There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 191

< Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds (2) >

“What’s so popular about this?”

Yi Seong-gye blinked, overwhelmed by the flood of requests for a sequel.

He simply couldn’t understand this enthusiastic response.

‘Well, he is in his seventies.’

I shook my head, thinking that unlike me, a member of the MZ generation [Millennials and Generation Z], he would be unfamiliar with the *hakseup manhwa* [educational comics] craze.

“Well, it’s fun.”

“Is that so? Well, it’s easy to read since there aren’t many words.”

‘There’s a reason he’s a military man.’

That’s not to say Yi Seong-gye was completely illiterate; I heard he enjoyed reading books like “Great Learning Extended.”

Still, he preferred comic books to text-heavy books.

“Print more, print more!”

Despite questioning the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds craze, Yi Seong-gye was very encouraged by the first success of the Senior Citizens Association, which was in charge of publishing.

“I heard the Crown Prince is flooded with requests for a sequel? The Senior Citizens Association is getting them non-stop!”

“I didn’t really have a sequel planned…”

“If you don’t have a plan, make one now. This book deals with the Three Bonds and Five Relationships; how can we only have the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds and not the Illustrated Conducts of the Five Relationships?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Was there originally a book like the Illustrated Conducts of the Five Relationships in history?

I wasn’t sure, but since it rhymed, it seemed plausible.

‘Well, what does original history matter at this point?’

The important thing is to firmly establish the status of the Senior Citizens Association and comics.

For that, we should create and sell even the Illustrated Conducts of the Ten Relationships, not just the Five.

I nodded, watching the excited Yi Seong-gye.

===

“Give me the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds!”

“Once the rumors spread, even adults want to see it!”

In particular, inquiries were coming from private schools in Hanseong [old name for Seoul] and local Confucian schools that taught young children.

Gil Jae, who was dedicated to education in Yeouido [an island in Seoul], was no exception.

“I was going to visit you separately, Your Highness…”

Gil Jae, who was summoned by me, bowed his head.

I heard that he was achieving considerable success in teaching Jurchen and Japanese children as a star instructor.

“Me?”

“Isn’t the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds shaking the capital? Your Highness’s intention to enlighten even those who don’t know how to read through pictures is truly admirable.”

“Haha, you flatter me.”

I waved my hand.

Still, I didn’t feel too bad hearing such praise from the greatest Confucian scholar of this era.

‘Indeed.’

Gil Jae was upholding his loyalty to Goryeo [previous Korean dynasty], but as evidenced by the fact that he was still alive, he wasn’t the type to cross the line and act recklessly.

Therefore, he praised good deeds, even if they were done by me, the Prince of Joseon.

“Well, from Joseon’s perspective, the loyalty of the people is desperately needed, so it’s only natural.”

…Correction.

Seeing him subtly criticize like this, his antipathy toward Joseon was still very much alive.

Gil Jae continued to ask.

“But why are there loyal subjects from ancient times and other countries, but none from our country?”

“Loyal subjects. Who would be considered a loyal subject from the lands of the Three Han [ancient Korean kingdoms]?”

I pretended not to know, like a sly old fox.

I thought Gil Jae would flinch, but he answered confidently instead.

“How can there be no loyal subjects in the land where Dangun [mythical founder of Korea] descended and Gija [semi-legendary figure] was enfeoffed? Even Joseon cannot deny his loyalty and posthumously honored him as Mun Chung-gong!”

Mun Chung-gong was Jeong Mong-ju’s posthumous title.

I smiled and replied.

“Oh, I forgot about Mun Chung-gong’s story. I’m planning to release a second edition of the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds, and I’ll include Mun Chung-gong’s story then.”

However, I had no intention of simply accepting Gil Jae’s diss like this.

“Ah, but the revised edition will have a lot of changes. Now that I think about it, there are only stories of loyal subjects, and no stories of kings worthy of receiving loyalty.”

I smiled slyly.

‘Come to think of it, that’s right.’

