He Became King Sejong’s Lifelong Prime Minister - Chapter 86

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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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Sowing Discord in the Ming Dynasty (2)

I hate the Ming Dynasty.

And I’m not the only one who hates the Ming Dynasty.

In fact, it’s safe to say that almost no one in Joseon likes the Ming Dynasty.

Those damn Ming bastards give Joseon the title of ‘honorary civilized nation’ and treat us like second-class citizens.

Joseon isn’t a Ming colony but a sovereign independent nation, so why should we receive such treatment?

Just like how the Japanese bastards imposed various unfair taxes on us during their colonial rule and took away girls to use as comfort women.

The Ming bastards also take away tribute women, make us offer 10,000 war horses every year, and even demand we tribute gold and silver that aren’t even produced in Joseon.

Just thinking about these bastards makes my blood boil.

‘Just as we gained independence from Japan in the future, present-day Joseon will also achieve independence from the Ming Dynasty before long.’

When that time comes, I will definitely make them pay for all the blood and tears the Joseon people have shed.

I believe this is both a duty and a right that a Korean who crossed over from modern times to Joseon must fulfill.

“Could you tell His Excellency the Minister of Rites that Military Affairs Assistant Director Kim Dae-bung has something urgent to request?”

The public slave who heard my words immediately went to find his direct superior.

After getting approval from several people in that manner, the public slave returned to me and said:

“He said that suddenly requesting an audience with His Excellency the Minister of Rites is normally not allowed. However, since it’s not just any other assistant director but the renowned Kim Jeongnang who has something urgent to request, His Excellency the Minister of Rites said he would specially make time for you.”

“I see, you worked hard delivering the message.”

“I merely did what was proper to do.”

He says that, but even though the task is finished, he shows no intention of leaving and continues to look at me with longing eyes.

Ah, he’s asking me for compensation for his trouble.

If another official from the Ministry of Rites had acted like this, I would have thrown a work bomb at that bastard out of displeasure.

However, slaves are poor fellows like public service workers who naturally work for free their entire lives. I shouldn’t be too harsh with them.

“Since you’re working hard anyway, do one more thing. Could you come to my house tomorrow after work ends? I’ll give you some rice.”

“Oh my, you don’t need to do that… Thank you, My Lord.”

Public service workers don’t suffer physically like active-duty soldiers.

But they’re also people who were dragged here and forced to work against their will.

Moreover, Public Slaves are those who do public service work for their entire lives. It’s right to take care of them.

They play a role similar to Court Eunuchs within the palace, so if you earn their hatred, you might get splashed with filth from unexpected places.

But if you become friendly with them, they’ll warn you that so-and-so is in a bad mood today so be careful, or tell you that so-and-so is in a good mood today for this reason, so start with compliments before you go.

Therefore, many Government Officials often give them a little Rice or other things in exchange for having them run these errands.

After sending away the Public Slave, I went to the Ministry of Rites where Heo Jo was located for our meeting.

When Heo Jo saw me, he immediately started scolding me.

“Kim Jeongrang, I’m sure you have your reasons for urgently wanting to see me, but doesn’t Joseon have laws and etiquette? Since you’re rank 5, you should first go to the Ministry of Rites Jeongrang and ask if it’s acceptable to meet with the Minister of Rites, then ask the Vice Minister, then the Deputy Minister in that order…”

“I apologize.”

“If it were any other young man who did this, I would have sternly reprimanded him so he could never cause such trouble again. But since it’s none other than Kim Jeongrang, I’ll let it pass with just these words.”

This is truly like Heo Jo, the old-fashioned principlist.

When I tell other ministers that I have something urgent to discuss, they gladly make time for me unless it’s a very special case.

Because they believe that listening to my words brings unexpected fortune even while sleeping.

Hwang Hee and Jo Mal-saeng have benefited greatly so far, so there’s no room for doubt.

But to grab hold of me and start talking about principles first.

No one else but Minister Heo Jo has been like this.

‘Actually, my requesting to meet like this is behavior that ignores the chain of command.’

Unless Heo Jo was this much of an old-fashioned principlist, how could he have submitted a petition saying it goes against protocol and His Majesty should reconsider when Lee Bang-won heard Kim Dae-bung’s beautiful story and said the Royal Palace would bestow Royal Gifts?

“So what business brought you to see me?”

“Could you please include me in this diplomatic mission?”

“Kim Jeongrang, you gained great favor from the Lord of Tsushima when you went to Tsushima Island, and after you returned from Tsushima Island, Japanese invasions stopped occurring. Being such a person, I expect you’ll not only gain favor from His Imperial Majesty and the ministers when you go to Ming Dynasty, but also return with great achievements I hadn’t expected…”

People are evaluated by the results they achieve in any organization.

