BCJ Chapter 428

“Your Majesty, I have safely returned from the envoy mission.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Lee Maeng-gyun, who paid his respects to Sejong, presented the Xuande Emperor’s imperial edict to Sejong.

“Hmm…”

Sejong, after reading the imperial edict brought by Lee Maeng-gyun, had a rather displeased expression.

“As always… It’s not a particularly good feeling.”

At Sejong’s words, Hwang Hui stepped forward and answered.

“As all the ministers and people are working hard, good news will come someday.”

“Someday… Well, I suppose that’s the only right answer for now.”

With a reply full of lingering resentment, Sejong tossed aside the imperial edict as if throwing it away.

“Sigh~”

After taking a light deep breath, Sejong soon moved on to the next topic.

“So, did the emperor show interest in the iron horse?”

To Sejong’s question, Lee Maeng-gyun answered in a serious voice.

“The emperor showed great interest. However, there seems to be a bit of a problem.”

“A problem? Hmm…”

Sejong fell into thought, stroking his beard with his mouth closed, and Lee Maeng-gyun quietly waited for Sejong to speak.

Not long after, Sejong finished organizing his thoughts and spoke.

“Ming’s land is vast and wide. Anyone with even a little sense won’t miss the usefulness of the iron horse and railroad. Then the problem would be the price of the iron horse, wouldn’t it?”

At Sejong’s question, Lee Maeng-gyun immediately nodded.

“That’s correct. However, considering the price of the iron horse, I heard there was some commotion because receiving iron horses as tribute would cause significant problems for Ming’s finances.”

“Commotion? When the emperor is showing interest in the iron horse? Surely not…”

Sejong’s face turned serious as he asked the question, and the faces of the other ministers also became grave.

“Are they trying to attempt again what failed once before?”

“The possibility is high…”

“Huh… Shouldn’t we immediately strengthen security not only around Area 51 but also where the artisans working in Area 51 reside?”

‘Once bitten, twice shy,’ as they say? Recalling the previous ‘attempted artisan recruitment incident,’ the ministers unanimously argued for strengthening protective measures for Area 51 and the artisans working there.

“Be quiet.”

At Sejong’s command, the ministers immediately closed their mouths. Once the ministers fell silent, Sejong summarized the situation.

“Your opinions are correct. It would be good if Ming resolves this matter in a way that anyone would find reasonable, but there’s a possibility they might not. Therefore, strengthen the security around Area 51 and the research institute.”

“We receive your command.”

After settling this urgently raised agenda, Sejong asked Lee Maeng-gyun again.

“Report in more detail about what this commotion is.”

“Yes. According to what I heard through our secret channels…”

Lee Maeng-gyun explained to Sejong and the ministers the information obtained through Ming officials recruited by Joseon.

***

The Ming officials who became Joseon’s secret agents were able to survive the storm of the great purge.

However, the reason for this was truly paradoxical.

The main reason was that the officials Joseon had recruited were in truly ambiguous positions, neither high nor low.

What Joseon demanded was not Ming’s top-secret information, but merely what kind of talks were happening in the court.

While providing such information that wasn’t considered very important for their rank, the officials received an appropriate amount of gifts.

Not enormous bribes that could be traced like those given to high-ranking officials, but gifts that were just enough to help with daily life, and those who met with these officials were interpreters who could be considered to hold minor positions.

On the surface, it appeared as if a long-time acquainted interpreter, while visiting Beijing, brought gifts to visit a friend’s house, had a light conversation, and returned.

Ironically, this appropriate conduct was a wisdom of life created by Joseon officials whose careers had been shattered because of Sejong.

‘Eat only as much as you can without causing trouble, thinly and for a long time.’

This was the motto of Joseon officials.

Because of this situation, the officials connected to Joseon survived the storm of the purge. No, ridiculously, some even got promoted for being incorruptible officials.

***

“Purchase or tribute…”

Sejong, who was mulling over Lee Maeng-gyun’s report, suddenly burst into laughter.

“Hah! Even a country that claims to be the center of the world is helpless before money.”

At Sejong’s words, Hwang Hui followed up.

“Wasn’t financial recovery what this emperor focused on the most? Given that, it’s quite understandable.”

“And aren’t the Ming people those who don’t discriminate when it comes to wealth?”

“Yes, that’s right. Then how do you think it will be decided?”

At Sejong’s question, Hwang Hui pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Even for the great Ming, it would be unreasonable to receive actual iron horses as tribute to solve all needs. They will probably demand the minimum number of actual units and request the blueprints.”

“Is it going according to our intentions on its own?”

To Sejong’s question, Hwang Hui responded.

“The situation has become such that it can’t be helped.”

At Hwang Hui’s words, Sejong and the ministers all nodded. They had been worrying about how to make them take only the blueprints as per Hyang’s plan, but the situation was naturally flowing in that direction.

After a moment, Kim Jeom opened his mouth.

“I think what we need to worry about now is ensuring that Ming continues to guarantee our intellectual property rights and strengthening the security of Area 51 and the research institute.”

As soon as Kim Jeom finished speaking, Maeng Sa-seong opened his mouth.

