There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 42

< God of Soccer (2) >

‘Come to think of it, medieval soccer was practically a brawl.’

It’s not uncommon to be thrilled by violence, regardless of time or place.

Isn’t this an era where people would gather to watch even executions?

Well, I can understand it.

The history of soccer originally began with violence.

‘I’m feeling dizzy.’

Still, this is a bit much.

Scenes unfolded of players kicking legs while tackling, grabbing and pulling back legs, and even biting opponents without regard for the ball.

Barely after the game ended, I clicked my tongue while watching the players being carried away covered in blood.

‘First, I need to teach them that hitting people is wrong.’

I introduced soccer in a pre-modern era where violence was commonplace, especially during the chaotic times of the late Goryeo and early Joseon dynasties, so this was bound to happen.

However, contrary to my determination, what deeply appealed to the public was this exhilarating fighting scene.

It was as if it perfectly suited their tastes, as soccer was becoming popular in every corner without anyone telling them to.

Whenever I had free time and went outside, I could see players dribbling madly with balls made of pig bladders.

“Don’t grab me!”

“Give me the ball, you rascal!”

Of course, fistfights during the game were inevitable.

“Please······.”

I lamented.

Seeing soccer becoming popular everywhere, Yi Seong-gye said.

“At this rate, we could even create an army, couldn’t we?”

“An army?”

Originally, sports were quite effective in substituting for military training.

Forming teams, coordinating, and engaging in active games not only improved physical fitness but also had the effect of forming a strong sense of solidarity.

Soccer was no different.

Although I didn’t like it, wouldn’t all these friends who played this Shaolin soccer be as good as soldiers?

“I just wanted to create a fun game for the bored people······.”

So please don’t come out to watch explosions.

Yi Seong-gye was puzzled by my lament.

“Hasn’t it already been a great success? Look, villages gather to play soccer, and even families come out to cheer. Isn’t that enough entertainment?”

Whenever they had free time, the men played soccer, and a custom began where people gathered to cheer.

It was a strange sight to see families gathering around the stadium, watching each other beat each other until blood flowed.

‘I’m glad that’s not my family.’

Even pregnant women were watching with great interest.

I’ve seen people do prenatal education while watching UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship], but I wonder if a baby can grow normally while watching that brawl during pregnancy.

‘Oh well, whatever.’

Well, soccer has been introduced like this, so they won’t gather and shout to set off gunpowder.

===

However, the aftermath was not over yet.

I was summoned to Gaeseong [the capital of Goryeo dynasty] by Yi Bang-won and heard shocking news.

“They’re playing soccer in Gaeseong too?”

Hanyang [present-day Seoul] was already overflowing with guys kicking balls in every alley. But soccer had already started to spread to Gaeseong.

The soccer craze that swept Hanyang seemed to have spread to Gaeseong in a short period of time.

‘Even though the distance is close, isn’t this too fast?’

“Unlike Gyeokgu [a traditional Korean ball game similar to polo], it doesn’t require words, it’s more active than pedestrian Gyeokgu, and it’s more fun to watch than Chuk-guk [an older form of Korean soccer], so it’s bound to be popular with people who are hungry for entertainment.”

“Ah.”

That was the original purpose of introducing it, but the problem is that it has turned into a battle royale.

“Haha, I went out in disguise to watch soccer, and it was as exciting as the stone battle I saw from Cheonghwajeong [a pavilion in a royal garden] last year. I had a good time watching it after a long time.”

You still enjoy watching stone battles.

“Soccer is really good for the body, so we should have our soldiers play it too.”

Yi Bang-won said.

“Ah, yes.”

Is military soccer being introduced in earnest?

“So, where are you planning to start distributing it from?”

“We need to properly teach the 10 divisions (the central army in the early Joseon Dynasty) how to play soccer.”

“That’s a relief.”

My initial plan was to teach the concept of soccer first and gradually add rules, but at this rate, it will become a game of kicking people instead of the ball.

I should take this opportunity to introduce formal soccer rules to the military and eradicate excessive physical fights.

I explained the soccer rules to Yi Bang-won.

“You can’t push, grab, or attack the opponent’s body? Ah, then what’s the point?”

“Shouldn’t there be such rules so that people get hurt less?”

“Hey, if soldiers are afraid of getting hurt, they won’t be able to show off their courage. Soccer is like a stone battle, with the purpose of forming a formation and suppressing the opponent.”

“No, this is soccer, not military training.”

Why do you keep trying to make it for close combat, soccer?

“Soldiers can just learn useful footwork that can be used in soccer. Let’s not make the current enthusiasm fade by adding unnecessary complex rules.”

I was in despair at Yi Bang-won’s words.

Will the bloody soccer never end?

Yi Bang-won smiled and got up, as if the story was over.

“Well, that’s enough about work. I should go out and play soccer too.”

“Your Majesty is going to play soccer?”

If Yi Bang-won said he was going to play that otherworldly soccer, the officials would be shocked.

And where on earth is someone who is too busy to even leave the palace going to play soccer?

I quickly followed Yi Bang-won out of curiosity.

– Bang!

“Oops, I missed!”

“Haha, Your Majesty, cheer up!”

Yi Bang-won rolling the ball around and the court ladies running around him.

Yi Bang-won was seen kicking the ball into a small goal while avoiding the court ladies who were trying to hug him.

“Kyahahat, Your Majesty, please let us catch you!”

