Black Corporation: Joseon

Shortly before Hyang identified signs of instability, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received reports of peculiar movements centered among Ming’s intellectual class.

“Ming people must use Ming-made products! That is loyalty!”

It was reported that Ming’s intellectuals were encouraging the purchase of goods produced by Ming merchants with such proclamations.

However, since there was no significant change in the wealth flowing in through goods sold to Ming, interest in these rumors quickly faded.

But when Hyang heard these rumors, he immediately felt a sense of crisis.

“There’s no law saying a Buy National movement can’t arise in other countries at this time!”

Sensing the crisis, Hyang immediately gathered and began analyzing data, leading to his identification of warning signs.

***

After identifying these warning signs, Hyang immediately sent a letter to Sejong, who was staying in the new territories.

It was a report that discovered causal relationships and danger signs hidden among seemingly unrelated data.

“Father will surely acknowledge the danger. I hope his answer comes quickly…”

As if Hyang’s wish was granted, Sejong’s reply arrived via the next regular dispatch. Given the sailing time between Joseon and the new territories, plus the distance between the bridgehead and Sejong’s location, this was an extremely swift response.

“Father has also recognized the severity of the matter. That’s fortunate.”

Hyang immediately broke the seal on the sealed letter.

Though Sejong’s message was short and simple, the weight of its contents was heavy.

-I grant you full authority, resolve this crisis to the best of your ability.

Your father trusts you.

After confirming the letter’s contents, Hyang gave a bitter smile.

“The last sentence is the most frightening. Well, now that I have permission, I must act.”

***

“…And so, His Highness the Crown Prince developed the plan, and the Prime Minister and I were tasked with its execution. Due to the gravity of the matter, even the State Council and court historians were kept in the dark.”

Having said this far, Kim Jeom leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, wearing an expression of relief.

Observing Kim Jeom’s expression, Jo Mal-saeng turned to Hwang Hui.

“Why didn’t the Prime Minister tell us? We too are ministers of Joseon.”

Other ministers nodded at Jo Mal-saeng’s criticism, each adding their own comments.

“Indeed! We too are ministers of Joseon!”

“If you doubted our loyalty, we are deeply hurt!”

“Have you forgotten the saying ‘Even a sheet of paper is lighter when carried together’? Why were we excluded?”

“Are we not well-versed in Joseon’s situation? You shouldn’t have excluded us when proper understanding of affairs across all sectors of Joseon was needed!”

“Exactly! The more minds we put together, the better and faster results we can achieve!”

In an instant, the conference room resonated with the ministers’ voices of condemnation.

When the ministers’ torrent of criticism finally subsided, Hwang Hui, who had kept silent until then, spoke.

“This is precisely why I kept quiet.”

“What kind of sophistry is that?”

To Jo Mal-saeng’s sharp question, Hwang Hui gave a brief answer.

“When dealing with issues between strong and weak nations, especially matters of statecraft closely tied to people’s lives, what’s the first solution that comes to mind when asked to find the quickest and easiest means?”

At Hwang Hui’s question, Jo Mal-saeng hesitated before asking back.

“You were worried about military projection?”

Hwang Hui nodded at Jo Mal-saeng’s question, and Kim Jeom continued.

“Is there any nation along the route from Hanseong to Alexandria, excluding Ming, that could withstand our Joseon’s military might? No, even just our naval power, excluding land forces?”

Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered Kim Jeom’s question.

“None except India. Ah! Given enough time and support, we could even occupy India.”

“And after occupation? How would we maintain control after occupation?”

“Huh? That’s…”

Jo Mal-saeng trailed off at Kim Jeom’s follow-up question. Seeing this, Hwang Hui continued.

“Ryukyu, Siam, Dai Viet, Malacca, India, and all the other large and small nations along the route have considerable history and experience resisting foreign powers. Would they remain idle if our Joseon projects military power? Even if we have the military might to annex them all, do we have the power to continuously suppress their resistance? Especially if Ming supports them in such a situation, do we have the military strength to defeat their combined forces?”

Jo Mal-saeng answered Hwang Hui’s questions in a gloomy voice.

“No, we don’t. However…”

Hwang Hui cut off Jo Mal-saeng’s attempt to add more.

“But perhaps it would be possible if we concentrated the budget on the military. Then this nation would become a garrison state^[1]! That would lead to the worst scenario – the rebirth of the military regime of the previous dynasty, where even His Majesty would have to be mindful of the military’s wishes!”

The ministers who had been criticizing Hwang Hui and Kim Jeom just moments ago fell silent with grave expressions.

“Of course, there was much debate with His Highness about whether to maintain secrecy or disclose everything and follow consensus. However, we maintained secrecy due to the high likelihood of adopting an aggressive foreign policy using military force.”

When Hwang Hui finished speaking, the ministers nodded. Then Kim Jongseo, who had been quietly observing until now, spoke up.

