Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – Who Is My Father? (4) 

The issue of deposing Queen Shim ended with the rejection from King Taejong and King Sejong, and along with the end of this issue, the maternal relatives purging work ended as well. 

Afterward, until the day of King Taejong's death, there were not many major obstacles except for Ming's suspicion.

Ming Dynasty that never lowered down their caution towards Joseon since the plans for the conquest of Liaodong made by King Taejo and Jeong Do-jeon in the early days of founding the country went to ashes, took issue with the sudden passing of the throne, and renounced their statement. Thanks to this, King Sejong had to spend a lot of energy and money trying to persuade the envoys sent from Ming. 

Because he was busy persuading Ming’s envoys and the military authority was in the hand of King Taejong, King Sejong could only watch the Invasion of Daemado Island(1) unfold.

“This is really unfortunate.”

King Sejong grumbled as he was looking at the reports related to the Invasion of Daemado Island after placing Hyang, who came to give his greetings in his lap. Hyang had heard the grumble before turning his head to look at him, and King Sejong let out a faint smile. 

“If only I had more strength and freedom, I’m sure I could have prepared better for this invasion….” 

Hyang racked his brain as he saw King Sejong’s appearance that was full of regrets. 

‘What happened to Lee Jongmu’s invasion of Daemado Island? Was it half success?’  

Hyang was itching out of curiosity that he reached out his hands. King Sejong smiled brightly as he saw Hyang, who was in his embrace, reached out to the scrolls of public appeals and reports on the table. 

“It seems like my little prince has already taken an interest in political affairs? Hmm~ It takes learning to understand political affairs.”

King Sejong pondered for a while before turning to face Head Eunuch, who was standing on the side while bowing respectfully. 

“Call the Chief Royal Secretary!” 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Hyang watched the Head Eunuch walk out to deliver King Sejong’s order, and cold sweats began to perspire in his back. 

‘Isn’t this dangerous?’

* * *

When Grand Prince Choong-nyeong was confirmed as the Crown Prince, Hyang made his own plan. 

“The thing that will be the main basis is the fact that King Sejong is a maniac. On top of that, he is a pretty devoted man in developing engines.” 

Hyang folded his still short arms and legs—posing like a noble he was—and diligently beat the calculator in his head with a serious face.

1. The original Munjong was indeed a maniac, especially a military maniac. 

2. Just like the earrings I saw at my first birthday party, artisans in the early Joseon Dynasty are not bad at all. In particular, artisans related to the royal family will be superior.

3. In Joseon, people are recognized as adults at 15. There are 11 years left now. 

4. Combining the background of a crown prince and artisans with good-dexterity, there is no need for me to suffer all alone. I just need to give orders, and particularly all kinds of calculations. That will lessen my headache because all I have to do is provide ideas. This is the most important part!

5. Considering Sejong’s maniac personality and his mindset about the importance of national defense, maybe it’s okay? I think I could get some support for something like a flintlock or percussion cap. Skill level? If this is about the skill of artisans from this era, I expect they could overcome the hardness. They can’t? I’ll force them. I am the Crown Prince after all….

6. If I could achieve success in this way, it would not only strengthen my position but also expand my field with solid material support.

The conclusion: Profit!!!!

NOTE: Make sure to have a full understanding of Confucian knowledge by the age of 15. If I can't, it means that it's the end if I get behind in an argument with the ministers.

Addendum: I should make the officials in charge of Crown Prince’s studies on my side as much as I can. When I reach the age of maturity, they will hold a position, so it’s better to mark them in advance. 

“In the end, the problem is my memorization skills and the officials in charge of the Crown Prince’s studies.” 

Hyang lightly tapped on his folded arms with his fingers. He was thinking about the officials from the Crown Prince Education Office.

* * *

King Sejong ordered the officials in charge of Hyang’s study through the Chief Royal Secretary to pay more attention to his study.

The four years old Hyang was only a prince before he went through the crowning of the prince. However, because of his very outstanding talent, the officials of the Crown Prince Education Office became the ones in charge of Hyang’s education. 

Under these circumstances, King Sejong's order to pay more attention to Hyang’s study was great pressure on the officials who were teaching Hyang.

