There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 265

“Honey, I got promoted.”

I’d heard that’s the number one thing an office worker wants to say to his wife.

But in my position, I couldn’t exactly go around shouting this fact to everyone.

There’s only one promotion available for the Crown Prince.

And that position is one you shouldn’t even dream of coveting until the King passes away.

Of course, that’s in principle. In this Joseon [Korean dynasty, 1392-1897], no king has ever passed down the throne after death since the founding of the kingdom.

Taejo [King Taejo, r. 1392-1398] was 100% by force.

Sangwang [King who abdicated] abdicated half voluntarily, half involuntarily during his lifetime.

On the other hand, Yi Bang-won [King Taejong, r. 1400-1418] was 100% voluntary, trying to pass the throne to me of his own will.

Like a master politician, once he sincerely decided to abdicate, things went smoothly.

To be honest, the abdication show we put on last time was so obviously a ‘show’.

‘Well, if you’re going to abdicate, you really have to make these arrangements.’

He secretly summoned his close aides, revealed his intentions, and took measures to prevent me or the officials from unnecessarily refusing the abdication.

Close aides like Ha Ryun, upon receiving this plan, didn’t try to stop Yi Bang-won, seeing that his will was firm.

“Even if I abdicate to the Crown Prince, I will control the military power. You don’t have to worry.”

The senior officials confirmed Yi Bang-won’s decision and withdrew.

And the officials who received the news through them also quietly shut their mouths.

However, a few, who had no connections to pass on this fact and no sense, launched unconditional opposition demonstrations.

“The Crown Prince is still too young to inherit the throne.”

“And if the Crown Prince ascends the throne, there will be two former kings, which is not appropriate. How can it be normal to have three kings in the country?”

That’s actually true.

Except that there’s already a precedent in Joseon.

“Then are you saying that it was also inappropriate for Taejo to be revered along with the Sangwang when he was alive?”

“That was inevitable for His Majesty to correct the Jongsa [Royal ancestral shrine]······.”

“I don’t want to hear it!”

Yi Bang-won was furious, but I knew it was an act.

There’s no way that Yi Bang-won wouldn’t have known that these clueless people would appear. He was just assigning them the formal role of dissuading him, which must be shown in the abdication process.

And these ‘loyalists’ were fulfilling their roles perfectly.

Although they sometimes make these blunders.

“Your Majesty’s age is still young, and your energy is still vigorous. What will the great powers say? It could raise unnecessary suspicions.”

“······.”

‘No, that’s not true.’

As soon as the Yongle Emperor [Emperor of Ming Dynasty, r. 1402-1424] hears that I’ve received the abdication, he’ll approve the investiture and even carve a new seal to send.

It’s not because he likes me.

‘It’s all thanks to my wife.’

And politically, there’s no way he’d dislike the son-in-law of the Ming imperial family becoming the king, right?

“The great powers have no problem. Is there anything else to say?”

“Your Majesty, but~”

“I’ve already made up my mind, why are there so many complaints! Are you going to ruin the important affairs of the country by trusting in the king’s favor! What is the Uigeumbu [Royal police] doing? Imprison them all!”

Only then did they realize it wasn’t a joke.

Just in time, the Seungjeongwon [Royal Secretariat] officials, who were bringing the national seal (國璽) under Yi Bang-won’s orders, entered the Daejeon [Royal court hall].

Even a fool would know that this isn’t a show when it gets to this point.

There was no stone-cold repentance that lasted for days like last time.

“Your Majesty, please withdraw your order.”

“The Crown Prince, quickly follow the royal command and uphold the Daebo [Great Treasure]!”

After a few formal refusals.

Yi Bang-won sent me out to Geunjeongjeon, the main palace of Gyeongbokgung [Main royal palace of Joseon Dynasty].

Then, Ha Ryun and Nam Jae, who had received the signal in advance, said in unison.

“The Crown Prince is the eldest son of our King. Nevertheless, he insisted on declining, but since His Majesty’s will is firm, he cannot but follow.

This is all the will of heaven and the people, so please ascend the throne with the national seal and the King’s regalia.”

“The will of heaven.”

