There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 101

Another notable feature of the rebuilt Hanyang Fortress was its gray walls, made not of brick or stone.

I explained to Yi Bang-gwa, who was looking up at the fortress walls.

“It’s made of a soil called ‘Gongilto’.”

Making concrete was easy.

Since I had already invented cement, all I had to do was mix cement with sand, gravel, and water to build concrete walls like that.

Usually, concrete is made by mixing about 6 parts gravel, 3 parts sand, and 1 part cement, but in this case, the proportion of cement was increased to enhance its strength.

And bamboo was used instead of rebar inside.

‘I suffered terribly because of this.’

No matter how much iron was pouring out of the railroads built in Hanyang, I couldn’t pour all the iron that needed to be used elsewhere into building fortress walls.

The circumference of the walls surrounding Hanyang was considerable, so the amount of rebar needed was beyond calculation.

Therefore, I decided to use bamboo-reinforced concrete instead.

Bamboo, while not as strong as iron, has considerable tensile strength and could compensate for the weak strength of concrete.

As we entered through the high fortress walls, a flat main street greeted us.

“Heo…”

Yi Bang-gwa exclaimed without realizing it.

The narrow streets littered with piles of dung that I had seen when I first came to Hanyang were nowhere to be found.

The densely packed, cramped houses had been demolished, and in their place, a flat and solid main street, though unpaved, had been built.

In addition, I created a system for systematically collecting night soil [human excrement used as fertilizer].

‘It’s possible because Hanyang’s population isn’t that large yet, and there’s a high demand for night soil.’

Night soil dumped on the streets caused soil and water pollution, but it was also a waste in itself.

There was more than enough manpower to collect it. I released the existing soil collectors, who used to go from house to house looking for saltpeter [potassium nitrate, used in gunpowder], to collect it all.

Naturally, the amount of dung thrown on the streets decreased.

This would be very difficult to cover with just soil collectors if Hanyang’s population and number of households increased, but for now, it was doing well without any problems.

The King’s carriage passed through the main street and headed to Changdeok Palace.

The court officials followed behind, and the people, except for those who went home, followed to watch.

Although they were not allowed to enter the palace.

“It’s not the Hanyang I came to in the past. It’s so enjoyable to see,” my mother said, looking around after arriving at Changdeok Palace.

The inside, of course, was lined with tiled buildings like the existing palaces, but the main hall, Injeongjeon, was magnificent, and Yeonghwadang, with its rear garden, was beautiful.

The aesthetics of Joseon [Korean dynasty from 1392 to 1897] in this era were being displayed without exaggeration, as those who were involved in the construction of Changdeok Palace had arranged the buildings to maximize harmony with nature.

However, my interest was not inside the palace.

‘This is where I put my heart and soul into it.’

Unlike Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace had even more imposing concrete walls.

Not just one layer, but multiple layers. It was truly a security facility made like an iron fortress.

It would be difficult to escape if I were banned from going out like before, but conversely, it would not be easy to break through the palace in the event of a rebellion.

In addition, gunports were made here and there on each wall, allowing soldiers to go up and fight to the last moment.

‘Of course, if it comes to fighting in the palace, we should just abandon the capital and flee south.’

At first, I only wanted to have a general level of defense, but Yi Seong-gye’s intentions played a major role in this.

“At this rate, we can completely turn it into a tomb for the enemy.”

“What good is making Hanyang a tomb for the enemy?”

I had strengthened Hanyang’s defense a bit by building concrete walls, but there would still be limitations due to the terrain.

Then Yi Seong-gye shook his head and said.

“Do you know what battle I struggled with the most when I turned back from Wihwa Island [an event in 1388 where General Yi Seong-gye turned his army back to overthrow the Goryeo dynasty]?”

“Was there a battle?”

I thought you just swept away all the troops of the country and ate Goryeo raw [destroyed the Goryeo dynasty completely].

“Choe Yeong [a Goryeo general] was still a man who had experienced all kinds of hardships, so how could he just stand by and do nothing? He squeezed out the last of his troops to defend Gaegyeong.

