Black Corporation: Joseon Chapter 279

Episode 279: How the bobcat catches up with the stork. (5)

The Ming envoys who arrived in Jemulpo were welcomed by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Welcome, thank you for your hard work, Elder.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

After a brief greeting was exchanged, the Ming envoys boarded a carriage prepared by Joseon.

As exploitation was banned, the envoys of Ming, who could not have much fun even if they stayed for a long time, chose to do their business and return as soon as possible. Therefore, they chose the sea route over the land route and began to use horse-drawn carriages rather than palanquins.

The time it took to travel by carriage from Jemulpo to Hanseong was only half a day.

“To travel over 100 ri (approximately 40 km) in half a day…”

Myeong’s wife, who was sitting in the carriage, repeatedly expressed her admiration.

As nationwide road construction began in earnest, one of the first areas to be constructed was the road from Hanseong to Jemulpo.

After crossing the Hansu River on a boat near Seonyudo Island, the envoys boarded a carriage and headed to Donuimun (Seodaemun Gate).

In front of Yeongeunmun (迎恩門), the entrance to Mohwaru (慕華樓) built outside Donuimun, the crown prince’s hometown and officials were waiting for the messengers of Ming, according to custom.

“Lowering. “The envoys are coming.”

At the words of the eunuch, Hyang looked at his clothes again and stepped forward.

After a while, envoys got off the carriage that arrived in front of Yeongeunmun Gate.

In accordance with the established etiquette, incense was grown and the envoys of the Ming Dynasty also politely returned the favor in accordance with the etiquette.

“Thank you for your hard work in coming to Seonro.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Please come in.”

“yes.”

When the envoys arrived, a large banquet was held at Mohwaru to welcome them.

While the courtesans danced and danced to the tune, the crown prince and the official continued chatting.

“I saw you once before when you came to Beijing. “I admired you back then, but you have become even more devoted to me, so I can’t help but admire you.”

“ha ha ha! “I am so grateful that you think positively of me.”

“no. “At that time, rumors were spreading not only in the Forbidden City but also among wealthy women in Beijing.”

“is that so?”

“That’s right.”

Jeongsa’s firm answer was sincere.

Moreover, those from Ming had almost the same reaction as Jeongsa.

* * *

When Xiang went to Beijing, her beauty shook the Forbidden City.

‘If you go out on the streets of Beijing right now, you will repeat the old story of Cheok and Younggeo.’

It was a fragrance that boasted such beauty that Emperor Seondeok and the ministers who heard the rumor all agreed.

Eventually, an uproar broke out as the court ladies of the Forbidden City, who heard the rumor, gathered to see Hyang’s face. And the rumor of this incense spread outside the Forbidden City, and on the day the incense left the Forbidden City to return to Joseon, many women came out to the streets to see the incense.

* * *

Even after that, it seemed like Ming’s love affair could not escape the charm of incense. In particular, when Hyang was asked to write a Chinese poem while the banquet was continuing, the official was in tears.

“What an honor!”

“ha ha ha! Thank you for your kind words!”

It was a scent that became more and more embarrassing due to the excessive praise.

* * *

After the banquet ended, Hyang’s face hardened as he left Mohwaru.

“Too much is too little, right?”

It was a scent that made me even more suspicious of the envoy’s excessive favor.

Meanwhile, Master Myeong was talking in a serious voice with the people gathered in his room.

“It won’t be easy.”

The deputy immediately responded to the official’s words.

“It seems so. “I have also talked to Joseon’s ministers, and they are not easy.”

“It’s the same for the Crown Prince. Although he was grateful for the favor, he was careful, and although he liked the compliments, he was wary. “If the crown prince becomes the main subject of the negotiations…”

Jeongsa, feeling frustrated, lifted her teacup to soothe her stomach and continued speaking.

“If the crown prince takes the lead in negotiations, I think it will be very difficult.”

After reaching the conclusion, Jeongsa burst out complaining.

“I’m really curious about how the king of Joseon disciplined his children. “That kind of description….”

“That’s right.”

* * *

Two days later, Myeong’s envoys, relieved of their fatigue, entered Gyeongbokgung Palace.

