There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 22

“What are we going to do with the rest of them?”

I answered my grandfather’s question.

“Since the instigators are dead and these guys have tasted the bitterness, shouldn’t we be satisfied with just roughing them up a bit?”

Lee Seong-gye stroked his beard after hearing my answer.

“These guys have already stolen together once. As long as that relationship is maintained, there’s no guarantee this won’t happen again.”

Lee Seong-gye said.

“Then what would you do, Grandfather?”

“Take one finger from the Chinese and give two strokes of the cane to those of Goryeo descent.”

“Yes? Isn’t that just outright discrimination?”

Taking fingers.

This isn’t some Yakuza thing.

“It’s about making them feel discriminated against. Even if their buttocks are torn from the caning, they can recover, but a severed finger can’t be restored.”

“So, those who have their fingers cut off will feel this is discrimination…”

“Those who are caned will think they’re being favored by Joseon and secretly brag about it. Then we can use them to manage this mine.”

The idea was that even though both receive punishment, they would create a sense of disharmony among themselves.

But taking fingers is too gruesome.

It’s obvious that work efficiency will drop if they don’t have fingers.

If the goal is to divide and conquer, there’s a more moderate method than that.

One that can also increase work efficiency.

“Rather than that, how about this?”

I opened my mouth.

“Divide them into two groups and give more food or conveniences to the group with better work results.”

What I thought of was the incentive discrimination experiment that won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics.

I remembered it was an experiment that provided incentives based on performance in different villages.

The incentive I suggested was simpler, but that’s why it would work well in this environment.

“Then they will work hard to beat each other?”

“Yes. They will snarl at each other to win, and the increased competition and jealousy will directly lead to improved work efficiency.”

Lee Seong-gye nodded at my words.

‘Did he understand?’

However, he clicked his tongue and said.

“But if they have their fingers taken, they won’t even think about biting their owner in the future.”

‘Enough with the fingers.’

Let’s stop with such gruesome stories, Grandfather, this isn’t the mafia.

“I’ll give them all a taste of the cane, so please bear with that.”

With those words, I watched Lee Seong-gye’s reaction.

“Do you think I’m being too soft?”

“No, how can you say that after seeing that?”

When I looked where Lee Seong-gye glanced, I saw the body of the boss who died from the se-chongtong [small cannon].

‘Tsk tsk.’

That’s what you get for acting up.

“If I said you were being soft after you took someone’s life at your age, that would be foolish.”

“Ha.”

Somehow, I ended up taking out one guy, and I’m worried about the aftermath.

I’ve seen a lot of corpses in the modern world, so it’s nothing to me, but others might think I’m being too calm.

As expected, the Taesangwang’s [King Emeritus] guards were whispering.

“I thought he was just a kid, but he has great courage.”

“As expected of Taesangwang Jeonha’s [His Majesty, the King Emeritus] grandson, he doesn’t even flinch.”

‘Damn it, are rumors going to spread that I’m a psychopath?’

I frowned.

I grabbed Lee Seong-gye’s sleeve and complained.

“Please keep them in line. I don’t know what kind of stories will come out when we return to Gaegyeong.”

Lee Seong-gye chuckled at my complaint.

“It’s not a bad thing to hear, in my opinion.”

“That the Wonja [Crown Prince’s son] took out a person?”

“They’re from the Northeast.”

Lee Seong-gye pointed to the guards with his chin.

“They’re Gabyeolcho [elite soldiers from the Northeast] who didn’t participate in the rebellion and remained in the Naegun [Royal Guard]. That’s why they’re alive and guarding me.”

It would be understandable for Grandfather to feel betrayed, but he didn’t show it.

Is it because he understands their situation, or is he just detached?

Lee Seong-gye continued.

“The Northeast has its own rules. They don’t trust anyone but the strong.”

“Is that so?”

“You’re the first to prove to them that you have guts.”

“Yes, I see.”

A moment of silence flowed.

So what am I supposed to do?

“If you grow up well, you might be able to win the hearts of them, and even the people of the Northeast.”

