He Became King Sejong’s Lifelong Prime Minister - Chapter 69

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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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Even Japanese Pirates Can Be Useful (7)

 

What kind of person Kim Dae-bung is isn’t particularly a secret matter in Joseon.

 

Any person in Joseon has heard at least once the story of Kim Dae-bung, who said he’d rather have his head smashed with an iron mace than implement currency in front of Lee Bang-won.

 

Besides that, his deeds are so famous that there’s no need to hide them, nor any reason to do so.

 

Therefore, investigating what kind of person this Kim Dae-bung was under the Lord of Tsushima’s orders wasn’t particularly difficult.

 

“My lord, I’ve gathered general information about Kim Dae-bung.”

 

“You’ve worked hard, Yanagawa. So, what exactly does this Kim Dae-bung fellow, who’s more vicious than evil demons and rakshasas, do in Joseon?”

 

Tsushima Lord So Sadamori was very curious, both officially and personally, about what kind of person this Kim Dae-bung character was.

 

He wanted to know what kind of person could tighten and loosen his grip around the neck of himself, the Lord of Tsushima, and extort as much as 1,000 nyang of silver as a bribe.

 

Yanagawa swallowed once and then answered.

 

“He’s like the Zhuge Liang of Joseon.”

 

“Zhuge Liang? You’re saying that bastard who asks to meet me secretly and then threatens me to hand over 1,000 nyang of silver is Zhuge Liang? That man is a corrupt official consumed by greed.”

 

“I understand your anger a hundred, a thousand times over, my lord. But I investigated not only the chief envoy who came with this diplomatic mission, but also the interpreters, medical officers, and even the sailors who row the oars. And similar words came from all their mouths.”

 

Yanagawa used every possible method at his disposal to investigate him, so as not to be reprimanded by the Lord of Tsushima.

 

He treated the chief envoy to all kinds of precious foods, while also giving him a whole box of precious black pepper to extract information.

 

He secretly sent geishas to entertain the interpreters, or handed over items valued in Joseon as bribes.

 

Even to the lowly sailors, he generously provided rice meals, alcohol, and grilled fish, and additionally gave them bribes while gathering information.

 

The Lord of Tsushima knew that he, as a senior retainer of Tsushima, wouldn’t have done his work carelessly, so he let out a deep sigh and said.

 

“Fine, then let’s hear it.”

 

“Please don’t be shocked when you hear this, my lord.”

 

“I won’t be surprised no matter what you say.”

 

“Kim Dae-bung increased Joseon’s tax revenue by nearly 2 to 3 times in just one year.”

 

Upon hearing those words, the Lord of Tsushima shot up from his seat, pointed at Yanagawa, and shouted.

 

“What the hell did you find out after spending all that money! Does that make any sense if you think about it logically? A young official who’s merely 5th rank junior grade in Joseon increased the entire nation’s tax revenue several times over in just one year? I’d rather believe that Empress Jingu came back to life and conquered Gyeongsang and Jeolla Provinces!”

 

The Lord of Tsushima, no, the daimyos of Japan are experts who have mastered the Tax Squeezing Secrets.

 

During the Edo period, when Commoner Exploitation Techniques reached their peak, this saying even emerged.

 

‘The people must neither be killed nor allowed to live comfortably.’

 

So the Shogun and Daimyo of the Edo period collected taxes at just the level where people wouldn’t quite die.

 

They collected so ruthlessly that among the farmers who made up the majority of the Edo period population, there was even a practice called ‘mabiki’ where parents would kill their own children to reduce ‘food consumption.’

 

Even the Lord of Tsushima of Japan, who was so obsessed with taxes, would rack his brains terribly to increase taxes by just 1%, yet how could it make sense that one young minister of Joseon increased taxes several times over in just one year?

 

“I couldn’t believe those words either, but not only the envoys from Joseon but even the interpreters all spoke with one voice saying the same thing.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“If they were coordinating lies, there should definitely be flaws revealed in what they said. But there were no discrepancies whatsoever.”

 

Goosebumps rose all over the Lord of Tsushima’s body.

 

Because he newly realized just how terrifying the person who had threatened him was.

 

If someone succeeded in raising Joseon’s taxes two or three times over in just one year, wouldn’t they quickly find a way to turn Tsushima Island into a wasteland with just a few words?

 

“It doesn’t end there yet. Even though Joseon’s taxes increased that much, the people are said to be happy, shouting long live the king.”

 

“…”

 

The Lord of Tsushima was so dumbfounded he nearly lost his senses while sitting.

 

How could it make sense that the people were happy when taxes were doubled?

 

Upon hearing of this incomprehensible situation, he felt fear.

 

“There are all sorts of other stories besides that. He opposed the king’s policies and said if his opinions wouldn’t be heard, then to cut off his head with an axe… He submitted a petition saying he didn’t like Joseon’s Chief State Councilor and branded him a traitor… The more I dug, the more I wondered if he was really the same kind of human as me.”

