There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 313

“My energy isn’t what it used to be, Your Majesty.”

Baek Dalwon spoke while I was deep in thought.

“What are you talking about? You’re still going strong.”

“Haha, I thought I had no time to age thanks to Your Majesty, but time is a formidable thing.”

Baek Dalwon, who had been dispirited after losing all his businesses, regained his energy as I supported him.

In the twilight years of his life, he founded Hansang and was more active than ever, even more so than during his prime.

However, time flows relentlessly.

Baek Dalwon’s face was full of the inevitable traces of time.

‘Come to think of it, he’s been helping Yi Seonggye [King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty] since before the founding of Joseon.’

It’s more amazing that he’s been so active until now, long after Yi Seonggye passed away.

“Of course, I will live as a merchant as long as I am alive, so you don’t have to worry about Hansang being empty right away.”

‘It feels strange to hear this from Baek Dalwon.’

Anyone who hears it would think I’m eager to keep him working.

“Still, shouldn’t you think about who will succeed you in the future? Do you have a recommended successor?”

If Baek Dalwon, the founder of Hansang, recommends someone, they will become the successor without any issues.

Even if they don’t, I can use my power as the king to push them.

Baek Dalwon shook his head.

“Your Majesty called me the owner of Hansang, but I am merely the representative. Those who make up Hansang will decide on their own.”

‘Unexpectedly democratic.’

Strictly speaking, Hansang and Songsang are not just one merchant group, so everything must be decided through consultation.

Of course, these people are merchants, not staunch democratic activists, so they may use external pressure or internal strife to try to seize control of the group.

“Even without you, I will take measures to ensure that the people of Hansang do not receive unfair pressure. Don’t worry.”

In the end, all I could do was make this promise.

“That is enough. Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty.”

Baek Dalwon bowed his head and stepped back.

===

Hanyang, the capital and largest city of this country.

Hansang has a distribution network throughout the country, centered around Hanyang.

It was the result of Baek Dalwon, a legendary peddler, traveling the eight provinces and working tirelessly in every way.

But when Baek Dalwon dies, will there be anyone to replace him?

‘Well, it’s useless for me to think about it.’

It’s quite a feat to ruin a merchant group based in the capital.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and headed to Gyeonghoeru Pavilion [a royal banquet hall located in Gyeongbokgung Palace].

I reside in Changdeokgung Palace, but I have to use Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace, from time to time like this.

‘There aren’t many opportunities to use it except when holding banquets like this.’

There have been several banquets to commemorate victories, but this one was a bit special.

It was a feast held only for my brothers.

“It’s not bad to take off our belts [relax and be informal] and have a drink with just the brothers, leaving out the elders.

Tell everyone to come except for those who are busy.”

It was an event I called with a comfortable heart, but not a single one was missing.

‘Were they all free?’

I tilted my head.

Well, what else would princes do?

Except for special cases like Grand Prince Chungnyeong, all they do is enjoy themselves.

“Has everyone gathered?”

“A, as you commanded, everyone has gathered without exception.”

“I never gave such an order······.”

I sighed as I looked at Prince Gyeongnyeong, who was frozen stiff as he answered.

Grand Prince Hyoryeong, Grand Prince Chungnyeong, and Grand Prince Seongnyeong sat on either side of me at the head table, and then my half-brothers lined up.

“Bring in the wine and food.”

As I clapped my hands, the dishes came in one after another.

These are dishes that I put special effort into for today.

“This dish is called pizza (皮藉). Eat quickly.”

It’s a pizza baked with plenty of dried meat on thinly rolled flour dough.

It’s a shame that it’s a Gorgonzola-style pizza without tomato sauce, but this alone is enough to attract attention.

And a burger made by inserting Tteokgalbi [grilled short rib patties] and vegetables between bread.

Because I couldn’t perfectly reproduce it just by listening to my explanation, the bun became something similar to Chinese bread, but let’s be satisfied with this for now.

On top of that, sweet and sour pork made with a sauce made with plenty of sugar.

My brothers’ eyes started to turn as the dishes came out one by one.

