“Now that we’ve settled the merchant group’s name, let’s move on…”
Looking through the report, Hyang slightly furrowed his brow at the next item.
“Manpower deployment is a problem.”
A staff officer stepped forward to explain.
“It’s unavoidable, Your Majesty. Liaodong Castle is the most prosperous place in all of Liaodong and Liaoning. Of course, there are more prosperous places if we look, but they’re all west of the Great Wall.”
“I know. However, deploying ten assassination permit holders is too problematic. Aren’t the nights in Jemulpo, Dongnae, and Mokpo already noisy enough?”
***
After eliminating the fugitives from the palace invasion incident and the clash with agents sent by the Eastern Window, there hadn’t been any large-scale secret division operations.
However, their operatives continued to work in small groups.
They were tasked with intercepting those who approached the artisans managing and manufacturing military gunpowder, those maintaining rifles and artillery, and the craftsmen of Area 51.
Those making approaches came from various sources.
They included Ming merchants, retainers of both shogunate and anti-shogunate factions, and agents secretly sent by foreign merchant groups established in trading ports.
And since Emperor Jingtai inherited the imperial throne, movements from the Eastern Window had been detected as well.
As a result, blood flowed endlessly in Jemulpo, Dongnae, Mokpo, and other areas. However, the secret division’s cleanup crews ensured almost nothing surfaced publicly.
This was why Hyang blocked the large-scale deployment of operatives with assassination permits.
***
“For that issue, we believe we can utilize the Secret Guard Corps.”
“The Secret Guard Corps?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The staff officers proposed using the Secret Guard Corps.
The secret division had two types of assassination permits.
One was issued individually to A-class operatives who had proven their loyalty and martial arts skills through rigorous screening. These elite among elite operated alone or in groups of two or three for reconnaissance and elimination missions.
The total number of these A-class operatives was twenty-five.
The other type was held by the Secret Guard Corps.
While the secret division proved its worth during the palace invasion incident and clashes with the Eastern Window, it was a double-edged sword.
Though it was an intelligence and military organization known only to and deployable only by the monarch, this could potentially lead to the monarch being manipulated by the division’s overreach. To check this, King Sejong created the Secret Guard Corps.
Selected from the finest of the Imperial Guards, they normally served as liaisons with the secret division but could be mobilized to assist when needed. Of course, their hidden mission was to secretly monitor the division and suppress it in emergencies.
***
“Mobilizing the Secret Guard Corps would be excessive. Why do we need to send ten assassination permit holders?”
The staff officer explained the reason to Hyang’s point.
“Liaodong Castle is prosperous, Your Majesty. Naturally, there are not only entertainment houses but also brothels, and gangsters who supply them with alcohol and women. To properly establish ourselves in Liaodong Castle, we must either eliminate or subdue them. This requires at least ten operatives.”
“Denied.”
After firmly rejecting the proposal, Hyang explained why.
“According to you, violent incidents would occur day and night. This would naturally draw attention from local law enforcement agencies. This would restrict movement. It’s unacceptable to make those who should move in shadows become objects of attention.”
“The security forces would simply view it as gang conflicts.”
“Which means they’d watch more closely to prevent troublesome incidents. Hmm…”
Pausing there, Hyang fell into thought.
While it’s quite a ruthless decision, there’s no choice.
Having made his decision, Hyang shared his thoughts.
“Don’t we have sword society members and gangsters who were rejected from the secret division due to qualification issues?”
“Yes, quite a few, Your Majesty.”
***
Not all sword societies and gangsters across Joseon were affiliated with the secret division. Those who were merely strong but otherwise delinquent, or those with serious character flaws, were all excluded. Among those excluded, the lucky ones simply lived as local sword society members or gangsters in small towns or cities, but those deemed truly problematic were secretly reported to the police by the Imperial Guards and rounded up.
Nevertheless, such violent organizations continued to emerge, and monitoring them became part of the secret division’s duties.
***
“Put those sword society members and gangsters at the forefront. When you tell them ‘there’s great wealth to be made in Liaodong,’ won’t many of them rush in with dollar signs in their eyes?”
“There would be many, Your Majesty.”
“They’re perfect for expendable use in Liaodong’s mud pit. Using them as frontmen will make your movements easier and help avoid unnecessary sacrifices. How could I carelessly lose carefully selected ones like yourselves?”
At Hyang’s final words, the division officers and staff all prostrated themselves in tears.
“Sob! Your Majesty! Your grace overwhelms us!”
“Though we are mere pimps of entertainment houses, you value us so highly. Even if we become bare bones in death, we’ll dedicate everything to Your Majesty and the nation!”
“Your grace overwhelms us!”
Moved by Hyang’s words, the division officers and staff swore their loyalty with passionate voices.
Hearing their loyalty oaths, Hyang responded with a smile.
“How could I take lightly those whose blood, sweat, and tears I know?”
“Sob! Your grace overwhelms us!”
“Even if only our spirits remain after death, we’ll repay your kindness like grass knots remembering spring!”
“That would indeed be appreciated by me and the empire.”
Watching from the side, the Imperial Guard Commander muttered internally.
I don’t think His Majesty meant that kind of blood, sweat, and tears…
***
When Hyang and Sejong first organized the secret division, its members were full of troublemakers. Most were sons of concubines who, despite their abilities, harbored much resentment due to their blocked advancement.
