Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: The Approaching Year of Imo (1)
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Around the time of Chuseok, Kim Unhaeng submitted his first letter of resignation in his official career.
Of course, no one around him, not even Se-hwa, was surprised. Almost no one submits a resignation because they truly want to quit their post.
This was a signal that he wanted her to quickly keep her promise and appoint him to the rank of Junior Second Grade.
Yi Hwon considered himself a monarch who kept his promises, unlike his royal father.
Thus, following the standard model response to a resignation letter, Yi Hwon earnestly admonished (敦諭) Kim Unhaeng.
"Now that Chuseok has arrived, and I reflect upon it fondly, even the palace once lacked the liberty to enjoy sweet rice cakes at will, yet now they overflow everywhere. Even poor households have potatoes and sweet potatoes, so no table sits empty. The merits of Junior Secretary Kim Unhaeng are unprecedented. For one so young to hastily abandon his sovereign and return to commoner garb (布衣) is improper."
Since it was improper, the custom was to offer a higher position to retain him.
He was young, and whenever Kim Chunsik's scholarly pursuits came up, even Chundang would change the subject. Junior Censor might be a stretch, but Counselor was within reach. For Kim Unhaeng, who lacked experience in practical administrative roles, it would be an opportunity.
Alternatively, a high provincial post like Governor of Pyeongan would be fine. With the south so turbulent, stepping back to amass wealth while building connections in Qing China could be a viable path to Chief State Councillor.
Kim Unhaeng grinned broadly.
But that expression soon cracked wide open with the decree that followed.
"Appoint Kim Unhaeng as Commander of the Military Training Command (Junior Second Grade)."
Following that, Hong Bonghan—who had only held the title of Commander in name—was promoted to Minister of Personnel and formally reinstated, while Kim Seong-eung was ordered to remain as Commander of the Royal Guard and focus on military affairs. But none of it reached Kim Unhaeng's ears.
Should I commit treason? After the quest ends next year.
That was the first thought that crossed my mind.
Done it once, can't do it twice? This time the Military Training Command is mine?
No, why put a civilian official in charge of a military camp? Isn't this the top military post? Is this saying my career ends here?
Se-hwa, who had been gazing at me steadily, placed her hand on my arm.
"Judging from the events of the Jeongchuk Year (the Spring of Hanyang) and Your Highness's own decree regarding the capital's wealth, the Commander of the military camp is no longer merely the leader of warriors as in the past. After all, didn't you skip the military exam yourself? This isn't an order to achieve military feats; it's a sign of how much His Highness trusts and relies on you."
As I pondered her words, Se-hwa continued in a slightly lower voice.
"Even Lord Yeongpungbu (Hong Bonghan) served as Commander at a young age. Lately, when I met with the ladies of the Outer Court Offices and chatted idly about marriage prospects for our children, Iheon's name came up often, but no one even idly mentioned sending a matchmaker for Sukyeong. It seems there was some subtle word from the queen's palace."
I didn't react like a modern person with, "What matchmaker for a kid not even ten?"
It did sound plausible. If Se-hwa was right, this was a preparatory step toward becoming a Lord.
And who becomes Chief State Councillor if not a Lord?
I nodded to Se-hwa.
"I understand. From now on, teach Sukyeong feminine virtues and caution her in speech and conduct."
'General Kim Chunsik.'
Might not be bad to give it a shot.
The first order of business that hit me as Commander was—funny as it sounds—the thousand British trapped on Ganghwa Island.
Isn't that the Foreign Office's job? As I mentioned before, the Joseon military handles "everything outside a civilian official's duties."
Looking after barbarians is no concern of civilian officials. In Joseon, diplomacy extends to China at most—generously, Japan or Ryukyu.
Everything else is like a safari tour. Ganghwa is practically a military zone, as evident from its having a Prefect.
Even so, this should fall to the Royal Guard, who control Han River estuary logistics...
I realized what was up when I saw Commander Kim Seong-eung avoiding me lately.
The bastard dumped it on me.
When rumors spread that a newbie was filling a long-vacant spot, the veterans reshuffle duties to make it seem like it was always yours. The typical office ploy was repeating itself in the upper echelons of Joseon's central military.
But such things only happen if the manager turns a blind eye.
And the king seemed to be overlooking this administrative mess.
"Offices need not be rigidly filled; they are used as suited to the man [官不必備 惟其人, from the Book of Documents]. No need to be bound by titles. None knows the Westerners better than Kim Unhaeng in this land, so govern the Englishmen well."
That loathsome quote was 100% rehearsed. As if he'd normally read the Book of Documents.
In short, no escape from this prepared trap.
I sighed deeply.
A thousand people—3% of Ganghwa's current population.
At minimum economic units of households, that's around 10,000, meaning they'd require tithes from every home to feed.
Imposing a new 10% value-added tax—a direct tax, no less—to feed the British would spark peasant revolts and a massacre overnight.