The Head of the Crown Prince Education Office called all the officials, including the senior officials, and the junior officials who were in charge of Hyang's study after he received the king's order from Sejong.

“The age of Prince Hyang is only about to reach five…. How far is His Highness learning now?” 

“He is learning the Great Learning.”

“Hey you, at what age did you understand the Great Learning?”

“It was when I was eleven.”

“You are a prodigy, aren't you?”

“You flatter me.”

“You’re called a prodigy when you had learned the Great Doctrine at 11, but…. His Highness still hasn't reached 5. If we make the wrong move, there is a possibility that he will lose interest in studying.”

“Are you talking about too much is as bad as too little?”

“That’s right.”

“Huff~.”

All the officials sighed when they heard their leader's statement.

‘Educate the prince who will succeed the next throne.’

In a way, the Crown Prince Education Office was the place where they could seize the best opportunity to go to the core of the next regime administration. However, being the one in charge of the Crown Prince's study was indeed a chance, but also a threat.

As in the case of King Taejong and Yangnyeong, the king wanted the next ruler to be smart and had no fault in his conduct. However, just like the case of Yangnyeong, it was not easy for the crown prince to satisfy the demand.

If the demand was not met, the king would definitely hold the officials accountable.

The problem was, the father of Prince Hyang, King Sejong, was remarkable in his learning since he was still a Grand Prince that even senior vassals admired him.

As much as he had excelled, it was certain that the standards he demanded from the prince would be high. And the newly coined king's order had made it true.

The officials of the Crown Prince Education Office were worried about the prince. They were afraid that the prince who showed outstanding talents would lose his interest in learning if he received excessive pressure.

After giving many thoughts, the Head of the Crown Prince Education Office drew a conclusion.

“The conclusion is we have no choice but to protect our moderation.”

“That's our principle, but….”

“Difficult matters could only be solved by principle.”

The officials of the Crown Prince Education Office trained Prince Hyang according to principles. They would praise him when he did well in his study, but they also warned him not to fall into conceit. On the other hand, if there was any slack or laziness in his studies or behavior, they disciplined him severely. 

“The King isn’t an ordinary man, but Prince Hyang is also a formidable one.”

All the officials in charge of Hyang’s education praised Hyang’s achievement, and they became speechless.

Hyang showed greater achievement in learning much more than what they had expected him to be. Even all of his actions were impeccable.

If you wonder to what extent it was, it was to the point that the following jokes were circulating among the officials of the Crown Prince Education Office.

“Is it true that Prince Hyang’s age hasn’t reached five? He is too mature for his age.” 

“I feel the same way. Looking at the fact that he is not simply accepting the teachings, but asking questions….”

“I was worried that it would be too much to carry out His Majesty’s order, but if Prince Hyang’s talents and capabilities are this great, I think it’s not bad for us to be a little greedy.” 

“Same here. I’ll have to talk with the superiors again.”

Officials from the Crown Prince Education Office concluded to take a step toward a more active education and discipline.

The reason the officials in charge of the crown prince's education concluded the decision was because Prince Hyang's outstanding talents played a big part in his achievement, but the main reason was Hyang's own resolution. 

“I have to advance the plan!”

As July passed, Hyang decided to revise his plan altogether.

“I was going to start my plan when I became 15, but I can’t stand it because I feel stuffy.”

Hyang beat his chest and didn’t hide what he felt.

“As soon as possible! At the latest, I have to start my plan when I reach 10!”

Hyang, who can’t stand the stuffy feeling, found water and then gulped it down before letting out a breath.

“Huff! If I don’t start soon, I’ll explode inside and die!”

There were two reasons that made Hyang revise his plans and move them forward.

One of the reasons was the Invasion of Daemado Island. The mobilization order of the warships and troops that were sent to do the Invasion of Daemado Island had been issued. The areas where the mobilization order was issued were Gyeongsang-do, Jeollanam-do, and Chungcheong-do.

The reason Hyang exploded into anger was the content of the mobilization order. 

[For the three areas, 200 warships and armored low-level soldiers, middle-class in mandatory military service, soldiers in charge of military camp protection, clown, butcher, jobless people, soldiers from noble lineage, by conscripting nobles on the ship… (omit)… Order them to board the warship and gather at Gyeonnaeryang by June 8th.](AN1)

“Wonderful! This is very wonderful!”

