Black Corporation: Joseon

While the other ministers nodded at Jo Mal-saeng’s words, they inwardly didn’t believe him at all.

Since Sejong came to power, the ministers had been asked for a lot. Especially after the bribery incident involving Jo Mal-saeng, they had to be particularly careful about their conduct.

If any corruption was discovered, the lightest punishment was to forfeit at least half of one’s property and work in that position until death, taking responsibility. If the degree of corruption was severe, one would be demoted to a lower rank and work until death, or be confined to the archives to organize documents until death.

Of course, the worst case was indefinite hard labor in the mines, like Hwang Hui’s sons.

“For those who relied on their meager literary skills and abilities to cause trouble, even the archives are too luxurious!”

This was due to Sejong’s decision.

Although it was such a demanding and dangerous position, the ministers remained in their posts because of the sweetness of power.

While corruption couldn’t be desired, Sejong promised and delivered on realistic salaries, pensions, and courtesies.

Every time they went out and had people clear the way for them with shouts of “Make way!”, seeing the people bow in respect was an addiction hard to break free from.

Therefore, the claim that they wouldn’t recommend this position of power to their children was utterly unbelievable.

“There’s no need to worry about what will happen after the Crown Prince ascends to the throne. Let’s first review the matters related to Ming again.”

“Let’s do that.”

As Hwang Hui and Maeng Sa-seong took the lead, the ministers soon focused on the present reality.

***

Meanwhile, in Geunjeong-jeon, Sejong was sitting with Hyang and having a conversation.

“Anpyeong moved to the Entertainment Bureau as he so desired, and he’s been working very diligently.”

“Yes, I’ve heard about that too.”

Hyang replied to Sejong’s words but swallowed his next thought.

‘And he’s been gallivanting around for more than half of each month under the name of on-site inspections. Why do I have to listen to the sister-in-law’s complaints?’

Of course, it didn’t come directly to Hyang, but when it came through the Crown Princess, it was often more painful.

This was because Hyang had committed no small number of sins himself.

Seeming to know Hyang’s inner thoughts, Sejong continued.

“But he seems to be working too hard. I should say something.”

“You’re right. Sometimes, excessive ambition can lead to trouble.”

Hyang nodded vigorously in response to Sejong’s words.

“By the way, why did Jinpyeong refuse the position? He kept singing about iron horses, didn’t he? Is the answer he gave me really true?”

Sejong seemed genuinely puzzled by Jinpyeong’s behavior. Seeing Sejong’s expression, Hyang gave a slight bitter smile.

‘That guy has evolved, you know?’

Jinpyeong had evolved from an iron horse enthusiast to a steam engine maniac.

***

When he was young and causing a lot of trouble, Jinpyeong had a fateful encounter with a model railway, which set him on a single-minded path towards iron horses.

Thanks to this, he worked more zealously than anyone else to lay railroad tracks across Joseon.

Due to this enthusiasm, when the iron track theft incident occurred on the Dongbing Harbor line, he declared a forceful response.

As a result, by the time the Dongbing Harbor line was completed and the major lines and branch lines were finished, he was showing signs of slight burnout.

Recognizing Jinpyeong’s state of mind, Hyang assigned a task to the department in charge of iron horse research: ‘Development of Next-Generation Iron Horses’.

“Isn’t this the end, Your Highness?”

In response to Jinpyeong’s question, Hyang let out a small snort.

“Are you satisfied with just that speed and transport capacity? That’s just the beginning! And don’t you know that an even more impressive one is currently being researched?”

“An even more impressive one?”

“Didn’t you know anything about the steam engines to be installed on ships?”

At Hyang’s question, Jinpyeong replied with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“I’ve been so focused on iron horses all this time…”

“Tsk!”

Hyang clicked his tongue softly and stood up.

“Follow me.”

***

“Wow!”

Following Hyang into the marine engine development department, Jinpyeong shouted like a child at the sight of the massive engine before him.

“It’s truly enormous! Truly! Wow!”

Watching Jinpyeong repeatedly exclaim in admiration, Hyang explained with a smile characteristic of an enthusiast.

“Not only in size but also in output, it’s incomparable to iron horses. And this isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning. Ships of Joseon with even larger and more powerful engines will sail across the oceans.”

At Hyang’s explanation, Jinpyeong began to imagine the scene.

“Ah…”

With a dreamy face, lost in imagination, Jinpyeong turned to Hyang.

“Your Highness! I want to participate in work related to steam engines!”

“What about iron horses?”

“Isn’t the steam engine the foundation of iron horses? The steam engine is the beginning and end of all machines, so I really want to do it!”

“There will be more failures than successes, and it requires tremendous mental effort. Moreover, for an active person like you, it might be a place too confining to bear. Do you still want to do it?”

At Hyang’s question, Jinpyeong nodded firmly.

“I really want to do it!”

After pondering for a moment at Jinpyeong’s answer, Hyang spoke.

“I’ll talk with Minister Jeong-cho and let you know.”

“Ah, Your Highness! Please make sure to let me do it! I’ll serve you with utmost loyalty!”

“This guy…”

And so, Jinpyeong was transferred.

It was because Minister Jeong-cho had given a positive evaluation after hearing Hyang’s story.

“The Grand Prince has participated in iron horse research for a long time, so he will be of great help even if he moves to a new position.”

“I think so too.”

After transferring Jinpyeong, when Hyang was alone, he muttered with an evil smile.

