There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 286

Hangeul Proclamation (5)

The invention of Hangeul seemed to garner quite a bit of anticipation, even among women.

Even my wife, who hailed from the land steeped in Hanja [Chinese characters], showed some interest.

“Little sister-in-law has been bragging about her husband non-stop, you know? She says that thanks to the new script her husband created, women can finally read!”

Originally, my wife, being from a family familiar with Hanja, could read skillfully, and so could my sister-in-law, but not all women from noble families were so fortunate.

They had the economic means and a thirst for culture, but many were excluded from formal education.

‘If I can win these women over, their children will automatically follow.’

Who would be so cruel as to send a letter to their mother written in Hanja that she couldn’t even decipher?

Eventually, to communicate effectively in writing, even within the family, they will have no choice but to learn and use Hangeul.

“Because of that, little sister-in-law’s shoulders have been raised so high. She’s so proud that her husband’s script has become the national script used by the entire country.”

“Oh, really.”

My sister-in-law seemed genuinely excited that Chungnyeong [King Sejong’s title as Grand Prince] had undertaken and succeeded in this massive national project.

“Chungnyeong did work hard to create it, that’s true.”

He put in a lot of effort to reinvent Hangeul.

I couldn’t even give him much of a hint because I had learned and forgotten it all during Korean language class, but he even restored the characters ㆍ, ㆁ, ㆆ, and ㅿ [archaic Hangeul letters].

Even if they are not used in modern times, these pronunciations were clearly distinguished and remained in this era.

‘When I see things like this, Hangeul is truly amazing.’

Other foreigners may not know, but isn’t it the perfect script for Joseon people to use in this era?

When I readily acknowledged Grand Prince Chungnyeong’s hard work, Juso-hwa pouted and complained.

“I know, but my husband worked even harder! He was so engrossed that he didn’t even notice when his children were growing up.”

“Children always grow up before you know it.”

But it’s also true that my contribution was significant.

Doh only created the script, but I was the one who launched a massive Hangeul promotion campaign and laid the foundation for Hangeul dissemination.

It was only possible because I am the king.

‘In the original history, they probably couldn’t have done this much.’

Perhaps a significant portion would have had to be left to time.

‘Is there anything more I can do here?’

The women of high status are showing interest in Hangeul, so it would be good to step on the accelerator this time.

Juso-hwa wiggled her fingers and said.

“I’ve been thinking hard about it, and the elders’ association makes paper and creates books, right?”

“That’s right.”

“I want to try printing something similar in the women’s association… Of course, in Hangeul.”

“You’re going to make a book?”

“No, not something that grand.”

Juso-hwa shook her head and said.

“I originally thought of a book, but if it’s long and thick from the beginning, it seems hard to get into.

It would be nice to include short stories in prose and childcare or housekeeping information that women would be interested in, right?”

“Like a *jobo* [newsletter] rather than a book?”

“Yes!”

Is it like a magazine published by the women’s association?

“That’s a good idea.”

Unlike books, which have a considerable barrier to entry (except for comic books), you can start with a comfortable mind, and there is a practical justification for obtaining housekeeping tips.

There is no need to publish it daily.

Considering the time it takes to edit and publish, once a month, or at least once every ten days, would be the best. *Jobo* also comes out at that interval.

‘There seem to be plenty of people who want to see it even at that rate.’

The ladies of the noble families will all have the leisure to receive it.

‘Moreover, once word-of-mouth starts spreading, those who don’t see it will start to get anxious.’

The first reason mothers watch dramas is for fun, but I heard that they also watch ‘so they don’t get left out of the drama talk around them.’

Of course, I don’t know well because I didn’t have a mother in my past life, but that’s what I heard.

“Then try to promote it through the women’s association. You’ll need permission from Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, though.”

“I’ve already got it, hehe.”

Her drive is amazing.

Then it’s already decided.

Is there any reason to report it to me?

“It’s an affair of the inner court, so you only need to get permission from the Queen Dowager.”

Just like I don’t discuss state affairs with my wife, shouldn’t the inner court handle things on its own?

But Juso-hwa seemed to want to discuss with me whether it was a good idea or not.

“So, what’s the title?”

“I haven’t thought about it yet, but ah!”

Juso-hwa clapped her hands.

“My husband just said it was a good idea, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then how about naming it that?”

“What, the title?”

Juso-hwa jumped up and wrote down the words with a brush.

“I named it so that we can share good ideas with each other, what do you think?”

“Uh… well…”

I was speechless when I saw the words ‘Good Thoughts’ written.

“Well… if you like it…”

I said, subtly averting my gaze.

Yeah, what does the title matter?

I’ll just have our kids watch it.

===

Creating a script that survives for a long time is no easy task.

Even in this era, there were several artificially created scripts, but they had already fallen into disuse and become letters that no one used.

Conservative scholars predicted that Hangeul would follow a similar path.

However, as can be seen from the fact that it is used hundreds of years after its creation, even in modern times when Joseon has perished, Hangeul was on a different level from those shoddy scripts.

Hangeul was rapidly penetrating the writing life of Joseon people.

As Hangeul’s dissemination became successful, it was natural for the stock price of project leader Grand Prince Chungnyeong to skyrocket.

