Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 12

Jjanggeura

Hello, Bomb!

12. Sprout (發芽)… Cancer (發癌)? (5)

Meanwhile, Sejong, realizing his mistake, opened his mouth, his face reddened.

“The historian…”

However, seeing the historian already gleefully wielding his golden brush, Sejong clicked his tongue and looked at Hyang.

“Crown Prince, continue if you have more to say.”

“Yes, Father.”

Hyang, having taken a brief breather with the short farce, continued his offensive.

“The ministers here and the scholars outside the palace have learned their morals and can endure hunger, but the ignorant commoners have not properly learned morals and do not know how to endure hunger. To teach these people morals and cultivate virtue, shouldn’t we at least ensure they don’t starve? While ‘virtue as the root and wealth as the branch’ (emphasizing moral leadership alongside economic prosperity) and ‘valuing righteousness over profit’ are important, ‘utilizing resources and enriching lives’ [making practical use of resources to improve the people’s well-being] is also crucial!”

“Well said!”

Sejong clapped his knees, adding an exclamation to Hyang’s statement. Thanks to this, the atmosphere in the court froze once again.

‘This guy’s dam has burst, it’s burst!’

Hyang sighed softly and looked at the ministers. The ministers who had opposed Hyang’s plan were on the verge of collapse due to Hyang’s offensive.

‘This is my last card! If I succeed, I can completely silence the ministers!’

Hyang, renewing his determination, began his final offensive. “Since ancient times, it has been said that ‘the people’s heart is Heaven’s heart’ (the will of the people reflects the will of Heaven). No matter how much virtue we accumulate, if the people’s hearts are crying out, will Heaven respond? It is said, ‘Do your best and await Heaven’s will’ (fulfill your duty and trust in fate). Shouldn’t we do everything we can and then wait for Heaven’s will? However, even if there is a drought, the ministers say it is the king’s lack of virtue, even if there is an epidemic, it is the king’s lack of virtue, and even if there are starvation deaths, it is the king’s lack of virtue, so they tell us to accumulate virtue first! This is putting the cart before the horse! Shouldn’t we properly manage water before a drought, prepare medicine in advance before an epidemic, and store grain before a famine? But to discuss the king’s lack of virtue without making such preparations, could it be that…”

Hyang paused and glared at the ministers.

“…you all believe that this Joseon is lacking in virtue? Many of you ministers here have held office since the previous dynasty. Therefore… was it unjust and lacking in virtue for Taejo the Great to found Joseon despite being a subject of Goryeo, was it unjust and lacking in virtue for my grandfather to raise his sword, and was it unjust and lacking in virtue for my father to ascend the throne in place of his uncle, who was the eldest legitimate son?”

“Your Highness, absolutely not!”

“We have never had such treasonous and presumptuous thoughts!”

Forgetting that they were in the middle of a court session, the ministers were greatly alarmed and waved their hands. Seeing that Sejong’s expression was not good, the ministers prostrated themselves towards Sejong all at once.

“Your Majesty! We have never had such treasonous thoughts! Please have mercy!”

“Please have mercy!”

Starting with Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyeon, all the ministers prostrated themselves and denied the accusations, but Sejong did not open his mouth easily.

After a long and heavy silence, Sejong spoke.

“Crown Prince, your words were harsh.”

“I am deeply sorry. Please forgive me.”

“Be more careful in your words from now on.”

“Yes, Father.”

Sejong, having given a warning to Hyang, looked at the ministers.

“The tribute issue requested by the Ming Emperor will proceed according to the Crown Prince’s plan, so prepare thoroughly. The spring poverty season was severe this year, and even as summer approaches, there is little rain, so I believe it is right to prepare grain and provide relief to the people.”

“We will obey the command.”

No one opposed Sejong’s decision. Sejong, who had been glaring at the ministers, turned to look at Hyang. Sejong’s face was gentle as he looked at Hyang.

“Is there anything you would like to add to what your father has said?”

“When distributing grain to the people, I believe it is right to give it as compensation for work rather than simply giving it away.”

“Compensation for work?”