The Three Bonds are *Gunwi singang* (君爲臣綱 – the king is the guide for the subject), *Buwi jagang* (父爲子綱 – the father is the guide for the son), and *Buwi bugang* (夫爲婦綱 – the husband is the guide for the wife).

The Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds was published with episodes of loyal subjects, filial sons, and virtuous women based on this concept.

But when you think about it, this was a bit strange.

‘*Gunwi singang* means the king should be a role model for his subjects, *Buwi jagang* means the father should be a role model for his children, and *Buwi bugang* means the husband should be a role model for his wife.’

That’s right.

When you think about it, the order was reversed.

Wasn’t it only dealing with the loyalty that those being governed show to their superiors, while omitting the attitudes that the king, father, and husband should show?

It couldn’t be denied that the focus was wrong.

‘That was the original intention of the publication, though…’

The compilation of the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds was also part of an effort to solidify the ruling system.

Still, I couldn’t let the ‘enlightenment’ of the people, which was put forward as a justification, become a lie.

In that sense, a complete edition of the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds was necessary.

“How can the laws of the Three Bonds only be followed by subordinates? We must also deal with the duties of the king, father, and husband.

Our Joseon will not become a country that only demands the sacrifice of its people, unlike some others.”

Gil Jae coughed at my fact attack.

Frankly speaking, wasn’t that what Goryeo failed to do properly, leading to its downfall?

Moreover, what I said wasn’t wrong from a Confucian perspective either.

“…Your Highness’s words that superiors should set an example are also correct.”

Gil Jae wanted to say something, but all that came out of his mouth was a fundamental agreement.

No matter how loyal he was to Goryeo, he couldn’t possibly defend the misgovernment that Goryeo showed in its final years.

‘That’s how it should be.’

No matter what, Gil Jae can’t be the boss between us.

So, let’s stop the war of nerves here.

If this guy says anything more critical of Joseon than this, I can’t let it slide, even if I am the Crown Prince.

I felt relieved after ending the light probing battle with a victory.

Perhaps that’s why I spoke with a much more relaxed attitude.

“That’s right. If a king only demands duties from his subjects, who would follow such a king? There must be something in return. Isn’t society originally made up of such contracts?”

“Contract…”

I tilted my head as Gil Jae’s expression became strange.

‘Why is he making that face all of a sudden?’

Did the criticism that the Goryeo kings were inadequate as rulers give Gil Jae a mental scar?

‘Honestly, it’s none of my business.’

Haven’t I done enough by finding the descendants of the Goryeo royal family and continuing the ancestral rites?

“Anyway, the reason I called Teacher Ya-eun [Gil Jae’s pen name] here is because of that Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds.”

To be exact, the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds series.

“I’m thinking of releasing the Illustrated Conducts of the Five Relationships as a sequel to the complete edition of the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds. Would you like to participate as a compiler? If you join, I’ll take good care of you.”

I rubbed my palms together with a wicked smile on my face.

Now that the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds was a hit, wouldn’t it be much more effective to include Gil Jae, known as the last loyal subject of Goryeo, in the sequel?

“Ah, I don’t want to take up the time of someone who’s busy, so if you’re really busy, you can just lend me your name. Hehehe.”

“…Please maintain your dignity.”

I burst into hearty laughter, but Gil Jae made a dumbfounded expression and replied.

Don’t just stand there in front of people, lost in your thoughts.

===

Gil Jae left, saying, ‘Hehe, don’t get me wrong. Spreading the right path is a scholar’s duty! It doesn’t mean I’m going to serve Joseon!’

I didn’t mean he actually said that, but that’s how I interpreted it.

‘The Five Relationships for Children’ featuring Gil Jae, the last loyal subject of Goryeo.

‘I should use that as a sequel marketing phrase.’

Because the Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds was such a hot topic in the capital, even the initially reluctant officials began to offer their opinions.

“How about making it easier to understand not only the Three Bonds and Five Relationships but also old historical facts?”

“It would be good to have them study the historical records of the posthumously honored former kings.”

