He Became King Sejong’s Lifelong Prime Minister - Chapter 70

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

Japanese Pirates Can Be Useful Too (8)

 

Our diplomatic mission that had been dispatched to Tsushima Island received tremendous welcome upon returning to Hanyang.

 

This was because they had succeeded in obtaining the Lord of Tsushima’s declaration of submission while also securing 1,100 silver taels.

 

Having achieved such accomplishments without shedding a single drop of blood, the magistrates of counties along the route our diplomatic mission passed through all came out to greet and welcome us with respect, from the south all the way to Hanyang.

 

King Sejong, seated on the jade throne, looked at us with a bright smile.

 

“The chief envoy and deputy envoy have worked very hard traveling all the way to the distant land of Japan.”

 

“Your grace is overwhelming, Your Majesty.”

 

If we had taken a ship from Incheon to Tsushima Island, we actually wouldn’t have suffered much hardship and the time would have been greatly reduced.

 

However, the Japanese pirates—no, the Japanese—were still in the process of evolving from pirates to the Joseon Navy through voluntary enlistment, making ocean voyages impossible.

 

Taking a ship would have been both faster and more comfortable, but the probability of death was so high that we had no choice.

 

So we went on horseback… but my buttocks and thighs hurt so terribly that when I recall those dreadful memories, I never want to go to Japan again.

 

“Looking at the diplomatic letter submitted by the Lord of Tsushima, despite their failure to properly control the Japanese pirates, he wrote that he was deeply moved by my bestowed grace and wishes to learn from Joseon. While this is not a direct statement of naturalization to Joseon, isn’t it written with consideration for future naturalization to Joseon?”

 

Shin Jang, the leader of this diplomatic mission, responded to King Sejong’s words.

 

“That is correct.”

 

“The sages said that barbarians must be governed with virtue for them to be truly moved and civilized from the heart. As the Lord of Tsushima has been civilized according to those words, can we not say that Joseon is now truly a civilized nation with proper civilization, rather than merely ‘Eastern barbarians’?”

 

The Sinocentric order, that is, the worldview centered on China, can be summarized in one sentence.

 

‘All countries except China are barbarians!’

 

That’s why Joseon is sometimes called Dongyi, meaning Eastern barbarians.

 

However, Joseon receives very special treatment from the Ming Dynasty, being called the ‘Land of Courtesy and Righteousness’ and treated as a nation equivalent to a civilized country… but that’s just diplomatic courtesy.

 

Therefore, we Joseon people are somewhat demoralized by the Ming Dynasty, which is the world’s strongest nation by the standards of this era…

 

But by making the Lord of Tsushima bow his head this time, I’ve relieved some of that pressure.

 

“Moreover, not only did you bring back various precious gifts, but also as much as 1,100 taels of silver. This greatly reduces the burden of silver tribute demanded by the Great Ming. All of this is thanks to the chief envoy and deputy envoy.”

 

After the Silver-Lead Separation Method was discovered and the Dancheon Silver Mine was developed, gold and silver mining increased considerably.

 

However, until then, Joseon had to squeeze the common people every year to prepare 150 taels of gold and 700 taels of silver as tribute to Ming.

 

Some people argue that since the Ming Dynasty repaid Joseon several times over for what they received as tribute, it was ultimately profitable… but that’s absolutely wrong.

 

It’s easier to think of it this way.

 

In Korea, three Apple Mangos easily cost tens of thousands of won, but in the Philippines, three Apple Mangos cost about 3,000 won.

 

Therefore, even if you triple the price of Apple Mangos by Philippine standards, that’s still only 30% of what it costs to buy three Apple Mangos in Korea.

 

“Chief Envoy Shin Jang has served long in the Royal Court since entering government service, and has rendered great merit in civilizing the Lord of Tsushima this time, so his rank shall be raised by two grades to Senior Second Rank Lower Grade Jaheondaebu and appointed as Minister of Justice.”

 

“Your grace is boundless.”

 

“Furthermore, I shall bestow 5 bolts of Ming Silk, 3 Saddled Horses, 5 Slaves, and 5 du of Black Pepper.”

 

Shin Jang’s eyes grew slightly red.

 

From what I once heard, the most moving moments for an official are when they become a ‘high-ranking official’ and are called a minister, and when they become a Second Rank minister and head one of the Six Ministries…

 

Since he’s become a minister of the Six Ministries, his emotions must be overwhelming.

 

“Deputy Envoy Kim Dae-bung shall also have his rank raised from Junior Fifth Rank Lower Grade Bongjikrang to Junior Fifth Rank Upper Grade Bonghunrang, and I shall bestow 3 bolts of Ming Silk, 1 Saddled Horse, and 5 du of Black Pepper.”

 

“Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty.”

 

I thought I wouldn’t get promoted this time… but my rank went up by one grade.

 

Since it’s an unexpected promotion, it’s a pleasant miscalculation.

 

“And Minister of War Jo Mal-saeng, who devised the strategy for civilizing the Lord of Tsushima, shall have his rank raised to Senior First Rank Lower Grade Sungjeongdaebu.”

 

A smile appeared on Jo Mal-saeng’s face as he reached the Senior First Rank position.

 

Yes, Jo Mal-saeng, enjoy this moment to your heart’s content.

 

From the rumors I’ve heard circulating in Hanseongbu, it seems like your bribery scandals are about to explode soon.

 

Once that breaks, you’ll never be able to become a Chief State Councilor for the rest of your life.

 

You’ll be worked even harder than Hwang Hee, who at least got permission to resign before his death and spent his final years at home.