'Hmm. A riot, huh...'
As I mulled if that was necessarily bad, Chae Je-gong—who eyed my vacated Junior Secretary post—visited.
"With the English on Ganghwa lately, rumors say they're soon entering the capital."
"Nonsense. How could we let hundreds of barbarians into the capital?"
"Hearing that from Commander Chunsik reassures me. The Separate Flag Army's been talking of the English savagery, worrying me."
Dutchmen? No, even if it's the English, aren't you fellow Christian Europeans?
After some thought, I caught Chae Je-gong's real intent.
"What sustains the Separate Flag Army these days?"
No matter the king's favor, even regular Joseon troops mostly go unpaid. Can't single them out. So they hustled side gigs like everyone else.
My guess hit the mark.
Chae Je-gong hesitated before admitting they wandered noble houses like Hamel's crew, dancing and singing at banquets. They skipped ours due to my rumored disdain for Europeans.
People flock to novelties. If the British came en masse and formed a Joseon Beatles, it'd threaten their gigs.
Their conduit for Western arms tech felt endangered too. Anyway, the Dutch mindset was no different from Nagasaki trade monopoly days.
I warned that unless by royal order for a few, Ganghwa would be the British grave.
Reassured, Chae Je-gong decided to yield the Junior Secretary post to Chundang Kim Jong-su or Sim Hwan-ji without fuss and left.
Does he value the Separate Flag Army over Junior Secretary? Baffling.
I returned to fretting over these good-for-nothings.
Train them with Joseon troops? Absurd.
Minus officers, they're all drunks clubbed from alleys. Arm those thugs? Want a Ganghwa takeover instead of Geomundo?
Plus, they're incompetent.
I reluctantly summoned a few per royal order and learned the British lacked even what our troops had in training systems.
No unified guidelines beyond basics—unit commanders did as they pleased.
Our troops don't follow theirs either, but official existence matters. Effectively, hundreds of mute Joseon troops...
Wait, Joseon troops?
A good idea struck.
Heard some idle scholar spread potato farming, booming fields on Ganghwa. Sweet potatoes tried but failed in cold.
I petitioned the king.
"Idle Englishmen breed trouble. Ganghwa's barren soil and fierce sea winds bar rice in many spots. Once money posts and navy lands—plant potatoes there for military farms."
Elite standing army doing nothing else?
Don't make me laugh.
We don't raise that. No free rides in Joseon.
The British sailors, instantly turned military farmers, trembled in fear.
Military farms existed in Europe too. Pre-Industrial Revolution, most knew farming anyway.
Farming's long-term. Meant no quick repatriation.
Island riots pointless; stolen ships, but whither?
Cleverly, Kim Unhaeng mixed small British groups with majority Joseon troops (Ganghwa had garrisons) to prevent unity.
Officers panicked. James Cook, handed potato sacks, glanced around hastily.
"Seems a communication mix-up. We need high official contact—hear anything?"
James Cook, military, hadn't seen capital yet.
Yi Hwon, martial enthusiast, wanted him but weighed kingly duties. Soldiers who'd fought Qing spelled trouble.
But Neville Maskelyne, Greenwich Observatory head queried by Cook, had only leeched knowledge from Hong Daeyong.
Maskelyne hesitated.
"Joseon seems to favor scholars with tech. Scholars build rapport?"
"Previous Southern Commander (Kim Unhaeng) wasn't so... Anyway, Observatory Head, talk them up. And as you know, I can provide maps and surveys to Joseon troops—push that..."
Cook secretly slipped seed potatoes into Maskelyne's bosom. Maskelyne, feeling eyed by a Joseon, nodded.
"I'll try."
Thus began the British desperate self-promotion.
Even rank-and-file. They gesticulated pleas to farm supervisors wielding Confusion Spirit Infusion Rods.
'I can fix that jammed cannon fuse...'
'I'm Sussex's best at splicing sails...'
'I can carve nude athlete statues from wood...'
Liberation Brigade's autonomy tied swimmers' power to commander's income.
Current Gyeonggi Admiral Jo Je-tae, eager for next Governor, colluded with Ganghwa Prefect, conscripting farm troops to train his men.
Military farmers farm peacetime, soldier when needed—no legal issue.
Learn well, raid Chinese boats or build ships like Yi Eon-seop, earn southern postings for riches.
Even short-term, bolstered Gyeonggi Navy vs. Royal Guard Han estuary rivalry. Soon, best explainers vanished from farms one by one.
Oddly, this cracked British unity as a side effect.
Brits suspected colleagues cozying to Joseons for better spots; suspicion bred fights.
A once-clear superior sergeant, long ignored as POW, yelled at old subordinate.
"Filthy cur! Sucking up to Chinese pigs feel good?"
'Subordinate' fired back boldly.
"Ha! So you hate this pork? Chinese pig or whatever, tasty's all that matters."
