There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 408

409. Back to Normal Life (1)

“Japan is a land far removed from the continent, and only briefly conformed during the time of Yoshimitsu Ashikaga. It has been a long time since they followed the Heavenly Mandate Order.

Now that I have received the Mandate of Heaven and pacified the world, how can only Japan refuse to follow?”

“That… that is not something I can decide on my own.”

Although Ouchi calls himself a vassal, this is merely a formality in diplomatic relations, where he claims to be a ‘subordinate.’

He is a vassal of the Tenno [Emperor of Japan] and a vassal of the Shogun [military dictator of Japan], but not officially my vassal, the Emperor of Joseon.

Furthermore, the incorporation of Japan into the Heavenly Mandate Order is not a matter that he, a mere lord, can decide.

“But wouldn’t things be different after this war is over?”

“Is that… so?”

Speaking to Ouchi Morimi, who has no decision-making power, in this way is tantamount to saying that I will fully support him to become the de facto ruler of Japan, whether he is a Shogun or whatever.

Having heard this, Ouchi Morimi’s inner thoughts must have become complicated.

After pondering for a moment, he prostrated himself as he would in his own country and shouted:

“My eyes have seen the new sun and moon, why would I remember the old mountains and rivers (兩眼已瞻新日月, 一心何憶舊山天) [a poetic expression of loyalty to a new ruler, forsaking the old]? I shall… follow the Imperial command.”

I looked down at him with satisfaction.

Until now, even if Joseon had the upper hand, it was merely an alliance, but from now on, the hierarchical relationship must be clearly established.

Not only Japan.

Mongolia, the Oirat [a powerful Mongol group], and various Naman countries [referring to various Jurchen tribes] will have to go through the same process.

* * *

It is said to be a day’s journey from Byeokrando [a historical port in Korea] to Hanyang [old name for Seoul] if you travel quickly, but for me, who has not returned home for a long time, even that time felt long and tedious.

‘Byeokrando is too far to serve as a foreign port.’

Until now, I had to open the major port for foreigners in Byeokrando, which was a bit far away, because I had to consider the safety of the capital, but now, even the Ming Dynasty has been completely conquered.

The activities of the Wokou [Japanese pirates], which we had to be most wary of, have also subsided for a long time, so it would be good to open a large port near the capital.

‘The people of Gaeseong [a city near the capital] might not like it very much.’

Gyoha [a region north of Seoul] is where the Han River and the Imjin River intersect, and the plains are wide, so it would be good to build a port there.

Whether they sent a telegram directly from Byeokrando, the capital was crowded with people to welcome me as soon as I arrived.

The people cheered for our soldiers who were triumphantly returning.

“Your Majesty… no, His Imperial Majesty, long live!”

“Long live the Great Joseon Empire!”

The news that I had proclaimed myself Emperor in Nanjing had already spread throughout Joseon.

Well, it would be a problem if this big news didn’t become the talk of the town.

The assembled citizens of the capital cheered so much that I felt quite proud, but the Royal Guards were on high alert because it was not very helpful in terms of security.

The people came out in such large numbers, even though no one had mobilized them, that our soldiers had to set up something like a cordon.

My family, who had come out to greet me in front of the capital, could be seen far away.

My younger siblings, nephews, and children.

And finally, my wife.

“Your Majesty.”

“I can’t seem to get used to that title.”

I said, opening my arms to receive Juso-hwa’s welcome.

“I’m back.”

“Welcome back.”

Juso-hwa hugged me tightly.

But I felt something strange that I had felt since earlier.

‘She’s thinner.’

Her belly was less protruding than when I saw her before.

As I pondered the reason for this for a moment, I soon realized one thing.

‘Oh, no.’

I received a message when I was in Nanjing, but….

Has time already passed that much?

“The baby…?”

My grown-up children are looking at us with subtle expressions, but of course, I’m not talking about them.

“Of course, I left her at the palace. I thought it would be dangerous to bring a newborn baby outside the capital.”

