Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Stirring Up Trouble in the Ming Dynasty (7)
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“You must have suffered greatly on the long envoy journey, doing hardships you've never faced in your life, Lord Hwang Bu-bong-sa.”
“Not at all. My father said that hardships in one's youth should be sought out. It was only natural for a mere 18-year-old like me to endure it.”
This man's father was none other than Chief State Councillor Hwang Hui.
And this fellow's name was Hwang Su-shin, the man who would later become the only Chief State Councillor in Joseon history without passing the civil service exam.
Looking back on his deeds, he was something like a dark version of Hwang Hui.
When it seemed Danjong would lose to Sejo, he stabbed King Sejong the Great—who had elevated him to a high rank despite his exam failure—in the back and supported Sejo...
Sent to aid disaster recovery, he falsified land records to embezzle fields, and when caught, shamelessly claimed it was for the good of the country.
'In short, a money- and power-hungry bastard.'
Yet listening to him talk, he sounded no less loyal than any righteous minister.
This was how such a man rose to success and became a treacherous official who ruined the nation.
“Thanks to my father being Chief State Councillor, I was appointed to office at a young age through recommendation, gaining the chance to serve the country. Having received such undeserved favor, how could I shy away from this minor hardship?”
“The Chief State Councillor has truly raised his son well. Lord Hwang Bu-bong-sa, you will become a great pillar of the nation, just like him.”
Even traitors like Han Myeong-hoe and Kwon Ram would never have dreamed of rebellion if King Sejong the Great and King Munjong had lived long, healthy lives.
So, I planned to make good use of this man's dark talents—the one who bore the stigma of 'recommendation appointment' yet rose to Chief State Councillor through his greed for dirty money.
“Enough idle chatter. I'll get straight to the point. Prepare quickly from now on, take one interpreter, and slip out of the Forbidden City. Then find the technicians who worked on the treasure ships, spirit them away, and bring them to Joseon.”
Hwang Su-shin's face hardened instantly.
Pulling porter duty for the envoy group until now hadn't been easy, either.
But what I was ordering now was on another level entirely.
Escaping the heavily guarded Forbidden City meant risking one's life.
Failure would mean losing his head on the spot.
“Can you do it?”
Hwang Su-shin pondered deeply, then replied with a resolute expression.
“It's no easy task, but I believe it's fully possible.”
“What makes you think so?”
“The Forbidden City is guarded fiercely by Imperial Guards, soldiers, and eunuchs with eyes wide open, so no ordinary envoy member could escape unless they had wings. However, the merchants accompanying the envoys can freely leave for trade.”
Both Confucian states, Joseon and Ming, despised commerce.
Thus, the merchants with the envoy naturally traded outside the Forbidden City.
Of course, they were still watched by no small number of guards... but compared to the ironclad security inside, it was manageable.
“So slipping out two porters wouldn't be too hard if we time it right.”
“Getting out is one thing, but the real key is finding and bringing those shipwrights. Can you manage that?”
Hwang Su-shin smirked at my words.
“From what I've heard, after Emperor Yongle's death, the Ming closed all shipyards nationwide and scattered the craftsmen. Judging by that, they likely haven't managed the craftsmen since.”
“I've heard something similar—they shut down the shipyards and drove stakes into the sites. The fishermen from coastal villages were all relocated to Liaodong and turned into military households.”
Ming histories would only note that the 'sea ban' was enacted.
But with the sea ban, the Ming coastal folk instantly became rootless wanderers, and the technology to build ships that could sail to Africa was buried forever.
By the Imjin War, Ming warships were so worthless that Chen Lin had to borrow Joseon's panokseon.
A wicked smile crept across Hwang Su-shin's lips.
“They say the people revere food like the heavens. Put another way, if Joseon gives them food, won't they revere Joseon like the heavens?”
They say a promising tree shows from its first leaves—and sure enough, this budding corrupt official had a knack for exploiting people.
