There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 72

“Allowing members of the royal family to take official posts?”

Lee Bang-won frowned.

“Have you not been listening to a word I’ve said?”

Lee Bang-won asked, implying whether I had already forgotten what he had just said.

“But isn’t it a waste to let people who could be working idle just because they are members of the royal family?”

Of course, in these early days of the nation, they don’t strictly limit the official positions of the royal family.

There are even people who have held high positions as close relatives.

Of course, it should be taken into account that the Jeonju Lee clan, along with Lee Seong-gye, overthrew Goryeo [the previous Korean dynasty] and founded the nation, thus serving as a solid support base rather than just being mere relatives.

However, Lee Bang-won didn’t seem to like that either.

“That was something that happened in the early days of the nation, so it can’t be helped. We need to gradually reduce it. Besides, it’s absurd to allow members of the royal family to take the civil service examination. I have no intention of giving them real positions.”

“Wouldn’t it be alright if it’s in the civil service rather than the military?”

I asked, curious.

They wouldn’t be holding military power, just being used as easily exploited subordinates, so why would he oppose it so much?

However, Lee Bang-won said with a confident expression.

“If members of the royal family get involved in politics, there will inevitably be someone who gets a bee in their bonnet.”

‘Coming from the guy who raised private soldiers, staged a coup, and usurped the throne.’

So, he used Jeong Do-jeon’s disbandment of private soldiers as an excuse to stage a coup, and then he himself disbanded private soldiers.

‘Seeing things like this, rulers are truly contradictory beings.’

Although being too consistent would also be a problem.

“Just inheriting the blood of this royal family is enough to be a basis for claiming the throne at any time. Especially the Grand Princes must be thoroughly excluded.”

Lee Bang-won explained that this was a problem unrelated to military power.

“What if you die young? What if your son dies young? What if your grandson dies young? There’s no guarantee that the royal family members who are serving as key officials in the court at that time won’t harbor other intentions.”

As someone who knows my lifespan, I wasn’t particularly worried about that, but Lee Bang-won said firmly.

“Compared to preserving the legitimacy of the royal family, the losses incurred by excluding the royal family from state affairs are nothing.”

“Still, it’s a waste for those with talent not to be able to fulfill their ambitions. Doesn’t Father know that feeling?”

I asked, scratching my head.

On the other hand, Lee Bang-won smiled nonchalantly and replied.

“That’s why I became king, isn’t it? So, I must ensure that such a thing never happens again after me.”

What is this, is this a double standard?

Lee Bang-won clearly had the mindset that he had seen everything he wanted, so he would thoroughly prevent such things from happening to his descendants.

‘Hmm, it’s not that I don’t understand, but…’

I didn’t expect the opposition to be this strong.

King Sejong clearly didn’t promote his sons, but he seemed to have given them work to do and used them appropriately.

‘Perhaps it’s because he knows the fate of having to live as a Grand Prince who can’t do anything.’

“The Grand Princes should quietly study. Ornaments that make the monarch shine. That is the role of the royal family,” Lee Bang-won said.

He was such a fool for his sons, but he became so cold when it came to issues related to power.

The reason he entrusted me with important tasks was only because I was the heir; if it were his other sons, he wouldn’t have allowed them to even approach.

‘My plan to take everyone I can and use them…’

I twisted my lips and lowered my head.

“I know what you’re saying. But it could set a bad precedent for future generations. The involvement of the royal family in politics must end with my generation,” Lee Bang-won said firmly.

Well, but wouldn’t he realize it someday?

That there are people who are too good to just let them idle.

===

I moved my feet with a pounding heart.

The destination was the Gyeongseong Department building where the lecture would be held.

‘Finally, today is the day.’

Today was an important day in terms of ending the fight with the censors, but it was also a day that aroused my interest as a Korean.

If you were to pick two great figures for Koreans, these would definitely be among them.

Admiral Yi Sun-sin and…

‘King Sejong.’

Since falling into Joseon, I’ve been so busy with various things that I’ve rarely seen my younger brother.

Of course, I attended official royal events such as the recent Crown Prince investiture ceremony, but I was too out of it at the time.

After that, I was busy going back and forth between Hanyang [the capital city].

I entered the Gyeongseong Department early with my father.

But as if a guest had already arrived, Lee Bang-won’s face lit up.

“Makdong-ah!”

I couldn’t see anything, but as if parents raising children have radar, Lee Bang-won shouted first.

A figure appeared faintly in the distance, and a child began to waddle over.

No, not waddle…

“Toddling?”

I gaped.

Is that child ‘him’?

“Are you well, Father?”

My brother said, folding his chubby waist.

His childhood name was Makdong, his given name was Do (裪), and his title was Grand Prince Chungnyeong.

After greeting Lee Bang-won, my brother’s eyes turned to me this time.

Although he was a child, I had the impression that he had a sharp mind.

But…

‘Has he already become like this?’

Even considering baby fat, his cheeks were excessively chubby.

And an overall round physique.

‘I’ve heard stories that the royal kitchen is busy every night, but…’

Does the butterfly effect of me inventing chicken come back this far?

I couldn’t stop the shock and pinched my cheek.

‘It doesn’t seem like childhood obesity, but…’

Still, he’s definitely chubbier than other children.

Compared to Hyoryeong, and compared to our royal family members.

‘Why didn’t you manage your son?’

I glanced at Lee Bang-won and thought.

Even though Father must have looked in on his sons from time to time, what was he doing until he got to this point?

