There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 428

The sound of someone reading aloud echoed through Sangchunjae [a building or hall].

As always, I don’t interfere much with the children’s studies, but it’s a different story when it comes to their tutors.

The role of parents is to raise their children well.

And just like in modern South Korea, raising children well in Joseon society [Korean kingdom from 1392 to 1897] simply meant that the child excelled at studying.

It seems the daughters-in-law are already boasting to Juso-hwa [likely a person’s name] about how our child has mastered the Elementary Learning [a Confucian textbook] and is exceptionally bright.

It could be seen as simple parental boasting, but it’s more likely a way of making a good impression.

A way to be remembered when a significant decision needs to be made.

However, they didn’t quite meet my expectations.

Mastering the Elementary Learning at the age of ten? A commoner is no different.

“You can’t set the standard based on yourself.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

What an unlucky fellow.

But it’s the truth, so there’s nothing I can do.

A needle in a bag is bound to poke out [an idiom meaning talent will always reveal itself], but it seems there isn’t anyone exceptionally bright among them.

“It seems you haven’t found anyone satisfactory yet.”

“Well… that’s right.”

If a direct grandson isn’t born, I’ll have to choose one of them.

In fact, academics are a very minor issue compared to that momentous task.

I jokingly mentioned that I had someone in mind…

But I haven’t found them among these many grandchildren yet.

Even the tests I’ve conducted playfully haven’t revealed any outstanding children.

Having them try archery, or shaking nostalgic objects in front of them, or looking for the face of a traitor.

‘I guess so.’

I thought there would be something since he recited a meaningful will, but it seems there’s no such thing as reincarnation in this world.

Well, even if my grandfather possessed my grandson’s body and was born, that would still be horrifying.

“So, what is the reason for summoning me, Your Majesty?”

“You’ve been in Nanjing [historical capital of China] for a long time. It’s time to return.”

I said that.

“The Crown Prince has been handling state affairs as regent for a long time, but his temperament is hasty, and there are many concerns about him fully shouldering the affairs of the nation. Shouldn’t you assist him?”

Do was taken aback by my words.

“Did Father appear in your dreams or something?”

“No… is it so surprising that I’m abdicating the throne?”

“Do you know what happened when Father declared his abdication?”

“…I wonder if anyone in the court remembers those days?”

“At least the old ministers will remember it clearly.”

I remember barely saving my wife’s family from having their heads chopped off back then.

But, am I the kind of person to put on such a petty abdication show?

‘It’s not like I’m actually throwing away my position right now.’

That’s why I’ve given a few years’ grace period.

Since the regency has been going on for several years, shouldn’t the officials be less surprised?

“…”

I stand corrected.

They are surprised.

“Really, really?”

Sometimes I wonder if this is really a relationship between a ruler and his subjects.

I wonder if I’ve been too warm to my brothers all this time.

Seeing him with his eyes wide open, giving me a look that said, ‘Are you trying to play and eat by yourself?’ I felt a pang of resentment.

How important is the grand plan I’m preparing?

“Watch carefully.”

I took my brother to the facility built in the back garden.

“What, what is all this?”

The back garden, which I named Nokjiwon [likely the name of the garden].

And the huge object built under the pavilion.

“It’s a kind of calculating machine.”

Even if I died and came back to life, it would be impossible to create the computer I know in this era.

A computer with a CPU, motherboard, and graphics card, with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse dangling from it.

‘I’d give anything to touch that again.’

But a computer originally refers to a calculator, right?

In short, any machine that can produce the desired output value can be called a computer.

Among them, what I made is a water-powered computer.

However, it’s not a highly advanced device, but a simple calculator that only uses AND and XOR gates [logic gates in computing].

If only one of the two gates is activated, water pours from only one pipe at the top, flows down the wall, and flows out to the XOR output pipe on the floor.

If water pours from both pipes, it collides and falls into the bucket in the middle.

Of course, it’s not as fast as an electrically powered computer.

Instead, a major advantage is that it doesn’t overheat or break down easily even when performing calculations.

For this reason, water computers were used in various places even after the invention of electric computers.

‘But that was a more advanced hydraulic integrator.’

Well, matches came out later than lighters, and bicycles came out later than cars, so it’s not that strange.

Simple electrical signals can be used, but the development of vacuum tubes or transistors is essential for the emergence of full-fledged electric computers.

‘Did ENIAC [early electronic computer] have 10,000 or 20,000 vacuum tubes?’

I don’t even know how to make transistors.

Anyway, even if I suddenly came up with such a thing, I wouldn’t be able to meet the amount of power consumed by the calculation, and unless there was a way to cool the heated computer, this water computer is the highest-performance computer I can create right now.

‘This is my specialty after all.’

“Is this… such an important thing?”

He seemed to be asking with his eyes, ‘Enough to pour your entire remaining life into, Brother?’

I nodded and replied.

“It’s important.”

It’s currently a device close to a simple logic circuit, but if it can handle more complex and advanced tasks, it will be something that truly changes the world.

“What’s this called?”

At my brother’s question, I was momentarily speechless.

‘I haven’t thought about it.’

To me, it was just a water computer. There’s no way I would have thought of another name.

I cleared my throat and casually blurted out a name.

“Well… Jagyeokru (Self-Striking Water Clock) [an automated water clock in Korean history]?”

Anyway, it hits the bucket inside.

