Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1064: Gambling. (8)

Following the county’s decision, the empire’s key bureaucrats began to move busily. Han Chi-hyeong, the head of the imperial bureaucracy, gathered left and right deputy prime ministers and ministers from each ministry and assigned them tasks.

“Deputy Prime Minister U will coordinate the cooperation of the three countries and at the same time seek someone who will represent our wishes in Persia.”

“I understand.”

Seongjun nodded at Hanchihyeong’s command. Han Chi-hyeong then assigned tasks to Ryu Sun.

“Left Deputy Prime Minister, please consider the establishment of a new department in charge of information-related work and a way to control it.”

“I’ll do my best.”

The Deputy Prime Ministers, who had been assigned tasks by the Prime Minister, consulted with the ministers of each department and began to divide the tasks to be done in more detail.

“This is an unprecedented event not only for us, but also for the Ming and Japan to work together. We must not forget that we must not create a bad precedent.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, a key ministry, responded, but Seongjun’s attention did not cease.

“Japan never misses an opportunity when it sees it. The same goes for the Ming Dynasty. Although it has faded a lot compared to the past, it is still an empire that controlled all the surrounding countries. Keep in mind that if you look at it lightly, you will be in big trouble.”

“I will pay special attention.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs was the beginning. Seongjun also instructed the ministers of other ministries to do their work.

“Check the information related to the weapons used by the Ming and Japanese armies. Ah! Check not only the weapons but also the troops. You can also send soldiers in the optimal number. And….Japan in our empire. Find out how much wealth is going into the empire. If that happens, we will have to use it to strangle Japan. Ah! Just as I was thinking, take a look at the number of international students who came to the empire from Japan and their tendencies. What made them side with the empire? If you do that, it will be easier in the future. Moving on…”

Every time Seongjun issued an order, the aides standing behind the minister diligently used their stylus to record the order. Left Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Sun-i, who succeeded the Right Deputy Prime Minister, added tasks for the ministers.

“Please prepare and submit records on the departments and personnel in charge of information at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense. The same goes for the Grape Provincial Office. Submit a report related to the department that regulates civil administration. And the umpire shall report on lawsuits related to civil administration regulation, such as false accusations or false accusations. “Please organize and report on the records of incidents such as extortion of money and valuables. Also, send a message to the review office in advance and ask them to consider bills for the newly created ministry in advance. And…”

Ryu Sun’s work instructions were also long. It wasn’t until the aides’ shoulders were getting sore from writing it down that Ryu Sun finished speaking.

“Then everyone, do your best. If this is a success, we too will be able to properly engrave our names in the history of the empire.”

“I’ll do my best!”

The ministers responded to Han Chi-hyeong’s words with shining eyes.

“Then I will only believe you.”

With those words, Han Chi-hyeong and the deputy prime ministers left. The ministers who remained in the conference room began coordinating once again with the records written by their aides in front of them.

“I think the Ministry of National Defense would be better suited for this part than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs…”

“I think the Ministry of Finance and Economy would be better suited for this part.”

“I think it would be appropriate for our Ministry of Education to take charge of this part.”

After completing coordination once again, the ministers dispersed to their respective ministries.

* * *

After that, imperial officials, regardless of ministries, were busy. Meanwhile, many officials flocked to the records office.

“There is no data!”

“What are you going to do with the recorder?”

“The numbers here and here are different! I don’t know which one is correct!”

“I’m sure there’s a corrected version of that! Find it!”

“I can’t find where it is!”

“Recorder!”

“yep!”

All remaining records from the Joseon Dynasty before the Qing Dynasty, as well as the predecessor Goryeo Dynasty and the Shang Dynasty that existed before that, were gathered, organized, and stored in the Record Center. ‘Hell of corruption management’. Although it was a place with a terrifying reputation as a ‘letter hell,’ the Records Center was a treasure trove for officials and scholars looking for related materials. Mountains of carts loaded with reports and materials were rushing through Yukjo Street in Seoul, and officials carrying armfuls of documents were rushing through the hallways and offices of government buildings.

“It was busy before, but it’s really crazy these days.”

This is how Seoul residents commented on the busy officials moving around Yukjo Street and the government building.

“That’s true, but somehow, compared to before, I feel more energetic.”

“That’s right. Did everyone at least take a bowl of tonic and get some sleep?”

As the residents said, the faces of the busy officials showed a strange vitality. It was a kind of trickle-down effect. As the empire settled into orbit, its officials developed a kind of mannerism. Of course, it was a daily life where there was no time to rest, working overtime whenever possible, and staying up all night when it was possible to rest. But in the end, it was ‘today the same as yesterday, tomorrow the same as today’. The only time this kind of repetitive daily life was stimulated was when an event like the ‘Italian Unification War’ occurred.

“But if you beg for a war to break out, you’re the one who will kill me…”

“Even if it’s boring, peace and quiet is a good thing.”

In this situation, the ‘Tripartite Alliance’ and ‘Investment in Persia’ that were recently promoted were very attractive events.

“There is a possibility that military action will occur, but it is not high. And even if military action occurs, the burden will not be great because we have Ming and Japan.”

