Black Corporation: Joseon

Choi Man-ri, who had been caught by Sejong, reported for duty from the next day.

The Office of Correct Sounds had been assigned one of the newly constructed buildings added to the Records Office.

Therefore, as Choi Man-ri crossed the threshold of the Records Office to go to the Office of Correct Sounds, his face became even more gloomy.

“Was there no other place available?”

A lower-ranking official from the Office of Correct Sounds answered Choi Man-ri’s question.

“Yes, as the government structure changed and personnel increased, there was no space left.”

“Hall of Worthies…”

Choi Man-ri couldn’t finish saying ‘Hall of Worthies’. Although he and many others—to be honest, almost all—had been dismissed, the positions had been filled.

And now it existed as a specialized agency for policy research.

“Where should I go?”

“This way, sir.”

Following the lower-ranking official who went ahead, Choi Man-ri continued to mutter softly.

“Of all places… Of all places…”

***

“Hah…”

Choi Man-ri let out a long sigh as he entered the building with the sign ‘Office of Correct Sounds’, which clearly looked newly made.

The interior of the large building, surrounded on all sides by a corridor between the outer and inner walls composed of glass-paned sliding doors and pillars, was completely open with nothing blocking the view except the pillars supporting the roof.

“It seems to be over 8 jang (about 24m) at least…”

The lower-ranking official immediately answered Choi Man-ri’s observation.

“It’s exactly 9 jang (about 27m) from the eastern inner wall to the western inner wall. Including the corridor and outer walls, it’s 10 jang (about 30m).”

“Whew~.”

Sighing again, Choi Man-ri surveyed the interior once more.

At the farthest end from the western entrance where he stood, there was a separate large desk. In front of it, towards the west, several long desks were placed, and behind these desks, bookshelves stood in rows.

At the western entrance, smaller desks were placed. And officials who seemed to be of similar rank to the lower-ranking official who had guided him were standing in front of these desks, paying their respects to him.

“Where is my seat?”

“This way, sir.”

The seat the lower-ranking official guided him to was, as expected, the one Choi Man-ri had anticipated.

After sitting in the guided seat, Choi Man-ri looked at the long desks stretching out in front of his desk and asked the lower-ranking official.

“What are those seats for?”

“They are seats for those tasked with transcribing Chinese texts into Hunminjeongeum, but…”

The lower-ranking official paused briefly, then carefully continued while gauging Choi Man-ri’s reaction.

“Currently, they are vacant.”

“Vacant?”

Surprised by the unexpected explanation, Choi Man-ri glared at the lower-ranking official.

“Then what do you all do?”

“We belong to the General Affairs Department and assist with the work carried out in the Office of Correct Sounds. If you need documents, we find and bring them from other departments, including the Records Office, and provide support for the convenience of your work.”

“Hah.”

Choi Man-ri, letting out a long sigh, noticed an envelope on the desk and looked at the lower-ranking official.

“What is this?”

“It was brought by a eunuch this morning. It contains work instructions from His Majesty.”

At the lower-ranking official’s words, Choi Man-ri adjusted his official attire, straightened his posture, and opened the envelope.

***

“…”

After opening the envelope and confirming Sejong’s work instructions, Choi Man-ri could only open and close his mouth.

-Fill the positions as quickly as possible. For this purpose, personnel and appointment authority is temporarily granted.

However, when exercising personnel authority, the head of the original department must agree for personnel transfers to be possible. This does not apply to new appointments.

-The priority for translation into Hunminjeongeum is the law books, including the Joseon Gyeongguk-jeon.

However, the vernacular translation must be simple. The level of simplicity should be such that even someone who has barely learned Hunminjeongeum can understand without difficulty.

Also, the vernacular translation should not only cover the law books but also include case precedents.

-Along with the vernacular translation of law books, proceed with the vernacular translation of ‘Samgang Haengsildo’ used in the Commoner’s School. As Hunminjeongeum will be taught in the Commoner’s School from the fall semester of next year, Gyechuk year, the translation must be completed at least two months before that.

-After completing the above process, proceed with the vernacular translation of the Four Books and Five Classics .

However, for the Four Books and Five Classics, from the 5th year after the promulgation of Hangul, orders will be given for private vernacular translations as well. Afterwards, the translations from the Office of Correct Sounds and private translations will be compared, and the one judged superior will be adopted as the official version.

-Along with the vernacular translation of the Four Books and Five Classics, proceed with the vernacular translation of agricultural texts, medical texts, and military texts like Sun Tzu’s Art of War.

-When the progress of the above tasks exceeds halfway, begin the production of a vernacular dictionary.

-The dictionary should not only provide vernacular translations of Chinese characters but also record and include dialects from across the country. This is to ensure that anyone from any part of Joseon can easily understand.

-If necessary, you may start with the dictionary translation as soon as the translation of law books and textbooks is completed.

At the end of the instruction document listing these enormous tasks, it was written:

I (the king) trust in your ability and reputation, and expect good results. I hope that your name will be honorably recorded in the annals of Joseon’s history.

***

Choi Man-ri, who had been staring blankly at the work instructions, let out a long sigh.

“Whew~. Will I be able to finish this before I die?”

It was an overwhelming amount just to read.

After examining the work instructions and the empty seats, Choi Man-ri asked the lower-ranking official who was still standing beside him.

“You said you assist with work. Is sending urgent messages also possible?”

“If you need it, it’s available, sir.”

“I see. Return to your post. I’ll call if I need anything.”

“Yes, sir.”

After sending the lower-ranking official back, Choi Man-ri crossed his arms and glared at the work instructions. After staring at the paper for a long time with tightly clenched lips, Choi Man-ri shook his head and uncrossed his arms.

