There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 61

Joseon was a nation that revered literature.

Creating movable type served not only the practical purpose of printing books but also held the symbolic meaning of encouraging scholarship.

For Yi Bang-won, who sought to establish his authority as a ruler who valued literary arts, this was a matter of utmost interest…

That was Hwang Hee’s explanation.

“This time, even the royal treasury was used to create the type, so it seems His Majesty is paying great attention to it,” Hwang Hee whispered beside me, showing how much he cared about the central affairs, always asking for news.

Rumor had it he was asking around about how to get out of the Office of Movable Type.

‘Hmm…’

Should I say this or not?

But before I could say anything, Yi Bang-won spoke with a worried expression.

“I heard that many artisans who made metal type were scattered due to the chaos at the end of the previous dynasty, and some techniques were lost, so I don’t know what will happen.”

‘As expected.’

Yi Bang-won knew about the problem too.

I also vaguely remembered from studying for my Korean History Proficiency Test that the Gyeimi type [early Joseon metal type] wasn’t that good.

I knew that various shortcomings would be improved only when we got to the Gapinja type during Sejong’s reign.

However, instead of pointing that out, I took my father’s hand and warmly encouraged him.

“There’s no need to worry. This country has been making type for hundreds of years; there’s no way it will fail.”

“Haha, it’s reassuring to hear you say that.”

Seeing my father’s expectant face, I couldn’t bring myself to pour cold water on him.

Making the Gyeimi type is a great achievement, and I have no intention of getting involved to improve it, so why ruin it unnecessarily?

‘That would only increase my workload.’

“Does Your Highness not intend to participate in the type casting?”

“How can I participate when I’m in Hanyang?” I retorted.

I don’t have two bodies; he should say something that makes sense.

Hwang Hee looked disappointed.

“Haha, making type is a very honorable thing for a scholar, so I thought it would be good if our office could participate together.”

Why was Hwang Hee, who was usually so busy, being so proactive?

‘Did he take a bribe from someone again?’

But I shook my head.

I was already busy, and I didn’t have the mental capacity to interfere with this.

“While you’re in Hanyang, why don’t you meet your uncles? These days, I’m just diligently going back and forth between Hanyang and Bupyeong.”

I said to Yi Bang-won.

Yi Bang-won might not be so fond of his in-laws, but unlike in the original history, they obediently took the money and stepped down from their official posts, so there’s no reason for them to be on bad terms.

Yi Bang-won readily nodded and said.

“That’s right. I was thinking of entrusting your second uncle with the Juhwaso [Bronze Type Foundry] work, so this is good.”

“Yes?”

I was taken aback when Yi Bang-won revealed his intention to call Min Mujil and use him.

“Aren’t my uncles retired from their official posts and focusing only on the salt pan business?”

Wasn’t that what Yi Bang-won wanted?

“That’s true. Thanks to them dipping their hands into your salt pan business at the right time, they stepped down without me having to keep them in check.

As expected, my son’s wisdom is excellent…”

I ignored Yi Bang-won’s praise. He was still wary, wasn’t he?

It’s a relief if that’s the case, but why was he trying to bring my uncles in now?

“Your mother is being so insistent. She said that making type is a scholar’s work, so she’s been making a fuss about including your uncles, which has been a bit of a struggle.”

Ugh.

So it’s because of Queen Wongyeong’s influence.

‘Why is Mother doing unnecessary things again?’

Normally, Yi Bang-won would have done whatever he wanted, regardless of what Queen Wongyeong said, but the problem was the inner court [the queen’s domain].

Our mother, who had virtually established her authority as the queen, would inevitably bring a cold wind back to the inner court if he didn’t listen to her.

It was obvious that Consort Kim would be harassed again, so he included them in the Gyeimija project team.

“Will my uncles even want this proposal?”

They’ve made a lot of money with the solar salt pans, so I don’t think they’d be particularly interested.

I heard that when they go up to Gaeseong, the Min clan members rent out all the gisaeng houses [houses of female entertainers] and have fun.

I couldn’t help but think that my mother was doing something unnecessary.

“I’ll just entrust them with this task and send them back down. How dare they disobey a royal order?

Your mother will nag me again then, but this is enough to save face with her.”

“Ugh.”

I sighed deeply.

The invention of metal type. It would be great if it went well, but right now, the infrastructure is gone due to the chaos of the late Goryeo period.

The Gapinja type supplemented the problems of the Gyeimija type, but…

‘Even if it’s supplemented, it’s not that impressive by my standards.’

Metal type itself did not greatly distort history.

With my limited knowledge of world history, I knew that something like the Gutenberg printing press was needed for a printing revolution to occur.

‘Right now, paper is scarce, and Hangul [Korean alphabet] hasn’t been invented yet, so even if the Gyeimija type is made…’

It would probably be limited in its use.

Hwang Hee seemed to be moving his lips, trying to say something, but I ignored him.

‘No, no. I don’t have the capacity to focus on that right now.’

Let’s finish what we have first, please.

“Come to think of it…”

Suddenly, thinking about type, it’s not a scholar’s place to use pencils, but it’s a scholar’s duty to cast type.

The standards are too arbitrary.

This must be because of all the professional complainers.

I asked Yi Bang-won.

“Are my younger brothers doing well in their studies?”

