After nearly a month, the envoys who had gone to the Ming Kingdom for condolences returned.
The envoys began their report to Sejong as soon as they returned. Sejong first offered words of comfort.
"You must be tired from the long journey, and I apologize for calling you immediately. However, I hope you understand that we cannot delay due to the importance of the matter."
"That is not the case. It was merely our duty as servants of the state."
The Minister of Rites, who led the envoy as the chief envoy, bowed and replied.
"Well, what kind of person is the new emperor?"
"He seemed to have a rather gentle disposition. His voice was calm and soft, and his actions were composed."
"Is that so? What do the ministers think?"
"According to brief conversations with the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and other ministers, the new emperor often acted as regent whenever the previous emperor left for military campaigns, and he was very stable in his role."
"Is that so? Then it seems the Jurchens will be quiet for a while."
Sejong's expression brightened at the Minister of Rites' answer. Whenever the Ming emperor moved to campaign in the North, the Jurchens would become noisy, causing a chain reaction that made Joseon noisy as well.
With a brightened face, Sejong moved on to the next question.
"Where are the royal physician and the geomancer who accompanied you?"
At Sejong's call, the royal physician and the geomancer stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, this is the royal physician, Lee Hwan-sung."
"Your Majesty, this is the lowly geomancer, Choi."
"Very well. What did you think of the emperor?"
Sejong's question made the royal physician and the geomancer explain their analysis of the Hongxi Emperor.
Sejong's face turned serious as he listened to their stories.
"So, there is a serious health issue with the new emperor?"
"That is correct."
"That is true."
"Hmm…."
Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought. After a long while, he gestured to the two men.
"Good report. You may return."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After the geomancer and the royal physician left, Sejong asked the Minister of Rites.
"Did you also notice any health issues with the new emperor?"
"From what I observed, he did not seem to be in good health."
The Minister of Rites recalled the appearance of the Hongxi Emperor, who was quite obese and had to breathe heavily even while speaking.
"Indeed…."
Sejong smiled bitterly and muttered to himself.
"Was this the reason why Hwang kept nagging me to lose weight…."
One of Hwang's main concerns was how to help Sejong lose weight. Because of this, Hwang adjusted Sejong's diet, controlled his food intake, and made him exercise.
"Damn it! You're going to kill me! Stop it!"
Although Sejong grumbled whenever Hwang pushed him, he was not actually upset. It felt good to know that his child was concerned about his health.
Thinking about Hwang, Sejong smiled bitterly again.
"Everything is fine, but the word 'filthy' is a bit…."
Sejong was 27 years old. Even if he spent time with his consorts in each room, by the next morning, his presence was still evident.
* * *
Anyway… Minister of Rites. Does this mean the new emperor will not reign for long?"
"No one can guarantee the lifespan of a person."
Sejong nodded at the Minister of Rites' answer.
"That is true. The lifespan of a human is known only to heaven…."
"Your Majesty, I am deeply honored."
"You have nothing to be honored about. I was just a bit impatient… Anyway, what do you think will happen to the commercial port in Shandong now that the emperor has changed?"
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Rites answered with a bright voice.
"Ah! This was the most talked-about part. The commercial port has been operational for three months, and with the active trade between Joseon and Ming merchants, the taxes collected by the Ming court have been steadily increasing."
"I know that. The amount of money entering our court has also increased significantly. So, what do you plan to do?"
For Sejong, the issue of the commercial port's existence was one of his most important concerns.
Under Sejong's pressure, the Minister of Rites answered.
"The decision has been made to maintain the commercial port. The new emperor believes that the port in Shandong benefits both Joseon and Ming and is a symbol of friendly relations, so he issued an edict to maintain it. The ministers of the Ming court also agreed."
"Is that so? That is fortunate."
"Furthermore, it has been decided to concentrate the Ming navy to guard against the unpredictable activities of the Japanese pirates and other pirates. The emperor has ordered the construction of a new naval base next to the commercial port."
