The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 159

159. John, the Grandfather-to-Be

In the new weapon development project, which consumed a tremendous budget, I emphasized the division of labor and specialization within the Evil Bully Association. The cannon, shipbuilding, and personal firearm teams each had different technicians.

That’s why I was seeing this Goryeo [ancient Korean kingdom] person for the first time.

There are many strange things in the world, but I never expected to meet such an Easterner. Especially on a day when I felt so good about the invention of a musket-like weapon.

It felt like I was seeing a fellow countryman from my past life.

The fact that he was from Goryeo was strange enough, but the name Lee Yang-mu was particularly striking.

“Lee Yang-mu, please ask him who his father is.”

It was a question that the Evil Bully Association might find odd, but they translated my question to Lee Yang-mu without comment.

The Evil Bully Association, acting as translator for Lee Yang-mu, who couldn’t speak Angevin [historical French dialect] properly yet, relayed Lee Yang-mu’s words to me.

[My father’s name is Lee Rin.]

Then he must be the person I’m thinking of.

If you’re a Korean from the 21st century, you know what the name Lee Yang-mu signifies. Because this man was an ancestor of Lee Seong-gye [founder of the Joseon dynasty in Korea].

‘My name in my previous life was Charles Lee, and my father’s side was from the Jeonju Lee clan [a prominent Korean clan].’

If my French mother’s family was the Orleans family, my Korean father was from the Jeonju Lee clan.

It’s a meaningless genealogy now, but I could still feel a connection to KOREA even in this era.

Goryeo, which has not yet fallen. But even though it hasn’t fallen, there is no hope in sight. If there weren’t problems, that man wouldn’t have been sold as a slave to the West.

I feel a strange pull and want to keep talking, but it’s awkward for me to show unnecessary interest in Lee Yang-mu here.

‘But I have to praise him.’

As an engineer, I praised him highly.

“This is a very good weapon. This weapon alone may change the history of war.”

The faces of the engineers brightened at my words. Because ‘definite compensation’ is my specialty. I don’t just talk.

“Anyway, everyone worked hard. Pay the promised salary. In particular, the biggest reward should be given to this Goryeo person who has achieved excellent results.”

“Yes, I understand.”

‘If you demonstrate your ability, you must receive adequate reward.’

Although they were originally slaves, they are now technicians I liberated in the name of Christ Jesus.

In England, where there were still fewer technicians than in China and the Eastern Roman Empire, it was difficult to find talented people like them.

“And present the personal firearms to His Majesty in Rouen.”

“Yes, I have prepared a fast carriage.”

Richard I would know the value of this personal firearm well.

Anyway, I left some instructions for the Evil Bully Association and prepared to return to Aquitaine.

“······.”

But today, Godfrey’s expression was dramatic. He seemed more surprised than when he first saw the cannon firing gunpowder.

He seemed to have a lot of thoughts because of the new personal firearm he saw today.

Was he so impressed with the musket?

“Lord Godfrey.”

“Is the new weapon so amazing?”

“Yes.”

“It is a completely different weapon from the cannon Your Highness mentioned. Isn’t it a weapon that can create a strong infantry force that is easy to train?”

Of course, it was a weapon that gave ordinary infantry the possibility of defeating cavalry.

“Lord Godfrey, how long do you think it will take to commercialize this weapon for the military?”

“It won’t take that long, but I’m worried about the production volume.”

“You can make it even if you spend all my wealth. Don’t worry, Masoud is in the Middle East, right?”

Middle East, Europe, North Sea. We are conducting triangular trade. Unless the Eastern Roman Empire and Jeffrey’s Kingdom of Jerusalem go crazy and pick a fight, there will be no problem with the money supply.

‘The problem may be the impatience to produce results quickly.’

I sometimes feel impatient. Yes, I have a long way to go.

It’s the Middle Ages now, but what I, a reincarnated person, am thinking about is always the future.

When I think about it, the Holy Mongol Empire may not be the only problem.

This damn Europe really hates anyone other than me ‘leading’ in any situation.

Ha, the difficult mission of the Safe Zone is to protect the West, but not many people will understand.

