Late at night, Gangnyeongjeon Hall.
It was deep into the night, and even the court historians had withdrawn. King Sejong, dressed in his sleeping attire, sat waiting for someone.
After some time had passed, a eunuch quietly entered and reported to Sejong.
“Your Majesty. The captain of the Inner Palace Guard has returned.”
“Send him in immediately.”
“Yes, sire.”
As the Chief Royal Secretary withdrew, the captain of the Inner Palace Guard, dressed all in black, entered and knelt down.
“What’s the result?”
“It’s been completed.”
At the Captain’s answer, Sejong’s face brightened. Looking at Sejong’s expression, the Captain added:“None of the Ming nationals identified by the Secret Police have escaped. There might be some left in the Chinatown of Jemulpo, but all those involved in this affair who came out have been silenced.”
“Well done! Truly well done!”
“The Secret Police agents worked very hard.”
“How many casualties were there among the Secret Police?”
“Two dead, and three permanently disabled.”
“That’s quite a significant loss.”
“The skills of those we faced were not to be underestimated. Given that they were all eunuchs, it’s certain they were from the Eastern Depot’s armed forces.”
At the Captain’s report, Sejong asked with a serious expression:
“So it wasn’t just empty threats after all?”
“That’s correct, Your Majesty.”
***
Opening a trade office in Shandong was not just for trade purposes, but also to obtain faster and more diverse information about Ming’s political situation and various other matters.
Among the information that came through the trade office was information about the ‘Eastern Depot’.
– There is an organization created by the Ming imperial household using eunuchs for surveillance.
– The organization called the Eastern Depot has a unit composed of highly skilled warriors.
The ‘Eastern Depot’ itself was already well-known and thus not of much value, but the problem was the armed group said to be within the Eastern Depot. This group, unknown in both size and skill, was an ‘invisible terror’ to the Ming people.
‘Why on earth would eunuchs create an armed group? Are they dreaming of becoming the Ten Attendants again?’
While many were concerned about the armed group within the Eastern Depot, the Eastern Depot itself had its own justification.
– When conducting secret investigations, life-threatening situations are frequent. In such cases, guards are needed to protect those in charge of the investigations. However, due to the nature of the work, the exact size cannot be disclosed.
Those who heard this statement from the Chief Eunuch of the Eastern Depot all had the same question.
“Then, what about their skills?”
And there were two answers to this:
– They must have carefully selected and trained their personnel, so they’re certainly a significant threat.
– Talented individuals wouldn’t voluntarily become eunuchs, so it’s just an empty show of force.
However, the Secret Police agents deployed in this battle were also acknowledged by the captain of the Inner Palace Guard. The fact that these agents were killed or disabled was evidence that the Eastern Depot’s armed forces possessed formidable skills.
***
After reassessing the evaluation of the Eastern Depot’s armed forces, Sejong moved on to the next topic.
“Do you think those dealt with this time are all of them?”
At Sejong’s question, the captain of the Inner Palace Guard shook his head.
“I don’t believe so. There must be more in Jemulpo. Would you like us to search Jemulpo?”
“No, let’s end it here. Seeing that their comrades haven’t returned, the remaining ones will likely guess the situation. This should be sufficient warning. If we proceed further, it might put our people in Shandong at risk.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
“Handle the treatment of those who died or were injured according to the pre-established regulations, and award them the Black Star. Also, make sure to properly compile the ‘Secret Mission Records’.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
***
As the matter that began in darkness concluded in darkness, the incident on the brighter side was also gradually coming to an end.
Geunjeongjeon Hall.
In the presence of Sejong and all the ministers, the Chief State Tribunal Officer reported on the progress of the case.
“…Thus, Im Dae-su, Seong Pan-sul’s brother-in-law, has admitted to his crimes. Also, Jo Han-tae, who instigated Im Dae-su, and Park Eun-su, the trading company’s clerk, have confessed to their own crimes.”