"Is that so?"
Sejong's expression hardened at the Minister of Rites' answer. However, the ministers, who did not notice Sejong's expression, spoke excitedly.
"Truly fortunate!"
"That is correct!"
"It is the grace of heaven!"
When the ministers were exclaiming with joy, Hwang Hee concluded the discussion.
"If the Ming navy provides security, it will certainly be safe! This is a favor from the Ming court!"
"Tsk!"
The ministers, who were rejoicing, froze when Sejong clicked his tongue. Sejong glared at the ministers with a very angry face.
"I am starting to wonder if it is a good thing for this Joseon to have me working with you."
At Sejong's words, the ministers all prostrated themselves and shouted.
"Your Majesty, we are deeply honored!"
"If you are honored, you should not do things that make you feel honored. Isn't that right, Right Minister?"
"Your Majesty, we are deeply honored!"
"You should not do things that make you feel honored. Do you know what mistake you made?"
"Your Majesty, we are deeply honored!"
"Tsk! Really… Who spread such rumors… Ah! I need a break!" Sejong, who was furious, declared a recess and left the hall.
After Sejong left, the ministers, with furrowed brows, began to discuss among themselves.
"Where did this mess come from?"
"I am also curious about that."
As the ministers shared their opinions, they began to look at Hwang Hee, who had caused Sejong's anger immediately after speaking. Hwang Hee, feeling the ministers' gazes, shouted.
"How would I know!"
Hwang Hee, who stormed out of his seat, looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.
"Phew~. This is too dirty to handle. I should just quit…."
Recently, Hwang Hee had the urge to submit his resignation and retire to his hometown several times a day.
'Damn it! My son is your contemporary! This is too dirty to handle! If you quit, it will be fine! Who spread the rumor? It was your father, you brat!'
Although he wanted to say this to Sejong and submit his resignation, he had to grit his teeth and endure it every time.
'Your Excellency! You must endure! Think of your children! Especially your daughter who is married to the Western Minister's family and is still childless, living in fear! For her sake, you must endure and persevere!'
"Phew~."
Recalling his wife's earnest words, Hwang Hee sighed and looked up at the sky. His eyes were filled with small tears.
* * *
Unable to find an answer, the ministers were in a dilemma, while the Minister of Finance left the hall and headed to the Donggung Palace. The place he was heading to was a separate building built next to the Donggung Palace.
"Minister of Finance, you have arrived?"
"Thank you for your hard work."
The Minister of Finance gave a light response to the guard and entered the building.
"Is Jeong Daeam here?"
"Minister Jeong is inside. This way."
Following the eunuch's guidance, the Minister of Finance headed to the room where Jeong Choe was working. Jeong Choe, who was discussing with his subordinates, welcomed the Minister of Finance warmly.
"Is this not Minister of Finance? What brings you here?"
"Ah, I came to seek your opinion."
"Your opinion?"
"Can we talk for a moment?"
At the Minister of Finance's request, Jeong Choe led him to his office.
"This way."
As soon as he sat down, the Minister of Finance began to complain.
"… The situation is such that I can't live anymore, I can't! I need to know what mistake we made… Phew…. Lately, I have the urge to submit my resignation and retire to my hometown twelve times a day."
"Oh dear…."
Hearing the Minister of Finance's complaints, Jeong Choe smiled bitterly and comforted him.
'Whether here or in the hall….'
In any case, it was a serious problem that the emperor had become extremely angry.
After a moment of thought, Jeong Choe stood up.
"Let's go together."
"Where to?"
"There is someone who knows the answer."
Jeong Choe headed to the Donggung Palace.
* * *
Hwang, who had just returned from Area 51 and was organizing documents, had to stop his work and listen to the Minister of Finance's complaints.
Hearing the Minister of Finance's tearful complaints, Hwang sighed deeply.
"Phew~. This is really…."
