Black Corporation: Joseon

Leaving Geunjeong Hall, Hyang paused on his way to the Crown Prince’s residence and tilted his head.

From what I vaguely remember, there was regency, but was it this early? Could Father be experiencing secret health problems? No, seeing how the royal physicians aren’t saying anything, that’s not it… Then is this a butterfly effect from my actions?

Feeling the regency had come earlier than expected, Hyang pondered various possible reasons.

However, this was Hyang’s misjudgment. In truth, it was mere coincidence.

***

In the original timeline before Hyang’s intervention, Sejong had also revealed his intention for regency to trusted ministers in his 24th year.

Sejong’s argument for regency then was based on his health.

“My eye disease has worsened to the point where I cannot directly handle important state affairs. Therefore, I wish to have the Crown Prince serve as regent.”

However, ministers led by Hwang Hui strongly opposed Sejong’s request.

“There’s no need for further discussion!”

After dismissing the ministers, Sejong confided in the Chief Royal Secretary.

“I’ve suffered from eye disease for ten years. It’s grown particularly severe these past five years. I regret not taking proper care when it first started deteriorating.”

In the original timeline before Hyang’s intervention, Sejong constantly struggled with his health.

Consequently, from his 19th year (1437), he had transferred document approval authority to the Crown Prince.

From his 24th year, he began transferring authority for ancestral rites at the Royal Shrine and military training command, delegating all time and labor-intensive external affairs to the Crown Prince.

He then invested the time gained in researching Hunminjeongeum (Korean alphabet).

***

However, in the timeline after Hyang’s intervention, while the timing of mentioning regency coincided, the situation was completely different.

First was Sejong’s health issue.

Thanks to Hyang’s “Strong and Healthy Pig Project,” Sejong’s health was quite good. Though he had aftereffects from the mild stroke suffered early in his reign, they weren’t serious. His famous chronic diabetes was also being prevented from worsening through consistent dietary control and exercise.

Regarding the problematic eye condition, after intensive examination and discussion, the royal physicians concluded it wasn’t a complication of diabetes but rather vision deterioration from overwork, leading to the creation and presentation of eyeglasses.

“How bright! I can see the letters so clearly!”

Sejong was highly satisfied with the glasses, and soon elderly ministers with poor eyesight were also provided with them.

Upon receiving his glasses, Kim Jeom immediately sought out Hyang.

“Your Highness…”

“Yes, I’ll look into mass production and reasonable pricing.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

***

Next, politically, matters causing Sejong mental stress had greatly decreased.

After the purge of elder ministers symbolized by Ryu Jeong-hyeon, court officials established themselves as Sejong’s capable hands and advisory body rather than power competitors.

Another major factor was the butterfly effect brought by Hyang.

By actively pursuing water control projects from the early reform period and importing large quantities of grain from Ming’s Jiangnan region, the impact of poor harvests was minimized.

Particularly, importing large quantities of grain from Ming’s Jiangnan region proved to be the best choice.

Though there were poor harvests almost every year during Sejong’s early reign – though their frequency and scale gradually decreased – the damage could be offset with grain imported from Ming’s Jiangnan.

People properly registered in the census could receive not just minimal survival rations but enough to meet basic needs.

With supplies sufficient not just for bare survival but for somewhat dignified living, people could hold on with hope for the future.

Additionally, active promotion of commerce and industry, along with profits from selling products created through Hyang’s obsessive interests to other countries, guided Joseon in a positive direction.

This led Joseon’s people to show almost absolute loyalty to Sejong.

Moreover, through the promotion of commerce and industry, Joseon’s society transformed from a closed, rigid structure to an outward-looking, flexible one.

Furthermore, with reduced disease impact due to soap (a byproduct of Hyang’s obsessions), the implementation of vaccination (which had been almost gambling-like), and strengthened public and personal hygiene, the population began growing rapidly.

With positive news coming from all directions, Sejong’s psychological burden greatly decreased.

With reduced stress, continuous health management, and help from an administrative system that grew more efficient even as it expanded, Sejong could manage state affairs with some leisure time.

Using this spare time, Sejong completed Hunminjeongeum faster than expected.

Of course, the role of papers secretly taken from Hyang’s room couldn’t be ignored.

Finally, Hunminjeongeum itself had an impact.

Eliminating the process of transcribing Korean speech into Chinese characters brought tremendous efficiency improvements across all areas of society, including administration.

The efficiency gains brought by Hunminjeongeum were so enormous that Japanese students studying administration and practical affairs in Joseon seriously considered:

-Should we abandon hiragana and katakana to adopt Hunminjeongeum?

***

After long contemplation, Hyang finally shook his head and continued walking.

“No matter how I think about it, there are too many reasons. Better to just format everything clean and go with ‘Que será, será’ for my mental health.”

Hyang chose to simply switch off his concerns.

It was a method his psychiatrist had taught him when he struggled with depression in the 21st century.

***

Once it became clear that the “regency” wasn’t a political plot, the ministers actively responded to Sejong’s wishes.

“I wish to create a temporary institution to help the Crown Prince handle affairs smoothly. According to Tang Dynasty records, there was a system called the Crown Prince’s Advisory Office. Referencing this, I want to create a temporary institution called the Office of Royal Advisors. What are your thoughts?”

