Chapter 329

Chapter 329

“Only mathematics can answer!”

The lower-ranking officials heading towards Geunjeongjeon Hall frowned at the loud shout coming from the research institute.

“Those, those...”

“How can they be so outrageous...”

“Tsk! It’s nothing but a trivial field of study...”

“They don’t read the classics of the sages and cultivate virtue, that’s why they make such noise...”

“Ahem! Ahem!”

The lower-ranking officials who were badmouthing the institute’s researchers stopped talking when they heard a cough from behind, and slowly turned their heads.

“Eep!”

“Your Excellency...”

Jeong-cho was glaring at them with a fierce expression.

‘We’re doomed!’

The faces of the lower-ranking officials who had been enthusiastically gossiping turned pale.

***

To those unfamiliar with him, Jeong-cho might appear to be a sidelined old man in terms of power, being the deputy director of the politically less prominent “Joseon Institute of Science and Technology Development”.

However, those who knew even a little about the movement of power within Gyeongbokgung Palace never dared to underestimate Jeong-cho.

Although he was the deputy director, his rank was that of Jeonghun Daebu, the Senior Second Rank. While that was already a considerable position, what was more important was that his superior, the director of the institute, was the Crown Prince.

King Sejong, who had gained absolute power after purging the elder ministers just before the reformation, and his eldest son, the Crown Prince.

Assisting such a Crown Prince was certainly not a task for a sidelined old man.

That’s why the lower-ranking officials who were caught gossiping by Jeong-cho turned pale.

***

Jeong-cho, glaring at the pale and flustered lower-ranking officials, began to growl at them.

“What, trivial study? What are you, who can’t even do your jobs properly without the help of those who have mastered this ‘trivial study’?”

“We are deeply sorry.”

“We have behaved shamefully...”

“You petty men. Even children just learning etiquette at the Commoner’s School wouldn’t behave as shamefully as you are now. Be ashamed of yourselves! Tsk! How on earth are those ministers managing their subordinates! I need to have a word with them! Tsk!”

Watching Jeong-cho’s retreating figure heading towards the research institute located in Eastern Palace while expressing his displeasure, the lower-ranking officials muttered with gloomy faces.

“We’re really done for...”

***

Around the time when the weather started to warm up as March began, a message arrived from the Jeolla Right Naval Station.

“An envoy from the Ōuchi clan has arrived?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Chief State Councillor, immediately answering King Sejong’s question, presented the official report to him.

“Hmm...”

After reading the report with a hum, King Sejong looked at the ministers.

“Have the Ministers of National Defense and Foreign Affairs read it too?”

“Yes, we have confirmed the copy, Your Majesty.”

“If the contents of the report are accurate, the envoy had no choice but to come to the Jeolla Right Naval Station instead of the Japanese trading post.”

King Sejong nodded at the Foreign Minister’s words.

***

As Joseon began trading with foreign countries, the Jeolla Right Naval Station, especially the Mokpo Naval Base, was turning into an unofficial international trading port. To prevent infectious diseases, even Mansur’s merchant fleet had to first dock at Mokpo Naval Base, and the Challenger-class warships traveling to and from India were officially affiliated with the Jeolla Right Naval Station.

However, no matter how much effort was made to hide it, it was natural that at some point, all these movements would become noticeable. And the moment that happened, the surrounding lords began to openly engage in an arms race.

This arms race, occurring knowingly or unknowingly, stimulated the vigilance of Ashikaga Yoshinori, the shogun of the bakufu.

Yoshinori, who was so cruel that he created the term “terror of ten thousand people,” reacted nervously. While strengthening the military power directly under the bakufu, he would punish or confiscate territories at the slightest sign of suspicion.

All these movements were immediately reported to Hanseong through the official merchants at the trading posts.

After reading the report, Hyang muttered with a strange expression:

“At this rate, won’t the Sengoku period start earlier?”

***

Similar discussions were also taking place between King Sejong and his ministers.

“Won’t this lead to another conflict among the Japanese?”

To King Sejong’s question, Jo Mal-saeng immediately replied:

“There’s a high probability of that, Your Majesty.”

Following Jo Mal-saeng’s words, Lee Maeng-gyun added:

“While a conflict may not break out immediately, it will certainly occur.”

“It will certainly occur?”

“Yes, considering the nature of the Japanese people, it will certainly happen.”

“Hmm...”

At Lee Maeng-gyun’s answer, King Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought.

After pondering for a moment, King Sejong turned to Jo Mal-saeng.

“Minister of National Defense, if a conflict breaks out among the Japanese, Japanese pirates will surely appear and cause trouble. How are our defenses against this?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We are strengthening our naval forces and reinforcing the communication network in the three southern provinces.”

“When the military is properly prepared, the country is at peace. I trust you.”

At King Sejong’s exhortation, Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head deeply and responded loudly:

“I will do my utmost, keeping Your Majesty’s words etched in my bones!”

After finishing his conversation with Jo Mal-saeng, King Sejong turned to Heo Jo.

“If a conflict breaks out in Japan, what should we do about the Japanese trading posts in our Joseon?”

“We should mobilize the army and confiscate all weapons within the trading posts.”

“It could become a diplomatic issue.”

To King Sejong’s point, Foreign Minister Lee Maeng-gyun immediately replied:

“If a conflict breaks out, it means there’s no Japanese government for us to deal with.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Until someone appears to quell the chaos and stabilize the situation, we must strictly control the trading posts.”

Nodding slightly at Lee Maeng-gyun’s answer, King Sejong turned to Jo Mal-saeng.

“Minister of National Defense.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Prepare and submit a plan to control the Japanese trading posts in the event of a conflict in Japan.”

“I will obey Your Majesty’s command!”

After giving the order to Jo Mal-saeng, King Sejong looked at the ministers and complained:

“Sigh~ This Japan is truly like a thorn in our side. When it’s peaceful, it creates problems because of its peace, and when it’s in chaos, it creates worries because of its chaos...”

All the ministers nodded at King Sejong’s assessment.

***

It was in this situation that an envoy sent by the Ōuchi clan arrived.