Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 747

Episode 747: Generational Change (5)

In the 16th year of the Imperial Calendar (1464),

Park Jong-woo, the Prime Minister of the Empire, died.

He was 59 years old at the time of death.

As the third Prime Minister of the Empire, he set the record as the ‘youngest Prime Minister’ at the age of 53 when he was appointed Prime Minister in the 10th year of the Imperial Calendar (1458).

At the time, there were many theories about why the Hyang appointed Park Jong-woo, leaving behind prominent officials including Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Hui.

Among many theories, this was the most influential one.

-The big picture of the emperor.

Both Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom lived to the ripe old age of 90.

And the time spent as an official was also very long.

In addition, he had excellent crisis management skills as he experienced all kinds of upheavals as a high-ranking official during the turbulent times of the end of the Goryeo Dynasty and the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty from King Taejo to King Sejong.

The problem was who would succeed those two.

They were Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in.

Both had excellent work ability and were considered the best candidates to serve as Prime Minister.

Hwang Bo-in had the personality of ensuring that once a standard was set, it was strictly adhered to. If he were to become Prime Minister, who was considered to be the leader of all people, he would be able to maintain his position and assist the emperor even in all kinds of unexpected situations and crises.

Kim Jong-seo had a different outlook from Hwang Bo-in.

While Hwang Bo-in was a stickler for his own standards, Kim Jong-seo was similar to Hwang Hee.

“You are right and you are also right. But given the circumstances, why not just back off a little?”

The person who achieved the best results by coordinating stakeholders in this way was Kim Jong-seo. However, when both sides refused to back down, he resolutely pushed ahead with his decision.

That is why the pioneering of the northeastern region was successfully completed together with Hwang Hee.

No matter which of the two became Prime Minister, they were people who could never make a wrong choice.

But the problem was their age.

Both Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in were in the 70th row.

And it was impossible to guarantee that they would live as long as Kim Jeom and Hwang Bo-in.

Therefore, it was said that the local government chose Park Jong-woo, who was recognized as the most capable among those in their 50s.

And this was half the answer.

* * *

I had been wondering whether the appointment would be optimal for the vacant position of Prime Minister.

“Either Kim Jong-seo or Hwang Bo-in would be suitable, but they are too old. And it can be seen that it is a situation where there has not been a clear verification…”

Hyang, who had been speechless, suddenly smiled bitterly and continued speaking.

“No, you probably don’t believe your eyes.”

What Hyang was worried about was whether he was overestimating Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in.

The reason Hyang was unsure of his own evaluation was because of the history he remembered.

In history before Hyang intervened, Hwang Bo-in and Kim Jong-seo were purged through the Gyeyujeong Rebellion caused by Prince Suyang.

Because of this, it became difficult for Hyang to trust his own evaluation of Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in.

– Even if you look at the annals and records of the time, it is said that Hwang Bo-in and Kim Jong-seo were outstanding people. But is this an accurate and objective record? Could it be that it is overrated simply because of its tragic end? There are very poor records of what abilities he displayed while serving as the Right and Young Councillors.

In other words, because he was a ‘loyal subject who met a tragic end in the Gyeyujeong Rebellion’, Hyang began to doubt himself as to whether he was overestimating himself too much.

“It’s definitely excellent, but I’m still anxious. Age is also an issue… You must be at an age where you can endure at least 10 years without hesitation. And Kim Jong-seo’s love for Seoul is also a problem…”

After serious deliberation, the government appointed Park Jong-woo as Prime Minister and appointed Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in as Deputy Prime Ministers.

“The person who was trained under Kim Jong-woo is Park Jong-woo. His ability has been proven, and with the help of Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in, he can make up for the lack of experience. And if it doesn’t work out, you can drop Park Jong-woo as deputy prime minister and raise one of the two to prime minister. And when the time comes, he will be promoted to Prime Minister again.”

This was not unusual. Even in history before the intervention of the Hyang, there were many cases where the positions of Young Councilor and Left Councilor were held in turns.

That is why the government appointed Park Jong-woo as Prime Minister.

However, Park Jong-woo suddenly passed away.

* * *

Wan, who was struggling to fill the position of Prime Minister left vacant by Park Jong-woo’s sudden death, visited King Sejong.

“What’s going on?”

“I would like to get advice on choosing the Prime Minister.”

In response to Wan, Sejong put aside the book he was reading and looked at Wan.

“So… who do you think is best, Emperor?”

Wan answered Sejong’s question right away.

“I think it’s one of Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in.”

“You’re both so old, is that okay?”

“The younger generation lacks experience. Even if it is dangerous for the time being, the time has come when the old gods are needed.”

Seeing Sejong silently nodding his head, Wan continued speaking.

“Hwang Bo-in is upright and strong-willed, so he will be able to firmly carry on the government. Jong-seo Kim is very flexible and can immediately find a solution even in unexpected crises. “Considering the current situation of the surrounding countries and the empire, please give me advice on who would be better.”

Sejong thought for a moment about Wan’s answer and then opened his mouth.

“First of all, the nature of the two is the same as what the emperor said. Hwang Bo-in is strong on the outside, and Jong-seo Kim is strong on the outside. Hwang Bo-in is strict but takes good care of his subordinates, and Kim Jong-seo is strong and disciplined even though he appears indecisive. “They are definitely someone who has a lot to offer.”

“So it’s not easy.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong thought for a moment and answered Wan.

“The decision-making authority lies with the Emperor, but I think it would be better to have Hwang Bo-in as Prime Minister. And send Kim Jong-seo to Deputy Prime Minister Woo.”

“Are you saying that Kim Jong-seo is Deputy Prime Minister Woo?”

