# Chapter 65: Variables (4)
After nearly a month had passed, the envoys who had gone to the Ming Empire to offer condolences returned.
The envoys began reporting to Sejong immediately upon their return. Sejong first offered words of comfort.
"You must be exhausted from traveling such a long distance, and I apologize for summoning you right away. However, I ask for your understanding that given the importance of the matter, we cannot delay."
"Not at all, Your Majesty. We have only done our duty as subjects."
The Minister of Rites, who had led the delegation as the chief envoy, answered while bowing.
"I see. What kind of person is the new Emperor?"
"He appeared to have a quite gentle personality. His voice was leisurely and soft, and his demeanor showed composure."
"Is that so? What was the evaluation of his subjects?"
"Based on brief conversations with the Grand Secretaries and other ministers, whenever the late Emperor left his seat for military campaigns, he acted as regent, and they said it was very stable."
"Is that so? Do you think the new Emperor will also be aggressive about military campaigns?"
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Rites shook his head.
"No, Your Majesty. He reportedly declared that due to budget problems from the frequent military campaigns conducted by the late Emperor, he would not wage campaigns unless a major incident occurred."
"Is that so? Then the Jurchen side will be somewhat quiet for the time being."
At the Minister of Rites' answer, Sejong's expression brightened. Whenever the Yongle Emperor moved to campaign against the Northern Yuan, the Jurchens also became noisy in turn. As a chain reaction to that, Joseon had also become noisy.
With a brightened face, Sejong moved on to the next matter.
"Where are the royal physician and physiognomist who accompanied you?"
At Sejong's call, the royal physician and physiognomist came forward and bowed deeply.
"Royal physician of the Internal Medicine Bureau, Han-su Lee, pays respect to Your Majesty."
"This humble physiognomer Ga Choi pays respect to His Majesty!"
"Good. What kind of person was the Emperor you observed?"
At Sejong's question, the royal physician and physiognomist relayed their analysis of the Hongxi Emperor.
Sejong's face became serious after hearing the two people's account.
"So, you're saying there are serious problems with the new Emperor's health?"
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
"That is indeed the case, Your Majesty."
"Hmm...."
Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought after hearing the two people's answers. After thinking alone for a while, Sejong gestured to the two.
"It was a good report. You may take your leave."
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude."
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude!"
After the physiognomist and royal physician left, Sejong posed a question to the Minister of Rites.
"Did the new Emperor's health appear problematic to you as well?"
"Even in my view, it did not appear to be good, Your Majesty."
The Minister of Rites recalled the appearance of the Hongxi Emperor he had seen. The Emperor, who was considerably obese, had to breathe roughly even while speaking.
"Good heavens...."
Sejong gave a bitter smile and muttered quietly while listening to the Minister of Rites' answer.
"So this is why Hyang made such a fuss telling me to lose weight...."
'How to make Sejong lose weight?' was one of Hyang's biggest concerns. Because of that, Hyang regulated Sejong's diet, controlled his meal portions, and made him exercise.
"Hey! Catch your father! Catch him!"
Whenever Hyang urged him, Sejong grumbled, but honestly speaking, Sejong didn't feel bad. It was a pleasant thing that his son worried about this and that for his father's health.
Sejong gave another bitter smile while thinking about Hyang's affairs.
"Everything is good, but the talk of impotence is a bit...."
Sejong was 27 years old. It was an age where even if he spent time with the Queen or consorts in every room, by the next morning he could proclaim his existence.
* * *
"Anyway... Minister of Rites. So, does this mean the current Emperor will have difficulty reigning long?"
"No one can guarantee matters of lifespan, Your Majesty."
At the Minister of Rites' answer, Sejong nodded.
"That would be true. Human lifespan is something only the heavens know...."
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude."
"This is not something you need to be overwhelmed about. I was simply a bit impatient... By the way, with the Emperor changed, what will happen to the trading post completed in Shandong?"
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Rites answered in a bright voice.
"Ah! That part was the biggest topic this time. It has been three months since the trading post was created, and with merchants from Joseon and Ming gathering and trade being actively conducted, they say the taxes paid to the Ming court are gradually increasing."
"I am aware of that as well. The amount coming into our court has also increased significantly, so what did they say they would do?"
For Sejong, the matter of the trading post's continuation was one of the most important concerns.
At Sejong's pressing, the Minister of Rites answered.
