There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 76

People from Dongbuk-myeon took great pride in the fact that their region had produced the founder of Joseon.

After all, weren’t they often seen as country bumpkins from the outskirts, marginalized from the central stage of history?

Even in modern times, it’s common for Koreans to feel a surge of national pride when a fellow citizen achieves success abroad.

So, the fact that a local elder had become king filled them with an immense sense of regional pride.

However, this feeling didn’t last long.

Following the bloody power struggles between brothers for the throne, the Taesangwang [King Taejo, posthumously honored], who was once the pride of Dongbuk-myeon, was effectively deposed. The subsequent Jo Sa-ui’s Rebellion further deepened the emotional rift with the southern-based royal family.

They continued to be treated as outsiders, and the number of local officials appointed from the region was significantly reduced.

As a result, they harbored resentment towards both the Joosang [King] in Gaeseong and the central court.

“How can they disregard us like this?”

At least the Taesangwang had established the kingdom with Dongbuk-myeon as his base, so whether they admired or resented him, he was one of their own.

However, now that those detestable southerners were reaping all the benefits of his hard work, no one in Dongbuk-myeon was pleased with the situation.

It wasn’t as if they were expecting lavish rewards.

From the outset, they hadn’t imagined that Dongbuk-myeon would supplant the warmer south as the center of Joseon.

However, after Jo Sa-ui’s Rebellion, they were branded as a land of traitors. What, then, had all their efforts been for?

‘In the future, the Joseon royal family will remain far away in the south, completely detached from their roots.’

Not only the Joosang, but even the Crown Prince, born and raised in distant Hanyang, was no exception.

In their hearts, they had already severed all ties to the region.

Amidst this atmosphere of resignation and disappointment, the news of the Crown Prince’s visit sparked a flicker of interest.

“The Taesangwang is coming on a tour!”

“Ah, that’s good news.”

The Taesangwang’s return indicated that he hadn’t forgotten his hometown, which was welcome, but not particularly surprising.

However, the arrival of the Crown Prince, the Geumsang’s [King’s] eldest son, was a different matter entirely.

“The Crown Prince? Why?”

“All the way to this remote place?”

“Perhaps the Taesangwang intends to designate him as his successor?”

The people of Dongbuk-myeon couldn’t help but speculate.

The hopes they had long abandoned began to stir once more.

===

The food was endless.

No matter how I considered it, it seemed improbable to procure such delicacies in this desolate region of Hamgyeong-do.

Following in the footsteps of Lee Seong-gye, the idol of Dongbuk-myeon, I was receiving such lavish treatment.

Even the people of Gaeseong had been welcoming when they met me, but the reception in Hamheung was even more enthusiastic.

“Isn’t this too much?”

“It’s perfectly appropriate. The Crown Prince is visiting Dongbuk-myeon, his ancestral home, so how could we not prepare such a feast!”

‘But my hometown is Hanyang.’

Both in my past life and in this one.

People also presented gifts.

“We offer these humble local products as a token of our esteem. Please accept them.”

“Oh, you really shouldn’t have.”

‘They’re rather meager.’

Even disregarding the luxuries I had enjoyed in modern times, in my position, having handled countless precious items and vast sums of money in Gaeseong and Hanyang, these local products were nothing special.

But I accepted them with gratitude.

‘Well, it’s the thought that counts, not the gift itself.’

Of course, that’s what I tell myself to feel better when the gift is underwhelming. Naturally, a valuable gift is always preferable.

‘I’ve heard that sable fur is quite valuable. Don’t they have anything like that?’

I scratched my cheek, pondering.

In any case, I couldn’t simply accept this hospitality without offering something in return.

Since the royal decree instructed me to “greatly comfort the people of Hamgyeong-do,” I decided to put my plans into action.

“I have received much from you all, but I have little to repay. I would like to offer a small suggestion to help you cope with the winter. Would that be acceptable?”

The winter in Hamgyeong-do is long and brutal.