“Hey, I have to score a goal, so I’ll let you catch me later.”

What is this sight?

If what’s happening outside is bloody soccer, then here, Yi Bang-won’s private ball game was taking place.

I put my hand on my forehead.

It is said that heroes are womanizers, but it feels strange that my father is doing this.

‘It’s not adultery by the standards of this era.’

So I can’t say anything,

I don’t know if the marital relationship will break down again.

I hope you two can work it out.

===

“Soccer is a violent and harmful sport, but it is very effective in training soldiers. It hurts people less than stone battles and has the effect of following the command of the group well, so why wouldn’t we encourage it?

The ten divisions should select people from each military camp to teach soccer and have them practice diligently in their spare time.”

Yi Bang-won said, and the officials reluctantly accepted the order.

However, they still threw a word or two as they turned around.

“The Crown Prince has committed another reckless act.”

“Oh, I’ve never seen such a terrible ball game. I’m afraid that the children of noble families will be tainted by such evil games.”

“You should rather play Go [a strategic board game], even if it’s just a game······.”

The officials clicked their tongues, saying that the Crown Prince Yi Je’s violence had finally led to today’s events.

The gazes of the officials, who were full of worries about the country, soon turned to Chief State Councilor Ha Ryun.

Someone said.

“On the other hand, the game that the Chief State Councilor created this time is very beneficial.”

“Hmm, it’s just a trivial skill.”

Ha Ryun was quite surprised when he was suddenly praised.

He had certainly invented a game a while ago, but he was puzzled by the sudden attention.

“It’s not trivial at all. How helpful is the Seunggyeongdo game [a board game used to teach government posts] to our grandchildren? Children who haven’t even learned to read properly recite the names of government posts.”

“Seunggyeongdo game?”

“Don’t you know? It’s the game that Ha Ryun created.”

Ha Ryun nodded.

“The official system that had been passed down from the previous dynasty has changed a lot, and it is still being changed. As a result, there is a lot of confusion about official posts, so I created this game with the intention that children would learn it as well.”

“Oh, as expected of Chief State Councilor!”

“The purpose itself is different from that violent soccer!”

Many officials poured out their admiration.

If the Crown Prince Yi Je had heard this, he would have pounded his chest, saying, ‘Why is the world’s sport, soccer, being slandered like this? I’m so frustrated.’

===

I couldn’t stand being in Gaeseong any longer and soon came down to Hanyang.

As the story spread that the ten divisions were selecting players to create a soccer team, people were divided into two groups.

The first were people who were enthusiastic about the bloodshed that soccer would bring.

The second were people who slandered me for creating such an evil sport.

Neither side was welcome.

I’d rather just close my eyes and ears and work hard on construction in Hanyang.

Fortunately, as I wished, everyone was so focused on soccer that there were no more disruptions to the construction.

“This is where the King will reside! Don’t lay the foundation carelessly! If the palace leans, will you be responsible!”

“Let’s pass by quickly! We have to finish quickly to go home early.”

“I wondered who it was, but it’s the guys pulling the Geojunggi [a type of heavy equipment]. Anyway, those guys are more arrogant even when doing the same construction.”

The construction of Changdeokgung Palace was making considerable progress.

Injeongjeon [the main hall of Changdeokgung Palace], the main hall, was half-built, and government offices such as the Yemungwan [Office of Royal Decrees] and Naeeuiwon [Royal Clinic] were nearing completion.

I looked around the construction site and opened my mouth with a warm heart.

“Hmm, everyone has worked hard, so if you’ve all met your quota, let everyone go home early.”

The workers cheered at my command.

Everyone would be happy to go home.

I can’t, damn it.

I don’t want to work because there’s no end to the work. So, while I was chewing on my brush, Roh Boon ran up and said.

“Your Highness.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Merchant Baek Dal-won has come to see you.”

Unlike Gaeseong, there are not many people who can nag me here.

The only person who can, Heo Jo, is out on business.

“Let him in.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Soon, Baek Dal-won came in and bowed his head.

“How is the management of Hansang [a merchant organization] going?”

“It is going well.”

Baek Dal-won’s face was very bright.

The merchants of Hansang were uniting and taking advantage of the supply of sun-dried salt, and their power was growing rapidly.

“The market is also receiving a lot of attention from the world. There will be no precedent for a market built of bricks in this country. Many customers come to see it because it is amazing.”

“That’s a good thing.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Baek Dal-won brought up the main point.

“Oh Jong-soo of Songsang [another merchant organization] was released from the Uigeumbu [a Joseon Dynasty law enforcement agency] a few days ago.”

“Hmm, I heard that.”

He had done a lot of dirty work for decades, so it was not difficult to find a justification.

What was important was what happened after that.

“He seems to have been tortured quite a bit in the Uigeumbu, and he was shocked to find that the Daebang [head of the merchant organization] had been replaced when he came out.”

If Oh Jong-soo had continued to maintain his charisma, I don’t know, but how could he keep his position as Daebang after being tricked by me and even suffering a coup?

He was pushed out of Songsang and lay in bed for a few days with his body not fully recovered, and then suddenly came to Hanyang.

‘Hanyang must be sick of it now.’

“What did he say he came for?”

He has become someone who cannot set foot in Songsang, so is he trying to rub shoulders here this time?

However, Baek Dal-won’s words exceeded my expectations.

“Oh Jong-soo wants to see Your Highness.”

< God of Soccer (2) > End

ⓒ Pitkong