There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 354

355. Reinstatement (1)

You might think I’m making an unreasonable demand out of the blue, but this isn’t just me, Yi Je, unilaterally taking advantage of Ouchi Mitsuyo.

‘Looks like he sold the story about me to solidify his position in the main family.’

He should at least do this much for fair trade, shouldn’t he?

If Joseon is the prime contractor and Ouchi is the subcontractor, this doesn’t even qualify as the prime contractor’s abuse of power.

‘Besides, as the copper exports increase, it means that the trade volume with us will also increase from Ouchi’s perspective.’

Ouchi, who is betting everything on expanding trade, won’t be in a position to refuse.

Whether he uses a knife or coaxes and cajoles, he’ll try to meet the required amount on his own.

Show me the capabilities of Ouchi’s businessmen.

‘As for the concubine promise, well, I’ll keep it when the time comes, or maybe not.’

“Don’t worry. Since Your Majesty treats us with trust, how can we not reciprocate Your Majesty’s faith? We will definitely send the promised copper.”

Look at him mentioning trust, just in case I pretend to not know.

But let’s be generous and overlook this much.

From Ouchi Mitsuyo’s perspective, there’s nothing more difficult than being sucked dry and then discarded by us.

“Now that the wedding is over, there will be good news. Wait until then.”

I said that to reassure Ouchi Mitsuyo.

Then he readily replied.

“Then, may I start looking for a partner now?”

‘Wait, you impatient man.’

He should ask more tactfully. What’s he going to do if he immediately takes the bait on a word I threw out to appease him?

“Choose well on your own.”

It’s not something I should say after sending my son on his honeymoon, but I think it would be good to bring in a pretty concubine.

If so, there are things to consider.

In modern times, where I lived, it goes without saying, and even in this era, pure white teeth are clearly preferred.

In Joseon, they even consider people with white skin, teeth, and hands as beauties, calling them “Three Whites.”

However, Japan was a bit different.

‘I heard that women in Japan at this time have a custom of blackening their teeth with dye……’

I don’t know if even commoner women follow that and dye their teeth like that, or if it’s a symbol only for noblewomen, but anyway, that’s why I was so shocked when I went down to Buyeo with Yi Seong-gye.

‘I thought their teeth were all rotten.’

Because of that, after inventing toothpaste, I also sent it down to the Japanese village in Buyeo.

‘So, they argued that black teeth were due to dye.’

Either way, it’s quite something from the Joseon people’s point of view.

Fortunately, whether they adapted to Joseon’s preference for white teeth or not, teeth dyeing had already subsided in the Japanese village.

No matter how much of a champion of cultural relativism I am, the inner court is not under my jurisdiction.

If the Crown Prince’s concubine has blackened teeth, it won’t sound good.

It would be good to resolve such issues in advance before emotions get hurt.

“The Crown Prince likes people with pretty teeth. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will pay special attention to selecting someone.”

Ouchi Mitsuyo bowed his head and said.

‘He must have understood this much.’

Among the Ouchi family, this guy has the most understanding of Joseon, so he will convey my intentions to the main family with tact.

‘So, bring the copper properly.’

I’m going to ride the electric tech.

* * *

The entire Liaodong region was bustling with activity due to the development projects undertaken by Joseon.

Among them, the fastest-growing place was Fushun.

Even in modern times, it has the world’s largest quarry, and because veins of wood, coal, iron, copper, gold, etc., are richly buried, Joseon’s mining development was also centered here.

As a result, most of the Joseon princes dispatched to Liaodong were staying here.

Rather than frequently visiting Shenyang, where the royal palace was located, and arousing suspicion, it was better to quietly stay in Fushun and do their job.

“These days, it’s not so bad to live here either.”

“That’s right. Fushun has grown quite a bit. At this point, it’s comparable to a large town in the home country.”

Fushun is legally part of Liaodong, that is, the Prince of Shen’s territory, but it borders the Jurchen territory, so the Fushun Thousand Households Office was established early on for trade.

People flock to it, money pours in, and trade is convenient, so the city is growing day by day.

The princes were proud of the fact that their efforts contributed to the growth of the city.

“Was it to let us know this joy that His Majesty…… no, our brother, sent us to Liaodong?”

Prince Gongnyeong asked, wiping his nose.

The brothers sitting around him flinched at the words.

They had never used the title when referring to their eldest brother, fearing that they would be reprimanded for calling him “brother.”

But soon, Prince Gyeongnyeong nodded and said.

“Yes. We may have misunderstood our elder…… brother’s true intentions.”

The history of the royal family stained with blood, the earnest requests of their mothers, and the eldest brother’s unrestrained actions combined to make them tremble with fear.

But seeing this land growing day by day, they could see this as an opportunity given to them.

“When the Joseon court named this empty land Manchuria in the home country, I thought it was a terrible joke, but it’s actually becoming that way.”

The Joseon court combined the existing Northern Frontier with the new northern regions, excluding Liaodong, which was nominally Ming territory, to form an administrative district and named it Manchuria.

It was, after all, the result of Yi Je’s modern sensibilities, but it was announced that it would become a land full of (滿) life [Manchu].

Of course, most people were skeptical, but in reality, Fushun and its surrounding areas are prospering that much.

“When you divided the coal mine shares, I thought it meant we would be stuck here for the rest of our lives.”

But if you think about it differently, isn’t it an opportunity to accumulate wealth?

Considering His Majesty’s personality, it’s something he gave to exploit us like dogs, though.

Anyway, realizing that what they had been harboring was unnecessary fear, their morale soared.

“Don’t hesitate and open the letter.”

“I guess we have to……?”

The reason why the princes gathered was also because of the letter sent by His Majesty.