Hwang's reaction was similar to Sejong's, so the Minister of Finance was on edge.
"Your Majesty, we are deeply honored."
"You should not do things that make you feel honored. Are you not in charge of the nation's finances?"
"I am, but I am not perfect."
"Yet you do not seem to understand the problem? Oh dear. Tsk!"
Seeing Hwang's reaction, which was similar to Sejong's, the Minister of Finance felt a hot surge from his chest but had to suppress it.
"Your Majesty, we are deeply honored. Please enlighten me on what I have missed."
"It's simple. The problem is the new naval base being built next to the commercial port."
"Really?"
"The Ming court is not short of funds, is it?"
"Ah!"
Hearing Hwang's words, the Minister of Finance let out a gasp of realization. Hwang continued, looking at the Minister of Finance's reaction.
"Even if the activities of the Japanese pirates have decreased, they have not been completely suppressed. This means the navy stationed next to the commercial port will be newly formed. How much do you think it will cost? And what about the maintenance costs? Where do you think they will get the funds from?"
"… From the taxes collected at the commercial port, I suppose."
"Exactly. The Ming court will definitely increase the tax rate at the commercial port. Is that something to be happy about?"
"No, it is not."
"Moreover, who knows if the costs the Ming court cites are solely for the navy's maintenance or if they include other expenses?"
Hwang's point made the Minister of Finance bow his head. Hwang's words continued to ring in his ears.
"We must immediately send someone to the commercial port to gather information. We need to find out the scale of the new naval base and how much a similar-sized Ming navy spends in a year, so we can prepare in advance. Do you understand?"
"Yes? Yes!"
"Then move quickly! Didn't the emperor say last time that he would give the ministers what they want? If you don't want to drink poison together, move now!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Spurred by Hwang's stern words, the Minister of Finance hurriedly stood up, bowed, and rushed to the hall.
Watching the Minister of Finance disappear in a cloud of dust, Hwang turned to Jeong Choe, who was standing beside him.
"Will the Minister of Finance convey exactly what you said?"
"I believe so."
"Then how do you think the emperor will evaluate it?"
"If we consider it a major issue, it will probably be a C grade."
Hwang's question was immediately answered by Jeong Choe, who was already familiar with Hwang's evaluation style.
Hwang always demanded that the answers provided improve even slightly on what he had said. This was a trait he had inherited from Sejong.
* * *
"We have found the answer! We have found it!"
After a long discussion where the ministers could not find an answer, they rushed to Hwang Hee, who had found the answer.
"So, what is it?"
"Your Majesty, the new emperor's health is a serious issue. The royal physician and the geomancer both confirmed this. Moreover, the new naval base being built next to the commercial port will likely lead to increased taxes, which will affect our trade."
Hearing the Minister of Finance's explanation, the ministers simultaneously placed their hands on their foreheads.
"Oh dear!"
"How could we overlook this!"
Realizing their mistake, the ministers looked stunned. According to the Minister of Finance's explanation, they had been foolishly rejoicing over the most significant problem.
"What can we do…."
"The emperor's evaluation…."
"If we act like this, we deserve criticism…."
Seeing the stunned ministers, Hwang Hee stepped forward.
"It is already past. Now that we know the answer, let's inform the emperor. And from now on, let's make sure this doesn't happen again."
"Understood."
A short while later,
"Your Majesty~ We have an answer!"
At Sangsun's call, the ministers returned to their seats and straightened their clothes.
Sejong, who entered the hall and sat on his throne, looked down at the ministers.
"So, do you know what mistake you made?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Hmm~. Right Minister, tell me what you think."
Curious, Sejong ordered Hwang Hee to speak. Hwang Hee cleared his throat and explained the problem. Sejong stroked his beard as he listened quietly.
"Is that all?"
"Yes? So far…."
Hearing Hwang Hee's answer, Sejong sighed.
"Phew. There's nothing we can do. I hope you will try harder in the future."