There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 97

Running away is shameful, but it helps.

Or so goes a Hungarian proverb.

Our ancestors, or rather, their descendants by this era’s standards, might not have known this proverb, but they embodied it better than anyone.

The great Emperor Gojong of the Korean Empire was one such person.

Wasn’t it why he bravely charged into the Russian legation in defiance of Japan’s encroachment on national sovereignty?

‘I heard he used a concubine’s palanquin back then.’

Just as Xiang Yu had Wu Zhui Ma [Xiang Yu’s horse] and Alexander had Bucephalus, Gojong also carried out the Agwan Pacheon [flight to the Russian legation], riding in Royal Concubine Eom’s palanquin.

Thus, he completely deceived the cunning Japanese and displayed his majesty in Russia, so why shouldn’t we emulate that strategy?

Lee Seong-gye sighed deeply when I said this.

“Do you want me, as a king, to run away in my daughter-in-law’s palanquin?”

“Isn’t it better than going through a dog hole?”

“That’s true.”

The Queen Dowager’s palanquin was not very extravagant, befitting her personality.

Still, it looked sturdy enough, so it seemed unlikely that the palanquin would collapse and break someone’s tailbone.

“Please, get in first.”

I said that, considering the elderly.

Lee Seong-gye didn’t refuse and got into the palanquin.

I followed, forcibly squeezing my body into the palanquin.

“But is this okay?”

Lee Seong-gye asked.

Unlike the original owner of the palanquin, the Retired King was quite large, and I, who had grown considerably, wasn’t exactly light, so it was questionable whether the palanquin bearers could lift us.

“Let’s just try it once.”

I said.

The palanquin tilted as it seemed heavy with two people, but it somehow managed to move.

The escorting soldiers surrounded the palanquin and left Sangwangjeon [residence of the Retired King].

Inside the palace, no one stopped us, but the gatekeeper who controlled the inner and outer areas was the problem.

“Whose palanquin is this?”

He asked, and Geo Deol said.

“The Queen Dowager wishes to see her father, so we are escorting her.”

It was a perfect excuse, but the gatekeeper remained stubborn.

“Ahem, there was an order to strictly monitor the palace’s entrances and exits these days. May I see the Queen Dowager in person and hear her words?”

The hairs on my body stood on end at the gatekeeper’s words.

I never expected this would happen.

‘Are these crazy bastards daring to inspect the Queen Dowager?’

I was furious.

Of course, it was actually me and Lee Seong-gye inside, but still, there was a distinction between superiors and inferiors.

As if reading my anger, the accompanying official suddenly scolded the approaching soldiers.

“You fools! His Majesty the Retired King has already given his orders, yet you underlings dare to intimidate the Queen Dowager! Do you think you’ll be safe if the Retired King complains to His Majesty the King!”

“Ah, no.”

I could tell that the soldiers were flustered even without looking outside.

Naturally, when the orders of two kings clashed, the one to follow was Lee Bang-won, the de facto ruler and current king.

However, Lee Bang-won was also respectful of his elder brother, the Retired King, so even if they moved according to the order, they didn’t know what kind of trouble would arise.

“Intimidation, you say.”

The gatekeeper was also flustered.

To drive the point home, I slightly opened the palanquin window and called the official in.

So that the people around could clearly see a fair and delicate hand emerging.

“Well done. Now, get rid of those guys.”

I said in a small voice, and the official stomped his feet and shouted.

“You fools! Didn’t the Queen Dowager tell you to move aside quickly!”

“S-Sorry!”

The gatekeeper hurriedly bowed.

He probably didn’t expect to have to do this kind of acting on the spot.

Thanks to the official’s quick wit, we were able to get out without being caught by the gatekeeper and suffering hardship.

“Ugh, it’s cramped.”

Lee Seong-gye grumbled.

“Please bear with it a little longer.”

I said, but I was just as uncomfortable.

Forcibly crammed into a narrow palanquin, we couldn’t even get into a proper position, and both of our limbs were twisted grotesquely.

