There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 13

< A Hero Doesn't Study (1) >

“······.”

The Gaegyeong faction officials were as silent as mice.

Lee Bang-won looked at them and said,

“The Heir Apparent’s talent has reduced the labor required for the construction of Hanyang, so how is this not a blessing for Joseon?”

“Th, that is correct.”

Kwon Geun said, his face tight.

“However… regarding the issue of moving the capital, we should be more cautious…”

Kwon Geun tried to backpedal and buy some time, but Lee Bang-won was quicker.

“Many officials have already stated that if the exhaustion of the people’s strength (民力) [the burden on the populace] can be resolved, they would agree to returning the capital. The Jae-shin (宰臣) [high-ranking ministers] should proceed with the relocation without delay.”

It was true that they had said such things.

However, from the perspective of the Gaegyeong faction officials, wouldn’t they want to oppose it regardless of any promises?

However, they had to give up after seeing Lee Bang-won’s eyes.

His eyes burned with the determination to butcher anyone who dared to object.

‘It’s fortunate that I gained a clear justification thanks to the Heir Apparent.’

The corners of Lee Bang-won’s lips slightly lifted.

In fact, Lee Bang-won was considering a compromise of a dual-capital system (兩京制) [having two capital cities], making both Gaegyeong and Hanyang capitals.

However, the Heir Apparent suppressed the Gaegyeong faction officials and succeeded admirably, which was much better than his own plan.

As a king who had achieved his goal, he was pleased, but he felt even more proud of having such an admirable son.

Lee Bang-won’s gaze turned to the Gaegyeong faction officials who were hanging their heads.

‘They are still displeasing to me.’

Lee Bang-won thought.

In order to get rid of Jeong Do-jeon’s faction, he had inevitably embraced the moderate faction of the former dynasty, who were their opponents.

However, he had now taken the throne, and it was time to wield a strong royal authority.

Should he continue to tolerate those who opposed the relocation of the capital for their own selfish interests?

Lee Bang-won was surprisingly benevolent to his officials, but he did not spare those who challenged him.

His half-siblings, brothers-in-law, his father’s friends, and the historical in-laws and relatives by marriage proved it.

‘If they try to interfere with the relocation work after today…’

Then he would have no choice but to wield his sword.

Lee Bang-won’s gaze shifted elsewhere.

There was his eldest son, whom he loved dearly.

‘I wonder what the Heir Apparent is thinking.’

Since he was an astute child in politics, he must have noticed it too.

Thinking that he should ask for his answer soon, Lee Bang-won smiled.

===

“Aigoo, the Heir Apparent has ruined everything!”

“The roots of our families, which have lasted for generations, are about to be shaken!”

The Gaegyeong faction officials gathered in small groups and vented their frustrations.

However, if they were to go back on their word now and oppose the relocation again, it would only give the King a justification to start a bloodbath.

“Grand Scholar, what are you going to do now?”

Naturally, the blame shifted to Kwon Geun.

He had made the situation worse by making a ridiculous bet with the Heir Apparent.

“How could I have known that the Heir Apparent would succeed?”

Kwon Geun said with a gloomy expression.

However, the other officials could not possibly accept that.

Naturally, the voices of condemnation grew louder.

“Is it all right to just say you didn’t know?”

“I shouldn’t have trusted the Grand Scholar!”

“Let’s find someone else!”

The officials stomped their feet and scattered.

Kwon Geun, who was left alone in an instant, sighed deeply.

“Aigo, my land…”

===

After the decision to move the capital to Hanyang, my status rose beyond imagination.

“The Heir Apparent’s memorial for the relocation has been accepted!”

“In fact, the Heir Apparent led the matter.”

“He is still young, but it seems that the King’s favor is great.”

The gossips in various places were talking about ‘the Heir Apparent is behind the relocation,’ and along with that, the perception that I was the real power also spread.

“Having suppressed Jo Sa-ui’s rebellion and now relocating the capital to Hanyang…”

“At this point, it is certain that he will become the Crown Prince.”

