There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 53

< Dividing the Work (2) >

The sewing machine production sped up, and the women’s workshop was seeing significant results.

Dozens of sewing machines whirred diligently, and the women sewed with increasingly skilled hands.

“Ouch!”

…Of course, they still made plenty of mistakes.

Watching her wrap a cloth around a finger where blood was welling up made my own hands ache.

Should I invent a proper disinfection method?

As I looked around the workshop, I heard complaints about how their fingers were stiff and sore from running the sewing machines all day, but what could I do?

‘I ache too.’

I’m exhausted from wielding the brush all day.

Of course, I have No-bun grind the ink for me, but writing with it is no easy task.

It takes several times the effort compared to using modern writing tools.

‘Of course, it’s rewarding to see the calligraphy.’

When I checked the content, I thought it was masterfully written, even to my own eyes.

It was one of the few helpful skills that the original Grand Prince Yangnyeong possessed.

In any case, degenerative arthritis is like a friend to the diligent worker.

Neither the Crown Prince nor the laborers are exceptions.

I said to the workshop staff:

“Tell them to give each other finger massages during breaks.”

“Massage, did you say?”

The staff member blinked and said.

Ah, the word ‘massage’ probably doesn’t exist in this era. It’s English.

“Ma, sa, ji… Forget it, just say ‘anma’ [a traditional Japanese massage technique, also known in Korea].”

I tried to create a suitable meaning for this in Chinese characters but gave up.

Speaking of massage, my shoulders are stiff.

‘I should get No-bun to give me a massage.’

I taught him last time, so he should be good at it now.

When I ordered No-bun, he silently offered his back.

“What are you doing?”

“I’ve forgotten how to do it. Please teach me again.”

‘Is this bastard kidding me?’

Is he… a close-aide eunuch?

It’s obvious that he’s pretending to have forgotten so he can get another massage.

“No-bun.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Are you comfortable?”

Alright, if you want to receive it that badly, I’ll massage you myself.

I placed my hands on No-bun’s shoulders.

“Ah, Your, Your Highness! It hurts!”

No-bun winced in pain as I squeezed his shoulders tightly.

‘Don’t exaggerate, you rascal.’

How strong could a child’s hands be?

However, seeing tears welling up in No-bun’s eyes, I wondered if it really hurt.

‘Could my strength really have become that strong?’

It’s only natural since I’m training with Yi Seong-gye [a famous Korean general and the founder of the Joseon Dynasty] every day.

I’m becoming closer to a complete being.

As I was feeling fear at my own strength, someone called me from outside.

“Your Highness, this is Hwang Hui, Gyeongnyeok [a junior official position] of the Seungchu Department.”

What’s this guy doing here all of a sudden?

I dismissed No-bun, who was clutching his shoulder and groaning, and let Hwang Hui inside.

“Yes, what brings you to the East Palace?”

He usually avoids my eyes, fearing I’ll give him work.

However, Hwang Hui had a determined expression.

I naturally became tense at his appearance, like a loyal subject ready to offer advice at the cost of his life.

“Your Highness.”

“Speak.”

Hwang Hui took a deep breath and said:

“Please reduce the workload.”

‘Of course.’

I was nervous for nothing.

I looked at Hwang Hui and said:

“No, how can I reduce the work that exists? You know how important the affairs of the Construction Office are…”

I clicked my tongue.

‘For someone who knows so much, he’s acting like a child, making such demands.’

‘I have been overworking him lately, though.’

But fortunately, there are no labor laws in Joseon.

The dark circles under Hwang Hui’s eyes were noticeable, but that’s a common occurrence for everyone here.

Even I have them.

But Hwang Hui said with teary eyes:

“I am not making an unreasonable request. There is much work but few people, so if you could just add a few more, we could all leave work without working all night.”

“What if I refuse?”

“Then we will have no choice but to collapse. This is the opinion agreed upon by Prosecutor Maeng and Judge Heo as well.”

‘What is this? Is he implying a strike?’