Just when I was wondering how long we had to go like this, the palanquin window suddenly opened.

“There probably aren’t any onlookers anymore. Get out of the palanquin and walk comfortably. I have prepared clothes for you to change into.”

What a sense.

Quick to improvise and good at reading the situation.

I looked at the official’s face and said.

“You’ve done well. What is your name?”

Then the official changed his expression and replied.

“I am Kim Jong-seo, who recently entered as a Jeong 9-品 Hanrim (翰林) [a junior scholar in the Royal Academy].”

“Oh ho.”

I involuntarily clicked my tongue at that name.

It hasn’t been long since I met Jang Yeong-sil, and now I’ve encountered another famous figure.

He was the one who achieved many accomplishments, such as pioneering the 4 forts and 6 garrisons, but had his head smashed by Grand Prince Suyang’s iron mace and died.

Kim Jong-seo’s face hardened, wondering if he had made some mistake, so I quickly reassured him.

“How long have you been in Sangwangjeon [Retired King’s residence]?”

“I was assigned here immediately after passing the special civil service examination last time, so it hasn’t been a year.”

“I see······.”

I stroked my chin.

Then, I reached out and patted Kim Jong-seo’s shoulder.

“Work hard. I think you’ll become a great man.”

Kim Jong-seo’s face brightened at my encouragement.

He must feel it’s worth participating in this operation, having caught the Crown Prince’s eye.

“Then, have a safe trip!”

Lee Seong-gye asked, turning his back on Kim Jong-seo, who bowed deeply.

“Do you really think he’ll become great? He seems quite perceptive and has some guts, but isn’t he still a greenhorn?”

“I think he’ll become a Prime Minister, at least.”

I said confidently.

My existence itself has changed history, so I don’t know what will happen, but in the original history, wasn’t he a Yeonguijeong (Chief State Councilor) [highest-ranking government position]?

I can’t be mistaken, as he’s involved in the famous Gyeyu Jeongnan (계유정난) [a political coup].

Lee Seong-gye looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.

“You rascal, even though Prime Ministers change every year, there are plenty of people who die without even getting close. Do you really think that friend will go that far?”

“Do you think I’m lying?”

“Hmm, well, you’ve never said anything nonsensical, but still.”

Lee Seong-gye crossed his arms, half in doubt.

“I should remember that fellow’s name too.”

===

Leading the escorting soldiers, who were more anxious than the civil official Kim Jong-seo, we stopped by a gibang [traditional Korean courtesan house].

The disguise was perfect, so everyone there treated us only as guests.

I inspected the kitchen like a secret royal inspector, and Lee Seong-gye had a drink before we could leave the place.

Soon, we moved to the execution site, as if going on an outing.

‘It sounds a bit strange when I say it like this.’

But in this era, execution really served as a form of entertainment.

The atmosphere here alone showed that.

“It looks like some kind of festival is taking place.”

“Is that so?”

I was curious and peeked around.

Clearly, the location was right, but a boisterous drinking party was going on.

People were vying for good spots to sit and enjoy drinks and meat, and someone was enthusiastically playing the kkwaenggwari [a small Korean gong].

I was dumbfounded and grabbed someone to ask.

“What kind of festival is being held?”

“Ah, don’t you know, young master? Everyone came out to see the execution of the Wokou [Japanese pirates] leader who was captured last time.”

“That’s right. What a joyous occasion! I can’t miss this rare sight.”

It wasn’t a festival, but a funeral.

Retired King Lee Bang-gwa was seen observing from afar with a solemn expression.

The Geumbusa (officer in charge of legal affairs) [police bureau] shouted on behalf of the king.

“Bring the criminals!”

Then, starting with the leader Soda Saemontaro, those who held key positions among the Wokou were dragged out in a line.

The execution of these Wokou was decided to be beheading.

Usually, when it comes to capital punishment in Joseon, people often think of poison, but that is a benevolent punishment to allow for the recovery of the body.