"Continuation has been decided. The new Emperor also issued a royal decree stating that the Shandong trading post is a place beneficial to both Joseon and Ming, and is like a symbol of friendly relations, so its continuation is natural. All the ministers of the Ming court also agreed."
"Is that so? That is fortunate."
"And to prepare for any possible disturbances by Japanese pirates or pirates, it has been decided to concentrate Ming naval forces. A royal command has been issued to build a new naval base next to the trading post."
"Is that so?"
At the Minister of Rites' answer, Sejong's expression stiffened. However, the ministers who couldn't see Sejong's expression opened their mouths with delight.
"That is truly fortunate!"
"Indeed it is!"
"It is the help of Heaven!"
While the ministers chattered with almost the same content with only slightly different phrasing, Hwang Hui delivered the finale.
"If the Ming navy provides defense, safety will be certain! This is the grace of the great empire!"
"Tsk!"
The ministers who had been rejoicing froze on the spot when Sejong clicked his tongue. Sejong glared at the ministers with a face full of anger.
"I wonder... I wonder if my being with you all is truly a good thing for this Joseon."
At Sejong's words, the ministers all had to prostrate themselves and cry out.
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude!"
"If you're overwhelmed with gratitude, you shouldn't do things that warrant it. Isn't that right, Right State Councillor?"
Hwang Hui, who was pointed out directly, answered while very tense.
"W-we are overwhelmed with gratitude!"
"I'm telling you not to do things that warrant gratitude at all. Do you know what your mistake was?"
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude!"
"Tsk! Really... who spread such a rumor... Ugh! I'll take a short break!" Sejong, in a fit of anger, declared a recess and left the side hall.
When Sejong stormed out of his seat, the ministers conversed with deeply furrowed brows.
"Where on earth did this misfortune come from?"
"I am curious about that as well."
While sharing opinions, the ministers began looking at Hwang Hui one by one. It was because Sejong had immediately become angry as soon as Hwang Hui spoke. When the ministers' gazes concentrated on him, Hwang Hui shouted.
"How would I know!"
Hwang Hui, who had stormed out of his seat, looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh while muttering.
"Haa~. It's so dirty I can't do this anymore. I should really just quit...."
These days, Hwang Hui felt the urge to submit his resignation several times a day.
'Damn it! My son is the same age as you! It's so dirty I can't do this anymore! If I want to quit, I should just quit! Who spread the rumor? Your father, you brat!'
He wanted to say this to Sejong's face and submit his resignation, but each time he had to grit his teeth and endure.
'My lord! You must endure! You must think of the children! Especially the daughter who married into the Seo household is still without a child and lives watching others' reactions! For her sake as well, you must endure and hold on!'
"Haa~."
Recalling his wife's earnest words, Hwang Hui looked up at the sky and sighed. In Hwang Hui's eyes, small tears were welling up.
* * *
While the ministers were racking their brains unable to find an answer, the Minister of Taxation left the side hall and headed to the Crown Prince's residence. The place the Minister of Taxation headed to was a separate building created next to the Crown Prince's residence.
"Has the Minister of Taxation arrived?"
"Thank you for your hard work."
After giving a brief answer to the guard protecting the separate building, the Minister of Taxation went inside.
"Is Minister Jeong present?"
"The Vice Director is inside. This way, please."
Guided by the internal official, the Minister of Taxation headed to the room where Jeong Cho was working. Jeong Cho, who had been discussing with subordinate officials, welcomed the Minister of Taxation gladly.
"Isn't this the Minister of Taxation? What brings you here?"
"Ah, I came to ask for your opinion."
"Opinion?"
"May I have a brief conversation with you?"
At the Minister of Taxation's request, Jeong Cho guided him to his office.
"This way, please."
Entering the office following Jeong Cho, the Minister of Taxation poured out his grievances as soon as he sat down.
"... The situation is like this, so I can't live, I simply can't! We need to know what mistake we made at least... Haa... These days, I feel like submitting my resignation and returning to my hometown twelve times a day."
"My goodness...."
At the Minister of Taxation's grievances, Jeong Cho gave a bitter smile and comforted him.
'Whether here or the side hall....'
Anyway, the fact that His Majesty was extremely angry was an important matter.
After thinking for a moment, Jeong Cho rose from his seat.
"Let's go together."
"Go where?"
"There is someone who knows the answer."
The place Jeong Cho headed to was the Crown Prince's residence.