 

“The Chief Envoy and Deputy Envoy may now return and rest.”

 

As soon as King Sejong gave permission to leave early since we had worked hard, Heo Jo immediately offered his counsel.

 

“I, Minister of Rites Heo Jo, humbly request. Looking at the Official Report submitted by the diplomatic mission, Military Affairs Assistant Director Kim Dae-bung quickly became close with the Japanese and possessed exceptional talent for civilizing them.”

 

I never enlightened the Lord of Tsushima.

 

I just made a proposal that if you keep acting up, we’d replace the Lord of Tsushima.

 

“Lord of Tsushima So Sadamori was so moved by Kim Dae-bung’s character and scholarship that he gave him 5 bolts of black silk in exchange for his calligraphy. He even said he wished there were many outstanding people like Kim Dae-bung on Tsushima Island as well.”

 

King Sejong also agreed with those words.

 

“Those words are correct.”

 

“If Kim Dae-bung can move even the lord of Tsushima Island, which is utterly barbarous and where courtesy and proper conduct have fallen to the ground, then he could move even His Imperial Majesty and the ministers of the Ming Dynasty, greatly reducing the tribute burden imposed on Joseon.”

 

Heo Jo’s eyes are gleaming brightly as he looks at me like a hawk eyeing its prey before swooping down.

 

One of this man’s nicknames was supposedly “peregrine falcon”…

 

It seems he’s thinking of sending me to the Ministry of Personnel to work me hard for a long, long time.

 

“Your subject, Minister of Finance Jo Gye-saeng, humbly reports. The words of the Minister of Personnel are also correct, but right now the most urgent and important matter is creating a separate market in Jeongui County where the Japanese can trade. Therefore, I believe it would be proper to have Kim Dae-bung work in the Ministry of Taxation.”

 

“Your subject, Minister of War Jo Mal-saeng, humbly reports. The Minister of Finance’s words are not wrong either, but since Kim Dae-bung is the one who handles Japanese pirates best… he should continue to be retained as Military Affairs Assistant Director.”

 

What kind of situation is this?

 

It’s not like we’re filming some harem story where “white-haired elderly ministers are obsessed with me.”

 

Why on earth are the ministers of the Six Ministries so desperate to take me for themselves?

 

Anyone watching would think we’re filming a movie where old men become obsessed over me, grow haggard, and filled with regret.

 

King Sejong stopped their battle for me with a hearty laugh in the face of this situation.

 

“Military Affairs Assistant Director Kim Dae-bung has devised farming tools even while splitting his time during his service at Jiphyeonjeon. Therefore, even while Kim Dae-bung serves as assistant director in the Ministry of War, he should be able to handle work from other departments as well. Minister of War, keep this in mind and allow Kim Dae-bung to appropriately assist with work from other government offices.”

 

I saw it. The smile that appeared at the corners of King Sejong’s mouth.

 

“And lately, officials have been working overtime frequently, saying they have too much work, which looks good on the surface. But in reality, thinking they can work at night often leads to laziness.”

 

I know too. That I’m the main factor supplying all sorts of work to the Royal Court.

 

At the same time, the ministers also know that my share in the Royal Court’s workload bomb is considerable.

 

“Since I started leaving work on time every day to go mountain climbing with Retired King, I’ve learned that finishing work within working hours by any means necessary is more efficient and better. Therefore, ensure that all Royal Court officials avoid working overtime except during very urgent times.”

 

… Oh, I’m screwed.

… Oh, I’m screwed.

Up until now, whenever I threw a work bomb, since it was for the nation’s benefit, even if others had to work overtime, they would diligently handle it…

 

Now I have to write up all the outlines and policies for the work I create before handing it over.

 

In other words, from the moment I arrive at deungcheong until I leave, I have to work my ass off so that all officials can leave on time.

 

“Today’s morning assembly is dismissed.”

 

**

 

And just as I expected, the next day as soon as I arrived at deungcheong, officials from the Six Ministries appeared carrying mountains of work – both tasks I had created and those I hadn’t.

 

If Jo Mal-saeng hadn’t filtered out several of them in between, the documents alone would have stacked up to my height.

 

And the work atmosphere within the Ministry of War had also changed from before.

 

“His Majesty has forbidden overtime by royal command! By whatever means necessary, finish your work on time! But if you do sloppy work, I won’t forgive you!”

 

If anyone does even slightly sloppy work, King Sejong with his eagle eyes will make Minister of War Jo Mal-saeng’s life miserable.

 

So now Joseon’s public officials have to work their asses off to work ‘without overtime.’

 

At this rate, they’ll even start making sandwiches to eat.

 

I too will have to work even more busily than before.

 

While I was handling work from other departments dumped on me in addition to Ministry of War tasks, my father-in-law came trudging over.

 

“Son-in-law.”

 

“Yes, father-in-law.”

 

“Think of it as saving my life and help with the Ministry of Taxation work first.”

 

Kim Man-deok, my father-in-law, apparently barely experienced Myeonsillye when he first took office.

 

He had prepared himself thoroughly, set up a grand table of delicacies, and even prepared bribes, but the Ministry of Taxation just had a meal and didn’t accept the bribes.

 

So at that time, both my father-in-law and I were very pleased, thinking how fortunate it was…

 

But there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world – my father-in-law became exclusively responsible for dumping Ministry of Taxation work on me once I returned to the Ministry of War.

 

Thanks to that, the Ministry of Taxation became the number one department with Kim Dae-bung usage rights.

 

“I’ll send slaves to collect the documents in half a hour.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

That day, all of us Ministry of War officials were able to leave work on time.

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