Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 5

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb

5. Who is the Father? (3)

“History hasn’t changed.”

Rubbing his still-tingling calves, Hyang looked out from Donggungjeon [the Crown Prince’s residence]. Regret, unbefitting his age, filled Hyang’s eyes as he gazed at the scenery outside.

The Crown Prince determination battle, summarized as Yangnyeong’s defense and Chungnyeong’s offense, resulted in Chungnyeong’s victory, as history dictated.

Yangnyeong wasn’t an incompetent person. And although not explicitly recorded, he also harbored ambition, as shown at his first birthday celebration.

However, as the Veritable Records [official historical annals of the Joseon Dynasty] stated, rather than studying, he enjoyed hunting in the mountains and fields, and he was a ‘free spirit’ who loved women and wine.

Because of this, he couldn’t overcome the immense stress that arose during the competition.

In the end, he indulged in hunting and drinking to relieve the stress, and even committed the extreme act of violating the taboo of adultery.

Ultimately, Yangnyeong’s defeat in the Crown Prince determination battle was due to Chungnyeong’s outstanding qualities, but the biggest reason was that he couldn’t handle the stress and self-destructed.

* * *

Although Grand Prince Chungnyeong emerged as the victor in the Crown Prince determination battle, he too suffered great wounds. His wife’s family was annihilated.

As Chungnyeong was appointed Crown Prince, Shim On rose to become the most powerful figure. Taejong was not one to leave Shim On’s rise unchecked.

The day Hyang entered the palace with Chungnyeong and saw Taejong for the first time, he recalled memories from his past life.

When Hyang’s past self, Jin-ho, was a high school student, the Korean history teacher—nicknamed ‘Samcheonpo’ because he often digressed during class—assessed Taejong like this:

“If Catholic priests advocating the ‘Divine Right of Kings’ had come to Joseon during Taejong’s reign, Taejong probably would have immediately adopted Catholicism as the state religion, right? Of course, after that, he would have swiftly beheaded everyone except for a select few who listened well.”

Samcheonpo’s words were a hypothetical. However, when Hyang, who had come to the palace with Grand Prince Chungnyeong, saw Taejong for the first time, he understood Samcheonpo’s point.

‘That guy was right!’

Taejong’s face, nearing old age, was filled with fatigue, but his eyes alone made people cower.

“Welcome.”

Taejong, who received the bows of the Crown Prince Chungnyeong and his wife, had a surprisingly gentle voice.

“Many things have happened, but from now on, you are the Crown Prince. Prepare thoroughly to rule this country after me, and deepen your friendship with your brothers.”

“I will engrave your Majesty’s words, which are like golden rules, in my heart.”

As Chungnyeong finished his reply, Empress Min, who was sitting next to Taejong, spoke.

“Crown Princess, from now on, you must govern the inner court. You must strive to support the Crown Prince and ensure that there are absolutely no issues.”

“I will engrave your Majesty’s words in my heart.”

Taejong and Empress Min, who had offered words of blessing, turned their gaze to Hyang, who was sitting next to them.

“The child looks very bright.”

At Taejong’s words, Chungnyeong smiled and responded.

“He is already learning the Elementary Learning [a Confucian textbook].”

“Already? Isn’t that child only four years old?”

“He will be four years old this October.”

“That’s very fast!”

“He is showing even greater qualities than I did.”

Taejong seemed pleased with Chungnyeong’s answer.

“A blessing for our Joseon and the royal family!”

Hyang, who had been observing Taejong and Empress Min, quickly straightened his posture when their gazes turned to him. Seeing Taejong and his wife pleased with Chungnyeong’s praise, Hyang grumbled inwardly.

‘I worked so hard!’

While the competition between Yangnyeong and Chungnyeong grew increasingly fierce, Hyang repeatedly pondered what was best for him.

“Why is he suddenly not eating well? Nanny, call a doctor.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Hyang, who was worrying so much that his mother, Lady Shim, called a doctor, made a decision.

‘I will hone myself! Even in the worst-case scenario, I must have at least a minimum of intellectual and physical foundation! No, even if a physical foundation is impossible due to time constraints, I must have at least an intellectual foundation!’