The ministers immediately responded to Sejong’s question.

“Do as you wish, Your Majesty.”

With the establishment of the Office of Royal Advisors approved, Sejong moved on to the next matter.

“Since the Crown Prince will serve as regent, I want him to face south and receive court audiences to handle state affairs.”

The moment these words fell, the ministers immediately rose in protest.

“Absolutely not!”

“It’s completely unacceptable!”

“Please reconsider!”

Amid stronger than expected rejection, Hwang Hui explained why it was impossible.

“Facing south is the position from which the king hears and judges state affairs. While Your Majesty faces south and receives court audiences from various ministers, how could the Crown Prince dare to face south like the supreme ruler and receive audiences?”

Finally, faced with tremendous opposition from the ministers, Sejong decided to have the Crown Prince face west instead.

***

With the establishment of the Office of Royal Advisors decided, buildings to house it began construction.

Gyejodang Hall was built inside Geonchunmun Gate, the eastern gate of Gyeongbok Palace. This building’s purpose was for Hyang to receive audiences from ministers.

And Seunghwadang Hall, where Hyang would handle state affairs, began construction.

Of course, this process wasn’t smooth either.

“Since the Crown Prince will mainly work from Gangnyeongjeon Hall once regency begins, how about having him work at Geunjeong Hall? It would save resources rather than building new structures, and seem more efficient?”

The ministers once again erupted at Sejong’s suggestion.

“Absolutely not!”

“It’s completely unacceptable!”

“Please reconsider!”

Once again, Hwang Hui stepped forward to explain why it was impossible.

“Geunjeong Hall is where Your Majesty receives envoys and handles state affairs. Therefore, it would be irreverent for the Crown Prince to use this place. Moreover, while the Crown Prince will serve as regent, You said You would directly handle foreign affairs, defense, and personnel matters, so Geunjeong Hall cannot be handed over to the Crown Prince.”

Finally, after such struggles, new buildings were added to the Crown Prince’s residence.

***

While Sejong and the ministers were establishing precedents for regency through such tug-of-war, Hyang was also busy moving.

“Delegating management of the Research Institute and Area 51 to Jeong In-ji is fine, but I’m a bit worried.”

Though Jeong-cho had lived longer than in the original timeline before Hyang’s intervention, he had grown too frail to properly handle work and had to resign.

While Jeong In-ji was the right person for that vacancy, Hyang was uneasy. This was because Jeong In-ji had been one of the main figures in the Geyujeongnan coup.

“Jinpyeong being buried in Area 51 is the problem. Hmm…”

After searching for solutions, Hyang soon found an answer.

“Can’t be helped. Best to have Jeong In-ji manage the Research Institute and entrust Area 51 to General Lee Cheon.”

After finding relief by deciding to entrust Area 51 to Lee Cheon, a founding member along with Choe Hae-san, Hyang moved on to the next matter.

“And I should attach Lee Soonji under Jeong In-ji. With Lee Soonji’s personality, even Jeong In-ji won’t be able to act freely.”

The mathematical monster Lee Soonji was as famous for his sharp tongue as his mathematical talent. He didn’t just spew criticism randomly but only pointed out undeniable faults, so few complained about his remarks. Additionally, he had an unexpectedly straightforward personality, immediately pointing out when something was wrong.

Therefore, Hyang chose Lee Soonji as a check on Jeong In-ji.

***

After deciding on leaders for the Research Institute and Area 51, Hyang began selecting officials to work in the Office of Royal Advisors.

While examining candidate recommendation documents sent by each ministry at Hyang’s request, his eyes sparkled.

“Oh? Already at this position? Quite rapid promotion – does this mean he really is capable?”

The person who caught Hyang’s attention was Han Myeong-hoe.

Placing Han Myeong-hoe’s recommendation document before him, Hyang fell into contemplation.

“What should I do? Recommend him for when Father goes to the New Lands? Or keep him close to manage?”

After serious consideration, Hyang soon set Han Myeong-hoe’s document aside.

“There’s that famous movie quote, right? ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.'”

Hyang decided to keep Han Myeong-hoe, who had been Prince Suyang’s core advisor, right beside him.

“If he’s truly capable, I’ll tap into his abilities and use him as a second Hwang Hui. If not, I’ll work him as a court servant.”

Having decided how to handle Han Myeong-hoe, Hyang returned to searching through the recommendation documents.

While searching, Hyang’s eyes lit up again.

“Oh? This one’s here too? Ah! They were all classmates, right? Hmm…”

Hyang fell into contemplation again.

“Should I split them up, or gather them for surveillance…”

After deep consideration, Hyang soon reached a conclusion.

“It’s enough ambition to start a rebellion. With that level of desire… When near supreme power, they’ll absolutely resist being pushed away. Wouldn’t they show that much loyalty to avoid it? Hmm… We’ll see whether they become capable ministers of a peaceful reign or waste products.”

With these words, he selected the recommendation documents of Gwon Ram, Seo Geo-jeong, and others.

***

Note 1) The Complete Annals of King Sejong in One Volume. Written by Park Young-gyu. Published by Woongjin Knowledge House.

Note 2) Our History Net, Regency Section.