There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 302

< Side Story: Meanwhile, in Hanyang… >

At this time, when the Blood Sect was raging like a storm in the Central Plains,

Joseon, far away, was literally watching a fire across the river [remaining uninvolved in a distant conflict].

“The court reports say His Majesty is conquering Liaodong and punishing the rebels?”

“How could our King, of all people, not be able to contain his anger! Isn’t His Majesty so in love with the Queen that he doesn’t even keep concubines!”

“I heard that he set aside the eldest grandson and rushed to take over the family himself. If there’s such a scoundrel in the in-law’s family, he should be beaten up!”

This is Joseon, the nation of morality.

Isn’t it natural for an uncle to take a whip and lecture his immoral nephew?

Although the King’s personality isn’t normal, considering his achievements, he’s undoubtedly a wise ruler, so the people just accept it.

However, from the perspective of the court officials, the story is a bit different.

“Suddenly a war, and a personal campaign at that….”

“What if even a single stray arrow flies our way?”

The King only has one heir, the young Crown Prince.

There were adults to reliably protect him, but if the King were to die or be injured in that distant battlefield, what would be the repercussions?

Also, if the Jo King wins, what will become of Joseon’s fate?

“There’s nothing we can do about him already leaving. Let’s believe he will return safely and get to work.”

The only advantage is that the King, who doesn’t tolerate mediocrity when it comes to work, is away.

The King ordered the young Crown Prince to handle state affairs in his place before leaving, so wouldn’t things be a little easier?

What state affairs could a six-year-old Crown Prince handle? (Of course, the current King is an exception).

However, they soon realized they were making a big mistake.

Minister of Personnel Hwang Hee reported clearly.

“Your Highness, Grand Prince Chungnyeong, Yi Do, reports that the ships of Cheonghaejin are carrying urgent supplies for the war, but due to strict quarantine and port entry procedures, they are not meeting the deadlines.

He requests that these procedures be simplified during wartime.”

“I grant it!”

Yi Dan shouted, pressing the 익선관 (Iksseongwan) [a type of Korean royal headwear] down to his eyes.

“Also, what should we do about the black beans that Liaodong requested to be filled?”

“Tsk.”

However, before Yi Dan could answer, a clicking sound came from behind.

“Does the King not eat without black beans? Tell him to cut it off, at least while he’s on the expedition.”

The tone was clearly a soliloquy, but the words were clearly heard by all the officials.

On the dragon throne that should have been empty, King Emeritus Yi Bang-won sat, radiating a fierce gaze.

“Tell him to cut it off!”

Yi Dan echoed his grandfather’s words and shouted them out.

Yi Bang-won looked at his grandson and smiled with satisfaction.

“How is it? Isn’t the Crown Prince’s handling of affairs truly smooth?”

It’s ridiculous to be so doting.

The Crown Prince was just excitedly repeating the words of his grandfather, who was watching from behind.

“Yes, that is so. Your Highness is so wise; it is truly a blessing for the dynasty.”

However, with Yi Bang-won backing him, the officials had no choice but to bow and agree.

“Hmm.”

“Ahem.”

As Yi Bang-won crossed his arms and looked down at the scene, Crown Prince Yi Dan quickly crossed his arms and imitated his grandfather.

In this respect, they were truly like two peas in a pod.

===

Even after finishing state affairs, Yi Bang-won didn’t leave his grandson.

“Hehe, Crown Prince. You handled state affairs reasonably well, but there is more to learn.”

“La, lacking!”

As the Crown Prince hesitated and exclaimed, the King Emeritus said kindly.

“But don’t worry. I will teach you how a monarch displays his dignity.”

The dignity of a king isn’t established by simply adding commas to one’s speech.

Power must be contained in one’s words and expressions, and everyone must take it seriously.

Yi Bang-won, who had built his power with blood, wanted to teach this to his grandson as well.

Yi Bang-won suddenly raised his finger while walking.