“No, so you’re saying the baby is alone without her parents?”

I jumped up and shouted.

“Why are you making such a fuss?”

Juso-hwa looked up at me and asked.

She has the look of someone who is obviously guilty.

‘Is it obvious that I’m overreacting?’

Well, there are many other people in the palace who can take care of the baby instead.

This is an era where babies are even sent away from the palace to other houses to avoid misfortune.

“Nobun is with her, so it’s okay!”

“Is that so…?”

Poor guy, how long has it been, and he still can’t escape the role of babysitter.

Well, he’s been with me as a close aide since I was the Crown Prince, so he must be an expert at taking care of children.

I embraced Juso-hwa, who was leaning on my shoulder, and said:

“Let’s go back, to our home.”

* * *

It feels strange to be sitting in the main hall of Changdeok Palace [one of the main royal palaces in Seoul] after a long time and receiving the greetings of the officials.

There is a backlog of state affairs, but I, who have just returned to Joseon, cannot handle such things.

And now I have more important business than state affairs.

That’s why I train a deputy to prepare for times like these.

Dan-i pouted at the order to continue acting as regent as usual and went to handle her own work.

So I set out to handle the most urgent tasks first.

– Ding-dong!

Immediately, a desperate ringing of the bell!

The baby, who was wary of her father, whom she was seeing for the first time, burst into laughter as if she had never been tearful.

It’s a relief that she’s reached the point where she doesn’t cry even when I hold her.

She almost made my ears fall off, as if she were a boy.

Kyung-i, who was watching me perform all sorts of tricks to win the baby’s favor, said, touching her forehead:

“I never knew that Father would be such a fool for his child.”

“You guys liked me just like the youngest one when you were little. People forget what it was like when they were tadpoles [a Korean idiom meaning people forget their humble beginnings].”

I thought, holding the youngest one in my arms.

‘I’m glad it’s a son.’

It’s not exactly a matter of succession.

Because grandsons were born one after another under Dan-i while I was in Ming China.

It is a bit painful that the child of the Crown Princess Jeong, who is now the Princess Consort, is a daughter.

‘But she’s still young.’

It’s okay to have many children, regardless of sons or daughters, and raise them well.

Even if they are children born to concubines, there is no problem with succession. Anyway, I’m relieved that there is no fear of the lineage being cut off.

I sighed in relief.

Anyway, I was happy about the birth of the youngest one purely because I personally wanted to have two sons and two daughters.

Grandchildren are pretty, but it’s still scary to have only one leg [referring to only having daughters].

I need to have this kind of fun in my old age.

As I thought so absentmindedly, I slapped my cheeks with both hands.

‘Old age? Why am I thinking like an old man?’

Is it because I have grandchildren that even my mind is becoming like a grandfather?

But I still have a lot to do and I’m only in my 30s, which is far too early to retire.

In modern terms, it’s not strange to have your first child at this age.

The age difference between the youngest one and the grandchildren is not that strange compared to this era.

‘Come to think of it, I should take a look at that side too.’

I should visit the Princess Consort first to congratulate her, and then greet the concubines.

I should also hold the newly born grandchildren once.

‘And….’

I didn’t tell anyone else, but I’m worried about my late father’s last words.

The joke that he would be reborn as my grandson and give me a headache.

As a rational modern person, I don’t believe in reincarnation, but you never know.

What you say comes true.

Well, I have affection for Yi Seong-gye [the founder of the Joseon Dynasty], so if that happens, I’ll be happy….

‘It would be very troublesome to be born as a child of a concubine.’

As the first Joseon king who is not from a traitorous background, this is a considerable concern.

I shook my head to quickly shake off the distracting thoughts.

I was playing with the youngest one after shaking off the wicked thoughts, but Nobun came to tell me that Dan-i was looking for me.

She can’t stand seeing her father having fun.

“What’s wrong?”

I asked, handing the youngest one to my daughter.

