There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 267

East Palace.

Though my wife and I had been promoted to King and Queen, we remained here in our old residence.

This was because the Retired King, Yi Bang-won, had abdicated but had not yet moved palaces.

Officials advised me to move to Gyeongbok Palace, the main palace, but I didn’t feel like it and was holding out.

‘Gyeongbok Palace is nice, but it’s not very comfortable for me.’

Gyeongbok Palace is a meaningful place built by Yi Seong-gye, but it couldn’t compare to Changdeok Palace, which I built myself.

I thought the Retired King, Yi Bang-won, could move to Gyeongbok Palace, but Yi Bang-won didn’t just dislike Gyeongbok Palace; he avoided it altogether.

As a result, until the newly built Sugang Palace was completed, the two of us, father and son, had no choice but to live together in the same palace.

“Isn’t it a bit much to still be in the East Palace even after ascending the throne?”

“No, this place has a lot of memories. I’d be sad to leave.”

Ju So-hwa shook her head.

Indeed, I had a hand in the entire Changdeok Palace, but the East Palace in particular was where I had set up my home, so it was decorated entirely to my taste.

‘This isn’t so bad either.’

If I were to move from the East Palace, the Crown Prince, Yi Dan, would naturally live here, making it difficult to keep him close.

Since my son is still young, I wanted to live with him at least until Sugang Palace was completed.

“That’s right. These younger brothers feel the same way.”

Do nodded in agreement.

“…You guys should get out of here.”

Your nephews were born, and you’ve received your share of the property.

Why are you so eager to stick around the East Palace?

“Brother, what should we do about this unfortunate situation? Brotherly love is said to be like the love for one’s limbs, but Your Majesty is trying to cruelly tear them apart, which breaks my heart.”

Do whispered into Grand Prince Hyoryeong’s ear.

“That’s right. When you were the Crown Prince, you said we should see each other often and share affection, but you’ve changed. To kick your brothers out into the cold winter.”

Hyoryeong, who was next to him, whispered as if he felt the same way.

“I can hear everything.”

You guys have beards as dark as charcoal, it’s disgusting.

I rubbed my temples and said,

“You both have growing families, wouldn’t it be more comfortable to live separately in your own homes now?”

“Not at all? The East Palace is ten thousand times more comfortable.”

“The East Palace has everything, why would we leave?”

That’s true.

Both Grand Princes had already prepared large private residences within the capital, but no matter how well-built they were, they couldn’t compare to the East Palace, where I had completed everything from delivery services to various lifestyle amenities, including bath facilities.

“Stop talking nonsense and clear out of here. Otherwise, I’ll forcibly collect rent.”

Of course, I’ll charge a high price, so don’t even think about staying and paying that money.

“Cheapskate!”

The younger brothers burst into an uproar.

“Desiring wealth is not the way of a gentleman…”

“Then you should charge Grand Prince Seongnyeong rent too!”

“That’s right! Why aren’t you kicking out the youngest!”

“Are you two the same as him?”

The youngest hasn’t even married and hasn’t received any separate property.

Especially since Father and Mother especially adore the youngest, so I can’t send him out as I please.

But you two are exceptions.

Grand Prince Seongnyeong, who was licking an ice cream next to me, gave a bashful smile of victory.

“By the way, Chungnyeong, the results of the repeat examination haven’t come out yet, how can you be playing around like that?”

I asked, looking at Do, who was lying leisurely in the warm part of the room.

Most people would be anxious about how the results would turn out, but he didn’t seem worried at all.

Can this really be called the attitude of an examinee?

“Well, wouldn’t I have passed without a doubt? More than anything, don’t you already know the results, Brother?”

“…”

I shut my mouth.

Of course, the results of the repeat examination are reported to me.

It’s a natural thing since I’m the King, but there’s also the implication that I should take separate measures to prevent the Grand Prince from failing.

– The level of this year’s applicants is generally very high. It would be fortunate if the Grand Prince’s examination paper is among them, but even if it is not, the Grand Prince’s scholarship is sufficient, so adding one more would not be a great flaw.

‘When I heard that, I rejected it, asking what it meant.’

If you can’t even pass this level of past examination competition, you should just quit.

However, as expected, there was no need for me to step in separately.

Since the rules of blind grading are still being followed reasonably well, the examiners didn’t seem to know that it was Chungnyeong’s answer sheet, but nevertheless, Do’s answer sheet was close to perfect.

But I put on a stern face and said,

“Even if you and I are brothers, the process must be fair and just. I can’t tell you the results until the announcement is posted.”

“Then I’ll have to stick around the East Palace until I receive the gazette [official notification].”

Just like the names of successful candidates in the old civil service examinations were published in the newspaper, the list of successful candidates is also published in the gazette.

I made the excuse that there was no need to hire someone to check the name.

I don’t know who he learned this cunningness from.

“Anyway, passing the repeat examination is just a matter of doing well enough. There’s no point in getting good grades in the repeat examination. The ranking in the examination is determined in the palace examination, isn’t it?”

Do said with a yawn.

That’s true, but.

“The preliminary and repeat examinations are something you can solve if you just understand the classics, and the really important thing is the palace examination. I heard you’re setting the questions yourself this time, Brother, and I’m looking forward to it.”

‘Ugh…’

He’s my brother, but this arrogance is infuriating.

The fact that it’s confidence based on ability makes it even more infuriating.

‘You’re so good at studying?’

Come to the palace examination.

I’ll give you a problem that will make your eyes pop out.

The palace examination problem that would make examinees from all over the country soak the land with tears of despair was thus born.

===

The examinations held to celebrate the King’s enthronement were not limited to the civil service examination.

