There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 71

The residences of the Grand Princes were far from the Crown Prince’s quarters.

When the Grand Princes reached a certain age, they had to establish their own households. Even before that, they were often temporarily sent to other residences for convalescence.

However, the two Grand Princes were still too young to be sent away and remained in the palace.

Therefore, it was necessary to have court ladies attend to them in the palace.

Late at night, a dim light spilled from the room, indicating that the lights were on.

Normally, someone might have clicked their tongue, worrying about the waste of oil. But thanks to the Crown Prince’s invention of cottonseed oil, its use had become commonplace, and such reactions were rare.

Moreover, the oil used for this purpose didn’t undergo a strict refining process, making it much cheaper.

Even if that weren’t the case, would high-ranking princes open their doors and read under the moonlight like old scholars, or catch fireflies to study?

However, they weren’t waiting to assist the Grand Prince with late-night reading.

Frankly, if the Grand Prince were reading in his room, wouldn’t one attendant suffice? Why would they gather in such a long line?

“Is it not ready yet?”

At the clear voice from inside, the court ladies tensed up and replied.

“P-Please wait a little longer. The kitchen is hurrying to make the *Chogye* [a type of chicken soup]…”

“Ahem!”

Judging by the rather pretentious cough from inside, he seemed ashamed of his urging.

If not for his status, his pretentious behavior at such a young age would have been quite cute.

But considering how much he ate, it was not cute at all.

Recently, their master’s gluttony had become a frequent topic of conversation.

“To think that the young master is already eating a whole chicken…”

In the old Zhao Dynasty, Lian Po [a famous general] ate a *mal* [approximately 1.8 liters] of rice and ten *geun* [approximately 6 kg] of meat even at the age of 80. Who would have known that a young Grand Prince would do the same?

*Chogye*.

After tasting this delicious dish made by the Crown Prince of the East Palace, he requested it every night. Before they knew it, the amount gradually increased until he was eating a whole chicken in one sitting.

The kitchen maids were suffering because he wanted *Chogye* every day.

‘There’s no meat left for the table!’

The Grand Prince had always had a strong appetite, so they had occasionally heard such complaints, but recently it had become more severe.

After finishing a whole chicken of *Chogye* that had been brought in, the Grand Prince read for a while, and then requested another dish.

“Bring in *꽈배기* [Korean twisted doughnuts]!”

“He wants *꽈배기*!”

Several people hurriedly placed it on a tray and took it out.

Fortunately, they had prepared it in advance because he requested it as a dessert every day, so they didn’t have to be urged this time.

The eunuch Yu Chim received it and tried to enter the room, but a plump hand suddenly reached out from inside and only took the food.

The Grand Prince disliked being active, preferring to read and eat in his room.

There was no reason to welcome the cold wind.

“Your Highness, if you eat this much late at night, you will get a stomachache. The book ceremony [a formal presentation of learning] is not far off…”

Yu Chim said to the room, but no answer was heard.

He seemed engrossed in his book.

“Oh my, one hates books and goes outside, while the other loves books so much that he doesn’t come out.”

The court ladies whispered.

Even without professional medical knowledge, they knew that if you don’t exercise and only eat a lot, you’ll be in trouble.

It was natural for them to worry about their master’s health.

Naturally, the court ladies’ eyes turned to Yu Chim, who was attending to him, but he only shrugged.

“What can I do?”

Even if His Majesty the King tells him, he won’t listen. Who can get that Grand Prince to go outside?

===

“Are you saying that the *점검* [examination] at *회강* [lecture] is the *대학* [Great Learning, a Confucian text]?”

“That’s right.”

At my answer, Hwang Hee, Maeng Sa-seong, and Heo Jo looked dumbfounded.

“Oh no, we’re doomed!”

Hwang Hee said, slumping down.

Maeng Sa-seong also had a blank expression.

“Why did you make him go that far when you could have just had him read the *소학* [Elementary Learning, another Confucian text]?”

He looked like he was asking if the Grand Prince’s tutors were crazy.

“Haha, are these guys so desperate to be favored by their superiors? Or are they teasing the Grand Prince who doesn’t know anything?”

It was natural for the Hwang Maeng Heo trio to look so flustered.

Whether or not they could use pencils [referring to a metaphor for their influence or abilities] in their future work would be a big problem for them.

I decided to calm them down.

“Don’t worry.”

“Your Highness must have a way, right?”

“That’s right.”

I said confidently.

“Stop worrying unnecessarily and get to work. I heard that a report came up from the Jeonui監 [Office of Corpses]?”

“It’s here.”

Hwang Hee presented a piece of fine paper.

I took it and read it.

“A branch office in Bupyeong?”

Apparently, the corpses of the Mansan soldiers in Goulak were suitable for use, but the distance made it difficult to transport them to Gaeseong before they decomposed.

Therefore, the Jeonui監 wanted to set up a branch office in Bupyeong for practice.

Pyongwonhae, this person has more drive than I thought.

Is it because he’s from the Wae [derogatory term for Japanese]? He doesn’t hesitate to set up a branch office just for dissection.

“Tell them to empty a house in the Bupyeong silver mine.”

“Are you going to allow this?”

Oh, this is all for the good of the country.

Isn’t the other party a Mansan soldier who was stealing from the border?

