Chapter 12

< Chapter 12: Sprout (發芽)... Cancer (發癌)? (5) >

Meanwhile, Sejong, who had realized his mistake, opened his mouth with a reddened face.

“Sagoon, ...”

However, upon seeing the sagoon enthusiastically teasing the golden brush, Sejong cleared his throat and looked at Hyang.

“Crown Prince, if you have more to say, continue.”

“Yes, Father.”

After a brief respite from the short farce, Hyang continued his offensive.

“The ministers here and the scholars outside the palace may be able to endure hunger as they have learned the principles of righteousness, but the ignorant commoners, who have not been properly educated in these principles, do not know how to endure hunger. To teach these commoners the principles and help them cultivate virtue, we must at least ensure they do not starve, should we not! While virtue is indeed important, so is the principle of ‘using resources to benefit the people’ (利用厚生)!”

“Right!”

Sejong slapped his knee in agreement, and as a result, the atmosphere in the court froze once again.

‘This scholar has really let the floodgates open, hasn’t he!’

Hyang, who had let out a small sigh, looked at the ministers. The ministers who had opposed Hyang’s plan were now in a near-death state.

‘This is my last card! If it succeeds, I can completely silence the ministers!’

With renewed determination, Hyang began his final offensive. “It has been said since ancient times that ‘the heart of the people is the heart of heaven’ (民心是天心). No matter how much virtue one cultivates, if the people are weeping, will heaven respond? It is said, ‘do all that you can and wait for heaven’s response’ (盡人事待天命). Shouldn’t we do everything we can before waiting for heaven’s response! Yet, whenever there is a drought, it is blamed on the king’s lack of virtue; when there is an epidemic, it is blamed on the king’s lack of virtue; and when there are famine deaths, it is also blamed on the king’s lack of virtue. The ministers say we must start with virtue! This is putting things in the wrong order! Before a drought, we should manage water resources properly; before an epidemic, we should prepare medicines; and before a famine, we should store grain. This is the natural order! Yet, to discuss the king’s lack of virtue without making such preparations...”

Hyang paused and glared at the ministers.

“Do you think this Joseon is lacking in virtue? Many of you here have held positions since the previous dynasty. Thus, ... when King Taejo founded Joseon despite being a Goryeo official, was it an unjust and unvirtuous act? When my grandfather raised the sword, was it also unjust and unvirtuous? And when my father, the Crown Prince, ascended the throne instead of his elder brother, the legitimate heir, ...”

“Crown Prince, absolutely not!”

“Such a heinous and treasonous thought has never crossed our minds!”

The ministers, forgetting that they were in the middle of a court session, were greatly alarmed and waved their hands in denial. Seeing Sejong’s expression turn sour, the ministers all prostrated themselves before him.

“Your Majesty! We have never harbored such heinous and treasonous thoughts! Please have mercy on us!”

“Please have mercy on us!”

Starting with the Prime Minister Ryu Jeonghyeon, all the ministers prostrated themselves and denied the accusations, but Sejong did not speak for a long time.

After a heavy silence, Sejong finally spoke.

“Crown Prince, your words were too harsh.”

“I beg your forgiveness, Father.”

“Be more cautious with your words in the future.”

“Yes, Father.”

Sejong, who had warned Hyang, then looked at the ministers.

“The tribute issue demanded by the Ming Emperor will proceed according to the Crown Prince’s plan. Prepare thoroughly. This year’s spring famine was severe, and with summer approaching, there has been little rain. I believe it is right to prepare grain to help the people.”

“We will comply, Your Majesty.”

No one opposed Sejong’s decision. Sejong, who had been glaring at the ministers, turned to look at Hyang. Sejong’s face was gentle when he looked at Hyang.

“Is there anything you want to add to what I said?”

“I believe it would be better to give grain to the people as payment for their labor rather than just distributing it freely.”

“Payment for labor?”

“Yes. The frequent droughts are not only due to lack of rain but also due to insufficient water management facilities. We should repair the reservoirs and dams in each county, and if they do not exist, we should build new ones. We should also dredge the riverbeds to prevent flooding. If we mobilize the people for these tasks and pay them with grain, we can expand water management facilities while also preventing the emergence of displaced people and famine deaths.”

“That is a wise plan. It should be implemented. What do you think, ministers?”

In response to Sejong’s question, the ministers all answered in unison.

“It is a very good plan, Your Majesty!”

“Then let it be done.”

“We will comply, Your Majesty!”

Sejong, who had heard the ministers’ responses, turned to look at Hyang.

“The Crown Prince may now return.”

“Yes, Father.”

“And after the memorial service, you will attend the royal lectures.”

Hyang, surprised by Sejong’s command, looked at him and then bowed his head.

“I will comply. I am still young and inexperienced, yet you grant me the honor of attending your lectures. I am deeply grateful.”

“Then return and finish your work.”

“Yes.”

As Hyang left, Sejong looked at the ministers with a stern face.

The gentle smile he had shown to Hyang was gone, replaced by a coldness like the north wind and winter snow.

“The morning court session will end here. Go and attend to your duties.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And by the way, we should consider how you view our Joseon.”

As soon as Sejong finished speaking, the ministers threw themselves to the ground.

“Your Majesty! We have never harbored such disloyal thoughts! Please have mercy on us!”

“Please have mercy on us!”

The ministers pleaded their innocence with all their might, their voices almost bleeding.

Sejong, looking at them with a cold face, turned his head.

“Go and attend to your duties.”

“Please have mercy on us!”

“Go and attend to your duties!”

Sejong’s stern command made the ministers quickly leave their positions.

* * *

As the ministers left Sejong’s tent, they all let out long sighs.

“Phew~.”

