There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 442

443. The Return (2)

I staggered over to the Crown Prince, pinching his chubby cheeks as I pondered.

‘Could this seemingly clueless kid really be…?’

I narrowed my eyes, gazing intently at the Crown Prince, but he just giggled, reaching out his hand.

“Ouch!”

Tears welled up from the sharp pain in my jaw.

They say when you adore your grandson, he grabs and shakes your beard; he’s really committing this act of impiety [disrespect towards elders or sacred things].

‘I believe it. You’re definitely a descendant of our family.’

I clutched the beard he was shaking, thinking.

This is my grandfather? There’s no way that could be true, right?

Half disappointment, half relief washed over me.

What am I even thinking, holding my cute grandson?

In life, there’s a lottery-level chance that two birds might fall, pierced by the same arrow [an idiom meaning a lucky coincidence or achieving two goals with one action].

‘Hmm, it’s definitely a fluke.’

I nodded to myself, thinking.

* * *

The place where we gathered the envoys and demonstrated firepower was Salgoji Field.

This place also holds many memories.

Whether reviewing the troops or going hunting, we mainly held events at Salgoji Field, close to the capital.

As Hanyang’s [old name for Seoul] population has grown, the city has expanded beyond the fortress walls, so one day, this vast field might be covered with residences and various facilities, disappearing without a trace.

‘That can’t be helped.’

I looked at the vast field with a bitter heart.

I have no intention of stopping it. If this is a kind of progress, it’s naturally more important than my memories.

After sending the envoys of Nakrang [an ancient Korean kingdom] back first, I was lost in reverie for a moment, but I had to return to the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the South Korean president].

This popular figure was constantly being sought after.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince of Ryukyu [an island kingdom, now part of Japan] has come to pay his respects.”

“Oh, the Crown Prince of Ryukyu?”

“Yes, he also carries a letter from Grand Princess Jang.”

Kyung’s eldest son had already grown up and was steadily preparing to take over Ryukyu.

It had been a long time since he was appointed as Crown Prince, and he had already visited Joseon [historical Korean kingdom] several times.

In the old days, no matter what, it might have caused opposition and concern for the crown prince of a country to frequently travel in and out of the country, but the development of transportation and the strongly integrated world order centered on Joseon made it possible.

The same was true for the other family members.

“The second Grand Princess, who was in Bukpyeong [a district in Beijing], is also returning.”

Hyun and her family, who had been leisurely spending time there because they liked Beijing so much, which they were visiting for the first time, also returned to Hanseong [old name for Seoul] in time.

In her letters, she said that after seeing the zoo that had been there since the Yuan Dynasty’s Dadu [Yuan Dynasty’s capital, now Beijing] disappear without a trace, she had many thoughts.

It would be a good thing to be interested in the project of finding rare flora and fauna and preserving the species.

Development and progress are always accompanied by the darkness of destruction and extinction.

I closed my eyes and muttered.

“For once, our family will gather in one place.”

“Shall we return to the palace?”

I nodded readily and said.

“Let’s go back.”

“Shall I bring the carriage?”

“No, it’s alright.”

Whenever I go somewhere, a palanquin [a covered litter carried by poles] is always prepared, but I mainly ride a horse rather than a sedan chair or rickshaw.

There were many concerns that I might fall off my horse because of my old age, but when I showed those who treated me like an old man how vigorously I could handle a horse, those words disappeared.

However, my beloved horse, Ttaenggu, is too old to carry anyone around.

Anyway, it seems that he properly inherited his mother’s bloodline, and it’s amazing that he can take care of himself and follow me, even at an age where he could die tomorrow.

Even now, Ttaenggu seemed excited to be taking a walk with his master for the first time in a while.

I stroked Ttaenggu’s mane and said.

“Let’s walk for once.”

Since we’ve come out for a stroll, we can walk as much as we want and then ride when we get tired.

I held out my hand to the Crown Prince, and he trotted over and took my hand.

Juso-hwa, who was following behind, stealthily moved next to him and took the Crown Prince’s other hand.

I looked down at the Crown Prince and asked.

“Crown Prince, are you studying hard?”

“I’m just doing it!”

“……Is that so.”

Even though we’ve been transfusing ink-stained genes [referring to a family with a history of scholarship] for generations, it seems we still have a long way to go.

Another grandfather would be disgusted and scold him, but I didn’t want to do that.

It’s enough if he doesn’t cause accidents and is healthy.

Danie, who has to teach his successor, seems to be frustrated late, but that’s his fate, so there’s nothing he can do about it.

“What has your teacher been teaching you recently?”

“I learned the ‘Governing the Family’ chapter of the Myeongsimbogam [a classic Korean text of moral teachings]!”

“Do you remember everything?”

“Of course!”

At the Crown Prince’s words, I laughed heartily and said.

“Then recite it in front of this grandfather.”

“Now?”

The Crown Prince flinched at my words.

He didn’t seem very confident, but he looked like he was too proud to back down now.

The Crown Prince paused for a moment, then began to recite diligently in time with his steps.

“Don’t be nervous and try to remember slowly. When you become an old man like your grandfather, you become relaxed.”

“Shouldn’t you become more impatient instead? Because there’s not much time left.”

“…….”

The Crown Prince, who had raised a completely rational question, seemed to relax and began to recall what he had studied.

At first, he stammered through the ‘Governing the Family’ chapter, starting with ‘Sima Guang said,’ but as he gained confidence, the Crown Prince’s voice gradually became clearer.

凡使奴僕에 先念飢寒이니라.

범사노복에 선념기한이니라.

When employing servants, you must first consider their hunger and cold.