“Given the emperor’s disposition, guaranteeing intellectual property rights shouldn’t be too difficult. The profits of the joint venture trading company are at stake, after all. The most important point is the security of Area 51 and the research institute, which keeps being mentioned. And we must also prevent the outflow of artisans.”

Sejong nodded at Maeng Sa-seong’s words.

“Your words are correct. Of course, there’s a saying that ten policemen can’t stop one thief. If the other side is determined to take something, breaches may occur no matter how hard we try. It’s a force majeure, as they say. However, if technology leaks, we suffer for 10 years, but if people leak, we suffer for 100 years. Keep this in mind.”

At Sejong’s order, all the ministers bowed their heads and answered.

“We will engrave it in our bones and hearts!”

And a month later, an envoy from Ming visited Joseon.

Hearing the purpose stated by the Ming envoy, Sejong muttered softly.

“Have we been had?”

***

The content of the imperial edict read by the Ming envoy was as follows:

+++

I, the Emperor, speak to the King of Joseon.

-Since I ascended to the throne, I have not missed a day praying for peace in the Central Plains and surrounding areas. Perhaps Heaven has looked favorably upon my sincerity, for when I look at the world recently, it is truly a golden age of peace. And in achieving this golden age, the King of Joseon has played a part, which I cannot help but praise.

-As this golden age continues and products become abundant, more and more people are traveling long distances. However, how difficult it is to rely solely on human legs and animal legs to traverse this vast world under heaven?

-To solve this pitiful situation, I asked all those in the Central Plains for solutions, and one trading company came forward volunteering to solve it. The intention of that trading company was so admirable that I wished to help and asked.

-In response to my question, the head of the trading company answered that Joseon’s railroad and iron horse are truly useful, and they wish to bring them in. However, as these are Joseon’s items, it is not an easy task for a mere merchant like himself.

-Therefore, I send this imperial edict to the King of Joseon, hoping that you will look favorably upon the merchant who accompanies this. How beautiful is the intention to take on such a difficult task for the sake of the empire’s people?

Thus, I hope that the King of Joseon will give a good answer.

+++

As the envoy finished reading, Sejong performed the ceremonial bow and three cheers of “ten thousand years” according to protocol, and received the emperor’s edict.

The envoy who handed over the emperor’s edict bowed respectfully to Sejong and said.

“When this subject saw the great bridge over the Han River and the iron horses coming and going on it, it was truly beautiful beyond measure. I earnestly hope to see such beautiful scenery in our Ming as well, so please make a favorable decision.”

To the envoy’s words, Sejong replied with a calm face.

“I will do my best. However, the iron horse is a treasure among treasures, so it won’t be an easy matter.”

“I look forward to a good result.”

After ending the conversation filled with subtle pressure and evasion, Sejong sent the envoy back to Mohwagwan and headed towards Geunjeong-jeon, ordering the royal secretary.

“Summon the Crown Prince immediately.”

***

As Hyang entered Geunjeong-jeon upon being summoned, Sejong explained the situation to him.

“…So, what are your thoughts, Crown Prince?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately answered.

“Considering the precedents regarding tribute and return gifts, and the prestige of the great country, whoever it is has thought of a very delicate strategy. It reduces financial burden while maintaining the empire’s prestige. The fact that there’s still talent capable of such thinking after all the great purges that have occurred shows that they truly have a lot of people.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s assessment.

“That’s true.”

Even while nodding, Sejong’s face wasn’t very pleased. Hyang’s recent point was poking at Joseon’s sore spot of ‘lack of talent’.

***

The abilities of the talented individuals active in various parts of Joseon society, including the court, were by no means inferior to those of Ming’s talents. The problem was the absolute number.

Unlike Joseon, which was now approaching a population of ten million, Ming’s population had already surpassed eighty million and was approaching ninety million.

It was a situation where quantity overwhelmed quality.

***

Hyang’s words continued.

“Although the subject has changed from Ming’s court to a trading company, the overall situation has hardly changed. The Minister of Finance must be quite disappointed though.”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom nodded unconsciously.

‘If we could have received even triple the return gifts… Ah! It’s frustrating!’

Kim Jeom’s face was full of regret.

After lightening the mood with a light joke, Hyang continued.

“It’s a reasonable decision for a trading company to take charge of the construction. We did the same, after all.”

As Hyang said, when constructing railroads and roads, most sections, except those requiring large amounts of explosives, were entrusted to Joseon’s trading companies to proceed. Thanks to this, trading companies specializing in civil engineering works even emerged.

“But the problem comes next. You’re well aware of the issues with manufacturing iron horses and railroads as I’ve already explained, and the operation problem will be quite a headache. But that’s not our problem, is it?”

“The operation problem?”

To Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately answered.

“The railroad is closely related to the people’s lives. Because of this, in some cases, it needs to be operated even at a loss. Therefore, even if construction is undertaken by a trading company, operation should be done by the country. But what would happen if they conclude that since the trading company built it, the trading company should operate it?”

To Hyang’s question, Sejong’s answer came out immediately.

“The country would be ruined.”

Hyang nodded at Sejong’s words and replied.

“Given the current emperor’s disposition, such a thing wouldn’t happen, but if one of the succeeding emperors does this, the empire will collapse.”

At Hyang’s words, the faces of Sejong and the ministers changed subtly.