Black Corporation: Joseon

While the conditions for oil and water to mix were sprouting in the West, Joseon continued its days that seemed peaceful yet weren’t quite so.

As Joseon’s sphere of influence expanded and markets grew, related lawsuits flooded administrative agencies and courts across the nation daily.

Most cases could be resolved based on law codes like the Joseon Gyeongguk-jeon and Sok-yukjeon, which had been firmly established after being rewritten in Hunminjeongeum. However, cases that were ambiguous under existing laws began to increase.

“How should we resolve this…”

I’d like to handle it according to my personal judgment, but when considering moral principles, a different decision emerges…

To create laws that both current litigants and future subjects would find reasonable, not only the court judges and legal researchers but also King Sejong and Hyang had to engage in endless discussions late into the night.

“This humble one still has much work at the Research Institute and Area 51…”

When Hyang tried to back out while mentioning Area 51 and the Research Institute, Sejong spoke just one word.

“Abdication.”

At that single word, Hyang had no choice but to sit back down.

After finishing such late-night additional work and returning to the Crown Prince’s palace, Hyang kept grumbling.

“Really, where did he learn to threaten like that? I…”

Suddenly stopping mid-sentence, Hyang glanced at the following eunuch and continued internally.

Agh! The Sejong I knew wasn’t like this! Not in the Annals, not in the dramas!

But Hyang had forgotten something.

That it was Sejong’s threats that had made Jo Mal-saeng, Hwang Hui, and other ministers abandon their resignations and continue working.

***

Hyang’s complaints continued.

And where did he learn about work-life balance?

Recently, a peculiar rumor had been circulating among the eunuchs.

-His Majesty is surveying the delicacies across Joseon!

-Not just surveying, but organizing something while comparing them with Joseon’s railway routes!

Having heard the eunuchs’ rumors, Hyang sought out Sejong out of curiosity.

“I heard you’re conducting a separate investigation these days.”

“Ah? That?”

At Hyang’s question, Sejong pulled out a thick book and handed it to Hyang as if it were nothing special.

“Though it’s only about half complete, I’ve organized it somewhat.”

Receiving the book from Sejong, Hyang immediately opened it to examine its contents.

“Huh? This is?”

The book in question was divided into several chapters. And the criterion for these divisions was railway lines.

Yeongnam Line, Honam Line, Gongchung Line, Gangwon Line… Huh?

Following these classifications, the next section recorded famous delicacies around each station where the lines stopped.

“This is…”

“Remember what you once told me? About touring famous courtesan houses and restaurants across Joseon once the road construction was complete? Now that both road and railway construction are finished, wouldn’t it be good to try it? We need to take a brief rest and reorganize before heading to the New Land anyway, so I’m thinking of touring during that time. This is not just for me, but also necessary for your mother. Hasn’t she endured many hardships since entering the Inner Palace?”

“Yes.”

When Sejong mentioned Queen Soheon, Hyang could no longer raise objections.

As Sejong said, Queen Soheon had experienced great tragedy when her family was destroyed as Sejong ascended to the throne. Later, when fire broke out in Hanseong, she commanded the response in Sejong’s stead while pregnant. If that weren’t enough, when Yangnyeong caused the palace invasion incident, she grabbed bow and arrows and rushed to the battlefield to protect Sejong.

Because of this, Hyang had to create exercise methods and equipment for both Sejong and Queen Soheon.

Sejong too had always felt apologetic toward Queen Soheon.

Sejong continued speaking to Hyang.

“This year is Sinyu (1441, 23rd year of Sejong’s reign), making it my 24th year on the throne. I think it’s acceptable to enjoy some leisure and rest before heading to the New Land.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang could only bow his head.

***

When Maeng Jin-ho’s discovery of unclaimed territory turned out to be not just a large island but a continent, Joseon’s court exchanged opinions to determine its name.

Various opinions were offered, but the final conclusion was Sinji (New Land).

-As it’s a new land unknown to anyone, nothing suits it better than Sinji.

Both ministers and Hyang agreed with Sejong’s decision. It was too vast a land to attach words like “do” (island) or “do” (province).

And as if already planned, it was concluded that Sejong would go to manage this New Land. When various interests conflicted, and to suppress rebellion, there was no one more suitable than Sejong.

“Fortunately, with the completion of reforms, the national framework is complete, and the Crown Prince has already come of age, so we can be at ease.”

“Indeed. Truly fortunate.”

While the ministers nodded and exchanged such opinions, beneath the surface they were engaged in fierce machinations.

We absolutely must not follow to the New Land!

Start over from scratch at this age? I’d rather drink poison!

The ministers were waging intense underground operations not to follow, rather than to follow Sejong.

***

Given that Sejong faced yet another arduous journey, taking some rest was understandable.

That’s why Hyang said nothing.

Silently examining the book’s contents, Hyang looked at Sejong intently.

“But it’s all pork and beef?”

“Look carefully, there’s horse meat and lamb too. Ah! And wild boar and bear meat.”

“What about fish…”

“I don’t care for fish, they’re too fishy.”

“There’s no poultry either?”

“Chicken suits snacks. It’s not proper dining, is it?”