From the first time I saw Hanyang, Yi Bang-won had a worried look on his face due to the various tasks left in Gaeseong.

However, when I asked about his brothers’ recent activities, Yi Bang-won’s face brightened instantly.

“They are improving day by day. They take after me and are diligent and love to study.”

‘If I ask Mom, she’ll say they’re doing well because they take after her.’

Yes, you guys should study hard since I gave up.

Besides, their academic achievement also depended on whether or not they used pencils.

‘Hehe, I’m not particularly worried.’

Considering the hidden card, ‘him,’ it’s virtually impossible for me to lose.

That’s why I’ve been freely picking fights with the officials.

‘Judging by the timing, it’ll be the book presentation soon when I return to Gaeseong.’

The decisive moment is approaching.

As I clenched my fist, Yi Bang-won said.

“I heard that your younger brothers read late into the night, so the royal kitchen never has a day when there’s no oil left to make midnight snacks.”

His passing remark struck my ears.

‘There’s no way there wouldn’t be any oil left.’

Are they eating chicken for supper or something?

Every day?

‘Hmm.’

Already enjoying irregular lifestyles and eating things like chicken.

A bad feeling crept up my spine.

‘Eh, what could possibly happen?’

I shook it off my shoulders.

===

Since Yi Bang-won had visited Hanyang, it would have been nice if he had received a review of the Training Center, but after handling a few tasks, he had to return to Gaeseong right away because he was busy.

In fact, it was highly likely that they hadn’t been able to coordinate properly since they had just picked soldiers from the Sipsa [Capital Guards].

If he brought all the officials with him and they couldn’t move properly, what a disgrace that would be.

Anyway, for that reason, the Training Center’s historic first comprehensive training was attended only by me, Yi Seong-gye, and Jo Young-mu.

– Boooo

The sound of the conch shell echoed loudly.

At that signal, the soldiers moved in unison.

The gunners attached to the four corners of the pike square formation moved organically, spreading out the formation.

– Tatatang!

The matchlock guns began to fire in succession.

Smoke billowed out, scattered, and disappeared before I knew it, and the cavalrymen shouted and charged towards the tattered targets.

– Thwack

The cavalrymen knocked down the targets and slashed them wildly.

It was a fierce sight, like something out of The Lord of the Rings.

Above all, the sight of controlling so many soldiers at once from the platform was amazing.

There were flags, drums, and flutes as means of communication, but the megaphone I made was also playing a significant role in delivering orders.

“First squad, retreat!”

Unlike the portable megaphone, the sound echoed from the copper megaphone, which was nearly 6 meters long.

The megaphone amplified the sound to a size that could be heard far away to the end of the field, befitting its massive body.

Following the order of Commander Jo Young-mu, the gunners calmly retreated, and other gunners with loaded matchlock guns came forward.

These men were also from the Sipsa, the central army.

They would be very familiar with this kind of square formation training.

‘If I had known it would be like this, I would have had Father come and see it too.’

“Truly amazing!”

I exclaimed in admiration as I watched the scene.

I was even gaping, but Yi Seong-gye’s expression wasn’t good.

He said indifferently.

“It’s a good thing Bang-won isn’t here. He would have been greatly humiliated if he had seen this too.”

“Why do you say that?”

Isn’t this a sufficiently elite army and a satisfactory result?

It looked that way to me, who knew nothing about the military, but Yi Seong-gye’s thoughts seemed different.

He opened his mouth.

“The training is still insufficient. They are not yet familiar with this gun-pike formation, so the lines of movement are broken in places.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Come to think of it, I even saw a guy tripping over the butt of his matchlock gun while moving.

“The formation is not as tightly packed as it should be. It’s okay now because it’s training, but if it were a real battle, it would have fallen apart as soon as the enemy rushed in.”

Yi Seong-gye calmly pointed out the problems.

“The cavalry is the same. The cavalry of the Sipsa should handle their horses like their own bodies, but their posture is clumsy, as if they’ve never ridden properly, and the size of the horses is also small. Not to mention the way they charge as a group.”

Yi Seong-gye clicked his tongue.

I couldn’t tell no matter how hard I looked, but from Yi Seong-gye’s perspective, who had experienced all kinds of battles, the problems seemed to be clearly visible.

“It looks like they’re doing well enough to me…”

“Can you compare them to a bunch of average Joes? They should be at least at the level of the Gabyeolcho [Yi Seong-gye’s elite personal guard] that I used to lead.”

But he ruined that Gabyeolcho by fighting with his son, so he must be feeling bitter.

I gently persuaded Yi Seong-gye, who didn’t seem satisfied.

“Can’t you just have them practice more? It seems like they’re not used to the gun-pike formation yet.”

“I’m planning to do that anyway. It’s annoying to have to give orders through Commander Jo.”

We’re all watching together, but when Yi Seong-gye gives me advice, I pass it on to Jo Young-mu.

I’m not some child caught in the middle of a marital spat.

“What are you going to do about the cavalry? The Ming bastards are taking all the warhorses, so the situation will only get worse.”

Yi Seong-gye said with a worried expression.

“Didn’t we discuss this before? You’ll get the warhorses from that side.”

“You mean trade with the Jurchens?”

“Shouldn’t we get something in return too?”

It’s good to provide supplies, but trade can’t be established unless Joseon also benefits.