Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 412: Lord of War. Hua Merchant (3)

Emperor Seondeok glared at Hobusangseo (戶部尙書), who had posted the appeal.

But there was also something to be said in the book of fortune-telling.

“your majesty! This central field is large and crowded with people! Since your Majesty ascended to the throne, our empire has become richer and stronger day by day, relying on your wisdom!”

Hobusangseo, who began his speech with praise for Emperor Seondeok, soon got into the main topic.

“But this has also caused many inconveniences. And the biggest inconvenience is currency. More and more currency is needed throughout the empire, but the issuing office in Peking alone is not able to keep up with the demand! Therefore, many places still trade with silver and gold. And this leads to tax evasion! Therefore, we need to establish an additional issuing office in Nanjing to respond more quickly!”

Most officials, including the new Cabinet Secretary, nodded to Ho Bu-sang-seo’s remarks.

However, Emperor Seondeok did not give up his refusal.

“There is no currency so we use the real thing? So why did you use the slip all this time? And why did Jim issue an imperial stamp? Didn’t they ask you to replace that part? It means that you are incompetent to blame everything only on the amount and speed of currency issuance without thinking about that! If you were sincere in your intentions, you would have worked harder to educate the people and worked harder to prevent tax evasion! But are we going to establish another issuing country without even thinking or doing anything like that? “Are you really thinking about what you live for?”

To Emperor Seondeok’s reprimand, Ho Bu Sang-seo responded by bowing his head.

“The loyalty of the gods is like diamond! Just by increasing efficiency, we can make a living for the empire…”

“You probably want to increase the opportunities for pilfering, not increase efficiency! And isn’t it honest that you want to increase your own living, not the empire’s living?”

“your majesty! These words are absolutely unfair! God’s loyalty is….”

Emperor Seondeok once again cut off Hobusangseo’s village.

“If you investigate, you will find out about that loyalty! Hello! “Take interest and go to jail right now!”

At Emperor Seondeok’s order, the soldiers of the Geumwiwi who were waiting outside came in and captured Hobusangseo.

“your majesty! “It’s unfair!”

Hobusangseo was dragged outside and complained of injustice, but Emperor Seondeok added another order.

“Examine all 10 groups in the Book of Fortune, and if anything is found to be unclean, send them all to prison!”

“I’m coming as ordered!”

* * *

While under the rule of Emperor Xuande, those involved in the politics of the Ming Dynasty – not only official officials, but also eunuchs and royal officials – had to act cautiously, as if walking on thin ice.

Emperor Seondeok cleverly used the conflict that existed between the core organizations of power, the bureaucracy and the eunuch organization, Geumuiwi, to keep each other in check. And he encouraged loyalty competition by giving ample rewards to those who were loyal to him. Informing and loyalty were the methods by which Emperor Seondeok maintained his power. And what made this possible was the enormous profits coming from the top of the joint venture.

Although he was a feared figure to key figures in power and the rich, to the general public, Seondeokje was a saint of the first generation.

He inspected the officials in charge of tax affairs and purged those who were corrupt, reducing unfair taxes, and whenever there was a disaster, the Jinui Committee was mobilized to respond quickly.

Thanks to this, later historians called the period of Emperor Seondeok the era of unprecedented peace and prosperity in Chinese history and named it ‘the reign of Seondeok (宣德之治).’

* * *

Emperor Xiande’s politics and the related situation in the Ming Dynasty were learned directly through Shangguan in Shandong and the Jurchen people in the Liaoxi region.

The interesting people here were the Jurchen people from the Liaoxi region.

Joseon, which entered the empty space created by erasing the Limanchu and Muntemu tribes, quietly reached out to the Jurchen people in the Liaoxi region beyond the Liaohe River.

It was not an official contact, but a contact using merchants from the wealthy Jurchen tribe, and they were used to create an information line that could be cross-verified with information obtained from Shandong.

And this part was also Hyang’s work. Because the city was well aware of the importance of information through its experience in the 21st century, it emphasized the need to create multiple information acquisition lines. And King Sejong, who immediately understood its importance, led the ministers and established an information line.

* * *

Interestingly, Joseon was well aware of the importance of this information line from the beginning of its founding. In particular, quickly and accurately obtaining information about the Jurchen people directly across the Duman River and Yalu River was a matter related to the survival of the nation.

Thanks to this, the amount of information related to the Jurchen people was considerable. And this was used to build an information line.

And this created a similar situation with Japan.

Joseon, which suffered from Japanese pirates, maintained good neighborly relations by providing gifts to the Japanese lords to minimize damage. Until the reign of King Taejong, there were a considerable number of Japanese fiefdoms that had established relationships in this way.

Of course, it was carried out in secret because the Ming Dynasty strictly prohibited communication with the Japanese.

However, the results of this policy were quite disappointing. By the time the results of the policy pursued in this way were slowly being revealed, Daenai Uihong (大內義弘 Yoshihiro Ouchi), the ruler of the Daenae clan, a powerful member of the Old Province, and Tsushima lord Zhongzhengmu (宗貞茂 So Kitashige) had died. . As the rulers of the most important regions died, pirate raids on Joseon increased, and the relationship between Joseon and Japan worsened. (Note 1)

Because of this history, King Sejong accepted Hyang’s motion and an information line was quickly established.

And later historians screamed again.

“You’re the crown prince again!”

* * *

After receiving the information received through cross-verification, Sejong let out a long sigh.

“Whoa~. As for Joseon, we must hope that the current emperor lives a long life. Do you understand why?”

Hyang, who was present at Sejong’s question, nodded.

“This is because all power is concentrated in the emperor and all policies begin and end with one emperor.”