“Are those three the only ones involved?”
To Sejong’s question, the Chief State Tribunal Officer immediately answered.
“We interrogated all the employees of the trading company, but there were no others.”
“I see…”
As Sejong closed his mouth, Yi Jik immediately joined the conversation.
“Have you found the backers who instigated Jo Han-tae?”
To Yi Jik’s question, the Chief State Tribunal Officer answered with an awkward expression.
“We are still tracking them, sir.”
“Is it a complete mystery?”
“To be frank, we can’t find any traces at all.”
At the Chief State Tribunal Officer’s answer, Yi Jik sighed.
“Huh…”
As the whereabouts of the most important backers remained a mystery, the atmosphere in Geunjeongjeon Hall grew increasingly heavy.
When the mood had sunk to its lowest, Sejong, who had been silent, opened his mouth.
“Tell the Chief State Tribunal Officer to limit the search for the backers to the vicinity of Jemulpo for one more day, then stop.”
“Pardon?”
“Not only I, but everyone gathered here can more or less guess who the backers are. And if it’s them, they would have already erased all traces by now. Therefore, any further pursuit is just a waste. If we limit the search to the Jemulpo area for about one more day, they will immediately understand that it’s meant as a warning. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As the Chief State Tribunal Officer bowed his head and answered, Sejong turned to the other ministers. On behalf of the ministers who received this silent question, Yi Jik stepped forward.
“I believe it’s a truly appropriate measure. It’s just a shame that our Joseon lacks the strength to do more against such unbecoming behavior from our suzerain state.”
“I agree.”
When Sejong used the word ‘I’, the ministers tensed up. This was because Sejong rarely used the word ‘I’. Sejong looked at the ministers and spoke emphatically.
“We must not forget this incident and be negligent in building up our nation’s capabilities.”
At Sejong’s words, all the ministers bowed their heads and answered.
“We will engrave it in our bones and hearts!”
The court historian who recorded all of this added the following:
– The historian says: It is not a recent development that the actions of our suzerain state are unbecoming of a suzerain. They oppress surrounding countries, relying solely on their own strength. How can this be called a great nation? I can understand the indignation of the Duke of Jinsan who, during the reign of King Taejong, suggested joining forces with Japan to confront Ming in a decisive battle.
***
During Taejong’s reign, the Yongle Emperor of Ming, troubled by Japanese pirates, advocated for a “Conquest of Japan” and demanded military cooperation from Joseon.
However, Taejong and his ministers at the time couldn’t trust Ming’s intentions.
‘Aren’t they using the conquest of Japan as an excuse to station Ming troops in our Joseon, and further, to infringe upon Joseon’s sovereignty?’
In the end, Joseon refused Ming’s demands with various excuses, and at the same time, sent word to Japan through Tsushima Island, requesting them to restrain the pirates.
In this process, Ming began to pressure Joseon by bringing up the “Northern Expedition” against the Jurchens, following the “Conquest of Japan” rhetoric.
Eventually, in response to this pressure, the then Left State Councilor Ha Ryun proposed the “Decisive Battle Against Ming” theory, suggesting an alliance with Japan to confront Ming.
(Note 1)
However, this proposal was rejected by Taejong. And in the first year of Sejong’s reign, Joseon independently subjugated Tsushima Island.
***
After changing the mood by criticizing the suzerain state, Sejong soon moved on to the next topic.
“Let’s handle the backers that way… How should we punish the criminals Jo Han-tae, Park Eun-su, and Im Dae-su?”
To Sejong’s question, the Minister of Justice stepped forward and answered.
“According to the Six Codes of Governance and the Great Ming Code, these criminals have committed treasonous acts harmful to the state. Therefore, the three criminals should be sentenced to beheading, and their families should be made into government slaves.”
After briefly considering the Minister of Justice’s statement, Sejong made his decision.
