Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 748

748. The Emperor with a Case of Middle School Syndrome (1)

In the 30th year of Sejong (1448), after losing the war, Zhu Qizhen committed suicide at Liaodong Fortress.

At that time, Zhu Qizhen and his primary consort took their own lives together. His concubines, eunuchs led by Wang Chong, and court ladies all became prisoners of Joseon.

The most notable figure in this situation was Zhu Jianxin, Zhu Qizhen’s only son.

As he was just a newborn, the Joseon commanders who saw Zhu Jianxin wrapped in a blanket wore troubled expressions.

“His birth mother has also been captured, but it seems difficult to leave her to care for the child alone.”

“Find a wet nurse immediately!”

“Yes!”

Fortunately, Zhu Jianxin’s wet nurse was among the captured women, which reassured the Joseon commanders.

“Even though he is the child of the enemy’s leader, we cannot kill a newborn. We cannot tarnish the name of our Joseon army, can we?”

The Joseon commanders all nodded at Choi Yun-deok’s words.

“That is correct.”

* * *

The war ended in Joseon’s victory. After securing everything possible in the armistice agreement, Joseon inquired with Ming about Zhu Jianxin’s fate.

– What should be done with the dead Zhu Qizhen’s concubines and child?

In response to Joseon’s question, the Jingtai Emperor and officials of Ming fell into deep thought. After much deliberation, Ming replied to Joseon.

– All concubines, eunuchs, and court ladies who wish to return will be repatriated. However, Zhu Qizhen’s son should remain in Joseon.

“Hmph! Such an obvious answer!”

Hyang scoffed at Ming’s reply, as did the ministers of the court.

Currently, Jingtai was on the throne, having succeeded Seondeok. The problem was that Jingtai was not a direct descendant of Seondeok but born of a concubine.

Although Jingtai ascended the throne by Seondeok’s decree, a direct heir could potentially cause problems later.

Therefore, Ming abandoned Zhu Jianxin.

“Anyway, we have heard Ming’s answer, so let’s act accordingly.”

“We obey your command.”

“Ah!”

Hyang, who was about to conclude the matter regarding Zhu Jianxin, suddenly exclaimed as if something had occurred to him and added an order.

“Demand childcare expenses from Ming for Zhu Jianxin and make sure to get them properly.”

“Childcare expenses, you say?”

At Hwang Hee’s bewildered question, Hyang nodded.

“Yes. Even so, isn’t he a member of the imperial family? We will need to find a suitable residence within the four gates [the traditional boundaries of Seoul] and people to manage the household. Moreover, we have to provide for his future clothing and food, all of which costs money. We are already short on funds, so we shouldn’t have to spend our money on that, should we?”

“That is correct!”

Kim Jeom was the first to agree with Hyang’s words.

Thus, Joseon once again squeezed money from Ming’s coffers.

-Even though he is the direct heir of the Ming imperial family, are you going to make him live in poverty?

They stirred up their pride in this way to extract money from Ming’s pockets.

Having squeezed childcare expenses for Zhu Jianxin from Ming, Joseon acted as Ming requested.

They asked the captured concubines, court ladies, and eunuchs of Zhu Qizhen whether they wished to return, and all those who wished to return were put on ships and sent back to Ming.

While almost everyone hoped to return, there were some who decided to stay.

Consort Zhu, Zhu Qizhen’s concubine and birth mother, and the eunuch Wang Chong.

In the case of Consort Zhu, it was natural as she was Zhu Jianxin’s birth mother, but Wang Chong was unexpected.

“Although you have to rely on an enemy country, you are the only descendant of the Prince of Liaodong. Of course, I must serve you.”

That was the stated reason, but Wang Chong’s true intentions were different.

‘The one who is on the throne now has been rumored to be sickly since before! There will definitely be a succession problem! I will wait for that time! Just like Jiang Taigong [a legendary Chinese strategist who waited for the right moment to serve a ruler] did!’

It was a decision that risked his life.

As the returnees and those who remained were divided, Hyang provided a residence in the western district within the four gates.

Then, he found servants to manage the household and assigned them, and even installed guard posts in preparation for any possible incidents.

And, he established the ‘Zhu Jianxin Management Office’ in the Ministry of Finance, a temporary department to execute the childcare expenses received from Ming.

This was for accurate budget execution and management. In addition, Hyang gave special instructions to the person in charge of the management office.

-In the future, when Zhu Jianxin needs education, he will be sent to the Samin School [a commoner’s school]. Even if Zhu Jianxin’s birth mother refuses, it will be enforced, and any request to find a separate tutor will be denied. There will be no special treatment.

-If he wishes to learn more advanced studies after finishing Samin School, this will be permitted. However, learning mathematics (算學) and engineering (工技) is prohibited.

As the situation was settled in this way, Zhu Jianxin was forgotten by everyone.

It was when Zhu Jianxin, who had been forgotten by everyone, resurfaced.

* * *

Upon receiving the request from Ming, the Empire immediately checked on Zhu Jianxin’s situation.

Wan, after confirming the report from the responsible department, shone his eyes.

“He’s already 18 years old? Hmm….”

According to the report from the management office, Zhu Jianxin’s current situation was as follows.

-Currently 18 years old. Unmarried.

-His mother, Zhu, is also in good health.

-Has a good personality, is polite, and maintains good relations with neighbors.

-Finished Samin School and also finished Middle School last year. Currently studying at home (在家修學) to enter the Yi Academy [a higher learning institution].