“You saw it right.”

King Sejong looked at the incense with an amused expression and looked at the ministers.

“As the Crown Prince said, all events in the Shang Dynasty are being conducted by one person, the Emperor. “This is a big problem.”

The ministers all nodded at Sejong’s words. I didn’t want to even think about what would happen if Emperor Xuande died tomorrow and the emperor who succeeded him was incompetent.

“How old is the crown prince now?”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Maeng-gyun, who took a moment to remember King Sejong’s question, immediately answered.

“I was born in Byeong-o (丙午), so I turn 5 this year.”

“You’re too young…”

Sejong, who was taking a nap, gave orders to his ministers.

“Contact Shandong and tell them not to miss a single rumor regarding the emperor’s health.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After the meeting, the ministers gathered in the conference room of the Prime Minister’s residence.

“Now, we are in a situation where we have to worry about the emperor’s health…”

Hwang Hee responded to Kim Jeom’s complaints.

“Isn’t it because among the powerful people in the Ming Dynasty now, the only one who can benefit Joseon is the Emperor? Why are there so few talented people in a country with such a large land and so many people?…”

“I can’t help but agree.”

While the ministers nodded at Hwang Hee’s words, Jo Gye-saeng opened his mouth.

“Isn’t that the same in our Joseon Dynasty? “Aren’t we also in control of everything, His Majesty the Lord?”

“Isn’t there already a grown crown prince?”

At those words, Jo Gye-saeng looked a little embarrassed and muttered.

“I know that the crown prince is excellent, but isn’t there a difference between being good at making amazing objects and being good at politics? Of course, there are many outstanding policies among the policies you have proposed, but most of them are related to government affairs…”

At Jo Gye-saeng’s words, all the ministers present looked at him in silence.

As the other colleagues watched in silence, Jo Gye-saeng immediately asked.

“Why are you doing that?”

Hwang Hee stepped forward and answered Jo Gye-saeng’s question.

“There is one thing that happened while the captain was still in the wilderness. Go to the Record Office and look for records on the announcement of political views that took place immediately after the crown prince’s investiture.”

“huh?”

And the next day, Jo Gye-saeng visited the records office and read all the related records. Jo Gye-saeng, who read all the records, muttered with a white face.

“This crazy…”

* * *

After that, time passed like water. Fortunately, Joseon did not experience war or uprising and was moving forward smoothly.

As time passed, it became the 17th year of King Sejong’s reign (Eulmyo Year, 1435).

As the weather became warmer and people became more active, King Sejong and his ministers visited Area 51.

The reason King Sejong and his ministers visited Area 51 was because the new Iron Horse was completed.

Beep! Chick chug!

With a loud whistle, a large iron horse came out of the production shed along the test track.

“Oh oh!”

The ministers exclaimed in exclamation as they saw the new iron horse that was revealed. Sejong’s eyes lit up as he looked at the newly revealed locomotive.

“How big it is!”

“Researchers and craftsmen did their best.”

In response to Hyang’s response, King Sejong looked at the researchers and craftsmen standing behind him with a happy face and praised them.

“Thank you for your hard work! Because of you, Joseon’s future is bright!”

“I am devastated! Your Majesty the Lord, live forever! A thousand years! “A thousand years!”

Under King Sejong’s reign, researchers and artisans responded with three cheers.

The ceremony was held under the supervision of King Sejong. After the ceremony, King Sejong asked Hyang many things.

“You’re so big, how fast can you get?”

“On average, you can cover 150 ri (about 60 km) in half an hour (about 1 hour).”

“huh? “How far did the Hanseong iron horse run?”

“It is 90 ri (about 36km) from Bansijin. But that’s the maximum speed and the description I’ve just given is the average speed. “At my best, I can run 250 ri (about 100 km) in half an hour.”

“But why are you running so late?”

“Running at top speed shortens your lifespan. Continued research is needed to achieve a longer lifespan at a faster rate. And the current average speed is similar to the speed at which a horse runs at full power.”

“I see. So, compared to the Hanseong Iron Horse, how many people and cargo can it carry?”

“The average is four times that. Of course, if you max it out, it can be loaded up to 6 times. However, there were many mountains to overcome on the way to the railroad, and many people were not familiar with iron horses, so we deliberately slowed down the speed and reduced the amount of transportation.”

“I see.”

Hearing the scent’s explanation, King Sejong looked at Cheolma, forcing himself to hide his regret.

As King Sejong was examining the iron horse, something caught his eye. It was something that looked similar to a wedge attached to the front of a locomotive.

“What is that?”

“First of all, it was named Baejanggi (排障器), and its role was to push out wild animals or obstacles on the railroad tracks.”

“Indeed…”

Sejong, who immediately understood the purpose of the incense through the explanation, nodded and then looked back at the incense.

“Sejay, this is the troop transport tow truck I mentioned earlier….”

“We are currently researching whether it can be attached and used and how helpful it is.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong finally nodded with a satisfied face.

“It is indeed Crown Prince….”

King Sejong, who had been circling around the iron horse and inspecting it closely, looked back.

“But you can’t see Jinpyeong? Jinpyeong’s personality is such that he would never fall into a situation like this, right?”

In response to Sejong’s question, Hyang stretched out her arms toward the engine room of the iron horse.

“We are preparing for a test run.”

“It is indeed Jinpyeong…”

And the ministers who followed them and listened to the story all muttered to themselves.

‘It is indeed the rich who cannot deceive with blood….’

* * *

Note 1) Military strategy of the Joseon Dynasty. Conquest of Tsushima Island. Ministry of National Defense Military Compilation Research Institute.

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