“Oh, how can we put the faces of the former kings in such *japseo* [miscellaneous books]?”

“Then draw the history of the previous dynasty. It will be easy to draw since the portraits of the Goryeo kings remain.”

“The teacher looks so pitiful… I hope he’s happy in the Illustrated Conducts of the Five Relationships…”

It went so far as to suggest distributing a comic book summarizing the embellished stories of Yi Seong-gye’s four ancestors and their historical records.

‘A Song of Dragons Flying to Heaven [Korean epic poem] in comic form, huh?’

It was rejected because the faces of the four posthumously honored ancestors would inevitably appear, which would make it no different from portraits and make management terribly difficult.

‘I can’t treat them like prophets of some religion and hide their faces.’

However, there was one person who disregarded the importance of the face and boldly made a request.

“I,,, have compiled old stories myself,,, I think they’re fun,,, release this after the Illustrated Conducts of the Five Relationships,,,”

I flatly replied to Yi Bang-gwa, who handed over the *konti* [storyboard] with a heated expression.

“I reject it.”

“…Why?”

Yi Bang-gwa asked with a shocked expression, and I gave the usual reason.

“Well, comics should be something that anyone can enjoy comfortably while scratching their belly, but if the face of the retired King appears, we have to treat it like a sacred object, right?”

Then Yi Bang-gwa hit his chest as if frustrated.

“You,,, inflexible guys,,,! My deeds,,, are important,,, what does the picture matter,,,!”

I couldn’t agree more.

Such unnecessary authoritarianism, including *pihwi* [name taboo], is hindering national development.

“I’ll take care of that myself,,, so please read it first,,,”

If you say so much.

I took the *konti* that Yi Bang-gwa handed me and started reading it.

And after a while.

“How is it?”

“I reject it.”

“Why again!”

Yi Bang-gwa protested, but my opinion remained unchanged.

No, I know that there’s always embellishment in one’s autobiography, but this is practically a martial arts novel.

“You swung your spear and three Japanese pirates flew away from the wind pressure?”

Am I reading a comic book about ‘General Yi Bang-gwa, who led the largest army in Joseon history!!’ right now?

Even so, this is too much of an exaggeration.

I don’t know if comic exaggeration will be accepted at this early stage of comics. I’ll be lucky if it’s not criticized as absurd nonsense for a long time.

“It,,, really happened in Tongyeong,,,”

Yi Bang-gwa said dejectedly, but I had no intention of accepting such lies.

I thoroughly expressed my intention to reject it and tilted my head.

‘Huh?’

At this point, he should be digging the ground and grumbling as usual, but somehow there’s no response.

Soon, Yi Bang-gwa made a firm decision and shouted.

“If you don’t print it for me,,, I’ll have to make it myself,,,!”

I was speechless at the unexpected declaration of self-funded publication.

===

In fact, the more publications, the better.

It’s a bit strange that he’s making his own autobiography comic, though.

Anyway, since the production methods of paper and printing presses have been released as open source, this publishing culture is expected to flourish further.

“The temples are gathering poor scholars and educating them, so the local Confucian scholars seem to have lost a lot of pride. They are trying to emulate *Baekrokdong Seowon* [White Deer Grotto Academy] established by Zhu Xi, and movements to establish *seowon* [private Confucian academies] are taking place in various places.”

“Now that the turbulent times are over and the price of books has become cheaper, scholars can’t afford not to read books.”

“Hmm…”

It’s good that the literate population is increasing, but the vast majority still pursue learning focused on Confucianism.

Well, this country’s national policy is Confucianism, so what else would they learn besides Confucianism?

As an engineer, I have no place in this education system where the literary arts are so dominant.

The same was true of the people I was using.

‘Come to think of it, Choi Hae-san and Yi Cheon are also from the military.’

And Jang Yeong-sil was a slave who was specially recruited.

They came this way because they had talent, but they weren’t originally majors in this field.

“I don’t like it.”

That was my honest feeling.

< Illustrated Conducts of the Three Bonds (2) > End