At that time, they attacked through Sungin Gate and Seonui Gate, but Choe Yeong repelled them all.”

As expected, he showed off his spirit as the last great general of Goryeo.

“So what did you do?”

“What else could I do? After pretending to attack only the west, I attacked the east and entered.

Even so, Choe Yeong blocked the road with carts and fought to the last, so Jo Min-soo, who had entered the castle, was about to be defeated. It would have been a difficult battle if I hadn’t joined.”

“Hmm, I see.”

I answered sullenly.

In any case, Yi Seong-gye, who realized the importance of street fighting from that incident, constantly ordered me to strengthen the defenses while building Hanyang.

“In an emergency, this Hanyang must become a giant ogre’s cave that devours all the enemy soldiers’ lives.”

“I’ll just surrender.”

I’d rather die than see this city I built burn.

However, by raising the palace walls like this, I could definitely prevent any rebellion that my descendants might face.

A rebellion is basically a coup that takes place in the capital.

The stronger the palace’s defenses, the higher the probability of a rebellion failing.

The ironclad walls of Changdeok Palace were completed in this way.

===

To be honest, Sijwa Palace in Gaegyeong was literally a temporary palace, so it wasn’t a very satisfactory space.

However, Changdeok Palace, which I personally completed, was much larger than that, so the spaces between the buildings were quite spacious.

The same was true of Jeoseungjeon, the East Palace where I would stay.

‘What is it? What does it mean?’

Is it resistance?

I tried to shake down the friends at the Hanyang Construction Office and bring in the guy who came up with this name, but I couldn’t achieve my goal.

Because it was none other than Yi Bang-won who came up with this name.

“The Crown Prince is called Jeo(儲), and inheriting the throne is called Seung(承), so isn’t it a perfect name?”

“Ah, yes…”

My father named it with such anticipation, so I can’t change it now.

Instead, I have to make sure that everyone else calls it Donggung [another name for the Crown Prince’s residence] instead of Jeoseungjeon.

“Where will the Grand Princes stay?”

I asked, and Yi Bang-won replied.

“Well, that’s the problem. It’s awkward to just divide up the remaining buildings…”

He glanced at me and opened his mouth.

“So, about that.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“There are many places left in the East Palace, so how about just bringing your younger brothers here?”

“Hmm.”

I stroked my chin.

Even in Sijwa Palace, which was smaller than Changdeok Palace, I hardly saw my younger brothers.

Now, if we were separated in each building, it might be even harder to meet.

I could find them if I wanted to, but it’s different to meet by creating work and moving around than to live seeing each other all the time.

“Okay. It would be good for the Grand Princes to live with their older brother.”

I said that.

It seemed better for the Grand Princes to come and stay in the East Palace than to live alone.

They need to live together like this at a young age for their emotional development.

Yi Bang-won laughed heartily when he heard my story.

“Good, good. I’m so happy that you care about your younger brothers like this.”

Don’t be too relieved, I hope you keep your younger brothers in check, but you also want them to get along well.

It was a contradictory feeling, but I just nodded quickly.

However, Yi Bang-won’s words were not over.

He asked me with a subtle look.

“But are you only going to take those two with you?”

“Yes… Is something wrong?”

“Don’t you have another younger sibling that you forgot? Even though she’s Hyobin’s child.”

“You want me to take her too?”

I asked back in disbelief.

“No, that child is also your younger sibling.”

“Yee… Well, that’s right.”

I answered sullenly.

To be honest, I had no ill feelings towards that child.

I also had a sense of kinship because we shared half of our blood.

But Gyeongwon Queen is grinding her teeth like that, so it’s hard for me to let her stay in the East Palace with my real siblings…

I sighed deeply.

This kind of situation is always a problem.

‘This is totally like being a young head of household.’

“Wouldn’t it be better for her to live with her birth mother?”

She must be about three years old now.

Legally, the stepmother is Queen Gyeongwon, but my mother will definitely not want to see that child, and it would be best for her birth mother, Hyobin Kim, to raise her.

But this was not such a simple matter.

Nobun, who was well-versed in palace rumors, found out and whispered to me.

