I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 353

The day of going home keeps getting pushed back.

Even though the work was tough, staying in Hanseong [Seoul] or Kyoto, which are far more rural compared to Paris, is starting to get boring… Just kidding.

Not at all. Every day feels new and full of energy.

Since I left my homeland, I wanted to enjoy gambling and drink freely like they do here, but my status as king held me back.

Since there are people watching my every move under the guise of protection, if I did anything foolish, it would immediately reach Marie’s ears.

If that gets reported, I’ll end my long-awaited vacation by kneeling in front of Marie and listening to a lecture as soon as I return. I can just imagine her scolding me for being irresponsible.

I can’t have that. Nope.

Even if it wasn’t entertainment, there were plenty of things to enjoy, so it didn’t matter.

It started as an excuse, but Jeong Yak-yong really did his best to meet my demands.

In fact, being able to study in France with government funding is something that intellectuals in Korea and Japan would be very envious of.

Moreover, if it’s a position guaranteed by the King of France, they would be even more eager.

In reality, the intellectuals of Korea and Japan were busy professing their love for France and swearing allegiance almost every day.

Why did these obedient guys suddenly go on a rampage, saying, “Let’s go to war, hee hee hee!”

Perhaps it will remain an unsolved mystery for decades to come.

“Your Majesty! Is there anyone you’re concerned about?”

“Perhaps it’s because you chose them with such care, but they all seem bright. I especially liked their attitude of embracing France’s advanced knowledge.”

“I eliminated all those who weren’t.”

“If they study in our France and return, they will reliably take responsibility for this country, so watch with peace of mind.”

“Yes. Then, I will introduce those I brought today.”

I scanned the list that Jeong Yak-yong brought and pointed to one name that stood out.

“This person is quite old?”

“Ah, yes. Although he is not a student, he is close to my son, so I have seen him several times. He has been interested in practical learning since this country was Joseon [the former name of Korea] and admired the advanced civilization of France.”

“Kim Jeong-hee…”

I never thought I would encounter the name of the protagonist of Chusa calligraphy [a unique calligraphy style], who frequently appears in Joseon Dynasty history exams, in a place like this.

In fact, Han Seok-bong may be more famous when it comes to calligraphy, but in terms of artistic and original writing, there are few who can match Chusa.

Jeong Yak-yong, who had become anxious as I didn’t take my eyes off the list with the name, cautiously asked.

“Should I exclude all the older ones now?”

“No. What does age have to do with learning? Rather, it’s admirable that they are willing to come to France and learn new things even though they already have established ways of thinking.”

In fact, only taking students has the problem of being a big picture that looks too far into the future, even though it has a great effect in the long run.

Even if they return to their home country completely Frenchified, it will be difficult for them to immediately rise to high positions.

So, mixing in some people who already have strong connections and winning them over is a sure way to get efficient results.

As soon as my permission was granted, Kim Jeong-hee, like before, was led by Jeong Yak-yong and bowed deeply, rattling off the prepared words of gratitude.

“Your Majesty! Thank you for accepting me. I will spare no effort to ensure that Korea can follow in France’s footsteps, even if only a little. And I have brought a small gift. I am ashamed to say that I am quite well-known for my calligraphy and orchid paintings.”

Behind Kim Jeong-hee, a folding screen with Seokparang [a type of orchid], said to be at an unrivaled level in the country, and a stylish script that recorded my achievements stood out.

“This is a very meaningful gift. Napoleon also likes this kind of thing. If possible, could you do something similar for him?”

“It would be an honor for me to give it to the Marshal.”

“Please show off your skills. He will probably display it proudly in his room when he goes to France.”

There are plenty of people among the Guangdong French soldiers who memorize Napoleon’s achievements, so I can just pick someone appropriate and attach them.

After Kim Jeong-hee left, I continued to greet a few more people, skimming through the list absentmindedly.

While looking to see if there were any other famous names, I found a name that looked familiar.

“Lee Chae-jung… Who was it? I feel like I remember.”

If I can’t remember it at first glance, there are two possibilities.

Either it was an insignificant nobody, or it was someone who was called by a different title than their name.

But even if it’s the latter, I don’t think it would be someone that famous.

Jeong Yak-yong, who was carefully observing my reaction, quickly scratched the itchy part.

“Lee Chae-jung is close to Kim Jeong-hee, whom you saw just now.”

“I heard that the Lee family is the surname of the old royal family of this country. Is he a member of the royal family?”

“You are sharp. He is a member of the royal family, but he is quite distant from the direct line of the king.”

As expected, he was familiar because he was a member of the royal family.

“But a member of the royal family wants to study in France?”

“He is not involved in this war, even though he is a member of the royal family. Rather, he has lived quietly and smoothly, to the point of being a model for the royal family.”

“Why does he want to come to France?”

“It’s because of his children’s education.”

“Ah.”

All the reasons were understood in one clear sentence.

The high fever for education in Korea seems to be a tradition that has been passed down from a very long time ago.

As a parent, to have your children educated in the world’s most advanced country?

If you have Korean blood, you can’t resist this.

In fact, it’s not as easy as it sounds for a member of the royal family, who was forcibly dragged down by the people, to go to the country that ruined them.

