Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 258

258. The Tree Wishes to Remain Still… (1)

As preparations to acquire territory across the sea progressed steadily, a minor commotion arose within Gyeongbok Palace.

The commotion began in Donggungjeon (the Crown Prince’s residence).

“Your Majesty! The royal physician says he has an urgent matter to report.”

Sejong, who was in the middle of a meeting with his ministers in Geunjeongjeon (the main hall of the palace), paused the meeting at the eunuch’s report.

“The royal physician? Let him in.”

“Yes.”

Sejong looked slightly tense at the eunuch’s report. The combination of ‘royal physician’ and ‘urgent report’ was never a good sign. The ministers felt the same way.

‘There are no high-ranking elders in Gyeongbok Palace at the moment. Then, who could it be?’

‘Perhaps the Queen or other concubines? Surely not, they are all in their prime, like His Majesty….’

‘Could it be an epidemic? No. It’s not the season for epidemics, and if it were, an express messenger would have arrived, not the royal physician.’

As Sejong and his ministers felt a slight tension, the royal physician entered Geunjeongjeon and paid his respects to Sejong. Sejong, having received the greeting, asked the royal physician,

“Yes. What is the urgent matter to report?”

“The Crown Princess is pregnant.”

“What?”

At the royal physician’s report, Sejong jumped up from his seat.

“Also, both Yangwon and Yangje are pregnant.”

“Such joyous news!”

Sejong could not hide his joy at the royal physician’s report.

The ministers, who had been tense at the words ‘urgent report from the royal physician,’ quickly regained their composure and bowed to Sejong, shouting in unison.

“This is a great occasion for the royal family! Your Majesty! Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

Everyone in Geunjeongjeon offered their congratulations to Sejong.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Sejong, who sat back in his seat, was at a loss for what to do, his mouth stretched from ear to ear.

It had been over four years since the Crown Prince’s marriage. As there had been no heir during that long time, his worries were growing.

“Ha, haha! Hahaha! To impregnate three at once! He is indeed no ordinary fellow! Hahaha!”

Sejong, barely suppressing his laughter, turned to the ministers.

“This is truly a great occasion; shouldn’t we announce it to the public?”

“We will dispatch express messengers to the entire Joseon [Korean kingdom, 1392-1897].”

“Since it is a great occasion for the nation, how about issuing a pardon?”

“That would be good, but it feels like something is missing.”

“Yes?”

The ministers looked up at Sejong. Usually, when such a joyous event occurred, it ended with the issuance of a pardon.

However, the king was now saying that it was not enough.

“What would be good? What should we do to make the people happy and pray for a safe delivery?”

“Ah….”

The ministers nodded at Sejong’s muttering. It was news of pregnancy that came after a long time since the Crown Prince had married. It was a parent’s heart wishing for a safe delivery.

After pondering for a moment, Sejong soon came to a conclusion.

“For the next fifteen days, reduce the price of all items sold at the monopoly stores by 10%.”

“Yes? Yes.”

And so, a ‘special sale’ began for fifteen days at monopoly stores throughout Joseon.

The historian who recorded all of this added the following:

-…and so, when the King made his decision, Minister of Finance Kim Jeom accepted it with a bow.

The historian comments:

The issue of an heir has been a concern for the royal family. Resolving this is a joyous occasion among joyous occasions.

I should buy a lot of salt and sugar this time. They are items that don’t spoil, so it’s a good opportunity.

* * *

While Sejong, overjoyed, was generously opening his purse in Geunjeongjeon, Junggungjeon (the Queen’s residence) was also filled with joy.

“What a joyous occasion! One would be something to be thankful for, but there are three!”

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations.”

Queen Soheon replied with a smile to the congratulations of the court ladies and maids.

“Thank you. Thank you.”

Queen Soheon, who was responding to the congratulations of the court ladies and maids, suddenly seemed to remember something and ordered Court Lady Jang.

“Oh my! Look at my mind! Court Lady Jang.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“How can we simply pass by such a joyous occasion? Double the amount of tribute to be sent to the Great Master this time.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And….”

Queen Soheon, who was thinking about the next thing to do, rose from her seat.

“We cannot simply stay still on such a joyous occasion. Let us go to Donggungjeon.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will prepare immediately.”

* * *

That day, Donggungjeon was bustling with people. Sejong and Queen Soheon, as well as Sejong’s concubines, all visited Donggungjeon to congratulate the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje on their pregnancies.

“It is truly a joyous occasion.”

“That is correct.”

Following the words of Sejong and Queen Soheon, who were seated at the head of the table, Sejong’s concubines also offered words of blessing and congratulations to the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje in order of their rank.

Each time words of blessing were offered, Hyang, the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje bowed their heads politely and repeated their replies.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

After the congratulations continued, the place was filled with all sorts of tonics and medicinal herbs for the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje.

Hyang, who had seen off the elders including Sejong, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome….”

“I know how much concern you all have had. From now on, I hope you only see, hear, and think good things.”

“Thank you.”

* * *

That night, Hyang, who was alone in his bedroom, looked at the moon beyond the window. Hyang’s expression as he looked at the moon in the sky was complex.

“Pregnancy….”

Hyang savored the word ‘pregnancy.’

“Come to think of it, I didn’t have much of a connection with the word ‘marriage’ in my previous life either.”

In his previous life, Hyang was known as a famous crazy otaku [a person with obsessive interests, particularly in anime and manga], so he lived a life far removed from marriage.

Suddenly, the faces of his parents from the 21st century came to Hyang’s mind as he looked at the moon.

“Are they doing well?”

Hyang’s parents, who were worried about the narrowing job market and the precarious work environment, had pushed him to become a civil servant, a stable occupation.

