“Then what would you suggest?”

Hyang’s eyes sparkled increasingly as he posed the question. The Imperial Guard Commander, watching from the side, looked at the staff officer who received the question. The officer was excitedly considering his response. Seeing Hyang’s sparkling eyes fixed on the staff officer, the commander shook his head slightly.

His Majesty often wears that same expression as His Previous Majesty did. And each time, someone would receive a special appointment.

Regardless, the highly motivated staff officer answered confidently.

“First, we’ll start by taking four or five well-regarded second-rank courtesans and sixteen or seventeen apprentices to the north. We’ll also select two or three retired courtesans skilled in teaching song and dance to accompany them.”

“Where would be best to start?”

“Since Liaodong Castle is currently the most prosperous place in the north, establishing the entertainment house there would be best. Then, when the time is right, we’ll introduce the apprentices properly trained by the retired courtesans.”

“Hmm…”

Humming thoughtfully while nodding, Hyang posed another question to the officer.

“Wouldn’t second-rank courtesans alone be insufficient? Mightn’t they be treated as common prostitutes, as you mentioned?”

The staff officer responded with a resigned expression.

“That possibility is indeed substantial. However, we have no choice. First-rank courtesans would certainly not even consider it.”

Everyone in the meeting room nodded at the officer’s observation.

***

First-rank courtesans were famous for their pride. However, considering the process of becoming a first-rank courtesan, their pride was understandable.

They had to rigorously train in song, dance, and various arts at the Bureau of Public Entertainment, and study enough to engage in scholarly debates with aristocrats. After becoming first-rank courtesans, they were mobilized for major state events and welcoming ceremonies for foreign envoys.

While they did engage in business activities beyond these official functions, even these were limited to invitations from famous noble houses or high-ranking officials.

After the establishment of comprehensive entertainment venues, they toured the country, showcasing their arts and enhancing their reputation.

Given these circumstances, even moderately wealthy nobles or merchants didn’t dare call upon them. It wasn’t a matter of money, but of the first-rank courtesans’ pride.

Their treatment reflected this status. Though legally classified as lowborn due to being government courtesans, in practice they were treated as free citizens.

***

As first-rank courtesans became the topic, Hyang recalled an old memory.

I remember Professor Samcheonpo’s words connecting the Japanese invasion and courtesans.

-Right before the Japanese invasion, an envoy from Tsushima came to Joseon. At the banquet, the envoy pretended to be drunk and spilled pepper, causing chaos. The Tsushima envoy sneered at this, and understandably so. Those proud first-rank courtesans and officials lost their composure and caused a scene.

“Your Majesty?”

Ah! Got sidetracked again!

Brought back to attention by the commander’s call, Hyang posed another question.

“So, is recruiting first-rank courtesans completely impossible?”

“I believe it’s impossible. Aren’t almost all of their duties centered in Seoul to begin with?”

“That’s true…”

Hyang nodded at the staff officer’s words.

After considering countermeasures briefly, Hyang addressed the assembled group.

“Are there no first-rank courtesans about to retire, or retired courtesans with connections to first-rank courtesans?”

The secret division members looked at each other before answering.

“There are several, Your Majesty.”

“Then approach them about going north together. Their task would be nurturing talented young women. In other words, assign them the role we discussed for the retired courtesans earlier.”

“Would they agree to move?”

“Emphasize how their reputation would rise again if even one or two of their students become famous first-rank courtesans. And for reference, comprehensive entertainment venues will soon be established in the north as well.”

The secret division staff officers immediately exclaimed in admiration.

“Ah! Such a method!”

“As expected of Your Majesty!”

At the staff officers’ reaction, Hyang’s eyes sparkled even more.

They caught on immediately? Well, this is unexpected.

Feeling he had found talent in an unexpected place, Hyang pushed further.

“What other advantages do you see in using this method?”

“…”

The meeting room fell silent at Hyang’s question.

Hmm? Was I expecting too much?

As Hyang began to feel disappointed by the longer-than-expected silence, one staff officer carefully spoke up.

“Even with just one or two first-rank courtesans emerging, they would become famous throughout not just the empire, but all of our territory. This is because they would build their reputation touring the comprehensive entertainment venues across our territory. This would raise the pride of the local residents where these courtesans came from. Considering the north’s current reputation, even one first-rank courtesan could contribute significantly to imperial integration.”

“Exactly!”

Hyang slapped his knee in excitement as soon as the officer finished speaking.

“That’s precisely what I was thinking! While quite a few Jurchens are currently serving as civil and military officials, it will take considerable time before we see high-ranking officials emerge. Though training courtesans also takes time, it’s shorter than producing high-ranking officials or prestigious families. Moreover, when they eventually tour the entire empire beyond our territory, their existence will become a source of pride, reducing discrimination against northern residents!”

We have examples like K-Pop girl group members and famous Canadian hockey players!

***

As the strategy of ‘recruiting retired first-rank courtesans’ was established, the meeting began to pick up pace.

“Right now we only have Liaodong Castle, but bases will soon be established in other major northern cities. How should we build a communication network connecting these locations?”