However, Lee Chae-jung, who I met in person, didn’t seem to care about that and was constantly smiling.

“So, I can go to France too.”

“Yes. You really want to learn about France’s advanced education for your children’s education?”

“Yes. I hope that my children will learn French culture and knowledge and play their roles in this country, which will be newly changed in the future.”

“Well, even if they are members of the royal family, there will be no hesitation in participating in state affairs.”

“Your Majesty has a deep understanding of Eastern culture, just like the rumors say. That’s right. I don’t know about the other children, but my youngest child is so bright that I am greedy…”

The descendant of the old royal family goes to France to be educated and then returns to his home country to play a big role?

Even imagining it in my head draws a very good picture.

If I do this well, I might be able to use it more usefully than I thought.

“You… Lee Chae-jung, was it? What were you called when you were in the royal family? Aren’t the royal families of this country called something like ‘Gun’ [a royal title]?”

“Ah, my Gun title was Namyeon-gun.”

For a moment, I felt a slight dizziness.

Namyeon-gun, is it that Namyeon-gun?

I understand now.

That’s why it felt vaguely familiar and smelled like a nobody.

It was natural to brag about his child being smart.

Pretending not to know anything, I casually asked Namyeon-gun a question.

“Smart children are the future of the country. What is your youngest child’s name?”

“Lee Ha-eung. He is still a baby, but I have raised several children, so I can feel how bright he is. Hahaha.”

Lee Ha-eung, Lee Ha-eung.

As the expected name came out, I nodded, chewing on the name with pleasure.

Well, it was about time that name was born.

But I never imagined that the scholarship student who would come to France, and the candidate to be the vanguard to spread French civilization in this country, would be that name.

How could I have predicted it?

I never thought that Namyeon-gun, the father of Lee Ha-eung, would want to raise his child in France.

“Even if it has been abolished, it is difficult for the title of royal family to have no influence. You know that if your son grows up in France and returns here, there will definitely be some talk, right?”

“Yes. I think that is a fate that I must endure.”

“But on the contrary, that old royal family frame can be an ornament that makes your son stand out even more. A descendant of the fallen old royal family dedicates himself to his homeland to develop true democracy. Isn’t it a beautiful picture?”

“I would have no regrets if that could happen.”

Namyeon-gun bowed his head and continued to talk about his child.

Originally, parents’ mouths don’t stop when they have a chance to brag about their children, even a little bit.

I knew that feeling well, so I didn’t have any intention of stopping him.

“Even though he is still a young child, wouldn’t he be able to grow up freely without any prejudice because of that?”

“Um, um, that’s right.”

“I have no doubt that our Ha-eung will become a pioneer in spreading France’s excellent culture to his home country.”

“It would be even more meaningful if we erected a monument symbolizing friendship with France. When you come to France later, I will definitely go see you and your child.”

“Thank you! I will never forget this grace bestowed by Your Majesty.”

Namyeon-gun bowed his head deeply and left the room.

As I watched his back with a smirk, Jeong Yak-yong tilted his head in confusion.

“This seems to be the first time Your Majesty has shown so much interest in someone.”

“Well, it was.”

“Well, he was a former member of the royal family, so it’s unique that he wants to give his child a good education and live in France. But I personally think it’s a good choice. I want to support him.”

“Me too. I just had an idea, but what do you think about erecting a monument to commemorate these scholarship students?”

Jeong Yak-yong, who couldn’t even guess my intentions, naturally nodded his head up and down and smiled brightly.

“I can only express my gratitude that you are paying so much attention to it.”

“Let’s see what the content should be… Let’s have you adapt and engrave the words ‘Not learning more advanced knowledge or technology is to fall behind, and falling behind is to ruin the country’.”

“I understand.”

As Jeong Yak-yong hurriedly left to give instructions, laughter naturally leaked from my mouth, who was left alone.

“To hear the name Lee Ha-eung here.”

If it’s just the name, there are many people who are unfamiliar with it, but in fact, this person is so famous that there are few Koreans who don’t know him even in modern times.

He is 100 times more famous by his title than by his name.

Even if they don’t know the name Lee Ha-eung, most high school students and above know the title Daewongun [a powerful regent title in Joseon Korea].

He has such a closed-minded image that he is considered the representative of the old-fashioned people who cannot accept anything new in modern times.

The person who condemned that making peace with the West was selling the country is now coming to my country as a promising future leader who will spread French culture.

Perhaps in the history of this place, Lee Ha-eung will be recorded as a pioneer who diligently spread French knowledge to his homeland, not Heungseon Daewongun [Lee Ha-eung’s title as Daewongun].

I have never felt so strongly that I have completely twisted not only Europe but also the history of Asia, Joseon, and Japan.

I am suddenly a little sad that I am now that old.

How will this world flow in the future?

I don’t know, but it will flow in a completely different direction from what I knew.

In the past, I would have felt truly regretful or depressed, but now I can accept it calmly, just feeling a little regretful.

It is up to the people who will live in the future to confirm the future that will come.

I am just happily imagining that future and continuing to draw pictures.

A masterpiece that will be talked about forever, even after a thousand years.