65
As a month passed, the envoys who had gone to Ming Country for mourning returned.
Upon their return, they immediately began reporting to Sejong.
Sejong first offered words of comfort.
"You must be tired from your long journey. I apologize for calling you right away. However, considering the importance of the matter, I hope you understand that we cannot delay."
"It is nothing. As a minister, it is only natural to do what is required," replied the Minister of Rites, who led the delegation.
"So, what was the new emperor like?" Sejong asked.
"He seemed to have a rather gentle disposition. His voice was relaxed and soft, and he carried himself with ease," the Minister of Rites answered.
"Is that so? What do the other ministers think?"
"From what I gathered in brief conversations with the cabinet ministers and other officials, it seems that whenever the late emperor was away for campaigns, he acted as regent, and he was very stable during those times."
"I see. Do you think the new emperor will be active in campaigns as well?"
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Rites shook his head.
"No. It is said that he has declared he will not engage in campaigns unless there is a major incident, citing issues with the budget due to the late emperor's frequent military actions."
"Is that so? Then it seems the Jurchens will be quiet for a while," Sejong said, his expression brightening.
Whenever Yongle Emperor moved to conquer the Northern Yuan, the Jurchens would also stir up trouble, which in turn caused unrest in Joseon.
With a cheerful face, Sejong moved on to the next topic.
"Where are the royal physician and the fortune teller who accompanied you?"
At Sejong's call, the royal physician and the fortune teller stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"I am the royal physician Lee Han-soo, and I greet Your Majesty."
"I am the humble fortune teller Choi, here to see Your Majesty!"
"Very well. What did you think of the emperor you saw?" Sejong asked.
The royal physician and the fortune teller shared their analysis of the Hongxi Emperor.
As Sejong listened to their accounts, his face grew serious.
"So, you are saying there are serious health issues with the new emperor?"
"Indeed," they replied.
"Yes, that is correct."
"Hmm..."
After hearing their responses, Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought.
After a while, he gestured for the two to leave.
"That was a good report. You may go."
"Thank you very much."
"Thank you!" After the fortune teller and the royal physician left, Sejong turned to the Minister of Rites and asked, "Do you also see health issues with the new emperor?"
"From what I observed, he does not seem to be in good health," the Minister of Rites replied, recalling the image of the Hongxi Emperor, who was quite overweight and had to breathe heavily even while speaking.
"Is that so..."
Sejong muttered with a bitter smile upon hearing the Minister's response.
"So, that was the reason why Hyang was so insistent that I lose weight..."
"How can I make Sejong lose weight?" was one of Hyang's biggest worries.
Because of this, Hyang adjusted Sejong's diet, controlled his meal portions, and made him exercise.
"You brat! Catch your father! Catch him!" Whenever Hyang urged him, Sejong would grumble, but honestly, he did not feel bad about it.
It was a pleasant thing to know that his child cared for his health.
Thinking about Hyang's efforts, Sejong smiled bitterly again.
"Everything is fine, but the term 'lose weight' is a bit..."
At the age of 27, Sejong was at an age where he could spend time with the queen or concubines, yet the next morning, he would still feel the need to assert his presence.
"Anyway... Minister of Rites. Does this mean the new emperor will have a hard time reigning for long?"
"Nobody can guarantee anything about lifespan," the Minister of Rites replied, and Sejong nodded.
"That is true. The lifespan of a human is known only to heaven..."
"Your Majesty is too humble."
"It is not a matter of humility. I am just a bit impatient... By the way, with the change of emperor, what will happen to the trading post established in Shandong?"
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Rites answered brightly, "Ah! That was the hottest topic this time. The trading post has been established for three months now, and trade between Joseon and Ming merchants has been active, resulting in increasing taxes paid to the Ming court."
"I know that as well. The amount coming into our court has also significantly increased, so what will be done about it?"
For Sejong, the issue of maintaining the trading post was one of his greatest concerns.