“Instead of giving them convenience, they must get results. Examine them thoroughly and compile medical books.”

Pyongwonhae would know what to do, but I wanted quick results.

‘Wouldn’t it be possible to create and publish something like a dissection book?’

Just understanding the human body will greatly help doctors prescribe properly.

I remember the monks’ eyes sparkling when I said I would print the Tripitaka [Buddhist scriptures] and make medical books.

A compassionate heart that cherishes the lives of sentient beings.

‘Yes, we must lead the development of medicine even by dissection.’

That’s what I thought.

At the same time as gaining the favor of the Buddhist community, unexpected strange rumors were circulating.

“Because Your Highness squeezes people without hesitation and is deeply immersed in Buddhism, some people compare you to Gungye, the deposed ruler of Taebong [a historical figure known for his tyranny].”

“How dare you compare me to someone like that.”

I grumbled with a sulky face.

‘No, when I think about it, Yi Seong-gye is the same.’

Yi Seong-gye, who liked Buddhism and cut up people as much as he wanted. How dare you insult my grandfather?

‘Isn’t this a rumor spread by the Daegan [Office of the Inspector General] guys?’

I had no proof, but I decided to believe it for now.

Why?

Because I don’t like it.

I’ll break all their heads with Gungye’s law staff soon.

===

Whether or not, the Daegan were urging Yi Bang-won to personally visit Hoegang.

“Your Majesty, how about personally observing what the Grand Prince has learned this time?”

“Do I really have to do that?”

When Yi Bang-won asked, the Daegan all prostrated themselves.

“Yes, isn’t it a great joy for parents to see their children grow up? Especially the Grand Princes, who are the pillars of the country.”

“The pillars of the country.”

It was a double-edged sword for the princes to excel in their studies.

From a parent’s point of view, it was pleasing, but if they became too skilled and emerged as competitors for the throne, it would be a headache.

This was why it was tacitly encouraged for the Jongchin [royal relatives] to indulge in leisure and pleasure.

Of course, it was ironic that all parents throughout history and countries had the common problem of being frustrated if their children only played.

Anyway, Yi Bang-won, like a Confucian scholar, was proud that his son was already reading *대학*.

And like a doting father, he had boasted about it.

That was now coming back to haunt him.

‘If I refuse now, won’t it be embarrassing after having praised him so much?’

But this wasn’t a simple decision.

Yi Bang-won considered refusing for a moment, then turned his eyes to his son.

“What do you think, Crown Prince?”

The Daegan quickly looked at the Crown Prince Yi Je’s face.

What answer would the confident Crown Prince give?

‘Will His Highness the Crown Prince accept?’

‘There’s no way he will.’

The Daegan thought the Crown Prince would refuse.

It could be seen as excessive for the king to attend even the Grand Prince’s Hoegang. As the successor, he had to be wary of his father showing unusual interest in another son.

But as if to defy their expectations, the Crown Prince readily accepted it.

“Our three brothers have diligently learned with one heart, so I definitely want to show it to His Majesty the King. It seems fitting for you to visit during Hoegang.”

Success!

The Daegan exchanged glances and smirked.

They might have danced if there were no king and crown prince present.

It was a bit absurd to hear that the Crown Prince, who had previously avoided studying with strange excuses, had diligently studied, but they had no choice but to remain silent.

“Okay. Then I suppose I have to visit too.”

Yi Bang-won, who had been agonizing, said.

‘The eldest has given up on *경학* [Confucian classics] altogether, so wouldn’t it be good if the third라도 [at least] studied? It would be good to showcase the third’s intelligence with this Hoegang.’

He was a Confucian monarch who had passed the civil service examination, but his reputation had suffered slightly because the Crown Prince hated studying so much.

‘Let’s show the world that our royal family values learning on this occasion!’

So Yi Bang-won pretended not to know and accepted the Daegan’s request to attend the third’s Hoegang.

‘If there’s a problem…’

Yi Bang-won looked at the Crown Prince.

Now he was just rolling his eyes with a blank expression.

===

After leaving the Pyeonjeon [royal office], Yi Bang-won summoned me.

As I sat in front of Yi Bang-won, who had a subtle expression, he began to speak.

“It’s not a big deal for me to attend the Grand Prince’s Hoegang, but why did you agree without hesitation?”

“Should I have opposed it?”

“At times like this, it’s good to show at least some reluctance.”

No, you accepted it willingly, so why are you scolding me?

“Father also accepted it because he wanted to, right?”

“I did that because I wanted to brag about my youngest, but your position should be different. You must be thoroughly wary of your surroundings. Have you forgotten my advice?”

Are you talking about the advice not to trust even parents and children?

‘Well, that’s true, but…’

From my point of view, there’s no reason to stop Yi Bang-won from attending.

‘First of all, the fact that Yi Bang-won is saying this is for my sake.’

As long as Yi Bang-won’s will is firm, my position is secure.

Besides, I’m close to the Supreme King Yi Seong-gye, so why would I be wary and keep my brothers in check?

‘Rather, I should think about using it in other ways.’

I said with a serious expression.

“Hmm, the reason why I recommended Father to attend Hoegang is for another reason.”

“What reason are you talking about?”

Yi Bang-won asked, intrigued.

I cleared my throat and said.