There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 17

“Forbid its use in Joseon, you say?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Lee Bang-won didn’t quite understand me.

White clay powder might be harmful, but what isn’t in this era?

But my stance was different.

Even if I informed them of the harm and sold it, the unease would remain.

At least in this country where I reside, I didn’t want to see the aftereffects.

“Didn’t Father say it himself? Since Joseon has a small land, it won’t make much money. If we develop sales routes to the great powers, we can earn a lot of money with this white clay powder, so why bother distributing it in Joseon?”

I said, looking at Lee Bang-won.

“Besides, if the officials hear that I made the powder myself, they’ll tell me to ban extravagance again and spout nonsense, wouldn’t they?”

“They probably would.”

Lee Bang-won stroked his beard and then slapped his knee.

“Hmm, so we can accept their demands as if we can’t overcome them. But when white clay powder becomes popular in the great powers in the future, they will be embarrassed because their predictions were wrong. Are you saying we should use that as a means to shut them up then?”

“Ah… yes. That’s right.”

I hadn’t thought about such political tactics, but I answered that way for now.

“As expected of you. Always looking two or three steps ahead.”

“Ah, yep.”

I quietly closed my mouth at Lee Bang-won’s deepening misunderstanding.

===

Following the news that the Heir Apparent, Lee Je, had given up studying and developed powder that women use, the officials were truly indignant.

“Instead of mastering the words of the sages, he’s engaging in such lewd, extravagant, and dissolute behavior!”

“How old are you that you’re already acting like this?”

They knew the Heir Apparent liked making things, but women’s powder was a different story.

The ministers whispered among themselves in groups of two or three.

Since they were already in conflict with the Heir Apparent and the Gaegyeong faction over the issue of moving the capital, their words couldn’t be kind.

The censors were the same.

They couldn’t tolerate the Heir Apparent, who would one day bear the burden of this country, indulging in frivolous matters.

“King You tore silk to gain Bao Si’s smile [a reference to a historical tale of a king’s infatuation], is the Heir Apparent also trying to win women’s hearts by making expensive powder?”

Censor Kim Dan took the lead in denouncing.

The censors gathered beside him agreed, saying, “That’s right, that’s right.”

Most of them imagined the Heir Apparent being swayed by women, but some had a broader imagination.

For example, the erudite Kang No, who suspiciously read many books other than scriptures.

“Perhaps… it could be something more serious.”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard that King Gongmin of the former dynasty dressed as a woman in his later years, didn’t he?”

“……”

The censors’ faces hardened.

They had also heard the rumors that King Gongmin dressed as a woman and enjoyed male love with the young men of the Jade Flower Guard.

“If so, the white clay powder is…”

“For himself to apply?”

The censors shook their heads, saying it couldn’t be, but once the devil had taken root in their minds, it couldn’t be easily shaken off.

“Otherwise, why would he personally develop the powder…”

“No, no! That can’t be! Such a thing cannot happen in this Joseon, which was built by upholding the civilization of Gija [a legendary figure associated with Korean origins]!”

Kim Dan, his face red, rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward.

“Whatever the truth may be, we can no longer tolerate the Heir Apparent’s eccentric behavior! As a minister, I will do my best to remonstrate against this, and I ask my fellow comrades to join me!”

Thus, Kim Dan appeared before Lee Bang-won the next day and remonstrated as follows.

“Your Majesty, the Heir Apparent is still young and should be studying the Four Books and Three Classics [core texts of Confucianism] with various teachers, but he has abandoned this and is indulging in the expensive powder of mere artisans and courtesans, which we cannot help but lament.

I implore you to sternly rebuke the Heir Apparent and abolish the powder he has made as a warning.”

Kim Dan had also stepped forward when muskets were made the other day and was scolded.

The Heir Apparent was gaining the King’s favor, so he might have hesitated to strongly remonstrate, but his desperation to protect the dynasty of Joseon was stronger.

‘Even if Your Majesty beheads me, I must prevent the Heir Apparent from going down a darker path!’

Kim Dan bowed his head, shaking off the imagination of that dark path.

However, unexpectedly, Lee Bang-won did not get angry.

