Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 973: On a tree with many branches… (2)

Hyang, who was dazed for a moment by the unexpected story, soon came to his senses and asked Hyeon.

“What do the government ministers say?”

“There is nothing to take issue with the contents of the appeal, and we all agreed that it is natural if it is natural. Of course, the word ‘for the time being’ was added…” “For

the time being… Hmm… then what is the situation? “Did you do it? I’m sure you weren’t aware of the situation, right?”

“Sang Sang also said, ‘First of all, what you said is not wrong.’”

Hyang nodded and muttered to Hyun’s answer.

“As expected, ‘for now’…..”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

With a small groan, Hyang was lost in thought.

‘Their appeal is not wrong. Because the empire is no longer a single nation-state. The problem is the exclusive perception of local people. If you start looking into the roots, it’s a problem that extends back to the Three Kingdoms period.’

One of the typical characteristics of agricultural society was ‘exclusivity’ to the outside world. And those living in the Korean peninsula, called ‘Bonji’, had a particularly strong sense of exclusivity.

“It seems like an easy problem, but it’s never easy.”

“That’s right.”

The two Joseon made embarrassed faces and kept their mouths shut.

-In reality, it is right to accept their appeal and reorganize the system. Only then can the empire run stably without any disruption.

-But I can’t help but think about the backlash from the local people, who are the strongest foundation supporting the imperial family.

“Hmm… Hmm…”

Hyang, who continued to moan and worry, turned his head in frustration and looked in all directions.

‘what? Is there a lot of dust over there? I guess I’ll have to ask them to clean…’

Hyang, who was trying to escape reality by thinking about something else, fixed his eyes on the candle on the bookshelf.

“The rule of law…”

“Yes?”

Hyang’s face became bright and she looked at Hyeon.

“The rule of law is fundamental to the empire in running the country and governing the people.”

“Is that so?”

“What is written in the First Law, which is the most fundamental of all laws? It says that all citizens of the empire are equal before the law and must follow the law.”

“What you said is…”

Hyeon, who had been pondering Hyang’s words, continued.

“Certainly, there is no provision in the law that limits the qualifications for the crown princess to those from the mainland. According to the law, not only the Northern Territory and Daxue Island, but also Xinji and the southwestern province of Temasek can submit candidates for the crown princess. The problem is not the public sentiment of the people of the primary province. Do you want to?”

Hyeon answered in a slightly bored voice. What Hyang had just said had already been said among the government officials.

-There is no legal problem. However, the public sentiment of this paper is the problem.

That’s why Hyeon went looking for Hyeon, but was disappointed when he got the same answer.

‘I thought Halbamama would give a clear answer…’

Hyang continued, perhaps aware of Hyeon’s despondency.

“The emperor seems to have forgotten, but what was their appeal? They were asking for permission to nominate a candidate for the crown princess. They didn’t say that she must become the crown princess unconditionally, right?”

“Huh? Huh? Ah!”

Hyeon’s face, who had been tilting his head to Hyang’s point, brightened. Looking at Hyeon’s face brightening, Hyang continued to explain further.

-Since we are all citizens of the same empire, there is no problem in submitting a candidate for crown princess.

-And what is the problem with the Crown Princess coming from a foreign country rather than from the hometown? If she were to appear as a candidate for the Crown Princess, there would be no problem with the New Testament, and wouldn’t the Crown Prince, who would become Jiabi, be pleased with her and welcome her?

-If you still express dissatisfaction, blame yourself for not being able to raise a woman worthy of the Crown Princess.

Hyun nodded repeatedly at the explanation of the scent that continued up to this point.

“Yes! That is right! You are truly right!”

“And order the General Affairs Department to look into the records of the marriages of the people of the empire.”

“Are you talking about the record of marriage?”

“That’s right. Don’t all the people of the empire who have married and become married have a record in the family register? Please look at the records and check how many marriages have taken place between people from your hometown and people from other countries. If the number is high, this decision has been made. “If you oppose it, you can accuse them of ‘treason of antinomies.’”

The scent that was mentioned so far laughed bitterly.

“You hold a marriage ceremony as you please and then argue over the crown prince’s marriage? Aren’t you truly old-fashioned? While we’re at it, let’s clear this up.”

Hyeon nodded and accepted what Hyang said.

“I think it will be a good opportunity.”

The officers and scribes who were recording this from the side added the following.

-…….It is good to see that His Majesty the Emperor and the Great Emperor have found the answer in this way.

The officer discusses. Why is the story suddenly moving in that direction?

* * *

Hyeon, who returned from Sugang Palace, immediately summoned the ministers. When all the ministers gathered in Geunjeongjeon, Hyeon opened his mouth.

“The reason I asked the officials to gather is because of the crown princess issue.”

When Hyeon mentioned the topic, Han Myeong-hoe came forward.

“The minors had a conversation about that issue, and it seems appropriate to accept the appeal.”

“Huh? Why?”

‘Hyun looked surprised at Han Myeong-hoe’s answer and asked the reason.

“The reason is…”

Han Myeong-hoe’s subsequent explanation was almost identical to Hyang’s words.

“…If those who oppose this are harming the unity of the empire with their old-fashionedness, I believe they should be punished.”

Hyun was secretly impressed when he saw Han Myeong-hoe even suggest using this as a political opportunity.

‘indeed! indeed! If you look at the way he organizes his work as soon as he returns, it’s indeed Han Myeong-hoe! There is a reason why Taesang and Sanghang cherish him and never let down their guard!’