“There are many famous vegetable dishes too…”

“Am I a monk?”

“Sigh…”

Hyang let out a long sigh at Sejong’s response.

Even for a meat maniac…

The foods listed in the book used only four-legged creatures as ingredients.

Even for someone with a by meat, of meat, for meat diet…

After checking the book’s contents again, Hyang clutched it and stood up.

“This humble one will complement and complete it.”

“You brat!”

“It’s all for Your Majesty’s health. If you eat like this, the internal heat…”

“You brat! How old do you think I am!”

“I hear rumors about how you’ve been eyeing the court ladies lately…”

“…”

Having taken a direct hit from Hyang, Sejong fell silent. Looking at such a Sejong, Hyang delivered the final blow.

“I will properly refine and submit this book.”

“Damn…”

Leaving Gangnyeongjeon like this, Hyang muttered while looking at the book.

“Once this book is complete, is it abdication time…”

Hyang was gradually feeling the approaching time to become king.

After briefly indulging in sentiment, Hyang soon came to his senses.

“Ah! Abdication is abdication, and this is this! Following this as is would become an ‘Ultra-Short-Term Severe Obesity Achievement Guide’! I need to make it properly!”

Thus was born the ‘Gourmet Map – Delicacies Personally Evaluated by the Emperor’, boasting history and tradition.

***

While Joseon was moving forward experiencing various large and small matters like this, there were still those stuck in the past.

Gamoksabo near the Mudan River.

With Hwaryeong, the birthplace of the Joseon Dynasty, and nearby regions returning to Joseon’s control, it was nominally the northernmost fort on Joseon’s border.

Originally the residence of the Udige tribe, when most of the Udige submitted, the area came under Joseon military defense.

Moreover, this fort was meant to conceal Joseon’s westward advance after its northward expansion centered on Dongbyeong Harbor.

Thus, it had become one of the nominally northernmost forts on Joseon’s border.

And this Gamoksabo now faced a crisis.

Dong dong dong dong!

At the loud bell sounds announcing emergency, farmers working in fields near the fort jumped up startled.

“What’s this?”

“What’s happening?”

The farmers, surprised by the sudden bell, looked at the tall watchtower in the center of the fort.

One of the farmers decoded the signal as the bell continued ringing and the signal lamp flashed.

“Jur…chen…in…va…sion…”

“Jurchen, you say?”

As soon as the word ‘Jurchen’ came out, the farmers moved quickly toward the village.

“Hurry up!”

“We need to get our families and get inside the fort quickly!”

“Move, move!”

While the farmers from the fields were moving busily like this, the village was also in chaos.

“Hurry, hurry up!”

“Need to gather the grain…”

“Want to become ancestral food while gathering grain? Hurry up!”

At the soldiers’ urging at the village entrance, those remaining in the village gathered minimal belongings and moved to the fort with their families.

***

The evacuation of residents proceeded swiftly. Being a border region, residents were always prepared, and regular evacuation drills were conducted.

Of course, there was resistance every time these drills were held.

“Ah bloody hell! There’s a mountain of work to do, what’s the point of this!”

“Royal command!”

Those who grumbled like that had to move without another word at the single phrase “Royal command!” from the soldiers and military officials.

It was an era where disobeying royal commands was immediate treason.

Meanwhile, it was of course Hyang who had thought of these drills.

“Civil defense drills in this era…”

While grumbling like that, Hyang drew up plans and submitted them to Sejong, and after reviewing them, the ministers and Sejong immediately decided to implement them.

“As they say preparation prevents calamity, truly an appropriate measure!”

***

While residents of nearby villages were hurriedly fleeing toward the fort at the bell’s sound, chaos was also erupting inside the fort.

“Jurchen, you say?”

Gwangwan-ranked officer Oh Bang-seop burst out of his office while checking the situation.

Chogwan-ranked officer Kang Seong-won immediately answered Oh Bang-seop’s question.

“Yes sir!”

“How many?”

“About 300!”

“Distance?”

“According to watchtower observations, they just passed a point five li north!”

While hastily tying his helmet straps as he received the Chogwan’s report, Oh Bang-seop asked a question with some hope.

“They’re not just passing by?”

“They’re advancing straight here, sir!”

“Damn!”

With a curse, Oh Bang-seop climbed the wall and put a telescope to his eye.

“Damn it…”

Seeing the Jurchen raising dust clouds as they charged from afar, Oh Bang-seop cursed and ground his teeth.

“What era is this, and they’re still raiding! Prepare for battle!”

“Yes sir, preparing for battle!”

At Oh Bang-seop’s order, the Chogwan and soldiers moved busily.

Soldiers with muskets climbed the walls and began loading their weapons, while artillery troops removed the covers from cannons and Type-Eul war carts and prepared to fire.

“Bring the flying thunder bombs!”

“Bring ammunition for the war carts!”

While watching with satisfaction as the soldiers properly prepared for battle despite the chaotic situation, Oh Bang-seop’s expression grew serious as he alternately watched villagers rushing toward the fort’s wide-open gates and the Jurchen charging from afar.

“This is going to be close…”