Thirdly, he gave bribes to achieve his will, so that is one sin.
Fourth, due to his own greed, he intentionally caused harm to his grandfather’s close friend. This is a sin, as it is an act of disloyalty that tarnishes the name of my grandfather.
Fifthly, he committed the crime of delusion of military power and blinding the eyes of Abama by deceiving the common people into thinking that they were slaves, which is one crime.
Among these sins, the sin of unfilial piety and the sin of delusion of arrogance are serious sins that can be punished by death according to the law.
Therefore, please punish the criminal Kim Do-yeon to the death penalty, make all of his family members slaves, and destroy all of his family assets.
Please return the victims’ lost property to the victims, return the price paid at the time of purchase to those who purchased the land that belonged to the victims, and retrieve the land and return it to the victims. And if you have any remaining wealth, put it into the treasury.”
King Sejong welcomed Hyang’s suggestion by hitting his knee.
“The crown prince’s opinion is truly right! “What do you think?”
To King Sejong’s question, all the ministers answered with one voice.
“I think this is a really good policy!”
When the ministers answered in unison, Daesaheon and Daesagan argued.
“The measures to identify victims and punish criminals are truly good measures. But the punishment of those who took bribes, including Jo Mal-saeng, is urgent!”
“Please inform me!”
“I will give that part a little more consideration.”
“Please inform me!”
“I’m considering it! “That’s all for today!”
King Sejong said he would consider it, but the Saheonbu and Saganwon did not slow down their momentum.
From the next day, the officials of Saganwon and Saheonbu sat down on mats in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon and began a sit-in protest.
“Jo Mal-Saeng and the corrupt officials must be put to death!”
“Please inform me!”
“Please inform me!”
“Haa~.”
King Sejong, who had taken a long sigh at the shout heard from the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, got up from his seat.
“Let’s take a short break.”
After declaring the suspension of the meeting, King Sejong headed to the East Palace.
“Is there a crown prince?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“It’s been a while since you stayed at the East Palace.”
King Sejong, who confirmed that the incense was still lingering in the East Palace Palace, gave an order to the officers who followed him.
“Wait here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“It’s a saddam between father and son. “Don’t cross the line.”
The officers had to step back in response to King Sejong’s orders, which seemed to be more than just determination but also anger.
‘Of course! Someday!’
These officers burned their will by recalling legendary anecdotes of their senior officers.
“Welcome.”
“OK.”
After Sejong sat down on the chair, Hyang, who had been offered the head seat, sat down on the chair next to him and opened his mouth.
“It seems like you are very concerned.”
Sejong nodded to Hyang’s question.
“I saw it right. The thought makes me want to throw it all away. There is no worthy successor, and if he makes a mistake, he may be criticized for being unfilial by treating the subjects raised by the previous king poorly. Haha~.”
Hyang nodded slightly at the sight of Sejong letting out a long sigh.
Since the Joseon Dynasty was a Confucian scholar, the shadow of the late king was an issue that could not be easily removed in personnel matters.
In particular, many of the ministers in question were connected to the royal family by relatives.
Hyang, who was looking at Sejong’s troubled appearance, proposed his opinion.
“Wouldn’t it be okay if we don’t kill them and don’t have them implicated?”
“huh? how?”
Hyang whispered softly to Sejong. Sejong, who had been listening to Hyang for a while, hit his knee.
“There was that number!”
* * *
‘The King is back.’ With these words, the ministers returned to the side and took their seats. King Sejong, who was sitting on the throne above the temple, looked at the ministers and opened his mouth.
“I thought about it carefully, and the sins of sinners, including Jo Mal-saeng, are by no means light. According to the law, he should be punished with the death penalty…”
“You must be punished with the death penalty! “Please inform me!”
“Please inform me!”
The moment they heard the words, ‘Do they deserve to be punished?’, the Daesaheon and Daesagan came forward, demanding strong punishment.
“A subject interrupts the king’s words! “What country’s etiquette is this!”
Daesaheon and Daesagan, who realized their true situation due to King Sejong’s criticism, suddenly bowed down.
“Please kill me!”
“Please kill me!”
“Are we really going to do that?”
King Sejong, who had blocked the conversation between Daesaheon and Daesa, continued speaking again.
“They deserve to be put to death, but since they were highly trusted by the late king, I will not kill them.
However, since the crime is not light, it is punished as follows.
First, all government positions, titles, public servants, land, and property granted to criminals are recovered.
However, the items subject to redemption only apply to the property of the criminal himself.
The assets distributed to the wife and children are based on the last 5 years and do not touch anything prior to that.
Also, sinners are ordered to wear white robes. “Convicts are assigned to the Sixth Article and sentenced to document purge.”
“Hiccup!”
As soon as the word ‘document organization type’ came out, Yeonguijeong hiccuped in surprise.
Document organizing was an object of fear for government officials.
Although it was said to be a document from after the founding of the country, the amount of documents connected to the end of the Joseon Dynasty was not small.
Jo Mal-saeng sat down helplessly at King Sejong’s ruling.
King Sejong’s orders continued above his head.
“I also order this to other ministers. I will give you one month to go. Those who have received bribes exceeding the standards set by law must immediately return them to the state. “Anyone who is discovered after a month will not only be imprisoned in the family, but will also be punished with document purge!”
“I follow your orders!”
* * *
When the meeting at Pyeonjeon ended and the ministers came out, the officers who were protesting flocked to Daesaheon and Daesagan.
“What happened?”
In response to the officials’ questions, Daesaheon and Daesagan looked towards where Jo Malsaeng was.
Meanwhile, Jo Mal-saeng, who looked as if he had aged 10 years, was leaving the battle with the support of those around him.
Daesaheon, who saw this, opened his mouth.
“It would have been better to die.”