“With this, can we avoid the Gyeyu Iron Rebellion?”

***

“He’s working hard with the ambition to install engines he made himself on iron horses running on land and ships sailing on the sea.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong nodded with a smile.

“He has truly grand ambitions. Come to think of it, I have such good children. All the children who have come of age are working hard in their respective callings.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang also smiled and replied.

“It’s all because you’ve given them good guidance, Father.”

“It’s not me, but you.”

“You flatter me.”

Hyang replied humbly. But his inner thoughts were different.

‘Well… I think Jinpyeong and Anpyeong’s influence was greater?’

***

After coming of age, all of Sejong’s children started working in their own positions.

The Grand Princes and Princes were following in the footsteps of Jinpyeong and Anpyeong, working in research institutes, Area 51, and the Entertainment Bureau. Except for Princess Jeong-ui who was immersed in mathematics, all the princesses and royal daughters were studying medicine following Princess Jeongso.

While personal preferences played a part in this background, the surrounding environment – or more precisely, Hyang – couldn’t be ignored.

The sight of Hyang establishing research institutes and Area 51 as soon as he was appointed Crown Prince, at such a young age before even his coming-of-age ceremony, was a powerful stimulus.

Next were Jinpyeong, Anpyeong, and Princess Jeongso.

“Oh, it’s so frustrating! I need someone I can boss around as I please!”

Although they were Grand Princes, Jinpyeong and Anpyeong found it frustrating to manipulate older, officially appointed administrators who had passed the civil service examination. The easiest targets for them were their own younger siblings.

As a result, Jinpyeong and Anpyeong competitively drew their younger siblings under their command. Fortunately, the younger Grand Princes and Princes, perhaps due to Sejong’s bloodline, found it suited their aptitudes and worked hard.

The same was true for the princesses and royal daughters.

“If you’re confident in mathematics, go under Jeong-ui! If not, all of you come under me!”

Following the orders of Princess Jeongso, who was a power player even Hyang was wary of among Sejong’s children, most of the princesses and royal daughters moved under her command.

Although medicine was as difficult as mathematics, the princesses and royal daughters studied hard. They found fulfillment in saving lives.

This movement of royal family members soon caused a large butterfly effect.

Seeing the high-ranking royals working with oil stains on their hands, the custom of looking down on artisans gradually disappeared.

Additionally, the view towards female medical practitioners, including inner court ladies who were despised and called ‘medical courtesans’ from the time of Yeonsan-gun in the history before Hyang’s intervention, began to improve.

As society’s perspective changed, more children from noble families began to enter the medical, engineering, and technical fields.

***

“You flatter me. The fact that those children don’t just revel in the empty title of royal relatives, but work hard using their natural talents, is all due to your upbringing, Father. You said that my contribution was great, but how could that be because of my merit? Isn’t it all because of your good instruction?”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong smiled slightly and lightly chided him with a hint of embarrassment.

“My son! You’re gilding your father’s face! Did you only learn how to flatter at the research institute?”

“I merely stated the facts. By the way, I should now work even harder at the research institute and Area 51. My younger siblings are working so diligently, I mustn’t set a bad example.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong made a somewhat ambiguous expression and waved his hand.

“I see. Then go back and work hard.”

“Yes, Father.”

After Hyang left Geunjeong-jeon with a respectful bow, Sejong frowned and muttered.

“What a terribly quick-witted fellow!”

Sejong had been thinking of gradually handing over tasks to Hyang.

-All your younger siblings have found their places and are working hard. All of this is thanks to you.

-After praising him abundantly like this and lifting his spirits, I’ll pass on the work to him.

This was the plan, but that cunning son had reversed it by gilding his face and slipping away like a loach from his grasp.

‘To set a good example for my younger siblings, I must work even harder.’

He had escaped with such a petty excuse.

“What a petty son…”

There was a reason for Sejong’s grumbling about Hyang.

The reforms that had been ongoing for nearly ten years were coming to an end, and Joseon was now developing steadily and stably. Moreover, Joseon’s territory was consistently expanding.

Because of this, Sejong developed a small ambition and thought of having Hyang act as regent.

‘Recover the lost territories of the old Three Han.’

This was Sejong’s small, very small ambition.

***

When Sejong was still Prince Chungnyeong, he had a confrontation with Prince Yangnyeong at Hyang’s first birthday celebration.

‘I will recover the lost territories of the Three Han!’

Sejong had opposed these words of Yangnyeong. At that time, Sejong had argued that it was premature.

However, Sejong had said it was premature then, not that it was an impossible dream.

Sejong too had been harboring the dream of ‘recovering lost territories’.

And as time passed and Joseon’s capabilities grew steadily and its territory expanded gradually, Sejong’s desire to realize this dream was growing stronger.

“We’re still far from being able to face Ming. But if we carefully cultivate the newly acquired unexplored lands and indigenous people, the day of recovering lost territories might come sooner than expected. Then…”

While examining maps and reports to find an answer, Sejong came up with one method.

“We need to create an independent agency that can handle all administrative, military, and if possible, financial affairs of the newly acquired territories in an integrated and autonomous manner. The current process of reports coming up through separate procedures is too slow. Everything needs to be decided and handled on the spot in the frontier lands. The problem is that entrusting such a powerful position to a minister is too dangerous…”

Sejong paused, then sighed and concluded.

“Sigh~ I have to go myself.”