Black Corporation: Joseon

Since it was an official business trip, Sejong conducted work related to its purpose.

And Hyang became busy.

In his office at Seunghwadang Hall, Hyang placed his hand on his forehead looking at the thick stack of documents sent by Sejong.

“Is this man conducting inspections or writing reviews?”

Sejong sent dispatches to Hanseong almost daily.

The documents brought by these dispatches recorded problems discovered while inspecting comprehensive entertainment halls in the counties Sejong visited.

The issue was how characteristically Sejong these documents were. They detailed not only the strengths and weaknesses of entertainment halls he examined but even checked cleanliness and food quality, including his personal opinions on solving discovered problems.

Thus, Hyang complained about not knowing whether these documents were inspection reports or reviews.

“In the 21st century, you could’ve been a famous review video creator – probably could’ve gotten the Silver Button in record time. Gold though… not so sure about that.”

Though complaining with sighs, Hyang properly understood what these reports signified.

“Eunuch. Go summon Secretary Han Myeong-hoe.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Shortly after, Han Myeong-hoe hurriedly entered Hyang’s office.

“Your Highness, you summoned me?”

“These are inspection reports sent by His Majesty. Combine them with those sent previously and properly categorize the types of problems.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Han Myeong-hoe respectfully received the documents and backed away.

After dismissing Han Myeong-hoe, Hyang grumbled quietly.

“Why not just say it from the start? Did you really need to set such a trap?”

What Sejong wanted was not just solutions for individual entertainment halls, but to identify common problems across all halls and present solutions.

After brief grumbling, Hyang pulled forward a paper he had set aside and muttered:

“Hardware problems can be handled by Seunghwadang’s officials, but the real big problem is software – more precisely, content is the issue.”

***

The main reason for Sejong’s trip was to understand the situation of entertainment halls showing notably lower revenue than others.

After inspecting three out of six entertainment halls over a month, the embezzlement Sejong and Anpyeong worried about wasn’t found.

“Then why is the revenue so low?”

Curious about the reason, Sejong investigated with Anpyeong.

“Hmm~ Never expected this would be such an issue.”

Learning the reason, Sejong stroked his beard with a troubled expression.

***

The biggest reason for decreased revenue was that the government courtesans in those counties were significantly inferior to those in other counties.

From the initial planning, counties were the minimum requirement for establishing comprehensive entertainment halls.

The purpose was to expand tax revenue by hosting wrestling tournaments, bull fights, stone battles, and legalizing gambling that had been occurring underground.

The problem was that events with high public participation like wrestling, bull fights, and stone battles were seasonally limited. And gambling couldn’t be encouraged beyond necessity.

Therefore, a more permanent and reliable source of income was needed. The result of finding that source was touring performances by entertainment troupes and courtesans.

Of course, to ensure more reliable entertainment value, they held competitions testing the skills of troupes and courtesans, and those who performed well toured performing across Joseon.

To make this plan successful, the court publicly declared the liberation of entertainment troupes and courtesans from low status while guaranteeing they could earn significant income through touring performances, among other incentives.

Thanks to these carrots, people flooded the entertainment halls from the beginning of implementation, and the court could secure considerable revenue.

However, problems began emerging in this area as time passed.

***

Troupe performances guaranteed basic success regardless of their level. However, courtesan singing and dancing performances began showing big differences.

On days when courtesans from the famous Three Entertainment Districts, known even to three-year-olds, performed, even the aisles were packed with people, but performances by other courtesans weren’t so successful. Decent crowds only gathered for performances by courtesans and household entertainers famous in several neighboring counties, though not at the level of the Three Districts.

The problematic entertainment halls were stark examples of this issue.

The government courtesans in these counties and nearby districts were far inferior to others.

While their beauty wasn’t poor enough to be called plain, it fell short compared to urban courtesans. Their singing and dancing skills were in a similar situation.

Worse still, even the Go players at the Go boards where the wealthiest gathered were inferior.

Therefore, except during wrestling tournaments, bull fights, stone battles, or troupe performances, gambling hall revenue made up almost all income.

***

The completion of the land transportation network dealt another critical blow.

The situation changed again as roads across Joseon were well-paved and people could move quickly to distant places using railways.

Even without being wealthy scholar-officials, those with more active personalities would take initiative rather than waiting.

Thanks to this, people flocked to entertainment halls not only in the Three Districts but also wherever there were courtesans with even slight fame, and not just the National Go Champion but any renowned Go masters.

The money these gathered people spent on food and lodging created a situation where the rich got richer and the poor got poorer.

***

“This is exactly like the 21st century music industry… Just like the difference between successful and unsuccessful groups.”

Seeing the reports sent by Sejong and Anpyeong, Hyang muttered with a troubled expression.

“How to solve this problem?”

