Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 16

Jjangra

Hellobam

16. Sprouting… Cancer?

The big news—’The King whipped the Crown Prince,’ and ‘The Ministers were scolded by the King’—began to spread slowly throughout the capital.

Although the ministers, worried about losing face, ordered everyone to keep their mouths shut, it was only a matter of time before those who loved to talk would spill the beans, especially since it wasn’t a matter of national security.

As a result, the rumors spread with the speed of light. Consequently, in less than five days, there wasn’t a single person living within the walls of Hanyang [the capital of Joseon dynasty] who didn’t know about the incident. And among those who heard the rumors, most of the common people, except for the conservative Sadaebu (士大夫) [scholar-officials], expressed their support for Hyang’s words.

“Of course! The Crown Prince is absolutely right! Every time those damned Ming envoys come, there’s nothing but wailing and crying!”

“That’s right!”

“Madam! Bring me a jug of makgeolli [Korean rice wine]! We need to drink on a day like this!”

While many commoners in the capital were sending their support to Hyang, there were those who unexpectedly suffered: boys of similar age to Hyang.

From the grandsons and great-grandsons of ministers and Sadaebu to the sons of farmers, boys of similar age to Hyang had to endure similar scolding.

“The Crown Prince is already so outstanding in his studies that he can debate with the ministers, but what are you doing! You’ve barely finished the Thousand Character Classic [a classic Chinese text used for literacy training]! What a disgrace to the family!”

“I, I’m sorry! I will try harder…”

“Shut up! Father! Bring the switch!”

“The Crown Prince is making those pompous ministers look like dummies, but you, you little brat, are just breaking jars in the neighborhood! Oh yeah! Let’s have a funeral today! Woman! Bring a thick switch!”

While grandfathers and fathers were scolding and whipping their sons and grandsons, the women who occupied the inner quarters of the Sadaebu families, starting with the Jeonggyeongbuin (貞敬夫人) [a noble title for a minister’s wife], turned their attention elsewhere.

“I wonder how the Queen trained the Crown Prince.”

“We are also curious.”

“We would like to ask, but the Queen doesn’t have any relatives due to the past treason…”

The women, seeking a connection to the Queen, turned to Royal Concubine Yeongbin Kang, a concubine of Sejong.

“As far as I know, the Crown Prince learned on his own.”

“Is that so…”

Seeing the disappointed looks on the women’s faces, Royal Concubine Yeongbin Kang continued.

“The Crown Prince is excellent at studying, but he is also excellent at teaching.”

“Yes?”

“The way the Crown Prince taught his younger brothers was truly remarkable.”

* * *

Hyang, contemplating how to deal with his younger brothers, especially Suyang, finally came to a conclusion.

“There’s no justification for purging them before they do anything, so I’ll just work them to death! No, I’ll work them to death and then work them some more!”

Having made his decision, Hyang immediately put it into action.

“To work them properly, I need to make them properly educated!”

And after confirming the reality, Hyang put his hand on his forehead.

“They haven’t even finished the Thousand Character Classic yet… What am I going to do with these guys…”

After hearing the rumor that Hyang lamented about his brothers’ academic achievements, Queen Soheon called for Hyang.

“Crown Prince, it’s just that you are too outstanding, not that your brothers are lacking.”

“Mother, my brothers also have the blood of our father. No one can deny that our father is a genius of the ages, but for them to show such a 모습 [appearance/state] is a disloyal act that tarnishes our father’s honor. I cannot tolerate this!”

‘It’ll only frustrate me to work with these dullards!’

Having made a firm decision, Hyang pondered a method for his brothers’ studies.

“First, they need to master the Thousand Character Classic at least…”

Hyang, 고민 [agonizing] about the education of his two younger brothers who would later become Suyang and Anpyeong, soon came up with a solution.

Hyang’s solution was flashcards.

Hyang ordered the Dohwawon (圖畫院) [Royal Academy of Painting] to make flashcards. Paper was attached to both sides of thick wooden boards, with the four-character phrases of the Thousand Character Classic on one side and illustrations explaining the phrases on the other.

In addition to the Thousand Character Classic flashcards, Hyang taught Suyang and Anpyeong using ‘carrots’—mainly snacks—and ‘competition’—pitting Suyang and Anpyeong against each other. With the addition of appropriate discipline, the result of the education was that Suyang and Anpyeong completely mastered the Thousand Character Classic in 40 days.