Having made up his mind, Hyang began learning the Thousand Character Classic [a classic Chinese primer] as soon as he could speak, after he turned two.

“This child seems to be a prodigy!”

“Indeed!”

Chungnyeong and his wife were pleased with Hyang’s appearance as he recited the Thousand Character Classic with a lisp. Whether he knew it or not, Hyang diligently learned the Thousand Character Classic.

‘Fortunately, the hardware is good! Is it because he was Munjong?’

Thanks to the excellent hardware such as memory and comprehension, perhaps due to being in the body of the person who would become Munjong in actual history, Hyang finished the Thousand Character Classic at a much younger age than others and moved on to the Abridged Mirror for Government [a condensed version of a historical text]. And when Chungnyeong was confirmed as the Crown Prince, he moved on to the Elementary Learning.

“His eyes are so bright and clear, it’s truly a pleasure to see!”

While bowing his head at Taejong’s praise, Hyang assessed the atmosphere of Taejong and his wife.

‘The atmosphere is a bit subtle after all.’

– There’s a saying, ‘Enemies in a past life become husband and wife in this life.’ Looking at the example of Taejong and his wife, that saying seems to fit perfectly. A couple of love and hate, perhaps?

Hyang, who was recalling the story of Teacher Samcheonpo, returned to reality when Taejong spoke to his mother.

“I heard that the State Father-in-law (세자의 장인, the Crown Prince’s father-in-law) is very busy with both public and private matters.”

“I don’t know much since I’m always inside the room.”

“Is that so?”

The smile had disappeared from Taejong’s face as he briefly asked back.

“I hope you will tell the State Father-in-law that he should take some time to relax now that he is getting older. If you lose your health, all the good times are meaningless, aren’t they?”

The Crown Princess, sweating coldly at Taejong’s meaningful words, bowed her head.

“Yes. I will definitely tell him.”

It was Taejong’s warning.

* * *

But history flowed as it did.

On September 9, four months after Grand Prince Chungnyeong ascended to the position of Crown Prince, Taejong abdicated the throne to the Crown Prince. In the edict announcing the abdication, Taejong declared as follows:

-Until the King comes of age, I will personally oversee military affairs, and for matters of state that are difficult to decide, I will order the State Council and the Six Ministries to listen to the pros and cons and implement them, but I will also participate in the discussion of the pros and cons.

It was a firm expression of his intention to assist his son, who was sure to be pushed around by the cunning officials no matter how smart he was, and to solidify the still unstable foundation of the nation. No, he not only expressed his intention but also kept the military power in his hands by establishing the Uigeonbu (의건부) [a military advisory body].

Even though Taejong firmly expressed this policy of personally controlling military power (兵權親掌策), there were still noises.

The incident began with Kang Sang-in, who was the Minister of War. Kang Sang-in reported directly to Sejong even though Taejong held military power. In addition, he illegally appointed his younger brother, Kang Sang-rye, to the position of Sajik (司直) [a military post], a military post of the 5th rank.

As a result of these actions, Taejong interrogated Kang Sang-in. The remonstrance officials of the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Censors submitted successive memorials calling for Kang Sang-in to be severely punished, but Taejong, considering that Kang Sang-in was a meritorious subject of the late king (原從功臣) and his past achievements, ended the matter by exiling him to his hometown (田里歸鄕, 강제 귀환시킴) [forced return to his hometown] and confiscating his certificate of merit (功臣錄券) and official title. This was the first handling of the ‘Kang Sang-in’s Affair (獄)’ that took place from August to September.

However, this incident was linked to the downfall of Shim On when Shim On, the Chief State Councilor, left as the envoy to thank the Ming Dynasty (謝恩使) to obtain approval from the Ming Dynasty for the transfer of the throne (王位移讓).

Taejong felt a sense of crisis when he received reports that not only the common people but also many high-ranking officials had gathered to see off Shim On, who was leaving as an envoy.