“Frequent droughts are largely due to the lack of rain, but also to the lack of irrigation facilities. We should have each district repair the existing weirs and reservoirs, and if there are none, build new weirs and reservoirs, and dredge the riverbeds to prevent flooding. If we mobilize the people for this work and give them grain as compensation, we can expand irrigation facilities and prevent displaced people and starvation deaths.”

“A plan with multiple benefits. It would be good to do as you say. What do you all think?”

At Sejong’s question, the ministers answered in unison.

“We believe it is a very good plan!”

“Then let’s proceed as planned.”

“We will obey the command!”

Sejong, having heard the replies of his subjects, turned to look at Hyang.

“Crown Prince, you may return now.”

“Yes, Father.”

“And after the Jolgok Ceremony [a ceremony marking the end of a mourning period] is over, participate in the Royal Lectures (經筵) [a forum for the king and his advisors to discuss Confucian classics and state affairs].”

Surprised by Sejong’s command, Hyang looked at Sejong and soon lowered his head.

“I obey the command. It is an honor for this young and immature child to participate in Father’s Royal Lectures, and I am deeply grateful for your grace.”

“Then go back and finish what you were doing.”

“Yes.”

Sejong, having sent Hyang out, looked at the ministers with a stern face.

The gentle smile he had when looking at Hyang had disappeared, and his face was filled with a coldness like the north wind and snow.

“Let’s end the morning court session here. Go and see to your duties.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“By the way, I need to think about how you all really view our Joseon.”

As soon as Sejong’s words fell, the ministers threw themselves to the ground.

“Your Majesty! We have never had such disloyal thoughts! Please have mercy!”

“Please have mercy!”

The ministers desperately pleaded their innocence, to the point of drawing blood from their throats.

Sejong, looking at such ministers with a cold face, turned his head.

“Go and see to your duties.”

“Please have mercy!”

“I said, go and see to your duties!”

At Sejong’s shout, the ministers hurriedly left their seats.

* * *

The ministers who came out of the hut where Sejong was staying all sighed deeply.

“Hoo~.”

“Haa~. This is a big problem. If we’re not careful, a bloodbath could occur.”

“He inherited the blood of Taejo the Great as well as the late king… Hoo~.”

The conversation of the ministers, who were worried about the bloodbath that might erupt at any moment, continued on the topic of Hyang.

“His Majesty is an excellent person, but His Highness the Crown Prince is also an excellent person.”

“He’s not just excellent, he’s scary. He controls the political situation with just three inches of his tongue…”

“He’s barely nine years old, but when you listen to him speak, he’s as shrewd as an old minister who’s past his sixtieth birthday…”

“He’s definitely not an ordinary person…”

“Anyway, I’m worried about His Majesty’s heart.”

The ministers, unable to hide their anxiety, glared at the culprits of the incident.

“Hey, you were talking unnecessarily!”

“Didn’t you even know the saying ‘The mouth is the gate of disaster’?”

The Grand Censor, the Grand Secretary, and the Minister of Rites moved their steps in silence, despite the accusations from the other ministers.

“Hey! If you have a mouth, say something!”

“You spoke so well at the court session, why are you silent now!”

“How are you going to resolve this situation!”

As the accusations from the other ministers poured in, Grand Censor Seong Eom opened his mouth as a representative.

“I’m sorry.”

“Is ‘sorry’ all you have to say!”

“…”

The Grand Censor’s group moved their steps to one side, avoiding the other ministers.

The Grand Censor’s group, having passed through the palace gate and out onto Yukjo Street, sighed deeply.

“Hoo~.”

“We’ve been hit hard. We underestimated him too much because he was young.”

The three people all nodded at the Grand Secretary’s words.

“What is the best thing to do from now on?”

The Grand Censor answered the Minister of Rites’ question.

“If it really doesn’t work out, we’ll have to submit a letter of resignation.”

“A letter of resignation… you mean?”

“That’s right. Now that suspicion has taken root in His Majesty’s heart, disaster will strike sooner or later. What kind of bloodline is the Lord’s bloodline? It’s a bloodline that doesn’t back down from shedding blood once a decision is made. That’s why they engaged in fratricidal strife even among brothers, and had no hesitation in destroying his wife’s family and the family of the royal father-in-law (suffering a devastating downfall). Submitting a letter of resignation may be the only way to prevent the disaster that will befall our families and our scholarly lineage.”