When I didn’t understand, Lee Seong-gye added as if explaining further.

“Even after I die.”

I just acted as an adult, someone who lived in a world closer to violence than the average modern person.

It seemed to be seen as some kind of extraordinary quality by Lee Seong-gye and them.

By the way…

‘Is he already worrying about crossing the Samdocheon [River of Three Crossings, in the afterlife]?’

Well, he is at that age.

At that moment, Lee Seong-gye handed me something.

“Here, take it. It’s a gift.”

“What is this?”

When I took it, it was a wooden Buddha statue.

Small enough to fit in one hand.

‘A Joseon Dynasty figure.’

“Where did you get it?”

“I brought it from Anyang Temple. This is your first time at a temple, so I thought you should enjoy the Buddha’s blessings.”

“Yes? Is it okay to just take it?”

“I donated a lot, so it’s okay to take one.”

But I don’t really need this kind of figure.

Unless I’m a devout Buddhist like Lee Seong-gye.

‘I’m about 1/3 Buddhist, though.’

I went to a Buddhist event during training camp weekend because they said they were giving out rice cakes and ended up taking refuge.

For reference, I also received baptism in Catholicism and Protestantism, so the remaining 2/3 are Christian.

“Yes, well, thank you.”

I gave a soulless greeting for now.

Now, all that’s left is to really return to Gaegyeong.

‘I’m tired.’

===

Immediately after Wonja [Crown Prince’s son] Lee Je and Taesangwang [King Emeritus] Lee Seong-gye returned to the capital.

The Wonja, tired from the long journey, only greeted and went to the Donggung [Crown Prince’s residence].

Since he couldn’t hold onto his dozing son and listen to the stories of the past, he had no choice but to read the reports submitted by the Wonja.

“The bandit gangs who were being transferred to Geumju caused a riot.”

“Did such a thing happen?”

Lee Bang-won was greatly surprised to hear the news.

Clearly, the Wonja and Taesangwang had taken enough guards with them, so nothing could have happened, but still, a sense of unease crept into his mind.

He immediately tried to send troops to arrest them, but Lee Bang-won was finally relieved when he heard that the Wonja had suppressed all the guys with his wit.

“The qualities of a monarch are innate.”

As the Seungji [Royal Secretary] read out the Janggye [official report] written in elegant handwriting, Lee Bang-won began to boast about his son without missing the opportunity.

“He personally struck the enemy’s leader and scattered the bandit gangs at once, how could a child do such a thing?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

The ministers quickly bowed their heads and answered.

In fact, Wonja Lee Je’s suppression of the boss was close to a trick, but it wasn’t so for those who only received the situation in writing.

In their minds, the image of the Wonja bursting the head of the enemy 괴 [monster/leader] with his bare hands came to mind.

‘Because he’s that strange Wonja, wouldn’t such a thing be possible?’

The ministers whispered without anyone saying it first.

‘As expected of Taesangwang’s grandson.’

‘Who would say otherwise? He boasted that he only needed to write his name like Xiang Yu [famous Chinese general], and now he’s really becoming Xiang Yu.’

On the other hand, many of the younger sinryo [officials] admired the Wonja’s martial prowess, perhaps because of their boiling blood.

‘Wonja Mama [His Highness the Crown Prince’s Son] is truly an extraordinary person!’

‘He suppressed the bandits by flying Jangpung [palm strike emitting wind force, a martial arts technique] from ten steps away!’

Either way, the Wonja’s image was being misinterpreted in a very positive way.

Regardless, Lee Bang-won continued.

“Not only that, but the Wonja has obtained a new method of refining silver, what a joyful thing this is!”

“Is that, is that really true?”

The ministers were all shocked to hear that the hoechwibeop [cupellation method] had been developed, allowing them to mine all the ore that had been useless in the past and extract silver.

How long had they been searching for mines everywhere to pay tribute in gold and silver?

If the Wonja’s report was true, they would no longer have to worry about paying tribute.

