There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 327

328.

In Joseon, there was a government office called Eungbang.

Similar to Saboksi [an office responsible for managing horses and carriages], Eungbang was responsible for breeding and training animals. However, it primarily focused on animals used for hunting, such as falcons and hunting dogs.

Many nobles in my family enjoyed hunting, and over time, Eungbang expanded to raise various other animals, making it quite large.

‘Since the Age of Exploration began, animals presented as tribute have also been sent here.’

Upon ascending the throne, I received strange animals through various channels.

Some were sent to Saboksi, and some to Eungbang, but there wasn’t a clear standard.

I believe birds like peacocks were sent to Eungbang, while the rest went to Saboksi.

‘Actually, I needed to organize things.’

Eungbang was meant for hunting animals, and Saboksi for horses and carriages. Raising purely ornamental animals in these offices wasn’t appropriate.

“What do you think about moving them to another place?”

“Yes?”

“For example, the palace gardens… somewhere the children can visit and play.”

Even with foreign animals in Eungbang and Saboksi, the children rarely saw them.

It would broaden their horizons.

Nobun’s eyes widened at the idea of keeping animals in the palace for the children.

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

“Are there any dangerous animals in Eungbang or Saboksi?”

We hadn’t acquired any ferocious beasts.

‘I gave the elephant I received as a gift to Chungnyeong [another name for the king], too.’

“Remove the fierce ones, like hunting dogs, and select small, docile animals. We don’t want anyone getting bitten too badly.”

I wasn’t planning a grand, modern zoo. I envisioned something closer to an animal cafe.

I only wanted a few gentle, cute animals for my family, but it wasn’t that simple.

===

The first obstacle was the officials’ opposition.

“In the past, King Zhou built a house for a deer and kept rare animals in the palace to please Daji [a concubine known for her beauty and influence].

These animals only satisfied a concubine’s pleasure. They couldn’t work or provide meat, making them inferior to dogs, horses, cows, and pigs.

King Zhou lost the Mandate of Heaven because he couldn’t distinguish between important and unimportant matters.”

The censors argued for abolishing the plan to gather animals from Eungbang and Saboksi.

Every time I did something, they brought up old stories and tried to apply them, hindering progress.

Were my children Daji?

My tone sharpened.

“Were animals born solely for human exploitation?

The idea that peacocks or monkeys are useless is a human perspective.

Each strange animal has evolved a shape that aids its survival. Observing them in detail is a form of study.”

The censors, sensing my irritation, lowered their heads.

The zoo would be built with my private funds.

They couldn’t object to me spending my own money.

“Your Majesty’s words are correct. However, I don’t understand how animals choose shapes that aid their survival. What do you mean?”

“…It’s a concept.”

While pushing back the censors, I attracted the curiosity of a scholar, but that’s another story.

Secondly, my family members added their own ideas.

“If you’re creating such a space, wouldn’t it be better to include powerful beasts?”

“Yes… It would be more interesting to watch…”

I was horrified at the thought of capturing and displaying dangerous beasts.

Why turn an animal cafe into a safari?

“To maintain the king’s dignity… There should be at least one tiger…”

Lee Bang-gwa [likely a member of the royal family] smacked his lips regretfully.

My father agreed.

“The Retired King is right. Raising the Mountain Lord [a tiger] like a cat would perfectly showcase the king’s power.”

Did they just want to see it themselves?

‘The old geezers are something else.’

I had no choice but to include ferocious beasts.

I ordered them to be securely contained behind iron bars, but it was completely different from my initial plan.

Fortunately, I managed to protect the space for small animals.

===

After many twists and turns, Joseon’s first zoo was completed.

Since I only needed to move existing animals, preparations were minimal. As soon as the move was complete, I could prepare for the opening.

“Would you like to see the zoo I made?”

“I want to go!” Danie shouted immediately.

However, Nobun looked troubled.

“The Queen Consort said the Crown Prince has homework and should finish it before playing.”

“Hmm…”

After thinking, I made a fatherly decision.

“It’s okay. You can do it after we return.”

Homework could wait.

I imagined Joo So-hwa’s displeased face, but a day out wouldn’t hurt.

“I’ll take my younger sisters. Will you stay alone?”

Danie shook his head.

Eungbang was near Gwangnaru, or Gwangjin.

However, the zoo was too far to move there, and there was no point in moving the animals.

Putting it inside the palace would have caused backlash due to the ferocious beasts, so it was located near the capital.

Now the kids could visit the animals often.

I summoned Ttaeng-gu along with the royal family’s exclusive rickshaw.