Hyun, who was exclamating inwardly, looked at the other ministers and asked.

“Do you all think the same?”

“That’s right.”

“Good. Let’s proceed like this. Ah! Just in case, the Minister of Internal Affairs should check the family register.”

“What I’m asking you to do is investigate the family register…”

“Check how many marriages have taken place between men and women from our hometown and men and women from other regions. We cannot postpone the crown prince’s marriage, so I would like to receive a report as soon as possible.”

“I follow your orders.”

All the ministers had the same thought in their minds as they looked at the Minister of General Affairs who bowed his head in response.

‘The officials of the General Affairs Department will have a hard time.’

“It will be a very difficult task. So, I will order all the officials of the General Affairs Department to provide fish meals.”

“Hwang Eun is devastated.”

* * *

Five days later, fifteen days after the headquarters of the empire, the prefectural statement was posted in the government offices of Bukji and Daeseoldo.

-We will also include people from Bukji and Daeseoldo as candidates for the crown princess. Recommend women who would be suitable for the Crown Princess and the Empress.

-As time goes by, we will add other rivers, including Shinji.

As soon as the county’s statement was posted, the headquarters of the empire and the Great Snow Island in the North were turned upside down. The officials of Bukji and Daeseoldo Island began to search through their families and villages in search of a suitable guardian for the crown princess. On the contrary, as expected, appeals taking issue with this issue began to be filed one after another.

-The imperial family has its roots in its hometown! Therefore, it is natural that the Crown Princess should be from this region!

As appeals full of such content came in, the county once again publicly issued a rebuttal.

-There is no denying that the imperial family has its roots in this place!

-However, it is not reasonable to limit the crown princess to those from the main region.

Hyun then concluded by pointing out how many marriages there had been between people from the local area and people from other areas.

-People from different places are married and living well, so why should the imperial family be any different?

-It is the Crown Prince’s responsibility to choose the Crown Princess. To argue about this is crossing a line!

-This is an act that undermines the unity of the empire and is a serious crime equivalent to treason! I will not sit idly by and ignore this!

As soon as the word ‘traitor’ was mentioned, the number of complaints that had been going on for a while decreased, as if turning a blind eye to Maparam. However, the prefecture and government had finished the selection and were moving on. Meanwhile, among the people who were carefully reading the rebuttal presented by Hyeon, the older ones tilted their heads.

“The writing style seems very familiar?”

“It’s familiar, but it’s so familiar…”

Those who were tilting their heads at the familiarity felt in the sentence soon muttered with exclamations.

“Ah! I heard you can’t steal seeds after all…”

The strong scent of incense remained in the writing style that attacked the opponent in a simple, clear, yet poignant manner.

* * *

As one problem was solved, another problem emerged.

“Budget is always an issue…”

The working-level staff put their hands on their foreheads when they saw the amount of budget needed. According to the procedures established by the first law, there were many cases where money was spent.

-Travel expenses for women elected as crown princess candidates to travel between Seoul and their hometowns.

-Costs for construction or maintenance of temporary accommodation for crown princess candidates.

-Costs provided for clothing and eating by the Crown Princess candidates.

To ensure fairness in selection, all candidates must wear identical clothes and accessories supported by the imperial family.

-A gift to give to those who were eliminated from the first and second grades.

Since they came as candidates for crown princess, you can never give them cheap gifts. A considerable amount of money was spent on the search for the crown princess of Wan and Hyeon, but this time, candidates came from as far away as Bukji and Daeseol Island. Not only was the travel cost a huge issue, but the clothes the candidates would wear and the accessories they would have to wear also took up a significant budget.

Since the name and color were for the candidates for the Crown Princess, it was absolutely impossible to use something shabby or cheap. Moreover, these clothes and accessories were disposable. This was because the hobos who were eliminated in the selection process took these clothes and accessories with them when they returned home.

What’s interesting is that the process of making these clothes and accessories was a fierce battle for the pride of the craftsmen.

-All candidates must wear the same clothes and wear the same accessories.

Because of this provision, clothing and accessories were made in large quantities. In other words, if selected, artisans could make a lot of money. The money received from the imperial family was not everything. The evaluation that rice fields satisfied the famous royal family members was the most powerful weapon to attract upper-class people.

In addition, those who were rejected from the selection process and returned home showed off their clothes and accessories to their relatives and friends in their hometown, and those who saw them became new customers. Therefore, when an announcement was made that the selection of the crown princess had begun, the most prestigious acupuncturists and silversmiths worked hard to create a prototype.

And the more effort they put into it, the more the unit price goes up and the more and more budget they have to spend. However, it was impossible to consider cost-effectiveness for the important event of choosing the crown princess. Because of this, the working-level staff of the Imperial Household and the Ministry of Finance and Economy could only sigh and pound on their hands.

* * *

Hyang, who was talking with Hyeon about the entire empire being shaken by the issue of selecting the crown princess, smiled slightly and gave a positive evaluation.

“But isn’t it a good thing that the empire is moving more energetically? How heavy has the atmosphere been over the Italian issue?”

“That’s right. In a way, it was helpful to take up time starting with the crown prince’s investiture letter.”

At Hyun’s words, the older brother laughed mischievously and stabbed Hyun in the painful spot.

“But thanks to this, the day for the emperor to hand over his position and go to Shinji was greatly delayed.”

“I wish you hadn’t said that…”

Hyang, who was left alone after such a happy time, looked out the window and muttered.

“The selection of the Empress has become a national event. How will it change in the future? A dating program or Miss International?”