Chapter 416

Episode 416: Lord of War. Flower Merchant (7)

A similar story was also appearing in Geunjeongjeon.

“I heard that the purge carried out by the emperor was truly enormous.”

“That’s right.”

“According to rumors and information received so far, four provincial commanders and all ten of their clans were purged, and three clans of all those involved in this corruption were killed.”

In response to the ministers’ reports, King Sejong asked about the number of victims.

“Then how long have you died?”

Lee Maeng-gyun carefully answered King Sejong’s question.

“At least 200,000....”

“200,000! Are you sure?”

“I heard it only through rumors, so there may be some exaggeration, but my analysis is that it’s pretty close.”

“200,000... I’m worried. If the national defense and state affairs of the Ming Dynasty are shaken, our Joseon will not be able to avoid the negative effects...”

Many ministers nodded with the same expression on King Sejong’s concern.

* * *

In any case, the Ming Dynasty was the largest military power in Northeast Asia. With the advent of Emperor Seondeok, diplomacy was centered on trade rather than military projection, and the colors faded a bit, but if the people made up their minds and attacked, the countries involved were in despair.

Of course, people like Bukwon and Yeojin harassed the Ming. However, the Jurchen people in the Liaoxi region had already been subordinated to the Ming, and Northern Yuan was gradually becoming economically dependent on the Ming through the superiors created by Emperor Xiande.

However, if a large number of military commanders disappeared, the situation was likely to change again, and King Sejong and the ministers were worried about this.

* * *

“Surprisingly, the possibility of a military shake-up may not be that high. majesty.”

Meanwhile, Jo Mal-saeng expressed an unexpected opinion.

“Why?”

Jo Mal-saeng gave a simple answer to King Sejong’s question.

“This is because the Gold Council is alive and well. majesty.”

King Sejong nodded at Jo Mal-saeng’s answer.

“ah! I forgot about them. “They are alive and well.”

Following Jo Mal-saeng and Sejong’s words, Hwang Hee also joined the conversation with a look of lost expression.

“That’s a good thing. “It makes sense that the Gold Council is alive and well.”

As Jo Mal-saeng and King Sejong Hwang-hee nodded with mutually familiar expressions, Lee Maeng-gyun intervened.

“Captain Cho. Could you please explain in a bit more detail? “I am unfamiliar with military affairs.”

Jo Mal-saeng explained Lee Maeng-gyun’s words in more detail.

-If you look at the current Emperor of Ming’s use of soldiers, the Jinui Committee, especially the Musketeers and Hwapo Committee, are the main forces.

-The duties of the troops stationed in the region are as follows. The first thing is to take charge of attacks by foreign enemies, and the next thing is to take charge of auxiliary power and supply of the main force.

-Fortresses have already been built at major military bases. Even the least experienced commander will be able to properly carry out a defensive battle by relying on the castle.

“...Of course, sometimes there are incompetent people who cannot even do this properly.”

Lee Maeng-gyun, who was nodding at Jo Mal-saeng’s explanation, raised a counterargument.

“But now that the vacancies created by the Great Purge have been hastily filled, isn’t there a proper verification? “If people like Bukwon take aim at this and engage in subversive actions, won’t the problem get bigger?”

“I’ll say it again, as long as the Geumui Committee holds out, it will be difficult to do anything major. And...”

Jo Mal-saeng took a moment to catch his breath and continued.

The first place to deal with was the eunuch organization.

First, the Naeseo Party was strengthened. The initial size of 300 people was increased to 1,000, and those produced from this were to become the core of the eunuch organization.

The problem was not simply increasing the size. Children between the ages of 8 and 10 were admitted to the party, and for the first three years they were made to instill in their minds only absolute loyalty to the emperor.

The reason this was possible was because those in charge of education were eunuchs who had survived the purge and had absolute loyalty to the emperor.

In addition, following the alumni, a seochang was created and they were responsible for inspecting each other and also inspecting the officials.

The task of inspection was not given only to alumni and students. The provincial government inspection agency, a traditional inspection body, has also been strengthened in size and capacity. In addition, an inspection organization called Chalwi (察衛) was created within the Geumwiwi.

As a result, these four organizations monitored each other and inspected all administrative organizations of the Ming Dynasty. And the person holding the leash of this ferocious hunting dog was Emperor Seondeok.

As long as Emperor Seonde held the leash and food, these four inspection organizations would show absolute loyalty to Emperor Seonde and barge their teeth at others.

* * *

Only then did Emperor Seondeok, with hunting dogs in his hands, share power.

No, it was not a division of power, but a division of work.

In the meantime, he largely handed over most of the authority to approve various tasks that came to him to the cabinet.

Of course, it was confirmed that he would handle all matters related to the budget, including taxes, diplomacy, and national defense.

And the work handed over to the cabinet was not just about receiving reports.

The ministers of the cabinet, including the Assistant Cabinet Secretary, and the officials of the 6th Department could only make approval through meetings held in the presence of Emperor Seondeok.

Power was shared, but everything was not handed over until the end.

* * *

It was the military, as acknowledged by many, that suffered the most from these purges and the subsequent processing.

Emperor Xuande, who gathered those entering the empty space into the Forbidden City, declared firmly:

“What I want from you is simple! Loyalty and integrity to Jim! That’s it! As for the military aspect, I will never go for conquest first, so you should focus only on defense! Don’t covet a useless major! “The best defense will be the greatest merit!”

The newly appointed officers shouted loudly at Emperor Seondeok’s firm command.

“I follow the Emperor’s command! “Long live, long live, long live!”

Although he declared the importance of defense and emphasized loyalty and integrity, Emperor Seondeok did not properly trust the military.

Emperor Seondeok, who still could not erase his distrust of the military, created a new position to keep them in check.

It was a position called ‘Gamchunggwan (監忠官)’.

They moved with the commanders of each unit and monitored their every move.

Their mission was as follows:

-Is the commander’s loyalty consistent?

-Do you do your best in commanding your troops?

-Do you always check the supply to ensure that there are no difficulties in operating the unit and maintaining the morale of the soldiers?

-Aren’t they trying to engage in useless battles by needlessly coveting military achievements?

-On the other hand, wouldn’t fighting be avoided at all costs, causing damage to the empire’s territory and people?

Gamchunggwan examined these items and reported them to the superiors, and the personnel evaluations of commanders were decided based on their reports.

Separately from this, the military was largely divided into two organizations.

One was the general Ming Dynasty army symbolized by the 5th military governor, and the other was the Geumuiwi.

Although the Jingui Committee started out as a guard force to defend the Forbidden City, Emperor Seondeok gave them offensive duties, starting with the active protection of the Shangguan built in the border area with Northern Yuan.

And in the aftermath of the purge, the core of the military was moved from the 5th District Provincial Government to the Geumwiwi Committee.

In other words, the right to speak politically was transferred from the 5th District Provincial Government to the Geumui Committee.