Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 324

Two months before the biggest event in Joseon in the 13th year of King Sejong’s reign (1431, Sinhaenyeon), Hyang’s birth of a son.

In the Forbidden City of Beijing, the capital of Ming, an envoy who had returned from Joseon was reporting to Emperor Xuande.

“…That is all.”

As the report on the coordination of diplomatic issues between Ming and Joseon and other administrative tasks concluded, Emperor Xuande praised the envoy.

“Well done. The king and officials of Joseon are extremely fastidious and never accept losses, but you have obtained sufficiently good results. I say again, you have truly worked hard.”

“I am unworthy of such excessive praise. It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s benevolence. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor for ten thousand years!”

In response to Emperor Xuande’s compliment, the envoy instead chanted “Long live the Emperor” three times, praising Emperor Xuande.

Emperor Xuande, seemingly not displeased with the envoy’s behavior, smiled slightly and asked the envoy a question.

“I heard that many things are changing in Joseon. Have you seen anything?”

At the envoy’s answer, Emperor Xuande’s eyes lit up.

“Oh? So, what was it?”

“There was a device called ‘iron horse’ roaming around Hanseong.”

“Iron horse?”

“Yes. According to the interpreter…”

The envoy who had been to Joseon began to chatter on and on about the train.

“Hmm…”

Emperor Xuande listened to the envoy’s explanation with a face full of curiosity, immediately asking questions whenever he had any.

“I see, it’s truly intriguing. Since it’s called an iron horse, is it really as fast as a real horse?”

“It’s not that fast, but it’s slightly faster than a person running at full speed.”

“Is that so? You mentioned that it carries people, so how many people can it transport?”

“It pulls two large carriages and carries about 100 people while moving.”

“Is that so? Hmm…”

As Emperor Xuande, who had heard the envoy’s explanation, let out a light snort and became lost in thought, the Chief Counselor intervened in the conversation.

“Your Majesty. Based on the envoy’s words, it seems to be a quite useful device. Wouldn’t it be good to order the King of Joseon to present it as a tribute?”

Emperor Xuande lightly nodded at the Chief Counselor’s words but did not make a decision immediately.

After pondering alone for a moment, Emperor Xuande reached a conclusion.

“It’s not the right time yet. I believe it would be more appropriate to deploy such iron horses not in the city but to connect cities and towns. However, according to the envoy’s current report, it’s only slightly faster than a person running, and the number of people it can carry at once is around 100. Even if we adopt this, it would be of little use to our empire.”

Having reached a negative conclusion, Emperor Xuande asked the envoy again.

“Hmm… The Crown Prince of Joseon must have been involved in the development of this as well, right?”

“That’s what I heard. Praises for the Crown Prince were erupting from all directions.”

“Of course. The Crown Prince of Joseon is like a needle in a bag, a crane among chickens.”

Emperor Xuande, recalling the image of Hyang in his memory, nodded and reached a definite conclusion.

“If it’s the Crown Prince of Joseon, he won’t be satisfied with that iron horse. He will naturally create an even more excellent iron horse and actually use it. We’ll wait for that time.”

At Emperor Xuande’s words, the Chief Counselor raised an objection.

“Based on the report, the iron horse seems to be a device that incorporates a considerably high level of technology. When an even more advanced iron horse comes out, will Joseon comply?”

In response to the Chief Counselor’s point, Emperor Xuande explained the reason.

“Joseon has no choice but to comply. Our Ming can cut off Joseon, but Joseon cannot cut off Ming.”

“Joseon is constantly looking for opportunities.”

“It is the natural principle that countries that have become vassal states always strive to break free from that position. However, Joseon’s current situation makes that impossible. Chief Counselor, I ask you.”

“Please ask, Your Majesty.”

“Isn’t the trade between our Ming and Joseon thriving these days?”

“Yes, it is. Ah!”

The Chief Counselor, who was answering Emperor Xuande’s question, let out an exclamation and looked at Emperor Xuande. Seeing the Chief Counselor’s reaction, Emperor Xuande smiled.

