Chapter 655: Splitting the Joseon Government

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present felt awkward and turned to look at Cao Wenzhao.

Cao Wenzhao coughed awkwardly, his expression helpless. Waving his hand, he said, "I'm buying a maidservant to serve my old mother at home. I've also heard that they're rather good at serving people."

That was just something said for show — surely no one believed it. But those present didn't expose him either; they all nodded, indicating that they believed it.

Yet in their hearts they certainly didn't believe it. This wasn't any secret in the Great Ming — many people bought Joseon maidservants, and in recent years the price of Joseon maidservants had even shown a rising trend, with prices continuously soaring.

Song Xiang didn't look at Cao Wenzhao and continued, "Chen Facai's ability to do this kind of business in Joseon stems from his personal capability. He uses money to pave the way in Joseon and has made connections with quite a few people. If there really is something for him to do, the success rate will be very high. Especially for something like this — if Chen Facai goes to do it, there definitely won't be any major problems."

"The only issue is the Imperial Household Department — can we get them to help?" After saying this, Song Xiang looked at Sun Chuanting.

If there was anyone among those present who could mobilize the Imperial Household Department, it would be Sun Chuanting alone.

Even Zhang Yu couldn't — whether in seniority or prestige, he didn't measure up.

The Imperial Household Department could cooperate, but these matters weren't their main responsibility, or rather, they fell outside the scope of the Imperial Household Department's duties. Their help would be a favor; not helping would be within their rights. Going to ask them might not necessarily persuade them, after all, their main task was doing business.

Seeing everyone looking at him, Sun Chuanting said, "Alright, this matter is settled for now. I'll go meet this Chen Facai and persuade him to help with this task."

The others nodded and said, "Then we'll trouble Lord Sun."

Sun Chuanting also nodded, then looked at Zhang Yu and continued, "If this Park Jeong-yang is won over by us, is the next step of the plan to have him get close to the Second Prince?"

"Yes." Zhang Yu nodded and said, "Besides having him get close to the Second Prince, we also need him to seize control of the elders faction as quickly as possible, eliminate all those unwilling to cooperate with us, and sow discord between them and the young Turks faction. Their contradictions are already fierce — with just a little provocation from us, they'll blow things up. We might not even need to provoke them; they'll fight among themselves."

When he said this, Zhang Yu was very confident.

No one present asked anything further.

They all understood that Zhang Yu was the main talent in this regard — no one present was more professional than him at doing these things.

"Then alright, let's settle this matter. We'll each go about our own tasks." Sun Chuanting said with a smile.

The several of them nodded together and began to split up for their respective actions.

Zhang Yu brought Cao Wenzhao into the palace.

He was going to meet the King of Joseon, to tell him that their equipment had arrived, and to have Joseon begin selecting troops in preparation for issuing them equipment; the matter of the war against Japan could now also be put on the agenda.

Song Xiang began arranging personnel, preparing for the next actions.

Sun Chuanting, meanwhile, arrived at the entrance of a large merchant establishment in Hanseong — "Tongxing Tianxia."

This name was extremely imposing.

This was a trading house of the Imperial Household Department, whose main components were the Imperial Household Department and some merchants from Liaodong.

These people's main trade was in Joseon, and their main line of business was people.

Right now, more than half of the laborers in the Great Ming's Liaodong had been brought over by people from the Tongxing Tianxia trading house.

Essentially all Joseon maidservants were also sent out by this trading house, under the banner of "Silla maids," advertising the lifestyle of the grand Tang aristocracy. In this regard, the people of these trading houses were extremely capable.

After the announcement, Sun Chuanting was led inside.

Before long, a big fat man came down from upstairs. Upon seeing Sun Chuanting, he hurriedly went up to greet him, his face beaming with a brilliant smile. His originally small eyes were now squeezed into slits of flesh as he respectfully bowed to Sun Chuanting.

"Lord Sun, I truly never expected to see Lord Sun in this place." Chen Facai hurriedly said, "Not knowing Lord Sun was coming today, I failed to welcome you from afar. I hope Lord Sun will forgive me."

These Imperial Household Department people all spoke this way — Sun Chuanting had long grown accustomed to it.

But if you thought these people were truly so kind, so easy to deal with, so good to you — then you'd best be careful. The Imperial Household Department people had none of those thoughts at all.

"Lord Chen needn't stand on ceremony. Please, sit." Sun Chuanting said with a smile.

Chen Facai said nothing more and sat down directly.

He didn't know about the Great Ming's operations in Joseon. But he knew there was an operation, and a very large one at that. Because the people above had already told them to cooperate to the fullest. So he also knew this matter was out of the ordinary.