“I heard that Hyobin Kim incited His Majesty.”

“No, why would that person do that?”

“Wasn’t she barely able to enter the palace thanks to your help? It seems she’s planning to rely on your kindness.”

Nobun said.

“Since the Queen is eager to devour Hyobin, isn’t it a strategy to avoid disaster by having her child, the prince, stay close to you?”

“And Father liked it and accepted it?”

“She pleaded that she wanted them to get along harmoniously as half-siblings, so he accepted it.”

“Whatever.”

It’s not a big deal that Yi Bang-won takes care of each of his children, but this was a bit much.

On one hand, she’s pulling my arm, telling me to come up with ways to harass Hyobin, and on the other hand, she’s pulling my arm, telling me to take care of my half-sibling.

“Oh, this is a headache.”

I covered my head and lamented.

===

I had no choice but to ask the retired King Yi Seong-gye for advice.

He was the only person I could talk to about this.

Even though someone who wasn’t invited joined us.

“There’s no need for the Retired King to follow…”

“What? Do you not like seeing your uncle?”

I called Yi Seong-gye with the excuse of treating him to a meal, but he brought Yi Bang-gwa with him.

“I have a chance to rip off a rich guy, so I have to call everyone I can.”

Yi Seong-gye said with a hearty laugh.

I had no choice but to take the two of them to the market.

The capital’s people, who had just moved in, were all out sightseeing in the market, so it was crowded, but that was irrelevant to us.

– Thud

“Ouch!”

“Watch where you’re going.”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry.”

The person who was pushed into us by the crowd was pushed back by Yi Seong-gye’s strong body.

He glared and stood up, but when he saw the broad-shouldered guards and the even more solid-looking Retired King and King, he quickly disappeared.

‘It’s good that I don’t have to worry even when I’m out incognito.’

Because they’re people who can subdue their opponents with force, not status.

We went into a teahouse in the market.

Yi Seong-gye, who had been quietly listening to the situation while eating snacks, waved his hand.

“Oh, this has become a headache.”

“Right?”

Yi Seong-gye knows better than anyone about conflicts related to half-siblings.

It’s just too late to realize it.

“Are you going to accept her?”

“Now that I’ve decided to bring my younger siblings to the East Palace, it’s a bit much to exclude only one because she’s illegitimate.”

I scratched my cheek.

“Then we have to stop your mother from making a fuss. I’ll talk to Wonbin…”

“That won’t do.”

She’s already grinding her teeth, saying that she’s acting like a mother-in-law even though she’s the Retired King’s concubine, so there’s no way she’ll accept it willingly.

It will only create another conflict.

“When I think about it, it seems better for her to be with her birth mother because she’s too young.”

“Eing… That’s why a tree with too many branches…”

Yi Bang-gwa, who had been quietly eating a twisted doughnut, said with a pathetic look.

“You must cultivate yourself, then your family will be in order, then the country will be at peace… Look at me, look at me.”

“That’s because your mother is so easygoing.”

Our family is different, our family.

In the end, no good solution came out of the consultation with Yi Seong-gye.

“Then I’ll call Bang-won and make it as if it never happened… It’s a headache if things get noisy in the family because of this.”

Yi Seong-gye said with his arms crossed.

It was when the three of us were slowly moving to King’s residence, Indeok Palace, to chat and go back.

A scene of someone arguing with the guards was seen in front of Indeok Palace.

“Hey, go back!”

“Get out of the way!”

A young man with a shaved head was grabbing each other by the collar.

Yi Bang-gwa clicked his tongue.

“Aish… How dare someone make a fuss in front of the palace… Who is making such a commotion…”

Yi Bang-gwa rolled up his sleeves, saying he had to reprimand him.

When the guard pushed him away, the young man who had fallen got up and made eye contact with Yi Bang-gwa.

The young man’s eyes suddenly widened, and he quickly prostrated himself.

“…”

Yi Bang-gwa also flinched suddenly when he saw that.

Soon, the young man shouted.

“Father!”

“?”

“Father! Don’t you recognize me!”

What is this all about?

End

ⓒ Pitkong