-The father-in-law of the Crown Prince who will succeed to the throne, and the Chief State Councilor. And his brother, Shim Jeung, holds a key position in the military as the Junggun Dongjichongje (中軍 同知摠制) [a military title] of the Uihungsamgunbu (義興三軍府) [a military command]!-

As Taejong’s suspicion deepened, an event occurred that turned suspicion into conviction.

On November 26, Ahn Heon-oh, a vice minister of the Ministry of War (兵曹佐郎), reported to Taejong.

“Kang Sang-in, Shim Jeung, and Park Seup had a private meeting the other day.”

“And?”

“At that meeting, they said, ‘These days, orders (號令) are coming from two places, but it’s not as good as coming from only one place.'”

At Ahn Heon-oh’s report, Taejong slammed his armrest and shouted.

“What!”

The ‘Kang Sang-in’s Affair’ resurfaced, even bigger than before.

* * *

As the ‘Kang Sang-in’s Affair’ reignited, Hyang’s maternal family was struck by a bolt from the blue.

Kang Sang-in was executed by dismemberment, and Park Seup and Shim Jeung were beheaded. Shim On, who had returned from his mission to the Ming Dynasty, was subjected to severe interrogation and given a death sentence (賜死) [forced suicide], and his entire clan became slaves.

During these events, a storm raged within the palace as well.

“Not only me, but you have to make my daughter-in-law’s family like this!”

Queen Wongyeong, Lady Min, who saw the tragedy that had happened to her happening again, raised her voice, but Taejong pushed ahead with the purge.

During that chaotic period, Hyang was in agony.

‘It sucks that only my body is a child!’

If he were an ordinary four-year-old child who had not been reincarnated, he would have gone through it without properly understanding the situation, but as Hyang, who had the memories and personality of a mid-30s adult, it was a truly difficult time to endure.

‘If there is a suitable in-law family, it can be a strong bulwark. If I can step forward and reduce the disaster that has befallen my maternal family even a little, wouldn’t it be a great help to me in the future?’

Hyang, who had been weighing the scales, thinking about the fact that Taejong had been very fond of him since he entered the palace and the events of the future, ultimately did not step forward.

‘No. It’s better to stay still. That’s how it flowed in actual history too. I might succeed by doing a ‘tearful ass-kissing show,’ but on the contrary, things could get even bigger because I used a four-year-old child. And the most important thing is that my father…’

Even though his wife’s family was being torn apart, Sejong showed no particular reaction. No matter how stormy his father, Taejong’s, power was, being completely unresponsive was too much.

Hyang decided on his course of action based on his father’s reaction.

‘Taejong and Sejong have reached a tacit agreement! Then not moving is the best policy!’

As a result, Hyang had to watch his mother shed tears of blood for several days and nights.

Although Sejong’s wife’s family was destroyed by the ‘Kang Sang-in’s Affair,’ the aftermath did not subside easily.

“It is not right for the daughter of a traitor to be in the position of the Queen! She must be deposed (廢妃) [removed from her position]!”

The remonstrance officials of the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Censors came forward to argue for the deposition of the Queen, but Sejong vehemently opposed (極力反對), risking his throne.

In the end, Taejong ended the ‘Deposition Debate’ with the following words.

“She doesn’t gamble. It is not right to depose someone who has already given birth to three legitimate sons of the King.”

Soheon Wanghu, Lady Shim, was able to keep her position thanks to Sejong’s opposition and Taejong’s decision.

Hyang nodded as he watched the process of the ‘Deposition Debate’ being concluded.

“I did well not to step forward.”

Hyang praised himself, complimenting himself. Hyang, who was busy praising himself, looked at the place where the main hall (正殿) [the main building of the palace] was located.

“After all, you can’t fool the family bloodline, can you?”

-Perhaps because he was born with the blood of a military family (武家), both Taejong and Sejong are very cold-blooded when they have to make decisions.

“As expected, the ultimate goal was ‘strengthening royal authority (王權強化)’.”

Hyang, seeing the goals of Taejong and Sejong after seeing the situation unfolding in real-time, shook his head.

“Being a king is not easy…”

End

ⓒ Gukbbong