“Repeat after me. Presumptuous!”

Yi Bang-won widened his eyes and shouted.

“Pesumptuous!”

Yi Dan, who was following closely behind his grandfather, strained his eyes and imitated him.

Even the way he widened his eyes was exactly like his grandfather.

“Shut up!”

“Shut up~”

“Close that mouth!”

“Close that mouth!”

Yi Dan soon followed Yi Bang-won’s words.

Yi Bang-won nodded in satisfaction at the natural aura flowing out, as if the blood running through his veins was the same.

How enjoyable it is to have a grandson who understands ten things from learning one.

‘Did King Taejo also enjoy this and often go out to play with the King?’

If his son were here, he would have been furious, asking what he was teaching the child, but he was far away in Liaodong.

If he doesn’t teach the Crown Prince at times like this, when will he?

Fortunately, his grandson was a prodigy, just like his son when he was young.

“Grandpa, Dan knows how to sanction too, sanction!”

“Hehe, this kid already! Yes. You must not hesitate to sanction the evil enemies who try to destroy the dynasty.”

Yi Bang-won picked up his pretty grandson.

“Now, get on the rickshaw. I’ll teach you how to deal with situations as we tour the palace.”

“Yeees~”

Yi Dan laughed, raising his arms wide.

“Nobun! I want to take Nobun too!”

“Hehe, you’re very fond of Sangseon. Have Sangseon follow us.”

The eunuchs standing behind thought Nobun’s face would harden, but Nobun calmly followed the King Emeritus and the Crown Prince.

“How can Sangseon maintain such a clear and serene mind?”

“It’s a level of mastery that I can only admire.”

Jeon Gyun and Eom Jachi.

These newly arrived eunuchs, who had recently entered the palace, couldn’t help but be amazed.

They were struggling to stop the Crown Prince, who was punching everything while practicing 격파 (gyeokpa, board breaking).

“Of course. Compared to when His Majesty was young, the Crown Prince is very well-behaved.”

“Old man! What’s going on!”

At the words of Noh Hee-bong, an eunuch from the King Emeritus’s residence, Eom Jachi and Jeon Gyun quickly bowed their heads.

Nobun’s power is at its peak among the current eunuchs.

For these young eunuchs, if Nobun told them to do something, they would have no choice but to do it. If the other party was Noh Hee-bong, a eunuch from the previous generation and a close aide to the King Emeritus, it was only natural.

However, Noh Hee-bong didn’t seem to care much and continued the story.

“When His Majesty was that age, he killed Manseongun, who dared to harm the royal body.”

“······Did that happen?”

“He also went to the north and fought a tiger head-on and caught it.”

“Yes, I think I heard that rumor.”

“He was attacked by Japanese pirates in Geoje and was banned from going out with the King Emeritus, right?”

“······.”

Jeon Gyun and Eom Jachi closed their mouths.

The level of accidents is different.

“But His Majesty was lamenting about who the Crown Prince takes after?”

Jeon Gyun asked.

Although the King has a fiery personality, he always talks about when I was young~ whenever he opens his mouth, so I thought he became like that after he grew up to some extent.

“No, that can’t be. I remember everything. The Crown Prince is just like His Majesty when he was young.”

Noh Hee-bong said, waving his hand.

“Yes?”

The two eunuchs blinked.

“Originally, from King Taejo to the Old King, the King Emeritus, and His Majesty, they all only remember what’s advantageous to them.

It’s our royal family tradition.”

Suddenly, they felt their respect for the royal family diminish.

And then they thought.

‘Come to think of it, His Majesty puts a headlock on Sangseon when he’s angry. And Sangseon breaks free from it.’

‘Seeing this, I feel that Sangseon is amazing.’

“Compared to that, the Crown Prince is really cute. It’s fortunate that he grew up well.”

Because even when he’s angry, all he does is kick the eunuch’s legs.

