Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 182

182. I Am Not a Sage Ruler (2)

In March, Hwanghee returned to Hanseong [modern-day Seoul] for the regular report.

“Please forgive my disloyalty when that outrageous incident occurred last year.”

Hwanghee, entering Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace], prostrated himself and begged for forgiveness.

The matter for which he sought forgiveness was his inaction in the north during the Giyu Rebellion.

* * *

Sensing the chaotic atmosphere just before the Giyu Rebellion and the palace invasion, Sejong immediately sent a secret order: ‘Hold your position.’

However, even with the secret order, remaining at his post was enough to draw criticism for disloyalty. A slight misstep could have resurrected past grievances, making him vulnerable to impeachment.

Hwanghee was well aware of this, so upon receiving the secret order, he immediately consulted with the military and began forming a special mobile unit.

However, selecting suitable personnel from the Joseon forces scattered throughout the northeastern region, as well as in the uncharted territories west of Mount Baekdu, and gathering them all took time.

In the end, by the time he had assembled the troops and was about to depart after hearing news of the rebellion in the south, the situation at Gyeongbokgung Palace had already been resolved.

-…Therefore, you and the generals of the military must fulfill your duties in the north.

Hwanghee clicked his tongue as he reconfirmed the order Sejong had sent.

“Tsk! I’ll have to prostrate myself when I go to Hanseong this time.”

* * *

Given the situation, Hwanghee immediately performed a full prostration upon entering Geunjeongjeon.

As Hwanghee prostrated himself and sought forgiveness, Sejong replied with an expression that conveyed it was of no consequence.

“I had already issued the order before the incident occurred, and you faithfully followed that order, so you have done nothing wrong. You may rise.”

At Sejong’s command, Hwanghee bowed his head.

“Your grace is boundless!”

Hwanghee carefully got up and walked forward, handing a book to the chief eunuch.

Sejong received the book from the chief eunuch and carefully examined the contents of the report.

After quietly reviewing the report, Sejong turned to Hwanghee.

“Have you received reports regarding the farmers who are moving north?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We have already secured sufficient land.”

“What is the response from the Jurchens?”

“They do not seem to feel threatened due to their small population. Rather, some of the Jurchens who have been farming previously seem to expect to learn farming methods from the Joseon farmers.”

Sejong let out a sigh of relief at Hwanghee’s answer.

“That is a relief. It is a wonder that they did not become hostile even though outsiders entered what they considered their territory.”

Hwanghee explained the reason for Sejong’s assessment.

“The effectiveness of the variolation method was significant.”

Sejong’s eyes sparkled at Hwanghee’s words.

“Variolation? Has smallpox finally been eradicated in the Jurchen region as well?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

The Jurchen region also suffered from smallpox. Fortunately, Joseon had almost completed variolation thanks to Hyang, and as a result, no smallpox patients emerged from the farmers and their families who went north.

“Why are the Joseon people not contracting smallpox?”

The Jurchens were filled with questions at the sight of the Joseon people being immune to smallpox.

The Jurchens’ questions were resolved when they saw the Joseon people undergoing variolation. After moving north, variolation was performed on children who were newly born and had safely passed their first year, and it was only natural that the Jurchens who saw the scene asked the nearby Joseon people questions.

“What is that you are doing?”

“That? It’s to prevent Mama [a term for smallpox].”

“Mama?”

“Smallpox.”

The Jurchens’ eyes widened at the Joseon people’s answer.

“You’re saying that if you get that needle, you won’t get smallpox?”

“That’s right.”

“Really?”

“Has this person lived his whole life being deceived? If that were a lie, why would the King issue a royal decree?”

“Royal decree?”

“All Joseon people have been vaccinated by royal decree. Since then, no one has contracted smallpox.”

After hearing the Joseon people’s explanation, the Jurchens flocked to the government office.

“Please, give us, or at least our children, that needle!”

“We are now Joseon citizens! So please let us get that needle!”

Hwanghee, considering the Jurchens’ petition to be reasonable, immediately contacted the capital and requested variolation for the Jurchens.

Sejong readily accepted this request, and a large-scale medical group went north.

As large-scale variolation proceeded through these people, smallpox was no longer a source of fear for the Jurchens who had submitted.

* * *

Hwanghee continued his explanation.

“As the rumors of variolation spread, even tribes that were previously negative about submission are now submitting. Thanks to this, armed conflicts have also greatly decreased.”

“That is a relief.”

As Sejong felt relieved, Hwanghee presented a gift.

“The Jurchens who submitted have presented tribute to Your Majesty.”

“Tribute to me? What is it?”

“It is in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon.”

“Is that the sound of horses I’ve been hearing since earlier? Let’s go see.”

Sejong came down from the throne room with a face full of anticipation.

* * *

“Oh!”

Sejong, who came out to the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, exclaimed in admiration at the sight before him.

Dozens of horses were filling the front yard of Geunjeongjeon. The horses that had gathered were all showing extraordinary appearances.

Hwanghee, standing next to Sejong, continued with additional explanations.

