Black Corporation: Joseon

Seeing Lee Maeng-gyun’s reaction, Heo Jo interjected.

“Isn’t it unavoidable? Using an independent writing system? In other words, it means the mind becomes independent. To put it another way, isn’t it breaking the shackles of the mind? When that happens, one can look at the relationship between oneself and others more objectively.”

Following Heo Jo’s words, Maeng Sa-seong continued.

“When you look at it objectively, you can reverse the relationship at any time. So about that…”

Pausing briefly, Maeng Sa-seong looked at Jo Mal-saeng.

“Minister, how is our Joseon’s military power at present?”55

“Military power… Doesn’t the answer depend on what the goal is?”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s counter-question, Maeng Sa-seong thought for a moment and said,

“In the case of marching towards Beijing, or in the case of defending against an invasion from Beijing.”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s words, the faces of the surrounding ministers became serious. Maeng Sa-seong was now asking if it was possible to attack Ming, the suzerain state.

The ministers swallowed dryly as they waited for Jo Mal-saeng’s answer.

After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Jo Mal-saeng gave his answer.

“In both cases, whoever initiates the offensive is destined to fail.”

“Why?”

“There are several reasons, but if I were to give the most important one, it’s supply.”

As Jo Mal-saeng mentioned supply, the ministers nodded slightly. Seeing this, Jo Mal-saeng added more.

“Whether we go to Beijing or they come to our Joseon, the problem is that we have to pass through Liaodong. The supply line will naturally be lengthened, and cutting off that supply line would be the best tactic. There’s no one in our Joseon or in Ming who doesn’t know this. Naturally, forces will be dispersed, and the power participating in the attack will be further reduced.”

“What if we requisition locally?”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s point, Jo Mal-saeng shook his head.

“If we show signs of local requisition, they will immediately use scorched earth tactics.”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, Kim Jeom interjected.

“What if we only bring food and use Ming’s gunpowder?”

“The gunpowder used by Ming troops not only has lower potency, but it also severely corrodes muskets and cannons. Of course, the gunpowder used by our Joseon troops also corrodes firearms and cannons, but Ming’s is worse.”

“How do you know that?”

“If you pay money, Ming merchants will find out everything for you. Thanks to that, we were able to experiment sufficiently in Area 51.”

Jo Mal-saeng, who had been kindly explaining to the ministers’ questions, suddenly asked with a fierce expression.

“By the way… We were discussing the Hunminjeongeum issue, so why did we diverge to this topic? And why are you all acting like people desperate to fight Ming?”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s question, Lee Jik explained the reason.

“It’s because of what Minister Heo said earlier. Even if we say it’s just language, if we become independent even in writing, it’s certain that our relationship with Ming will change from before.”

At Lee Jik’s words, Jo Mal-saeng sighed.

“Huu~. Let’s talk about that when the time comes. We’re continuously expanding our military power anyway, and we’re still maintaining friendly relations with Ming. The young ones in the army and navy are already causing headaches with their excitement, so there’s no need for the ministers to fan the flames, is there?”

“Huh? Are the young officers up to something?”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s words, the ministers’ faces became serious. They were worried that some might be dreaming of a military regime like Goryeo’s.

To the ministers’ questions, Jo Mal-saeng sighed again and continued.

“Huu~. The Land Defense Army is pestering me to remove the ‘defense’ from their name. They’re saying if the navy is just called the navy, why should they be called the Land Defense Army. If that’s the case, they argue, the navy should also be renamed to the Maritime Defense Force.”

“Oh my… tsk!”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s words, all the ministers clicked their tongues. Removing ‘defense’ from the Land Defense Army’s name could mean that Joseon’s strategy might shift from defense-centered to offense-centered.

If that happened, many troublesome issues could arise.

In the end, Lee Jik had to urge Jo Mal-saeng.

“Tell the young ones to exercise restraint.”

“I’m already doing that. So, ministers, please don’t say strange things.”

“Understood.”

***

After sorting out the situation, Lee Jik looked around at the ministers.

“We’ve digressed a bit, but let’s reach a conclusion first. We said we’d decide after seeing Prince Jinpyeong’s report, but wouldn’t it be better to conclude in favor of accepting the use of Hunminjeongeum?”

At Lee Jik’s question, all the ministers nodded.

“His Majesty strongly desires it, and it seems useful in its own way, so wouldn’t it be good to accept it?”

The ministers nodded at Kim Jeom’s assessment. Amidst this, Lee Maeng-gyun muttered without realizing it.

“If Minister Ryu Jeong-hyeon and others were still here like before, there would have been quite an uproar…”

“Shh! Why are you mentioning that person again!”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s rebuke, Lee Maeng-gyun closed his mouth with an ‘oops’ expression.

Watching this, Heo Jo stroked his beard and muttered.

“Come to think of it, isn’t it a bit strange?”

“What is?”

“When those stubborn ones from the Hall of Worthies submitted their resignation… Doesn’t it feel like His Majesty dealt with the matter angrily, more than necessary?”

“Hm? Now that you mention it…”

At Heo Jo’s point, all the ministers began to have the same doubt.

****

To say it now, King Sejong’s response to the mass resignation incident of the Hall of Worthies scholars was quite extreme.

If it had been the usual King Sejong who cherished talent, he would have tried to persuade them more, or accepted their resignations but called them back not long after. However, King Sejong approved all their petitions and then banned not only their grandchildren but even their great-grandchildren from submitting petitions or entering government service.

Not only that, but he also dismissed Choi Man-ri, the Chief Scholar of the Hall of Worthies, who was recognized as an incorruptible official with outstanding abilities, holding him responsible.