“As the Minister of Justice says, the three criminals shall be beheaded, and their families shall be made into government slaves and sent to Aoji.”
“We receive your command!”
As Sejong’s judgment was made, the Minister of Justice stepped forward again.
“Also, those who were caught in the process of arresting Im Dae-su should be punished as well. They have engaged in gambling, which is forbidden by the state, so they should receive heavy punishment.”
“The Minister of Justice’s words are correct. Distinguish between those who organized the gambling and those who participated. Sentence those who organized to 10 years of labor in the mines, and those who participated to 5 years. However, pay them for their labor, but only 70% of what regular mine workers receive. Furthermore, only give them 10% of that 70% directly, and give the rest to their families. This is because they are also heads of households. This is to provide minimal support for the families who have lost their breadwinners due to crime, while at the same time allowing the criminals to reflect on their crimes through labor.”
At Sejong’s judgment, all the ministers answered in unison.
“It is truly a wise judgment!”
“Your consideration even for the hardships that the criminals’ families will face will be praised by all the people for Your Majesty’s virtue.”
As praise for Sejong’s wise judgment echoed through Geunjeongjeon Hall, the court historian recorded this.
– ...Thus, His Majesty made his judgment, and all the ministers, great and small, praised it as a truly beautiful judgment.
The historian says:
The ministers’ words are not wrong. All those caught gambling are heads of households. If the head of the household disappears, the family’s poverty is indescribable. The virtue and mercy of His Majesty, who pities this, is truly beautiful.
The problem is, why is that virtue and mercy so sparingly bestowed upon us officials?
We don’t want free dinners or night duty rooms anymore.
We want to leave work on time. We want to see our wives awake.
***
Three days later, Jemulpo.
Honghualu, the largest tavern among those located in Jemulpo’s Chinatown.
A man approached the VIP room on the third floor and carefully made his presence known.
“Sir, it’s Zhang Long.”
“Come in.”
Having received permission, Zhang Long entered and paid his respects with a cupped-hand salute to the old man sitting at the table.
The old man, receiving Zhang Long’s greeting, asked in a languid voice.
“So… have you found any traces of Middle Supervisor Na and his party?”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“Hmm…”
The old man, making a light nasal sound, picked up a teacup and took a small sip.
“Let’s see… The Joseon trading company that Junior Supervisor Zhang connected with has been crushed by the State Tribunal, and the whereabouts of Middle Supervisor Na and Junior Supervisor Zhang are a complete mystery…”
After summarizing the situation, the old man asked Zhang Long another question.
“Is the State Tribunal still searching around Jemulpo?”
“No, sir. They all withdrew after the large-scale search two days ago.”
Two days ago, people from the State Tribunal and soldiers from nearby army and navy camps had thoroughly searched the Jemulpo area. For a while, the atmosphere was tense as they searched the surrounding villages and mountains without giving a proper explanation of what they were looking for.
“Hmm…”
The old man, holding the teacup and pondering Zhang Long’s report, spoke.
“We’re withdrawing.”
“Pardon?”
“Middle Supervisor Na and Junior Supervisor Zhang are probably already dead. That commotion two days ago was a warning from the Joseon king. This matter is something that no one can speak of. So, we’ll quietly return.”
At the old man’s decision, Zhang Long bowed his head with a cupped-hand salute.
“I’ll start preparations right away.”
After Zhang Long left, the old man muttered quietly.
“The kings of Joseon have always been formidable individuals, generation after generation.”
***
While this situation was unfolding, Hyang was preoccupied with another problem.
“80 people caught gambling? In that small neighborhood? And during the busy farming season?”
Hyang was shocked at the number of gamblers caught in the process of pursuing Im Dae-su.
“It’s not a gambling republic, it’s a gambling kingdom! This won’t do! I need to find a solution!”
***
Note 1) Military Strategy of the Joseon Dynasty. P.64. Military History Compilation Committee, Ministry of National Defense.
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