“It seems you’ve realized it. The fact that trade between our Ming and Joseon is gradually increasing means that wealth is accumulating among the people of Joseon. The people who have experienced the joy brought by wealth will gradually desire more wealth. This means that Joseon’s situation is like riding a tiger. If the means to obtain wealth disappear, Joseon will immediately collapse. And we, Ming, hold the hilt of that sword.”

Emperor Xuande, who took a sip of tea from the cup next to him, continued.

“As the simplest example, the Chief Counselor must have also received reports on the grains sold from Jiangnan to Joseon, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At Emperor Xuande’s question, the Chief Counselor immediately nodded.

***

Although the yield had been steadily increasing as King Sejong’s land reform progressed, Joseon had not achieved self-sufficiency in food production.

To be precise, it was a situation where Joseon had to continue importing large quantities of rice as food consumption had increased significantly due to the people’s increased wealth—the Koreans’ love for eating was almost genetic.

As a result, a considerable number of landowners in the Jiangnan region were cultivating rice that suited the tastes of Joseon people to make profits.

***

“As the people of Joseon who have gained wealth seek white rice, and they need grains to give to the Jurchen people who have submitted, Joseon has to keep importing grains. If we block this trade right now, Joseon will face a crisis like a flickering lamp in the wind. Isn’t that right?”

At Emperor Xuande’s question, the Chief Counselor bowed his head and answered.

“That’s right. Not only the people’s discontent but also the Jurchen people will not sit still.”

“Indeed.”

Emperor Xuande, who took another sip of tea, continued with a relaxed face.

“These days, Joseon seems to be trading through the Western Regions and the sea, but Ming is still their biggest trading partner. As long as we, Ming, hold Joseon’s leash, Joseon has no choice but to follow our words.”

“That is true, Your Majesty.”

The Chief Counselor also agreed with Emperor Xuande’s conclusion.

At that moment, one of the officials who had been listening attentively to the conversation between Emperor Xuande and the Chief Counselor stepped forward, bowed his head, and spoke.

“Your Majesty. Forgive me for my presumption, but I have something to report to you.”

“Speak.”

“Your Majesty’s words are truly correct. However, what I am concerned about is Joseon’s involvement in such devices. If it is a device of that level of ingenuity, the technology involved must also be advanced. Of course, we can summon not only the device but also the artisans, but there is a high possibility that we won’t know if the artisans harbor ill intentions. Therefore, I believe we should bring in the current moving iron horse, even if it is unsatisfactory. I think it is right to bring it in, have our artisans examine and study it, and create an even more advanced iron horse.”

In response to the official’s words, Emperor Xuande immediately replied.

“Your words also have merit. However, most of the excellent artisans of Ming are now in the hands of merchants. It’s truly embarrassing for me, the owner of Ming, to say this. I can trust Joseon’s merchants, but I cannot trust our Ming’s merchants. How much wealth will they extort under the pretense of creating a high-level iron horse, and how much will we have to pay after its completion? It would be more appropriate to receive it as a tribute from Joseon or negotiate and purchase it.”

“Ah…”

The Chief Counselor and the officials, who were sighing in disappointment at Emperor Xuande’s words, immediately prostrated themselves and shouted.

“Your Majesty! Please forgive our disloyalty!”

“Please forgive our great sins!”

At the shouts of the officials and eunuchs, Emperor Xuande lightly waved his hand.

“Get up. I have no intention of holding you accountable for any crimes yet.”

“Your benevolence is immeasurable!”

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor for ten thousand years!”

Those who got up from their positions unanimously expressed their gratitude and chanted “Long live the Emperor” three times.

As the cheers subsided, Emperor Xuande summarized the situation.

“Let’s conclude the matter of the iron horse by waiting.”

“We obey your command.”

“Then, moving on to the next issue, has the problem of counterfeit banknotes still not been resolved?”

“We are currently tracking down the group that plotted this matter.”

At the Chief Counselor’s answer, Emperor Xuande’s expression turned fierce.

“Eradicate them thoroughly. Make sure they can’t even dream of doing this again.”

“We obey your command!”