“We’ll ride Ttaeng-gu today. Go to Saboksi and bring him here.”

Danie, Gyeong, and Hyeon’s eyes lit up at the mention of Ttaeng-gu.

“Ttaeng-gu!”

‘Why are these kids like this?’

The children’s reaction surprised me.

They had seen Ttaeng-gu when they were younger, but didn’t seem to care then.

“The eunuchs said Ttaeng-gu is the offspring of a dragon horse!”

“I heard he’s very smart and even saved Father!”

“Oh… um…”

This guy?

I looked at Ttaeng-gu, who was munching on a carrot and walking over with a dumb expression.

“That’s right. I survived thanks to Ttaeng-gu.”

I reluctantly said it to preserve their fantasies.

“As expected!”

My son and daughters’ eyes sparkled.

Who spread that rumor? Was it Min In-saeng again?

– Suddenly, at Sanhaegwan, cannons fired, and shells rained down. His Majesty lamented, “Ttaeng-gu, Ttaeng-gu! You’re killing me!” Then the dragon horse soared ten feet into the air, avoiding the shells…

The Veritable Records described it grandiosely, making me wonder if Min In-saeng had ghostwritten my great-uncle’s martial arts novel.

“Father, I want to ride him too!”

“Not just Oppa, me too!”

Danie and Gyeong jumped up and down, but I shook my head.

Even though Ttaeng-gu was a bit dim, he could be haughty and picky.

He was hard to handle unless it was someone like me.

“You want to ride him? Ttaeng-gu is disobedient and won’t easily…”

Ttaeng-gu saw someone and obediently lowered his head and body.

“Huh?”

It wasn’t towards Danie and Gyeong.

He lowered himself for Hyeon, who was sucking her finger a step behind.

‘This bastard?’

I considered demoting him for being difficult with me, but he bowed to my daughter.

Nobun explained, “The Little Princess visits Saboksi daily and feeds the horses. Animals follow those who feed them.”

Anyone would think I neglected him.

I took in Ttaeng-gu, fed him, and raised him.

“Doesn’t Your Majesty only seek him out for riding?”

“That’s taking care of him.”

Other horses listen well, but taking a cowardly horse like Ttaeng-gu for a walk was a form of consideration.

Ttaeng-gu snorted and turned his head.

Ungrateful bastard.

This was the first I’d heard of Hyeon visiting Saboksi.

“You fed the horses?”

Hyeon nodded.

“I told her it was the work of lowly servants, but she insisted… I stopped her from feeding them herself and had the servants do it.”

Nobun made excuses, but I, who lived in an era where I bought food and had feeding experiences, wasn’t surprised.

I squatted, made eye contact with my daughter, and asked, “You learned what to feed them, right?”

“Yes… Hay, carrots, and water cabbage…”

“Water cabbage?”

Hyeon was startled.

“It was floating in the pond… I heard it grows back quickly, so I wondered if horses could eat it…”

She fidgeted, like her mother when she was down.

“Heh.”

I heard North Korea used water cabbage as animal feed due to its rapid reproduction.

I couldn’t use it where I was, but it might be possible in Joseon.

‘Did she know that and bring it as feed?’

I noticed her attention to detail.

She could have brought the usual feed.

She thought of using water cabbage, a weed, as feed.

‘She could have killed a horse if she messed up.’

“Did you put the plants in the backyard pond?”

I didn’t want to nag the eunuchs, but the culprit was nearby.

I thought they were lazy with cleaning.

Hyeon nodded, embarrassed.

“The animals the Princess touches grow up healthy and strong. She takes meticulous care of them.”

I told her to be close to animals for emotional development, and she’s fallen for it.

‘Is this a talent?’

Hyeon wasn’t as outgoing as the Crown Prince, or interested in dressing up like her older sister.

So-hwa and I tried to give equal love and attention, but she didn’t stand out.

‘But she had this talent.’

She’d do well as the mistress of a ranch.

I won’t send her there; it would be too hard.

“I’m not scolding you. King Taejo also fed the horses.

It’s commendable to think about how to easily obtain feed.”

I stroked Hyeon’s head.

“I’ll let you raise one animal you want. Pick one out at the zoo. If you raise it well, I’ll give you a reward.”

“Anything…?”

“Of course, no tigers.”

Only an animal she can raise.

“Father, me too!” Danie shouted.

I looked at him.

‘Hmm.’

He’ll raise it for a week and then pass everything to Nobun.

I didn’t want to discourage him.

“Okay, pick one out too. If you raise them well, I’ll give you a reward.”

I’m a good dad.

But my prediction was correct.

End

ⓒ Pitkong