Hyang’s education did not end with the Thousand Character Classic. He focused Suyang and Anpyeong on learning by explaining the contents of the classics in a storytelling format, using illustrations depicting the contents of the 경전 [classic texts].

“It seems my brothers are following well, so I think it would be good to continue educating them in this way for the time being.”

“I am deeply impressed by the Crown Prince’s training method!”

The 왕자사부 [prince’s tutor], who had been struggling with the education of the two princes—especially Suyang, who had spent a long time in 사가 [private residence]—were greatly 감탄하며 [impressed] by the Crown Prince’s method and bowed their heads.

“Then, how long should we continue with this method?”

“We must first refine our attitude towards the 사서삼경 [Four Books and Three Classics, core texts of Confucianism], so until then, wouldn’t it be alright?”

“I understand.”

Meanwhile, Sejong, who received a report that Hyang had created an original method and greatly helped his brothers’ 수학(修學) [learning], clapped his knees and was pleased.

“Indeed, he is the Crown Prince! Indeed, he is the eldest son!”

* * *

The 부인 [noble ladies], who heard about Hyang’s training method and its results through Royal Concubine Kang, were 몸이 달아올라 [eager] and fidgeted.

“Is there any way to obtain those 교구(敎具) [teaching materials] that the Crown Prince made?”

“The Crown Prince said to keep them well, as he would use them to teach his other brothers.”

“Ah…”

“Is there no way to get them?”

“Well…”

When Royal Concubine Kang made a difficult expression, the 부인 who were 몸이 달은 [impatient] 들볶았다 [badgered] their husbands.

“대감 [high-ranking official]! Please be sure to speak to the Crown Prince!”

“Hmm~. I have my 체면 [face/prestige]…”

“대감! Is 대감’s 체면 more important than the education of your grandson! He is the 종손(宗孫) [eldest grandson] of the family!”

“Ugh… Still…”

“대감!”

In the end, the 대소 관료 [high and low officials], unable to withstand the 부인’s nagging, sought out Hyang.

“What’s the matter?”

“The thing is…”

Hyang smiled bitterly after hearing the details from the 관료.

‘Am I some kind of teacher!’

Anyway, Hyang, who heard the complaints of the 대신 [ministers], made a decision.

“I can sell the 교구 for the Thousand Character Classic. For the higher levels, I need someone who can teach in my way, but such a person is rare. So, I’ll only do up to the Thousand Character Classic. Would that be alright?”

The 대신, who 고민 [hesitated] for a moment at Hyang’s words, nodded. Their grandsons were currently at the age to learn the Thousand Character Classic.

“We would be grateful even if it’s just up to the Thousand Character Classic.”

“Good. The price is three 석 [unit of volume, about 180 liters] of 백미 [white rice].”

“Three 석 of 백미!”

The 대신 were shocked at the higher-than-expected price, so Hyang explained the reason.

“One 석 out of the three 석 is the cost to be paid to the 도화원. It’s the cost of the materials to make the 교구 and the cost to give to the 화원(畫員) [painters] of the 도화원 to draw the pictures. Another 석 will go into the national treasury. The last 석 is for my own use.”

“What do you mean by the 세자 [Crown Prince] using it separately?”

“The book prices are a bit high.”

Three 석 of 백미 was by no means a small amount of money. However, the 부인, who were 몸이 달은 [eager] for their children’s education, paid the three 석 of 백미 without hesitation.

As a result, the 화원 of the 도화원 received unexpected bonuses and cheered, and Hyang also smiled contentedly as he looked at the 쌓이는 쌀가마니 [piles of rice sacks] piling up in one corner of the 동궁전 [Crown Prince’s residence].

“Now I can do 덕질 [fangirling/fanboying] a little more comfortably.”

* * *

While the 평지풍파(平地風波) [unexpected trouble] caused by Hyang was making the 조정 [royal court] noisy, time passed and the 장례 [funeral] period of 태종 [King Taejong] was almost over.

September 6th. The 장사 [funeral procession] was held at 헌릉 [Heolleung Royal Tomb].

September 18th. Sejong and the 대신 gathered at 광효전(廣孝殿) [Gwanghyojeon Hall] to hold the 졸곡제사(卒哭祭祀) [a memorial service held after the funeral].

And for the first time since 태종’s death, 고기 [meat] was served as 찬 [side dish] to Sejong.