Surviving the winter is, without exaggeration, the most significant challenge of the year.

“How do you typically insulate your houses in Dongbuk-myeon?”

“We use rice straw and loess [a type of silt].”

They construct a wooden frame and pack it with rice straw and loess.

This prevents heat from escaping and helps regulate humidity.

I decided to suggest an additional measure.

“When you harvest rice and mill it, isn’t there rice husk left over?”

“That’s right.”

“When building a house, if you burn this rice husk and pack the resulting charcoal into the walls, it will be much more effective at insulation.”

I explained.

Rice husk charcoal is a material that is gaining popularity as a natural insulation material even in modern times.

A mixture of rice husk and rice husk charcoal in a 1:1 ratio is said to provide better insulation and humidity control than the commonly used bead method.

Most importantly, rice husk is a readily available byproduct in rural areas, making it easy to implement.

‘And improved stoves.’

Improved stoves had become quite widespread in the Gyeonggi-do area due to their efficiency, but they hadn’t yet been introduced here because of transportation difficulties.

“If the people here send someone, this Byeoljang [military officer] and the artisans here will teach you how to make these stoves.”

I said, gesturing towards Lee Cheon.

Lee Cheon, who had been enjoying the food and drink, suddenly looked up, startled.

“Your Highness, you have already entrusted me with the work of Dancheon.”

“Oh, this Byeoljang. We didn’t come here to simply enjoy ourselves. How can we ignore the needs of the people?”

I came here to work too. Why are you trying to slack off?

‘We can handle both tasks.’

The color drained from Lee Cheon’s face, who had been planning to relax until it was time to go to Dancheon.

Even without the harsh winter, Hamgyeong-do consumed a significant amount of firewood.

Finding firewood was a major concern, especially during the winter months.

Therefore, these improved stoves were essential for them.

“Oh!”

“We suffer greatly in the middle of winter trying to find firewood. If we send the children out to gather pine cones, they often catch colds and suffer for days…”

“If it’s as Your Highness says, that hardship will be greatly alleviated.”

I looked at them and said.

“His Majesty the Joosang has not forgotten you. That is why he sent me to look after the people’s livelihoods. This is all work done in accordance with the royal decree, so give your thanks to His Majesty in Gaeseong.”

No, actually, don’t do that. Praise me instead.

After all, my father is in Gaeseong, so he won’t hear it.

Giving credit to Lee Bang-won is simply a gesture of humility.

Indeed, they praised me, calling out my name after Lee Bang-won’s.

“His Majesty the Joosang, ten thousand years!”

“His Highness the Crown Prince, ten thousand years!”

‘Hmm, that’s a pleasant sound.’

In reality, this was hardly a gift exclusively for the people of Dongbuk-myeon.

After all, I was planning to distribute these innovations nationwide.

But wasn’t the impact of my personal visit and instruction significant? I had to make a grand display of it.

My gaze swept across the crowd, then turned towards those who weren’t present.

‘So.’

What kind of conversation is Lee Seong-gye having right now?

Even amidst all this, I noticed Lee Seong-gye moving to another location with some of the Dongbuk-myeon clan leaders.

He must have had something to discuss in private.

“Oh, it’s quite a lively gathering for a feast day.”

Speaking of the devil, Lee Seong-gye had slipped back in as if he had never left his seat.

Several people stood behind him.

“What’s going on?”

The people who hadn’t witnessed this scene because they were engaged in conversation with Lee Seong-gye looked puzzled.

“It seems like this fellow has been up to something again.”

Lee Seong-gye placed his hand on the shoulder of the man who appeared to be the representative and said.

Then he introduced him to me.

“This friend is Choi Heung-rip of the Yeongheung Choi clan. The Yeongheung Choi clan is the wife’s family of Hwanwang [Lee Seong-gye’s father] and my maternal family, so you are also related.”

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I am Choi Heung-rip.”

Choi Heung-rip bowed his head and said.