“Especially those who leaked the design, regardless of their position, exterminate their families to the tenth degree. They are traitors who were blinded by personal gain and tried to undermine the foundation of the country.”

At Emperor Xuande’s cruel punishment, the Chief Counselor answered while sweating coldly.

“We, we obey your command.”

“Hmm… By the way, has a solution still not been found for the printing plate issue?”

“Forgive me, but not yet…”

“How disappointing.”

At Emperor Xuande’s words, the Chief Counselor immediately prostrated himself and shouted.

“Please forgive me! I will do my best to present an answer as quickly as possible.”

At the Chief Counselor’s desperate answer, Emperor Xuande ordered in an indifferent voice.

“I will give you half a month. If you can’t bring me an answer by then, I will hold not only you but also all those involved accountable.”

“I will do my utmost!”

Hearing the Chief Counselor’s desperate answer, Emperor Xuande rose from his throne.

“Let’s end it here for today.”

***

As the meeting attended by the Emperor ended, the officials and eunuchs left Wenhuan Hall.

Returning to their respective offices, they discussed Emperor Xuande’s orders.

“The most urgent issue is the printing plate for banknotes. Has a solution been found?”

At the Chief Counselor’s question, the scholars answered with gloomy faces.

“We urged the artisans belonging to the palace and the government to create printing plates as precisely as possible, but the artisans employed by the merchants were able to replicate them immediately.”

“Oh no…”

At the scholars’ answer, the Chief Counselor muttered with a perplexed face.

***

Impressed by Joseon’s banknote system, Ming also diligently began preparations for a new banknote system.

The practitioners of Ming referred to the process carried out in Joseon and diligently proceeded with the preparations, and the preparation process was smooth.

However, this smoothly progressing preparation process soon encountered a huge obstacle and faced the risk of running aground.

What put them in crisis was the issue of printing the currency.

Compared to the debate over the number of dragons to include on the currency when the initial design was decided, this was a problem that made that seem trivial.

The officials in charge, upon seeing the printing plates and the resulting products created by gathering the artisans working in the imperial palace and government offices, all frowned.

“Why does it feel lacking?”

“Right? It looks a bit crude compared to Joseon’s, doesn’t it?”

“Let’s make some improvements.”

Dissatisfied with the results, the officials in charge began the process of improvement. After repeating several trials and errors, when a somewhat satisfactory result was obtained, the officials in charge let out a sigh of relief.

“Phew~. This should be usable!”

“Let’s prepare to report to His Majesty!”

Just as they were feeling relieved, a counterfeiting incident occurred. Counterfeit bills of the currency that had not even been distributed yet, and at a high level that could pass as genuine, began to circulate in the market.

“This is impossible without an internal leak! Find those involved! Also, arrest all those who printed the counterfeit bills!”

Following the furious Emperor Xuande’s order, the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards were mobilized in large numbers to conduct a massive investigation.

As a result, a renowned merchant in Beijing and the officials who received bribes from him were caught one after another.

However, Emperor Xuande’s anger did not easily subside.

“How poorly did you make the genuine printing plates that you can’t even distinguish between counterfeit and genuine bills! Find an alternative immediately! If you can’t, I will hold you accountable!”

At Emperor Xuande’s terrifying order, the officials in charge once again urged the artisans to create printing plates. However, the result was not good, as reported to the Chief Counselor.

No matter how hard the artisans of the imperial palace and government offices tried, the artisans employed by private merchants were able to replicate them immediately.

***

“Sigh~.”

The Chief Counselor, who received the report from the officials in charge, let out a sigh.

“We need to find an answer within half a month, but at this rate…”

In response to the Chief Counselor’s lament, another official spoke up.

“We have no choice now. I think we need to request Joseon’s help.”

“Joseon? Is that really necessary?”

At the Chief Counselor’s words, the speaker answered firmly.

“It’s Joseon’s currency, which has not had any counterfeits so far, no, which hasn’t been able to have any. The answer lies only with Joseon. This is not the time to be concerned about pride.”

“Damn it…”

The Chief Counselor involuntarily uttered a curse.

***

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