Black Corporation: Joseon
Chapter 156

Once Yangnyeong made his decision, he and Seo Seon began to move quietly.

“We’ll enter Hanyang in March. But if we all go in at once, we’ll draw attention. Let’s divide the people and enter in small groups.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

Na Jun-seok, the leader of the warriors, promptly responded to Seo Seon’s command.

“Then, let’s proceed.”

“My Lord. What about the gunpowder artisans?”

“The gunpowder artisans… Were there other craftsmen too?”

“Yes. Including those brought in for making muskets, there are five craftsmen, and their families number 23 in total.”

Upon hearing Na Jun-seok’s report, Seo Seon pondered for a moment before issuing his order.

“Silence them permanently.”

Na Jun-seok lifted his head in shock at Seo Seon’s ruthless command. Seeing the worry on Na Jun-seok’s face, Seo Seon continued.

“It’s for the greater cause. ‘Sacrifice the small for the greater good’… It’s an unavoidable action. Carry out the order.”

Na Jun-seok bit his lip and bowed his head.

“Yes, My Lord.”

After receiving the order and stepping outside, Na Jun-seok sighed deeply.

“I gave up on paradise when I took up the sword, but now I’m certainly destined for hell.”

Following Seo Seon’s command, Seo Seon and Yangnyeong’s private soldiers dealt with the craftsmen and their families.

***

“Could this be discovered?”

Looking at the scattered corpses around, a subordinate asked the question, to which Na Jun-seok calmly replied.

“Wild animals will take care of them in less than five days. Leave the bodies, but search for and destroy any potential evidence.”

“Yes.”

As the subordinate led the other soldiers to search the blacksmith’s and gunpowder workshops, another subordinate rushed in with a report.

“Should we burn down the workshops?”

“Large smoke will attract the attention of the officials. Just demolish them.”

“Understood.”

Thus, the craftsmen and their families fell victim to a merciless purge.

***

After organizing their surroundings, Seo Seon and Grand Prince Yangnyeong began to discreetly move their private soldiers into Hanyang in small groups.

Seo Seon was the first to enter Hanyang.

Returning to his house in Bukchon, Seo Seon immediately called his servants and began to win over officials in the court.

Seo Seon, having served as Minister of Justice, knew that many officials were dissatisfied with Sejong’s Economic Reforms.

Moreover, Seo Seon rejoiced upon hearing that this year Sejong had appointed external talents as court officials through various channels.

“They’re digging their own graves!”

Seizing the opportunity of the local leaders’ strong opposition to external talent recruitment and various reform policies, Seo Seon gradually won over the officials.

His targets were those who wished to rise higher but were blocked by the new talent recruitment, as well as those who prioritized their family’s interests over the state and its people.

Another criterion was those with middle and lower ranks.

“These are the waist and limbs of the court. With them, we can easily gather information and paralyze the court when necessary.”

Seo Seon was cunning in his approach.

To the officials he won over, Seo Seon said:

“Observing the king’s actions from the outside, it seems quite perilous.”

“Then why not submit a petition? If it’s from you, My Lord, the king will surely take interest.”

Seo Seon shook his head at the officials’ suggestion.

“I would like to petition, but as a man guilty of great crimes, I cannot. I am merely waiting for the right time. That’s why I’m asking for your help.”

“Help in what way?”

“If the situation becomes more perilous, then I must submit a petition. At that time, lend me your strength.”

“That won’t be difficult.”

“And one more thing. Being disconnected like a kite without a string, I only know of Hanyang and the area around my hometown. Can you keep me informed about the national situation? So I won’t miss the right moment.”

Understanding Seo Seon’s ‘right moment’ as ‘the time to submit a petition,’ the officials readily nodded.

“Yes, we will do so.”

This way, Seo Seon could quickly gather information about movements in the provinces.

***

However, with continuous arrival of private soldiers from Icheon and Gwangju, it was inevitable that they would attract attention.

“It seems like rats are scurrying about.”

“Rats?”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing Na Jun-seok’s response, Seo Seon’s face hardened.

‘Have we been discovered?’

However, after briefly analyzing the situation, Seo Seon smirked and muttered to himself.

“It can’t be Gyeongbokgung. With his lineage, he wouldn’t stay quiet like this… Then, could it be the Secret Police?”

Recalling his time at the Ministry of Justice and memories of Hanyang’s security, Seo Seon turned to Na Jun-seok.

“Is it the Secret Police?”

“It appeared so.”

Upon Na Jun-seok’s reply, Seo Seon quickly gave an order.

“Eliminate them. Can you make it look like a fight among the Secret Police themselves?”

“It’s possible.”

“Then do so.”

“Yes.”

Thus, the night in Hanyang was stained with blood. A quiet yet deadly battle ensued between the Secret Police agents seeking more information and the private soldiers trying to stop them.

Consequently, bodies stabbed with swords began to float up in Cheonggyecheon every two to three days, creating unrest among Hanyang’s citizens and leading to intensified security operations by the police.

As the situation escalated, the leaders of the Secret Police reported to Sejong.

“The order has been given by the king.”

At the leader’s command, the agents straightened up and focused their attention. The leader, gritting his teeth, conveyed Sejong’s order.

“The king has ordered us not to approach the danger any further.”

“Isn’t there going to be any revenge?”

“No, not until those damned dogs make their move.”

“Damn it!”

“This is infuriating!”

The agents exploded in frustration at the leader’s command. As expletives flew from every direction, the leader shouted.

“Quiet! You bastards, shut up!”

