There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 363

364. Joseon is a First (2)

Gwangmyeong.

The world of Gwangmyeong (光明世界) [literally, “Bright World,” a term often used to describe a utopian or enlightened state].

The Ryukyu students were dumbfounded as soon as they entered the Gun Gi Gam [military arms factory].

Steam rose endlessly from every corner, machines clattered, and objects poured out in a constant stream.

The Gun Gi Gam’s factory moved like a giant, living creature.

On one side, workers who looked weary but determined moved the conveyor belt with practiced efficiency. Beside them, others lined up, constantly grabbing parts moving along the belt, their hands a blur of motion.

Thanks to the continuous refinement of the division of labor process introduced to Joseon by Lee Je, most of the production process was now finely divided into simple, repetitive tasks.

Individual capabilities or specialized skills weren’t particularly important here.

The primary goal was to streamline the process, making each task so simple that anyone could do it quickly.

Therefore, the speed of the conveyor belt dictated the pace of work.

The factory, with its extremely formalized work process, resembled a living, breathing machine.

Even the workers moved like cogs, perfectly fitted into the larger mechanism.

However, the Ryukyu students’ initial reaction to this sight wasn’t sadness or pity.

“Amazing…….”

“Such a massive factory working together in perfect harmony.”

Even Seondeokje, who was confident he could surpass Joseon’s production capacity by mobilizing a large number of artisans from Jungwon [Central Plains, referring to China], would be deeply troubled if he witnessed this.

This was especially true for the Ryukyuans, who had only ever seen small-scale blacksmith shops where one or two people crafted swords or farming tools.

They were embarrassed to see the Jurchens or Tsushima islanders smirking as if to say, ‘Is this your first time seeing something like this?’, but they couldn’t deny it.

“If you have time, take a stroll through downtown Hanyang [Seoul’s historical name]. It’s the most vibrant and enjoyable city in the world.”

“Of course, people from Ryukyu will probably be very surprised.”

The Ryukyu students were taken aback by the subtle condescension, but they had no retort.

Ryukyu had indeed developed rapidly in recent years.

The entire inland area was being converted into sugar plantations, and ports were being built along the coast to facilitate active maritime trade.

The Ryukyu royal family, wealthy despite lacking real political power, was investing heavily in the development of Shuri Castle, so they naturally assumed Hanyang would be similar.

However, their expectations had been shattered long before they even entered Hanyang.

The Ryukyu students soon began to chatter amongst themselves.

“Wow, Shuri Castle is nothing compared to this!”

“I was annoyed when I heard what those Doi (島夷, Jurchen) [“Island Barbarians,” a derogatory term] guys were saying, but it’s true.”

“If Joseon is like this, how rich must that vast Jungwon be?”

“No, I heard from my father that Joseon is even richer than Ming [the Ming Dynasty of China].”

“Hey, it can’t compare to Nanjing [a major city in Ming China], right?”

“What does it matter! Anyway, they are both great powers. Isn’t that right, Crown Prince?”

“Huh? Ummm… that’s right…”

Ryukyu Crown Prince On Ryuhwan lowered his head, scuffed the floor with his feet, and mumbled his agreement.

“Joseon and Ming… are great powers…”

“Exactly!”

“Your Highness is also impressed?”

“…….”

On Ryuhwan bit his lip.

His situation was different from that of the other noble children present.

They were the offspring of noble families scattered throughout Buksan, Jungsan, and Namsan [likely referring to different districts or areas within Ryukyu], and they held little loyalty to the Ryukyu royal family.

Shuri Castle, the royal capital, was just another city to them.

Even so, there was no need to openly disparage their own country.

However, On Ryuhwan lacked the courage to call them out on their rudeness.

‘I wish I hadn’t come to Joseon…….’

He wouldn’t have been subjected to such humiliation.

As he fought back tears, a eunuch came hurrying toward him.

“Is the tour finished?”

“Yes. Why?”

Before On Ryuhwan could answer, the eunuch addressed the group.

“Our Crown Prince has invited the Ryukyu Crown Prince to the East Palace. If your schedule is complete, let’s proceed together.”

“The Crown Prince of Joseon?”

“Didn’t you invite all of us?”

As the other noble children protested, Eunuch Eom Jachi replied coldly.

“His Highness only invited the Ryukyu Crown Prince. The rest of you may wait in the outer hall.”

Even if they were the children of prominent noble families in Ryukyu, they were merely international students in Joseon’s eyes.

If they weren’t considered guests of the state, they would have been severely reprimanded for daring to question the Crown Prince’s orders.

On Ryuhwan, who had been holding back tears, finally looked up.

* * *

On Ryuhwan was escorted to the East Palace, receiving envious glances from the other international students, but he remained deeply apprehensive.

On Ryuhwan was one of the most fluent Korean speakers among the Ryukyu international students.

His father had lived in Joseon for an extended period, and he had been tutored in Korean since childhood.

But now, that knowledge seemed almost useless.

He felt intensely uncomfortable as various “barbarians,” whose Korean he doubted he could understand, stared at him intently.

‘Why are those people in the Crown Prince of Joseon’s East Palace?’

On Ryuhwan’s legs trembled, and he felt faint.

Was this a trap? Like the Hongmen Banquet [a famous historical event where a feast was a pretext for an assassination attempt], would someone signal for his assassination?

He frantically tried to recall if he had committed any offense since arriving in Joseon.

‘My father warned me that Joseon’s customs are very different from ours.’

Perhaps the problem was that he had ridden in the rickshaw sent by the Crown Prince while wearing shoes.

But if he explained that he was ignorant of Joseon’s customs because it was his first time riding a rickshaw….

“His Highness the Crown Prince is here!”

At the announcement, he looked up to see two pretty girls struggling to pull a rickshaw.