True, Chinese pigs. Jeju now raised many Qing hogs.
Liberation Brigade adopted Dutch salting for sea voyages.
Mostly beef, pork for Jeju runs. Thus, Gyeonggi Navy shared with cooperative English.
"Hand it over! No—selling state secrets merits hanging!"
"Bullshit. What'd the state give me besides a shilling under my drink? If we know, it ain't secret anymore, idiot."
"You bastard, you're dead! Where... urk!"
Potato-weakened sergeant felled by well-fed subordinate.
British navy specialized in mutinies anyway.
Royal Navy pros swapped masters for pay.
Commander Kim Unhaeng's 'farms' were disintegrating the British force wholesale.
In Gwangju, renowned scholar Yi Ik—author of Joseon's first true natural history and taxonomy text, Exposition on the Variations of All Things—received a letter from former student An Jeong-bok, working at the Military Registry on Chae Je-gong's recommendation.
Neville Maskelyne's desperate intro led to business cards from Thomas Pennant, Joseph Banks, and other naturalists/geologists reaching other 'practical scholars' via Hong Daeyong.
An Jeong-bok was among them.
Yi Ik stroked his beard.
"Hm. English from England arrived, many pursuing the scholarship I probed. Traveled tens of thousands of li, capturing thousands of flowers, trees, fish, beasts, insects, drawing precisely."
Yun Dong-gyu, disciple from Yi Ik's acorn/night-based 'All Things Species Theory' (Joseon biology taxonomy) days, replied.
"Westerners truly amazing. Acquire their docs and drawings to vastly expand Exposition on the Variations of All Things."
Once skeptical Yun's turnaround? Their 'All Things' shorthand became mandatory at all provincial schools, boosting academy revenue.
Don't like it? Don't buy. But lose arguments to Noryangjin injeolmi boss Park et al., forfeit stock.
Kim Unhaeng demanded All Things updates amid shifting bookstore ops, sharing sales revenue with Yi Ik and An Jeong-bok.
Seongho Academy thrived unlike starving history.
"Well said. Must head to capital soon."
"To the capital? At your age... Ask Sunam (An Jeong-bok)?"
"Gwangju to Seoul no distance. Hong Mo-jeok precedent: Sunam acts not, all enslaved, books burned. I studied Family Rites (Zhuszi), some vain repute; court won't slight me."
Yi Ik was 'Zhu Xi authority' over 'practical scholar' (whom Kim Unhaeng ignored for hire). Invited specially by Yeongjo to expound Zhu Xi, no arrogance. Far more Neo-Confucian legit than Kim Unhaeng.
"Mind the academy. Gahwan (Yi Ik's grandson, Yi Ga-hwan, Lee Seung-hun's uncle, later executed in persecutions) bright, nineteen—fit attendant."
The giant of Cheongnam rose.
Yi Ik's stature indeed commanded court respect.
Even lesser luminaries, eager for Western learning, networked to Wangsimni SIT.
SIT boomed again. They debated scholarship, hoping via braggart Hong Daeyong ('Kim Chunsik obeys me') to meet Westerners.
Meanwhile, the Year of Imo loomed.
In current Joseon, only Kim Unhaeng marked it specially. Even Yi Hwon saw just another year ending.
But Kim Unhaeng wasn't alone.
Europe's sun set slightly before Joseon's.
Early 1762, a German king—sharing father-son woes with 'Crown Prince Sado'—faced true 'transformation by fire.'
Author's Note
1. The politicization of the Commander post began around Yeongjo~Andong eras. In-story Hong Bonghan, future Kim Jo-sun held it long. Now transitional, still seen as military, hence Kim Unhaeng's anger.
2. Pre-modern bureaucracy often based on Book of Documents; Yi Hwon's line exemplifies.
Modern systems prioritize roles open to anyone; pre-modern assigned wise men freely, titles secondary. Confucius endorsed '兼職'.
3. British unified training came Napoleonic Wars via York/Albany Duke Frederick Augustus (1763~1827). Corrupt, but standardized disparate unit trainings. Basics done, so Kim Unhaeng exaggerates.
4. Ganghwa pop from late-18th 'Ganghwa Map' estimate. Post-Outer Registry Temple.
5. Jo Je-tae notoriously greedy/cruel, exiled to Jungseong. Pyongyang Jo clan, unrelated to Noron Four Jo Tae-chae (Yangju).
6. True or tale: Press gang slipped shilling under drunk's drink bottom; counted paid, drafted on spot.
7. 18th c., Chinese pigs imported to Europe, aiding modern breeds. Joseon imported 'Dangjeo' northern hogs early, but crosses undersized; isolated for rituals.
8. Yi Ik died 1763 (2 yrs post-story). Yi Ga-hwan rose to Minister, died Shin-yu persecutions. Lee Seung-hun, his nephew, Joseon's first baptized Catholic; Jung Yak-yong brother-in-law.