My gaze, which had been fixed on the senior officials, turned to the sky.

Come to think of it, wasn’t it because of the wish I made to that sky that I fell into Joseon?

‘To be exact, it’s a shooting star, though.’

If this is all the will of heaven, then Yi Seong-gye’s saying about the Mandate of Heaven (天命) might not be entirely nonsense.

The history that I’ve changed countless times is also the will of heaven.

‘Me,’ the fusion of a modern person and Grand Prince Yangnyeong, ascending to the throne itself can be seen as a symbol of that changed history.

Not as an ordinary king or a foolish ruler, but as a replacement for Joseon’s greatest sage king, Sejong the Great.

······I felt like I had to do well.

I’ve been doing well so far, but even more so in the future.

1414.

A new king was crowned in Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

===

The first thing I did as king was to issue a general amnesty.

The general amnesty was also issued last year when the grandson, no, now the Crown Prince, was born, so I can’t help but think that only petty criminals are having a field day, but it can’t be helped.

I have to show this much leniency so that the people know the king’s virtue.

Originally, presidents also hand out pardons for holidays or Christmas.

Anyway, since the general amnesty was issued, the officials who had been imprisoned for opposing Yi Bang-won’s abdication were also pardoned and released in just one day.

“Sob, prison is scary······ dark and gloomy······.”

“I, I am truly grateful for Your Majesty’s grace!”

What kind of place is the Uigeumbu prison that they’re all like this?

Yi Bang-won must have formally imprisoned them, so there wouldn’t have been any torture.

Didn’t they just spend one night in prison?

But they must have been quite scared, so let’s just pray that they never get dragged there again.

Even so, the general amnesty is like a skill that’s activated as a set with the enthronement, and the actual task I’ll be carrying out for the first time was something else.

“Congratulations on your ascension, Your Majesty.”

I don’t know why the sound of ‘Your Majesty’ is so awkward.

I’ll get used to it if I keep hearing it.

“Since the Sangwang is still healthy, it doesn’t seem like much will change.”

Yi Bang-won’s title was decided as Sangwang.

Therefore, it was necessary to upgrade the title of Yi Bang-gwa, who was already Sangwang.

Originally, he should have been referred to as Taesangwang (太上王) [King who abdicated to the previous King], which Yi Seong-gye had received······.

Well, my granduncle was just a figurehead.

Yi Bang-gwa also didn’t attach much meaning to titles, so he ended up being called Nosangwang (老上王) [King who abdicated a long time ago].

Poor granduncle.

“The Sangwang only intends to control the military power. All other state affairs are Your Majesty’s responsibility.”

Nam Jae shook his head and replied.

“Now that you have newly ascended the throne, you must also decide on personnel matters, and the Sangwang will also support it.”

Nam Jae bowed deeply before me and said.

“Your subject (臣) also intends to resign now.”

“No, why are you, Minister Nam, doing this?”

I asked in surprise.

How much oil have I poured into you, and you’re already saying you’re going to step down?

“How can my reign be without a senior official like you?”

“The country that Your Majesty will govern and create will not need the help of old men like me. Rather, my long tenure will only be a hindrance.”

Senior officials with weight like Nam Jae are people who have shared their fate with our family since before the founding of the kingdom.

Whether it was helping Yi Seong-gye found the kingdom or helping Yi Bang-won ascend the throne.

There may be a hierarchical difference between the king and his subjects, but there must have been a political judgment that these people, who have accumulated this much experience, are difficult to handle even as a king.

“I have already persuaded the senior officials of the previous generation. Your Majesty, move those who are too old to the Girosu [Office for retired high-officials], and remove the others from their actual positions and replace them with appropriate honorary positions.

Others will also be reluctant to remain in the court, so fill the vacant positions in the court with people according to Your Majesty’s wishes and carry out a new administration (新政) [New governance].”

If Nam Jae, a meritorious subject and elder statesman, steps up to manage the situation, who would dare to object?

Nam Jae was showing me great favor.

Not a bloody purge, but the voluntary resignation of veteran officials.

Even that meant moving to the advisory role of the court, in fact, an honorary position, so if it was as Nam Jae said, there was no cleaner reshuffle than this.

