There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 55

< What is True Education? (2) >

Lee Sook-beon seemed greatly surprised by my words.

“You heard me right.”

“What are you so surprised about?”

“……Your Highness?”

“To dare utter such words in front of the Crown Prince, are you in your right mind?”

Lee Sook-beon stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.

But soon, he regained his senses and protested.

“This humble servant is one of the most meritorious subjects who personally wielded a sword and struck down Jeong Do-jeon when Your Highness was still crawling! Even if you are the Crown Prince, to scold me with such abusive language! This is unacceptable!”

‘So, you’re saying you have a great history, huh?’

But that’s all in the past now.

Lee Sook-beon was now just a mere official on the verge of being purged.

“Before you are a meritorious subject, you are a subject of this nation, and I am your superior. What gives you the right to utter such words!”

At my sharp shout, Lee Sook-beon flinched and took a few steps back.

“Ah, no……”

“Do you need to be investigated by the Uigeumbu [a Joseon Dynasty law enforcement agency] for the crime of insulting the Crown Prince to realize your sin?”

Lee Sook-beon, who looked down on everyone except the King, already knew that his power had diminished after being subjected to something akin to demotion.

My threat was by no means a bluff.

In the past, he could have controlled the people of the Uigeumbu with a mere gesture, but that power no longer worked.

“Gather all the officials of the Construction Office!”

I shouted.

“From today onwards, treat Lee Sook-beon as a mere official of the Construction Office. He will be assigned under Hwang Gyeong-ryeok, so report immediately if he neglects his work or complains. He will be handed over to the Uigeumbu!”

Hwang Hee stepped forward and said at my resolute words.

“How could there be any objection? I will do my best to employ……no, manage him.”

For Hwang Hee, the embodiment of self-preservation, to say such a thing so openly.

Everyone seemed to be fed up with Lee Sook-beon’s behavior.

“Your Highness, in terms of rank, I am a Buwongun [Father-in-law of the King] of the first rank, and until recently, I was in charge of the Jong 2nd rank Chongje [Royal Clan Affairs Office]. How can such a person work under a Gyeong-ryeok who is only a 4th rank official?”

Lee Sook-beon foamed at the mouth and shouted.

Then I grabbed his shoulder.

– Squeeze

“Ugh……!”

Lee Sook-beon made a painful expression, but I didn’t let go.

I leaned in close to his ear and said coldly.

“Do as you’re told.”

“……”

In terms of rank alone, Lee Sook-beon should be next in line after me in the Construction Office.

But, seeing how much the Hwang-Maeng-Heo trio are suffering, I don’t think he’d want that at all.

In terms of ability, Lee Sook-beon is far inferior to Hwang Hee.

Hwang Hee takes bribes, but he is a proven great statesman.

“Lee Sook-beon is appointed as a Nangwan [Junior Official] of the Hanyang Construction Office. Hwang Gyeong-ryeok will be in charge of teaching him strictly!”

However, Lee Sook-beon’s expression still seemed humiliated that he would be working as a young official under the officials he had subtly looked down on until recently.

But others were different.

“As expected of His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“To just make that rascal Anseong-gun kneel like that.”

“Refreshing, very refreshing!”

Many people laughed loudly.

Only Lee Sook-beon was bewildered by the sudden change in situation and slumped down.

===

‘This can’t be happening!’

Even by the standards of the court, he was originally several ranks higher, and he even held the title of Anseong-gun.

But what had happened in the past few days was unbelievable.

‘Hey, this Nangwan. Take charge of this.’

‘Why is the work so slow? Didn’t you hear the Crown Prince’s words?’

To think that people who were older than him but couldn’t even make eye contact with him were now treating him condescendingly, relying only on the Crown Prince!

No matter how much of a Crown Prince he is, he can’t just ignore the laws of the court and do this.

The only person who can fix this absurd situation is just one person.

The person he feared the most, His Majesty the King.

Although one more person has been added recently.

The force that didn’t seem like it could come from a child. He was so surprised by it that he even took a step back without realizing it.

‘Is the King’s son really his son!’

Inwardly, he had looked down on the Crown Prince, who seemed a bit dim-witted, but he had forgotten that the Crown Prince was also the son of Yi Bang-won, who had seized the throne by staging a coup and killing all those who stood in his way.