I muttered to myself.

* * *

Although Hwang-hee [a person’s name] is getting an earful from his juniors for not letting the car in front pass, he also had something to say.

“Even if I try to retire, His Majesty doesn’t accept my petitions, so what am I supposed to do?”

It’s a common misconception, but when someone of Hwang-hee’s stature requests to resign, it’s more of a demonstration than actually quitting.

A minister version of an abdication show, saying, ‘They’re telling me to get lost, are you just going to let them?’

It could be seen as a process of confirming the king’s renewed trust and solidifying one’s foundation.

So, whenever Hwang-hee was in a crisis, he would submit his resignation to show that the king’s favor was still strong, silencing the mouths of the ignorant.

That is, until about 20 years ago.

‘I’m getting old, and it’s hard for me too?’

In this era of Joseon, people celebrate longevity when they turn sixty.

In fact, from Hwang-hee’s perspective, it wouldn’t have been strange to retire 20 years ago.

At first, the resignation he requested, thinking, ‘Where do these guys dare to, look closely at where His Majesty’s heart lies,’ changed to a nuance of ‘Wouldn’t it be okay to step down soon?’, and eventually, it was enough time to change to a plea of ‘Please let me step down before I die.’

However, when the king didn’t accept his resignation even after he turned 80, even Hwang-hee couldn’t help but be shocked.

Moreover, it wasn’t just a polite refusal, but he even gave him a hyucheo [royal gift], an upgraded version of a cane, and told him to bring it and attend court.

Now that he’s used to the old man he’s been seeing since he was a child, and he knows his abilities and expertise inside and out, he’s keeping him in office, but it was an incomprehensible outrage from Hwang-hee’s perspective.

‘Could it be… because of that incident in the past?’

The incident where he arbitrarily gave his son-in-law, Seo-dal [a person’s name], land in Hanseong [old name for Seoul], but it was taken away by His Majesty, who was the Crown Prince at the time.

‘No, but that was years ago.’

That house has become an intelligence agency safehouse, and his son-in-law, who caused the accident with him at the time, has long since had grandchildren.

But in Hwang-hee’s ears, he could hear the king’s voice cackling, saying that a gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years [an idiom about delayed revenge].

‘T, this…!’

Hwang-hee felt like tears would come out at the rising sense of betrayal.

No matter what, how loyal he had been to His Majesty.

‘The Prime Minister should also make way for his juniors now.’

‘Seriously, are you going to keep doing it until you’re a hundred years old?’

‘Such greed for old age.’

No one dared to say such words out loud, but Hwang-hee was tormented by the feeling that his subordinates were looking at him with such eyes.

Even he thought that it was a bit embarrassing to keep the position of Prime Minister even after eighty, even though it wasn’t like there was a shortage of people.

For old men like Hwang-hee, the desire for honor comes before the desire for power.

He was at an age where it wouldn’t be strange to die tomorrow.

If he died while sitting in the position of Prime Minister, wouldn’t he be said to have wanted to hold onto power until he died?

Then wouldn’t he really become a wandering spirit wandering the streets of Yukbu [district in Joseon] without being able to achieve enlightenment?

What dominated Hwang-hee in his later years was precisely such fear.

That’s why he clapped his knees when he heard that Prince Jin, Yi Do [a person’s name], had returned from the Nanjing court.

“Prince Jin, the Chief Secretary of the Nanjing Cabinet, has returned to Hanseong.”

“That’s right!”

Hwang-hee exclaimed with a hopeful sigh.

Prince Jin, Yi Do, is three years younger than the Emperor.

He is still in his prime – from Hwang-hee’s point of view – and has plenty of energy left.

The Emperor must have called him in to replace him.

It was a part to be wary of to put a member of the royal family in the front row of the court, but it was not specifically prohibited.

Even Yi Hwa, the Grand Prince Uian, Yi Seong-gye’s brother, served as Chief State Councillor.

‘There may be a major cabinet reshuffle this time.’

Meng Sa-seong and Heo Jo are also in similar situations to him, so they would welcome this reshuffle rather than reject it.

He was anxious to get confirmation right away, but Prince Jin came to him faster than that.

However, what he said was far from Hwang-hee’s expectations.

“Abdication?”

“I didn’t think he would do that either, but it seems he has made up his mind to abdicate while alive.”

The difference between an abdication show and abdication depends on whether the close aides come forward as promoters or not.

Those who read the king’s true intentions are no different from weathercocks of power, so most officials move in the direction they move.

So, wouldn’t Yi Do come to Hwang-hee and others in advance to convey the signal?

‘Wait, even if the Emperor steps down, can’t I achieve my goal?’

Hwang-hee stroked his chin and thought.

It’s not bad to be buried with the Emperor (in a figurative sense).

If he leads the resignation of the old ministers and steps down honorably like Nam Jae [a person’s name], he will be seen as a model of a minister without any desire for power.

If someone is needed to pave the way for the Crown Prince, he will gladly take on that role.

“So when are you going to carry it out? This year? Next year?”

His question was so urgent that Yi Do couldn’t even scold him for being disloyal.

He subtly avoided his eyes and conveyed his brother’s intentions.

“That… before that, he plans to separate the cabinet and the six ministries in Zhili [province in China] as well, and he says he needs someone to hold the center of the cabinet. Not for long, just for a few years…”

Hwang-hee rolled his eyes.