Those who achieve great results are naturally evaluated favorably by everyone, while those who don’t achieve results don’t receive good evaluations regardless of their character.

I have achieved several accomplishments that go far beyond what a mere assistant secretary could typically accomplish.

That’s why I can make such an unexpected proposal to Heo Jo.

What would have happened if Kim Jong-seo, who lives under Hwang Hee’s thumb at the State Council, had said such words to Heo Jo?

Minister Heo Jo would have laughed heartily and indirectly told Hwang Hee to ‘kill that bastard’ while asking how he educated his subordinates.

“There will be virtually no one opposing putting Kim Jeongnang in the position of deputy envoy. However, since you have accomplished too many feats alone so far… haven’t you already achieved all the merits necessary to become a high-ranking official? But if you also become deputy envoy this time, your reputation in the Royal Court might suffer. They’ll say you’re trying to monopolize all the credit. So how about giving this opportunity to Jeoljae (Kim Jong-seo) or Jibong (Hwangbo In) from the State Council?”

Participating in the Ming Dynasty diplomatic mission is something that greatly helps with promotion.

So my suddenly joining the diplomatic mission would mean stealing someone else’s promotion opportunity.

“While handling Ministry of War affairs, I often receive official reports from the surrendered Japanese working in our navy. According to them, Joseon’s ships are sufficient for navigating the seas around the Eight Provinces of Joseon, but they cannot carry much cargo and are also quite slow. In contrast, Ming’s treasure ships are extremely fast and can carry a great deal of cargo.”

Japanese pirates are professionals at maritime raiding.

To excel at piracy, one must fundamentally understand the characteristics of ships mainly used by other countries.

That’s how they can plunder effectively.

Because they love maritime raiding, those Japanese pirates know well about Ming ships, Joseon ships, and Japanese ships.

Though they’re detestable, their knowledge is useful, so we should utilize everything we can.

“If it were before the Bangwon Method was implemented, there would have been no reason to import better ships, but according to official reports from the Ministry of Taxation, after the Bangwon Method was implemented, production of various specialty products increased dramatically nationwide. For example, the number of pear trees in Icheon tripled in just one year, and Jinhae increased the number of persimmon trees fourfold.”

Fruits like pears and persimmons are not trees that bear fruit immediately one year after planting.

So the actual reflection in production will be 3-4 years from now.

But did only the number of pear and persimmon trees increase?

Production of specialty products including dried herring, dried anchovies, and various crafts also increased explosively.

Only by selling all of these evenly throughout the nation will Joseon’s commerce develop dramatically; otherwise, it will only result in specialty products rotting away.

“If transportation of goods becomes easier, commerce will grow larger and larger, causing markets in all counties nationwide to flourish greatly. Then tax revenue will also increase accordingly, making the Royal Court’s finances very abundant.”

“So you’re thinking of joining the diplomatic mission to secretly bring back craftsmen who make treasure ships. But would that be possible?”

“Right after Emperor Yongle the Great suspended his great expeditions, the maritime prohibition in Ming Dynasty was strengthened. The late Emperor also sent all those living in coastal villages to the Liaodong region to make them military households, since Japanese enemies were attacking the Ming Dynasty coastline.”

Those Ming Dynasty people are truly remarkable.

Honestly, the Mongolian and Jurchen barbarians aren’t the type to listen just because you promise them proper trade…

But the Japanese pirates are the type who won’t engage in piracy if you just let them trade.

The reason is extremely simple.

Since Japan had the ships and funds for piracy, they could use those same resources for trade and sell goods back in their hometown without any problems making a living.

That’s why when Emperor Longqing lifted the maritime ban in the late 16th century, Japanese pirate damage literally disappeared.

“After the maritime ban was imposed, everyone from craftsmen who build fishing boats to those who build treasure ships lost their jobs, so they’re probably starving right now, aren’t they? If we offer them substantial money and guarantee food, clothing, and shelter, wouldn’t some follow us?”

Settling in the unfamiliar land of Joseon and living properly would be a hundred times better than starving to death in Ming Dynasty.

If there are people who want to bring their wives and children, we can just instruct them to secretly bring their families along.

“The important thing is how to cross the Ming Dynasty border region…”

“The soldiers stationed in Liaodong will let us pass if we give them bribes. Of course, they’ll have to act separately within Ming Dynasty territory.”

“Since you as Deputy Minister can’t do this directly…”

“Wouldn’t there be volunteers among the young government officials or interpreters who want to advance in the Royal Court?”

If we look just a little, we’ll definitely find someone.

If they do this properly once, their whole life will bloom.

If they’re lucky, they might end up with lifelong service like me.

“I’ll grant your request. I’ll personally report to His Majesty 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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