“Oh~. This is a serious matter. If things go wrong, there could be a bloodbath.”

“King Taejo and the late king’s blood... Phew~.”

The ministers’ conversation, which had been about the potential bloodbath, turned to Hyang.

“The current king is an excellent man, but the Crown Prince is also outstanding.”

“He is not just outstanding but also terrifying. He can sway the political situation with just a few words...”

“He is only in his early twenties, yet his words are as wise as those of a seasoned official...”

“He is definitely not an ordinary man...”

“Indeed, the king’s heart is a concern.”

The ministers, unable to hide their unease, glared at the instigators.

“Why did you have to speak out unnecessarily!”

“Do you not know the saying ‘the mouth is the gate of disaster’ (口是之禍門)!”

The Chief Censor, the Chief Inspector, and the Minister of Rites remained silent despite the other ministers’ criticism and walked away.

“Hey! If you have a mouth, use it!”

“You spoke so well during the court session, why are you silent now!”

“How do you plan to resolve this situation!”

The Chief Censor, Seong Eom, finally spoke up in response to the other ministers’ criticism.

“I am sorry.”

“Sorry is not enough!”

“...”

The Chief Censor and his companions moved away to avoid the other ministers.

Outside the palace gates, the Chief Censor and his companions let out long sighs.

“Phew~.”

“We have suffered a great defeat. We underestimated him because of his youth.”

In response to the Chief Inspector’s words, the three men all nodded.

“What is the best course of action from now on?”

The Chief Censor replied to the Minister of Rites.

“If there is no other way, we must submit a resignation letter.”

“A resignation letter...?”

“Yes. Once the king’s heart is filled with suspicion, disaster can strike at any time. What kind of bloodline is the king’s? Once he makes up his mind, he will not hesitate to shed blood. He has even fought with his own brothers and shown no qualms about destroying his in-laws and the families of his uncles. Submitting a resignation letter may be the only way to protect our families and schools.”

The Chief Inspector and the Minister of Rites nodded solemnly in response to Seong Eom’s words. Seong Eom let out a long sigh.

“Phew~. I wanted to build a country based on the king’s way and virtue...”

* * *

At the same time, Hyang, who had returned to the Crown Prince’s residence, was reflecting with a tilted head.

“I used the term ‘利用厚生’ (using resources to benefit the people). Did I use it correctly? I just blurted it out based on my knowledge...”

The moment the opposing ministers started to oppose, Hyang’s temper flared up.

‘Wow! This is even more infuriating when seen in real-time!’

Hyang, who was angry, drew upon all the historical knowledge he had learned in his previous life. Among these, he used the concept of ‘using resources to benefit the people,’ which is a fundamental principle of the later Joseon period’s practical learning, to counter the opposing ministers.

Reflecting on the situation, Hyang realized that if the opposing ministers had had a bit more time, they might have been able to counter him.

Hyang, recalling the tense moment, chuckled.

“My father’s virtue is great.”

At that moment, Sejong’s outburst became a ‘miraculous move.’

The ministers’ thought processes had been completely halted by a side of Sejong they had never seen since he became king.

“However, the sagoon were enthusiastically writing. I wonder how it will be recorded in the Annals.”

Hyang, who had been scratching his head while thinking about the sagoon diligently dipping their brushes in ink and recording everything, looked into the distance.

“I am grateful to Mr. Samcheonpo.”

* * *

While the ministers were worrying about their future and Hyang was reflecting on his outburst, Sejong was talking with Queen Soheon.

Queen Soheon was sitting outside the tent door, which had been set up for the mourning period, while Sejong was inside the tent. According to Confucian etiquette, a husband and wife should not sit together or share a bed during the mourning period.

“Have you eaten lunch?”

“I had some congee.”

“The king is the pillar of this country. The country can only stand strong if the king is healthy. Please take care of your diet.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

While discussing Sejong’s health, tea was prepared. A eunuch served Sejong, and a palace maid served Queen Soheon with a well-brewed cup of tea.

After taking a sip of tea, Queen Soheon spoke.

“I heard that the Crown Prince caused some trouble during the morning court session.”

“The Crown Prince did not cause any trouble. He proposed a very good policy. I was the one who caused the trouble.”

“Really?”

“Unable to control my temper, I used a tone that I should have reserved for private conversations. This is not befitting of a king...”

“Really? Hahaha!”

Sejong’s complaint made Queen Soheon burst into laughter. Wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes, she looked at Sejong.

“Your complexion looks brighter than before. You might as well speak your mind. Do you really need to worry about what the sagoon write?”

Queen Soheon’s words made Sejong nod. Although his face had turned red after the short farce, his heart felt lighter. It was as if the stiffness in his neck and shoulders had suddenly disappeared.

Sejong, who had organized his thoughts, spoke.

“The queen is right. My peace of mind should come first.”

“That is a wise decision, Your Majesty.”

“And I have ordered the Crown Prince to attend the royal lectures once the memorial service is over.”

Queen Soheon looked worried at Sejong’s words.

“Is that alright? The Crown Prince is still young...”

“Considering his handling of the golden brush and his words today, I believe he is capable.”

Sejong paused and sighed.

“Phew~. The Crown Prince is no ordinary man. You know this, don’t you? His actions, words, and thoughts are those of a seasoned official well past forty...”

Although he used the term ‘old before his time,’ Sejong had a pleased expression. Queen Soheon also smiled at his expression.

“Until recently, you were worried that his intelligence was creating too much distance between father and son. Now, it seems you find him reliable.”

“I do find him reliable.”

Sejong nodded.

< Chapter 12: Sprout (發芽)... Cancer (發癌)? (5) > End

ⓒ National Pride

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