After the 졸곡제사 was over, Sejong, Hyang, and the 대신 all wore 백색 관복 [white official robes], 검은 관모 [black official hats], and 검은 띠 [black belts].

September 20th. An 액막이 제사 [exorcism ritual] was held because an 부엉이 울어 [owl cried].

September 21st. Sejong and the 대신 finally returned to the 편전(便殿) [King’s private office] and began to 돌보기 정사(政事) [take care of state affairs].

* * *

Returning to the 편전 and 본격적으로 재개 정무 [resuming state affairs in earnest], the 조정 began to return to its 제자리 [place].

Sejong and the 대신 were busy normalizing the 국정 [state affairs], which had been slightly 느슨해졌던 [relaxed] during 태종’s 장례, by creating and distributing 정밀한 저울 [precise scales] and 보강하는 [strengthening] the 제도 [system] for those entering and exiting the 궐문 [palace gate].

It wasn’t just Sejong and the 대신 who were busy. Sejong, true to his 약속 [promise], had Hyang 참가 [participate] in the 경연(經筵) [royal lectures]. Sejong’s 경연 was not simply 강론하는 유교 경전 [lecturing on Confucian classics].

“시경(時經)의… [From the Book of Poetry…]”

Starting with mentioning a part of the 유교 경전 [Confucian classics], Sejong and the 대신 engaged in a 치열한 토론 [fierce debate].

The 토론 became 치열해진 [fiercer] because it was not simply a difference in 관점 [viewpoint] interpreting the 경전, but because the 주제 [topic] was how to apply the 유교’s 이념 [Confucian ideals] to actual 정책 [policies].

“전하 [Your Majesty]! The 도리 [principles] of the 성현 [sages] is like 금과옥조(金科玉條) [golden rules], so it is something that must be 유념하고 지켜야 [kept in mind and followed]!”

The 신하’s 주장은 대개 [the officials’ arguments mostly] maintained the above 기조 [tone]. The 글 적힌 [words written] in the 경전 was the 가르침 남기신 [teachings left behind] by 공맹(孔孟) [Confucius and Mencius], so the 왕 마땅히 전력을 다해 should 따라 the 가르침 [the king should do his best to follow the teachings].

“The 국가’s 의무 [nation’s duty] is the 교화 of the 백성 [civilizing the people]! In 교화 백성, 정덕(正德) [rectifying virtue] is 우선 [priority]!”

While the 대신, deeply 심취한 [immersed] in 성리학 [Neo-Confucianism], 주장 [argued] ‘덕본재말(德本財末), 중의경리(重義輕利) [emphasize virtue over wealth, righteousness over profit]’, Sejong and Hyang, and the 실리주의(實利主義) [pragmatic] 대신, 반대 주장을 내놓으며 설전을 벌였다 [countered with opposing arguments and engaged in a debate].

“Looking at the 대우모 편 [Great Yu Mode chapter] of the 서경 [Book of Documents], the 성형들께서는 삼으셨노라 [the sages considered] ‘경세제민(經世濟民) [governing the world and benefiting the people]’ as the 이상(理想) [ideal] of 덕치(德治) [virtuous rule].”

“공자 [Confucius] said that 백성’s 부서(富庶) [people’s prosperity] comes before education, and 맹자 [Mencius] said that 마련해 주는 백성’s 항산(恒産) [providing the people with stable livelihood] is the 기반 [foundation] for 실현하는 왕도(王道) [realizing the kingly way]!”

The 쌍두마차 [two-horse chariot] that 논파하는 [refuted] the 대신’s 교조주의적 성리학 관점 [dogmatic Neo-Confucian perspective] were Sejong and 세자 Hyang [Crown Prince Hyang]. After a 제대로 설전 [proper debate] at the 경연, the 노신(老臣) [old ministers] had to 물러나 [retreat] with 땀에 절고 잔뜩 지친 얼굴 [sweat-soaked and exhausted faces].

“I thought 세자 저하 [His Highness the Crown Prince] was only 능하신 [skilled] in 잡학(雜學) [miscellaneous studies]…”

“Did you still think that way even after 당하고 [suffering] so badly last time?”

“In my 살다살다 [entire life], this is the first time I’ve been 두렵기는 [afraid] of the 경연.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to 청하는 [request] to 줄여달라고 [reduce] the 횟수 [frequency] of the 경연?”