“Hmm….”

Wan, who was reviewing the report, asked the ministers.

“Looking at his age, he should already be married, but he is unmarried. Is there a problem?”

Prime Minister Hwangbo In stepped forward to answer Wan’s question.

“Wouldn’t his origin be the problem?”

“Ah? That’s right….”

Wan nodded at Hwangbo In’s answer.

* * *

Thanks to the childcare expenses received from Ming, Zhu Jianxin’s life was not lacking. These days, more and more foreigners were settling in the Empire, and marrying such foreigners was no longer a strange occurrence.

Therefore, in some ways, Zhu Jianxin was a decent marriage prospect.

Because he was someone who would never have to live in poverty in his life.

However, no matter how friendly the neighbors were, no one considered him as a match for their daughters.

Because he was Zhu Qizhen’s son.

Even though Joseon had grown into an Empire through that war, even though Zhu Jianxin was a newborn at the time and had no direct fault, ‘Zhu Qizhen’s son’ was an indelible mark.

* * *

Wan, who was reviewing the report, moved on to the next item.

“Ming said that the reason they were looking for Zhu Jianxin was because he was Zhu Qizhen’s direct son, but strictly speaking, isn’t he an illegitimate son rather than a direct son?”

Hwangbo In stepped forward again to answer Wan’s question.

“If we were to be precise, that is the case, but since there are no children between him and the primary consort, Lady Jeon, and he is the only child, it seems they consider him to be the direct son.”

“‘It’s like wearing it as an earring if it fits the ear, and as a nose ring if it fits the nose?’ [an idiom meaning to adapt something to one’s own needs, regardless of its original purpose]”

“You could see it that way, but Zhu Jianxin is almost the only one closest to the bloodline of the late Emperor Seondeok.”

Wan, nodding at Hwangbo In’s answer, immediately issued an order.

“We don’t need to worry about their succession issues, do we?”

“That is correct. Rather, the more complicated and noisy their succession issues become, the more comfortable we will be.”

Wan made a decision immediately at Hwangbo In’s answer.

“Then let’s send him as soon as possible.”

“We obey your command.”

* * *

That night, Wan received a report from Milwi [secret intelligence agency] in a safe house.

Wan, who was reviewing the report secured and organized by the Milwi agents who had infiltrated Zhu Jianxin’s house as servants and the Milwi agents lurking around, tilted his head.

“A patient with middle school syndrome (中學病)? Is there such a disease as middle school syndrome?”

At Wan’s question, the Milwi officer smiled slightly and answered.

“Strictly speaking, it is not a disease. It is just a term for the behavior often seen in boys and girls in the age range attending middle school.”

“Behavior?”

At Wan’s question, the Milwi officer explained about middle school syndrome.

-In Joseon, as well as in neighboring regions, it is common to recognize those around 14 years old as adults.

-However, although the body has grown enough to be recognized as an adult, the mind is often still immature.

-Due to this disharmony, there are cases of showing unusual behavior, which is collectively referred to as middle school syndrome. It is often seen among those attending middle school.

-Common characteristics include being more serious than necessary, or thinking pessimistically. Or, there are cases of showing excessive inferiority complex. Or, they think of themselves as very special beings who have had their specialness sealed for some reason.

“Specialness? Sealed?”

At Wan’s dumbfounded question, the Milwi officer added with a bitter smile.

“Why do they say they have conception dreams when they have children? But, if you look at those conception dreams, none of them are ordinary, so they end up thinking that way. There are more than one or two similar legends.”

“Huh….”

Wan, shaking his head at the officer’s explanation, asked with a serious face.

“Shouldn’t we find a cure for this? If we do it wrong, it seems like it will be difficult to fit into the world?”

At Wan’s worried face, the officer smiled slightly and answered.

“Time is the cure. They will be like that for about 1-2 years, and then they will get out of middle school syndrome when they get to know the world. If there are any aftereffects, it is that they will be teased at drinking parties later, or they will suddenly wake up in the middle of the night and kick the blanket.”

“You know too well? Did you also suffer from that disease?”

“My son suffered from it.”

“Ah….”

Wan, nodding without realizing it, reviewed the report again. As he reviewed the report, Wan’s eyes lit up.

“He has a woman he likes?”

“Yes.”

“What is the relationship between the two?”

“Zhu Jianxin is head over heels for her. It doesn’t seem like the woman considers him more than a close friend.”

“This is getting interesting. Have them pay more attention to it.”

“We obey your command!”

As an aside, Wan wrote a letter about this middle school syndrome and sent it to Hyang. Hyang, who read Wan’s letter, burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Middle school syndrome even in this era!”

* * *

A few days later, an official from the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited the house where Zhu Jianxin lived.

“Welcome.”

The official, greeted by the eunuch Wang Chong, who served as the butler, politely paid his respects to Consort Zhu.

“Have you been well?”

“Thanks to the grace of the Empire’s Emperor, I am comfortable. So, what brings you here today?”

At Zhu’s question, the official took out documents from the bag he had brought and handed them to Zhu.

“This is a letter from Ming. You must return home.”

“Yes? Why? Why are these people, who have forgotten about us until now, suddenly telling us to come back?”

There was deep resentment in Zhu’s words.

At Zhu’s question, the official answered briefly.

“Prince Zhu Jianxin must inherit the throne.”

At the official’s words, the eyes of Zhu and Wang Chong began to shine simultaneously. In those shining eyes, a thick poison was slowly seeping in.