Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1016: The name of the firewood is the arms race (9)

As envoys from various countries flocked in, the Imperial Foreign Ministry was in a frenzy.

“There aren’t enough rooms in the Young Guesthouse!”

After receiving the report, Hyeon turned to Han Myeong-hoe.

“Didn’t we greatly expand the size of the guesthouse? Does that mean it’s still not enough?”

“That’s right.”

Following Han Myeong-hoe, Lim Soon-wook added his words.

“Since ancient times, a lot of gourmets flock to places of power.”

“Right.”

Hyun nodded at Lim Sun-wook’s words, but his expression was not good at all.

“Gourmet… that’s a fitting word. Considering the budget spent at the guesthouse.”

* * *

As the empire changed, Yeongjeopdogam was renamed Yeongbincheo, and the duties of Mohwagwan, Taepyeonggwan, Dongpyeonggwan, and Bukpyeonggwan under it also changed little by little. The place whose mission changed the most was Mohwagwan.

“Now I don’t need to take the Four Masters, so I’m changing my name!”

According to King Sejong’s decision, Mohwagwan changed its name to Yeongbingwan and became a place for envoys from Europe and the Middle East to stay. As Mohwagwan was renamed to Yeongbingwan, envoys from the Ming Dynasty began to stay at Taepyeonggwan (太平館).

-Since the two countries want to continue their relationship for a long time, the Taiping Pavilion is suitable.

The next place where the mission changed was Bukpyeong Hall. As the name suggests, wishing for peace in the north, it was a place where envoys sent by the Jurchen tribe in the north stayed. Now that the northern part of the country has been incorporated into Bukji, Bukpyeong-gwan has become a place to stay for envoys sent from Molgol, the west of Lake Baikal, and various khanates in Central Asia.

However, there was a place where neither the name nor the business changed, both past and present. It was Dongpyeong-gwan where Japanese envoys stayed. This is why it was called ‘Peace in the East’. As time passed and the empire grew in size and its presence became stronger, foreign envoys constantly came and went.

Thanks to this, guesthouses for envoys were built along the northern border and at the Mokpo trade port. However, these were merely places to rest for a while before entering Seoul. Because of this, the guest houses and Bukpyeong gwans built in Seoul gradually grew in size. Not only did the building get bigger. For envoys from countries who had to choose what to eat due to their religious beliefs, attendants who were familiar with the country’s cuisine were hired, and more and more people were hired to serve guests and maintain buildings.

Naturally, the guest house had no choice but to request more and more budget. This wasn’t the only thing.

The empire was covering all costs for foreign envoys to eat, drink, and wear clothing at the guesthouse. The problem was the envoys from the far north and Mongolia and Central Asia. If the timing was wrong, we would have to go home through the harsh winter cold in the north. After experiencing several tragic accidents, the envoys ended up spending the winter in Seoul when winter coincided with their return home.

Naturally, the entire cost of their stay at Bukpyeong Pavilion was borne by the empire. And at some point, it became routine for them to spend the winter in Seoul.

“It just so happened that winter and the time of return home coincided with each other. I can only apologize to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“no.”

The guesthouse officials muttered to themselves as they responded to the envoys who naturally expressed their apologies.

‘I have a feeling, but no physical evidence…’

Thanks to this, I was able to agree with and complain about Hyeon being a ‘foodie’.

* * *

“Having too many guests is a problem, but having too few is also a big problem. The empire is not the only one living in this vast world. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right.”

“But is Hae-eung the reason why envoys are flocking like this?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

Hyun, who had been considering something while snorting at the ministers’ answers, returned to it. He asked a question:

“The number of sea emergency fronts that the empire has is almost over a hundred, and the number of ships requested by the visiting countries is at most ten, so I am curious as to why they are rushing in so quickly.”

In response to Hyun’s question, Lim Sun. Wook stepped forward and answered,

“It’s because the characteristics and timing of Hae-eung are right.”

“Characteristics and timing?”

“Yes.”

Lim Sun-wook explained in more detail.

-The Hae-eung front line is a combination of speed, firepower, and defense. Wonyang It is the best front line if you do not insist on sailing.

-European powers and other countries are trying to build ironclad ships, but ironclad ships are expensive. The reason why ironclad ships are expensive is because the ironclads themselves are expensive. However, this can be resolved over time. Like the great powers. This is because there are more than one country building large-scale steel mills within their countries.

– In other words, if the goal is to protect the country’s territorial waters until then, sea response would be the best answer.

– In addition, how many sea emergency fronts are operated by our empire? They don’t know.

And there’s no certainty that they’ll sell all of the emergency wires that year.

That’s why they’re trying to get the right number as quickly as possible.

Hyun nodded at Lim Sun-wook’s explanation.

“I see. It’s not like we’re the first to go out and make a fuss about selling emergency wires, so we’re trying not to miss the moment. And the sea emergency battle line is very useful…”

After hearing the story later, Hyang nodded and muttered to himself,

‘Even in the era of battleships, the second and third class battleships were used better than the first class battleships. ‘You said it was?’