“exactly.”

“May I ask why?”

“The Emperor, please think about it.”

Wan’s face became serious at Sejong’s words.

‘It’s a test!’

Wan, who realized Sejong’s plan, thought carefully about the reason.

After thinking deeply for a while, Wan told Sejong his thoughts.

“Kim Jong-seo experienced war in the northeastern region. Looking at the current surrounding situation and the situation in Suez, we cannot neglect national defense. Kim Jong-seo is not only a tattooist, but he also knows war and has moderation, so he can avoid excessiveness in national defense. So, I can say that he is a worthy candidate for Deputy Prime Minister Woo.”

Sejong responded with a big smile to Wan’s answer.

“That is my opinion. “In addition, even if there are people who are dissatisfied with Hwang Bo-in’s rigidity, Kim Jong-seo will comfort them.”

“In that case, if Kim Jong-seo becomes Prime Minister, things will get bigger. “If there is a greeting or event that makes Kim Jong-seo angry, Hwang Bo-in will also be angry.”

“That’s right. “Shouldn’t we prevent something like fire from overlapping and becoming flame?”

“I’ll buy it back.”

In this way, Hwang Bo-in was selected as the new Prime Minister. Next, Kim Jong-seo and Minister of Finance and Economy Lee Gyeon-gi took over as right deputy prime minister and left deputy prime minister.

Lastly, Lim Soon-wook was appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Economy.

Lim Soon-wook’s inauguration as Minister of Finance and Economy was one of the butterfly effects created by scent.

A person whose existence was not even known in history before the intervention of incense rose to the surface of history.

As time passed, Hyang received a related report from Shinji and frowned.

“Prime Minister, Hwang Bo-in, Deputy Prime Minister Woo, and Kim Jong-seo? This means Hwang Bo is in the Yeonguijeong and Kim Jong-seo is in the Woouijeong…”

Hyang, who thought for a moment while tapping the desk with his fingers, looked out the window and muttered.

“Are you relieved that we brought Jinpyeong here?”

* * *

When Hwang Bo-in was promoted to the new Prime Minister and the empire was busy with a series of personnel changes, an incident occurred in the Ming Dynasty.

Emperor Gyeongtae had died.

Compared to the history before Hyang intervened, it survived for 7 more years.

In addition, although everything changed, including the surrounding situation, there were some things that did not change.

Emperor Gyeongtae had no heirs.

He had one son and two daughters, but his son, Joo Gyeon-je, died of illness at a young age.

Afterwards, he had several concubines and tried hard to have a son, but it did not bear fruit.

When Emperor Gyeong died without an heir, the Ming court was shaken.

“To whom should the throne pass…”

The ministers searched the imperial family’s family tree and desperately searched for someone suitable to succeed the throne.

But it wasn’t easy. The immediate previous emperor, Emperor Seondeok, had only two sons. One was Ju Ji-jin, who committed suicide in Liaodong, and the other was Emperor Gyeong-tae.

“Should I go higher….”

“If that happens, I will fall into a secondary world, and if I make a mistake, a civil war over the throne could break out once again.”

While the ministers were confused, not knowing what to do, someone found the answer.

“The legitimate son of the King of Liaodong is alive in Joseon!”

“The King of Liaodong’s legitimate child?”

“Oh oh!”

The ministers were delighted with the information that Joo Jin-jin’s legitimate son was alive, but they soon faced another problem.

-Although he was pushed out as King of Liaodong, Ju Ji-jin is the emperor’s legitimate eldest son.

-Therefore, there is no problem with legitimacy if Joo Jin-jin is the legitimate enemy. Rather, it is an optimal existence with no problems with legitimacy.

-But the only problem and the biggest problem was that the legitimate son was now living in Joseon.

“I lived in Joseon for almost ten years. “If this is the case, shouldn’t we be considered Korean?”

“No matter how much you think about it, it’s probably like that.”

“Will the people welcome you?”

“Then is there another alternative?”

“Among the princes of Emperor Hongxi, the previous emperor, what do you think of Pus?”

“Are you talking about Yangwang Zhou Chuanxian?”

“exactly.”

“It’s not a deficit, is it? And you’re already 64!”

“Then, as the prince of the two kings….”

“Not as a legitimate son, but as a collateral collateral? Do you think other royal family members are just watching that?”

What the ministers were worried about was the competition for imperial power among the royal family. The ministers, who had already experienced the uprising of Jeongnan, the rebellion of Zhou Hu, and the civil war waged by those impersonating Zhou Yun-wen and his son, wanted to avoid something like that happening again.

The ministers, exhausted from intense deliberation, sighed and complained.

“Whoa~. At a time like this, there should have been an elder in the imperial family….”

The ministers recalled Empress Hyogongjang, the Empress of Seondeok, who had died a few years ago.

However, the throne could not remain vacant forever. After much deliberation, the ministers came to a conclusion.

“Let’s send someone to Joseon.”

* * *

A month later, eight messengers arrived in Seoul.

Foreign Minister He Hu, who welcomed the messenger, heard Ming’s request and immediately reported it to Wan.

“Would you like Joo Gi-jin’s son back?”

“That’s right.”

Wan, who had been briefly remembering Heo Hu’s answer, looked back at the ministers with an incomprehensible expression.

“And where does your son live now?”

“Ah…”

In response to Wan’s question, all the ministers made the same expression as Wan.

‘Alas! ‘I completely forgot!’

‘I was only executing the budget and not paying proper attention!’

Since he was already in a ‘kite that fell by the strings’ situation, the person he had completely forgotten was Joo Joo-jin’s son.