King Sejong welcomed the envoys who passed through Geunjeongmun and exchanged greetings with them according to etiquette.

After a while, King Sejong and the local ministers knelt in the garden of Geunjeongjeon, and the governor climbed the steps of Geunjeongjeon and unsealed the royal decree.

“The King of Joseon, listen…”

Emperor Seondeok’s edict, which the envoy read out loud, was simple.

-I heard that the small artillery used by individual Joseon soldiers was very excellent. If you are that good, offer an appropriate amount as a tribute.

When the grand reading was over and the official proceedings were over, the governor politely presented the scroll containing the edict to King Sejong.

After receiving the scroll, King Sejong got straight to the point.

“You said it was the right amount, but how much do you want?”

“It’s literally the right amount.”

“You’re saying you want to negotiate.”

“I won’t deny it.”

Eventually, a negotiation room was set up in the Uijeongbu building, and people from both sides gathered to begin negotiations.

“Oh my…”

The envoys of the Ming Dynasty who took their seats in the negotiation room let out small curses when they smelled the representative of Joseon.

The person they wanted to avoid the most became their representative.

“I said it was the right amount. How much do you want?”

As Hyang got straight to the point, the governor of Ming immediately received the message.

“First of all, I want to see the performance of the small artillery used by Joseon.”

“Didn’t you say you came here after hearing a rumor?”

“Rumors and reality are different. “Isn’t that right?”

Hearing the governor’s words, Hyang turned his head and ordered the eunuch.

“Tell my wife to prepare.”

“Yes sir.”

After a while, the negotiating teams of the two countries moved to the shooting range set up inside Gyeongbokgung Palace.

At the shooting range, scarecrows wearing two coats of arms were erected at regular intervals. And at the very back, a wooden target board was erected.

And in front of it was a small statue, and on top of it were rifles and attached equipment.

“Those are the small cannons that the messenger mentioned. “We call them long guns.”

“Is that so?”

The four envoys went down to the shooting range and looked at guns. After the process of observing the rifle while listening to the explanation of the military officer in front, a shooting demonstration was conducted immediately.

Hyang explained to the envoys as three Naegeum Guard soldiers stood by with rifles in hand.

“A well-trained soldier can hit a target 10 meters away (about 30 meters).”

At the gesture of Hyang’s hand, the military officer gave an order to the soldiers.

“Bangpo!”

Ta-ta-tang!

Along with a loud gunshot, thick smoke rose and the scarecrow outside Chapter 10 fluttered about.

“Can I check the scarecrow?”

“Do whatever you want.”

As soon as the fragrance allowed, the envoys of the Ming Dynasty went straight down to the shooting range and inspected the scarecrow.

“That’s amazing. amazing.”

After examining the scarecrow, Jeongsa was amazed. The headgear worn by the scarecrow, located 10 feet away from the station, had neat holes in the front and back.

The general of the Ming Dynasty who accompanied the envoy looked at the dujeonggap and opened his mouth.

“This is a properly made dujeongap. “With this level of power, even the cavalry of Northern Yuan will be in trouble.”

“is it?”

After watching the continued demonstration, the envoys of the Ming Dynasty returned to the negotiation room and had a small conversation.

“There are definitely limits.”

“Still, it is much better than the fire spear used by our military. And…”

After calming down his anxious mind, the general continued speaking.

“If it is used on a large scale rather than by just one or two people, its power will be enormous.”

“I see…”

After hearing the general’s words, the governor nodded.

* * *

After returning to the negotiation room and sitting down again, Hyang asked Master Myeong.

“Have you checked its performance?”

“Yes, I checked correctly.”

“So what do you think?”

“It was just as the rumor said.”

“exactly? “Then how much would be a good amount?”

“1,000 doors. I hope to receive it within a month.”

bang!

As soon as Jeongsa’s words fell, Hyang slammed his fist on the desk and shouted.

“That’s ridiculous! Currently, Joseon’s total number of soldiers is only 5,000! These are troops that took almost 10 years to train! But give away 1,000 doors? Is that what His Majesty the Emperor means! Your Majesty the Emperor has clearly spoken and promised me good neighborly relations between our two countries! Please answer the question straight! “1,000 gates is the emperor’s will!”

