There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 60

< The King's Concerns >

After Jo Young-moo agreed to take over some of the Training Command’s duties, Lee Seong-gye and I stepped aside.

Although Gyeongbok Palace was a bit daunting to enter alone without my father, Lee Seong-gye didn’t seem to mind and strode in, taking me along.

We retreated to a pavilion in the back garden and shared our thoughts.

“Let’s supply them with necessities and keep them on a tight leash…”

Lee Seong-gye, after hearing my idea, looked intrigued.

“It’s not like we haven’t managed them that way until now.”

Lee Seong-gye said that since his days as the lord of the Northeast, he had been providing the Jurchens with farming oxen, farming tools, grain, and clothing, acting as a patron.

Though the situation was worse now due to various circumstances.

Having interacted with the Jurchens and exerted influence for much longer than I had, Lee Seong-gye understood quickly.

“It’s true that relations have become strained because the court hasn’t paid enough attention, but if we actively step in now, it’s not impossible.

Production of clothing, salt, and ironware has greatly increased. All of these are lacking for the Jurchens, so if we supply them only to those who are compliant…”

The Jurchens are not a single political entity.

They are structured in such a way that they immediately feel threatened when a neighboring tribe becomes stronger.

This will lead them to compete to show their submission to Joseon.

People and resources are the core of power, aren’t they?

“I was only thinking of showing *wiyeom* [威嚴 – imposing power or authority] with force, but you are better than me.”

Well, Grandpa suddenly accelerated.

‘It must be a hormone issue.’

As I was thinking this, Lee Seong-gye spoke sternly.

“But there is something you haven’t considered.”

“What is it?”

“The Jurchen bastards are more cunning than you think. And they are also strong.”

He meant that we could end up being used while trying to use the Jurchens.

“You shouldn’t think of those bastards as being like us. If it’s not beneficial to them, or if they gain even a little bit of power, they are the kind of bastards who will stab you in the back at any time.”

Lee Seong-gye, who stabbed King Woo in the back, shouldn’t be the one saying that, but I kept his words in mind anyway.

“You mean we shouldn’t rashly give them power?”

“You understand well, you cunning fellow.”

I don’t know if it’s a compliment or an insult.

I said with a serious face.

“But doesn’t Joseon have Grandfather? Grandfather has wisdom and experience, so you know exactly how much is needed to make the Jurchens crave Joseon’s affection and, in return, gain their loyalty, right?”

“Of course. You know that well too.”

The two of us, grandfather and grandson, looked at each other and smiled evilly.

No one knows more about the Jurchens than Lee Seong-gye.

“If we firmly hold the leash through trade, it will be very helpful in preventing them from rebelling against Joseon or siding with Ming.”

“And that trade will be centered around Hansang, right?”

When Lee Seong-gye asked mischievously, I smiled and replied.

“Wouldn’t that be helpful to Grandfather too?”

“I didn’t put any favors there, so what benefit would I get from it? Look at this rascal, subtly trying to include his grandfather!”

Lee Seong-gye pretended to jump up, and I smiled and replied.

“Isn’t it the best filial piety for your grandson to do well?”

“You rascal, if only you couldn’t talk.”

Lee Seong-gye also chuckled.

I nodded and said to Lee Seong-gye.

“Then, the King Emeritus should call Baek Dal-won and give him detailed instructions.”

I passed the opportunity to step forward to Lee Seong-gye.

However, Lee Seong-gye shook his head.

“He won’t come if I call him. Let him handle it with your advice.”

“Yes?”

Even if Lee Seong-gye has no real power, he is nominally the King Emeritus.

Besides, given his friendship with Baek Dal-won, wouldn’t he naturally come if called?

Lee Seong-gye looked at me, as if curious, and said.

“Baek Dal-won is now your vassal, not mine. Even if he meets me once if I call him, he won’t follow my orders.”

Lee Seong-gye pointed out, and I hit my head.

I had forgotten that point.

I still lacked awareness as a superior.

‘A person who follows the orders of someone other than me is not a vassal.’

Even if Lee Seong-gye and Baek Dal-won are close, I was telling my subordinate to do something stupid, which is to take orders from someone else.

