Black Corporation: Joseon

Though buildings for Hyang’s regency were still under construction, Sejong immediately threw work at him.

“Learning to handle affairs early makes things easier later.”

“…Yes, Father.”

Following Sejong’s command, Hyang handled work using empty rooms in the Crown Prince’s residence – the former research institute space.

Around Hyang’s main office, officials of the Office of Royal Advisors organized documents coming up from the administration.

“You’re really determined to work me to death. Haah~”

Hyang let out a long sigh watching the tsunami of documents flooding before him.

In principle, decisions regarding foreign affairs, defense, and personnel matters were supposed to be Sejong’s responsibility.

But Sejong dumped even these on Hyang.

“You need to learn these early too. I’ll just sign off on them.”

In other words, even documents regarding foreign affairs, defense, and personnel matters were first organized by Hyang, with Sejong only reviewing the results and making final decisions.

Thanks to this, Sejong secured an unprecedented amount of free time. Using this time as capital, Sejong started new projects.

“Hmm… Let’s have a look around, shall we?”

***

Using his increased leisure time, Sejong began harassing various administrative institutions.

The first to get demolished was the Joseon National Music Institute headed by Park Yeon.

“I ordered you to organize folk songs sung by the people, but what is this result? Do you still look down on and ignore folk songs as vulgar?”

“That’s not it…”

“If that’s not it, then what?”

“…We shall do it properly.”

“Do it right. I’ll be watching carefully.”

“We shall do our utmost!”

After turning the National Music Institute upside down, Sejong headed to the Entertainment Bureau next.

“Bring the documents. Everything from the final versions to reports submitted by local entertainment halls.”

At Sejong’s short and precise order, Anpyeong froze and handed over the documents.

“He-here they are, Your Majesty!”

“Hmm… Let’s see.”

Sitting at Anpyeong’s desk, Sejong put on his glasses and began examining the documents.

While Sejong reviewed the documents, Anpyeong stood at attention in front of the desk. He had already heard about Park Yeon getting demolished.

“Oh? Hmm…”

While examining documents from across Joseon, Sejong soon began selecting several.

“This is rather strange. Anpyeong.”

“Yes! Your Majesty!”

Normally “Father” would have popped out, but “Your Majesty” immediately escaped from the frozen Anpyeong’s mouth.

Glancing at such Anpyeong, Sejong opened several reports and showed them to him.

“As far as I know, these regions have similar population and tax revenue. Yet I see differences in entertainment hall revenues. Go to the Finance Ministry and General Affairs Ministry right now and have them bring the census and tax payment records for these regions for the past three years.”

“Yes! Your Majesty!”

Shortly after, Entertainment Bureau officials returned with the documents following Sejong’s instructions.

“Let’s use the conference room.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Following Sejong’s order, officials laid out the documents on the long table in the center of the conference room.

After briefly examining the three years of records for his designated counties arranged chronologically, Sejong nodded.

“As I thought… Anpyeong, come look at this.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Placing Anpyeong beside him, Sejong explained while pointing at the documents’ contents.

“Look. These eight counties have similar populations and annual tax payments. But compare the entertainment hall revenues between these two counties on the left and the rest.”

Examining the documents at Sejong’s command, Anpyeong muttered with a serious expression.

“The revenue is much lower.”

“Right? What do you think is the reason?”

“Well…”

Anpyeong couldn’t answer Sejong’s question immediately. Embezzlement came to mind first. But saying that felt like admitting his own incompetence. Thus, Anpyeong couldn’t give a proper answer.

As if understanding Anpyeong’s thoughts, Sejong answered his own question.

“Embezzlement would be the most suspicious. Even though officials’ salaries became sufficient with the reforms, human greed knows no bounds.”

“But isn’t the punishment for embezzlement extremely severe?”

“They probably think ‘I won’t get caught!’ It’s true that it’s difficult for the central government to verify every report coming from across Joseon.”

“Even so…”

Seeing Anpyeong uncomfortable with suspecting his subordinates of corruption, Sejong continued.

“The second suspicious point would probably be the officials’ lack of ability? Perhaps the courtesans performing music and dance at the entertainment halls lack skill, or other attractions are too poor to be entertaining. You must have heard the stories of idle nobles traveling the country to watch Go matches between famous players?”

“Yes.”

The example Sejong mentioned was a famous story.

***

When comprehensive entertainment halls were established, Go match rooms were created.

Before long, top players emerged in each county, and masters from nearby counties began competing to determine superiority.

Since Hyang and the officials had anticipated this, rules like time limits were soon established, and national Go tournaments were held.

Thus each year, fierce competition occurred for the position of National Go Champion.

And wherever the National Go Champion resided, Go enthusiasts from across Joseon gathered to watch their games.