“These are carefully selected fine horses from among those raised by the Jurchen tribes who have submitted. There are 10 males and 30 females.”

Sejong went down the steps of Geunjeongjeon and examined the horses, repeatedly expressing his admiration.

“These are truly fine horses! The Jurchen tribes who submitted have presented these fine horses?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

At Hwanghee’s answer, Sejong ordered the head eunuch who followed.

“Send these horses to Majang-dong and Jayang-dong according to custom.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And order the Saboksi (司僕寺, Bureau of Horses) to breed these horses as well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The head eunuch, who received Sejong’s order, immediately summoned the palace staff to carry out the order.

* * *

The Jurchens presented many other things besides that.

Tiger skins, bear gallbladders, and sea dog penises, etc., which were obtained by venturing into the uncharted territories in the east, which were still virgin lands, were placed in large and small boxes and presented to Sejong.

Showing the contents in the boxes, Hwanghee explained to Sejong.

“These are items presented by the Jurchens who were impressed by Your Majesty’s grace, including variolation. The loyalty of the Jurchens who have submitted is very high. All of this is thanks to Your Majesty’s virtue.”

Sejong responded with a slight smile to Hwanghee’s praise.

“How could that be achieved by my virtue alone? It is because of the efforts of many officials and the soldiers of Joseon, is it not?”

“Would it have been possible to succeed with effort alone? It was possible because Your Majesty persuaded the Jurchen chieftains. And it was possible because Your Majesty widely spread variolation. The shamans of the Jurchen tribes who have now submitted are saying ‘A sage ruler has appeared’ and are praying for Your Majesty’s long life.”

“Is that so? That is a grateful thing.”

Sejong smiled at Hwanghee’s words, but his eyes betrayed a subtle unease. After answering briefly, Sejong turned away.

“Now! Let’s handle things quickly as there is much to do!”

* * *

‘The Jurchens who submitted presented fine horses and all kinds of gifts to the King!’

‘The Jurchens who submitted are praising the King as a sage ruler!’

The story about the gifts that Hwanghee brought quickly spread throughout the capital and throughout Joseon.

It was only natural that the people who benefited from the reforms that Sejong had carried out reacted.

“Hey! Even those Jurchen bastards are praising the King’s virtue, what are we doing now?”

“Yeah! A sage ruler has appeared and we are so comfortable, we can’t just stand still!”

Accordingly, all sorts of precious things were sent to Gyeongbokgung Palace from all over Joseon.

Not only that.

“Our county is barren and has nothing to present, so let’s erect a stele [stone monument] in honor of his virtue!”

“That’s right!”

In counties where the environment was barren and they could not find anything to present, the people gathered their will and began to erect steles in honor of his virtue. The people ran to the local government office and urged the local officials.

“We don’t know how to write well, and our handwriting is terrible, so please write it for us!”

“I will!”

The local officials gladly responded to the people’s request. It was a good opportunity to boast of their literary talent and add a line to their resume.

* * *

Whenever reports came up that all sorts of tributes were being presented and steles were being erected throughout Joseon to commemorate Sejong’s virtue, the ministers praised Sejong’s virtue in unison.

“The people erecting steles to commemorate Your Majesty’s virtue is an announcement of a peaceful reign! All of this is thanks to Your Majesty’s virtue!”

Sejong smiled and answered briefly to the ministers’ praise.

“Thank you. It is all thanks to your help.”

As reports about the people praising Sejong’s virtue became more frequent, the bitterness in Sejong’s smile deepened.

And, from a certain moment, Sejong began to drink alone every night.

Hyang, hearing that Sejong’s drinking had become frequent, immediately jumped up from his seat.

“This man! I’ve been desperately taking care of his health, and now it’s alcohol! If his liver fails in Joseon right now, it’s just the end!”

That night, Hyang, receiving a report that Sejong was drinking alone again, went to the place where Sejong was.

“Where is Father?”

“He is at Gyeonghoeru [a royal banquet hall].”

“Guide me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

* * *

Arriving at Gyeonghoeru, Hyang looked for Sejong.

“Father, it is late at night. The air is still cold, so how about going inside?”

Sejong, looking at Hyang with slightly drunken eyes, smiled brightly and opened his mouth.

“You are my eldest son! It’s been a long time since I had a drink with you, hasn’t it? Chief Eunuch, bring a cup to the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Father, I….”

As Hyang tried to decline, Sejong sat Hyang down with exaggerated gestures and voice.

“Oh! You must sit when this father tells you to! Where are you trying to escape? Sit down quickly, sit down! Let’s have a cozy drink between father and son for the first time in a while!”

‘This, Father’s condition is….’

Hyang, realizing that Sejong’s situation was not very good, sat quietly.

Hyang, facing Sejong at the table, asked carefully.

“What troubles do you have?”

At Hyang’s question, Sejong shook his head and answered.

“Troubles? What troubles would I have in such a peaceful reign as now?”

“But I see troubles on Father’s face.”

“You must have seen it wrong.”