* * *

When the Duke of Normandy left, Lee Yang-mu said to the Evil Bully Association.

“Excuse me… Evil Bully Association, is that person ‘John, the protector of Easterners’?”

The Evil Bully Association, who felt strange at the title ‘Evil Bully Association’ after a long time, replied.

“That’s right. That is our lord, Duke John of Normandy.”

“Is that person our benefactor?”

“Of course, it’s because we are worth it.”

‘His Highness values technological development.’

Of course, the Evil Bully Association also knew why John was so kind to Easterners. It was to create cutting-edge weapons.

“I know. But apart from that, it is true that we Easterners have received grace, right?”

Whether he liked it or not, Lee Yang-mu liked that lord.

In fact, Goryeo was almost destroyed by the Mongols. It was incomparable to the Jurchens and Khitans [nomadic groups that historically threatened China], the terrifying Holy Mongol Empire.

The first Mongol invasion caused terrible damage to Goryeo.

The Holy Mongol Empire launched a ‘crusade’ because Goryeo suppressed Christians. I wish they had blamed Lee Ui-min [military dictator of Goryeo] for the crime of Emperor ‘Shihae’ like during the Khitan invasion, which used the crime of Kang Jo [Goryeo general] assassinating Mokjong [Goryeo king] as an excuse.

‘Goryeo persecuted true Eastern Christians. Therefore, a crusade is needed.’

At the time, the puppet Goryeo royal family and the powerful Lee Ui-min were really dumbfounded. Goryeo had never even seen the faces of Eastern Christians. Rather, they had never suppressed other religious people, along with the Huihui (Muslims) [historical term for Muslims in China]. They invaded, citing the reason that they had suddenly executed Christians.

Why did they use such a reason when there was a clear reason for ‘assassinating the monarch’?

Since they already knew how the Jin and Song dynasties had collapsed, the people and politicians of Goryeo were terrified. They struggled to prevent the invasion.

The military dictator Lee Ui-min prepared bribes by emptying all his property, and then conveyed his sincere feelings of injustice through an envoy, but the Mongols only accepted the bribes and sent the envoy’s head to Goryeo as an answer.

The Holy Mongol Empire upheld the will of Jesus Christ, so they sent a letter telling the pagans to stop making false explanations and prepare for war.

Still, the politicians of Goryeo tried to prevent the invasion, but they could not stop the Mongol invasion.

Lee Ui-min, the Vajra Yaksha [Buddhist guardian deity] who usually ruined Goryeo with all kinds of illegal wealth accumulation, fought on the front lines like Kang Jo when the Mongols invaded.

However, the power of the Holy Mongol Empire was strong, and in the end, he too was brutally executed like ‘Kang Jo’. He was subjected to the ‘Lingchi’ [death by a thousand cuts] torture left by the Liao Dynasty and died horribly.

‘We and the Wa [ancient name for Japan] must join forces to drive out the Mongols.’

It was Lee Yang-mu who fought against the Mongols, following the hero Choi Chung-heon [military dictator of Goryeo] who rose up at that time. He stood at the forefront to wash away the original sin of his uncle, a traitor like Lee Ui-bang [military figure in Goryeo].

The problem was that he was captured as a prisoner and sold as a slave, and fortunately, he was liberated and became a technician thanks to Prince John, who purchased him from a slave trader.

Even while feeling grateful for Prince John’s grace in liberating him, Lee Yang-mu felt bitter. He was worried about how he would live in this foreign land in the West.

“Evil Bully Association.”

“Why is that?”

“I don’t know how to live in the future.”

“Be loyal to your new country like me, believe in Jesus Christ instead of Confucius and Mencius [influential Chinese philosophers], and show your ability. Then you can be valued. At least Prince John doesn’t discriminate against Easterners.”

Lee Yang-mu’s eyes lit up at the words of the Evil Bully Association.

* * *

-1203, Aquitaine-

“Our lord has returned!”

“Long live Duke John!”

I didn’t get anything from the Papal States, but I came back after properly doing ‘diplomacy’ in the North Sea, so the people of the territory welcomed me again this time.