* * *
Having just returned from District 51 and organizing documents, Hyang had to stop his work and listen to the Minister of Taxation's grievances.
After hearing the Minister of Taxation's tearful grievances, Hyang let out a long sigh.
"Haa~. Good heavens...."
Hyang's reaction was similar to Sejong's, so the Minister of Taxation became very tense.
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude."
"You shouldn't have done things to warrant gratitude. Are you truly the person in charge of a nation's finances?"
"Though lacking, I am in charge of that duty."
"Yet you say you don't know what the problem is? My goodness. Tsk!"
At Hyang's appearance showing the same reaction as Sejong, the Minister of Taxation felt something hot surging up from deep below, but he had to forcibly endure it.
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude. Please teach me what I do not know."
"It's simple. The Ming naval base being created next to the trading post is the problem."
"Pardon?"
"Does Ming have overflowing finances?"
"Ah!"
At Hyang's words, the Minister of Taxation uttered an exclamation of realization. Watching the Minister of Taxation's appearance, Hyang explained in more detail.
"While the disturbance by Japanese pirates has decreased, it is not a situation where they have been completely suppressed. That means the navy stationed next to the trading post is a newly organized force. How much cost will be consumed there? And what about maintenance costs? Where do you think they will cover those expenses?"
"... It would be the taxes from the trading post."
"Exactly. It is certain that the Ming court will propose raising the ratio of taxes paid from the trading post. Is that something to be happy about?"
"No, it is not."
"And, whether the cost Ming presents as grounds is truly only for naval maintenance, or whether it includes portions to cover holes in other areas, who knows?"
At Hyang's point, the Minister of Taxation's head lowered. In the ears of such a Minister of Taxation, Hyang's words entered.
"Right now, we must send people to the trading post to obtain information. We must find out the scale of the newly established Ming naval base, how much a similar-scale Ming navy uses in a year, and prepare in advance. Do you understand?"
"Yes? Yes!"
"Then move quickly! Didn't His Majesty say so last time? That he would do as the ministers wish. If you don't want to collectively receive the death penalty, move quickly!"
"Yes, yes!"
At Hyang's sharp rebuke, the Minister of Taxation hurriedly rose from his seat, quickly paid his respects, and ran to the side hall.
Watching the Minister of Taxation's retreating figure disappearing with dust, Hyang looked back at Jeong Cho standing beside him.
"Will the Minister of Taxation relay exactly what he heard?"
"It seems he will."
"Then how do you think His Majesty will evaluate it?"
"If we treat it as a major evaluation, it would be a failing grade."
At Hyang's question, Jeong Cho answered immediately. Jeong Cho was already familiar with Hyang's evaluation method.
Hyang always demanded answers that improved even by one tenth more than what he had said. Such Hyang was Sejong's child.
* * *
"I found the answer! I found the answer!"
The ministers who had been unable to find an answer even after putting their heads together for a long time flocked together with Hwang Hui at the lead at the Minister of Taxation's words saying "I found the answer!"
"So, what is it?"
At Hwang Hui's question, the Minister of Taxation relayed the answer Hyang had spoken. Hearing the Minister of Taxation's explanation, the ministers simultaneously placed their hands on their foreheads.
"Alas!"
"To have missed that!"
Realizing their own failure, the ministers wore dazed expressions. If it was as the Minister of Taxation explained, they had been foolishly rejoicing without recognizing the biggest problem.
"What shall we do...."
"His Majesty's evaluation will be...."
"At this rate, even if we're scolded...."
Watching the dazed ministers, Hwang Hui stepped forward.
"It is already past. Since we know the answer, let us report to His Majesty. And let us strive to ensure such things do not happen again."
"We understand."
A short while later,
"His Majesty enters~!"
At the eunuch's shout, the ministers returned to their places and straightened their attire.
Sejong, who entered the side hall and sat on the throne above the dais, looked down at the ministers.
"So, do you know what mistake you made?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Oh~. Right State Councillor, please explain."
At Sejong's command showing curiosity, Hwang Hui steadied his voice and explained what the problem was. Sejong, who listened quietly to the explanation, stroked his beard.
"Is that all?"
"Pardon? As for what has been said so far..."
At Hwang Hui's answer, Sejong let out a sigh.
"Haa... It can't be helped. I ask you to work a bit harder in the future as well."
"We receive your command!"
"Then let us move to the next agenda item."
"Yes. The next agenda item is...."
"Tsk!"