Chapter 427

Episode 427: What was expected, what was unexpected. (4)

From the early Joseon Dynasty, Sadae was the basic foreign policy.

However, in the early days, Sadae was not an unconditional surrender. To put it simply, the relationship was built on a level of ups and downs, as it was difficult for both countries to be close to powerful countries.

Therefore, when the Ming Dynasty put pressure on Joseon by advocating the theory of conquering Japan and conquering the North, Ha Ryun and other high officials even came up with radical opinions to unite with the Japanese and attack the Ming Dynasty. However, this ended with Taejong refusing. (Note 1)

To give an easy example, the following situation occurred.

“These bastards of the famous Mundi.... How are they trying to bring shame to our Joseon! Thank you so much! Why join hands with these guys! “Those guys from the Ming Dynasty are making a fuss!”

“Is this old man crazy?”

The reason why Taejong, Ha Ryun, and others engaged in this war of words was because of the situation in Joseon at the time and the Ming’s intentions.

At that time, Joseon had not yet been properly established. Although the need to subdue the Japanese was recognized, both the national power and the military system were not fully developed to wage an all-out war against the Japanese, as the Ming demanded.

As for the issue of the Jurchen people, it was certain that if Ming used force against the Jurchen people, the Jurchen people would attack Joseon.

In other words, according to Ming’s opinion, it was certain that all the appeasement measures that Joseon had pursued so far would come to naught and the Japanese and Jurchen would point their swords at Joseon.

* * *

In this way, the relationship between the nobility in the early Joseon Dynasty was not one in which Ming had absolute superiority.

In addition, as Joseon’s capabilities gradually grew through Gyeongjang, the consciousness of the four major leaders in Joseon became more and more blurred.

Especially the areas east of the Duman River, as well as Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo. And as the eastern archipelagoes were gradually discovered and the wealth of Jurchen tribes and natives increased, such words began to appear among the ruling class of Joseon.

“Shit! Do we have no money or no land? There are just not enough people! Look at all the people! number of people? “The Sangkuk is a mess!”

In this social atmosphere, ministers who saw the childcare leave system implemented by King Sejong for government servants began to study ways to expand it to all classes rather than limiting it to government servants.

“More than anything, we need to increase the population!”

“If we want to steadily increase the population, children must not die!”

“As the population grows, the market also grows! “You don’t have to just focus on names!”

“If we do it right, we can create new industries and increase jobs!”

In order to increase Joseon’s population, ministers began to study and implement various policies.

Thanks to this, primitive welfare systems were created and began to be operated.

This change almost caused the scent to become confused.

“This is the 15th century, right? “Are those noblemen noblemen?”

Hyang, who was observing the situation while watching the ministers change, muttered softly.

“As expected, the taste of money in capitalism....”

However, although this was a taste of money, there was also the influence of Confucian ideology. Confucius’s theory was that it was a monarch’s virtue to support the people in working in peace.

What early Confucian scholars dreamed of. It was the second coming of the Yao and Shun era.

“What use are the king’s powers to me?”

The ideal of Confucian scholars was to recreate the Yao and Shun era, a time of peace and prosperity to the point where a mere farmer could sing a high-quality song.

* * *

Because of this situation, Lee Maeng-gyun became a master of acting.

In front of Emperor Seondeok, he seemed embarrassed and unable to come to his senses even if his voice was slightly raised, but as soon as he left the scene, he moved his subordinates with a calm face.

A report was created that integrated and analyzed all the information and rumors that came in through Beijing officials and large merchants who had quietly connected the line.

And when I left Beijing and boarded the ship returning to Joseon, it became my new habit to scrape out phlegm with all my might.

* * *

As Lee Maeng-gyun was returning to Joseon, spitting, Emperor Seondeok was conducting a meeting with eyes full of anticipation.

“Yes, the five days you wanted have passed. “Have you found an alternative?”

“I have found what I think is the best alternative.”

“okay? Something?”

In response to Emperor Seondeok’s slightly excited question, Gunbo took out a thick scroll and held it up politely.

“Bring it with you.”

“yes.”

At Emperor Seondeok’s command, the eunuch placed the scroll on a silver platter and presented it to Emperor Seondeok.

“Hmm...”

-Considering its use, it can only be effective if railroads are laid throughout the empire and iron horses are run.

