Chapter 16

< Chapter 16: Sprout... or Cancer? (9) >

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

The major events, such as "The king wielded a cane against the crown prince" and "The ministers were scolded by the king," began to spread quietly throughout the capital.

Although the ministers ordered everyone to keep quiet to avoid losing face, it was only a matter of time before those who liked to talk would spread the news.

As a result, the rumors spread at the speed of light. Within five days, no one living within the walls of Hanyang was unaware of the incident. Most of the common people, except for the conservative scholars, supported Hyang's words.

"Right! The Crown Prince's words are spot on! Every time that damn Ming envoy comes, there's no end to the wailing!"

"Right!"

"Landlady! Bring us a bowl of makgeolli! We need to drink on a day like today!"

While many commoners in the capital supported Hyang, there were some who unexpectedly suffered. These were boys of Hyang's age.

From the grandsons and great-grandsons of the ministers and scholars to the sons of farmers, boys of Hyang's age were often scolded.

"The Crown Prince is already so accomplished in his studies that he can debate with the ministers, but what about you? You can barely read the Thousand Character Classic! What a disgrace to the family!"

"I'm sorry! I will try harder..."

"Shut up! Father! Bring the cane!"

"The Crown Prince is making even the best ministers bow, but you, you little brat, just sit around breaking jars in the neighborhood! Come on! Let's have a funeral today! Bring me a thick cane!"

While the sons and grandsons were being scolded and beaten by their fathers and grandfathers, the attention of the women in the noble families, starting with Lady Jeonggyeong, turned elsewhere.

"I'm curious about how the Queen Consort disciplined the Crown Prince."

"We are also curious."

"I would like to ask, but due to the recent treason, the Queen Consort has no relatives..."

The women, who were trying to find a connection to the Queen Consort, turned to Lady Yeongbin Kang, one of Sejong's concubines.

"From what I know, the Crown Prince learned his studies on his own."

"Is that so..."

Seeing the disappointed faces of the ladies, Lady Yeongbin Kang continued.

"The Crown Prince is not only excellent in his studies but also in teaching."

"Really?"

"The method he used to teach his younger brothers was truly remarkable."

* * *

While pondering how to deal with his younger brothers, especially Suyang, Hyang finally came to a conclusion.

"Clearing them out before they act would be unjustified, so I'll push them to the brink! No, I'll push them to the brink and then push them even more!"

Having made his decision, Hyang immediately put it into action.

"To push them properly, I need to make them learn properly!"

After confirming the situation, Hyang placed his hand on his forehead.

"They can't even read the Thousand Character Classic yet... How can I deal with this..."

Upon hearing the rumors that Hyang had lamented about his brothers' academic achievements, Queen Soheon summoned him.

"The Crown Prince is so outstanding, but it's not that the younger brothers are falling behind."

"Your Majesty, the younger brothers are also of the royal blood. The fact that the Crown Prince is a genius is undeniable, and for them to behave like this is a disrespectful act that tarnishes the royal honor. I cannot tolerate this!"

'They're just a bunch of good-for-nothings!'

With a firm resolve, Hyang devised a method to teach his brothers.

"First, they need to learn the Thousand Character Classic properly..."

Hyang, who was struggling with the education of his two younger brothers, Suyang and Anpyeong, soon came up with a solution.

Hyang's solution was word cards.

He ordered the Painting Bureau to create word cards. They attached paper to both sides of thick wooden boards, with the four-character phrases from the Thousand Character Classic on one side and illustrations explaining the sentences on the other.

In addition to the Thousand Character Classic word cards, Hyang used 'carrots'—mainly snacks—and 'competition'—between Suyang and Anpyeong—to teach them. He also used appropriate discipline, and as a result, Suyang and Anpyeong mastered the Thousand Character Classic in just 40 days.

Hyang's teaching did not stop at the Thousand Character Classic. He used illustrations depicting the content of the classics to explain them in a storytelling style, keeping Suyang and Anpyeong engaged in their studies.

"The younger brothers seem to be following well, so I think this method will work for now."

"I am in awe of the Crown Prince's teaching methods!"

The royal tutors, who had been struggling with the education of the two princes—especially Suyang, who had spent a long time in the palace—were greatly impressed by the Crown Prince's methods and bowed their heads.

"Then, how long should we continue this method?"

"The Four Books and Five Classics require a proper attitude, so until then, it should be fine."

"We will do as you say."

Meanwhile, upon hearing reports of Hyang's innovative methods and the significant help he provided in his brothers' education, Sejong was delighted and slapped his knee.

"Indeed, he is the Crown Prince! Indeed, he is the eldest son!"

* * *

The ladies, who had heard about Hyang's teaching methods and their results through Lady Yeongbin Kang, were so excited that they fidgeted in their seats.

"Is there any way we can get those teaching aids the Crown Prince made?"

"The Crown Prince said he needs to keep them well for teaching other younger brothers."

"Oh..."

"Is there any way we can get them?"

"I'm not sure..."

Seeing the ladies' eager expressions, Lady Yeongbin Kang looked uncomfortable.

"Ladies! Please speak to the Crown Prince!"

"Ah~. I have my dignity..."

"Ladies! Is your dignity more important than your grandson's education? He is the heir of the family!"

"Ugh... Still..."

"Ladies!"

Finally, unable to withstand the ladies' nagging, the officials, both high and low, sought out Hyang.

"What is the matter?"

"Well, the truth is..."

Hearing the details from the officials, Hyang smiled wryly.

