Glancing at Kim Jeom’s face, Hyang imdiately added.
“Of course, we don’t plan to develop and deploy it right away. We need to observe the situation of Ming and neighboring countries and respond accordingly. If we recklessly develop and deploy in advance, all our efforts so far will be in vain.”
“That’s true. Well thought out.”
Nodding in agreent with Hyang’s words, Sejong looked at Lee Maeng-gyun and Jo Mal-saeng.
“Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of National Defense, never stop observing not only Ming but also the neighboring countries. As our Joseon’s power is not yet strong, we must be cautious and careful.”
“We shall obey your command.”
With Sejong giving orders to Lee Maeng-gyun and Jo Mal-saeng, the eting regarding the topic Hyang ntioned was concluded for the ti being.
Putting the Dong Gun back into the wooden box and preparing for the next eting, Hyang looked at Kim Jeom. Seeing Kim Jeom’s face gradually returning to its original color, Hyang muttered inwardly.
‘I’ll have to be careful for the ti being. If I make a slight mistake, that person might collapse.’
anwhile, Kim Jeom, who felt soone’s gaze and was looking around, made eye contact with Hyang. As Hyang slightly bowed his head and sent a greeting with his eyes, Kim Jeom, who inadvertently responded, grumbled inwardly.
‘Oh, shoot! What kind of trouble are you trying to cause by looking at ? Now, just making eye contact with the Crown Prince makes my heart flutter!’
***
Afterward, the eting continued regarding the agenda that Ming’s envoy would bring this ti.
“…Hmm. I have heard your opinions well. I also think the territory acquired from the Odoli tribes led by ntemu and the matter of the long guns are the most likely, so prepare focusing on these two aspects.”
As Sejong reached a conclusion, Hyang and the ministers all bowed their heads and answered in unison.
“We shall obey your command.”
“Then, let’s end it here for today.”
As Sejong declared the end, Hyang and the ministers gathered their docunts and rose from their seats.
***
That night, Hyang quietly visited Gangnyeongjeon.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.”
As the eunuch announced Hyang’s visit, Sejong’s response ca from inside.
“Let him in.”
“Yes. Please co in.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Hyang, who entered through the door opened by the eunuchs, politely bowed to Sejong.
“Have a seat.”
As Hyang sat on the chair brought by the eunuch, Sejong smiled warmly and spoke.
“You never ca before I called for you, so what brings you here today?”
“I have a confidential matter to discuss with Father. Could you dismiss the scribes and secretaries?”
“Huh? Scribes and secretaries, please step outside for a mont.”
At Sejong’s command, the scribes and secretaries imdiately rose from their seats and went outside.
Once the scribes and secretaries were outside, Sejong asked Hyang in a low voice.
“So, what is it that you’re doing this?”
“Please mobilize the Geomgye (secret police unit).”
“The Geomgye? Co closer.”
As Hyang uttered the word ‘Geomgye,’ Sejong’s face turned serious.
The father and son, sitting close together, conversed in low voices.
“Suddenly ntioning the Geomgye, what’s the matter?”
“Ming’s interest must have heightened due to the recent events in Liaodong.”
“That would be the case. That’s why Ming is sending an envoy this ti.”
“Even if the envoy cos for another reason, Ming will show curiosity about the firearms we possess. The capabilities demonstrated in Liaodong are not sothing they can simply ignore.”
At Hyang’s words, Sejong’s face beca very grave.
“Are you saying we should mobilize the Geomgye to secretly monitor the craftsn related to firearms because there is a high possibility of secretly approaching them?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm…”
At Hyang’s words, Sejong stroked his beard with a serious expression. Seeing Sejong’s face, Hyang continued his explanation.
“Regarding the long guns and mounted guns, we have gone through the maximum division of labor, so acquiring one or two of the lowest-level craftsn won’t easily reveal the overall frawork.”
“Wasn’t the division of labor process done to increase productivity?”
“Productivity was an issue, but there was also a purpose of maintaining secrecy.”
Listening to Hyang’s explanation, Sejong felt goosebumps all over his body and muttered inwardly.
‘He’s my son, but Crown Prince, this scary fellow!’
***
As Hyang said, the Gapsik Jangchong and Gapsik Six-barreled Mounted Gun went through a thorough division of labor process.
In the case of the long gun, even the trigger chanism was modularized. It was assembled by attaching a bronze box containing internal components such as springs and levers to the gun body, so even the craftsn in charge of the final assembly process were unaware of the overall frawork and how each component functioned.
The only ones who knew the entire process were Hyang and the craftsn who initially participated in the developnt with him.
***
After explaining this part, Hyang continued.
“We have minimized the risk as much as possible through division of labor for the guns and cannons, but the biggest problem is rcury fulminate. Due to its danger, craftsn make it alone in their individual rooms.”
“I see.”
Sejong, who knew the process of making rcury fulminate by reading the report submitted by Hyang, nodded.
As Sejong examined the situation with a serious expression, a sudden question arose.
“I understand the importance and danger of the matter. So, I’m curious about sothing. Wouldn’t it have been better to speak openly about this and devise counterasures?”
To Sejong’s question, Hyang answered the reasons why it was not possible.
“If we openly monitor or protect, it will place a heavy ntal burden on the craftsn who are the targets. Then they won’t be able to work properly.”
At Hyang’s answer, Sejong shook his head slightly.
“Anyway, you cherish the craftsn too much.”
“Craftsn with that level of skill are hard to find, so it can’t be helped. However, the biggest reason is…”
Hyang paused for a mont and let out a sigh.
“Whew~. It’s to prevent those with unnecessary patriotism from stepping forward and making a fuss.”
“Unnecessary…”
Sejong, pondering Hyang’s words, nodded his head with a solemn expression. Seeing his reaction, Hyang added.