“No, that’s not it…”

Jeongsa began to sweat at Hyang’s unexpectedly strong reaction. The Ming or Ming emperors and the Joseon royal family had a relationship of sharing interests. It was clear that if something went wrong and there was a falling out between them, the anger would be directed at them.

‘I was too greedy.’

Myeong’s affair was at the level of regret.

* * *

The orders given by Emperor Seondeok before coming to Joseon were as follows.

-If the small artillery used by Joseon is as rumored, obtain an appropriate quantity and bring it to the people.

-However, this appropriate amount is enough for 100 artisans to conduct research. Instead, any quantity that can be brought back to Myeong as soon as possible is sufficient.

-Time is more important than quantity. This is because if given enough time, there is a high possibility that Joseon will play around with artillery.

After hearing Emperor Seondeok’s order, the government officials and governors gathered together the chief craftsmen before leaving and asked.

“How many doors can I bring?”

The chief craftsmen who received the question put their heads together and exchanged opinions. The craftsmen who chatted for a while agreed on an appropriate number.

“About 70 doors would be appropriate. Divide each question into 20 for research purposes, and use the remaining 10 questions for performance comparison.”

“70 questions? “I understand.”

* * *

Although he had heard stories from the craftsmen of a famous country, when he saw the actual performance, he could not overcome his greed.

‘Let’s take as much as we can! Since our name is Sang-guk, Joseon will give us whatever we ask for! Because it’s always been that way! If Joseon complains that it’s unreasonable, just pretend to care and shorten the time as much as possible! ‘It’s a plan to kill two birds with one stone!’

However, the scent showed a reaction that exceeded Jeongsa’s expectations.

It was not a matter of the town, but of the emperor himself.

“Speak clearly! The number 1,000 gates is clearly the will of His Majesty the Emperor! Love is something you can risk your neck for! The horse didn’t pay that much tribute either! If this is truly an order from His Majesty the Emperor, I will personally go to Beijing and talk about it!”

Hearing Hyang’s rough voice, the governor sitting next to the governor became anxious. According to Hyang’s words, it was an established fact that Joseon’s national defense power would be greatly weakened if the government gave the quantity mentioned. If it’s 5,000 doors in 10 years, that’s 500 doors a year. It was natural to get angry when asked to provide two years of production.

In the end, the deputy intervened on behalf of the half-conscious Jeongsa.

“Crown, please calm down for a moment. “Your Majesty only ordered that it be in moderation.”

“But why did the number 1,000 come up?”

“We just didn’t know that Joseon had only 5,000 small artillery pieces. “I thought it would be at least 20,000 to 30,000.”

“Is Joseon as great as the Ming Dynasty? How much copper goes into one rifle! “Nobody knows that copper is precious in Joseon!”

“I’m sorry about that.”

While the governor was calming down the situation, the governor came to his senses and bowed his head to Hyang.

“I am truly sorry. I made a mistake. “You don’t need 1,000 doors.”

“Then how much do you want?”

“How much can you give me?”

“50 questions.”

“There are too few. “Please give me 200 questions.”

“Our Joseon’s national defense is at stake, so are we going to bargain? “Only 100 guns have been assigned to the soldiers guarding this palace where Abamama currently resides!”

The push and pull war of words continued like that.

However, the scent was in control of the conversation.

‘Even in diplomacy, sometimes the one with the loudest voice wins.’

As a result of the war of words, it was decided that the envoys of Ming would take the 100 guns placed in the palace.

“You mean you can give it to me right away?”

“I heard His Majesty the Emperor wants it, so shouldn’t I have to endure this?”

When Hyang responded in a voice full of dissatisfaction, the envoys of the Ming Dynasty immediately lowered their heads.

“Thank you so much!”

‘done! This gave Joseon no time to play pranks! It’s a pity, but let’s be satisfied with this!’

“It’s all for the good of our Joseon and merchants.”

‘I caught it! I was able to finish with the 100 bags I had made in advance just in case!’

Negotiations ended with both parties congratulating themselves on the gains they had made.