Judging by his expression, it seemed that not only Hwang Hui but also other people were involved.

Damn it, even the stubborn Heo Jo joined in?

‘The workload has been too heavy recently.’

The revision of the Hanyang [the old name for Seoul] capital reconstruction plan had caused a flood of work. If it weren’t for that, they wouldn’t have resorted to such collective action.

Next time, I’ll have to adjust and exploit them just enough to avoid causing too much backlash.

However, even if I wanted to, I couldn’t fulfill their demands.

Just as they had requested a solution from their superiors, I had no choice but to demand more manpower from someone even higher up.

So, I began to protest to Yi Bang-won [King Taejong of Joseon, the MC’s father].

“Please increase the number of personnel in the Hanyang Construction Office. I need talented people to assist me.”

However, Yi Bang-won replied indifferently:

“Isn’t it already a lot? I suffered so much to get people for the Construction Office… I’ve gathered only the most capable talents in Joseon, what more do you want?”

“Yes?”

Hwang Hui, the bribery taker, Maeng Sa-seong, the ox admirer, and Heo Jo, who doesn’t hold back on what he says.

Are these three really the best talents in Joseon?

‘I’m doomed.’

I’m genuinely worried about the future of Joseon.

But it will still last for another 500 years.

“I’m already worried about the lack of people to handle the affairs of the court. I’m even considering taking people from the Hanyang Construction Office.”

‘Uh oh.’

I was flustered as the situation seemed to be turning into one where I was adding trouble instead of getting rid of it.

Seeing my expression, Yi Bang-won laughed and said:

“But if my son wants it, this father must exert his strength even in these difficult times. Who do you want to bring?”

“I heard that Byeon Gye-ryang, whom I saw last time, is good at his job.”

Moreover, I heard he was an honest official. So much so that he was even called a miser.

For me, who had been hurt by Hwang Hui, that was quite an important factor.

“Byeon Gye-ryang is good at writing, but that’s not what you need right now, is it? And the Yemungwan [Office of Royal Decrees] is busy, so it’s difficult to spare him.”

“Then how about Nam Jae?”

“I need Nam Jae too.”

“What about Seong Seok-rin?”

“He’s old and doesn’t have the energy. He’s just someone who handles minor tasks and keeps the Retired King company.”

I kept suggesting names, but Yi Bang-won kept rejecting them with various excuses.

‘Damn it, then who are you telling me to bring?’

The lineup that the Hanyang Construction Office officials had prepared for me was all rejected.

The same was true for Ha Ryun, whom they had designated to take over some of the Construction Office’s management on my behalf.

“How about the Chief State Councillor?”

“Ha Ryun, you mean?”

Yi Bang-won asked back.

Even though Ha Ryun had pushed for Muak without considering the situation during the last relocation, he basically read the superiors’ minds well and had excellent practical skills.

With the Construction Office having almost as much work as a Hanyang branch office, he was perfect for taking charge and overseeing the manufacturing.

Wouldn’t it be great if Ha Ryun came and took the center stage?

However, Yi Bang-won shook his head again.

“The Chief State Councillor must stay with me. The affairs of Hanyang are important, but why would I take someone who is in charge of the core of my court?”

“Ah.”

What I expected was what I got.

“Do you really have the intention of supplementing the officials?”

“Of course. How about Jeong Heung-in, the Geumju Governor, whom you saw last time? You praised him a lot after visiting Geumju.”

He was a passionate guy, but I was unsure if he was truly skilled in practical matters.

I had expectations for his son, though.

“Yes, well, I would be grateful if you gave him to me, but…”

Is this the end?

The faces of Hwang Hui, Maeng Sa-seong, and Heo Jo, who had excitedly prepared and handed over the list, flickered before my eyes.

‘I’m sorry, everyone.’

I couldn’t help it either.

So please, don’t go on strike.

As I was praying inwardly, Yi Bang-won, noticing my disappointment, smiled.

“Don’t worry. I’ve thought of someone who can assist you wonderfully.”