***

“Certainly, at the time, we only thought those stubborn ones had provoked His Majesty’s wrath, but thinking about it now, it does seem excessive.”

At Lee Jik’s words, Maeng Sa-seong turned to Heo Jo.

“What do you think, Minister?”

“We could say it went too far, but I think His Majesty might have cleared them out in advance, just in case.”

“Huh? Nah~.”

“Come on, isn’t that going too far?”

At Heo Jo’s words, everyone waved their hands in denial, but in their minds, they were all thinking similarly.

‘It’s possible if it’s His Majesty and the Crown Prince!’

‘Those two could do it!’

That’s what they were thinking in their minds. However, the ministers didn’t voice these thoughts aloud. No, they couldn’t.

The moment they uttered those words, it felt like they wouldn’t be able to consider King Sejong and Hyang as people like themselves anymore.

***

While the ministers were murmuring in the State Council, King Sejong, having sent the court historians and scribes far away, was talking with Hyang in Gangyeongjeon.

“Pushing out those stubborn ones from the Hall of Worthies like that seems to have been a great help.”

At King Sejong’s words, Hyang asked with an expression that seemed to say, “Really?”

“Was it a coincidence?”

“It was a coincidence. A coincidence…”

King Sejong, who had been emphasizing that it was a coincidence, suddenly shouted.

“Crown Prince! What do you take your father for?”

“You planned it in advance to proceed smoothly with this matter…”

“You brat, get out!”

***

Three days later, Jinpyeong’s report was submitted. With Jinpyeong standing to one side with a very tense face, King Sejong and the ministers read the report and then shared their opinions.

“How do the ministers find the report written in Hunminjeongeum?”

To King Sejong’s question, Lee Jik stepped forward to answer.

“Although it takes time because we’re not yet familiar with how to read it, we can understand its meaning as soon as we read it, so I think it’s useful.”

“Then, do you agree to promulgate this and have all the people use it?”

“We will follow Your Majesty’s will.”

At Lee Jik’s answer, King Sejong’s voice hardened.

“I’m not asking if you’ll follow, but if you agree.”

At King Sejong’s question, Lee Jik finally waved the white flag.

“We agree, Your Majesty.”

As Lee Jik waved the white flag, King Sejong turned to the other ministers.

“What do you think, ministers? Do you agree?”

To King Sejong’s question, the ministers had no choice but to give the same answer as Lee Jik.

“We agree, Your Majesty.”

Once the ministers agreed, one way or another, King Sejong talked about future plans.

“It will take time to educate the teachers of the public and secondary schools, and to compose and create educational books for use in schools. So, I would like to set the formal promulgation to educational institutions and announcement to the people to start from the school term beginning next year. What do you think?”

“It seems appropriate, Your Majesty.”

“Good. However, let’s have the court, research institute, and Hall of Worthies start using it from next month to identify and fix any problems.”

At King Sejong’s words, the ministers’ faces turned pale.

“But we have many ongoing tasks, Your Majesty.”

“That’s why we adjusted things last time, isn’t it? Now that we have a bit more leeway, it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

At King Sejong’s words, the ministers answered with tears in their eyes.

“We receive your command.”

The court historian who recorded all this added the following:

-Thus, when His Majesty asked, all the ministers, great and small, agreed.

The historian says:

The intention of His Majesty in creating the writing system is truly beautiful, but the way of implementing it uses expedient measures, which is not beautiful.

If the intention is beautiful but the action is not beautiful too often, it can lead to tyranny.

As he has ordered us to learn the newly created writing system, it seems we won’t be able to go home for a while.

The life of an official is really hard.

***

Although a rough schedule was set like this, King Sejong couldn’t give up his ambition.

“How can we best ensure that Hunminjeongeum quickly takes root among the people?”

“Well… How about having all official documents use Hunminjeongeum first?”

“Wouldn’t it be too slow if we rely only on official documents?”

“…”

At King Sejong’s point, the ministers closed their mouths and pondered other methods.

Seeing this, Hyang stepped forward.

“Father, how about using popular tales?”

At Hyang’s suggestion, King Sejong made a slightly troubled expression.

“Aren’t there problems with popular tales, as many have frivolous language and disorderly content?”

“Although the language is said to be frivolous, it’s that much easier to read, so it will be easy for people to learn Hunminjeongeum. And if the content is disorderly, can’t we just write popular tales with proper content? In simple terms, it’s using the form of popular tales to educate the people.”

“Hmm…”

At Hyang’s suggestion, King Sejong stroked his beard in thought and then looked at Jo Gye-saeng.

“What does the Minister of Education think?”

At King Sejong’s question, Jo Gye-saeng thought for a moment and gave the most orthodox answer.

“It would be right to consider it more, but thinking briefly, it doesn’t seem bad. Popular tales are short, so people won’t be burdened reading them, and while many have disorderly content, there are also those with moral lessons, so it might be good to select ones that serve as good examples, compile them into a book, and distribute it.”

“It seems good. Please think about it more and submit a report.”

“I receive your command.”

Jo Gye-saeng, who had unexpectedly been given additional work, answered with a voice full of moisture.

After exchanging opinions on various proposals, King Sejong instructed the ministers.

“For a while, we will experience a situation where there’s a lot of work but little result, due to lack of people and the need to learn and use the new writing system. However, don’t become negligent because we’ve reached this stagnant period. Instead, use this as an opportunity to closely examine and fix deficient and problematic areas.”

At King Sejong’s admonition, the ministers all bowed their heads and answered in unison.

“We will engrave it on our bones and hearts!”