He Became King Sejong’s Lifelong Prime Minister - Chapter 51

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Secret Royal Inspector Kim Dae-bung (2)

Kim Man-deok and I are a kind of community of shared destiny.

If I die, Kim Man-deok dies, and if Kim Man-deok dies, it will greatly affect me negatively.

Furthermore, as proof of his absolute trust in me, Kim Man-deok gave me Gyeoul-i as my concubine.

As a result, we two have become inseparable even if we wanted to be apart.

This could be considered the ultimate form of political-business collusion.

It might be viewed negatively in Korea, but it’s legal in Joseon.

Therefore, I can consult with Kim Man-deok about state affairs to some extent without reservation.

Because I have faith that any secrets I tell him will never leak from his mouth.

“So you’re saying that Retired King and His Majesty have given you a royal command to travel throughout Gyeonggi Province and inspect whether the Bangwon Method is being properly implemented?”

“That’s right. Thanks to that, I’m having a hell of a time.”

Strictly speaking, the Bangwon Method is a law still in legislative preparation.

So 99% of Joseon people probably don’t even know what the Bangwon Method is.

In a world where information transmission is already slow due to the absence of internet, TV, and radio, there can’t be many people who accurately know about a law that hasn’t even been announced for legislation.

However, the fact that the Bangwon Method will be created and implemented hasn’t been publicly announced yet, but it’s not exactly a huge secret – those who need to know all know about it.

Kim Man-deok has long held considerable influence in Hanyang’s Market Guild, so he couldn’t possibly be unaware of why court officials are being purged.

“Having to travel around and inspect all 11 counties and prefectures in Gyeonggi Province must be very difficult.”

Among those 11 counties and prefectures, there are as many as 4 places where magistrates (senior third rank court officials) are dispatched, and 3 places where county governors (junior fourth rank) are dispatched.

In other words, I have to storm into places where there are people of higher rank than me and conduct inspection activities.

If I discover evidence that work isn’t being handled properly, I’ll have to play the role of a secret royal inspector from historical dramas – storming into government offices with my royal plaque and conducting a proper “search and seizure.”

“Inspection aside, what’s more important is that I need trustworthy people to help me.”

“Seeing that you came to find me, it doesn’t seem like you’re simply looking for guys who can handle swords.”

Finding people who can serve as reliable protection for me is surprisingly easy.

Because I can hire off-duty armored cavalry soldiers from all over Hanyang with money.

The martial arts skills and combat abilities of armored cavalry are comparable to those of special forces soldiers, and since they’re always strapped for cash due to horse maintenance costs… if I pay them properly, they’ll protect me well.

However, the problem is that the armored cavalry selection exam doesn’t include essay tests in Chinese characters, so there are only illiterate fools.

You might say I should bring former military officers or those preparing for military examinations… but doing such a thing would be perfect for arousing Lee Bang-won’s suspicion.

No wait, considering how much he trusts me now, he’d probably just pass it off as a “major mistake” and end up working me like he works Minister Hwang Hee.

“I need someone who can write, knows some accounting, and has a good eye for business.”

“… Manager Kim, errand boy Kim Bok-dol, and Jang Bok-i from our shop… are quite trustworthy.”

“Would it be alright to take them with me?”

“Of course. The more you advance in your career, the bigger I can expand my business. Shouldn’t I help you in any way I can?”

“Is this what they call being born from the same lotus?”

“Yes, like sentient beings born on the same lotus who live and die together… aren’t you and I already of one heart and one body?”

Kim Man-deok said with a grinning smile.

“After you sent away that bastard Ryu Jeong-hyeon, my standing in the Market Guild has grown considerably.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, My Lord. Thanks to that, many ministers, nobles, officials, middle-class people, and merchants seek out our goods. And there was also an incident where a military officer from Gyeonggi Naval Base, trying to get in your good graces, sold us two slightly old large ships at a very cheap price. He sold them at about 25% of market price.”

“So now you even own ships?”

“Until now, I only had one ship that could carry about 300 seom (54 tons), but because business at the Market Guild was going well and he sold them at such a cheap price, I was able to buy them.”