At Grand Censor Seong Eom’s words, the Grand Secretary and the Minister of Rites nodded with gloomy faces. Seong Eom sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. I wanted to create a country of royal rule and virtuous governance, but…”

* * *

At the same time, Hyang, who had returned to the East Palace, was tilting his head and ruminating.

“I used the term ‘utilizing resources and enriching lives,’ but did I use it correctly? I was so heated that I just used it recklessly…”

The moment the ministers, deeply influenced by ‘Confucian principles’ and the traditional ‘class theory of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants,’ opposed him, Hyang’s anger flared up.

‘Wow! Seeing this live makes me even angrier!’

Hyang, who was enraged, mobilized all the ‘historical knowledge’ he had learned in his previous life. In the midst of this, he pulled out ‘utilizing resources and enriching lives,’ which can be said to be the foundation of the Practical Learning thought of the late Joseon period, and countered the ministers who had expressed their opposition.

Thinking back, if the opposing ministers had had a little more time, there was a good chance that they would have been able to counterattack.

Hyang, who was reflecting on the precarious moment, burst into a chuckle.

“My father’s virtue was great.”

At that very moment, King Sejong’s cry became a ‘miraculous move.’

The ministers’ thought processes had stopped at the sight of a figure he had never shown since becoming king.

“But the historians were writing enthusiastically. I wonder how it will be recorded in the Veritable Records [official historical records] later.”

Hyang scratched his head, recalling the image of the historians who were diligently recording as if possessed, dipping their golden brushes in ink.

“Teacher Samcheopo is to thank.”

* * *

While the ministers were worrying about the future and Hyang was reviewing what he had been spouting, Sejong was talking with Queen Soheon.

Queen Soheon was sitting on a mat laid out in front of the door of the hut made to hold the mourning rites, and Sejong was sitting inside the hut. This was because Confucian etiquette forbade couples from sitting together or sleeping together during mourning.

“Have you had your midday meal?”

“I brought some rice gruel and ate it.”

“Your Majesty is the pillar of this country. The country can only endure if Your Majesty is healthy. Please make sure to eat properly.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

While they were talking about Sejong’s health, tea was prepared. A eunuch served well-brewed tea to Sejong, and a court lady served it to Queen Soheon.

Queen Soheon, having taken a sip of tea, opened her mouth.

“I heard that the Crown Prince caused trouble at this morning’s court session.”

“The Crown Prince didn’t cause any trouble. He talked about a very good policy. I’m the one who caused trouble.”

“Yes?”

“I couldn’t overcome my exuberance and ended up using a tone that I would only use when I was in my private residence. At this rate, the dignity of the king…”

“Yes? Hohoho!”

Queen Soheon burst into laughter at Sejong’s grumbling. Queen Soheon, wiping away the tears that had welled up in her eyes, looked at Sejong.

“But your complexion looks brighter than before. Why don’t you just say what’s on your mind? Do you need to worry about the golden brushes of the historians?”

Sejong nodded at Queen Soheon’s words. His face had flushed after the farce earlier, but he felt refreshed inside. It felt like the stiffness in his neck and shoulders had been relieved all at once.

Sejong, having organized his thoughts, opened his mouth.

“The Queen is right. My comfort should come first.”

“That is a wise decision, Your Majesty.”

“And as soon as the Jolgok is over, I told the Crown Prince to participate in the Royal Lectures.”

Queen Soheon wore a worried expression at Sejong’s words.

“Will it be alright? The Crown Prince is still young…”

“Considering the golden brushes and the words and actions he showed today, I think it is possible.”

Sejong paused for a moment and sighed.

“Hoo~. The Crown Prince is no ordinary person. Doesn’t the Queen know that too? His actions, words, and thoughts are all like those of a minister who is over forty…”

He was worriedly saying ‘old man’ in a roundabout way, but Sejong was wearing a pleased expression. Queen Soheon also smiled at Sejong’s expression.

“Until recently, you were worried that his intelligence was excessive and that he was putting up too much of a wall between father and son, but now you seem to feel reassured.”

“I feel reassured.”

Sejong nodded.

End

ⓒ Gukbbong