“For the childless, promise marriage. For those with families, tempt them that Joseon will solve their sustenance once they cross over. That should pose no issue. But since it involves moving many people without raising suspicion, forming a merchant caravan would be best. That said, it'll require quite a bit of capital.”
“I'll have the Minister of Personnel provide ample funds.”
“We'll need to buy oxen, horses, wagons, various Ming books, luxury goods like satin, and medicines in abundance. Plus, bribes to cross the border including Liaodong—at least 30 geun of ginseng.”
Even if the emperor ordered stricter border controls, as long as the 'bribes' were right, you could usually cross Ming borders.
Without bribes, you'd get caught for sure.
So I had no issue with his mention of bribes, but the problem was he hadn't specified the 'amount'.
In other words, if he gave 1 geun as bribe then claimed 10 geun, we'd have no clear way to verify.
'Can't let that slide.'
“I'll request special provisions from the Minister of Personnel—who knows of this—and the Minister of Finance's attendant who came as deputy envoy. I'll also contribute the ginseng I brought for myself. In return, make sure you bring the craftsmen safely, and don't overuse the bribes. Those lords need money to live as statesmen, and they've prepared to gather some wealth through this opportunity. They're giving you ginseng in the spirit of sacrifice for the nation.”
In Joseon, the stipends given to yangban officials were—exaggerating slightly—mere ornaments.
You couldn't survive on them alone.
So Joseon officials lived by subtly shifting government funds to their pockets in 'self-sufficient' ways.
Maeng Sa-seong did it, I did it—selling our brought ginseng to make money for the future.
If this guy hogged it all, I'd be in real trouble.
“I'll keep that in mind, my lord.”
“And since this is truly vital, I'll say it once more: No matter what, bring those treasure ship craftsmen safely to Joseon. His Highness will grant you a great reward.”
At the word 'reward', Hwang Su-shin's ears perked up.
True to form as the third son of the famously greedy Chief State Councillor Hwang Hui.
“You know my father-in-law is practically managing the Jeju Jeongui County Japanese liaison trade, right?”
“Yes, I'm well aware.”
“My father-in-law receives massive gifts from merchant guilds across the major towns, including Hanyang. His Jinhae County operations have grown fivefold from before. Word is, he rakes in annual income rivaling a manseok landowner.”
Hwang Su-shin swallowed hard at 'manseok landowner'.
He stared at me like lasers might shoot from his eyes... don't look at me like that.
I already got enough of those gazes from the Executive Office and Six Ministries' ministers.
“But with my father-in-law working far away on Jeju, how much must he be suffering? My wife can't even sleep worrying about him. As her husband, I'd like to move him to a more comfortable provincial post, but I need someone reliable there...”
I glanced meaningfully at Hwang Su-shin.
“I'll recommend you for the Jeongui County Japanese liaison post. It's not a capital plum, but as a provincial role, it'll greatly aid your future career—like Jinhae County Magistrate.”
“Jinhae County Magistrate level?”
These days, the court viewed the Jinhae Magistrate post as:
'Officials' grave or gateway to promotion'
My successor there returned from provincial duty with scant gains but was then appointed Ijo Jeongrang.
The Jeongui post would likely get similar treatment for a while.
The difference? A capable man could amass a fortune and build a stellar resume—a flower job.
“His Highness has high expectations for you.”
The next day, we envoys—including me—deeply apologized to the emperor for the missing porters due to poor management of our group.
Emperor Xuande magnanimously forgave us, saying he wouldn't make an issue of it.
Well, with Joseon bowing so low, there was no reason to escalate two porters' absence into a diplomatic incident.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Having safely escaped the Forbidden City, Hwang Su-shin and his interpreter began openly parading as rich men around Beijing.
They hired guards, bought horses, oxen, and wagons—everything.
Anyone could see they ran a major merchant caravan.
Once fully equipped, Hwang Su-shin headed to Beijing's slums to gather intel.
“Do you happen to know where the old shipwrights live?”