In 21st century modern nations, there’s no way naval warships would be handed over to civilians, but that’s only the story of modern countries.

In Joseon, it’s common to sell military ships that are somewhat awkward for the military to use to civilian merchants. Of course, after removing all the cannons.

Anyway, the fact that Kim Man-deok now has two Large Ships means…

He must have made a big investment, thinking to sell all the specialty products coming up from Jinhae not only to Hanyang but also to large counties near Hanyang.

“Helping My Lord is also for my own success. So if it wouldn’t be a burden, how about I follow My Lord as well?”

“What about your store?”

“Manager Park under me does his work very well. There shouldn’t be any major problems leaving it to him for a month or two.”

“It won’t be an easy journey.”

While it’s not dangerous enough for a secret royal inspector to feel their life is in immediate danger, it’s definitely not easy work.

Having to ride horses through rough terrain here and there – how could this be ordinary work?

Kim Man-deok is already in his mid-forties, so his body probably isn’t what it used to be. I wonder if he’ll be alright.

Noticing my worried expression, Kim Man-deok clenched his fist and thumped his chest.

“Though I may be 45 years old, my heart is still the same as when I was 21. And the Bangwon Method isn’t just a law for Joseon’s poor Common People, is it?”

“That’s true.”

Kim Man-deok showed a bright smile.

“When poor Common People have less burden from taxes, will they only use that money to cook Rice Meals? They’ll buy mackerel, cod, and sometimes even fruit. They might even buy Leather Shoes to wear. Then wouldn’t the customers buying my Dried Persimmons, Paulownia Tableware, and Anchovies increase several times over?”

“That would be the case.”

When the economy prospers, spending on food and clothing increases. In other words, consumption grows, and the sales of Merchants like Kim Man-deok would increase dramatically.

Actually, the law that became the greatest driving force behind commercial development in late Joseon was the Daedong Law… Once the Bangwon Method is implemented, specialty product production will surge nationwide, and markets will spring up in various regions.

The Merchants in those markets will rush to Hanyang to make money, just like when the Age of Exploration opened and Europeans risked their lives sailing toward India.

You could say the ‘Great Hanyang Era’ would be opening.

“And markets will be created in all counties throughout the nation. Then sea routes will also open to transport goods for the enriched Common People to consume. Much more materials than now will flow in and out of all parts of the country and be consumed. In that process, Merchants will be able to accumulate wealth incomparable to before.”

“You’re full of greed for money.”

“Wouldn’t it be strange if a merchant didn’t have greed for money?”

“That’s also true.”

A merchant without greed for money is impossible.

Believing that would be the same as believing a man who asks a pretty, slim woman to go to a motel saying ‘We’ll just hold hands and sleep tonight, you trust me, right?’ would really just hold hands and sleep.

After just holding hands, he’d touch her chest, and then they’d end up having sex… and naturally that day would become their first day of dating.

“I want to become rich. However, I don’t want to be rich alone while everyone else is poor and starving to death. Because not only does my nature dislike enjoying wealth and glory alone while knowing others are suffering, but I also know that those who are wealthy alone will eventually meet a miserable end.”

The Gyeongju Choi Wealthy Family, perhaps? That household is said to have avoided disaster even when all the yangban families were wiped out during the Donghak Peasant Movement because they had given so much to others.

They were able to survive because they continuously gave to the poor.

Besides them, there are surprisingly many wealthy people who survived when others were dying because they accumulated much virtue.

“It’s work that helps the country and also helps my personal interests. Shouldn’t I step forward if I can?”

Right now, I desperately need someone like Kim Man-deok.

With him, I can catch Local Clerks who extort at Tribute Goods prices in markets, and find the nonsense going on in Buddhist Temples.

“… We must leave immediately, so prepare quickly.”

And I immediately set out on the road for my secret royal inspector duties.

“So I won’t be ashamed in front of Gyeoul-i, no, I need to show her a cool side.”

I think I heard Kim Man-deok chuckling at my muttering to myself…

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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