“I gave you a person, but you can’t even use him properly? Tsk tsk.”

Lee Seong-gye clicked his tongue as if worried.

“I may have made a mistake this time, but Baek Sang-danju [leader of the Baek Sang group] is definitely following my orders faithfully. Please don’t worry.”

“That’s just what that friend is good at. At this rate, even if I wanted to give others a chance, I wouldn’t be able to trust them with it.”

‘What is he talking about now?’ I wondered.

‘Does he mean that Baek Dal-won isn’t the only person he could pass things on to?’

“Do you perhaps know of any other talented individuals? What fields are they mainly involved in?”

“Well, they could be former members of the Gabyeolcho [elite royal guard], or perhaps those who went into retirement after the year of Muin [a specific year in the Korean sexagenary cycle]… Well, I plan to decide after seeing how you do.”

Lee Seong-gye has considerable influence not only among those mentioned but also in Buddhist circles.

‘How many people’s help would have been needed to establish a country?’

Some may have died, and some may still be serving in the court, but there are definitely people who can only be obtained with Lee Seong-gye’s power.

As if he noticed that I was getting excited, Lee Seong-gye lightly flicked my forehead.

“Ouch!”

“This rascal. You usually disrespect your grandfather, but as soon as you see a chance to exploit him, your eyes sparkle.”

“Come on, where else would you find such a filial grandson saying such things? Among all those grandchildren, aren’t I the only one who greets you every single day without fail?”

This is true.

Other grandchildren don’t have an obligation to visit every day, and they’re not that close to Lee Seong-gye anyway.

At my confident attitude, Lee Seong-gye glared at me and said.

“You’re also the grandson who gives me the most headaches.”

“Anyway, I will gratefully accept anyone you entrust to me.”

I bowed deeply to Lee Seong-gye, unlike usual.

‘I am still just a kid whose blood hasn’t even dried yet.’

My influence only extends to some civil officials and artisans.

So, if Lee Seong-gye is willing to push the talents from all walks of life that he used to use, I have no choice but to gratefully accept them.

‘If I can make them all my own, wouldn’t I be able to plan much more than I can now?’

“You rascal, I haven’t even said I’ll give them to you yet, why are you proceeding with the story as you please?”

“Please help me, even if it’s just for your grandson’s sake. I humbly ask you.”

I went behind Lee Seong-gye and massaged his shoulders.

‘Ugh.’

Lee Seong-gye’s shoulders, full of muscles, were not easy to massage, to put it mildly.

My fingers were going numb, but I didn’t show it.

After acting cute for a while, Lee Seong-gye cleared his throat, feeling better.

“Goodness. I must make a trip to Hamheung [Lee Seong-gye’s hometown, a place of great personal significance to him] while I’m still alive.”

“Can I go with you then?”

If the Crown Prince goes in person, he will gain the hearts of the people there and become acquainted with the Jurchen people and influential figures in the Northeast.

‘Going all the way to Hamgyeong-do is a hassle, though.’

I had the sense not to say, ‘Going to that cold place is a bit…’

More than anything, there were many things that could be developed by going to Hamgyeong-do.

‘I’ll take care of it all at once then.’

Just as I was finishing up the work talk and having some casual conversation, a eunuch came running up.

“Grand King, and Crown Prince.”

“What’s going on?”

“His Majesty has conveyed his intention to personally tour Hanyang this time.”

“Bang-won is?”

‘No, how long has it been since me and grandfather came, and Lee Bang-won is coming himself?’

“What’s the reason?”

“He said it’s to check whether Shindo [new capital] is being properly constructed and to examine the public sentiment…”

In Lee Bang-won’s position, who has only received reports, it’s understandable that he’s curious.

Hanyang is being built with buildings rising and roads being laid every day on paper, but he has never seen it with his own eyes.

‘I can understand that.’

As I nodded, saying that I fully understood Lee Bang-won’s intentions, Lee Seong-gye suddenly clicked his tongue.

“That Bang-won, he must be quite anxious!”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t he trying to come and monitor whether strange things are happening since I’ve come down to Hanyang?”

“Come on, surely not.”

Lee Bang-won even attached his close aide, Jo Young-moo.

