Hwangbo In immediately conveyed Wan’s order to the Crown Prince and Jeong In-ji.
“The Emperor’s command is solemn and must be followed.”
Upon receiving the order, the Crown Prince and Jeong In-ji nodded with composed faces. Their calm reaction rather confused Hwangbo In, prompting him to ask a question.
“Your Highness, you have been complaining daily about the shortage of people. Will this be all right?”
To Hwangbo In’s question, Crown Prince Hyeon nodded with a composed face.
“It’s fine. No, rather, it’s good. Some people not only become lazy themselves but also contaminate those around them. This is a good opportunity to clean things up.”
As Crown Prince Hyeon finished speaking, Jeong In-ji continued.
“Lee Soonji, the head of the Mathematics Department, calls them ‘lumps of dung, those who only produce dung.’ It’s actually good to remove them as it will save us budget as well.”
Hearing Jeong In-ji’s words, Hwangbo In felt slightly concerned.
“With Lee Soonji, isn’t the standard too strict?”
***
Lee Soonji was called ‘the Incomprehensible One’ along with Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil. He was not only famous for his outstanding mathematical ability that earned him this title but also for rising through the ranks solely on his own merit without any backing.
Lee Soonji was the first person to enter the research institute as the mathematics lead when Hyang initially established it. Afterward, he continued to be promoted, surpassing his seniors and peers with his exceptional mathematical skills. Eventually, when the institute was expanded and reorganized, he became the head of the newly established Mathematics Department, and it was naturally assumed that he would succeed Jeong In-ji.
While Lee Soonji’s qualities certainly contributed to this presumption, it was also due to the power of the ‘Mathematics Department’ itself.
***
As the research institute grew larger, the ‘Mathematics Department’ in charge of mathematics was born as an official department. The department’s duties included educating students at the Mathematics Academy and assisting scholars researching physics and mechanics.
When physicists or mechanics researchers needed to express their concepts in mathematical formulas, the Mathematics Department helped them.
As a result, scholars in the Mathematics Department had deep knowledge of all the fields being researched at the institute.
This made entering the Mathematics Department of the research institute a great honor for visiting scholars and those who had completed the Mathematics Academy program.
The problem was the ‘monster’ Lee Soonji, who existed in this ‘glorious Mathematics Department.’
***
Lee Soonji lived up to his nickname ‘the Incomprehensible One.’ No matter how complex the concept or theory, Lee Soonji would create a mathematical formula within days.
Because of this, scholars at the research institute openly said things like:
“When I explain a concept, no one understands it, but even they can understand Lee Soonji’s formulas. That is, if they have the ability.”
The problem was Lee Soonji’s infamous harsh criticisms, which were as well-known as his abilities.
If someone was even slightly insincere or failed to properly create or prove a formula, they would have to face his biting remarks and be reduced to tears.
‘Artist of formulas, killer with words.’
This was the nickname given to him by professors and exchange students from Europe.
However, hardly anyone hated Lee Soonji. He only directed his harsh criticisms at those who failed to properly handle their assigned tasks. Conversely, if someone performed their duties properly or achieved good results, he would make sure to record it and report it to his superiors.
Because of this, a saying circulated among the scholars and professors of the Mathematics Department:
“Since his harsh words aren’t meant to make you fail, if you can’t avoid them, enjoy them.”
Later, when Lee Soonji heard this saying, he had a puzzled expression.
“If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it? Why would anyone enjoy being cursed at? Only a madman would enjoy that!”
***
It was because of this personality that Hwangbo In was concerned.
“With Lee Soonji, won’t the standards be set too strictly?”
To Hwangbo In’s concern, Crown Prince Hyeon replied with a slight smile.
“These days, Lee Soonji has developed a taste for managing people, so he’ll be moderately selective. There’s no need to worry.”
“That’s right. And I will also screen them once, so there won’t be much of a problem.”
“In that case…”
Hwangbo In nodded with a relieved expression.
***
Two months later, about 40 exchange students and professors were expelled from the research institute and the Mathematics Academy.
“It’s unfair!”
“Please give us one more chance!”
The exchange students and professors who were targeted for expulsion pleaded for another chance, but Wan and the officials were firm.
“As scholars, you should never be lazy in pursuing truth. But you have been lazy. There is no reason to reconsider!”
With Wan’s resolute answer, they had to board the ship heading to Suez.
“Whew~.”
While those on the ship were sighing with regret, the courtesans in Seoul’s brothels also sighed.
“Whew~. With many big spenders gone, business will be tough.”
Whether the courtesans sighed or not, Wan and the officials had expressions of relief.
“In this way, we’ve been able to weed out those who were up to strange things.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. It has given other exchange students and professors a sense of caution, making them more devoted to their primary duties, which is a good thing. We have also been able to expel those who were up to strange things without much commotion. All of this is thanks to Your Majesty’s wise decision.”
“That is right, Your Majesty!”
As soon as Hwangbo In finished speaking, all the other ministers praised Wan. After showing an embarrassed expression, Wan quickly moved on.
“Well! Let’s stop gilding my face and move on to the next matter! There are mountains of issues to discuss today!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“First, let’s take a breather and then continue. Eunuchs, bring the tea.”