They were reluctant to open it alone, so it had become a custom to gather together and look at it.

Even if it was a private letter, they had always bowed four times before opening it, but there was no need to do that in the current situation.

Prince Gyeongnyeong gently opened the letter and scanned the contents.

Then he sighed deeply.

“What does he say?”

“He…… says that we have suffered a lot during this time.”

They had suffered a lot.

They had no time to turn their eyes elsewhere, fearing that they would be caught for neglecting their work.

“His Majesty praises our past achievements and says he will create a new Industrial Merit Medal and give it to us, so he wants us to come down to Hanyang.”

“Medal!”

The princes’ eyes widened at the words.

They had heard rumors about it.

“And at the end, he asks if we can find a copper mine in Liaodong.”

“Well. We can have someone else look for it later.”

Seeing that it was written at the end, it wouldn’t be an urgent matter.

The princes, thinking so, became more interested in the medal they would receive.

No matter how good Fushun has become to live in, it can’t be as good as Hanyang [modern-day Seoul].

Since there is a reason for the medal award, they should return to the capital this time to see their families and take a leisurely rest.

In their minds, the order given by His Majesty at the end was slowly being erased.

But then.

“Oh? Prince Chungnyeong’s letter is also enclosed.”

“Read that one too, brother.”

The princes said in excited voices.

If it wasn’t a reward from the eldest brother, what would Grand Prince Chungnyeong give them this time?

However, Prince Gyeongnyeong’s expression gradually hardened as he read the letter.

“His Majesty is particularly interested in securing copper…… the Hall of Worthies [a royal research institute] is also joining the electrical development…… immediately exert all efforts to explore and develop copper mines……?”

The atmosphere sank as if cold water had been poured on it.

‘Brother…… if I had fallen for His Majesty’s test, my head would have been cut off.’

Feeling a chilling sensation on the back of their necks, the princes unpacked the luggage they were packing.

It’s better for our well-being to just work.

The princes were being brainwashed like that.

* * *

There are many ways to praise without spending state money and just giving honor.

I heard that the wise Joseon people also operated things like honorary titles and sold empty positions.

But those aren’t real things.

Even if it’s an honorary position, there’s a sense of aversion to selling national positions for money.

However, there can be no measures for those who have contributed to the country.

For that reason, I began to deliberate on the establishment of a medal system after the war.

‘It can be worn in real life, and it looks cool.’

I established the Military Shrine to raise the morale of the soldiers, and I rewarded those who had made contributions or died in battle by distributing wealth to them.

But medals are another area.

Those who had not yet died and could not enter the Military Shrine, but had made many achievements, were awarded the Military Merit Medal.

Kim Jong-seo and Choi Yun-deok, who had followed me to war, were the same.

In fact, I feel like I should receive one too, but medals are given by the country.

The king is the owner of the country, so how can he receive a medal from the country?

Similarly, the newly established Industrial Merit Medal had no choice but to be passed on to others.

“Summon those who have contributed to the promotion of agriculture, commerce, and industry, from the 1st class Gold Tower to the 5th class Stone Tower Industrial Merit Medal, and award them.”

The senior officials in charge of veterans affairs understood my intentions.

“I never thought I would see this day in my life, Your Majesty.”

As a result, I saw the rare sight of Baek Dal-won of Hansang [a powerful merchant guild] bursting into tears with his wrinkled face.

It seems that the scene of not receiving proper recognition as a meritorious subject because he was a merchant, and losing everything he had because he stood on the wrong side, flashed through his mind at the moment he received the Gold Tower Medal.

In addition, Jang Yeong-sil and Yi Cheon, etc., received the Gold Tower Industrial Merit Medal.

This side is more suitable for a science and technology medal than an industrial medal, but for now, I don’t feel the need to separate the two, so let’s just lump them together.

Other than that, farmers who had greatly developed transplanting with the villagers, heads of newly created industrial complexes, and merchants received lower-level awards.

For reference, the major shareholders of Cheonghaejin [a trading company] also desperately wanted the Industrial Merit Medal, but it was eventually canceled.

They were trying to get an Industrial Merit Medal for pushing Ryukyu [Okinawa] and bringing in some sugar. They have no conscience.

I personally pinned medals on those who could come to Hanyang and awarded them, and sent the remaining medals separately with the propagandists.

The same goes for our brothers who are suffering in cold places.

‘I wonder if they received the medals well?’

I told them to come up to the capital to receive them, but they said that they couldn’t delay even for a moment because they were in charge of national affairs, so I didn’t call them separately.

‘They’re admirable guys.’

On the other hand, what I established were not only the Military Merit Medal and the Industrial Merit Medal.

‘The problem is the National Foundation Medal.’

Unlike when I made medals up until now, I immediately selected candidates and awarded them, the reason why the National Foundation Medal is being acutely considered is because.

Those who participated in the founding of the country have already been rewarded with the appointment of meritorious subjects, etc., for a long time.

Besides, most of them have already passed away, so even if I give them a medal, I have to take the posthumous form.

Thinking about it, there’s no reason to be in a hurry.

Their descendants didn’t seem to be desperately thirsty for the posthumous award of medals either.

The real problem is this.

‘The meritorious subjects who were purged during the Princes’ Revolt.’

Jeong Do-jeon, Nam Eun, Sim Hyo-saeng, etc.

Figures who were loyal to Yi Seong-gye, but have not yet been reinstated and are branded as traitors.

These are the people Yi Seong-gye asked me to reinstate during his lifetime.

Thinking about the old man’s request, I think it would be okay to give him a medal this time……

‘I can’t help but be aware of the King Emeritus [retired king].’

Yi Bang-won in the Sangwang Hall was glaring, so it was a problem.