 

When people think of ‘Samurai,’ they imagine splendid warriors ready to commit seppuku for their lord at any time.

 

However, the Samurai of this era are those who, if their lord truly seems about to fall, are busy running away rather than dying.

 

Seppuku and such things are merely ‘splendid anecdotes,’ and there exist no retainers who would not hesitate to die to offer loyal counsel.

 

Kim Dae-bung is a type of retainer never seen or heard of in a lifetime in Japan.

 

Someone with truly outstanding abilities who would not hesitate to die for Joseon.

 

If he were on our side, he’d be more reliable than anyone, but if he became an enemy, he’d be like a demon or evil spirit.

 

“Is there nothing more you found out?”

 

“Everyone said Kim Dae-bung was an incorruptible and upright official who never took a single penny in bribes.”

 

“And yet this so-called upright official took a whopping thousand nyang of silver from me…”

 

The Lord of Tsushima ground his teeth in frustration.

 

However, he could only grind his teeth and didn’t dare think of confronting Kim Dae-bung directly.

 

Because these words kept circling in his mind.

 

‘His Majesty has the power to make the most lowly person on Tsushima Island the Lord of Tsushima overnight.’

 

“Military strategy teaches that when an unbeatable enemy is a thousand li away, one should seek peace. Joseon is no longer the easy opponent it once was… I must bow my head.”

 

The Lord of Tsushima said this and looked at Yanagawa standing before him.

 

Though he was a chief retainer of his domain, and the highest-ranking chief retainer at that, he could no longer trust him unconditionally.

 

If that wicked and cunning King of Joseon gave him the trading rights with Joseon, the Tsushima samurai would massacre the So Clan including himself and elevate Yanagawa to the position of Lord of Tsushima.

 

For their own benefit.

 

“I must bow to Joseon faster than any other daimyo.”

 

It’s better to take a beating quickly, and if one must bow their head, it’s best to do so faster and more earnestly than anyone else.

 

That way, at least a few more crumbs might fall his way.

 

“From now on, Joseon will revolve around that man called Kim Dae-bung. So you must find a way to get close to Kim Dae-bung by any means necessary.”

 

“Yes, my lord.”

 

**

 

Tsushima Lord So Sadamori is acting strange.

 

I wonder if this man drank the wrong medicine or something.

 

“I heard that the Deputy Envoy passed the civil service examination with the highest honors in Joseon.”

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”

 

“Joseon scholars cultivate their learning by staying close to the teachings of sages from childhood. Among them, only the exceptionally outstanding ones pass the civil service examination to become officials. So naturally, someone who achieved the highest honors like yourself must write excellent calligraphy.”

 

“I don’t write calligraphy particularly well.”

 

This isn’t false modesty.

 

While I’m not bad at it, I definitely can’t say my calligraphy skills are exceptional.

 

“Could you write just one character for now?”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

The Lord of Tsushima is someone who nominally holds a higher rank than me, and at the same time, plays a crucial role in diplomacy with Japan.

 

So except when absolutely necessary, it’s better not to get on his nerves.

 

I wrote the phrase ” in Chinese Characters.

 

With the intention that this bastard should know his place and bow properly to Joseon.

 

The Lord of Tsushima received it with a slight smile, then began showing it off in front of his subordinates.

 

“Though I cannot claim to be deeply learned, I do know that a person’s character is revealed in their calligraphy. These 8 characters contain the Deputy Envoy’s loyalty to his king, his sincerity, and his heart for the people… This is a precious treasure that cannot be bought even with gold and silver.”

 

What’s this? Why is this bastard suddenly overacting? Is he sick somewhere?

 

“Since I’ve received something so precious, I must naturally give a return gift.”

 

The Lord of Tsushima handed over 5 bolts of black silk, considered the finest silk in Northeast Asia.

 

This was given in front of everyone as payment for the Lord of Tsushima receiving ‘my calligraphy’, making it essentially a legal bribe.

 

“Four years ago, I was foolish and wrote nonsense in a state letter saying that if Joseon showed more virtue, our Tsushima would come under Joseon’s command… But now we too want to learn Joseon’s high scholarship and culture, to abandon barbarism and live like human beings. I know this is an unreasonable request, but I hope the Deputy Envoy will petition His Majesty of Joseon to send teachers who can instruct me and Tsushima’s samurai in learning.”

 

What the Lord of Tsushima just said doesn’t simply mean he wants to learn scholarship.

 

He’s openly flattering me while simultaneously declaring an oath that we would even pretend to die if Joseon told us to die.

 

When King Sejong hears this news, he’ll break into a broad smile.

 

Saying that Joseon has civilized the Japanese bastards.

 

“I will petition well for you.”

 

There’s no need to send a particularly good teacher to the Japanese bastards, so I should send Jeong Chang-son, who seems steeped in Sarim conservative mentality, right over here.

 

Then Confucian conservative ideology will spread widely among the Japanese bastards and slow down their development.

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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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