As the agents fell silent, the leader continued.

“I understand your frustration, but we must not act rashly and disturb the peace. When they make their move, we can exact our revenge. Understood?”

“Yes, leader.”

“Instead, the king has ordered us to thoroughly investigate who this damned traitor is meeting with. Find every single person who enters and leaves that traitor’s house and identify them. This is the king’s command.”

“Understood.”

The agents suppressed their anger and accepted the orders.

As the mood among the agents settled, the leader brought out a small wooden box.

“The king sent this for those who died or were injured.”

Opening the lid, the box revealed yellow gold and silver ingots, and on top, a nameplate with names personally written by Sejong.

“The king’s command is to distribute these to the families of the deceased and injured. However, the nameplates must be stored separately here.”

“His grace is boundless!”

“Ah!”

The agents were deeply moved, prostrating themselves on the ground and expressing their gratitude.

Observing this, the leader continued.

“Even for the likes of us, the king keeps his promises. Commit your lives to this cause!”

“Yes!”

***

Not long after Hanyang’s Secret Police came under Sejong’s control through the efforts of the aromatic operation, Sejong went out in disguise to meet with the Secret Police.

“Greetings to His Majesty!”

The agents from Bukchon, Dadong, and Unjongga, gathered at one of Unjongga’s pavilions, trembled and prostrated themselves as soon as they saw Sejong.

“Shh! Quiet! I am incognito right now.”

Sejong, with a smile in his voice, commanded them.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Having gathered the Secret Police, Sejong then told them the truth.

“I have taken you under my command, but I cannot announce this fact. Firstly, because you are the Secret Police. The moment I make this public, there will be more than a few who will rise in rebellion. Furthermore, your wrongdoings become my wrongdoings.”

“Yes.”

The agents nodded, understanding Sejong’s words. They themselves were well aware of their own conduct.

The leader continued, observing their reaction.

“Secondly, and most importantly, you must become my hidden eyes and ears. If your existence is revealed, those harboring ill intentions will hide deeper, and greater sacrifices will be required. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Therefore, I regretfully must put you through hardship. Others may not know, but I and those who follow me will recognize your struggles. I promise! I cannot give you public rewards or rights! But if you die or are injured, I will surely compensate, and you will be remembered. This is a promise on my royal honor.”

At Sejong’s words, the leaders and agents all replied in unison.

“We will spare no effort for His Majesty and the country!”

***

Following Sejong’s command, the Secret Police stepped back.

“Recently, we haven’t seen any Secret Police activity.”

Hearing Na Jun-seok’s report, Seo Seon casually responded.

“They must have felt the difference in strength and backed off.”

“What if they have something else planned…?”

“Those are just parasites living off the money of courtesans. Do they even have the capability for such a plan?”

Responding to Na Jun-seok’s concern, Seo Seon pointed out the reality.

“Scared of them hastening our grand plan? Moving now would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. The best course is to strengthen our guard and make thorough preparations.”

“Understood.”

As Na Jun-seok left, Seo Seon muttered softly.

“Revenge against him and his offspring comes first. The success or failure of the grand plan is secondary.”

Stepping outside, Na Jun-seok sighed deeply.

“Ah… Seo Seon’s words are not wrong, but why this unease… But the sword is already drawn…”

Na Jun-seok hastened his subordinates to stay vigilant.

However, he knew well that for Seo Seon, the priority was not the success of the plan, but revenge.

That was the source of his unease.

***

‘Secretly bring the hidden military explosives into the palace.’

“Ah…”

Receiving the secret message through the captain of the royal guard, Hyang sighed deeply.

After burning the message, Hyang asked the captain.

“What about attacking now?”

“The issue with the military explosives and the need to keep some hidden until the end make it impossible, as commanded.”

“I see. Ah…”

Hyang sighed again, considering other issues.

“Can we trust the loyalty of the Inner Palace Guards and the Golden Army?”

“We’ve already identified potential suspects.”

“I see. Next issue, using the secret military explosives requires cannons, but does the Golden Army have artillerymen?”

“Yes, we do.”

“Hmm…”

Hyang pondered the situation, considering the words of the Inner Palace Guard Captain.

‘Relying solely on the walls of Gyeongbokgung for defense is impractical, and firing cannons from Gwanghwamun Gate Tower could destroy nearby civilian houses… Ultimately, the battle will need to be fought near Geunjeongjeon, but the cannons could be too cumbersome there…’

Analyzing various scenarios, Hyang irritably scratched his head after removing his official hat.

“Ah! If only we had machine guns at a time like this!”

“What is a machine gun?”

At the Inner Palace Guard Captain’s question, Hyang waved his hand dismissively.

“Ah! It’s a type of firearm I’m conceptualizing! But why do we need the secret military explosives?”

“Because lord Seo is already aware of the existence of firearms, he’ll surely be well-prepared for them.”

“Indeed…”

Hyang nodded at the captain’s words but looked displeased.

‘The lethal range of the secret military explosives is too extensive…’

After a moment of contemplation, Hyang stood up.

“Would you accompany me for a moment? I believe there might be a more suitable solution than the secret military explosives.”

“Yes? Yes.”

Hyang led the Inner Palace Guard Captain to the testing area of Area 51. When they arrived at the testing ground, a prepared item was already there, brought by a court eunuch sent ahead.

“What is this? It looks like a juggling ball.”

Seeing the unfamiliar object, the Inner Palace Guard Captain turned to Hyang. Hyang briefly replied to his question.

“This is called a throwing bomb.”

It was a hand grenade.

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