“There is something that I cannot decide on my own, so I came to get your approval.”

Kyung-i perked up her ears, but I shook my head and said:

“Princess, take your younger sibling and leave.”

Because I had a good idea of what problem she had come to me with.

* * *

“Are you going to exile Yongseong-gun [a noble title] to Ulleungdo [an island far from the mainland]?”

The deposed Emperor Zhu Zhanji is currently confined in Yesangjeong [likely a private residence].

It is the place that I took from Hwang-hui’s son-in-law and used as a private house.

Since he was once an emperor, I couldn’t throw him into the Uigeumbu prison [a Joseon-era prison for political criminals], so it was most appropriate to keep him there.

The person himself might be ashamed that he is confined to a gisaeng house [a house of female entertainers].

“Even if we do that to Yongseong-gun, why did you exclude his descendants from exile?”

“What crime have those children committed? Besides, they are also grandchildren of your mother’s nephew, so I can’t treat them harshly.”

Even with my words, Dan-i did not remove her suspicious expression.

“Perhaps, are you planning to eliminate the deposed emperor?”

“…That’s right.”

I nodded readily.

“Is that bothering you?”

However, Dan-i shook her head unexpectedly firmly.

“The deposed emperor is Joseon’s greatest enemy. He is no different from my grandfather’s enemy, so I cannot forgive him even if he is my mother’s family.”

Well, she’s past the age where she would feel uncomfortable with such conspiracies.

Still, it’s better for me to approve this exile, since I’m the one who started it.

Wang-ho will take care of the aftermath.

“So, is that what you came to ask me about?”

“Yes, well, that’s one of the reasons.”

I narrowed my eyes.

One of the reasons?

Dan-i has been acting as regent for quite a long time (though not as much as I have), so she has built up enough experience to handle most state affairs on her own.

So, unless it’s a matter of degree, she wouldn’t have to come to me to ask about the disposal of the deposed emperor…?

Even her reaction to the deposed emperor’s disposition was strangely lukewarm.

It must be that this is the real point.

“What’s wrong? Tell me.”

“That is… a petition has come in asking for permission to divorce because he wants to break up with his wife.”

How can a couple only have good things while living together?

Even in this era, there are surprisingly many henpecked husbands, and on the contrary, there are many noblemen who beat their wives or send them back to their parents’ home because they can’t live with them.

It’s natural to think about breaking up when you’re fighting and bickering.

However, in order to officially divorce in Joseon, you must obtain permission from the country.

It is done in the form of submitting a divorce document to the Office of the Inspector General or the Ministry of Rites, going through legal review in the court, and then the king approving it.

However, it may be a very important matter for an individual, but it was a very trivial matter for me, the king who personally reviews all matters.

“Isn’t that something you can handle on your own?”

Do I have to interfere with such trivial matters?

I should just look at the documents, give them some adjustment period to meet again in 4 weeks, stamp them, and let them get divorced.

To disturb my father’s sweet rest time because of this.

It seems like it’s time to get my son in line.

I understand why Yi Bang-won put on various shows.

Father, I realize it now!

“The reason I made you regent is not to report even these kinds of problems to me….”

When I was about to start nagging, Dan-i opened her mouth in a fluster.

“That’s… because the person is a person, there are some… aspects that make it a bit… difficult for me to make a decision.”

“Who is it?”

He didn’t waver even after noticing the plan to eliminate the Ming emperor, so who is it that’s making him act like this?

Shouldn’t I just click my tongue and stamp it?

Of course, if there is no legal reason for divorce and the husband files a complaint to kick out his legal wife, I have to reject it, but that’s something that the court officials will review and send up.

Once it gets to that stage, it can be said that the king’s job is virtually only to approve it.

What kind of person filed for divorce that’s making him like this?

“It’s Hyang-i.”

“Hyang-i? Chungnyeong’s Hyang-i?”

My nephew?

“That’s right.”

“…….”

I shut my mouth.

Oh, shit.