Rather, with a very serious expression, he said this.

“Do the officials also see the powder made by the Heir Apparent as extravagant?”

The ministers rolled their eyes.

They thought the King would defend the Heir Apparent, but didn’t he also seem to be worried about the Heir Apparent’s eccentric behavior?

‘Has His Majesty finally come to his senses?’

‘Even if he’s a fool for his son, it’s only natural that he’s gone as far as making powder.’

The ministers harbored such hopes.

Kwon Geun, who had been in conflict with the Heir Apparent over the issue of moving the capital, seized the opportunity and stepped forward.

“That is so. In fact, what the Heir Apparent made is just a powder that is not essential, but making it wastes rice and fabric in vain, so how can it not be called extravagance?”

“Accept the censors’ petition and abolish the white clay powder!”

“Is that so?”

Lee Bang-won tapped the armrest of the dragon throne and said.

“Actually, I ordered the Heir Apparent to prepare items to present to Ming China, along with gold, silver, and horses.”

“Yes?”

“The white clay powder made by the Heir Apparent is truly excellent, no less than mother-of-pearl lacquerware or silk, so the great powers will surely be satisfied.”

So, the Heir Apparent wasn’t indulging in women or cross-dressing, but it was the King’s order?

The censors barely calmed their hearts, but Lee Bang-won’s words still remained.

“However, since the officials have pointed out that it is extravagant, I also think it is right. White clay powder will only be offered to Ming China as a tribute to serve the great powers, and its use will be strictly prohibited in Joseon.”

“We are grateful for your grace.”

The ministers, including Kwon Geun, said in confusion.

They were wondering why Lee Bang-won had retreated so easily, even though he had the justification of offering it to the great powers.

‘Still, I’ve curbed the Heir Apparent’s spirit once.’

The Gaegyeong faction ministers bowed their heads and thought so.

The balance between the ruler and his subjects must be maintained. Now that the King has put on the brakes, the Heir Apparent will not act as recklessly as he does now.

But that was a big mistake.

The Heir Apparent’s eccentric behavior was already spreading little by little outside the palace.

===

In the meantime, the inventions of the Heir Apparent, Lee Je, were muskets and cranes, so the people were not very interested.

Because it was not closely related to people’s livelihood.

Therefore, the first invention of the Heir Apparent that they encountered was the improved stove that flowed out from the palace.

“Oh my, it boils a pot full of water with just a few pieces of firewood.”

“And it’s less than a quarter of an hour (15 minutes), what kind of magic is that?”

The officials who witnessed the Heir Apparent’s stove rushed to request that this stove be placed in their homes as well.

The Military Supplies Department did not go out to make them directly, but gathered people to teach them how to make them, and they went around to private homes to install improved stoves.

And since women were mostly responsible for household affairs, it was only natural that the Heir Apparent’s reputation would rise among them.

“Our King has a prodigy under the age of ten who makes cannons that make thunderous noises and equipment that lifts mountains, right?”

“What about the stove? Now, if we pile up just a few bundles of firewood, we can use it comfortably even in winter.”

When they heard the rumors about the white clay powder developed by the Heir Apparent in this situation, their eyes couldn’t help but turn.

“You know, sister. The Heir Apparent also made powder for women to apply this time, and it’s so white that it gives off an aristocratic aura just by applying it.”

“Is that really true, sister-in-law?”

“Of course, it’s something made by the Heir Apparent. If we could get that white clay powder, our husband wouldn’t wander around.”

Even though they had never seen the real thing, the rumors spread like wildfire.

No, perhaps it was even more so because there was no real thing.

“Couldn’t you get it from your parents’ house?”

“My sister-in-law is from the Yeoheung Min clan, so she’s related to the Heir Apparent’s maternal family, so I thought I could ask through my parents’ house, but it’s completely blocked.”

“What’s so blocked about it?”

“They say it’s an item to be presented to Ming China, so they don’t release it to the country at all.”

“No, no. I heard that this white clay powder is an extravagant item, so many officials petitioned against it, and a strict order was issued that it cannot be used in the country at all.”

“Th, that’s right. Now that I think about it, my husband seems to have said something like that. I’m really going to get this man!”

