“Pardon? This humble one fails to comprehend Your Majesty’s profound intent.”
At Wan’s response, Hyang began explaining with a slight smile.
“Europe has also started making steam engines. And they’ve begun making steam locomotives, though comparing them to our Empire’s would be absurd. People tend to think along similar lines. Once they’ve made locomotives, naturally they’ll think of putting steam engines on ships.”
Wan’s eyes widened at Hyang’s words.
“Then, are you intending to show them a misguided path?”
“Not misguided, just a rather roundabout one.”
At Hyang’s answer, Wan muttered inwardly.
How truly cunning! The rumors weren’t wrong – when you voluntarily went to Ming and charmed their Emperor with honeyed words and flattery, you completely outmaneuvered him!
Regardless, as it was an imperial command, Wan bowed his head and responded.
“I shall carry out Your Majesty’s command.”
“Ah, but don’t do a sloppy job. They’ll only follow this path if the performance is exceptional.”
“I will do my utmost.”
Wan bowed deeply, tucked the order into his breast, and left Geunjeongjeon Hall.
Meanwhile, the court historian who recorded all this added the following note:
-…Thus when His Majesty commanded, the Crown Prince accepted the order with a bow.
The historian says: The sages taught to transform the world through virtue, yet His Majesty does not follow this path. Yet somehow I cannot think His Majesty’s actions wrong – perhaps I too am a petty man.
***
Imperial Year 8 (1456), January.
Kim Jong-seo finally returned to Seoul from Suez.
The journey had taken longer than usual as they had to sail against headwinds due to the changing seasons.
After completing the mandatory quarantine period, Kim Jong-seo immediately took a special transport to Seoul and had an audience with Hyang.
“Your humble servant Kim Jong-seo, Minister of General Affairs, has returned after completing his duties as plenipotentiary ambassador for the Suez railway negotiations.”
“You’ve worked hard. What was the outcome?”
To Hyang’s question, Kim Jong-seo answered confidently.
“I secured everything we needed to secure. Here are the agreement and supplementary documents.”
Receiving the agreement through a court eunuch, Hyang carefully examined its contents. As he confirmed the articles in the agreement, his expression grew increasingly bright.
“Well done!”
After finishing the agreement, Hyang praised Kim Jong-seo with a face full of joy. The ministers who read it afterward also praised Kim Jong-seo with bright expressions.
“Your achievement is tremendous!”
“This is truly a historic accomplishment!”
“As Goryeo had Seo Hui, the Empire has Your Excellency!”
As praise for Kim Jong-seo continued from all directions, Kim Jeom addressed Hyang.
“The Minister of General Affairs’ achievement is significant; I believe he deserves an award.”
“The Prime Minister’s words are right. Order the Awards Bureau to prepare one.”
“I receive your command.”
After giving this order, Hyang commanded Kim Jong-seo with a smile.
“You must be exhausted after traveling so far to Suez and achieving such great things at your advanced age. Take three days to rest before returning to your duties. I’d like to give you a month’s leave, but there are many matters awaiting you.”
Kim Jong-seo bowed deeply at Hyang’s words.
“No, my lord! Three days is already too generous! Your Imperial grace is boundless!”
Seeing Kim Jong-seo’s sincere gratitude, Hyang smiled and gave his orders.
“Let’s end here for today. Ministers, you may leave. Shouldn’t we hold a celebration for Minister Kim? By the way, the courtesans of Seoul must be delighted at his return.”
“Hahaha!”
The ministers couldn’t help but laugh at Hyang’s joke. Kim Jong-seo’s “love for Seoul and its courtesans” was that well-known.
Kim Jong-seo also laughed brightly while bowing his head.
“Your Majesty knows your subject so well – I am overwhelmed by your grace!”
After receiving Hyang’s permission to leave at the regular time for once, the ministers immediately flocked to Kim Jong-seo’s favorite courtesan house.
“Come, everyone raise your cups! Isn’t this truly a precious day?”
“Indeed! To have such good fortune at the start of the new year – this year will be lucky!”
At Kim Jeom’s toast, all the ministers raised their cups high. Indeed, leaving work on time was a rare occurrence.
As several rounds of drinks circulated pleasantly and the banquet’s atmosphere grew livelier, the head courtesan entered the room.
“I apologize for interrupting your merriment, but I have something to ask Minister Kim.”
“What is it?”
“Some young girls were sent here, saying they were from you – might you know about this?”
Kim Jong-seo nodded vigorously at the head courtesan’s question.
“Indeed! I was actually going to ask you something!”
“You have a request for this humble one?”
At the head courtesan’s curious question, Kim Jong-seo got straight to the point.
“Make those girls into the finest courtesans.”
“Pardon?”
The ministers set down their drinks and listened intently to the conversation between Kim Jong-seo and the head courtesan.
Kim Jong-seo explained the whole story.
“Just before returning from Suez, I visited the slave market.”
The ministers’ expressions slightly darkened at the mention of “slave market.”
After the Great Reformation, slaves had become nearly extinct. Only those who became government slaves for crimes, those too old to care for themselves, or a few household slaves who remained due to long relationships with their masters maintained the institution’s vestiges. Because of this, acquiring slaves could become a scandal.
Perhaps reading the atmosphere, Kim Jong-seo quickly added:
“Ah! I didn’t go by choice – European nobles took me there, saying they would buy me any slaves I liked as gifts. I initially planned to refuse outright, but then those girls caught my eye. So I brought them. Of course, I’ve freed them. Their household registrations need to be processed now.”