Of course, it’s also because I brought various souvenirs (reunions).

“Mary, I missed you.”

“Welcome. John, I missed you too.”

The person I missed the most was my wife, Mary. Children and father and mother are next in line.

But my wife’s condition was not so good when she received my greetings. Something must have made her angry. Of course, it didn’t seem like she was angry because of me. If that were the case, she wouldn’t have come to see me like this.

“I’ve been worried about my younger sibling lately. It’s so headache-inducing.”

“Is that so?”

I know who that younger sibling is. It must be the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire.

“Maybe it doesn’t matter. After all, the two Romes are shields to protect against new pagan forces, right?”

Yes, the Holy Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire are grateful shields that defend against Mongol friends when they invade.

“Is it okay to say that?”

Still, I didn’t know that the princess of the Eastern Roman Empire would openly call her hometown a shield.

“I have no affection for that place. None. It was a country where a woman who was not a half-sister but born from the same womb almost killed me out of jealousy.”

“Our family is more of a mess than that.”

“That’s right, the Angevin family is more moral than our family.”

Well, the Eastern Roman Empire is a terrifying Greek-flavored Rome where they cut off the nose and gouge out the eyes of the defeated royals in folk games and say, ‘I’ll let you live.’

I think I know roughly what happened, but I don’t know what to say. In times like this, it’s better to stay still or empathize than to pretend to know.

“So, how was Mortain this time?”

She was asking about the performance of the newly developed personal firearm.

In response to my wife’s question, I told her the story I had with Godfrey and told her about the possibilities of the musket.

“Interesting. The essence of war will change.”

Mary was very impressed.

Then someone interrupted our conversation.

“Mother, Father, it’s been a while.”

“James.”

“What’s wrong?”

My son came.

“Father, Mother, I’m so sad. This son is working hard for the future of England. The two of you are whispering sweet nothings like this.”

“Hey, what are you talking about?”

“I wish you were just whispering sweet nothings.”

We, me and Mary, are really worried about world peace. There is no time for romance.

“This father hopes that our eldest son will care about his younger siblings instead of us.”

James smiled awkwardly at my question.

“Are they now finding a way to make a living by tearing off their own bread?” [idiom for infighting]

“Aren’t you worried about your siblings?”

“If those kids are having a hard time, I’ll make a living for them.”

James’ relaxed answer. Is this why the eldest son is said to be the pillar of the family?

“So son, why did you come?”

James is not a child who would come to see his parents for no reason. The fact that he ‘accidentally’ came when Mary and I were together was all because of that child’s thoughts.

“I came to deliver good news to you two.”

“What is it? Could it be that?”

Mary raised the corners of her mouth as if she had noticed something and asked back.

Then, James said in the happiest voice in the world.

“Mother, Father, Adelaide is pregnant.”

“···!”

I was surprised.

“That’s a relief.”

Mary was relieved.

“Hahaha. You two are going to be grandparents now.”

Adelaide is pregnant.

I don’t know how I feel right now. I felt a strange feeling different from when I had my own child.

I’m a grandfather, my heart feels truly magnificent.

* * *

A few days later.

Was it because I experienced the power of the personal firearm I sent to Rouen? Or was it because the letter Adelaide sent had arrived?

Two meaningful letters came from my brother, King Richard.

One private letter and one official letter.

[I acknowledge you as king. That is natural as long as you are a subject. But I hope you don’t forget that I am your brother even if you keep the line. P.S. Our grandchild is on the way, such joyful news.]

[John, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Duke of Ireland, and Count of Mortain, is appointed Chancellor of England and given control of some of the Normandy region, including Caen.]

To the world, a chancellor. My shoulders became heavy again.

But the letter did not only come from my brother.

[John, the Khwarazmian Dynasty [Persianate Sunni Muslim dynasty] has fallen and my nephew, who was the Sultan, has been killed in battle. Perhaps, now they will face the Islamic forces.]

Seeing the letter Masoud sent from Egypt, my shoulders felt so heavy that they were about to break.