Of course, he’s still not good at controlling his strength, and Yi Dan’s strength itself is so strong that it’s hard to believe it’s a child’s strength.

Noh Hee-bong looked up at the sky and muttered.

“Maybe the Queen’s efforts were great….”

The eunuchs looked at each other for a moment and sent invisible support to the Queen.

===

Queen Wongyeong saw the two grandsons walking around from afar and rubbed her forehead.

“What are they really doing?”

I can’t help but think that the King is originally a son who lives as he pleases, and now he’s even trying to corrupt the Crown Prince?

“The Queen should pay more attention to the Crown Prince’s education.”

“I am sorry······.”

Consort Chu, who was with her daughters, bowed her head.

I always read books quietly during prenatal education in case something like this would happen.

In fact, it was clear that both the maternal and paternal families were responsible, but she couldn’t admit it.

Queen Wongyeong, the Queen Dowager, looked at Consort Chu and asked.

“How far has the Crown Prince’s studies progressed?”

“He has mastered the Korean alphabet.”

Yi Dan had already learned the Korean alphabet and could read and write it proficiently.

Other than that, he was learning the Thousand Character Classic, so he wasn’t particularly behind for his age, but it didn’t satisfy Queen Wongyeong, who had raised the King, who had quickly mastered the Four Books and Five Classics, or Grand Prince Chungnyeong, who was on another level.

“Even if the King doesn’t say much, women should take care of the children’s studies on their own. Especially in times like these.”

Isn’t she being too careless just because she’s the strongest Queen in the inner court?

She didn’t say it, but from her mother-in-law’s point of view, she suspected that the Queen, who was so loved that she didn’t even have a concubine, was neglecting her grandson’s education.

In fact, she was now closer to the side that didn’t care whether her son studied the classics or not.

“How is the selection of 배동 (baedong, study partner) going?”

“I’m still looking into it.”

배동 (Baedong) are the Crown Prince’s play and study friends, selected from among the children of the royal family and prestigious families.

Naturally, as news spread among the women’s association that 배동 (baedong) were being selected, there was fierce competition to push their sons in.

Since the King didn’t have any other sons, the next power was as good as confirmed.

If they could be childhood friends with him, it was like a shortcut to getting closer to power.

Starting with Yi Hyang, a one-year-old cousin who was as good as decided, there were already more than a truckload of young nobles waiting.

For this reason, Consort Chu had to pay close attention to the issue of selecting 배동 (baedong).

She had to select not just any 배동 (baedong), but a child who could adjust the power behind them, get along with the Crown Prince, and keep up with the learning progress.

Thinking about it made her head ache, but she couldn’t help it.

This was also the Queen’s job.

Consort Chu, who had barely stepped away from Queen Wongyeong, took the children to the back garden.

She couldn’t hide the emptiness in her heart as the person she always faced and relied on disappeared.

Consort Chu looked at the night sky and muttered.

‘How far have you gone? Are you okay?’

However, no matter how many questions she asked, no answer would come back from the night sky.

However, even though the land is thousands of miles away, they would be under the same sky, so she was just asking unanswered questions.

A bright light fell long from the night sky.

“A star is falling!”

Yi Dan shouted, jumping up and down.

Gyeong-i and Hyeon-i were also looking at it with wonder.

Consort Chu muttered unconsciously.

“We have to make a wish.”

“Wish?”

The children, who were sucking on their fingers, tilted their heads and asked.

“It’s a story your father told you.”

Once, that guy told her that if you make a wish when a shooting star falls, it will come true.

“Then I want to make a wish too!”

“Me too!”

“Yes, yes, let’s all make a wish together.”

Consort Chu closed her eyes quietly, holding the children’s hands.

‘Please come back safely and in good health.’

The Queen, who is admired by everyone, and the women of the common people, ultimately want the same thing.

The shooting star was just shining indifferently, whether it knew her wish or not.

—

Thank you for your support, 비진부!

< Side Story: Meanwhile, in Hanyang… > End

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