“Then who will I discuss state affairs with?”

“Haven’t you overcome difficulties with excellent talents during your time as Crown Prince?

Hwang Hee and Maeng Sa-seong are talents worthy of becoming prime ministers, and Choi Yun-deok and Kim Jong-seo excellently defended the north when you were there.

Yi Cheon, Choi Hae-san, and Jang Yeong-sil are like your own arms.”

And in those vacant positions.

The dazzling pool of talent from Sejong’s era, having gained practical experience during Taejong’s era, will be employed early.

“Hmm.”

I took Nam Jae’s hand.

“Thank you.”

Even if he was a veteran, it wouldn’t have been easy for him to step up like this.

“It’s just a small repayment for the grace you bestowed upon me during your time as Crown Prince.”

Nam Jae bowed his head and said.

“I will now retire and leisurely enjoy the Hwangnyongsa Pagoda game that Your Majesty has created for us. Haha, the children in my family also like it very much.”

Nam Jae burst into a hearty laugh.

I couldn’t help but fail to manage my expression when I heard that.

‘This old man, is he retiring to play Jenga?’

A reasonable suspicion arose that he was deserting the court because he didn’t have enough time to play undressing Jenga.

But whatever Nam Jae’s true intentions may be.

‘From now on, it’s my time.’

===

Yi Je’s ascension.

It was originally a scheduled matter, but the Crown Prince faction’s atmosphere was very bright because the time was brought forward much earlier due to Yi Bang-won’s grand abdication decision.

They can’t openly rejoice, but wouldn’t it be worth it to have worked like dogs under the Lord when he was the Crown Prince?

‘Even the senior officials left with the Sangwang.’

‘At this rate, I might become a prime minister soon?’

There is no one among the officials of this Joseon who does not dream of promotion.

No matter how heavy the workload is, it can be compensated with the two letters of promotion.

However, Hwang Hee put a brake on this optimism of the Crown Prince faction.

“The time from now on is important. You must be especially careful about your behavior at this time when His Majesty has just ascended the throne.”

However, the expressions of the others were cold.

It meant that you were the one who should be most careful.

“······.”

‘The fact that I ate that slush fund is tormenting me again and again.’

Hwang Hee couldn’t hide his bitter feelings.

But he couldn’t stop warning his colleagues.

“The Sangwang has abdicated, but the military power is in his hands. The Sangwang is not someone who will stand by and watch those who wield power just because they are close to the Lord, so the blade of purge can come to our necks at any time.”

“We are also people who have held office since the Sangwang was in power. Who doesn’t know that?”

“······.”

This time, Yi Suk-beon slyly turned his head.

It had been a long time since he had been abandoned by Yi Bang-won and joined the Crown Prince faction.

He was about to straighten his neck again, thinking that he would finally see the light.

“More importantly, the issue of military power must be reported to the Sangwang.

If rumors spread that you are alienating the Sangwang and the Lord, then you will really be in trouble. An investigation may occur.”

Even in the original history, a bloody storm blew in relation to this when Sejong ascended the throne.

Fortunately, Hwang Hee was originally an aide to Yi Bang-won, and he joined the Crown Prince faction according to his wishes.

His words were reasonable, so everyone nodded.

Yi Do was the same.

Knowing his father’s personality, he was likely to do so.

“······But why is Grand Prince Chungnyeong here?”

“Huh? Me?”

Yi Do asked back with a bewildered expression.

“Am I not also a close aide to the Lord, Your Majesty?”

“No, that’s true, but.”

Wasn’t this a gathering of ‘officials’ who were assisting the Lord?

Especially at this time when high-ranking officials are retiring en masse, it is a gathering of promising candidates who are expected to be promoted quickly.

They are colleagues who share the same goals, but in a way, they could also be said to be competitors vying for the next prime minister position.

But why is the Grand Prince here?

“Ah, don’t worry about that.”

Yi Do said, waving his hand.

“I’m also thinking of taking the civil service examination this year.”

Let’s just say I came a little early, Yi Do said with a friendly smile.

End

ⓒ Pitkong