Chapter 156: Violating the Palace (2)
Once Yangnyeong made his decision, Seo Seon and Yangnyeong began to move quietly.
"By March, we enter Hanseong. However, if we all rush in at once, we'll be spotted, so send the men in small groups."
"Yes, My Lord."
At Seo Seon's command, Na Jun-seok, the Head Sword leading the warriors, answered immediately.
"Then, see to it."
"My Lord, what will you do with Chief Artisan Yeom?"
"Chief Artisan Yeom.... There were other artisans too, weren't there?"
"Yes. Including those brought in to make the cannons, there are five artisans, and their families total twenty-three people."
After pondering momentarily at Na Jun-seok's report, Seo Seon issued his command.
"Eliminate them."
At Seo Seon's cruel command, Na Jun-seok raised his head to look at Seo Seon. Seeing Na Jun-seok's face filled with worry, Seo Seon continued.
"It is for the great cause. 'Sacrifice the small for the great'.... It cannot be helped, so eliminate them."
At Seo Seon's command, Na Jun-seok bit his lip and bowed his head.
"Yes, My Lord."
Having received Seo Seon's orders and stepping outside, Na Jun-seok let out a long sigh.
"Though I gave up on reaching Paradise after taking up the sword, I'll certainly fall into hell."
Following Seo Seon's orders, the private soldiers of Seo Seon and Yangnyeong disposed of the artisans and their families.
* * *
"Will this not be discovered?"
Looking at the corpses scattered everywhere, a subordinate asked, and Na Jun-seok answered calmly.
"Wild beasts will take care of it before five days pass. Leave the bodies as they are, and find and destroy any physical evidence, just in case!"
"Yes."
While the subordinate who received the order was leading other soldiers to search the smithy and Yeom's workshop, another subordinate came running to report.
"Shall we burn the workshops?"
"If large smoke rises, it will attract the attention of the authorities. Just destroy them."
"Understood."
And so the artisans and their families were killed and eliminated.
* * *
Having cleaned up the surroundings, Seo Seon and Grand Prince Yangnyeong began to enter Hanseong by dividing their soldiers into small groups.
The first to enter Hanseong was Seo Seon.
Returning to his home in Bukchon, Seo Seon immediately summoned his servants and began to win over court officials.
Seo Seon knew that there were quite a few officials dissatisfied with Sejong's reforms while working as the Minister of Justice.
Furthermore, hearing the news that Sejong had appointed external talents as lower officials through various routes this year, Seo Seon rejoiced.
"They're digging their own graves!"
Taking advantage of the intensifying backlash from local yangban families due to external talent recruitment and various reform policies, Seo Seon gradually won over officials.
Seo Seon's targets were those who wanted to rise more quickly but were blocked by talent recruitment and held grievances, and those who considered their own families more important than the state and its people.
Another criterion was those with middle and lower ranks.
"They are like the waist and limbs of the court. If I bring them under my control, I can easily obtain information and paralyze the court when necessary."
Seo Seon was meticulous.
Seo Seon spoke to the officials he had won over.
"Watching from outside what His Majesty is doing, it seems truly dangerous."
"Then you should submit a memorial. If it's your memorial, His Majesty will surely take interest."
At the officials' words, Seo Seon shook his head.
"I wish to submit a memorial, but having committed a great crime, I cannot do so and am merely waiting for the right time. That is why I am asking for your help."
"Help, you say?"
"If the situation becomes even more dangerous, then I will have to submit a memorial. At that time, please lend me your strength."
"That's not difficult at all."
"And one more thing. Being like a kite with a cut string, I only know about Hanseong and the area near my hometown, but I don't know well about news from across the country. Could you let me know about that? That way, I won't miss the right moment."
The officials, understanding that the 'moment' Seo Seon mentioned was 'when to submit a memorial,' nodded immediately.
"Yes, we will do so."
In this way, Seo Seon was able to quickly obtain information about the provinces.
* * *
However, as soldiers continued to come up from Icheon and Gwangju, their trail was bound to be discovered.
"It seems rats are scurrying about."
"Rats?"
"Yes."
At Na Jun-seok's answer, Seo Seon's face hardened.
'Have we been discovered?'
However, after briefly analyzing the situation, Seo Seon sneered and muttered to himself.
"It wouldn't be Gyeongbokgung Palace. With his bloodline, he wouldn't stay this quiet.... Then is it the Sword Association?"
Recalling memories about Hanseong's security while at the Ministry of Justice, Seo Seon turned to look at Na Jun-seok.
"Is it the Sword Association bastards?"
"It appeared so."
At Na Jun-seok's answer, Seo Seon immediately issued an order.
"Dispose of them. Can you make it look like a fight between Sword Association members?"
"It's possible."
"Then do so."
"Yes."
And so, the nights of Hanseong were stained with blood. A small but quiet battle, overflowing with death, took place between the Sword Association members trying to extract more information and the private soldiers trying to stop them.
Because of this, corpses with sword wounds floated up in Cheonggyecheon every two or three days, and as public sentiment in Hanseong grew turbulent, the police bureau's security activities were strengthened.
When the situation turned out this way, the leaders of the Sword Association reported the situation to Sejong.
"His Majesty has issued a command."
At the leader's command, the members straightened their posture and focused their attention. The leader gritted his teeth and conveyed Sejong's order.
"His Majesty said not to approach at the risk of danger."
"Is there to be no revenge?"
"Not until those damn bastards start their scheme."
"Damn it!"
"These bastards!"
At the leader's command, the members vented their anger. When curses burst out from all directions, the leader shouted.
"Quiet! You bastards, shut up!"
When the members fell silent, the leader continued.
"I understand your anger well, but we must not step forward first and ruin the plan. When they launch their scheme, we can make them pay in blood. Understand?"