Under Sejong's pressing inquiry, the Minister of Rites replied, "It has been decided to maintain it. The new emperor has stated that the trading post in Shandong is beneficial for both Joseon and Ming, and it symbolizes friendly relations, so its maintenance is only natural. The officials of the Ming court also agreed."
"Is that so? That is a relief."
"Furthermore, to prepare for any potential incursions by Japanese pirates or raiders, it has also been decided to concentrate the Ming navy there. An imperial decree has been issued to establish a new naval base next to the trading post."
"Is that so?" At the Minister's answer, Sejong's expression hardened.
However, the other ministers, not noticing Sejong's expression, were delighted and spoke up.
"That is truly fortunate!"
"Indeed!"
"It is the grace of heaven!"
As the ministers chattered with nearly identical sentiments, Hwang Hee concluded the discussion.
"If the Ming navy is prepared, safety will be assured! This is the grace of the sovereign!"
"Tsk!" The delighted ministers froze at Sejong's clicking tongue.
Sejong glared at the ministers with an angry face.
"I wonder... is it truly a good thing for me to be with you all for the sake of Joseon?"
At Sejong's words, the ministers all bowed and exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"
"If you are humble, then you should not act humbly. Is that not so, Deputy Prime Minister?"
Hwang Hee, singled out for criticism, became tense and replied, "Y-yes, Your Majesty!"
"I said not to act humbly at all. Do you know what mistake you made?"
"Your Majesty!"
"Tsk! Who spread such rumors... Agh! I will take a short break!"
Sejong, in a fit of anger, declared a recess and left the hall.
As Sejong stormed out, the ministers exchanged worried glances and began to converse.
"Where on earth did things go wrong?"
"I am curious about that as well."
As they shared their thoughts, the ministers began to look at Hwang Hee one by one, as it was he who had provoked Sejong's anger.
When the ministers' gazes focused on him, Hwang Hee shouted, "How would I know!"
Storming out, Hwang Hee looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.
"Hah~. I can't take this anymore. Maybe I should just quit..."
Recently, Hwang Hee had felt the urge to submit his resignation several times a day.
"Damn it! My son is the same age as you! I can't take this anymore! Should I just quit? Who spread the rumors? It was your father, you brat!"
Although he wanted to say this directly to Sejong, he had to grit his teeth and endure each time.
"Deputy Prime Minister! You must endure! Think of the children! Especially the daughter married to the Deputy Prime Minister, who still has no children and is living in silence! For her sake, you must hold on and persevere!"
"Hah~."
Remembering his wife's earnest words, Hwang Hee looked up at the sky and sighed.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
While the ministers were at a loss for answers, the Minister of Finance left the hall and headed to the East Palace.
The place he was headed was the annex built next to the East Palace.
"Minister of Finance, you have arrived?"
"Thank you for your hard work."
The Minister lightly replied to the guard at the annex and entered.
"Is Minister Jeong inside?"
"Yes, he is inside. This way, please."
Guided by the attendant, the Minister of Finance headed to the room where Jeong Cho was working.
Jeong Cho, who was discussing matters with his subordinates, welcomed the Minister of Finance warmly.
"Is that you, Minister? What brings you here?"
"Oh, I came to seek your opinion."
"My opinion?"
"May I have a moment to talk?"
At the Minister's request, Jeong Cho led him to his office.
"This way."
Once inside the office, the Minister of Finance immediately began to vent his frustrations. "… The situation is unbearable! I need to know what mistake we made… Hah... Nowadays, I feel like I want to submit my resignation and retire every single day."
"Oh dear..."
Jeong Cho smiled wryly at the Minister's lament.
"Whether here or in the hall..."
Regardless, it was a serious issue that the sovereign was extremely angry.
After a moment of contemplation, Jeong Cho stood up.
"Let’s go together."
"Where to?"
"There is someone who knows the answer."
Jeong Cho headed toward the East Palace.
Having just returned from District 51 and organizing documents, Hyang paused his work to listen to the Minister of Finance's lament.