Because of this, Sejong had given orders to the Imperial Guard Commander at the time.
“They’re good raw gems with many flaws. As you’ve become the head of the secret division, polish them into treasures.”
“I will do my utmost!”
Again, this Imperial Guard Commander’s nickname was ‘Three Kingdom’s First Sword,’ universally acknowledged as Joseon’s greatest warrior.
Afterward, the secret division’s safe houses’ floors and pillars became soaked with the blood, sweat, and tears of those who joined.
After the Imperial Guard Commander broke them down, Sejong would quietly comfort them, and Hyang would soothe them by providing quality weapons. Through this repeated process of stern training and gentle nurturing, the first generation of secret division members developed an almost religious loyalty to Sejong and Hyang.
Later, as the division expanded, these members took on the Commander’s harsh role in training newcomers. Through similar processes, the new recruits became like their seniors.
This wasn’t all. Both Sejong and Hyang ensured the division’s operatives never experienced hardship. When casualties occurred during operations, they personally visited to mourn or sent letters of condolence.
-Though we work in the shadows, His Majesty doesn’t forget us!
Because Sejong and Hyang never betrayed this trust, the secret division became willing to give their lives.
***
Watching them swear loyalty while overcome with emotion, Hyang muttered internally.
This feels kind of… like I’m the leader of a cult.
“Well. Since we don’t have much time, let’s proceed quickly. We’ll use frontmen to control Liaodong Castle’s nights. Any objections?”
“None, Your Majesty!”
“In fact, this could be a good opportunity. There have been some groups growing too powerful lately, so this could help reduce our concerns.”
With expendable targets identified, Hyang nodded.
“Is that so? Good then.”
This time I’m a nationwide gang boss…
While muttering internally, Hyang summarized the agenda.
“Then reorganize the modified sections and recalculate the expected funding for resubmission. Two days should be enough, right?”
“We’ll make it enough!”
Momentarily startled by their energetic response, Hyang soon nodded with a smile.
“Dependable!”
“Please set your mind at ease!”
***
While Hyang was handling official duties after resolving this matter unknown to the officials in the light, Seong Sam-mun came to see him.
“Hmm? Why are you here when you should be beside Jinpyeong?”
As Hyang asked about the reason for his visit after receiving his bow, Seong Sam-mun went straight to the point.
“I seek Your Majesty’s approval to prevent misfortunes in the railway construction with Duke Jinpyeong.”
“Misfortunes? Approval? Explain in detail.”
According to Seong Sam-mun’s explanation, the situation was as follows:
- As the Yalu River bridge construction progressed smoothly, Jinpyeong organized multiple survey teams for large-scale surveying operations.
- These spread-out survey teams had accidents. No, were attacked. In their excessive eagerness to speed up survey work, they went too far ahead of their military escorts and suffered attacks.
“Birds of a feather?”
Seong Sam-mun responded firmly to Hyang’s words.
“Those who touch ink become black, Your Majesty. The survey team members I met personally were all gentle and good-natured, but they became like madmen at the mere mention of railways and surveying.”
Hyang placed his hand on his forehead and nodded at Seong Sam-mun’s response.
“Indeed, those who touch ink become black… Continue.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
- Duke Jinpyeong has demanded more escort troops, and the military is expressing reluctance.
- Though the military continues to reinforce troops, Duke Jinpyeong and the survey teams’ advance speed far exceeds the military’s reinforcement pace.
Hyang nodded at Seong Sam-mun’s explanation.
“I see. Prioritizing Jinpyeong unconditionally could disrupt the balance of the entire Liaohe region.”
“Indeed.”
“Jinpyeong won’t stay quiet.”
“That’s why I decided to find an answer.”
“It’s a race against time. Have you found one?”
At Hyang’s question, Seong Sam-mun swallowed hard before answering.
“I heard that when His Previous Majesty developed the northeastern region, he provided rifles and mounted guns to dispatched civil officials and trained them. I believe similar measures would be appropriate for the survey team members.”
“Arm the survey teams?”
When Hyang’s expression and voice changed ominously, Seong Sam-mun quickly continued.
“Yes. However, with restrictions. The firearms issued to survey team members would be limited to Type B rifles and mounted guns, with ammunition quantities also restricted. The accompanying military units would handle all weapons and ammunition management. Only those going out to work could be armed, requiring immediate return upon return, and the military personnel in charge would document everything. Additionally, survey operation leaders would be issued signal rockets for emergencies.”
“So, arm them just enough to hold out until the military arrives?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Hyang nodded at Seong Sam-mun’s words.
“Not bad… That should satisfy Jinpyeong too. Good! Then submit it as a proper document. I’ll approve it if it looks good after review.”
“Your grace overwhelms us!”
After Seong Sam-mun withdrew with partial approval, Hyang, left alone, fell into contemplation.
Let’s see… This feels familiar…
- While survey team members desperately defend themselves with guns against attacking mounted Jurchens, cavalry units rush in to rescue them. Meanwhile, on Liaodong Castle’s night streets, conflicts over business rights break out, and police officers and military officials struggle to maintain order.
This… How many Western movies have been mixed together here? It’s completely Wild Wild West, no, Wild Wild North?