Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1058: Gambling. (2)

Two days later, the prefecture gathered the prime minister, deputy prime ministers, and ministers and put this issue on the agenda.

“Looking at the intelligence coming in from Suez and Ottoman Europe these days, the situation in Suez is very suspicious. What do you think?”

Han Chi-hyeong came forward and answered Hyeon’s question.

“Even minors have seen the intelligence, but it is difficult to see it as anything more than a mere rumor. Your Majesty does not seem to need to be careful.”

Hyun’s expression and voice began to become sharp at Han Chi-hyeong’s answer.

“It’s hard to see it as anything more than a rumor? What’s the reason?”

Han Chi-hyeong, who was very nervous because Hyeon’s spirit was unusually low, hurriedly explained the reason.

“First of all, digging a canal is not an easy task, especially considering the situation in Suez.”

To summarize Han Chi-hyeong’s explanation, it was as follows.

-The reason they are trying to dig a canal in Suez is to move cargo without unloading it from the ship.

-For this purpose, the canal must be at least wide enough for two oncoming ships to pass without colliding.

-But the ships currently traveling in and out of Suez are much larger than the Panokseon. And it’s getting bigger.

-Considering the ever-increasing size of ships and the environment of Suez, building a canal is not something that one country can handle.

“So, didn’t we get intelligence that they were trying to join hands with Osman?”

Han Chi-hyeong responded again to Hyeon’s point.

“That is not an easy task either.”

-The battle to determine Osman’s successor is famous for being brutal.

-The problem is the elimination of losers in the successor-determination battle. It would be ideal if the elimination of the losers was completed perfectly, but if not, it would be a big problem.

This is the case with Bayezid II, the Sultan of Danggeum. As his younger brother Jem, his strongest rival, fled to Europe, he had to worry about the possibility of continued civil war.

“…..There is a story that Bayezid refrained from reckless expansion, unlike his predecessor, Sultan Mehmet II. This is because if he makes a mistake and provokes Europe, the European powers could instigate a civil war using gems. “At least with Djem’s death a few years ago, the worries about civil war disappeared, but now Bayezid is too old.”

Han Chi-hyeong’s words continued.

-If we look at the succession structure of Bayezid II, a three-way battle is taking place.

Korkud of Anatolia, the most powerful, was unable to properly suppress the rebellion that occurred in Anatolia and fell into the White Middle Ages.

-In this situation, it is difficult to see much benefit even if European powers intervene.

-Also, as in the case of Djem, if the defeated competitor escapes from the Ottomans, civil war may continue.

This is due to the nature of the European powers. This is because the resentment built up between countries is deep and they do not hesitate to attack their allies if it is beneficial.

-What’s even worse is that there is no absolute powerhouse in Europe now.

“….No one wants to get involved in a gambling game where they have to keep pouring in their stake when there are people around who are trying to steal their real estate if they get the chance.”

“So it’s just a rumor?”

“That’s right. Of course, you might have thought that way at first. No, you wouldn’t have done it. But those who run the country in name or in name would have quit as soon as they realized that the harm could be greater than the benefit. That’s because it is natural. ”

Hyeon shook his head lightly at Han Chi-hyeong’s words.

“I agree that what the Prime Minister said is natural. However, it is difficult to agree with the expectation that Europeans will not do something that seems reckless like that. Europeans are the ones who do it without hesitation if it is beneficial, even if it is not natural to anyone. That’s because. Or is it only Europeans who are like this? Look at the Warring States Period. Why did the sages emphasize benevolence and dream of royal politics?”

Han Chi-hyeong boldly asked back at Hyeon’s words.

“Do you think, Your Majesty, that they will do something even if it is not natural?”

“It is true.”

“However, even if a lot of wealth can be obtained from Suez, it cannot be considered a great deal considering the wealth that must be invested to carry out such a big project.”

“Don’t just think about the canal. They’re not just after the canal.”

At Hyeon’s words, Han Chi-hyeong and the ministers all had expressions full of doubt.

“You said it wasn’t just a canal? Then what was it?”

“oil.”

Han Chi-hyeong immediately questioned Hyeon’s concise answer.

“Isn’t oil just more useful firewood than coal?”

“……”

At Han Chi-hyeong’s answer, Hyeon kept his mouth shut and looked back at Han Chi-hyeong and the other ministers. Hyeon, who saw that everyone was making similar expressions to Han Chi-hyeong, sighed and muttered to himself.

“Haa~.”

‘Maybe it’s normal to think like that. Even I wouldn’t have known if Taesang had not pointed it out…’

Hyeon sighed and opened his mouth.

“The use of petroleum is not just firewood. It also produces lubricants used in machines and steam engines used in workshops, and bitumen used as a waterproofing agent for roads and ships. If the method of refining oil becomes better than it is now, more oil will be produced. I’m sure we can get it.”

“Are you saying that the European powers also know that?”

“For now, they probably just think it’s more useful firewood than coal. But in time, they will know.”

“So, do you think that even though I only see it as firewood now, I would do something that is close to gambling? I’m telling you, the Duke of Hwanghao, but I guess it’s not a good idea?”

“Sigh!”