"Yes, Leader."
"Instead, His Majesty has ordered us to thoroughly investigate who those damned traitors are meeting. Find every single one of the riffraff entering and leaving that traitor's house and identify who they are. This is His Majesty's command."
"Understood."
The members received the order while suppressing their anger.
When the atmosphere among the members had calmed, the leader brought out a small wooden box.
"His Majesty sent this for those who died or became crippled."
When the leader opened the lid, inside were yellow gold ingots and silver ingots. And on top of them lay name plaques with names written in Sejong's own hand.
"It is His Majesty's command to distribute these to the families of the dead and to those who became crippled. However, the plaques must be kept separately here."
"We are overwhelmed by your grace!"
"Sob!"
At the leader's words, the members were deeply moved, prostrating themselves on the floor and shouting words of thanks.
Watching the members, the leader continued.
"His Majesty keeps his promises even to worms like us. Stake your lives!"
"Yes!"
* * *
Not long after the Sword Association in Hanseong came under Sejong's control through Hyang's efforts, Sejong went out incognito to meet the Sword Association.
"We greet His Majesty!"
The members of Bukchon, Dadong, and Unjongga gathered at a gisaeng house in Unjongga trembled and prostrated themselves as soon as they saw Sejong.
"Shh! Quiet! I am currently incognito."
At that sight, Sejong issued an order in a voice full of laughter.
"Yes, yes!"
Having summoned the Sword Association like this, Sejong told them the truth.
"Though I have accepted you as my subordinates, I cannot announce that fact. First, because you are the Sword Association. The moment I announce the truth, there would be more than one or two who would rise up. Furthermore, your wrongdoings would become my wrongdoings."
"Yes."
At Sejong's words, the members all nodded. They themselves knew well what their usual conduct was like.
Watching the members, he continued.
"Second, and this is most important. You must become my hidden eyes and ears. If your existence is revealed, those with treacherous intentions will hide even deeper, and greater sacrifice will be required. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Therefore, I have no choice but to put you through hardship. However, though others may not know, I and those who will succeed me will know of your hardships. I promise! I cannot give public rewards or rights! But if you die or become crippled, I will certainly compensate you, and I will remember you. This is a promise on the king's honor."
At Sejong's words, the leaders and members all answered in one voice.
"We will crush our bodies and shatter our bones for His Majesty and the country!"
* * *
Following Sejong's command, the Sword Association stepped back.
"Lately, the Sword Association is not visible."
At Na Jun-seok's report, Seo Seon answered with a look that said it was nothing significant.
"They must have felt the difference in power and tucked their tails."
"What if they report to the authorities...?"
"They're just bastards who live off extorting gisaengs' fees. Would they have such capability?"
Seo Seon pointed out reality in response to Na Jun-seok's worry.
"Would that make me hasten the great cause? If we move now, we'll just be like a mantis trying to stop a carriage. Now, the best course is to maintain strict vigilance and prepare thoroughly."
"Understood."
When Na Jun-seok withdrew, Seo Seon muttered quietly.
"Revenge against him and his son comes first. The success or failure of the great cause comes after."
Having stepped outside, Na Jun-seok let out a long sigh.
"Haa~. Not a single word the Lord says is wrong, but why am I so uneasy.... But the sword has already been drawn...."
Na Jun-seok urged his subordinates to be thorough in their vigilance.
However, he also knew well. What was important to Seo Seon right now was not the success or failure of the matter, but revenge.
That was why he was uneasy.
* * *
'Secretly bring the Bigyeokjincheonnoe into the palace.'
"Haa~."
Hyang, who had received the secret message through the Inner Gold Guard commander, let out a long sigh.
After burning the secret message, Hyang asked the Inner Gold Guard commander.
"How about attacking them right now?"
"Due to the risk of alerting them prematurely and because there are those who must be hidden until the end, it is not possible, I was told."
"I suppose so. Haa~."
Sighing again, Hyang considered another problem.
"Can we trust the loyalty of the Inner Gold Guard and the Royal Guard?"
"We have already identified those of concern."
"I see. Next problem - to use the Bigyeokjincheonnoe, cannons are essential. What about the Royal Guard's artillery?"
"They exist."
"Hmm...."
At the Inner Gold Guard commander's words, Hyang carefully analyzed the situation.
'Relying only on Gyeongbokgung's walls would make battle difficult, and if we bombard from Gwanghwamun gate pavilion, the nearby civilian houses would be destroyed.... In the end, we'd have to fight at Geunjeongjeon, but then the cannons would be very cumbersome....'
Analyzing various situations, Hyang took off his official hat and scratched his head nervously.
"Argh! At times like this, a machine gun would be perfect!"
"What is a machine gun?"
At the Inner Gold Guard commander's question, Hyang waved his hand dismissively.
"Ah! It's a cannon I'm conceptualizing! But why is the Bigyeokjincheonnoe necessary?"
"Because Lord Seo already knows of the cannon's existence, he will certainly fortify his defenses."
"Certainly...."
Though he nodded at the Inner Gold Guard commander's words, Hyang's expression wasn't very good.
'The lethal range of the Bigyeokjincheonnoe is too wide....'
After pondering for a moment, Hyang rose from his seat.
"Would you come with me for a moment? I think there's a more appropriate solution than the Bigyeokjincheonnoe."
"Pardon? Yes."
Hyang led the Inner Gold Guard commander toward the test site in Area 51. When Hyang and the commander arrived at the test site, an item prepared through a eunuch sent ahead was already there.
"What is this? It looks like a mallet."
At the sight of something he'd never seen before, the Inner Gold Guard commander looked at Hyang. In response to the commander's question, Hyang answered briefly.
"It's called a throwing bomb."
It was a hand grenade.