Knowing that there’s a low possibility of Lee Seong-gye doing anything rash, would he really come for that purpose?

However, Lee Seong-gye shook his head.

“What kind of guy is he? He’s the kind of guy who would do that and still have something left [meaning he’s thorough and leaves no loose ends]. It would be a headache if he even suspects something.”

Lee Seong-gye shook his head and said.

“Since your father is so anxious, I should go out hunting in the suburbs first. That way, your father will be able to enter Hanyang with peace of mind, right?”

===

“Amazing! Even though only 30% of the construction has been completed, the grandeur of Hanyang is already visible.”

Lee Bang-won, after looking around Hanyang [present-day Seoul], showered it with lavish praise.

I proudly puffed out my chest.

“The Yongsan River area over there is an industrial complex where molten metal is constantly pouring out, and near Bukchon, there’s a tile-making factory. Even after the Hanyang construction is finished, we plan to continue working hard to supply tiles.”

As I pointed here and there with my riding crop, Lee Bang-won and his officials continuously exclaimed in admiration.

The current Hanyang, with its massive construction projects organically unfolding in various places, seemed to move like a giant organism.

Befitting its reputation as a new capital.

“As you saw on the way here, the capital city is being rebuilt in a hexagonal shape. Once completed, we plan to place cannons and soldiers at the protruding points to take on defense duties.”

The sight of levers and pulleys lifting huge bricks, and laborers applying generous amounts of cement to stack them, was visible.

“You truly are a lucky charm!”

Lee Bang-won suddenly lifted me up and rubbed his cheek against mine.

“Ack, Father, the beard!”

I screamed.

Damn it, my baby skin is still weak.

As I was touching my cheek, which had turned red and swollen, Lee Bang-won said,

“Where is the training camp site?”

“Ah, it’s being built in the Salgoji field area.”

I said.

Salgoji field, now Ttukseom, had been used as a place to review troops and practice archery since the early Joseon period.

Since it was already being used that way, I thought it would be fine to build a training center there.

“You built it in a peculiar place…”

Lee Bang-won trailed off.

Then, he suddenly asked.

“Does the Crown Prince know the story behind this Salgoji field?”

“Yes?”

“When the Supreme King [referring to Lee Seong-gye, the former king and Lee Bang-won’s father] returned to Hanyang, he saw me here and, filled with anger, shot an arrow. That’s why it’s called Salgoji field.”

“Did that actually happen?”

Even if things were messed up, how could a father shoot an arrow at his son?

But Lee Bang-won shook his head and said.

“There was an event where I greeted the Supreme King here, but the story that the Supreme King shot an arrow at me is false. But from some point on, that rumor spread.

I guess the people know that our father-son relationship is that bad.”

Lee Bang-won looked around and then whispered in my ear.

“Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Father.”

“If the Supreme King tries to do anything strange…”

“I will immediately stop him through Commander Jo and report to Father.”

“That’s right. You are indeed my bright son.”

…In the end, Lee Seong-gye was right.

‘Let’s do something about this father-son relationship.’

It’s suffocating.

“How long do you plan to stay in Hanyang?”

As an uncomfortable atmosphere settled, I cleared my throat and asked.

“I’m just out on a short excursion, so I’ll have to return soon. Besides, there’s something I’ve specially ordered at the Printing Office.”

“The Printing Office?”

I struggled for a moment to recall what kind of government office it was.

Certainly…

“This time, we’re going to make new metal type and try to publish a classic.”

That’s right.

It was the institution in charge of typecasting and printing.

“Metal type?”

Come to think of it, this year is 1403, the Gyemi year.

A question from the Korean History Proficiency Test suddenly came to mind.

Was it a question distinguishing between the type made during Taejong’s reign and the type made during Sejong’s reign?

‘Taejong was Gyemi type, Sejong was Gapin type.’

For reference, I got that question wrong.

Then what’s being made now is definitely that Gyemi type.

Even to me, who doesn’t think much, history has already been twisted quite a bit, but this kind of thing still follows the original history.

‘Gyemi type…’

The advice I wanted to give Lee Bang-won rose to my throat, but I desperately suppressed it.

End of

ⓒ Pitkong