“There will definitely be those who will step forward and say we should send the craftsn to Ming, shouting ‘sacrificing the small for the greater good.’ They will say we should preemptively prevent the tragedy that will unfold in the future by sending the craftsn. Fortunately, there are no such individuals among the ministers currently leading the cabinet, but if it becos a public discourse, they will definitely erge. Those who confuse what is small and what is great for our Joseon.”
“That is indeed true. Whew~.”
Sejong, who let out a long sigh like Hyang, reached a conclusion.
“As you said, we will have to contact the Geomgye.”
“We must instruct them to carefully monitor outsiders approaching the craftsn. And not only the craftsn but also their families should be closely watched.”
“Hostages?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
Having finished his business, Hyang bowed and left Gangnyeongjeon. Sejong, who was staring at the empty space with a serious expression, called for Chief Eunuch.
“Chief Eunuch.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Summon the commander of the Royal Guard.”
***
Two days later, the chiefs of the three major Geomgye in Hanseong summoned their mbers.
“A royal order has been issued.”
At the chief’s words, the eyes of the mbers began to sparkle.
The mbers had never had such exciting days. They were once those who had dreams of success but had given up on those dreams due to various constraints or reasons. Having given up and spending their days aimlessly as destitute people, they were now working for the country and the king. Although they couldn’t openly say it, their pride was imnse.
Seeing the mbers whose recently slacking attitudes had disappeared and whose aura was like a sharpened sword, the chief conveyed Sejong’s order.
“The order is to monitor those who attempt to approach the craftsn working in Area 51.”
“The craftsn, you say?”
“Yes. You all have heard about the recent war in the north, right?”
“Yes, didn’t we achieve a great victory?”
“I heard the firearms played a significant role in that war. And those firearms were made in Area 51.”
Having heard the explanation up to that point, the mbers imdiately understood what they had to do.
“So, you an to monitor what kind of people approach those craftsn?”
“Exactly. And also monitor if there are any who try to use the craftsn’s families.”
The mbers nodded at the chief’s words.
“It’s definitely not sothing to take lightly, so pay special attention. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“In the shadows.”
“Protect the nation.”
Having chanted their own motto, the mbers soon began to arrange shifts and teams.
‘In the shadows, protect the nation.’
It was the motto given by Sejong when the Geomgye transford into the king’s secret guard force. Moreover, it was not simply written on paper but engraved on the iris swords carried by the mbers and distributed. Therefore, this motto was not just a simple motto but the creed and pride of the Geomgye.
The mbers of the Geomgye staked their lives on these four characters.
As the mbers who had arranged their shifts and teams left, the chief of the North Village Geomgye let out a small sigh.
“I hope there won’t be a need to use the license this ti…”
The license the chief ntioned was a ‘license to kill.’
***
Last ti, during the suppression of the palace intrusion led by Prince Yangnyeong, the Geomgye had engaged in a bloody battle with the rebels.
After the incident was over, the Police Bureau (Podocheong) conducted a large-scale pursuit of the Geomgye. They considered it a large-scale slaughter taking advantage of the chaos in the capital.
At this ti, Sejong secretly sent licenses to the chiefs.
The content written on the scroll with Sejong’s royal seal was simple.
-The cris committed by the holder of this license are for the sake of the country, so do not question their cris and prohibit their physical detention.
The chiefs who received the licenses imdiately submitted them to the Police Bureau, and all the arrested mbers were able to be released.
“Since when has the Geomgye…”
Seeing the head of the Police Bureau with an expression of disbelief, the chief answered aningfully.
“It’s not that the Geomgye, but we are within the Geomgye.”
“Ah!”
“So, I ask for your discretion.”
“I understand!”
The head of the Police Bureau nodded deeply.
‘They are the ones who have hidden within the Geomgye!’
This line that led the head of the Police Bureau to misunderstand was Hyang’s creation.
After that, Sejong and Hyang revised the license once more.
-The license is personally kept by the king and only issued when deed necessary or when a justifiable request is considered.
It was the birth of the ‘license to kill’ that would later beco a staple in dramas and movies set in the Joseon era.
***
Fifteen days after the ssenger’s visit announcing ‘the envoy is coming,’ Ming’s envoy arrived at Jemulpo.
At the pier in Jemulpo, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was waiting for the ship carrying Ming’s envoy, grumbled to a subordinate official who had accompanied him.
“Ming was in a rush. It usually takes about a month and a half to arrive, but they ca in just half a month.”
“Besides that, there isn’t much to gain even if they co to Joseon, so they probably want to finish quickly.”
“Is that so?”
At the subordinate’s words, the Vice Minister burst into laughter.
Previously, Hyang had rebelled against Sejong, citing the extortion by Ming’s envoys, and his shins had been shattered. Afterward, through an envoy sent by Sejong, they received an imperial edict handwritten by the emperor prohibiting extortion, greatly reducing the envoys’ extortion.
Moreover, after Hyang personally visited Beijing, the extortion by envoys from Ming dramatically disappeared. As a contract was established between the emperor and the Joseon royal family, it beca difficult to treat Joseon recklessly.
In fact, there was once a fool who didn’t realize the situation had changed and ca to Joseon to extort as before. Imdiately after the envoy returned, Joseon sent a letter to Emperor Xuande. Receiving the letter filled with subtle thorns and greatly angered, Emperor Xuande imdiately imprisoned the problematic envoy.
“Do you wish to live after saring excrent on my face!”
Greatly enraged, Emperor Xuande exterminated the nine familial extents of the envoy’s family.
After that, there were no more Ming envoys who ca to Joseon and recklessly extorted or made unreasonable demands.
Instead, it beca customary for envoys to handle their business and return imdiately.
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