“Emperor Taizu of the Liao Dynasty created the Khitan large script, and his younger brother Yelu Chucai created the Khitan small script. Although the Khitans are barbarians, they ruled the north and received tribute from the Central Plains, so we must not dismiss it as merely the work of barbarians.”

“That’s right. These historical facts are quite worthy of emulation, and today they have been wonderfully reproduced, which is why His Majesty entrusted the Hall of Worthies to the young Grand Prince.”

His father-in-law, Sim On, spoke respectfully to Yi Do.

Although he was his son-in-law, the other party was a member of the royal family, and in terms of rank, Grand Prince Chungnyeong was higher.

Originally, the rank of Grand Prince was 1st rank, but because the King insisted on giving his younger brothers a rank of no rank (無品) [unranked], he raised it by one level.

Therefore, even if Yi Do had a meteoric rise, he was still far from reaching his own rank.

“I am only a Deputy Scholar. I have a long way to go.”

“The Senior Advisor, Grand Scholar, and Scholar above that are all concurrent positions. Moreover, given the Grand Prince’s achievements and position, the Grand Prince will be able to lead the Hall of Worthies proactively.”

“Well, most of them are new officials, and the institution is newly created, so it’s good that there’s no localism.”

Yi Do said, waving his hand.

Originally, in Joseon, when newcomers were newly assigned to a department, the seniors would establish military discipline [assert their authority].

I wondered if there would be any crazy people who would perform a welcoming ceremony even for the Grand Prince, but if such a guy appeared, how could they handle the wrath of the King and the Retired King?

‘Could it be that His Majesty established the Hall of Worthies because of this?’

Already, rumors were rampant in the court that the King, who was wary of the Retired King wielding an iron club [exercising too much power], had taken special measures.

Sim On thought that it might be partly true.

“I hope my father-in-law, the head of the court, will help me a lot.”

Yi Do had a big dream.

His brother had envisioned the Hall of Worthies as a research institute to design the future of Joseon, so he had to live up to that expectation wonderfully.

In his mind, there was already a blueprint for Joseon’s specific vision and policy direction.

And the talents to concretize this were gathered in the Hall of Worthies.

They were carefully selected by Yi Do himself, so there would be no guys who would not understand the direction of the Hall of Worthies and hold him back.

‘Even though my brother complained that I was taking them all, I have to use them first.’

Even if he took them and used them, they were all his brother’s subjects anyway.

“Although this person is the Prime Minister, I don’t expect him to keep his position for long.”

Yi Do asked in surprise as Sim On waved his hand.

“Isn’t my father-in-law still young?”

“It has nothing to do with age. The world has been changing so fast since His Majesty ascended the throne.”

Clearly, looking at the historical facts up to this point, it was a cycle of peace followed by chaos, and chaos followed by peace.

However, for some reason, since the current King, Joseon was deviating from this circle and shooting out in one direction, so it was difficult for Sim On, an ordinary person, to adapt.

In the palace, there was even talk of ‘change everything except your wife and children.’

People who cannot keep up with the changes must now give up their positions.

He was sitting as a State Councillor only because of political considerations, but his son-in-law, Grand Prince Chungnyeong, would have many opportunities to play an active role in the future.

“Oh ho…”

Yi Do trailed off as if he was disappointed.

“The higher you go, the more you must pay attention to your feet. The Grand Prince is doing well, but you must pay more attention to your conduct.”

Since he almost lost his head last time, Sim On had engraved the two words ‘self-restraint’ in his heart.

In that situation, thanks to the consideration of the Crown Prince, who was then the current King, he was able to take care of his family, and he was still able to engrave the title of Chief State Councillor in his genealogy, so he had no major complaints.

However, he was only concerned about his son-in-law and daughter, who had a bright future ahead of them.

“My brother is an affectionate person, so I’m fine.”

“Still.”

He was born a genius with a silver spoon in his mouth, and he passed the civil service examination with honors, and the first task he was assigned was to create a new script for the country.

All by himself.

There was some help from others, such as Prince Gyeongnyeong, but it was limited to organizing and collecting data.

In fact, everything was born as a wonderful result through Yi Do’s hands, so if he were an ordinary person, his nose would have grown taller day by day and reached the sky [he would have become arrogant].

Grand Prince Chungnyeong was not an ordinary person, so he did not show it outwardly, but combined with his young age, his ego might be on the verge of exploding.

Sim On was worried about that.

“Don’t worry. I will only fulfill my duty as an official of this country, so I will not do anything that can be criticized.”

There is no need to do that.

If he does his job well, his brother will take care of him and he can spread his will in this country as much as he wants.

‘Even if I am not the king.’

That is not just a story that applies to him alone.

Hyang-i, whom the Retired King and the Queen Dowager praised as looking like him when he was young, will be able to take on important responsibilities in the country when she grows up, and so will the other children.

Even if the other children are only daughters yet.

“I should go see my daughter and grandchildren while I’m here. Is my daughter healthy?”

“Haha, isn’t that why you came? She’s due next month.”

“Has time already passed like that?”

“Yes. So far, there are two daughters and one son, so I think it will be a son this time to balance things out, haha.”

If a family is to prosper, it must have strong descendants.

He had an eldest son, but he couldn’t help but want to see a few more sons.

Yi Do guided his father-in-law with a happy heart.

End of Hangeul Proclamation (5)

ⓒ Pitkong