In terms of lineage, he was said to be a distant nephew of Lee Seong-gye.

“Then you would be an uncle to me.”

Choi Heung-rip hurriedly waved his hand.

“I am merely a local official of the border. How can I presume to act as the Crown Prince’s uncle?”

Even as he said this, I could sense that Choi Heung-rip’s perception of me had shifted.

As the Crown Prince, I wasn’t arrogant and treated him with respect, which seemed to have made a favorable impression.

“How do you find Dongbuk-myeon? Do you like it?”

“The scenery is beautiful, and the people are strong. It is truly the land where the king arose. I feel a desire to come and live here.”

Of course, I have no intention of doing that at all.

Am I crazy to abandon Hanyang, which I built with my own hands, and settle in Hamheung?

Choi Heung-rip observed me and nodded.

His gaze shifted to Lee Seong-gye, who was conversing with other people.

“The people of Dongbuk-myeon are all indebted to His Majesty. Dongbuk was the only place that remained peaceful in the chaotic Goryeo land, where the Honggeonjeok [Red Turban rebels], Wae [Japanese] invaders, and Jurchens were rampant, all thanks to His Majesty the Taesangwang.”

The Hamgyeong-do area was the most secure region during the tumultuous late Goryeo period.

It was Lee Seong-gye’s base, so even if the southern provinces were frequently plundered, this area remained relatively safe.

Of course, that’s in comparison to other regions. Dongbuk-myeon was also mobilized for war quite frequently.

“That’s why the people of Dongbuk-myeon respect the Taesangwang.”

“That’s right. The people here have a strong and fierce disposition, so they don’t easily follow anyone unless it’s someone like the Taesangwang. But once they choose a leader, they are loyal to the end.”

“It’s similar to the Jurchens.”

Something about that description reminded me of the Jurchens.

Upon hearing this, Choi Heung-rip tilted his head.

“Well, perhaps. Jurchens also reside here, so it might seem that way.”

“There are Jurchens here too?”

If this were modern Korea, Hamheung would be classified as part of Hamgyeongnam-do.

As someone who believed that all the Jurchens lived beyond the Tumen River, this was a somewhat surprising revelation.

“That’s right. Those people you met, Your Highness, are actually from Jurchen.”

“Those people?”

Choi Heung-rip pointed to a few individuals.

They were indistinguishable from Joseon people in terms of clothing and speech.

“They have been settled in Joseon for a long time and can communicate well with Joseon people. After a few generations, they will become fully integrated into Joseon society. They are also distinct from the Jurchens living north of here.”

I nodded.

“What do those Jurchens eat and how do they make a living?”

Choi Heung-rip widened his eyes, seemingly surprised by my question.

“I am very interested in the issue of livelihood.”

“Indeed…”

Choi Heung-rip nodded knowingly, wondering what Lee Seong-gye had told me.

Then he answered.

“They hunt, farm, or go out on boats to catch fish.”

“They use boats?”

Before coming here, I had heard that the Jurchens farmed, but did they also engage in fishing?

“Where do they get the boats? No, before that, can the Jurchens even use boats?”

“Why not? The Jurchens have a surprisingly close relationship with the sea.

In the past, during the reign of King Munjong of Goryeo, the Saeng-yeojin pirates were notorious. It is said that they even raided Japan at that time.”

My eyes widened.

Jurchen pirates sailed all the way to Japan.

‘Then that implies they possess long-distance navigation skills?’

After hearing the detailed account, it seemed that they had targeted not only Tsushima Island but also northern Kyushu.

My mind raced.

Even though considerable time has passed since then, what if some of their navigational expertise has been preserved?

Currently, these people appear to be fishing in the sea for sustenance.

‘If we could utilize the Jurchen pirates, we might be able to establish maritime trade with Japan?’

Or we could employ the Jurchens for raiding.

I briefly calculated the possibilities in my head.

But… to make this happen, once again.

I glanced at Lee Seong-gye, who was happily conversing with the Jurchens.