Chapter 495

Episode 495: Lord of war. (1)

After King Sejong left for Shinji, the center of Joseon politics shifted to Seunghwadang.

Whenever there was an important agenda or a local call, ministers visited Seunghwadang.

And whenever they visited Seunghwadang, the ministers could always see the four people busy carrying documents.

Every time they saw the four people walking unsteadily with sunken eyes and blackened areas under their eyes, the ministers spoke with a wistful expression on their faces.

“Is it worth it?”

“....”

“Seeing you guys reminds me of the old days. It was like that with us too. Still, isn’t there a saying that goes well with it? “If you work hard, good times will come.”

When they heard those words, the four people looked at the ministers and said one thing.

“Your Majesty’s complexion is not very good either.”

“....”

“Big! “Keuhum!”

After hearing what the four people said, the ministers cleared their throats with a puzzled look on their faces and left. The four people, who were looking at the ministers’ backs with expressionless faces, grumbled at the same time.

“What is Gojin Gamrae?...”

The four people were holding back the tremendous amount of swear words that could not be put down in writing.

“I’ll get better!” “Your Majesty is looking for you!”

“Yikes!”

The four people, who had been suppressing their swearing, came to their senses when they heard from the eunuch that Hyang was looking for them.

“Let’s go quickly!”

“That’s right!”

* * *

Meanwhile, Ming also paid attention to Hyang’s proxy affairs – to be exact, King Sejong’s whereabouts.

“Is the whereabouts of the King of Joseon still unknown?”

To Seondeokje’s question, Dokju, the leader of the alumni, bowed his head and answered.

“Yes, we have confirmed that you boarded a ship in Wonsan, but there is no word after that.”

“Hmm...”

In response to Dokju’s response, Emperor Seondeok stroked his beard and was lost in thought.

‘Where did it go? The most influential one is Daeseoldo Island, but it has been a long time since Daeseoldo Island became a stronghold of Joseon. There is no need for the King of Joseon to personally take action. So is there a health problem? No, if that’s the case, then it’s clear that he’s going to be a senior. then? ‘The rumored Shinji?’

Emperor Seondeok, who was worried about the whereabouts of King Sejong, who had disappeared, pressed his temples and groaned.

“Okay... I have a headache again.”

“I’m going to call a doctor.”

“Before that... have you found out anything about the ‘new religion’ that is circulating among Koreans?”

“There are still a lot of rumors. “Did you try to dig deeper...”

“Has he disappeared again?”

In response to Emperor Seondeok’s question, Dokju only bowed his head.

After hearing the silent answer, Emperor Seondeok let out a long sigh.

“I see what you mean. Please stop further inquiries. If we proceed further than this, we will only lose the people we worked so hard to raise.”

“Please forgive the gods for their incompetence.”

“It is not easy to enter Joseon, a land as small as the palm of your hand, and not get caught. “I will not regard my classmate as incompetent.”

“Hwang Eun is devastated! “Long live, long live, long live!”

“Tell the members of the National Assembly to meet, and tell the Cabinet secretaries and ministers to gather.”

“I follow the Emperor’s command.”

Emperor Seondeok, who sent out a strong drink, pressed his temples and muttered.

“It’s a bit unfortunate that we lost the Ganja we worked so hard to raise, but we can now see how important Shinji is to Joseon. So, has the king of Joseon now gone to Shinji? “Is Shinji really worth it?”

* * *

As Shinji’s exploration dragged on, related rumors began to circulate within Joseon.

The military desperately maintained security, but this was nothing more than ‘peeing on frozen feet.’

This was because the number of people involved increased exponentially over time.

‘They say a large island was discovered in the eastern sea.’

“Send 500 more sacks to make up to 1,000 sacks.”

The Cabinet Secretary cautiously raised a counterargument to Emperor Seondeok’s decision.

“Isn’t that too much?”

“charge? why?”

“It is true that the shogunate is doing us well now, but they are also Japanese. “With the guns you have bestowed upon us, we can raid our shores.”

“joy!”

Emperor Seondeok lightly snorted and asked the assistant cabinet secretary.

“Are our soldiers so weak that they stumble under the fire of only 1,000 copper guns?”

“Absolutely not!”

“The guns being sent now are items that are becoming obsolete as improved iron guns and bamboo rifles become popular. Should we be afraid of such culling weapons?”

“No! It’s just that the nature of the Japanese is so wicked...”

“Because I know their nature, I gave them weapons to eliminate them. And now, the Japanese shogunate is in a crisis situation. “Can those guys afford to plunder on our coast?”

The cabinet secretary bowed his head in response to Emperor Seondeok’s reprimand.

“God, please forgive my short-sightedness.”

“If the situation in the Japanese country were the same as usual, Subo’s opinion would be reasonable, but the current situation is not like that. Subo should proceed with everything with this in mind.”

“I will keep this in mind.”

Emperor Seondeok, who warned the assistant cabinet secretary, continued the meeting.

“I heard the shogunate also requested a lightning bomb, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm...”

The lightning bomb was an explosive bomb modeled after the Joseon Dynasty’s Bigyeokjincheonroe. Of course, compared to the Bigyeokjincheonroe, whose killing power was increased to the limit by the virtue of incense, it was an extremely primitive explosive bomb, but it was still better than nothing.

Emperor Seondeok thought for a moment and gave an order.

“Hand it over. However, the operation of the lightning bomb and the toy that launches it is done by our soldiers.”

“Are you planning to send troops?”

In response to Subo’s question, Emperor Seondeok shook his head.

“No, it’s limited to the lightning strike. Select and send soldiers who will operate it and those who can properly observe its effectiveness in actual combat. “It’s said to be a weapon of conversion, but we haven’t been able to properly verify it, so isn’t this a good opportunity?”

“ah! Truly so! God can only admire your majesty’s wisdom! “Long live, long live, long live!”

“Long live, long live, long live!”

As the Cabinet Secretary shouted “Hurrah for national independence”, all the officials gathered in front of the palace followed suit and chanted “Hurrah for national independence” three times.

When the shouts for national independence subsided, Emperor Seondeok gave a warning to his subjects.

“Those who are currently rebelling against the Japanese shogunate are people who are close to Joseon. Just in case, they could take control of the Japanese government and train with Joseon to commit nonsense. We must pay special attention to this.”

“Joseon is a country that is faithful to the four major principles, but would you commit such an immoral act?”

Emperor Seondeok’s expression became fierce at Ye Bu Sang-seo’s question.

“What could be more foolish than trusting yourself to be faithful to the four principles? Why have we forgotten that previous emperors were wary of Joseon?”

“Oh no! “God made a mistake!”

“Whoa~. I feel like I want to kill him right away, but now it’s too much of a hassle to even see blood. “Be careful in the future.”

“Your Majesty’s mercy, Hwang Eun, is devastated! “Long live, long live, long live!”

The three cheers for independence from Yebu Sangseo were followed by three cheers for independence again.

In an atmosphere of thin ice, Emperor Seondeok emphasized caution against Joseon.

“Now there is peace with trade with Joseon, but do not believe that this will last forever! “Keep in mind that it is mutually beneficial to point your sword at each other whenever your interests diverge!”

“I will keep this in mind!”

* * *

Meanwhile, in Hanseong, Hyang received a new report regarding the Japanese Empire.

“A messenger has arrived from the Daenae clan.”

“Take it in.”

A moment later, Ouchi’s messenger entered the township office and bowed politely.

As is customary, we exchanged greetings and then got down to business.

“So, why did you suddenly come to Joseon?”

“Please give Joseon guns! “The shogunate bastards have guns!”

“huh?”