Whether I did or not, Lee Bang-won was about to pick up his youngest… but put him down and said.

“Haha, our cute youngest, it’s good to see you looking so well! Have you been eating well?”

“Yes, Father.”

Lee Bang-won said that while rubbing his beard on Chungnyeong’s cheek.

His face didn’t contain even a bit of worry.

‘Do parents see their children as beautiful no matter what they do?’

I’ve heard that in the past, being fat was considered a symbol of wealth, so there was a trend of liking it.

But isn’t this too much?

‘At this rate, I’ll see Sejong die young.’

I sweated coldly.

“Um, Makdong-ah?”

“Has Crown Prince been well too?”

My brother looked at me and bowed.

I stroked his head and said.

“Hey, don’t be so distant, what’s with the Crown Prince? Call me older brother.”

He’s still young, so it’s not good to be too formal.

I said that.

Then my brother answered clearly.

“There are duties to be observed between ruler and subject, and there must be order between adults and children (Five Relationships) [the five basic Confucian relationships: ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, elder brother and younger brother, and friend and friend].”

Damn it, look at his eloquence.

I grabbed his chubby cheeks and stretched them, urging him.

“Older brother.”

“Crown Prince.”

“Older brother.”

“Crown Prin…”

“Sangmyeonghabok [obeying superiors], haven’t you heard the saying that you should follow what your superiors tell you to do?”

“A loyal subject does not spare advice.”

Damn it, he doesn’t give in on a single word.

But I’m relieved by this.

He has to be this good to get through the lecture.

===

The lecture went as I expected.

Grand Prince Chungnyeong answered fluently no matter what he was asked.

The censors glared at me every time, but I really didn’t do anything.

“Well, is that enough now?”

I yawned, wondering if I should end it soon.

The Grand Preceptor also agreed with that.

His face showed that he felt rewarded for teaching, and his job satisfaction seemed to be at its highest.

However, the censors were still adamant.

“No, this alone is not enough to say that he has fully mastered the Great Learning [one of the Four Books of Confucianism].”

“What more are you planning to ask here?”

When I asked, Censor Song Heung stepped forward and asked.

“What does the Grand Prince think is the most important passage in the Great Learning?”

Hmm, they’re coming out cunningly.

Chungnyeong shone his clear eyes and answered.

“The passage ‘The way of the Great Learning (大學之道) lies in manifesting virtue, in renewing the people, and in abiding in perfect goodness.'”

“The first passage of the Great Learning.”

The censors’ eyes lit up.

The reason why he specifically mentioned that among so many passages was probably because it was easy to remember.

“Then you must also tell us the reason. Did you choose it simply because it is the first passage?”

Then Chungnyeong shook his head.

“This sentence means that the way of the Great Learning lies in revealing one’s good nature, renewing the people, and abiding in the ultimate good.

Doesn’t Orthodox Confucianism see the pursuit of virtue as essential for achieving harmony between people and society?

It announces the importance of morality and clarifies that immoral and wicked behavior must be rejected, so it emphasizes that virtue must be cultivated and nurtured for this purpose.

It is a sentence that reveals the reason why we must learn the scriptures.”

“Th, that’s…”

Song Heung was flustered.

He didn’t expect him to answer so fluently.

If he had asked Grand Prince Hyoryeong what the most important passage in the Elementary Learning [another Confucian text] was, he wouldn’t have been able to answer like that.

But if you answer like that, what am I, who gave up studying, supposed to be?

“Y, you saw it right away. Then what do you think is the next most important passage?”

“In ancient times, those who desired to manifest bright virtue first governed their states; those who desired to govern their states first regulated their families…”

The Grand Prince’s explanation came out without hesitation.

“This passage is important because it roughly explains the need to cultivate the virtue of oneself and one’s family in order to create a just and harmonious world…”

It wasn’t just the censors who were surprised.

Lee Bang-won was the same.

“Jeya, are you listening?”

“I am listening.”

Lee Bang-won’s eyes were fixed on Grand Prince Chungnyeong, who was reciting sentences without even looking at the book.

‘This, my brother is about to cause a big accident.’

I thought so.

But Song Heung trembled his eyelids as if he couldn’t believe it.

He jumped up and shouted.

“Isn’t the Grand Prince only reciting the first chapter of the Great Learning? How can the good sentences of the Great Learning only be in the first chapter?”

‘Is that guy crazy?’

Why is he picking on something strange because there’s nothing to pick on?

Song Heung’s eyes were full of suspicion, as if I had used some trick again.

‘Is it trauma from Hyoryeong’s time?’

“Hiccup!”

Grand Prince Chungnyeong, surprised by Song Heung’s sudden shout, swallowed his breath.

He was frightened by the adult, who was much bigger than him, acting disgracefully.

Chungnyeong said, sobbing.

“Hiccup, the first chapter of the Great Learning speaks of the importance of learning and virtue, so it is the most important part from the perspective of a student who is just learning. I answered as I felt, so why do you doubt me?”

The censors had no choice but to lose their words at the Grand Prince’s words.

I was the same.

I had built a wall with studying, but I had forcibly read the Four Books [the core texts of Confucianism], so I could roughly understand what he was talking about.

‘That was a bag of knowledge.’

I thought, looking at my brother’s chubby belly.

Still, I have to make him lose weight.

At that time, Lee Bang-won clapped his knees and shouted.

“Haha, isn’t the Grand Prince’s achievement amazing?”

End

ⓒ Pitkong