時時防火發하고 夜夜備賊來니라.

시시방화발하고 야야비적래니라.

From time to time, prevent fires from breaking out, and every night, prepare for thieves coming…….

The Crown Prince, who had been confidently continuing, suddenly stopped walking and tilted his head.

“Huh? I think I missed something in the middle.”

I subtly avoided my grandson’s eyes, which were asking for help.

‘You shouldn’t ask your grandfather.’

Do your own work yourself, that’s my educational philosophy.

It’s not that I don’t know either.

Instead, Do, who was behind him, grinned and interjected.

“That’s right. You skipped an important passage.”

“Ah, wait! Little Uncle, don’t say it!”

The Crown Prince paused and took a defensive stance.

The boy, who had been racking his brains for a while, clapped his hands and shouted.

“Ah, I forgot one important thing! That’s it, right? Jahyosangchinrak [子孝雙親樂]…….”

“That’s right. Excellent, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince crossed his arms and replied triumphantly to Do’s flattering words.

“This much is basic.”

A smile naturally appeared on my face as I watched the Crown Prince, who had been struggling to remember what he had skipped just a moment ago, speak with confidence.

“This passage seems to fit our family perfectly.”

Then he closed his eyes and began to recite the forgotten part in a clear voice.

I couldn’t help but let out a word as I listened to it.

“……Crown Prince, do you really think so?”

At my question, the Crown Prince looked up at me blankly.

Half-hidden in the shadow of the setting sun, he looked both innocent and meaningful.

“Of course!”

I smiled and continued.

“Tell me again. I like hearing you recite.”

However, the Crown Prince willingly opened his mouth and recited the passage from the ‘Governing the Family’ chapter.

子孝雙親樂이요 家和萬事成이니라.

자효쌍친락이요 가화만사성이니라.

When children are filial, parents are happy,

When the family is harmonious, everything is accomplished.

I paused for a moment, then slowly repeated the passage the Crown Prince had recited.

子孝雙親樂이요 家和萬事成이니라.

자효쌍친락이요 가화만사성이니라.

When children are filial, parents are happy,

When the family is harmonious, everything is accomplished.

Looking back now, it was really like that.

* * *

After that, I lived for several more years.

In fact, it’s not just me.

My wife, my second son who lives like a monk, my third son who was most concerned about his health, and my youngest sibling, who is the youngest of us, are still healthy.

‘Is it possible that I’ll be the first to go?’

There’s no order in going, but if I had to guess, the older generation has already passed away, so it’s my turn next.

I just wish that I could continue to live leisurely, watching my grandchildren’s antics, but of course, people can’t live forever.

It’s a shame, but I don’t have any regrets.

I successfully completed all the things I could do, and I enjoyed my later years.

Peaceful times continued, and the lives of the people were gradually becoming more prosperous.

‘This was a pretty good life.’

There was nothing more I could leave for Joseon.

I organized and left behind scientific knowledge that may not be necessary in the present era but will be useful in the future.

I hope that my juniors, who have grown up in the research environment I have created, will one day take over and complete it.

In addition to this, I also considered recording the flow of history that would follow…….

‘It wouldn’t mean much.’

In a history that has already been twisted, how valuable would those things really be?

‘I think I heard about the Little Ice Age and the Great Famine when I was in the modern era.’

I even thought about leaving a warning about the future climate disaster that might not change, but even that might be offset by global warming.

Decisively, I don’t even know the original history well. So, if I left a prophecy, it would be obvious that it would be useless.

For that reason, when the end came for me, I decided to spend my time on something more meaningful than worrying about the future by predicting each and every event.

I held Juso-hwa’s hand tightly as she sobbed beside me and said.

“You should follow slowly.”

Originally, the average lifespan of women is a little longer than that of men, so Juso-hwa can live a little longer and then come.

“Why are you saying that? How can I live without you…….”

Juso-hwa said, wiping away tears with her sleeve.

I feel so relieved that she’s still using the same comfortable tone as in the old days, even at this age.

In this era, there was only one person.

The only person who could treat me so comfortably was the tomboyish girl in front of me.

If I hadn’t met Juso-hwa, I might have been exhausted from a rigid married life like Danie in the early days of our marriage.

That… I thought it was very lucky…….

Just as my consciousness was slowly fading away, I suddenly wondered what the thumping sound coming from outside was.

What is this sound?

“Father, please come to your senses!”

“Keuk!”

Danie, who burst into the room, grabbed my shoulders and shook me as my consciousness slowly faded away.

I suddenly woke up from the strong grip I felt on my collarbone.

“People will come from Ryukyu too. Hyun will also come. Please hold on a little longer, Father!”

The siblings and doctors next to him hurriedly stopped Danie, who was shaking me wildly and shouting.

“Your Majesty, please calm down!”

“At this rate, the Supreme Emperor will pass away!”

“Oh, is that so?”

‘Oh, is that so?’ Is that the right way to ask after almost killing your father?

Looking at his son, who was staring blankly at his hands, I rubbed my forehead.

He’s been in his middle age for a long time now, but nothing has changed from the old days.

‘Can I leave like this?’

Thinking about it, I suddenly felt uneasy…….

No, Danie is doing a good job as an emperor in his own way, but why is the last thing he shows such an undignified appearance? Isn’t that obvious?

To soothe that anxiety, I turned my gaze from my son to my brother, who was sitting next to him.

My brothers’ eyes were red, but their attitude was calm.

Perhaps the more people you send away, the more accustomed you become, or perhaps it’s because our brothers’ personalities were originally like that, unlike my son.

“Brother.”

And among them, the most special one met my eyes.

I nodded slightly and opened my mouth.