On Ryuhwan, completely bewildered, blinked in confusion as the girl on the left abruptly dropped the rickshaw handle.

“Ugh! I’m never making a bet like this again!”

“But you always do, sister. I didn’t even bet, but you dragged me in…….”

“We’re twins, so we’re of one mind and body. Abama [father] said that we were originally one body.”

Eom Jachi, witnessing the scene, called out in dismay.

“Your Highness, Princess. Please maintain your dignity in the presence of a guest.”

“Oh, is he already here?”

Lee Dan jumped out of the rickshaw and landed gracefully.

On Ryuhwan sighed in relief when he saw that the Crown Prince was wearing shoes.

“Please dismount the rickshaw properly, Your Highness.”

“Are you the Crown Prince from Ryukyu? Nice to meet you! Is this your first time in Joseon?”

Even in modern times, the average height of Okinawans is among the shortest in Japan.

On Ryuhwan was not particularly tall, so he had to look up at the Crown Prince.

He felt a jolt as the sturdy Joseon Crown Prince suddenly grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously.

He didn’t understand the meaning of this gesture, but he assumed it was a Joseon custom.

On Ryuhwan tried to rationalize it that way.

Perhaps the fact that the girls, who were princesses, had pulled the rickshaw themselves was also a custom.

Maybe in Joseon, younger siblings pulled their older brother’s rickshaw, even if they were royalty.

Even royalty was no exception.

“Since we have a guest from afar, I invited you to socialize and build friendships. Can you shoot a bow? Let’s practice archery together behind the East Palace.”

“I, I’m not very good at it.”

“Then what about Gyeokgu [a traditional Korean ball game similar to polo]?”

“I’ve never played it before.”

“Shall we go riding?”

“There aren’t many large horses in Ryukyu…….”

Lee Dan pondered.

It was proving harder to connect than he had anticipated.

It wasn’t just because On Ryuhwan was a stranger.

‘I became friends with the people I met at the Nadam [a Mongolian festival with traditional games] quickly.’

But not everyone shared the same interests.

‘I need to be mindful of the unique characteristics of Ryukyu people.’

Ryukyu was a hot climate, so glue dissolved easily, and large horses were scarce.

It was understandable that he wasn’t skilled in archery, Gyeokgu, or horseback riding.

He shouldn’t be criticized for that. He had to respect the individuality of Ryukyu people.

‘The characteristics of Ryukyu people.’

Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind.

“I heard there’s a martial art called Kongsu (空手, Karate) [literally “empty hand”] in Ryukyu. Could you demonstrate it for me?”

He vaguely recalled that modern karate originated from Okinawate [Okinawa’s indigenous martial art], and he had once mentioned it to his children.

There were various theories about its history, but the most plausible was that it evolved from a combination of techniques (組合術) introduced from China in the 18th century.

Therefore, On Ryuhwan, who had never heard of either karate or karaage [Japanese fried chicken, a similar-sounding word], turned pale.

‘Did I somehow offend him?’

His heart pounded as he saw the “barbarians” behind Lee Dan clench their fists at his words.

Apologies could wait. First, he had to escape.

If he could just get out of the palace, he would find a way.

“Or, how about Juyucheonha (周遊天下, Blue Marble) [a Korean board game similar to Monopoly]? I was playing it with my younger sisters just a little while ago…….”

“I, I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling well right now! Can I take my leave and see you another time?”

“Huh?”

On Ryuhwan took a step back as soon as Lee Dan uttered something resembling permission.

However, before he could take more than a few steps, he tripped over his own robes and fell backward.

Overwhelmed with despair, On Ryuhwan was on the verge of tears.

He even suspected that the entire world was conspiring against him.

“Are you alright?”

It was one of the Joseon princesses who reached out to him as he fell.

One of the two princesses had sharp, piercing eyes, while the other seemed more gentle and docile.

Although they looked identical, their personalities seemed vastly different.

It was the gentle-looking one who grabbed On Ryuhwan’s hand and helped him to his feet.

“T, thank you…….”

“Your clothes are dirty. Please use this to wipe them.”

On Ryuhwan didn’t even have time to respond.

He picked up the handkerchief in a daze and fled from the palace.

“He says he’s not feeling well, so I can’t force him. I thought it would be a good opportunity to build a friendship.”

Lee Dan clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“You were trying to see that Kongsu thing, not build a friendship.”

Lee Gyeong clicked her tongue, watching On Ryuhwan’s retreating back.

“I doubt that prince would have learned anything like that.”

“Of course not. Isn’t it essential for those of noble birth to develop the ability to protect themselves?”

Lee Dan asked, looking puzzled.

Looking at the faces of the elders he had seen, it was not wrong.

“Anyway, Abama told me to treat him well, but I don’t know how to do that.”

Lee Dan scratched his cheek.

He had disobeyed his father’s orders many times, but only to circumvent the Geumnyeong (禁令) [prohibitions or restrictions] at his own discretion.

However, neglecting his parents’ direct instructions was the most unfilial thing he could do.

Since his brilliant mind couldn’t readily find a solution, Lee Dan decided to seek help.

“Should I ask my younger sisters after all?”

“Don’t drag us into this. I have no intention of getting involved in stupid things.”

Lee Gyeong slapped Lee Hyeon’s hand.

“Don’t offer unnecessary help like you did earlier. How many guys misinterpret your kindness every time?”

It was a constant chore to discard the love letters sent by those who dreamed of becoming the future son-in-law.

“From now on, I should post them in the room for everyone to see, so they know they should be ashamed.”

Lee Dan didn’t mention that her popularity couldn’t even compare to half of her younger sister’s.

It wasn’t important to him.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be faster to discuss these issues among men.”

Lee Dan said confidently.