“Even so, it’s dangerous for a small group to secretly determine and operate major national policies. Making decisions behind closed doors is also an expedient method for taking quick and easy paths. If mishandled, it could lead to manipulation of state affairs. This must never become standard practice (상례(常例, cháng lì = regular practice; 常, regular, constant; 例, example, precedent)). If you were that concerned about military projection, you should have been prepared to spend time persuading the ministers. That is the right way.”

“But time…”

Kim Jongseo cut off Hwang Hui’s attempt to speak about time efficiency.

“This isn’t a crisis approaching in just a day or two, or even a year or two, is it? It’s worth enduring to prevent the path that could lead to power abuse.”

At Kim Jongseo’s assertion, Heo Hu posed a question.

“Given the Crown Prince’s character, shouldn’t that concern be unnecessary? Of course, I too am displeased about being excluded as a minister, but I can understand it from another perspective.”

Kim Jongseo shook his head at Heo Hu’s words.

“I’m not worried about His Highness’s character. The problem is what comes after.”

Kim Jongseo fell silent after those words. But everyone understood what he wanted to say.

-What if, in a situation where such secretive politics becomes standard practice, the next king or the one after is an incompetent ruler?

The ministers unconsciously shook their heads as they considered such a scenario.

How terrifying.

In the end, the situation was resolved with Hwang Hui stepping forward to apologize.

“This matter was my oversight. I should have been more mindful, but I was lacking. I apologize.”

The ministers’ mood quickly softened at Hwang Hui’s apology. It could soften so quickly because they knew Hwang Hui and Kim Jeom hadn’t pursued matters secretly out of personal greed.

In this softened atmosphere, Kim Jongseo was the first to speak.

“I understand pursuing the new territories instead of acquiring the nearby southwestern nations where markets are already established and distances are shorter. What level of goals has His Majesty set?”

Kim Jeom gave a brief answer to Kim Jongseo’s question.

“The ultimate goal is Ming.”

“Do you mean to scheme against Ming? Or to grow into a powerful nation comparable to Ming?”

“The latter. To explain further…”

Kim Jeom paused, shuffling through his books before turning to Hwang Hui.

“I’m not quite prepared to explain everything right now…”

Hwang Hui turned to the ministers at Kim Jeom’s words.

“Would tomorrow be acceptable for a proper explanation?”

The ministers nodded at Hwang Hui’s suggestion.

“Let’s do that.”

“It would be better to hear it properly when the time comes.”

Having reached an agreement, the ministers rose one by one and left the conference room.

“Jongso, stay behind.”

“Shit…”

Hearing Hwang Hui’s menacing voice from behind, Kim Jongseo, who was about to cross the threshold, cursed internally before turning back.

“What is it?”

“You bastard! Did you have to humiliate me like that in front of everyone! I’ve been too lenient with you, and now you’re stabbing me in the back!”

When Hwang Hui burst out shouting, Kim Jongseo shot back.

“Then why did you create problems by keeping secrets! Who told you to hide things?”

“You bastard! For the smooth operation of state affairs…”

“I am the Minister of General Affairs! General! Affairs! Minister! My job is to oversee all of Joseon’s administration! You should have at least told me!”

“…”

Left speechless by Kim Jongseo’s point, Hwang Hui soon sighed.

“Hah… I raised a tiger cub.”

“Yes, you raised me very well. While completely draining me dry.”

Hwang Hui shook his head at Kim Jongseo’s words.

“For someone over 60 to speak so frivolously…”

“I learned it from someone who’s over 90 and still calls people ‘this bastard, that bastard’ at every opportunity.”

“Get out, you bastard!”

***

The next day, the ministers gathered at Seunghwadang.

The ministers gathered in the Seunghwadang conference room focused their attention on Kim Jeom’s seat. Kim Jeom, with what appeared to be twice as many books as yesterday in front of him, explained the reason.

“There’s quite a lot to explain. It would be more convenient to create wall charts or print and distribute several summarized pages, but due to concerns about information leaks, things have become a bit cumbersome.”

“Ah! Understood.”

The ministers nodded at Kim Jeom’s explanation.

Shortly after, Hyang entered the conference room, and the ministers rose to pay their respects.

Returning their greeting and taking his seat, Hyang began the proceedings with an apology.

“I heard about yesterday’s events. Everything happened not because of the Prime Minister’s fault, but because of my insistence. Please forgive my mistake due to my shallow experience.”

“No, no, not at all!”

The ministers responded that it was fine. The atmosphere as they accepted Hyang’s apology was quite good.

So the Crown Prince is human after all!

Looking at his actions until now, he didn’t seem his age, but the Crown Prince is human too!

In this warm atmosphere, Kim Jeom moved on to the main topic.

“First, I would like you to take turns looking at the opened section of the book I’m holding.”

The ministers examined the opened section as it was passed around.

“As you can see, we show a trade surplus with all countries except India.”

“We’re showing quite a deficit with India, the reason is…”

All the ministers looked at Jo Mal-saeng as they examined the contents.

“It’s because of saltpeter…”

***

The next day

Kim Jeom’s explanation continued.

Of course, most of the content was a more detailed version of yesterday’s explanation with more specific examples.

And as the meeting entered its latter half, they moved on to the main topic concerning Ming.