The 신하 [officials], who used to 붙잡고 [grab] the 왕 [king] who was 도망을 다니는 [running away] to 피해 [avoid] the 경연 during 태조 [King Taejo] and 태종’s time, 우기던 [insisting] that the 경연 must be done, were now in a 형국 [situation] where they were thinking of 줄일 [reducing] the 경연.

Unlike the 신하 who were 죽을 맛 [dying], the 웃음 [smile] did not 떠나지 [leave] from Sejong’s 얼굴 [face]. Since 오른 [ascended] the 보위(寶位) [throne], Sejong had to 시달려 끊임없이 [suffer constantly] by the 압력 [pressure] of the 신하.

Like the 말 [saying], ‘한 손이 두 손을 당하기 힘들다 [one hand cannot beat two hands]’, 상대하는 [dealing with] many 대신 at the same time was something that even Sejong, who was 소문이 난 [renowned] for being 뛰어난 [excellent] in 학식 [learning], found 힘에 부치는 [overwhelming].

Sometimes he 이끌었 [led] the 정사 [state affairs] with 협의(協議) [consultation], and sometimes he 적당히 을러서 [moderately threatened], but it was 힘겨웠 [difficult] to 이기는 [win] the 물량공세 [numerical offensive] of the 대신.

“If there were 좀 더 많았다 대신 who 뜻을 같이하는 with me [more ministers who shared my views]…”

After 끝내고 [finishing] the 힘겨운 논쟁 [difficult debate] with the 대신, Sejong 늘 되풀이했다 the above 푸념 [always repeated the above grumbling]. 황희 [Hwang Hui] and 맹사성 [Maeng Saseong] like 이들 [them] were still in 한직(閑職) [unimportant posts], and the 신하 with 개혁적인 성향 [ministers with reformist tendencies] were too 적었다 [few].

In this 상황 [situation], it was a 축복 주신 by 하늘 [blessing given by heaven] that 세자 Hyang showed 뛰어난 능력 [outstanding ability].

Even though he was 9 years old, still 한참 못 미친 to 지학(志學, 15세) [far from the age of 15], his 학문의 성취 [academic achievement] was 버금갔 to himself [comparable to his own], and the 매서움 [sharpness] of his 논설(論說) [arguments] was more 날카로웠 [sharp] than himself.

Once he opened his 입 [mouth], the 대신 who 태종 [King Taejong], who was 부왕 [his father], as well as himself, had made 힘겹게 [difficult], became 합죽이가 [silent] when Hyang opened his 입 [mouth].

Was it because the 정신적인 부담 [mental burden] had 줄어든 덕분에 [decreased thanks] to Hyang? Sejong also 되찾았다 활기를 육체적으로 [regained vitality physically]. The 종기 [boil] that had been 괴롭히던 [bothering] him since 언제부터인가 [who knows when] had 사라졌 많이 [disappeared a lot], and things like 두통 [headache] and 어깨 결림 [shoulder stiffness] had also 사라졌다 [disappeared].

“It seems that the 말 [saying] that 자식이 보배 [children are treasures] is 맞는 after all [true after all].”

“호호호 [hohoho]! If 남들이 들으면 [others hear] 주상’s 말 now [Your Majesty’s words now], they will say you are 팔불출 [doting on his children].”

“Let them hear it!”

Thanks to Hyang, Sejong became a 팔불출 [doting on his children] whenever he 마주할 with 소헌왕후 [faced Queen Soheon].

However, there was 딱 한순간만 [only one moment] that Sejong found Hyang 부담이 되는 [burdensome].

It was 식사 시간 [meal time].

“아바마마 [Father]! Don’t just 드시 고기 [eat meat]!”

“You 자식아 [brat]! Even a 개 안 건드리는 법 밥 먹을 때는 [one doesn’t bother a dog while it’s eating]!”

“개 is 무니까 안 건드리는 [one doesn’t bother a dog because it bites]! 조화로운 섭식(攝食) [balanced diet] is the 시작 [start] of 지키는 아바마마’s 건강 [protecting Father’s health]!”

To 지키기 Sejong’s 건강 [protect Sejong’s health], Hyang 해댔 잔소리를 식사 시간 of Sejong [nagged Sejong during meal times], and the 사관 쫓아다니며 기록했다 the 일 그때마다 [the historian followed and recorded the event every time].

End

ⓒ 국뽕