‘But I can’t just kneel down like this.’

To suppress him, a meritorious subject, and to receive orders from people like Hwang Hee, Maeng Sa-seong, and Heo Jo.

That’s not why he entered politics.

Lee Sook-beon stomped off to find the King.

He was going to tell Yi Bang-won about the current situation and ask him to correct the situation.

Yi Bang-won and he had a long-standing friendship, so if he pleaded with tears, he would take back what his son had done, no matter what.

He hurried to enter the Pyeonjeon Hall [the King’s main office building], but the guards blocked him.

“What business do you have entering the palace?”

“Don’t you know my face? I am Anseong-gun Lee Sook-beon. Open the door quickly.”

“You cannot enter unless you state your business.”

“……I have something urgent to tell His Majesty. Get out of the way quickly.”

“Yes, then I will first inform His Majesty, and if there is an order to let you in, I will open the door.”

“What?”

But he was blocked from entering the palace from the start.

It was truly absurd for him, who used to go in and out of the palace like his own home.

“Do I need to get your permission to enter the palace? Can’t you get out of the way?”

“It’s not our permission that is needed, but His Majesty’s permission.”

Just as he was about to force his way in with a shout, two people who had discovered the commotion in front of the gate as they were about to leave the palace walked over here.

One was Ha Ryun, who was friendly with him, and the other was……

“……!”

Lee Sook-beon gasped.

Unfortunately, the other person was the Crown Prince.

“Lord Chief State Councilor, I cannot enter the palace because these people are blocking me. Please allow me to see His Majesty.”

Lee Sook-beon, who was hesitating whether to back down, had no choice but to turn his head towards Ha Ryun and speak.

He pretended to ignore the Crown Prince’s presence.

“Hmm.”

As Ha Ryun made a troubled expression, Lee Sook-beon’s heart burned.

‘I hope the Crown Prince doesn’t notice.’

I hope Ha Ryun uses his power to let him in quickly.

But the Crown Prince noticed even faster.

He made an expression as if he knew what was going on, smiled, and ordered the guards.

“Do not let this person enter the palace under any circumstances.”

===

“Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

Lee Sook-beon, surprised by my words, shouted.

His face was distorted as if to say, ‘Are you blocking even this?’

“I have something I must tell His Majesty.”

But I just looked at him with pity.

I looked straight at Lee Sook-beon and said.

“If you go inside now, you’ll die.”

“Yes?”

Lee Sook-beon made a bewildered expression.

But I fluttered a piece of paper in front of his face.

“W-What is this?”

“It is His Majesty’s order to strip you of your title for your rude behavior in front of the Crown Prince and for neglecting your duties in the Construction Office.”

“!”

Lee Sook-beon must have been trying to grab onto Yi Bang-won’s pants, but I was faster.

Stripping someone of their title was no ordinary matter, so Yi Bang-won even called Ha Ryun to discuss it, but in any case, the goal was achieved.

With this, there won’t be any more talk about rank or anything like that.

“My father and I have an unusually good relationship. We don’t hide anything from each other.

His Majesty knows everything about the punishment I have given you. Rather, he is just watching quietly in light of your past contributions, but if you go into the palace and complain about this, it’s over.

Do you think His Majesty would spare you, who dared to defy me?”

“Ah……”

Lee Sook-beon slumped down on the spot.

Even his last hope had vanished.

He lowered his head and said.

“It’s unfair.”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t this a perfect case of ‘kill the dog after the hunt’? Now that I’ve become like this, who knows whose turn it will be next.”

At those words, Ha Ryun, who had been wearing a seemingly good-natured smile next to him, suddenly turned sharp.

“Who knew His Majesty would emulate the ways of Emperor Gaozu of Han?” [a historical figure known for eliminating those who helped him gain power].

“It is only natural to slaughter the dog after the hunt is over. What fool would spare a meritorious subject because they don’t want to imitate Emperor Gaozu?”

I nodded in agreement next to him.

There’s no way the iron-blooded monarch Taejong would show such foolish mercy.

Lee Sook-beon gasped.

He, too, probably knew the temperament of the master he served better than anyone else.

“Then, does the Lord Chief State Councilor believe that he will inevitably be discarded if he stays in that position?”

“Of course not.”

Ha Ryun scoffed.