Struggling to find a solution, Hyang called his eunuch.

“Gather all officials of Seunghwadang.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

***

“…This is the situation, so think it over. I’ll give you five days.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The officials left with serious expressions after hearing Hyang’s order.

“As if we weren’t busy enough, now this troublesome task. Don’t you think?”

At Gwon Ram’s words, Han Myeong-hoe slightly shook his head.

“Though troublesome, it’s a good opportunity.”

“Opportunity?”

Gwon Ram’s eyes suddenly sparkled while tilting his head at Han Myeong-hoe’s words.

“That’s right!”

Han Myeong-hoe’s meaning was clear. If they presented good ideas that were adopted, they would definitely catch the eye of not only Sejong but also the Crown Prince and ministers.

That would allow them to approach the core of power faster and more smoothly.

Understanding Han Myeong-hoe’s meaning, Gwon Ram quickened his steps.

“No time to waste standing around!”

Watching Gwon Ram’s rapidly disappearing back, Han Myeong-hoe wore an incredulous expression and grumbled.

“To have such a fellow as a friend…”

Han Myeong-hoe had completely forgotten what he himself had done in the past – though unintentional.

***

Five days later, proposals written by Seunghwadang officials piled high on Hyang’s desk.

“An opportunity, they say… They certainly have good instincts.”

Recognizing the officials’ intentions seeing the results piled before him, Hyang sat down and began carefully reviewing their proposals.

After examining the documents for a while, Hyang selected several and called his eunuch.

“Summon Han Myeong-hoe, Gwon Ram, Seong Sam-mun, and Ha Wi-ji.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Shortly after, the four summoned men stood before Hyang’s desk. After confirming their faces, Hyang spoke.

“Who copied from whom?”

“Pardon?”

Seeing their bewildered expressions not knowing what he meant, Hyang handed out the documents and ordered:

“Read them in turn.”

***

“Hah…”

The four sighed in amazement as they passed around each other’s proposals.

Their four proposals only differed in phrasing, with virtually identical content:

-Forcibly allocate performance days and regions for famous courtesans.

-Establish nationwide education facilities with retired famous courtesans as instructors teaching singing and dancing.

-Legislate prohibition of prostitution for singing courtesans to improve perception and recruit talent.

Are people’s thoughts all the same, or are they just that capable? Their ideas are similar to what I was thinking…

Unaware of Hyang’s thoughts, the four immediately prostrated themselves and shouted:

“We absolutely did not copy!”

“On my scholar’s honor, I did not commit such an immoral act!”

“Please understand!”

“I only wrote down my own thoughts! Please understand!”

Listening to their protests, Hyang spoke with an expressionless face:

“Really? Then let’s believe that. Now answer my questions.”

Rising at Hyang’s command, the four waited for his questions with tense expressions.

“First question. ‘Forcibly allocate performance days and regions for courtesans.’ Explain this part.”

As soon as Hyang finished speaking, Seong Sam-mun answered.

“People leave their hometowns to visit other regions’ entertainment halls because it’s difficult to see famous courtesans at their local halls. Therefore, we must forcibly allocate touring performance days and regions to courtesans to minimize people’s inconvenience.”

“Courtesans already do touring performances. Why can’t people see these courtesans?”

This time Han Myeong-hoe answered Hyang’s question.

“Since ancient times, courtesans have boasted of their reputation through the number of people seeking them. The current situation is the same. Therefore, we must forcibly allocate touring performances and regions.”

The other three nodded simultaneously at Han Myeong-hoe’s explanation.

Also nodding, Hyang immediately asked the next question.

“Moving on to ‘Establish nationwide education facilities with retired famous courtesans as instructors teaching singing and dancing.’ This part has many problems?”

This time Ha Wi-ji stepped forward to answer Hyang’s point.

“Your Highness’s point is true. Though courtesans are legally designated as commoners, many still consider them lowly. The biggest reason is that courtesans sell their bodies, so prostitution must be clearly prohibited by law.”

Following Ha Wi-ji’s words, Gwon Ram continued:

“First-class courtesans who are properly educated and maintain dignity can achieve fame and comfortable living without prostitution. Therefore, we must widely publicize such cases to change people’s perceptions.”

Hyang continued throwing sharp questions, and the four answered while sweating profusely.

After this nerve-wracking time passed, Hyang concluded:

“Not bad. Then you four collaborate to create and submit a proper proposal. Your individual proposals were good, so I can expect good results, right?”

Looking at each other at Hyang’s question, the four answered simultaneously:

“We shall do our utmost!”

“You may go then.”

Having bound together four people who had been adversaries in the original timeline before his intervention, Hyang smirked and muttered:

“Will this be a dream team, or a group project nightmare? Clearly, I’m not a nice person either.”