The meeting room fell silent at Hyang’s question, and he began counting internally.

One, two, three…

As his count passed 400, one staff officer stood up.

“What about establishing distilleries?”

“Distilleries? Explain in detail.”

430! That’s a decent response time! This might reduce my workload!

At Hyang’s command, the officer who made the proposal began explaining in more detail.

“When comprehensive entertainment venues are established in the north, naturally a lot of alcohol will be sold. However, most of it is mare’s milk wine or rice wine, with distilled spirits being rare commodities.”

“Isn’t that the same in our territory?”

Traditionally distilled spirits were very expensive liquors requiring considerable labor to produce.

The staff officer immediately nodded at Hyang’s point and continued.

“Yes, Your Majesty. However, the situation is better than in the north. Therefore, if we build distilleries near the Yalu River and Liaodong Castle, creating a supply network connecting major bases would naturally enable regular communication.”

“Not bad. No, it’s a good method.”

Hyang nodded repeatedly as he listened.

The alcohol supply chain becomes a communication network, and it connects directly to Seoul just across the Yalu River. Not bad.

Having thought this far, Hyang reached his conclusion.

“Submit plans for establishing bases connecting entertainment houses, distilleries, and comprehensive entertainment venues, along with their communication networks. Also include analysis of necessary funding issues and problems to be solved. The deadline is… two days should be enough, right?”

Everyone’s face turned pale at Hyang’s question.

“Only two days?”

“‘As much as’ two days. Why, is it not enough?”

Seeing their inability to respond properly, Hyang slightly furrowed his brow.

“Oh? How disappointing. Where have those clever minds gone that were impressing me just moments ago?”

At Hyang’s words, the secret division officers, especially the staff officers, immediately put strength in their voices.

“No, Your Majesty! Two days is sufficient! We will prepare answers that will satisfy Your Majesty!”

“I look forward to it. The day after tomorrow will be most interesting.”

“We will definitely satisfy you!”

“Work hard.”

With these final words, Hyang rose from his seat with a slight smile.

“We serve the empire from the shadows!”

Hyang departed while receiving the secret division’s salute. After he left, the division members came to their senses and exhaled long sighs.

“Whew… This is serious…”

“What a mess…”

Seeing their expressions, the Imperial Guard Commander muttered internally.

You’ve all been hooked…

****

Two days later, Hyang was again seated in the secret division’s meeting room.

“Hmm…”

After examining the report submitted by the division officers with dark circles under their eyes, Hyang put it down and began his evaluation.

“Not bad.”

“Whew…”

Those who unconsciously sighed at Hyang’s evaluation quickly prostrated themselves on the floor in alarm.

“We apologize! Please forgive our impropriety!”

“It’s fine, return to your seats.”

“We are most grateful!”

As they returned to their seats, Hyang began his detailed evaluation.

The analysis continued with many parts being removed and added. The area most heavily cut from the initial plan concerned courtesans—specifically, their recruitment.

“Absolutely exclude cases where children are offered for debt repayment. Also exclude any connections to human trafficking. However, voluntary self-sale will be permitted.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Minimize acceptance of women with bound feet (전족). Only allow exceptions for those with talent in song and music.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

***

Hyang’s meeting with the secret division continued for almost two days. Through this time investment, the division’s plan was made more robust.

“The last remaining issue is the matter of financiers. Hmm…”

After brief consideration, Hyang looked around at the division officers.

“I’ll need to borrow your names.”

“Pardon? Our names, Your Majesty?”

“The capital needed for establishing entertainment houses and distilleries isn’t just pocket change, is it? Do you think the National Tax Service will overlook it? The moment my name, the Imperial Guard Commander’s name, or even names of court eunuchs or ladies appear, the Board of Audit will go berserk.”

“Ah…”

“Therefore, you’ll establish a merchant group under your names.”

“A merchant group?”

“Yes. Congratulations, you’ve become the owners of the empire’s first large-scale merchant group dealing in liquor distribution and entertainer training.”

“Haha…”

The division officers responded to Hyang’s congratulations with awkward laughter and peculiar expressions.

One staff officer stood up to ask a question after hearing Hyang’s suggestion.

“Wouldn’t there be too many financiers?”

“Didn’t I just mention? How will you deal with the National Tax Service? If one or two of you claimed to provide all that money, wouldn’t they immediately investigate the source? But if there are dozens of you, they’ll think it’s just regular patrons of entertainment houses making a living. They’ll probably assume you’re investing your accumulated savings.”

“Ah…”

As the staff officers nodded at Hyang’s explanation, he suddenly slapped his knee.

“Ah! I have a good idea! Once you properly register the merchant group and establish its framework, register with the venture investment fund to raise more capital! That would make solving funding issues easier and improve the disguise!”

“Ah! Indeed!”

“Most certainly!”

Thus was born “Juyeolak[1]“, the empire’s first large-scale merchant group specializing in liquor distribution and entertainment management.

“The name is a bit…”

“Unfortunately, I have no talent for naming things.”