Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 255

This was what King Sejong wanted.

Having thoroughly tamed the court historians, King Sejong breathed a sigh of relief.

“Phew… Now I can finally feel at ease. I can conduct my research without worries now.”

The biggest reason King Sejong had become sensitive to the presence of the court historians was because of his research on writing systems. The only ones who knew that King Sejong was researching a unique writing system for Joseon were the eunuchs who were his close aides.

King Sejong had no particular concerns about these eunuchs. The eunuchs, who knew well that they would struggle to be treated as human beings once they left the palace, showed absolute loyalty to King Sejong. Even if an eunuch with different intentions appeared, King Sejong was not very worried. According to what King Sejong had heard here and there, if an eunuch with different intentions was caught, they would be dealt with quietly among the eunuchs without anyone knowing.

In the end, King Sejong had gone through all this to tame the court historians, who were the most awkward presence for him and his research.

Having succeeded in taming the court historians, King Sejong offered them a suitable carrot.

He promoted the Office of Royal Decrees, which supervised the court historians, to the National Records Office and expanded the number of court historians from 8 to 32. As it was promoted to an office, opportunities for promotion increased, and by increasing the number of personnel, the intensity of work was reduced.

And in return, the court historians had entered into a sort of gentlemen’s agreement to leave their posts whenever King Sejong wanted.

***

As the court historians took their positions again, King Sejong subtly warned them.

“It seems the new members haven’t grasped the ropes yet, so make sure to teach them well.”

“We will engrave it in our minds!”

The court historians, answering in a loud voice, busily moved their pens.

-The court historian comments.

Which bastard is it?

-The court historian comments.

It seems we need to have a very deep conversation with the new members.

***

After the storm caused by King Sejong’s nagging of the court historians had passed, King Sejong continued the conversation with Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo.

“So, can we trust the Jurchen people who have surrendered?”

In response to King Sejong’s question, Hwang Hui immediately answered.

“If we guarantee the safety and livelihood of the surrendered Jurchen people as we do now, they will continue to be loyal.”

“Is that conditional loyalty?”

“…”

At King Sejong’s words, Hwang Hui and Kim Jong-seo responded with silence.

Seeing their reaction, King Sejong nodded and spoke.

“Well, it hasn’t been many years since they surrendered… I don’t trust them, so why would they unconditionally trust me? But you said it’s conditional loyalty?”

“Yes. The surrendered Jurchen people can be trusted as long as their safety and livelihood are guaranteed.”

Following Hwang Hui’s words, Kim Jong-seo continued.

“They are tribes that have had deep ties with King Taejo since before the founding of Joseon. I believe it was our mistake that our relationship with them grew distant.”

“Our mistake? Why?”

In response to King Sejong’s question, Kim Jong-seo answered based on his own experience.

“According to what I saw and heard while visiting the surrendered tribes, the elders of the surrendered tribes still had a deep admiration for King Taejo. However, the reason they grew distant from Joseon was that after the founding of the dynasty, as we focused on internal governance, our relationship with them became estranged.”

King Sejong nodded at Kim Jong-seo’s words.

After Yi Seong-gye founded the dynasty and firmly established his position on the Korean Peninsula, the relationship with the Jurchen people gradually grew distant. However, the one who provided the biggest cause for the distancing of the relationship with the Jurchen people was King Taejong.

There were quite a few Jurchen people in King Taejo’s personal guard. However, they were disbanded during the abolition of private armies by the previous king, King Taejong, and in the process, anti-Joseon sentiment began to spread among the Jurchen people who returned to their hometowns.

Recalling the memories he had seen and heard when he was young, King Sejong nodded.

“Hmm… That could be the case.”

As King Sejong showed understanding, Kim Jong-seo continued speaking with more force in his voice.

“It takes a lot of effort to bring a relationship that has grown distant back to closeness. The behavior of the currently surrendered Jurchen people may be seen negatively as conditional loyalty, but if we consider them as the people of Joseon and treat them sincerely, they will also become loyal subjects of Joseon.”

“The Assistant’s words are correct.”

King Sejong nodded at Kim Jong-seo’s explanation. The ministers who were listening to the conversation also nodded their heads and muttered inwardly.

‘As expected of a talent chosen by Minister Hwang.’

While everyone was admiring Kim Jong-seo’s insight, Hwang Hui had different thoughts in mind.

‘This guy… I heard he emptied his pockets trying to win back the heart of his estranged beloved courtesan while staying in the north… Don’t tell me he’s alluding to that?’

“Alright, I’ve heard the explanation well. Since Joseon has no reason to mistreat the surrendered Jurchen people, can we entrust them with important responsibilities?”

Hwang Hui, pondering the meaning behind King Sejong’s question for a moment, asked King Sejong in return.

“By important responsibilities, do you mean to start the eastward expansion?”

King Sejong nodded at Hwang Hui’s question.

“That’s right.”

***

Shortly after, military officers from the Army Headquarters and Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon Palace.

Once the preparations were complete, a military officer placed a large map on a stand beside him and began his explanation.

“Last autumn, the Challenger-class ships No. 2 and No. 3 were newly launched. Before the official commissioning of ships No. 2 and No. 3, we conducted training in the East Sea to increase the proficiency of the navy personnel in charge of their operation.”

Starting with an explanation of the Challenger-class ships, the military officer began his report. Although King Sejong and the ministers had already heard the contents, none of them showed any signs of boredom.

“When the Army Headquarters judged that the navy personnel’s proficiency had reached a certain level, we issued orders for three Challenger-class warships to survey the East Sea. And the result is this map.”

The military officer used a pointer to flip the cover of the map hanging on the stand.

“Oh!”

Hwang Hui let out a small exclamation upon seeing the newly revealed map.