“Yes?”

My heart fluttered at the sudden words.

Is there someone normal, a Zhuge Liang [a famous strategist in Chinese history]-like figure who can take over my work?

But how could the Hwang-Maeng-Heo trio, who are more knowledgeable about the court affairs than anyone else, have missed that person?

Whether I was thinking that or not, Yi Bang-won called a court attendant standing next to him and had him bring someone.

‘Ooh.’

Just who is that capable person?

I waited calmly with a pounding heart.

Before long, sounds began to be heard from outside.

“Your Majesty, it has been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes, it has been a while.”

The person who entered was a young man.

However, unlike officials of his age, his face had an air of arrogance.

Usually, officials that young would automatically have humility ingrained in them from being pushed around by their superiors.

Their backs would be bent at 90 degrees.

But this young man was extremely confident even in front of my father.

The reason could be known directly from Yi Bang-won’s introduction.

“Introduce yourself. This is Yi Suk-beon, the Commander of the Left Army.”

“I greet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”

‘Yi Suk-beon?’

Even when greeting me, the Crown Prince, his head is stiff…

Damn it.

‘This is a bomb disposal squad!’

I clutched my head.

===

Yi Suk-beon was a close confidant of Yi Bang-won and a meritorious subject who had contributed to the Princes’ Rebellion, so his momentum was great despite his young age.

To what extent? When a road was being built in Hanyang, he had the location moved in front of the palace of the Retired King Jeongjong because he said it would be noisy in front of his house with people coming and going.

‘Poor Granduncle.’

He’s completely the neighborhood pushover.

Even though he has no presence, he’s still the Retired King, yet he’s being taken advantage of by a mere subject.

It hasn’t happened yet, but that’s what I saw in ‘The Land of the Morning Calm’ [likely a reference to a historical drama or record].

I remember that he was purged by Taejong and exiled far away for acting out of line as a meritorious subject.

For Yi Bang-won to entrust me with such Yi Suk-beon.

I could picture the Hwang-Maeng-Heo trio collapsing while clutching their necks.

However, Yi Bang-won said nonchalantly:

“He is talented in both literary and military arts, so he will be useful if you take him.”

“Wait, Your Majesty. Are you calling me to work under His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?”

Yi Suk-beon said in an insolent tone.

“Many officials are already affiliated with the Hanyang Construction Office and are working under the Crown Prince. What is it that you cannot do?”

“Your Majesty, but am I not different from those people?”

Those people?

I was starting to get angry at Yi Suk-beon’s words.

Even though Hwang Hui is corrupt and the other people aren’t ordinary, do my subordinates have to hear such things?

Even so, how can this guy say such things in front of me?

If my father wasn’t here, I would have dealt with him on the spot.

Then Yi Bang-won smiled and asked:

“So, you don’t want to do it?”

Yi Suk-beon’s face clearly showed that he didn’t want to.

Yes, please say you don’t want to.

I don’t want to take you either.

Fortunately, Yi Suk-beon did not deviate from my expectations.

He raised his head and said:

“Yes. I have my pride, so of course…”

– Clang!

Yi Suk-beon was answering like that, but his words were interrupted when Yi Bang-won put down his teacup.

Yi Bang-won quietly opened his mouth.

“Do it.”

Even though it was just that one word, the atmosphere froze coldly.

“…”

After a few seconds of silence, Yi Suk-beon lowered his head, sweating coldly.

“…I shall obey your command, Your Majesty.”

‘Wow, my father’s charisma is no joke?’

To make that arrogant Yi Suk-beon obey his command without saying a word.

Will I be able to exude the same force as Yi Bang-won when I grow up?

As I was admiring the scene, a fact I had forgotten came to mind.

‘Wait, does this mean I have to take Yi Suk-beon after all?’

Damn it.

I glared at Yi Suk-beon, who was struggling.

If you try to act important in front of me, I’ll iron out all those wrinkles.

< Dividing the Work (2) > End

ⓒ Pitkong