“If you had something like this, you should have made it for us sooner, brother?”

“Shut up.”

It’s also a job to call out each recipe and spin the cooks around until something similar comes out.

‘Aren’t my brothers being too informal?’

I’m comfortable with that, but······ my half-brothers are just fiddling with their chopsticks even after seeing the fully prepared food.

I’ve put so much thought into making these dishes, but why are you just holding a memorial service in front of the table?

“Why aren’t you all smiling? Is this seat perhaps uncomfortable?”

“No, Your Majesty! How could that be!”

Then why aren’t you eating?

When I asked, my half-brothers turned pale and prostrated themselves.

“P, please kill us!”

“Ah, no. It’s okay if you’re not uncomfortable.”

I waved my hand and said.

I guess they all have indigestion.

Only then did my half-brothers calm their pale faces and pick up their chopsticks again.

At this point, I can’t help but notice.

“The distance between me and my half-brothers is serious.”

“Gulp, wouldn’t it be inevitable?”

My brother, who was sitting next to me and swallowing cheese, said.

“No, why?”

I was dumbfounded as I only thought about getting along well with my brothers.

Did I inadvertently discriminate?

I don’t think there was anything like that.

Wonyeong Wanghu [the Queen Consort] hated all the concubines and illegitimate children.

“All I did was actively help my mother to control the inner court!”

Then Do whispered.

“Didn’t you step in every time something happened to Mother?”

“That’s······ right.”

I remember diligently patching up the conflicts in the inner court for the sake of a harmonious family.

At that time, I was worried that my maternal relatives would be massacred.

Do nodded and said.

“After seeing that, the concubines told those guys to be careful in their behavior in front of you because your filial piety is so extreme.”

“Could it be because of that?”

“I guess your image of being extremely devoted to Mother left a deep impression.”

Even so, would I pick on my innocent brothers and make trouble?

Do replied to that.

“Well, you never know.”

“······You guys shouldn’t say that, should you?”

There’s no brother who takes care of his brothers like me.

“We all know how deep your brotherly love is.”

“Then?”

“But there was someone who was deeply affectionate but didn’t treat his half-brothers as brothers······.”

“······.”

Are you talking about our father?

“Even if we said it wasn’t true in the middle, those guys didn’t have a chance to see you, so the misunderstanding wasn’t resolved.”

‘Damn it.’

I shook my head.

“Bring me some wine!”

I don’t even know where it went wrong.

===

My half-brothers didn’t drink a drop of alcohol for fear of making a mistake in front of me.

“Aren’t you guys drinking?”

“I, it’s okay, Your Majesty.”

I want to have a drink with my brothers, but they say they’re okay.

‘I can’t force those who don’t want to drink.’

Since there’s no one to keep pace with, the alcohol went down quickly.

Hyoryeong is a monk······ a Buddhist fanatic, so he can’t drink a drop of alcohol, and Seongnyeong is still a child, so I’m only giving him soda.

“Here, give me another cup of Hyeonju [a type of traditional Korean liquor]!”

Chungnyeong just likes soda.

As a result, no one was drunk, unlike a banquet.

I was the only one drinking in an awkward atmosphere, so my face turned red.

“Ugh~”

I, who was drunk, looked at the guys who were just hanging their heads like they were at a funeral.

“Everyone, look up.”

My half-brothers flinched and raised their heads timidly.

“Are you all studying hard?”

It’s not something I should say, since I dropped out in the middle, but it might be necessary for my brothers.

“I heard that Prince Gyeongnyeong is studying hard.”

“······I’m still far from enough.”

Prince Gyeongnyeong Yi Bi bowed his head and said.

“If Grand Prince Chungnyeong praises you, you must be quite skilled.”

“Grand Prince Chungnyeong just looks at me favorably. It’s not at a level that His Majesty the King would be interested in at all.”

‘Chungnyeong is a brother and I’m just His Majesty?’

I was secretly angry, but I decided to be generous and move on.

“Still, studying is a waste. Even a government post like Chungnyeong······.”

“Your Majesty, what are you saying! Please kill me!”

Prince Gyeongnyeong, whose face turned white, prostrated himself.

