Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1066: Paving Stone (1)

The negotiations took up a lot of time as there was a fierce battle between the introduction and the main meeting, but once the conclusion of signing the agreement was reached, things went quickly. In order to proceed with work more quickly and efficiently, the governments of the three kingdoms selected working-level staff and began cooperation.

“I’ll give you full authority, so do your best.”

“Yes, thank you!”

“I will do my best!”

The Ming and Japanese officials responded excitedly, but the imperial officials actually looked worse.

“The expressions on their faces are really not good. What is the reason?”

“Since I have taken over full authority, it has to be that way…”

“Isn’t it a good thing that there is that much trust from above?”

The imperial officials shook their heads at the words of the Ming and Japanese officials.

“Handing over full authority means that the responsibility is entirely ours.”

“huh?”

In response to the imperial officials’ answers, the faces of the Ming and Japanese officials also became serious. However, Ming and Japanese officials tried to think positively.

“…That part is something we can do if we do our best and produce good results.”

“That’s right.”

“That is the standard and the right opinion, but the problem is that the affairs of the world… no, the affairs of the country never work out that way.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“The higher-ups will never remain silent.”

“It starts with, ‘According to my experience…’”

“There’s also ‘That was in my time.’”

“Ah…”

Hearing the words of the imperial officials, the Ming and Japanese officials also became aware of the seriousness of the situation. Even the high-ranking officials of Ming and Japan were so proud that they called him ‘the best of the nation’. Of course, they were not unnecessarily proud because they had proven their performance, experience, and ability.

And one of the characteristics of these people was that they distrusted their subordinates. If the subordinate you entrusted shows a clumsy attitude, your own knowledge will be questioned, and if the person you entrusted to you shows a foolish attitude, on the other hand, if you do an excellent job, your position may be in danger at some point.

Either way, it wasn’t a good thing, and the best way to prevent it was to interfere as much as possible.

“We decided to call this ‘managerial instinct.’”

At the words of the imperial officials, the Ming and Japanese officials sighed, their complexions turning dull.

“Then what should I do…”

“Haa~.”

Looking at the Ming and Japanese officials who only sighed, the imperial officials shrugged their shoulders.

“What are you going to do? Like I said, I’ll just have to do my best.”

“You should do your best not to create anything that could be blamed.”

“But if you say something like, ‘Pursuing as much safety as possible…’, you will have a golden opportunity to be criticized by every single person in the empire, so you should avoid that too.”

At that moment, Ming and Japanese officials shouted in one voice.

“Then what!”

“What can I do? I have to do well.”

“Fuck!”

“Oh~. You speak the imperial language fluently?”

* * *

Although it was a little creaky at the beginning, the working-level team of the Three Kingdoms Alliance soon settled on track and picked up speed. What was interesting was that officials from all three countries gathered together and spoke only in the imperial language.

-If an interpreter is involved, there are confidentiality issues and work progress is slowed down.

The ostensible reason was this. But the real reason was different.

-The only country with the most information about Persia and the Ottomans is the empire.

“Do you want me to translate it for you? Do we look that leisurely?”

Even though it was polite and packaged with fancy diplomatic rhetoric, the empire’s answer was that, and the Ming and Japan selected and sent officials who were fluent in the imperial language. And after seeing this, high-ranking officials of the township and the current empire came to have different evaluations of the Ming Dynasty.

“It’s Japan, nine out of ten officials have studied abroad in the empire, so it’s possible, but the name is surprising. Isn’t it?”

Han Chi-hyeong stepped forward and responded to Hyeon’s point.

“That’s right. Considering the importance of this matter, it is safe to say that the officials sent this time are those who will be responsible for the future of the Ming Dynasty. Looking at the current Ming officials, they are still trying to ignore our empire by calling it Joseon, which should be questioned as to whether they are doing double duty. I think so.”

“It may be that while they admire our empire on the inside, they disparage it on the outside.”

Following Han Chi-hyeong’s words, the Minister of Education continued. However, as soon as the Minister of Education finished speaking, Ryu Sun refuted it.

“It would be great if that happened, but I think it’s more likely than not.”

“The possibility of not being so? What is that?”

“It may be that I learned the imperial language in order to truly understand the pros and cons of the empire.”

“Do you really know the pros and cons of the empire? Why go to such trouble?”

“Isn’t it to once again take the place of the Shang Dynasty in the relationship between the Empire and the Three Kingdoms of Ming and Japan?”

The Minister of Education looked surprised at Ryu Sun’s words and asked.

“Are you saying the Ming is going to war again?”

“If we are talking about a war where guns and artillery are fired, I don’t think the possibility is very high, but if it is a game of competition rather than war, I think the possibility is quite high.”

The faces of the ministers gathered at Geunjeongjeon turned serious as they heard Ryu Sun’s story. Looking at the ministers like that, Hyeon opened his mouth.

“I also think that what the left Vice Prime Minister said makes sense. As a subject of a country since ancient times, there is no one who does not dream of a wealthy country and a strong military, and there is no one who does not dream of being a loser. What kind of country is Ming? If it were not for our empire, it would still be in the position of a Shang country right now. “It’s me. It’s a country that you can look at and look at again and again, and you won’t find anything lacking.”