-But this will be a huge amount of airspace. If done incorrectly, it can place an excessive burden on the people and cause discord in public sentiment.

– It could be dangerous for the country to step forward and do this on its own. Therefore, construction is carried out by erecting an upper part in the middle. The empire only supervises the construction status of this upper chamber.

-In this way, if something goes wrong, it will be the fault of the relevant top, not the fault of the country. All the empire needs to do is punish the problematic merchant and replace it with a new superior.

“... Simply put, it means using the number of E-I-J. And through this top, we save the iron horse.”

Officer Yeongho continued to explain this point in more detail.

-First of all, His Majesty gathers all the upper chambers of the empire and gives the following orders.

‘We need a way to make it more comfortable for the people of the empire. I will leave the task to the top who will come up with a good answer.’

-Then, one of the companies comes up with the answer of railroads and iron horses, and the government signs a contract with that company as the main contractor.

-The merchant, who has become the main contractor, selects a subcontractor to carry out the construction and at the same time signs a contract for iron horses and railroads with Joseon.

“... This way, it is not a tribute because it is not a demand of His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire. “The entire process thereafter will be a commercial transaction, not a tribute or return.”

The ministers all nodded at Yeonghogwan’s explanation. According to Yeonghogwan’s explanation, it was a transaction between the upper class and Joseon. If we do this, not only will the Emperor Seondeok and the pride of the empire not be stained, but we will also be able to prevent unnecessary spending.

“Hmm...”

“I guess...”

When the ministers who heard the explanation were nodding their heads with an expression of okay, Hobusangseo pointed out the problem.

“Considering the price of the iron horse, wouldn’t Joseon be suspicious of the financial ability of the merchant and reject it?”

“Right!”

The ministers nodded again at Ho Bu Sang-seo’s point and looked at Yeong Ho-gwan.

Yeongho-gwan immediately responded to Hobusangseo’s point.

“For that part, our court can provide a written promise to guarantee payment.”

“It’s a payment guarantee....”

“If Joseon goes in with the question of the authenticity of the document, His Majesty can send an envoy.”

After hearing Yeonghogwan’s answer, Hobusangseo looked at Emperor Seondeok.

“I think it is a good way to reduce unnecessary financial expenditure without damaging the reputation of His Majesty and the Empire.”

“is it? “What do you think of Yebusangseo?”

“The top has chosen the best way for the empire, and the top has stepped forward to contact Joseon... so there will be no blemish on your majesty and the honor of the empire. “I think it’s the optimal move.”

“What is the opinion of the Yebu Gaksa-nang-jung?”

Emperor Seondeok singled out Sopyeongsul among the royal family members who started the incident. To Emperor Seondeok’s criticism, Sopyeongsul immediately responded by bowing his head.

“Since it is a top-level choice and top-level transaction, Your Majesty’s reputation will not be tarnished. “I think it’s the best move.”

When the Yebu did not object, Emperor Seondeok made a decision right away.

“Then let’s take this plan, but let the joint venture be the main contractor.”

“Your Majesty, there are Koreans at the top of the joint.”

The assistant cabinet minister opposed it, but Emperor Seondeok instead asked back.

“But should I choose the one who thinks about filling my stomach first?”

Through the continued corruption incidents that had taken place, Emperor Seondeok was extremely distrustful of his country’s merchants.

However, it was absolutely impossible to select a joint venture as the main contractor. There were many Koreans at the top of the joint venture, and it was only a matter of time before Joseon learned about them.

In the end, the Cabinet Secretary had to risk his neck once again.

“Your Majesty, I know very well what you are considering, but it is not possible to make a ligature top. I think it would be better to make a ligature top instead.”

“The top of the fish? “A letter of good fortune?”

Hobusangseo immediately answered Emperor Seondeok’s question.

“I also think that’s the best.”

“Hmm....”

After agreeing to the Cabinet Supplementary Note and the Meritorious Service Award, Emperor Seondeok became lost in thought. Emperor Seondeok, who was thinking while tapping the armrest, soon made a decision.

“Let’s follow that plan. But keep in mind that inspections must be thorough.”

“I will keep this in mind!”

* * *

Note 1) Joseon Dynasty military strategy. Ministry of National Defense Military Compilation Research Institute.