I was taken aback by the reaction.

‘He asks me to kill him whenever I say something.’

I wasn’t going to give him a key position, but just throw him a job like compiling a Korean dictionary like before.

‘What if I really come out and say I’ll kill him?’

The retired king will step in before that.

This is not what I wanted to talk about.

I sighed and said.

“What are you going to do for a living in the future?”

“S, sorry?”

“I’m asking what path you’re going to take in the future.”

I said, looking down at the guys who were expressing ‘I didn’t hear you well?’ in Joseon style.

“Here, Grand Prince Hyoryeong is prosperously raising Buddhism.”

Grand Prince Hyoryeong, who had been buried by my mention, raised his head in bewilderment, then subtly puffed out his chest.

‘I gave him some shares in Biak Construction, so he has a lot of money.’

He’s working hard to build temples and raise Buddha statues everywhere with that money.

Somehow, there are reports that giant Buddha statues are appearing everywhere.

‘I never thought his hobby of collecting figures would develop like this.’

Anyway, Yi Seonggye was also interested in protecting Buddhism during his lifetime, and it’s fortunate that my brother is taking on that task on his own.

It’s a good thing that he’s finding fulfillment in religious activities.

“Grand Prince Chungnyeong is in charge of the Jiphyeonjeon [Hall of Worthies, a royal research institute] and is researching policies.”

Do is needless to say my right-hand man (one of them).

The youngest Grand Prince Seongnyeong Jongyi is still reckless, but he’s quite smart and shoots well.

Maybe there will be something I can entrust him with when he grows up.

“It’s difficult for royalty to take government posts and they can’t be properly active, but your brothers are doing their part wonderfully, aren’t they?”

I hope that those who are capable will find a sense of purpose in life by properly using their talents.

‘It’s a waste to live as a jobless person like this.’

You might think it’s the best to be a rich jobless person, but there aren’t many things to enjoy in this era.

You can see that just by looking at how every amusement I’ve invented has been a hit.

So, if you don’t have a field you can immerse yourself in, you’ll waste your life on drinking and women.

‘Well, if that’s what you like, there’s nothing I can do.’

How unfortunate would it be if it were not your own will but due to someone’s check?

‘In fact, these collateral lines are not a threat at all.’

There’s no way the retired king’s illegitimate children can plot against me and my descendants.

“Your Majesty······.”

My half-brothers looked at me with doubtful faces.

“If you don’t care about the face of royalty, you can jump into commerce and accumulate wealth.

A brother like Prince Gongnyeong is friendly and has good speaking skills, so he can be a good merchant.”

In fact, there are many Jongchin [royal relatives] who are collecting money without caring about face even now.

‘Like the shareholders of Cheonghaejin [a trading company].’

I wish those people would show some face in reverse.

“Whatever it is, I hope you will use your talents to the fullest. That is this brother’s wish.”

I was rambling on and on because I was drunk, but that was the conclusion.

I hope you understand.

===

“Brother.”

As the meeting broke up, the group of princes, including Prince Gyeongnyeong, grabbed Grand Prince Chungnyeong Yi Do’s sleeves.

“Does His Majesty really think so?”

“Of course. Why would my brother say something nonsense?”

Yi Do could see what his brothers were thinking.

They’re afraid to ask the eldest brother directly, and the second brother doesn’t know much, so they flocked to him.

“He said he could arrange a position in the Simwangbu [Simyang Royal Department] if you want.”

“In the Simwangbu······.”

Of course, he won’t be able to give them a position involved in the governance of Simyang.

However, from the perspective of these princes, it would be much more appealing than a government post in Joseon, where checks and impeachments come and go frequently.

Of course, there was a reason why Yi Do was saying this.

‘Now that we’ve newly acquired Liaodong, we need someone to thoroughly investigate the resources buried in that land.’

If you want to establish policies in Jiphyeonjeon, you must first find out what’s in that land.

‘You go. For me.’

Yi Do hid such ulterior motives under his benevolent face.

—

Thank you for your support, Bijinbu!!!

End

ⓒ Pitkong