Black Corporation: Joseon

May, 24th year of King Sejong’s reign (1442, Year of Imseul)

Sejong summoned all ministers and vice ministers.

As he silently gazed at their faces gathered in Geunjeong Hall, various emotions crossed his countenance.

“Looking around today, I see many positions have changed.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

Hwang Hui answered on behalf of everyone, while the others bowed their heads.

However, similar thoughts crossed many minds:

Quite a lot has changed indeed.

As Sejong said, many had left their positions, and new faces had filled the vacancies.

Most notably, Heo Jo had stepped down due to his advanced age, and Kim Jong-seo filled his position.

Hwangbo In had taken the position of Minister of Justice.

Many others had been replaced as well. With these changes, the distinguished figures who had weathered the turbulent period from late Goryeo through early Joseon were fading into history.

New figures like Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In were stepping to the forefront of history.

As they pondered Sejong’s words, everyone arrived at the same thought:

But why so suddenly?

The moment this question arose, all ministers and vice ministers gathered in Geunjeong Hall reached one conclusion:

It must be either abdication or proxy rule!

Their speculation proved correct.

“This year marks my 25th year as this nation’s king. It has been a long and difficult journey. Though many misfortunes occurred due to my inadequacies, I was able to overcome crises with the help of many loyal subjects. Through various policies, including the reforms, Joseon has grown prosperous and achieved stable governance. Therefore, I intend to have the Crown Prince serve as regent.”

“Your Majesty is still in good health – it seems too early for regency.”

“The Prime Minister’s words are most wise! It is too early!”

Though ministers rushed to object following Hwang Hui’s lead, Sejong stood firm.

“The Crown Prince is already twenty-six and has gained considerable experience managing the Research Institute and Area 51. If anything, this is rather late. Furthermore, I believe personally commanding the development of the New Lands would be best, which led me to consider regency.”

Hwang Hui stepped forward to oppose Sejong’s assertion.

“However, we’ve only just established a foothold in the New Lands.”

“I’m not leaving immediately. It will take at least two years to organize the current situation and properly plan future developments. During that time, I’ll have the Crown Prince serve as regent while I focus on New Lands matters.”

“But…”

“Enough.”

When Hwang Hui tried to object again, Sejong raised his hand to stop him.

“I’m not asking for your opinion. I’m informing you. As I said, the Crown Prince has matured and is more than capable of handling state affairs. Rather, I believe not stepping back now would be missing the right timing.”

Hwang Hui bowed his head at Sejong’s resolute response.

“We shall comply with Your Majesty’s sacred command.”

“Then please prepare accordingly.”

“We shall obey Your Majesty’s command.”

***

After the audience ended, the ministers all crowded into the conference room attached to the Prime Minister’s office.

“Shouldn’t we continue opposing this?”

Other ministers nodded at Kim Jong-seo’s question, he being among the youngest.

“Indeed.”

“His Majesty must have some other scheme in mind!”

Many ministers were convinced Sejong’s regency declaration was a trap.

They had already experienced bloodshed during the succession crisis at the end of Taejong’s reign. That incident had destroyed Queen Wongyeong Min’s family.

Watching the ministers convinced this was Sejong’s “trap card,” Hwang Hui shook his head.

“This isn’t a trap.”

“Are you certain?”

“As His Majesty said, the situation demands regency. Who besides His Majesty could safely command the New Lands development?”

The ministers fell silent at Hwang Hui’s counter-question.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“With His Majesty still vigorous, this is actually the right time. Developing unexplored territories consumes considerable mental energy. The longer we wait, the more difficult it will be for His Majesty.”

Sejong was currently 45 years old – in his prime. Thanks to Hyang’s “Healthy Pig Project,” his health was quite good. As Hwang Hui’s experience suggested, managing unexplored territories brought considerable stress. It would surely be worse for Sejong to handle such mentally taxing work with declining physical capabilities due to age.

“That may be true…”

As the ministers continued expressing anxiety despite Hwang Hui’s words, he summarized the situation.

“We’ll know whether this is His Majesty’s trap or not by watching the Crown Prince’s actions. More precisely, by His Majesty’s response to the Crown Prince’s actions.”

“That seems the best approach.”

The ministers who had nodded at Hwang Hui’s words began rising from their seats one by one.

“Then we should start moving early. We need to reorganize the New Lands materials and pre-screen those who’ll accompany His Majesty. If we choose at the last minute, we’ll immediately hear that tongue-clicking.”

“Well thought. And Minister of General Affairs, please remain behind.”

At Hwang Hui’s designation, Kim Jong-seo, who had tried to slip out with the others, remained behind with a dejected expression.

After everyone else had left, Hwang Hui glared at Kim Jong-seo.

“How’s the work going?”

“Huh? It’s manageable enough.”

“Then why do I hear rumors that ‘those General Affairs bastards have it easy’ reaching even my ears?”

“That’s slander!”

“Do it properly. When the Crown Prince takes over as regent, work will become twice as demanding. Both the Crown Prince and His Majesty will scrutinize everything more carefully. You’ll suffer if you get marked then.”

“I’m working hard!”

“Working so hard that your name comes up in every pleasure house in Hanseong?”

“That’s after work hours…”

“Was the General Affairs Ministry’s work ever leisurely enough for regular office hours?”