“There’s no choice…”

Placing some paper in front of him and dipping his brush in ink, Choi Man-ri muttered softly.

“I’m sorry… But I can’t die alone, can I?”

***

A few days later, urgent messengers arrived at the homes of the dismissed Hall of Worthies scholars who had returned to their hometowns.

“This is from the head of the Office of Correct Sounds.”

“The head of the Office of Correct Sounds? Who’s that?”

“It’s Lord Choi Man-ri.”

“The Chief Scholar sent it? No, when did he become the head of the Office of Correct Sounds?”

The scholars who received the letters from the messengers went into their rooms and opened the envelopes.

The content of the letter inside the envelope was simple.

-Return to Hanseong and help me a bit.

“Huh?”

***

Upon receiving Choi Man-ri’s request for help, a considerable number of scholars packed their bags and came up to Hanseong.

“If the Chief Scholar asks for help, I must go! Yes! There’s the loyalty of scholar-officials!”

However, there were not a few who didn’t respond even after receiving Choi Man-ri’s letter.

“Hmph! I won’t listen to someone who has bent the principles of a scholar-official!”

Those who stubbornly refused like this soon had to receive a royal order sent by Sejong.

“Royal order!”

The scholars who hurriedly rushed out at the herald’s cry adjusted their official attire and received Sejong’s royal order.

The content of Sejong’s royal order was as concise as Choi Man-ri’s.

Respond immediately to Choi Man-ri’s request. This is the extent of my goodwill.

In the end, even the scholars who had refused until the end had to lift their heavy bottoms off the ground and move.

***

The first task of the Hall of Worthies scholars who gathered again at the Office of Correct Sounds was to learn Hunminjeongeum. Indeed, it seemed they hadn’t earned the name of Hall of Worthies scholars for nothing, as they were using Hunminjeongeum proficiently within three days of education.

When the preparations were complete, Choi Man-ri said to the scholars.

“Now, let’s begin.”

As soon as Choi Man-ri’s words ended, the lower-ranking officials in charge of work support entered carrying an enormous amount of books.

Seeing the tremendous amount of books that kept coming in, Choi Man-ri said in surprise to the lower-ranking officials.

“I’m only planning to do the vernacular translation of law books now! So bring only those related to law books!”

The official who had first guided Choi Man-ri stepped forward and answered.

“Everything coming in now is related to law books, sir. These are the law books: Joseon Gyeongguk-jeon, Gukheon, Gyeongje Mungam, Gyeongguk Yukjeon, Gyeongje Yukjeon, Sok Yukjeon, Gyeongje Yukjeon Sokjip Sangjeol, Sin Sok Yukjeon, Yukjeon Deungrok, Sinchan Gyeongje Sok Yukjeon, and the records of judgments since the founding of the country.”

At the official’s explanation, Choi Man-ri and the scholars unconsciously let out curses.

“Oh, fuck…”

“Bloody hell…”

***

And so, Choi Man-ri and the scholars fiercely proceeded with the vernacular translation work.

The vernacular translation work carried out by Choi Man-ri and the scholars was a war. Heated debates often broke out over how to interpret sentences written in Chinese characters.

It was so intense that it was not uncommon for yesterday’s friend to become today’s enemy, and then become a friend again tomorrow.

However, as time passed, the scholars reached the state of enlightened beings—or in Hyang’s words, human translation machines—who enjoyed their work.

While doing the vernacular translation work like this, the scholars began to worry gradually.

“Chief.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you say Hunminjeongeum would be promulgated next autumn?”

“That’s right.”

“There will be not a few who will rise up against it.”

“So?”

“We’re just getting our hands and feet to work together, won’t it become difficult if newcomers join?”

At the scholars’ worry, Choi Man-ri smiled and pointed his hand towards the Records Office.

“There’s more to translate over there. Don’t unnecessarily meddle and just do your work. Shouldn’t we try leaving work on time for once?”

“Yes, sir.”

***

In the autumn of the Imja year, Lee Jik passed away.

He was 70 years old.

The last words he spoke before dying were as follows:

“Although it’s regrettable that I couldn’t see the completion of the reforms, it’s good that I can now rest in peace.”

Hyang came to pay condolences on behalf of Sejong, and the chief mourner, Lee Jik’s eldest son Lee Sa-hu, was deeply moved by Hyang’s visit.

The ministers who gathered for the condolence were immersed in emotion and talked.

“Now they’re starting to go, one by one.”

“Indeed.”

The ministers felt mixed emotions as a person who had been bustling about together since the founding of Joseon had passed away.

However, they couldn’t know that in the history before Hyang’s intervention, Lee Jik had died a year earlier, in the Sinhai year.

It was the butterfly effect created by Hyang’s intervention.

The ministers who were immersed in such emotions soon returned to reality.

“Now that the Prime Minister has passed away, who would you recommend for that position?”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s question, the ministers thought for a moment and unanimously pointed to one person.

“Lord Hwang Hui would be the most suitable.”

***

Two weeks later, at the entrance of Heunginjimun (current Dongdaemun).

Looking at the wide-open Heunginjimun, Kim Jong-seo shouted with overwhelming emotion.

“I’m finally back! Hanseong! I’m back!”

“Shut up, you fool! Come here right now!”

At Hwang Hui’s scolding, Kim Jong-seo made a sulky face and grumbled.

“Tch… Always picking on me… Maybe I should just resign.”

“Talking about resigning. Listen, you, the moment you submit a resignation letter, I’ll send you to either Hamgil Province or Daeseol Island.”

“My lord, only His Majesty can make personnel decisions!”

“Have you forgotten that His Majesty listens to my words?”

At Hwang Hui’s point, Kim Jong-seo pursed his lips and followed behind Hwang Hui.