At Han Chi-hyeong’s words, all the ministers around him gasped in shock. Han Chi-hyeong’s remarks just now were very provocative.

‘Captain Han is crazy!’

‘You dare contradict the emperor’s words! ‘You’re out of your mind!’

However, Hyun had a surprisingly calm expression and asked Han Chi-hyeong.

“Rain? You said rain? Why did you think that?”

“If you look back at what Europeans have done so far, it is difficult to believe that Europeans can think that far.”

“In other words, are they short-sighted?”

“That’s right.”

“Tsk!”

At that moment, Hyeon clicked his tongue and Han Chi-hyeong and the ministers shrugged their shoulders.

“Isn’t the opinion of the magistrates as narrow as theirs is narrow? As the Prime Minister said, look at their form. They are the ones who have chased right behind the empire before you know it. Nevertheless, if we laugh at their narrow opinion and do not take the first step, we will never attack them. “Are you confident that you won’t know? Are you not thinking that if you neglect attention like that, our empire will soon fall behind!”

In response to Hyeon’s words, Han Chi-hyeong bowed down on the floor and raised his voice.

“I swear to heaven that the minor gods have never neglected their attention! For the safety of the empire and the peace of the people, they have been forgetting day and night and clinging to state affairs! That is why I dare to tell you to lean on your majesty!”

Hyun gave a short reply to Han Chi-hyung’s remark full of resentment.

“It’s not just Jim who is worried. Taesang is also very worried.”

“Sigh!”

At Hyeon’s words, Han Chi-hyeong, who was lying on the floor, froze. In the empire, and indeed in the imperial court, Hyang was a being who could be called a ‘sage god’. What he was worried about inevitably became a problem, and there were more than a few cases where he ended up in trouble if he did not prepare for it in advance.

“Tae Tae Sang-tae also…”

“That’s right.”

“Please forgive me for my arrogance!”

In response to Hyun’s response, Han Chi-hyeong fell to the floor and begged for forgiveness. Hyun clicked his tongue as he looked down at Hanchihyeong.

“Tsk tsk tsk…”

‘Gasp! ‘Three times!’

‘Damn it! If we make a mistake, our heads will be blown off!’

The frightened ministers all fell to the ground and raised their voices.

“Forgive me!”

Hyun’s voice rang out over the heads of the ministers lying face down on the floor.

“The determination of the ministers who do not blindly follow the words of their subordinates and who consider right and wrong deserves praise. This is because it is the duty of a subject to speak frankly for the well-being of the monarch, the country, and the people. However, for these direct words to shine, excellent insight is required. This is a necessary law. If an ordinary person is to think of one thing when he sees one thing, then a manager is to look at one thing and think of two, three, and five to ten. From the small scale of managing a household to the large scale of managing a country. .”

Hyun paused for a moment, cleared his throat, and then raised his voice.

“But look at what the Lords are doing now! Those in charge of running this huge empire are looking at the world through the eyes of criminals! Can I really trust the Lords? Will I be able to trust them and hand over the throne to the crown prince? From now on, the situation will be great.” “If the people who will fill this main hall when you are gone are people like you, will this empire be at peace?”

The ministers who prostrated themselves on the floor in response to Hyun’s criticism lowered themselves even further and begged for forgiveness.

“Forgive me!”

“Please forgive the complacency of the minor gods!”

“Stand up!”

Hyeon, who raised the ministers, warned Han Chi-hyeong.

“I will warn the Prime Minister. The world of yesterday and the world of today are always different. Lack of ability is understandable and can be taken into account. But I can never forgive complacency.”

“I will keep this in mind!”

“The same goes for the Lords. No, the same goes for those who will succeed the Lords.”

“I will keep this in mind!”

“Then take another look at Suez and report back to Jim. As soon as possible.”

“I will do my best.”

After the massacre, the ministers who came out of Geunjeongjeon glared at Han Chi-hyeong.

“…..I’ll buy you a drink.”

“Starting from today, leaving the office on time has passed, but having a drink is a breeze…”

Han Chi-hyung hastily changed his words as his sincerity came out from nowhere.

“Even if it’s just two or three, buy it!”

Meanwhile, after hearing about the commotion that occurred at Geunjeongjeon, Hyang smiled bitterly.

“The analysis and prediction part is where it’s all about ‘if you get it right, you’ll be singled out if you get it wrong.’ That’s why we put the smartest people in it, but it’s also the part that gets the most criticism.”

Meanwhile, the officials who heard the rumor that ‘the ministers were defeated by the emperor!’ were very nervous about the future. But this time there was no going down. Instead…

“Bring all the data!”

“Analyze this again!”

Work has increased again.

* * *

The ministers who had been shaken by Hyun analyzed the situation again. Ministers held daily meetings with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers with reports analyzing the impact of what would happen in Haussmann on their ministries.

“There is certainly a possibility that Europe will use tricks on the Ottomans.”

“If Tae Sang-tae said so, it is not a possibility, but it will definitely happen.”

“Then…”

Han Chi-hyeong, who was listening to the story, looked back at the ministers.

“What happens if we scatter the ashes? We made them get criticized for not having to eat them?”