“…”

Kim Jong-seo closed his mouth with an aggrieved expression.

***

Thanks to his time under Hwang Hui’s training, Kim Jong-seo was rated as the fastest worker in Joseon. His already outstanding abilities had reached their peak under Hwang Hui’s drilling.

While his predecessor Heo Jo had been no pushover, Kim Jong-seo was a step ahead.

The problem was Kim Jong-seo’s unchanging “love for Hanseong.” More precisely, his “love for Hanseong’s pleasure houses.”

Hwang Hui had even complained about Kim Jong-seo thus:

“I can’t understand why someone who won’t even visit the Three Great Entertainment Districts is so obsessed with Hanseong!”

***

“Do it properly. If I’m not satisfied, I’ll step in and crush you first.”

“My Lord! I’m almost sixty!”

“Ha! I’m nearly ninety! You wet-behind-the-ears brat!”

Kim Jong-seo tried bragging about his age before Hwang Hui, recorded as Joseon’s longest-serving Prime Minister, and got properly shut down.

***

News of Sejong’s regency announcement reached Hyang instantly. Upon hearing it, he muttered with a troubled expression:

“Should I kneel on a mat to await punishment…”

Given Father’s personality and the current situation, this seems like genuine regency, so kneeling might not be necessary… But if I don’t, I’ll probably get criticized… Called an shameless, unfilial son coveting his father’s position…

After calculating various possibilities, Hyang rose from his seat with a long sigh.

“Politics is such… Eunuch! Prepare a mat! Make it thick and comfortable!”

***

Thus, Hyang headed to Geunjeong Hall with a eunuch carrying the mat. The mat was laid in the front courtyard, and Hyang handed his dragon robe and official crown to the eunuch.

Just as he finished preparing and was about to kneel on the mat, the Royal Secretary came running from Geunjeong Hall.

“His Majesty commands: ‘Stop that nonsense and get in here immediately! If you keep that up, I’ll abdicate right now!'”

At the secretary’s message, Hyang sighed and turned to his palace eunuch.

“I’ll need to dress properly again.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

***

Thus properly attired again, Hyang entered Geunjeong Hall.

Sitting on the royal platform examining documents, Sejong grumbled at seeing Hyang.

“For someone so smart, why do you waste time on foolishness?”

“…”

Shouldn’t one test even a stone bridge before crossing?

As if seeing through Hyang’s thoughts, Sejong smirked and continued:

“What? Going to test the stone bridge because that’s what they say? You fool! Do you need to taste it to know the difference between shit and soybean paste?”

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

“Haah~”

Meanwhile, the court historians and scribes were sweating as they struggled:

How do we write this while maintaining proper dignity?

We absolutely can’t show these records!

“Come sit. Royal Secretary, bring a chair for the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Once Hyang sat in the chair brought by the eunuch, Sejong got to the point.

“I don’t know how much you’ve heard, but the current situation requires regency.”

“While that may be true, Your Majesty’s sudden command has left not only this humble son but also the ministers unable to hide their bewilderment.”

“Would anything change if I had told you in advance?”

“…”

“Of course, I’d love to abdicate right now, but I’m starting with regency because I’m certain you’d be the first to cause an uproar if I did.”

“But with Your Majesty still vigorous, for this humble son to step forward…”

“I said stop the nonsense. You’re old enough to handle state affairs now. So, start preparing immediately. Quickly wrap up whatever needs finishing.”

“Yes…”

Seeing Hyang’s still dissatisfied expression, Sejong spoke:

“Crown Prince, how old is the Crown Prince’s son now?”

“He’s nine now.”

***

While engaging in various hobbies, Hyang had been diligently producing children. Through the Crown Princess, Yang-won, and Yang-je, he had six sons and three daughters.

As if coordinated, they had given birth to triplets simultaneously, and when the Crown Princess bore a son, the others also bore sons.

In this situation, Hyang had evaluated himself while rubbing his waist:

“All that back-breaking effort paid off… But for all three to match exactly… Did I have such talent?”

The children received very positive evaluations:

‘Greatly resembling their grandfather and father, they are extremely talented.’

‘Though inferior to their father the Crown Prince, they far surpass their peers.’

One more thing to add was that except for Wan, Du, and Seul, all the other children’s names were chosen by ministers skilled in naming. This was because of Hyang:

We can’t name them Po, Pa, and Sik!

Finally, recalling the first birthday celebrations of Wan, Du, and Seul, Hyang carefully examined the children before concluding:

“Doesn’t look like there are any second-timers like me.”

***

“Well, I have a proposal for you.”

After asking about the Crown Prince’s son’s age, Sejong made a proposal to Hyang.

“Fifteen years – including preparation time, I’ll stay in the New Lands for fifteen years. By then, the Crown Prince’s son will be twenty-four, so I’ll abdicate and you can go to the New Lands. If you want to create Area 52 there, I’ll permit that too. What do you think?”

“Why fifteen years?”

“By then I’ll be sixty, so I should return for my birthday celebration, shouldn’t I?”

“If you made it ten years…”

“You think establishing a foundation in the New Lands can be done in seven or eight years? It will take at least ten years.”

After calculating briefly at Sejong’s words, Hyang immediately bowed his head.

“I joyfully accept Your Majesty’s command!”