He just hadn't expected Sun Chuanting to come. It seemed this matter wasn't merely out of the ordinary — this was something that would pierce the heavens and shake the earth.

Chen Facai felt somewhat uneasy in his heart, not knowing what Sun Chuanting had come for.

As for who this Sun Chuanting was — there was no one in the Great Ming's officialdom who didn't know. He was the young man most favored by His Majesty, with extremely strong personal ability, essentially undefeated on the battlefield. Whether in the southwest back then or in Liaodong, his military achievements were illustrious. This time being sent to Joseon, there was certainly some great matter to be done.

Chen Facai truly dared not be negligent. Compared to Sun Chuanting, their weight was far too light.

"Lord Sun, may I ask what business brings you here today?" Chen Facai hurriedly asked, "If there's anything you need me for, please speak freely — we'll certainly do our utmost to help Lord Sun."

"There is indeed one matter I need to trouble you with." Sun Chuanting said with a smile.

"Lord Sun, please just say it." Chen Facai promptly agreed.

"We need to win over a person." Sun Chuanting said with a smile, "This person is called Park Jeong-yang. We can give him money, give him women, and promise him plenty of benefits, but he must work for us. I trust Lord Chen can help with this, and there shouldn't be much difficulty."

After speaking, Sun Chuanting looked at Chen Facai, waiting for his reply.

"Park Jeong-yang?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Facai's expression turned serious. After repeating the name, he said, "I've heard of this man — he counts as a figure in Joseon's officialdom. It's just that he's been severely sidelined these past two years, with neither high position nor heavy authority. Wanting him to work for us shouldn't present much difficulty."

"Tell you what, Lord Sun, wait a moment. I'll go look into information about him."

"Alright, I'll wait for Lord Chen." Sun Chuanting nodded and said.

Chen Facai went out for a while, then came back in from outside, holding a document in his hand and saying with a smile, "Sorry to keep Lord Sun waiting."

"No matter." Sun Chuanting nodded and said, "I wonder if Lord Chen has found anything?"

"I've already found it." Chen Facai said with confidence, "Lord Sun can rest assured — there's absolutely no problem with this matter. We'll do our best to get it done properly. Barring unexpected circumstances, it can be done in two days. If Lord Sun is in a hurry, we can have it done by tomorrow."

After hearing this, Sun Chuanting thought for a moment and said, "What matters is certainty — there's no need to rush on time. If you need more time, that's no problem on our end either."

Originally they'd agreed on three days — of course, that was just for seeing results.

But with Chen Facai saying this, Sun Chuanting actually felt less assured in his heart.

Some things done quickly don't necessarily mean they can be done well — they had to do things properly, without any oversights.

Chen Facai waved his hand and said, "Lord Sun, rest assured. I just checked the records — this Park Jeong-yang actually has some connection with us."

"His family property is managed by one of his nephews, who has deep ties with us — they have private exchanges. Many smuggling operations at the border are connected to Park Jeong-yang. It's just that his business has shrunk badly in the past two years. As long as we give him some benefits, there's nothing he wouldn't do."

"Also, this man is greedy for money and lustful — so let's give him some. I have a very fine woman in my hands; under normal circumstances I absolutely wouldn't bear to give her away." As he finished speaking, a flash of reluctance crossed Chen Facai's face, then he said, "Lord Sun, you must tell me — is this matter really that important?"

"If it weren't important, I truly wouldn't bear to part with such a person."

Sun Chuanting's expression immediately turned serious as he said, "This matter is extremely important and must be accomplished. Because it's tied to an entire vast plan behind it. That plan cannot be told to you, but it must be done."

"But one thing I can guarantee: if this matter is accomplished, I will definitely report your contribution to Your Majesty, and when the time comes, the rewards given will certainly not be small."

Upon hearing this, Chen Facai grew excited and quickly said, "In that case, I'll spare no expense."

Sun Chuanting nodded and said, "I can also tell you that the Imperial Navy is involved in this matter. If you pull this off, the Imperial Navy will owe you a favor. When we attack the Wa nation this time, we'll give you an opening to get your hands in."

Hearing this, Chen Facai became even more excited.

His business required a great deal of resources, and Joseon was already showing signs of pushback—recent business hadn't been going well. People were always causing trouble, which displeased him greatly.

But if he had the Wa nation as a resource base, things would become much easier. He could also train a batch of Wa maidservants and sell them to Jiangnan later—that was guaranteed to turn a handsome profit.

Chen Facai excitedly rubbed his hands together and said, "Then I must thank you, sir."

In truth, all these external stewards of the Imperial Household Department received dividends. Every major deal completed meant a substantial income for themselves. This was the incentive plan Zhu Youxiao had given them—with that in place, how could they not work with all their might?