However, when Hyang could not bear the depression and quit being a civil servant, his parents were tormented by guilt.

Therefore, even when Hyang went down to Yangsan and insisted on opening a workshop and living a single life, Hyang’s parents could not bring themselves to oppose him.

Hyang, recalling his parents from his previous life, who were always filled with regret and sadness whenever they saw him, had to control his gloomy feelings.

“I hope they live a peaceful life….”

Hyang’s gloominess did not last past the next day.

“Prohibit sleeping together for the time being?”

“Yes, Your Highness. It has not been long since the pregnancy was confirmed, so it is still dangerous.”

Hyang nodded at the royal physician’s reply.

“I understand. Please take care of me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As the royal physician left the room, Hyang clenched his fist and shouted softly.

“Olleh!” [a Korean expression of joy, similar to “Yes!”]

* * *

Hyang, who received an official ‘ban on sleeping together’ from the royal physician, locked himself in the research lab and Area 51.

“Opportunity is chance! It would be foolish to miss this time!”

Hyang enthusiastically devoted himself to various tasks.

“First, focus on miniaturizing and strengthening the output of the steam engine! How many years has it been since the steam engine came out, and it’s still in this shape!”

“Speed up the production of position measuring instruments and precision compasses for ocean navigation!”

The people in the research lab and Area 51 cried out at Hyang’s relentless whipping.

Their cries were not only because the intensity of work had increased.

“You still haven’t left work yet?”

“Yes.”

Jeongcho, with a tearful face, looked at the clock and sighed.

“Heo-eo~. It’s already past Haesi-cho (9 PM – 10 PM) and heading towards Haesi-jeong (10 PM – 11 PM)…. Heo-eo~.”

Jeongcho sighed once more, got up from his seat, and went to find Hyang’s room.

“Oh? You haven’t left work yet?”

Jeongcho, who endured the urge to get angry at Hyang’s tactless question, forced a smile and asked back.

“Has Your Highness not left work yet?”

“Well, I’m just going to be alone if I go back, so I’m thinking of working.”

“Is that so?”

“But, you still haven’t left work…. Could it be because of me?”

“…”

Hyang leaned back in his chair and ordered at Jeongcho’s embarrassed face, who was silently affirming.

“Tell those who have no work to do by today to leave work immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“This order will remain in effect in the future as well.”

“Understood.”

Although Hyang’s order was given, there were few who followed this order to the letter.

‘What if I get on the wrong side of him?’

Everyone was just watching and enduring, but there was one person who dared to leave work on time.

It was Lee Soon-ji.

“Aoh! That weirdo!”

Everyone else shook their heads at Lee Soon-ji’s appearance.

However, the moment they confirmed that Lee Soon-ji was not harmed in any way, everyone started leaving work on their own.

* * *

There were others who were tearful at Hyang’s actions. They were the court ladies working in Donggungjeon. There were more than one or two court ladies who dreamed of ‘인생역전 [in-saeng-yeok-jeon: turning their life around]’ by catching the eye of the Crown Prince, who could not overcome his spring fever because he was forbidden from sleeping with the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje.

In principle, court ladies were the king’s women, so such a thing would be a scandal, but the world did not always work according to principles.

However, their dream of ‘인생 한 방! [in-saeng han-bang: one shot at life!]’ became a fleeting dream as Hyang locked himself in the research lab and Area 51.

* * *

Meanwhile, Hyang’s actions were being reported to Sejong almost in real time.

Sejong smiled with satisfaction upon receiving the report.

“Is that so? Then when would be a good time?”

Sejong was delighted at the thought of dragging Hyang over and shaking him down.

* * *

The express messengers carrying Sejong’s order raced across the country, and soon a ‘discount sale’ began at monopoly stores throughout Joseon.

The people of Joseon were equally pleased with the ‘discount sale’ at the monopoly stores.

“Hey! Did you hear the news? Go to the battlefield right now and get some money!”

“I’ve already found it!”

“Then let’s go to the monopoly store before it’s too late! If we miss the time, we’ll have to waste at least three days!”

Like a herd of wildebeests in Africa, people with carrying poles on their backs and baskets on their heads flocked to the monopoly stores.

And to control those who flocked there, the police officers at the police station had to shout at the top of their lungs with megaphones.

“Line up! Line up!”

“Please line up! Line up!”

“Ssang! Line up!”

During the fifteen-day discount sale period, the monopoly stores recorded the highest sales ever.

Kim Jeom, who received the report, was serious enough to suggest to Sejong.

“Your Majesty, it would be good to hold discount events at the monopoly stores on a regular basis.”

Meanwhile, there was an interesting joke circulating among the people who were enthusiastically sweeping up goods.

“Shouldn’t we put clean water by our bedside every night and pray?”

“Pray for what?”

“For the Crown Prince to have a son.”

“Why would you pray for that?”

The person who first brought it up slapped his chest at his neighbor’s question.

“You’re such a frustrating woman! Think about it! The child being born this time is the Crown Prince’s first child, right? But what if that first child comes out with a 고추 [gochu: penis]? They gave us a 10% discount because they were pregnant, but if it’s a son, wouldn’t they start with at least half?”

“Wait, wait, that makes sense?”

“Right? Right?”

“But will it work if we pray?”

“Who knows if maybe will become definitely?”

“Is that so?”

A few days later, Sejong received a secret report from Geomgye.

“The number of people in Hanseong praying for the safe delivery and birth of a son for the Crown Princess, Yangwon, and Yangje is increasing? Is there anything more grateful than this?”

Sejong, who was reading the contents of the report with a pleased face, smiled bitterly as he read the following sentence.

‘They are looking forward to the discount event to be held at the monopoly stores? And with a bigger discount than this time? Hehehe….’

In an instant, Sejong’s face became despondent.