“His Majesty still has many things he needs me to do. That’s why I’m still serving as the Lord Chief State Councilor. On the other hand, you……”

The reason Yi Bang-won didn’t sweep away the meritorious subjects was because they were still useful.

That’s why Ha Ryun remained Yi Bang-won’s closest aide.

“Compared to that arrogance, I guess he doesn’t think there’s much use left.”

But Lee Sook-beon’s arrogance became poison and he was purged.

No, is it not a purge yet?

‘The Hanyang Construction Office isn’t a place of exile.’

Rather, this was like a lifeline given to Lee Sook-beon.

I opened my mouth.

“His Majesty has given you one last chance.

If you prove your ability here, you will continue to be used, but if you don’t, you will have no choice but to end your life far away from the court.”

So don’t act up anymore.

“……Huh, hahaha. Hahaha!”

Lee Sook-beon let out a hollow laugh at my quiet warning.

After laughing blankly for a while, he suddenly grabbed the back of his neck.

“Ugh!”

“?!”

“Oh, this man!”

Lee Sook-beon rolled his eyes and collapsed.

He’s really doing all sorts of things.

===

The cause was said to be overwork and stress from frustration.

Frankly, it wasn’t a big deal, so I had him return to work as soon as his body recovered.

Lee Sook-beon had to trudge back to the Construction Office.

“Really, how can we use someone who is so weak?”

I clicked my tongue and said.

“That’s right. We endured even when His Highness the Crown Prince didn’t let us leave work for three days and nights.”

“What’s the big deal about that? I even lived and ate in the Gulrak [a type of prison] for several months. Hahaha!”

Hwang Hee, Maeng Sa-seong, and Heo Jo burst into laughter.

Even so, their hands were holding brushes and moving busily across the paper.

They, too, had adapted to the point where they could chat while working.

Meanwhile, a cloth was tightly tied around their wrists.

I had tied it for them because they said their wrists hurt so much, so they wouldn’t get carpal tunnel syndrome.

‘There’s really no boss like this.’

To even give them wristbands in case his subordinates get sick and can’t work.

“Are you sure it hurts less when you use this?”

“Hahaha, that’s right. It still feels like my wrist is going to break, but it’s okay. I think I can write as much as I want.”

“Then feel free to wield your brush, hahaha!”

When I laughed heartily, the officials also laughed along.

The laughter sounded somewhat twisted and bizarre, but it must have been my imagination. Probably.

“Haven’t you finished your work yet? Hurry up and write the ledger and put it on my desk. Come on!”

“Where did the iron-related data go? There hasn’t been a report from Hanyang yet? Then shouldn’t you go and get it yourself, even if you have to run? Don’t worry. You only need to come back within half a day, what’s the big deal. Haha!”

‘How heartwarming is this scene.’

They encourage each other and give each other work.

I wanted to call all the court officials and give them a tour.

In particular, the sight of Hwang Hee sticking next to Lee Sook-beon and praising him was heartwarming.

“Oh, Anseong-gun Daegam [a respectful title]! Why were you acting up until now when you could do so well? You’ll have to work harder in the future, right? I believe in you.”

Hwang Hee patted Lee Sook-beon on the shoulder.

“Heh, hehe……”

Seeing the corners of Lee Sook-beon’s mouth turn up, it seemed like he had decided to work hard as a member of our Hanyang Construction Office.

It was truly a fortunate thing.

There was no light in his eyes, but well, does that matter?

“Hoo……”

I quietly looked around at the scene with my hands clasped behind my head.

My subordinates are working like that, so I can’t rest either.

Let’s just have a cup of tea and get back to work.

‘Of course, I’ll leave work early though.’

The children of the new nation go to bed early and wake up early.

“No-boon, brew me a cup of tea.”

I said that to No-boon, but no answer came.

“……?”

Suddenly feeling a sense of déjà vu, I looked behind me and saw him nodding off.

I hit him hard on the head with a file of documents.

– Thwack!

The snot bubble that was swelling in No-boon’s nose burst, and No-boon jumped up.

“Yes, Your Highness! Did you call me!”

Oh my, my ears.

“No-boon, are you comfortable?”

This bastard is dozing off while his master is working.

I think I need to re-establish discipline once again.

< What is True Education? (2) > End

ⓒ Pitkong