When people gathered thus, that county soon overflowed with money. This was due to the money spent by visitors on food and lodging.

Thanks to this, parents whose children showed talent in Go began asking famous players to train them.

***

“Therefore, prepare for a business trip.”

“Pardon?”

When Anpyeong looked bewildered at the sudden travel order, Sejong explained further.

“It seems difficult to properly understand the reality of entertainment matters just by reviewing documents in Hanseong. Entertainment has a strongly personal aspect. And even with embezzlement, it’s hard to find if they’re determined to hide it properly. In such cases, one must apply pressure through power. So prepare for travel. I need to write up plans to give to the Crown Prince, so let’s depart in three days.”

“Eh? Yes.”

Having finished his business, Sejong left the Entertainment Bureau. Seeing Sejong off as he headed to Gyeongbok Palace, Anpyeong tilted his head.

“He seems somehow excited? Anyway…”

Trailing off, Anpyeong’s expression brightened.

“A business trip after so long! How long has it been! Your grace is boundless!”

***

That evening, Hyang received Sejong’s travel plans and itinerary.

“I understand why you’re going on this trip, but…”

Examining the plans and itinerary with suspicious eyes, Hyang suddenly began counting on his fingers. After counting several times calculating something, he unconsciously muttered:

“This amount…”

Suddenly stopping, Hyang turned to his eunuch.

“Step outside for a moment.”

“Pardon?”

“Step outside.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After dismissing the eunuch, Hyang finally grumbled freely.

“This man… How did he manage to pick market days for every date? And…”

Hyang walked to the map hanging on one wall with the itinerary in hand. After tracing the route with his finger, he soon turned around.

“Eunuch!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“Go to my study immediately and bring the geography records!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Shortly after, thumbing through the geography records brought by the eunuch, Hyang sighed.

“Hah~ Should have known.”

Along Sejong’s route, there was always a county famous for its delicacies. And without fail, the character for “rest” was written on days arriving at such counties.

Examining the itinerary, Hyang internally raised his voice:

You’re implementing a five-day work week in Joseon at this time? Even officials work six days!

While grumbling internally thus, Hyang soon showed an understanding expression.

“Well, you’ve barely had proper rest until now…”

***

Regarding Joseon officials’ holidays, five days off per month were guaranteed. Usually the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd were fixed holidays, and the remaining day fell on one of the 24 seasonal divisions.

Additionally, there were holidays guaranteed by each ministry’s internal regulations, and paid leave was also guaranteed.

Of course, holidays like Lunar New Year and Chuseok were naturally off.

Therefore, when new year’s calendars came out, officials crowded before the Royal Observatory. This was to check how many consecutive days off would be created when regular holidays overlapped with seasonal holidays.

Seeing that scene each time, Hyang would mutter quietly:

“Counting days off first when the calendar comes out is the same whether it’s now or the 21st century…”

However, the king had no holidays. While he could rest on festivals like Lunar New Year, First Full Moon, Chuseok, and Dano, being king meant having no legally guaranteed days off.

Besides festivals, the only time a king could rest was when high officials of Senior Second Rank or above died.

In this respect, Sejong was quite unlucky. Thanks to the medicinal supplements going around, there were many long-lived ministers.

***

Anyway, it was Sejong’s decision, and Hyang had no veto power.

After reviewing the itinerary and plans again, Hyang soon wrote new documents and handed them to his eunuch.

“Deliver these documents to the Railway Administration, Royal Guards, and Defense Ministry immediately. Make sure they understand it must be completed within two days.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The eunuch receiving the documents quickly disappeared outside.

Following Sejong’s itinerary and Hyang’s orders, special trains, carriages, and escort forces would be organized.

After sending out the orders, Hyang thought briefly before calling another eunuch.

“Summon the Royal Head Chef immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Shortly after, the Royal Head Chef came running at Hyang’s summons. After receiving his greeting, Hyang immediately issued orders.

“Follow Father on this trip and carefully observe what foods he eats where. If he only eats meat dishes, step in and ensure he eats vegetables too.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Also, if there are any foods he particularly enjoys, record clearly which region’s dish it is and even document the recipe.”

“Pardon?”

“Do you want him traveling all the way back there again when he wants to eat that food later?”

Understanding Hyang’s explanation, the previously confused Royal Head Chef loudly responded.

“Ah, no! I shall record everything without fail!”

***

Three days later, Sejong departed on his trip. Seeing him off at Gyeongbok Palace’s entrance, Hyang smiled slightly seeing Queen Soheon standing beside Sejong.

The court historians will complain about mixing public and private matters, but it’s nice to see!

Thus began “Sejong’s Culinary Journey” disguised as a business trip.