Hyang was reading a copy of the mobilization order before bursting into anger.

“Well, let’s say it’s fine with the reserve like warships, armored low-level soldiers, and middle class military mandatory service, but…. In charge of protecting the military camp is something like a clown, jobless and untouchable, the lowest ranking officials…. Isn’t noble supposed to be someone who was proficient in liberal or martial arts? Noble who is proficient in the ship, they say… They just collect everyone except farmers who are busy in the farming season.”

Hyang sighed as he looked at the subject of conscription.

“Huff~. Although this is Joseon Dynasty, isn’t this too much? Not only the combat troops, but the skilled naval force is too lacking as well.”

Hyang, who was checking the contents about the conscription of troops, recalled a scene from a foreign movie he had seen in the past.

It was a scene when the sailors who just returned from their long voyage in the sea were talking loudly in the bar, then suddenly soldiers with a club in their hands broke into the bar and beat the sailors up with the said club while dragging them to the warship. Amidst that, the first mate and boatswain showed their permit certificate and protested, but the soldiers answered their protest with the club.

“The problem is, this is not a fiction movie, but…. Looking at this mobilization order, the same situation will inevitably occur.”

Hyang sighed as the composition of the human resources was too lacking in expertise than expected, but anyway, the preparations for the invasion were over.

“Prince, you’re coming too?”

“Yes, Father.”

King Sejong pondered over Hyang’s words that he would join the dispatching ceremony of the expeditionary force, then nodded his head. 

“Okay, let’s go together. Head Eunuch, prepare for the Prince as well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

May 18th. The dispatching ceremony for the forces starting with the General of Three Forces, Lee Jong-moo was held at Baeksajeong, Seobinggo-dong.

‘At least they are wearing their armor.’

Hyang was confirming the soldiers’ outfit before letting out a breath. It was because, unlike the historical dramas he had watched before, the lined-up soldiers were only armored on their chests. 

* * *

The Invasion of Daemado Island, which began just like that, ended its first round on July 3 with the expeditionary forces returned to Goeje Island. While the forces were organizing on Geoje Island, the Japanese pirates' plundering occurred once again, and the court discussed the second invasion.

As more and more opinions were insisting on the postponement of the second invasion due to the decline in morale of the soldiers and the timing of the typhoon, there was sudden news that the Japanese pirates who invaded Ming were wiped out.

Upon receiving the urgent news, the court disbanded the expedition force and sent an envoy to Daemado Island.

[Daemado Island was recorded in the literature as a territory of Joseon. Therefore, the Chief of Daemado Island should restore his relationship with the king.]

[All the residents of Daemado Island must migrate to Joseon.]

[Failure to fulfill the above order will result in a second invasion.]

In response to the pressure given by Joseon, the Chief of Daemado Island sent a letter through the envoy.

[Since Daemado Island has poor land conditions, let the residents of Daemado Island move to Geoje Island and other islands. Also, if the king of Joseon gives a title and a seal stamp to the Chief of Daemado Island, I will obey the order as a subject of the king.]

Upon receiving the letter, the court regarded it as a document of surrender from the Chief of Daemado Island. Because there was a view that the migration of Daemado Islanders to Joseon could turn Geoje Island and its affiliated islands into Japanese pirates' den, they gave the Chief of Daemado Island a name ‘Jong-ssi Dodo Ungwa'. (AN2)

In the East Palace, Hyang clicked his tongue as he heard the progress of the invasion.

“Lenient! They're too lenient!”

“The strategy, the operation, and the command are too poor!”

“First of all, they should have accepted all the residents of the island as Joseon. If they had fully accepted the residents of the island, they don't have to pay attention to their chief! If they send all of them to the north, not the island, it will be over!”

“They underestimated the value of the Daemado Island!”

Hyang, who was organizing the results alone, burst into anger.

“I can’t hold it anymore.”

 * * *

AN

(1) 1st year of King Sejong reign. ↻

(2) Military strategy from Joseon Dynasty, Military Research Institute, Ministry of Defense. ↻

TN

(1) Known widely as Ōei Invasion. Invasion of Tsushima Island. You can check this link for more information. ↻