Here, the minister and vice minister and the executives immediately below them had different calculations.

-The past ‘Italian unification war’ was the responsibility of former prime ministers and ministers.

-But we are in charge of this matter!

-If we pull this off, we can proudly record our names in the history of the empire! These are not just ‘general-purpose’ people, but ‘very capable’ people!

-If this work is successful, it will be our performance! Although peace and prosperity are good, it is unfavorable for success. However, if you succeed in this and turn it into a performance, success in life is a given!

This influence spread downward as those at the top, obsessed with the desire for fame and success, rolled up their sleeves and took the lead.

* * *

After completing its own preparations, the empire entered into full-scale negotiations with Ming Japan. Since the Ming and Japan were already well prepared, the negotiations between the three countries were very intense.

-The three countries cooperate to pursue their common interests.

As soon as negotiations began, an agreement was reached on the above justification, but a fierce war of words and a battle of wits continued over the provisions below. Ferry ships went back and forth between Nanjing and Yamugachi every day, with breaks taking place whenever possible. Meanwhile, secret negotiations took place between the Ming Empire and Japan.

After such intense negotiations, the three countries were able to produce somewhat satisfactory results.

-The three countries actively cooperate for common interests in the Persian region.

-The three countries will establish a permanent negotiating body for this purpose.

(omitted)

-Profits secured in the Persian region are distributed in the following ratio. The distribution ratio is as follows:

Empire 4: Ming 3.5: Japan 2.5

– This distribution rate is adjusted every 10 years.

(Shortly)

“Hmm…it seems a bit inconvenient to adjust the distribution rate every 10 years.”

Han Chi-hyeong bowed his head and responded to Hyeon’s point about confirming the negotiation plan.

“It was inevitable in order to comfort Ming and Japan. It was also a good move for our empire.”

“Good move?”

“Yes. Since we can adjust it every 10 years, we can prevent them from using tricks behind our backs as much as possible. Of course, that doesn’t mean they won’t use it, but it’s a good move because we can prevent them as much as possible. It’s also good for our empire because those who come after us can’t let down their guard. It has become a number.”

“Hmm… I see.”

After hearing Han Chi-hyeong’s explanation, Hyun nodded. It was assumed that no matter how ‘fairly’ the shares were divided, dissatisfaction would inevitably arise due to greed over time. Therefore, it was certain that problems would arise if we insisted on that ratio until the end without any adjustments in the middle. Although the empire was now overwhelming Ming and Japan, the future was unknown.

This was because the Ming Dynasty was clearly a great country in terms of territory and population, and Japan was also growing rapidly. If the Ming and Japan join hands and engage in an arms race with the empire…

‘It would be more of a loss than a gain for the empire.’

After finishing counting, Hyeon spoke to Han Chi-hyeong.

“As the Prime Minister said, it is the best demand under the current circumstances. Let us pursue it like this.”

“I follow your orders!”

“The results of the hard work of the officers are visible. I hope that they will do their best until the end so that their names will remain in the government building.”

Han Chi-hyeong and the ministers all bowed their heads in response to Hyun’s death.

“I will do my best!”

* * *

Meanwhile, Hyang, who was being briefed on the goings-on at Sugang Palace, had a strange expression on his face.

“Hmm….Triple Alliance? Or East-West Cold War?”

The reason European powers took action against the Ottomans was because of Persia. If the Empire and Ming Japan moved together, the European powers would immediately notice and begin to respond.

‘The most likely thing is to form an alliance of European powers, but it won’t be easy.’

Even now, the European powers still fight against each other whenever they get the chance. Considering such circumstances, it was not at all easy for the European powers to join hands.

‘But if it’s a matter of great profit, we’ll join hands. It may take time, though.’

Even in the 21st century, it was the Arabian Peninsula, Persia, and Central Asia that used oil as a weapon to show off its presence. Even in the 21st century, this is a region where bloodshed over oil continues. Therefore, even if it took time, he was confident that the European powers would eventually join hands.

“Hmm…”

Hyang looked at the map and thought about the future. Hyang, who had been counting or shaking his head for a while, unfolded the paper.

“At a time like this, it must be the British style…”

– Just as Britain took control of Gibraltar and took control of the Mediterranean Sea, the Empire also firmly took control of Gibraltar and exerted influence on the Mediterranean countries.

-Just as Britain used Japan to keep Russia in check, it uses Italy and Portugal to keep European powers in check.

The scents summarized up to this point have expressions that reveal complex emotions.

“What did Japan do after receiving such a buff from England?… There is a ‘road not taken’, but is there also an ‘unavoidable road’?”

It was a proposal written by Hyang himself and to be presented to Hyeon. It was almost impossible for the prefecture to reject the proposal submitted by Tae-sang-in Hyang. No, it was an offer that even Hyang himself could not easily refuse. This was because it was too sweet a proposal for a monarch who prioritized national interests.

‘Rather than fighting your enemies directly, make your enemies fight each other. That’s how you earn time like a thousand gold.’

It was such a sweet offer.

“Even though the empire ends up joining the fight someday…”