‘You’re a lucky charm, no, a gold nugget!’

Lee Bang-won muttered without realizing it.

There was one more word attached to the Wonja’s report.

‘Keep the details confidential for now…’

Certainly, this is a secret plan that can explosively increase the supply of silver.

Lee Bang-won smiled at the Wonja’s meticulous advice.

‘If the production of silver gradually increases and Baekjabuun [white silver powder] becomes popular in Ming China, the national treasury of this country will prosper.’

In addition, thanks to the geojunggi [lever], nongno [waterwheel], and yuhyeonggeo [moveable siege tower] greatly reducing the cost of Hanyang construction, it seemed that this alone would be enough to cover the construction funds for the new capital.

‘No, beyond building palaces and Munmyo [Confucian shrine] and repairing streams, we might be able to carry out more projects.’

The sinha [ministers] all retreated.

Lee Bang-won, left alone, thought quietly.

Based on the former Goryeo, Hanyang is a city that should last at least five hundred years.

Then it should be built with the next five hundred years in mind.

‘The capital of Ming was truly prosperous.’

Yanjing [Beijing], the former capital of Yuan, and Nanjing, the capital of Ming.

That prosperity still remained strongly in Lee Bang-won’s mind.

The lively people and the city that never sleeps until night, and the market where there is nothing missing.

If he were to build a capital, Lee Bang-won wanted to build such a city.

And the person who can do that…

“Your Majesty.”

Lee Bang-won woke up from his thoughts at the words of Hwanwan [eunuch] Noh Hee-bong.

Noh Hee-bong told him.

“Taesangwang has arrived.”

“Abamama [Father]?”

Lee Bang-won raised his head in surprise.

Lee Seong-gye, who had never sought him out first since being forcibly dragged to Gaegyeong.

“What brings Abamama here?”

Lee Bang-won asked with shining eyes, and Lee Seong-gye snorted.

“Did I come to a place I couldn’t come to?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“I came about the Wonja’s matter.”

As expected.

Since Muinnyeon [the year of the Tiger], when he massacred his brothers, their father-son relationship had been consistently cold.

However, Taesangwang had been acting with the Wonja more and more, and now the only story the two could share was about Wonja Lee Je.

It was a strange thing.

Due to the existence of his son, he was able to talk to his difficult father without any problems.

It was the same for Taesangwang Lee Seong-gye.

“That guy has the guts of an adult.”

Lee Bang-won’s lips curled up slightly as his son was praised.

“Whose son is he, how could he not be?”

“He got my blood rather than your blood.”

Lee Seong-gye grumbled, and Lee Bang-won gave a bitter smile.

Isn’t he just bragging that it’s because he’s his grandson?

Perhaps noticing the meaning of that smile, Lee Seong-gye made an awkward expression.

“The Wonja is no ordinary child.”

“I know that better than anyone else. How can I be a father if I can’t even judge my child’s potential?”

Lee Seong-gye, who didn’t even get his money’s worth, continued.

“The construction of Hanyang.”

“Yes, Abamama.”

“How about entrusting it to the Wonja?”

Lee Bang-won had also thought about it for a while.

The one who has the ability to create the new capital he envisions, or even more.

Since the Wonja has been displaying his wit like a wizard, who would be more suitable?

But Lee Bang-won soon erased that thought.

“The Wonja is young, how can I entrust him with such an important task?”

“Didn’t you just say he’s no ordinary child?”

“However.”

“Seeing him handle the Mansangun [bandit group] guys, he has the potential to command his subordinates.”

Completing the new capital was also Lee Seong-gye’s dream.

The construction of Hanyang, which ended unfinished in his reign.

“Before I die, I want to see that guy create a capital for a thousand years.”

However, Lee Bang-won shook his head.

There was the practical problem that he could not entrust such an important project to a young child, but,

Perhaps there was an even more important problem than that.

Lee Bang-won looked straight at Lee Seong-gye and said.

“The Wonja should not be away from the Donggung for long.”

End

ⓒ 핏콩