Why would they feed poison made by grinding medicinal herbs to a Wokou leader?

There are no surviving family members to take care of.

“They look ferocious!”

“Kill them quickly!”

The people shouted enthusiastically.

It was like watching a circus.

Regardless of all the malice and ridicule, Soda Saemontaro raised his face and shouted.

“You dog-like Joseon bastards!”

His face was swollen and bruised, probably from suffering a lot while imprisoned in Gaeseong.

He had been paraded around Gaeseong and was half a wreck, but at this moment, his eyes shone fiercely.

“Doing such a thing, the gods will not forgive you! Our Japan will surely come to take revenge!”

Soda Saemontaro continued to shout until arrows were stuck in both ears, forcing him to kneel.

“Crazy bastard.”

I unconsciously uttered those words.

Lee Seong-gye tilted his head and said.

“Will they really come to take revenge?”

“The Japanese court probably won’t care much······. Pyeongdojeon said he had some ties with the Soi (Shoni) clan [a Japanese clan], so we might need to be wary of them.”

I whispered to Lee Seong-gye.

Of course, it’s not that those people are coming to take revenge because they are so sad and grief-stricken over Saemontaro’s death.

‘His henchman was caught, and the land in Tsushima was taken without his consent, so it’s a matter of prestige.’

I have no idea how things are going inside Japan.

“Control barbarians with barbarians.”

Lee Seong-gye suddenly threw out those words.

“Yes?”

To control barbarians with barbarians.

While I was thinking about the meaning of those words, the execution show began.

Lee Bang-gwa, who had been looking around, unconcerned by the commotion, stepped forward.

“Execute.”

Lee Bang-gwa said with a fairly dignified expression, and the executioner stepped forward.

However, unlike his fierce face, the executioner didn’t seem very accustomed to this task.

– Thwack!

The dancing executioner struck Saemontaro’s neck with a large sword.

“Ugh······.”

Saemontaro made a painful expression, but his head didn’t come off in one go.

– Thwack, thwack!

The executioner changed his expression and struck several times, but it wouldn’t cut cleanly.

Soda Saemontaro’s neck was more like it was being minced rather than cut before it finally came off.

“Waaaaa!”

However, the people were even more enthusiastic about that sight.

“Ugh, how gruesome.”

I slyly turned my head.

Whether in my past life or this one, I’ve unintentionally seen many scenes of blood splattering, but I’m not the type to enjoy it.

“I know, right. Bang-gwa, that guy, should have brought a more skilled executioner.”

Lee Seong-gye also clicked his tongue.

‘I think a more humane approach is needed.’

If the beheading fails like that, it’s very harmful from an aesthetic point of view.

Unless you want to inflict more pain.

I resolved to make a guillotine.

“Waaaaa!”

At that moment, cheers were heard once again from a slightly distant place.

The gazes of those who had gathered to watch the execution also turned there.

“Behold! The sight of those Wokou who invaded our land dying like dogs!”

A clear voice was heard from among the crowd.

Looking there, someone was standing on a rock and shouting, and in front of them, people were kneeling with their hands clasped tightly.

It looked like a Taoist priest was giving a sermon, taking advantage of the crowd.

‘Who are these guys?’

Curious, I moved my steps towards them.

“Before our soldiers even crossed swords and spears with the enemy, lightning struck the dry sky, and the Wokou collapsed on their own. Heavenly soldiers (天兵) [supernatural soldiers] and divine soldiers (神兵) [divine warriors] descended from the sky and took their heads, so is this the harmony of man or the harmony of heaven!”

“It is the harmony of heaven!”

As the people clasped their hands and shouted, the people on the rock asked.

“Then, is the one who controls the harmony of heaven a divine spirit or a person?”

“It is a divine spirit!”

“It is the Heavenly Lord of Numinous Treasure (靈寶天尊) [a high-ranking Taoist deity]!”

At the sight of what looked like a revival meeting of some cult, I blurted out.

“What are these guys doing?”

End

ⓒ Pitkong