At Wan’s command, the eunuchs brought trays with teapots and cups filled with black bean tea.
After taking a breath and drinking a cup of black bean tea, Wan and the ministers continued their meeting.
“Let’s see. I heard that the internal affairs of Wa, no, Japan are still noisy. How bad is it?”
To Wan’s question, Hwangbo In stepped forward to answer.
“There are rumors that Ouchi Yoshinori, the ruler of Japan, is suffering from a mental illness because of this issue.”
***
During this period, Japan was divided and troubled by two factions: those advocating for ‘maintaining the Emperor’ and those for ‘abdication.’
- The Emperor should relinquish all power and step back, only taking care of rituals.
- The Emperor is the unique monarch of our Japan, who has continued for tens of thousands of generations! Rather, the Shogun of the Bakufu should step down from the positions of regent and chief advisor and return power to His Majesty the Emperor!
The two forces, evenly matched, had somehow begun to mobilize force.
Naturally, the core power holders of the Bakufu secretly supported the ‘abdication faction,’ and the outnumbered maintenance faction resorted to terrorism.
To suppress the samurai who were hired by the maintenance faction and engaged in terrorism, the Bakufu established the Bakuto-tai.
To quell the increasing internal turmoil, Yoshinori, who needed visible achievements, employed diplomatic means.
***
“You want us to call you Japan instead of Wa?”
Masahiro, Yoshinori’s son who came as an envoy, bowed his head and answered Wan’s question.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Since the time of Silla, our country has used the name Japan. Moreover, in the official documents of the Empire and Ming, the superior countries, we are specified as the country of Japan.”
“That’s correct.”
Wan nodded at Masahiro’s words. In the official documents that Joseon and later the Empire sent to Wa, the Shogun of the Bakufu was written as the ‘King of Japan.’
The same was true for Ming. In the official documents Ming sent to Wa, it was written as ‘Japan.’
With Wan’s affirmation, Masahiro bowed his head again and continued.
“However, the scholars and common people of the superior country call our country Wa and our people Wa people. This Wa comes from the character meaning ‘dwarf’ or ‘small.'”
“Hmm… That’s true.”
Masahiro prostrated himself and raised his voice as if spitting blood.
“I earnestly beseech Your Majesty! Decades have passed since our country looked up to the Empire as the superior country! Our scholars admire and follow the Empire’s way without hesitation, and our warriors emulate the imperial army, honing their bodies and minds to focus on national defense. The common people also admire the Empire just the same! In such a situation, for the scholars and common people of the superior country to call our country and our people ‘Wa’ in a belittling manner, how can this be considered right! Please forbid the use of the term ‘Wa’ and command that we be called Japan! This will be the cornerstone for friendly relations between our two countries to continue for generations.”
“Hmm…”
Though Masahiro had finished speaking, Wan did not easily open his mouth. Stroking his chin in thought for a moment, Wan soon spoke.
“I will give you an answer after discussing it with my ministers. The envoy should wait at the envoys’ residence.”
At Wan’s command, Masahiro respectfully paid his respects and left the great hall.
After sending Masahiro away, Wan asked his ministers.
“The words of the Japanese envoy seem to be without error. What do you all think?”
To Wan’s question, Hwangbo In answered first.
“It is certainly true that from ancient times, in official documents, it was written as ‘Japan.’ Also, it is indeed not proper to belittle a country and its people with whom we maintain friendly relations. The problem is whether that term is ‘Wa.'”
As Hwangbo In finished speaking, Kim Jong-seo took up the conversation.
“Calling Wa as Wa is not just because the people are small in stature. It’s because the temperament and behavior of the Wa people are that of petty men. They follow small righteousness rather than great righteousness, and they often betray trust in pursuit of immediate benefits. They are called Wa because they are untrustworthy petty men. When they talk about friendly relations continuing for generations, I, honestly, find it difficult to trust.”
To Kim Jong-seo’s words, Wan also expressed his honest thoughts.
“Is it only you who can’t trust the friendly relations and faith spoken of by the Wa people? The Emperor Emeritus and His Majesty said the same thing. ‘The Wa people are different from yesterday to today and overturn their decisions more easily than flipping the palm of their hand. They can never be trusted.'”
“That’s right, Your Majesty.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
In response to Wan’s words, all the ministers nodded their heads. On behalf of such ministers, Hwangbo In opened his mouth.
“What the envoy said is not wrong. However, the ‘friendly relations for generations’ he mentioned cannot be trusted. The Ouchi who currently rule Japan pay tribute to us and maintain friendly relations because it benefits them. If they think that harming us would bring them greater profit, they would betray their faith without hesitation. The problem is that if we reject Ouchi’s request, we might give them a good pretext.”
“That’s the issue.”
To Wan’s words, Kim Ha, the Foreign Minister, stepped forward.
“As the Prime Minister said, there’s no need for us to create ill feelings in them first. Also, since the Ouchi who currently rule Japan are helpful to our empire, it’s good for us to respond appropriately. Honestly, do you think they are making this request for the reason they stated? Isn’t it to gain momentum in their current chaotic internal situation?”
“That’s true.”
Eventually, Wan concluded to accept Ouchi’s request.