“I will keep this in mind.”

After the meeting, Hyeon visited Sugang Palace and talked with Hyang about this topic. After hearing the whole story, Hyang nodded.

“The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty and Ming loves the empire, and although there is a growing number of pro-imperial factions in the Ming Dynasty, it is right to be cautious. Especially when you consider the habits of the Chinese people. Why would you come out?”

Hyun also nodded when he mentioned the words, ‘A gentleman’s revenge is not even 10 years too late.’

“That’s right. Now that I look back at the old idioms, there are a lot of things related to revenge. As Taesang said, I think it’s because of their habits. Looking at it that way, I wonder if it was pointless to involve them in this matter.”

Hyang smiled and responded to Hyeon’s words.

“You should keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

“ah!”

Hyeon couldn’t help but be amazed by his brother’s words.

“Your words are truly like gold and jade birds!”

“That’s too much praise.”

Hyang muttered to himself with an embarrassed expression.

‘Who did that? They say we learned everything we need in kindergarten. I should add this too. ‘All the sarcastic remarks were made in the movie.’

Hiding her true feelings, Hyang continued speaking.

“We should not neglect our vigilance, but if we continue to be hostile, that is also not good. Because on the contrary, we may tire first. No, it would be a good thing if we just become exhausted. There is also a risk of letting our guard down completely. ”

“I admit it. So what should I do?”

“Please think once again about the ninety years of dissatisfaction with the nobleman’s advice.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing Hyang’s words, Hyun closed his mouth and began to think deeply.

‘Wu Tzu-seo was able to complete his revenge only when he became prime minister of the state of Wu. Wuwang Bucha and Yuewang Gucheon also had to work hard for a long time. ‘Ninety years of dissatisfaction with the gentleman, too…’

Hyeon, who was thinking over the old idioms mentioned by Hyang, showed an expression that he would soon understand.

“Is it time? It’s time to gain the strength to properly take revenge.”

My brother nodded at Hyun’s words.

“That’s right. I think the important thing in the saying, ‘A gentleman’s revenge is not even 10 years too late,’ is not ’10 years,’ but ‘it is not too late.’ In other words, do not make a rash move until you are properly prepared. So, let’s think about it here. . What do you think the object of revenge, that is, our empire, should do here?”

Hyeon answered Hyang’s question right away.

“Waging war is the worst of all. As Sun Tzu said, it is best to win before fighting, and then fight later. Then, all you have to do is to keep moving forward like you are now. Then, the Ming will tire out while preparing for revenge.”

Hyang smiled and accepted Hyun’s words.

“Wouldn’t it be more fun if we added a little seasoning to it?”

“What if you say liver?”

“Things like what is happening in Persia. If two people join hands, it will be mutually beneficial. Starting with this incident, if many similar incidents occur, they will commit self-destruction.”

“ah!”

“Do you understand what I said earlier about, ‘Keep your friends close, your enemies closer’?”

“yes!”

This conversation later became a rumor among officials. All the officials who heard the rumor shook their heads.

“Tae Sang-tae’s insight seems to be getting deeper.”

“I could never use the term ‘old man in the back room.’”

“To Taesang, you’re an ‘old man in the back room’? If you say that, we’ll all be criticized for being bastards who have no ability but are just pretending to be good.”

“I’ve been thinking about this more and more often these days, but those cultists weren’t a cult at all…”

“Shh!”

“Uh-hui! Shhh!”

Later, after hearing the reviews going around among the officials about him, Hyang chuckled and muttered to himself.

“This is what happens when you enjoy sagas and historical documentaries on cable or OTT. Ah! I almost forgot steampunk.”

Hyang, who was reciting the genres he enjoyed in the 21st century, suddenly made a strange expression.

“If a historical drama with me as the main character comes out in the future, will I believe it is a true story? Even if it were me, I wouldn’t believe it.”

Hyang, who was asking herself, turned her gaze and looked out the window. Hyang’s eyes lit up as he looked at the eunuchs, palace maids, and officials busily moving around the palace.

“Now that you think about it, it’s funny? How come these rumors don’t spread out?”

As Hyang said, all kinds of incidents took place in Gyeongbokgung Palace, Suganggung Palace, and the Yukjo government offices, and rumors related to Hyang and Hyeon spread. However, these rumors rarely spread outside. At the very least, rumors never leaked out, even at Giru, where officials frequented.

No, Giru could do that. Because the officials who visited Giru said the same thing every time.

“Ah~. I’m getting kicked from the top and kicked from the bottom and it’s dirty and hard so I can’t eat it!”

“Should I just appeal my resignation?”

Giru said that even if that were the case, there were hardly any rumors coming out of Banchon (a place where a lot of Banchon nobles lived), which was another source of rumors. I say almost because there were other rumors that did leak out. However, rumors related to the village and county did not circulate even in Banchon.

After thinking for a while, Hyang soon found an answer.

“Oh, I see. Most of the rumors involving me or Hyeon were important national policies and top secrets. The punishment for leaking property was the same as treason, right?”

Even if this was a rumor, there was no big person in the neighborhood who would talk about it.