“Those who have come to take the Gapsa [elite soldiers] selection test, please line up on the parade ground!”

“Please keep the order!”

Originally, Gapsa (甲士) were elite soldiers tasked with guarding the King.

Unlike the commoners who performed general military service, they were selected through a selection test (取才) and received official positions and stipends from the country.

However, recently, with the consolidation of the central army, including the Sipsa [special guard unit], the establishment of the Training Command, and the increase in personnel, their character has changed somewhat.

Although they were from private armies, there was bound to be resistance to suddenly integrating veterans who had served in the Gabyeolcho [elite soldiers] or Sipsa for a long time into the Training Command and lumping them together with newcomers.

In the end, the court compromised by awarding Gapsa positions to these veteran soldiers, and in this process, Lee Je’s influence, who knew about the modern non-commissioned officer system, came into play.

“Gapsa, who serve in the military for life, preserve military experience, and lead soldiers, are the backbone of the military! Those who want to become the cornerstones of national defense by following in the footsteps of their seniors, apply for Gapsa immediately!”

In modern times, non-commissioned officers are not very popular, but Joseon people are different.

From the beginning, there was a perception that it was a position, albeit not as good as a military officer, and the fact that the selection criteria were only physical fitness tests and interviews was a great merit.

“I want to try the military examination, but I’m not good at studying…”

“Do you want to get a position without studying military books? Then the Gapsa test is for you!”

As a result, many sons from wealthy families flocked to it.

Lee Jing-ok (李澄玉), a teenager from Yangsan, also came up for that reason.

He was still young, but since he became a Gapsa and started his official career this year in history, his shoulders were already broad and his physique was well-built.

So he was able to pass the terrifying physical fitness tests, such as archery, equestrian shooting, and a 300-pace full-speed sprint while wearing armor.

‘It was a great test.’

Lee Jing-ok clicked his tongue.

The playboys who challenged with the mindset of getting a position without studying without thinking were all swept away at this stage.

The ones who were left after eliminating those who were weak in body and mind were all burly men.

The sight of such people closing their eyes and desperately reciting ‘Code of Conduct – Our Resolution’ was somewhat ridiculous, but Lee Jing-ok was not in a position to talk about others.

This golden saying, which His Majesty had given, was sure to be asked during the interview as it was regarded as the gold standard in the Training Command.

Even he, who had even hunted wild boars in his youth, couldn’t stop being nervous at this interview.

‘I heard that Minister Kim Jong-seo is conducting the interview himself.’

He was a civil official, but he himself advised ‘that’ Taejo the Great [King Taejo, founder of Joseon Dynasty] on northern strategies and was dispatched to the northern border, where he ruled the Jurchens [Manchu people] for several years before returning.

Naturally, he was trusted by the King and was said to be a talent who would rise to the top of the next generation of the military.

Although he was short, he exuded an undeniable dignity.

‘Indeed. Even though he’s a civil official, he clearly shows the spirit of a military man. If such a person doesn’t lead the army, who will?’

That’s what Lee Jing-ok was thinking as he examined Kim Jong-seo.

“Haa~.”

Kim Jong-seo broke his expression and let out a long sigh that didn’t fit in this place at all.

“???”

The Gapsa applicants who had gathered for the interview looked at each other with bewildered expressions.

“It’s nothing. Let’s start the interview quickly.”

Kim Jong-seo said, waving his hand.

“Yes, yes.”

The interviewers sitting next to him bowed their heads and answered.

While the other interviewers were throwing questions like ‘Motivation for applying’ and ‘Core values of our military,’ Kim Jong-seo was staring blankly at the ceiling.

A question suddenly came to Lee Jing-ok, who was observing the absent-minded Kim Jong-seo.

“Next… What are your strengths?”

Lee Jing-ok, who was not prepared, was startled and answered.

“Yo, your strengths, are you talking about mine?”

“Huh, weren’t you listening?”

The interviewer rebuked him and moved the pencil he was holding.

With an ominous feeling, Lee Jing-ok was flustered and hurriedly answered.

“Yes, my strength is that I adapt well!”

“Adaptation?”

“Th, that’s right. I have thick nerves, so I’m not picky about what I eat and I don’t care much about uncomfortable places to sleep, so I can adapt well wherever you send me…”

Lee Jing-ok didn’t even know what he was saying.

What does it mean to not care about anything and just pick me?

The other interviewers seemed to think so too, and their expressions were rotting when.

Kim Jong-seo, who was sitting in front, muttered.

“A talent fit for the north.”

The interviewers, who were busy scribbling something with their pencils, stopped abruptly at that murmur.

“I, is that so?”

“The elder is well-versed in the affairs of the north, so what the elder says must be right, hehe.”

They were interviewers who were flattering, but Kim Jong-seo’s expression suddenly became sadly distorted.

“Haa.”

Another long sigh came out.

“Elder, is there anything uncomfortable?”

“It’s nothing.”

Kim Jong-seo said, waving his hand again.

“Everyone has worked hard. Everyone, go out.”

Lee Jing-ok still bowed his head with a nervous expression and walked out.

‘I think I did better than I expected.’

Lee Jing-ok thought, clenching his fist.

Without knowing how this interview would twist his life.

“My colleagues are out as civil service examination officers… I’m also a civil official, so why am I dealing with Gapsa… If I make a mistake, I’ll be back in the north…”

Kim Jong-seo muttered, burying his head behind Lee Jing-ok, who had taken a light step.

However, unlike his envious gaze, the civil service examination officers were not in a particularly good situation either.

This is because the King summoned them all to the East Palace, saying that he had something to order regarding the palace examination.

End

ⓒ 핏콩