The map showed the terrain in more detail than before.

The military officer continued with a more detailed explanation.

“The Challenger No. 1 departed from Wonsan and sailed northward along the northeastern coastline of Joseon. Through that voyage, Ship No. 1 was able to confirm the general shape of the coastline east of the Tumen River. And after about half a month of sailing, they discovered this large peninsula, which the Army Headquarters named ‘Landing Point No. 1’.”

The place the military officer pointed to was Vladivostok.

Tapping Vladivostok with the pointer, the military officer provided a more detailed explanation.

“As you can see from the map, this peninsula has the optimal terrain for building a large port and shipyard.”

“Indeed.”

Hwang Hui nodded at the military officer’s explanation. In his view as well, that peninsula had a very suitable terrain for avoiding harsh weather.

“But building a shipyard?”

Hwang Hui, tilting his head, immediately asked King Sejong.

“Your Majesty, are you planning to build a shipyard there?”

“That’s right. According to the report from the Challenger No. 1, which landed and surveyed the nearby geography, there is a vast forest area nearby. I believe it’s better to build a shipyard there rather than hauling the timber from there to Wonsan.”

“That is true…”

Hwang Hui, nodding in agreement with King Sejong’s words, inwardly deduced the next part.

‘Your Majesty is considering expanding up to that place! And you plan to place the Jurchen people at the forefront, which is why you inquired about their loyalty!’

King Sejong, watching Hwang Hui’s expression, ordered the military officer.

“Continue the explanation. It seems the Provincial Governor Hwang doesn’t fully understand yet.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The military officer immediately responded to King Sejong’s order. Seeing this, Hwang Hui’s face was filled with questions.

‘I don’t understand?’

Leaving Hwang Hui aside, the military officer’s explanation continued.

“While Ship No. 1 moved along the coastline, Ships No. 2 and No. 3 took a route slightly further out to move. As a result…”

The military officer flipped the map with the pointer.

Seeing the map drawn on the next page, Hwang Hui unconsciously let out a loud exclamation.

“Oh!”

***

On the second map, the peninsula named ‘Landing Point No. 1’ was located in a small corner, and the coastline continued endlessly to the northeast. And to the east of that coastline, another terrain was drawn. To the south of it, a large island was depicted, and to the northeast of that island, small islands were lined up.

The military officer continued his explanation while pointing to the terrains.

“According to the survey by Ship No. 2, this coastline extends endlessly to the north. While sailing along that coastline, they discovered a new coastline to the east. However, as the weather worsened, they had no choice but to return, so they were unable to gather further information. Therefore, it is unknown whether this new coastline is an island or a peninsula like ‘Landing Point No. 1’.”

The unidentified coastline the military officer explained was the coastline of Sakhalin Island.

“Oh my…”

At the military officer’s explanation, Hwang Hui was half-dazed. It was because the information he received far exceeded the capacity of the geographical knowledge he had known until then.

Seeing Hwang Hui in such a dazed state, King Sejong smiled slightly.

‘Minister Hwang is the same.’

***

The moment they read the reports submitted by the Challenger-class warships that had returned from the voyage, King Sejong and the ministers had a calm discussion.

“It seems there is quite a vast land to the northeast.”

“It appears so.”

King Sejong and the ministers, who had thought of it as ‘quite a large unexplored territory,’ had to be astonished when the reports and maps compiling the information brought by the warships were presented.

The information contained in those reports and maps far exceeded the concept of geographical knowledge and scale they had known until then.

“Is this truly real?”

So much so that King Sejong, after receiving and reading the report, summoned the senior officials of the Army Headquarters to inquire about its authenticity.

In response to King Sejong’s question, the senior officials of the Army Headquarters answered in unison.

“According to the information brought by the ships, it is true, Your Majesty.”

“Oh my…”

“We also couldn’t believe it at first, Your Majesty. However, not only the soldiers but also the military officers all gave the same answer. We couldn’t find any traces of fabrication in the ship logs either.”

“Then it’s true?”

King Sejong, looking around with an incredulous expression, flinched upon seeing Hyang’s expression.

While everyone else was unable to hide their astonishment like King Sejong, Hyang maintained a composed expression.

‘What’s with this guy?’

As King Sejong watched Hyang’s calm face, he fell into suspicion.

‘Is he bold, or did he already know?’

In the end, King Sejong threw a direct question at Hyang.

“The Crown Prince doesn’t seem surprised?”

In response to King Sejong’s question, Hyang answered in a calm voice.

“I had anticipated it to some extent.”

“You had anticipated it?”

“Yes.”

Hyang explained the reason to King Sejong.

***

‘This world is round!’

Through the debates and research that had taken place, those who were conducting research at the research institute and Area 51 knew that the Earth was round. The next thing that piqued the researchers’ curiosity was the size of the Earth.

“Then how big is this world?”

“How do we measure it? We can’t just go around with a ruler and measure it bit by bit, right?”

While studying methods to measure the size of the Earth, the researchers utilized not only Zheng He’s ship logs but also the geographical information obtained through Mansur as reference materials.

As a result, the researchers had reached the following conclusion.

“Although we don’t know exactly yet… It seems it could at least reach the hundred-thousand unit range?”

***

“…Therefore, I had anticipated that there would be vast lands to the northeast as well.”

At Hyang’s answer, King Sejong and the ministers couldn’t hide their admiration.

“Oh my… They say one can see a thousand miles while sitting…”

“I thought researchers were just entities that consumed budgets…”

By impressing King Sejong and the ministers in this way, the research institute and Area 51 gained an unexpected benefit.

The reprimands King Sejong and the ministers used to give during the process of securing and executing budgets had decreased.