* * *

“But then. It is refreshing to see that there is no opposition to transferring a large number of sea emergency wires to other countries.” To

Hyun’s words, Lim Sun-wook came forward once again and responded,

“If they are selling them at the right price, there is no reason to object, right?”

“That’s right, Ministry of Finance and Economy. But that’s because the Ministry of National Defense is quiet.”

In response to Hyeon’s point, Jang Hang-seon stepped forward on behalf of the Minister of National Defense.

“Although the Hae-Eung class is said to be strong, it is weaker than the Challenger class. There is no need to mention the assault return. And aren’t new fronts being prepared to succeed the emergency front? There is no reason to object as more superior battleships than Haeung are being prepared.” ”

But won’t the secrets hidden in Haeung or Challenger-class battleship hulls be revealed?”

“The era is already the era of ironclad ships and iron ships. But the secret is useless.”

“I see.”

Hyun answered with a bright expression.

“I am truly relieved to hear the captain’s answer. I feel reassured that the new front lines are so reliable.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“I’ll do my best!”

The subjects in Daejeon answered, bowing their heads in unison. But inside, they were all grumbling. ‘ That

‘s why His Majesty likes it because there are wires designed based on what he had planned.’

‘His Majesty the Emperor designed it, the Emperor Tae-sang gave it a name, and he played drums and janggu…’

Perhaps knowing the feelings of the ministers, Hyun excitedly continued,

“The first line of the ‘destroyer’ will be launched soon. You did it, right? “I will definitely be there at that time.”

“I will follow your orders.”

Hyeon muttered to himself as he listened to the ministers’ answers.

‘Anyway, what kind of battle line would suit the cruiser, another name given by Tae Sang-tae? Is it good? After all, it has to be big, right?’

Instead, it was Hyeon who was contemplating something that would have been a threat if people – especially Lim Soon-wook and the Minister of Finance and Economy – had heard.

‘Ah! We’re running out of time! We need to hand it over to Wooya quickly, but this damn son of a bitch! Should we drastically reduce the budget of the Jangwonwon!’

Since when? It was the moment when the strongest weapon wielded by the emperor against the crown prince began to sprout.

“Do you want to be enthroned? Do you want to cut the budget?”

* * *

While all kinds of gossip was overflowing in my mind, while the current issues of the empire were being discussed calmly on the side, an urgent report came. Minister of Foreign Affairs Shin Sook-ju, who confirmed the urgent report, immediately forwarded it to Im Soon-wook and Han Myeong-hoe. Han Myeong-hoe, who confirmed this, posted this to Hyeon.

After checking the contents of the urgent report received from Han Myeong-hoe, Hyeon frowned.

“France came because they wanted to buy Hae-eung? France?”

Hyeon’s words caused a stir in Daejeon.

* * *

After the spat in Italy, the relationship between the Empire and France was not very good. Thanks to this, French researchers and international students working at the Empire’s research institute were in a state of panic. Days were passing by, and the empire did not miss the moment and made a move.

-Why not just become an imperial citizen? I will let you use your first and last name as is. If you want, you can bring your family.

-Do you want to call your relatives? What kind of talent do you have? Do you have it? No, it’s okay even if you don’t have any talent. I will lend farmland to Shinji and ask you to come.

It was the empire’s trick to turn the rolled stones into studded stones, and a considerable number of French professors and international students became imperial citizens. Of course, this was French. This brought about a backlash. Those working at the Imperial Institute were renowned in France for their academic achievements. In the case of international students, most of them are unknown right now, but the fact that the Empire allowed them to study abroad was itself a guarantee.

Such talent . The Empire swallowed them up, causing a backlash

from

France .

I guess I expected that they wouldn’t sell it. Huh~ I’m really curious about their intentions.”

The ministers all nodded at Hyun’s words. Shin Suk-ju then asked Hyun,

“Are you going to kick them out?”

“What does the Minister of Foreign Affairs think?

” I think it would be a good idea to meet and talk first.”

“Why?’

“They are probably well aware that the relationship between our empire and France is uncomfortable. Nevertheless, I don’t think sending them is something to be taken lightly.”

Shin Sook-ju’s next words were as follows.

– Since ancient times, it has been customary not to treat envoys or messengers carelessly, no matter how bad the relationship is. Therefore, if you break this, you will give the other person a good cause.

-This is the same in the East and Europe. This is the first reason to meet the French envoy.

-Next, we need to understand why France is seeking a solution.

“If you find out why they are seeking a solution in this way, you will have other benefits besides money.”

“Another benefit?”

“If possible, we would like to obtain a promise from France that it will not recklessly engage in military action against the allies of our empire.”

“Hmm…”

Hyeon was lost in thought at Shin Sook-ju’s words, and Jang Hang-seon asked Shin Suk-ju.

“Would they easily make a treaty? And isn’t a treaty just a treaty? For a country as big as France, wouldn’t it be okay to just ignore treaties?”

Shin Suk-ju nodded at Jang Hang-seon’s words.

“Of course it is. But breaking that agreement means going to war with the empire’s allies, and then our empire will eventually enter the war as well. If that’s the case, it will also be a good excuse to attract France’s enemies.”

“Enemies of France?”

“England.”