The head courtesan quickly understood her task after hearing Kim Jong-seo’s explanation.
“So my task is to register their households and train them as courtesans?”
“As excellent courtesans.”
At Kim Jong-seo’s words, the head courtesan sighed softly and replied.
“To become excellent courtesans, they must have the looks and talent to support it.”
Kim Jong-seo laughed heartily at the head courtesan’s point.
“Hahaha! My dear, who am I? I’m Jeoljae! Don’t you think I have an eye for talent?”
“That may be true, but…”
As the head courtesan trailed off awkwardly, Kim Jeom, who had been listening silently until then, cut in.
“Why not bring the girls here! We too have discerning eyes – we can better judge them!”
“Right! Right!”
“Yes, bring them in!”
At the ministers’ insistence, the head courtesan sighed once more and rose from her seat.
“They haven’t bathed properly and reek terribly. I’ll have them cleaned up before bringing them.”
At the head courtesan’s words, the ministers looked at Kim Jong-seo. To their unspoken question, he answered sheepishly.
“With nothing but men aboard ship and as interpreters, how could we give them proper baths? Especially on a ship where even drinking water was scarce. At most, we could only have them wash their faces every two or three days.”
“Ah…”
Almost half an hour later, the head courtesan brought in the girls in question.
The ministers all exclaimed in admiration at the three girls who stood with wide, frightened eyes, constantly checking their surroundings.
“Oho~”
“They say Europeans have red hair and blue eyes, but these have golden hair and green eyes… There’s something mystical about them.”
“That child’s hair is more silver than gold, with gray eyes…”
“And that one has the classic red hair and blue eyes we’ve only heard about…”
After examining the girls, the ministers addressed the head courtesan.
“If they grow up well, they’ll be the only courtesans worthy of dancing before His Majesty.”
“Though we can’t judge their talent for song and dance yet, their looks alone will make them famous.”
“When these girls come of age, the capital’s painters will go mad, all wanting to paint their portraits.”
At the ministers’ positive assessment, the head courtesan responded with a brightened expression.
“Even this humble one couldn’t properly see their potential until after bathing them. Minister Kim truly deserves his reputation.”
The ministers all nodded at the head courtesan’s words.
As expected of Jeoljae!
All that time spent in courtesan houses wasn’t wasted!
As a side note, the ministers’ predictions later proved entirely accurate. The girls Kim Jong-seo brought back in a moment of impulse and compassion eventually became the finest courtesans, dominating Seoul’s social circles.
-Learn Minister Jeoljae’s eye for talent.
This became a golden rule among those who trained courtesans thereafter.
***
After this interlude passed and the wine cups began circulating again, the atmosphere improved once more.
“Prime Minister.”
Kim Jong-seo set down his cup and called to Kim Jeom.
“What is it?”
“His Majesty said there was much work to be done. But the Empire having much work is nothing new. Has something significant occurred?”
Kim Jeom was also approaching ninety. Therefore, Kim Jong-seo maintained strict formality with him.
After emptying his cup, Kim Jeom answered Kim Jong-seo’s question.
“He’s probably thinking about regency.”
“Regency? His Majesty is still in his prime – is he already preparing for regency?”
To Kim Jong-seo’s question, Kim Jeom emptied another cup and asked in return.
“Jeoljae, have you forgotten what year next year is? It’s the Former Emperor’s sixtieth birthday next year.”
“Ah!”
Kim Jong-seo finally exclaimed in understanding. Nodding at this reaction, Kim Jeom continued.
“Next year will be Imperial Year 9, and since the Former Emperor dislikes the number nine, he’ll likely return the year after. Then His Majesty will abdicate and go to the New Frontier.”
“But he’s still in his prime…”
“That’s precisely why he wants to go. The New Frontier has only just established its foundation. To strengthen that foundation and expand its territory further, it’s best for His Majesty to go personally and take direct command while in his prime. This is also good for the Crown Prince. Though the Crown Prince has gained administrative experience managing the research institute and Area 51, that’s a drop in the ocean compared to the entire Empire. He’ll properly learn the practical affairs over two years and receive the throne, with the Former Emperor returning to support him, strengthening imperial authority. It’s all for the best.”
Kim Jong-seo nodded at Kim Jeom’s explanation and emptied his cup. After refilling it, he watched the wine swirling in his cup before speaking.
“If such abdication becomes an imperial tradition, would it benefit the Empire?”
“With an experienced Emperor becoming Former Emperor to manage the New Frontier, and the Emperor Emeritus returning to assist the Emperor… It wouldn’t be bad, would it? At least we wouldn’t easily see incidents like the palace invasion during the Giyu Rebellion.”
Kim Jong-seo nodded and emptied his cup at Kim Jeom’s words.
***
At the same time, Hyang sat alone in Gangnyeongjeon Hall, planning future events with a knowing smile.
“Two more years. The Former Emperor will return in two years. By then, Wan will be twenty-six – old enough, and with the Former Emperor’s support, there won’t be major concerns. I’ll take care of Jinpyeong myself, so that’s fine… Then I can go to the New Frontier and indulge in my obsessions to my heart’s content. The New Frontier has everything except people, after all. While I’m there, I should go to Mexico and find rubber too.”