Of course, it is only natural that the Heir Apparent should become the Crown Prince, but there is already a precedent.

In Joseon, where the principle of the eldest son of the legal wife has not been properly observed, even if I am the Heir Apparent, my position could be overturned at any time depending on the King’s will.

Lee Bang-won had several sons, so there was also the perception that variables could arise, just as Yi Seong-gye had appointed his youngest son as the Crown Prince.

‘In the original history, the Crown Prince was actually changed.’

However, Lee Bang-won’s favor towards me was unwavering.

In fact, it was a problem because he favored me too much.

Every day, for half a sh辰 (時) [approximately one hour], Lee Bang-won came to my chambers in person, claiming to teach me directly.

The excuse that I was still sick did not work.

Of course, it was very difficult for me, as I had never read Confucian classics in my life.

I struggled with the officials in charge of lecturing all day, and in the evening, I had a review with Lee Bang-won.

Lee Bang-won, who was checking my progress, clicked his tongue and said,

“You have a good head, but you don’t study. You’ve already finished the Elementary Learning and moved on to the Four Books.”

There it is.

The delusion of all parents.

Our child has a good head, but he doesn’t study.

In reality, well, it’s only because a grown man is sitting inside that I barely managed to do it.

“Now, open the Great Learning. You must not neglect your studies even for a day. Shouldn’t you make up for what you’ve fallen behind today?”

“Yes, Father.”

“In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate virtue throughout the world first governed their states (古之欲明明德於天下者，先治其國). The meaning of this passage is…”

As I was listening with one ear and letting it flow out the other, just like I did during the day, I suddenly wondered when this fuss would end.

“Father.”

“What is it?”

“Is studying finished when I finish the Great Learning?”

In modern times, most people finish studying after the Great Learning, don’t they?

Wouldn’t this Great Learning be the same?

Hoping for such a faint hope, I asked, but Lee Bang-won looked at me as if I was talking nonsense.

“Where is the end to learning? Next, you will read the Analects. After that, the Mencius and the Doctrine of the Mean, and then the Book of Poetry, the Book of Rites, the Book of Documents, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals in order…”

After that, Lee Bang-won’s words were not heard.

‘Damn it!’

How old will I be when all of that is finished?

I ended up going to bed exhausted that day as well.

===

My daily routine wasn’t just studying.

In the mornings, I had the task of visiting Taesangjeon [likely a royal residence or training ground] to train in martial arts under Yi Seong-gye.

Even though I volunteered for it, my grandfather’s discipline was no joke.

“Your head is empty!”

– Thwack!

The bamboo staff (竹篦) [jukbeo, a type of training stick] struck my head hard.

Originally, it was an item used for training in temples, so it only made a loud noise and didn’t cause much pain, but when Yi Seong-gye wielded it, it was a formidable weapon.

Tears welled up, and I rubbed my head, grumbling.

“How can you treat your young grandson like this?”

“Weren’t you the one who asked to be taught properly?”

Yi Seong-gye burst into hearty laughter.

“No, you should educate me at my level. Why are you going all-out from the start?”

“You only improve when you get hit. Besides, I gave you a wooden sword, and I only have a bamboo staff that Zen masters use. If you don’t like it, you can hit me with that wooden sword.”

Encouraging his grandson to become a rebellious brat.

But I wasn’t about to refuse.

Fueled by spite, I swung the wooden sword wildly, but I couldn’t even touch a hair on Yi Seong-gye’s head.

On the other hand, I was showered with countless bamboo staff strikes.

“Your stance is still unstable! Your arm is shaking!”

One strike,

“When attacking, don’t hesitate like that; you must advance boldly!”

Another strike,

“You must be more careful when retreating than when advancing! There are too many openings when you retreat!”

Yet another strike.

After the punishment disguised as training was over, I collapsed onto the floor, my whole body aching.

“Your Majesty, please maintain your dignity.”

“…Shut up.”

Nobun anxiously tried to dissuade me, but I could only pant heavily.

As I gasped for breath, my grandfather offered me cold water.