After hearing the Minister's tearful complaints, Hyang sighed deeply.
"Hah~. This is just..."
Hyang's reaction was similar to Sejong's, causing the Minister of Finance to tense up.
"Your Majesty!"
"You should not have acted humbly. Are you not the one responsible for the finances of the nation?"
"Though I am lacking, I do hold that position."
"Even so, you do not know the problem? Hah... This is quite something. Tsk!"
Seeing Hyang react like Sejong, the Minister of Finance felt a surge of something hot rising from below but had to suppress it.
"Your Majesty! Please enlighten me on what I do not know."
"It is simple. The naval base being established next to the trading post is the problem."
"What?"
"Does Ming Country have an overflowing treasury?"
"Ah!" The Minister exclaimed in surprise at Hyang's words.
Seeing the Minister's reaction, Hyang explained in more detail.
"While the incursions by Japanese pirates have decreased, we have not completely subdued them. This means that the navy being established next to the trading post is a new formation. How much will that cost? And what about maintenance costs? Where do you think that money will come from?"
"... It would be from the taxes of the trading post."
"Exactly. The Ming court will certainly propose increasing the tax rate from the trading post. But is that a good thing?"
"No, it is not."
"And who knows if the costs Ming Country is proposing are solely for maintaining the navy or if they also include covering other shortfalls?"
At Hyang's pointed remarks, the Minister of Finance bowed his head.
Hyang's voice reached his ears.
"We need to send someone to the trading post immediately to gather information. We must find out the scale of the newly established Ming navy base and how much a similar-sized Ming navy uses in a year to prepare in advance. Do you understand?"
"Yes? Yes!"
"Then hurry and move! Did you not hear that His Majesty said he would grant your wishes? If you do not want to collectively receive poison, then move quickly!"
"Yes, yes!" At Hyang's urging, the Minister of Finance scrambled to his feet, hurriedly paid his respects, and dashed toward the hall.
Watching the Minister's back disappear in a cloud of dust, Hyang turned to Jeong Cho beside him.
"The Minister will surely relay what he said, right?"
"It seems so."
"Then how do you think His Majesty will evaluate it?"
"If it were a major examination, it would be a grade of 'B'."
In response to Hyang's question, Jeong Cho answered immediately.
He was already accustomed to Hyang's way of evaluating things.
Hyang always demanded that whatever he said be improved by at least a penny.
Such was the nature of Sejong's child.
"I have found the answer! I have found it!" After a long time of brainstorming without finding a solution, the ministers rushed toward the Minister of Finance, led by Hwang Hee, upon hearing his exclamation.
"Yes, what is it?" Hwang Hee asked.
The Minister of Finance explained the answer that Hyang had mentioned.
Upon hearing his explanation, the ministers simultaneously placed their hands on their foreheads.
"Oh no!"
"How could we have overlooked that!"
Realizing their mistake, the ministers looked dismayed.
According to the Minister of Finance's explanation, they had been foolishly pleased without recognizing the most significant problem.
"What should we do..."
"The sovereign's evaluation..."
"At this rate, we will be scolded..."
Seeing the ministers in despair, Hwang Hee stepped forward.
"It is already in the past. Now that we know the answer, let us report to the sovereign. And let us strive to ensure this does not happen again."
"Understood."
A moment later, "Your Majesty, we have arrived!" At the call of the attendant, the ministers returned to their seats and adjusted their attire.
As Sejong sat on the throne above the dais in the hall, he looked down at the ministers.
"So, do you know what mistake you made?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Oh~. Deputy Prime Minister, please speak."
At Sejong's curious command, Hwang Hee cleared his throat and explained the problem.
After quietly listening, Sejong stroked his beard.
"Is that all?"
"Yes? Up to now..."
At Hwang Hee's response, Sejong let out a sigh.
"Hah... It cannot be helped. I hope you will all work harder in the future."
"We will obey!"
"Then let us move on to the next agenda item."
"Yes. The next agenda is..."
"Tsk!"