Sejong kept saying no, but Hyang kept asking.

“Father. What are you so worried about?”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong emptied his glass repeatedly and opened his mouth.

“Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Do you also think I am a sage ruler?”

Hyang answered immediately to Sejong’s question.

“You are a sage ruler.”

‘If I said no even in the 21st century, I would get hit by a stone!’

Sejong frowned and shook his head at Hyang’s answer.

“No. I am not a sage ruler. I pushed out my own brother, who was the eldest legitimate son, and took the throne, and I killed that brother, so how could I be a sage ruler?”

“Father….”

Before the surprised Hyang could finish speaking, Sejong continued.

“I am a tyrant and a dark ruler! I exaggerated small flaws and killed and exiled those who were meritorious subjects and loyal to the country! Even when the local gentry opposed my will, I chose suppression instead of appeasement! Even when dealing with ordinary people, instead of bestowing enlightenment and virtue, I used various clever tricks to manipulate them to move in the direction I was leading. Am I a sage ruler?”

Hyang’s face gradually hardened at Sejong’s outcry, which poured out as if a dam had burst.

“Father….”

“If you hadn’t discovered variolation, I would still be running the country while making many concessions to the officials and local gentry!”

Sejong beat his chest and self-criticized as if spitting blood.

“When I was weak, I only looked at others, but when I gained strength, I wielded a sword without appeasement! How cunning is a human being like me! Such, am I a sage ruler? Do you think that makes sense?”

Hyang answered with a hardened face to Sejong’s self-reproachful question.

“A certain statesman of Seoyi [Westerners] said, ‘The end justifies the means.'”

“That is sophistry!”

Sejong denied it firmly at Hyang’s words.

“No matter how good the purpose is, if the means are not right, the result will only be a corruption of the purpose! That is sophistry and just a cowardly excuse.”

Hyang wore a sad smile at Sejong’s angry outcry.

‘This man has been under a lot of stress from what has happened. Well, I’m the only one he can say this to so openly.’

Because he was the head of the family and the king, he could not say these words to Queen Soheon, and he could not say them to the ministers, who could be said to be a kind of political enemy.

However, the relationship between Hyang and Sejong was a bit special. To Sejong, Hyang was not a threat to the royal authority, but a partner looking at the same goal, and like Jang Ja-bang, who came up with various plans and instruments necessary to carry out the reforms. That is why Sejong was revealing and pouring out his inner thoughts to Hyang.

Hyang’s hardened expression softened slightly. Hyang said to Sejong in a voice that was calmer than ever.

“But aren’t the people happy because of what Father has done? And wasn’t it Grandfather’s choice that he was pushed out of the position of Crown Prince, and wasn’t it because he committed palace invasion that Father had to kill him? And wasn’t the criminal Ryu Jeong-hyeon punished because he did not know Father’s great intentions and was only busy protecting his own power?”

“…….”

Hyang continued to speak to Sejong, who was listening to the story with his lips tightly closed, as if caressing him not to hurt.

“Finally, those who caused the rebellion were those who deserved to die because they rebelled with the thought of protecting only their vested interests, not the cause.”

Sejong let out a sigh full of regret at Hyang’s words.

“Hoo~. But he was my own brother, and he was a loyal subject who had devoted his life to the founding of this Joseon. And he was the head of the major and minor counties of the provinces.”

Hyang asked again at Sejong’s words.

“Then will you give up the reforms? And will you call back those of the meritorious subjects who were exiled who are still alive? Will you restore the families of the gentry who were sent as government slaves?”

Sejong answered firmly to Hyang’s question.

“No. If I call them back, we will go back to the old days. That must never happen. They must die in exile.”

Hyang, confirming that Sejong’s will was firm, pointed out the reality.

“In my humble opinion, that is the case. The people are calling you a sage ruler and showing absolute loyalty to you. If you were a tyrant and a dark ruler, would the people follow you like that?”

Hyang took a breath and came to a conclusion.

“You are a sage ruler. The people are proving it.”

“The people are proving it? The people are proving it….”

Sejong blankly repeated Hyang’s words.

Sejong, who kept repeating Hyang’s words, smiled.

It was as if there was no reason to worry anymore.

“Then I will have to become a sage ruler. Since I have covered myself with the skin of a sage ruler, I will have to do my best until I die.”

Sejong emptied his glass and got up from his seat.

“I shouldn’t drink alcohol for a while. I won’t have enough time to work.”

Hyang, who got up from his seat following Sejong, bowed and answered.

“Please go to bed comfortably.”

Sejong, who was turning his body, looked at Hyang again.

Sejong, with a much more comfortable face, reached out to Hyang, who was bowing his head.

“Thank you. My heart has become lighter thanks to you.”

Sejong lightly patted Hyang’s shoulder and left Gyeonghoeru and returned to Gangnyeongjeon [the King’s residence].

As Sejong disappeared into the distance, Hyang muttered with a bitter smile.

“I sometimes forget that he is also a human being. It’s because I learned about my father from books first.”