As I gulped it down, Yi Seong-gye asked.

“Your concentration has been waning lately. Why are you so out of it?”

“I have too much to do.”

I replied, holding the empty bowl.

Except for the time spent in the Grand Preceptor’s education, I was mostly stuck with that damn studying.

“A man only needs to know how to write his name. I also hated lectures. I only ascended the throne after my beard turned white. What’s the point of studying then?”

“I deeply agree.”

I nodded in agreement.

Learning as a form of general knowledge is one thing, but having several people stick to me and try to inject knowledge into my head only makes me more resistant.

‘Damn it, what’s the point of touching the balls of dead sages?’

“Then, could you ask Father to reduce my study load?”

I looked up at Yi Seong-gye with sparkling eyes.

Regardless of East or West, a grandfather’s love is still love.

‘If it’s the Grand Preceptor’s command, I might be able to escape this hell!’

Yi Seong-gye chuckled and stroked his beard, replying.

“Why would I?”

‘Damn old geezer.’

I splashed water on my head, cursing Yi Seong-gye.

A bath after training was my only joy these days.

“Ah, so refreshing!”

The boiling hot water felt wonderful.

A hot bath in winter. It’s something anyone can do in modern times, but in Joseon [Korean dynasty from 1392 to 1897], it was a privilege of the princes.

Next is the tedious lecture, but let’s enjoy the bath first.

I picked up the washing fruit (洗手果) [soapberry].

Washing fruit is the fruit of the soapberry tree, called that because it’s used for washing hands. It’s often used as a substitute for soap because it contains a lot of saponin.

‘I only learned this after coming to this era.’

But I didn’t really like it.

I need to make real soap soon.

After scrubbing away the dirt with a rough cloth and drying my body with a towel, I entered the palace and faced the tiresome faces.

The Left 弼善 (Left Assistant Instructor) [Pilseon, a junior official in the royal court] in charge of the lecture started nagging as soon as he saw me.

“Even though the Crown Prince is a prince, there is clearly a proper relationship between teacher and student. Making us wait is not polite.”

“I came on time; you guys came early.”

Then the old 右賓客 (Right Guest) [Binggaek, a senior official who advises the crown prince] looked at my flushed face and asked.

“Was Your Highness perhaps late because you were taking a bath?”

I wasn’t late.

‘Is he deaf?’

“Your Highness, how can you call it a gentleman’s behavior to make your teachers wait while enjoying a mere bath!”

The old Right Guest exclaimed earnestly.

It almost looked like a loyal subject advising a tyrant.

“I went to Taesangjeon to exercise and washed because I was sweating. Are you saying I shouldn’t even take a bath?”

Do you want to smell my sweat?

Sorry, but I have no intention of indulging in such fetishes.

“However, the people are freezing to death because they don’t have firewood to get through the winter, but Your Highness is wasting fuel every day to boil water to wash your body. This is extravagance, so it should be prohibited.”

If you’re so sorry for them, why don’t you contribute?

If the Crown Prince catches pneumonia from washing in cold water this winter, you’ll all be beheaded that day, so are you saying I shouldn’t take a bath at all?

I’ve been thinking that these people have been acting up a lot lately.

Nagging for the sake of nagging, so to speak.

‘Don’t you guys want to go to Hanyang [new capital city]?’

Then I might look like a thorn in your side.

Even in modern Korea, if government offices or public corporations are relocated to the provinces, all sorts of tricks are used to resist it, and it seems to be the same here.

You don’t want to abandon the prosperous Gaeseong [former capital] that has thrived for 500 years and move down to Hanyang.

But what those guys are picking on is that I use too much firewood to take a bath.

If that’s all, I have a way to solve it.

“I’ve been feeling sorry about that too.”

In the Third World, a significant portion of fuel is still supplied by wood.

Naturally, deforestation is increasing, and environmental destruction is becoming a serious problem.

“But there is a way to reduce firewood consumption by 20 to 30 percent, so I’ve been burning a fire every day to find out about it.”

Have you heard of a cookstove, you guys?

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