Suddenly, the ministers were suffering from the nagging of their wives and daughters for having thoughtlessly agreed to the ban on the sale of white clay powder.

“Minister, please try to get it somehow now! Is it right that Joseon women can’t use white clay powder!”

“W, wife. A royal order has already been issued, what can I do?”

“Ugh, why did you say it was extravagant and cause this mess!”

It’s the early Joseon period now.

Even though it wasn’t like the days of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo, when women grabbed and beat ministers who petitioned to have concubines, there were still plenty of henpecked husbands in the court.

The ministers, who had been badly hurt by putting the brakes on what the Heir Apparent was doing, sought out the Heir Apparent one by one.

===

The blacksmiths of the Military Supplies Department worked day and night to meet the quota for the tributary envoys going to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday.

I keep pushing them too hard, but what can I do if they like it?

“The Heir Apparent always generously takes care of us lowly people, so how can we be lazy?”

“As you know, lead powder is not good for the body. When working, cover your nose and mouth with cloth, and don’t let only one person be in charge of manufacturing, but take turns at set times.”

I told them firmly.

“And since white clay powder is an item to be presented to the great powers, no one should touch it. Even if the Gisaengs of Gaeseong [female entertainers] stick to you and flatter you, never give it to them.”

Even while saying that, I felt a little uneasy.

They’re always stuck in the Military Supplies Department making swords and spears, so there was no guarantee that they wouldn’t fall for the charms of beautiful women.

“Is there any doubt? Since Your Highness has entrusted us with an important task, anyone who betrays this will not be exempt from the crime of treason. I will manage it well.”

Deokman, the oldest, said, and the other blacksmiths nodded.

I heard that Deokman is old and has worked for a long time, so the blacksmiths are all slowly intimidated by him, so he’ll take care of it.

At that time, Nobun came running in a hurry and said.

“Your Highness, the officials of the Office of the Inspector General are looking for you.”

“Oh my, again?”

Nobun seemed anxious, but I answered leisurely.

There are so many officials looking for me these days.

“Shall I tell them to come here?”

“No. I can’t have a conversation here, so I’ll go there.”

I moved my steps slowly.

The officials, with one side of their faces bruised blue, stood up as soon as they saw me.

‘Why are these people’s eyes so swollen?’

Three of them came in a row with one bruise each.

I want to bring them eggs to rub on it.

“Y, Your Highness.”

“What brings you all to see me?”

As soon as the ceremonial greetings passed, the officials bowed down.

“Your Highness!”

“Can’t we get some of the white clay powder that Your Highness made?”

“If you bestow it upon us, we will never forget your grace!”

‘Oh my.’

If you want people to desperately look for something, you can ban it.

Is this called the Streisand effect? Seeing the Gaeseong market already buzzing with white clay powder, it seemed to be working amazingly well.

I didn’t even advertise it separately, but just the fact that I made it was enough to inflate all sorts of rumors.

‘But if you sell that, your wives will die, you people.’

There’s no way to prevent them from absorbing lead from things other than white clay powder.

But if they get lead poisoning from something I made, I’ll still feel uneasy.

At least I won’t have to run into the people of Ming China.

“Oh, white clay powder is an extravagant item, how can I distribute it to the upright censors like bamboo? It will only be used as a tribute.”

“Ah, that is…”

“We were foolish…”

You told me off for using firewood, but you’re asking for this?

I continued.

“I have listened to your remonstrations and realized greatly. The act of coveting this white clay powder should never happen, regardless of rank!”

“Certainly, we did say that…”

“It’s unlikely that gentlemen like the censors would make such a request to me, they must be testing whether my will is firm. I have no intention of releasing white clay powder in Joseon, so rest assured and return, hahaha!”

I laughed and turned my body.

“Oh my, I’m going to die when I get home!”

“Are you the only one dying? I’m dying too!”

I ignored the sound of wailing from behind.

‘Why do you keep tackling everything I do?’

It was the same thing I always said when I received a request to bestow white clay powder, but it felt refreshing every time.

I return solicitations with insolence.

While I was resolving to do so.

King Taejong Lee Bang-won came to find me.

End

ⓒ Pitkong