'Am I some kind of miracle worker?'

Nevertheless, after listening to the officials' complaints, Hyang made a decision.

"The Thousand Character Classic teaching aids can be sold. For the higher levels, I need someone to teach in my way, and such people are rare. So, let's stop at the Thousand Character Classic. Is that acceptable?"

The officials, who realized their grandsons were at the age to learn the Thousand Character Classic, nodded after a moment's thought.

"Even just the Thousand Character Classic is greatly appreciated."

"Very well. The price is 100 bags of rice."

"100 bags of rice!"

When the officials were taken aback by the unexpectedly high price, Hyang explained the reasons.

"Of the 100 bags, one will be paid to the Painting Bureau for the materials and the artists who will draw the illustrations. Another will go to the national treasury. The last one will be for my personal use."

"What will the Crown Prince use it for?"

"Books are quite expensive."

100 bags of rice was not a small amount, but the eager mothers-in-law did not hesitate to pay it.

As a result, the artists of the Painting Bureau received an unexpected bonus and cheered, while Hyang smiled contentedly at the stacks of rice bags piling up in a corner of the Crown Prince's residence.

"Now I can indulge in my hobbies more peacefully."

* * *

While the unexpected turmoil caused by Hyang was making the court noisy, time passed, and the mourning period for Taejong was almost over.

September 6th: The funeral was held at Heolleung.

September 18th: Sejong and the ministers gathered at Gwanghyojeon to perform the final mourning rites.

For the first time since Taejong's death, meat was served to Sejong as a side dish.

After the final mourning rites, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers all wore white mourning clothes, black hats, and black sashes.

September 20th: An owl's cry prompted the performance of a ritual to ward off evil.

September 21st: Sejong and the ministers finally returned to the side hall and began to handle state affairs.

* * *

Upon returning to the side hall and resuming official duties, the court began to return to its normal operations.

Sejong and the ministers worked busily to normalize the government, which had become somewhat lax during Taejong's funeral, by creating precise scales and reinforcing the system for those entering and exiting the palace gates.

Sejong, as promised, allowed Hyang to participate in the royal lectures. These lectures were not simply about expounding Confucian classics.

"From the Book of Odes..."

Sejong and the ministers engaged in intense debates, starting with a mention of a part of the Confucian classics.

The debates became heated not just because of differing interpretations of the classics but because the topic was how to apply Confucian ideals to actual policies.

"Your Majesty! The teachings of the sages are like golden rules and must be remembered and followed!"

The ministers generally maintained this stance, arguing that the writings in the classics were the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, which the king should follow diligently.

"The duty of the state is to educate the people! In educating the people, moral integrity should come first!"

While the deeply Confucian ministers advocated for 'morality as the foundation and wealth as the means' and 'valuing righteousness over profit,' Sejong, Hyang, and the pragmatic ministers countered with opposing arguments, leading to heated debates.

"In the 'Great Yu's Plan' chapter of the Book of Documents, the sages took 'governing the state and aiding the people' as the ideal of moral governance."

"Confucius spoke of enriching the people before educating them, and Mencius said that providing the people with a stable livelihood is the foundation of the Way of the King!"

The duo of Sejong and Crown Prince Hyang effectively refuted the dogmatic Confucian views of the ministers. After a proper debate, the old ministers would retreat, drenched in sweat and exhausted.

"I thought the Crown Prince was only good at miscellaneous studies..."

"Did you still think that after the last time?"

"I've never been afraid of the royal lectures until now."

"Wouldn't it be better to request fewer lectures?"

The situation had reversed from the days of Taejo and Taejong, when ministers would insist on holding lectures even if the king tried to avoid them, to now, where they were considering reducing the number of lectures.

Unlike the ministers, who were struggling, Sejong's face was always filled with a smile. Since ascending the throne, Sejong had constantly faced pressure from his ministers.

'One hand cannot clap.' Dealing with many ministers at once was a daunting task, even for Sejong, who was known for his extensive knowledge.

Sometimes he led the government through consultation, and sometimes by yielding appropriately, but it was difficult to overcome the ministers' overwhelming numbers.

"If there were more ministers who shared my views..."

After ending the exhausting debates with the ministers, Sejong would always repeat this complaint. People like Hwang Hee and Maeng Sa-seong were still in minor positions, and there were too few reform-minded ministers.

In this situation, the Crown Prince Hyang's outstanding abilities were a blessing from heaven.

At the age of 9, far from reaching the age of 15, his academic achievements were on par with Sejong's, and his sharpness in debate was even more acute.

Once he opened his mouth, the ministers, who had made Sejong struggle, including Taejong, would bow in submission.

Thanks to Hyang, Sejong's mental burden decreased, and he also regained physical vigor. The chronic illnesses that had plagued him, such as headaches and shoulder stiffness, began to disappear.

"It seems that children are indeed treasures."

"Hehehe! If others heard the king's words, they would say he's a doting father."

"Let them hear it!"

Thanks to Hyang, Sejong became a doting father whenever he met Queen Soheon.

However, even Sejong had moments when Hyang was a burden, and that was during meal times.

"Father! Don't just eat meat!"

"You brat! Even dogs don't bother others during meals!"

"Dogs don't bother because they have manners! Balanced eating is the start of maintaining Father's health!"

Hyang nagged Sejong about his diet to maintain his health, and each time, the royal scribes recorded the events.

< Chapter 16: Sprout... or Cancer? (9) > End

ⓒ National Pride

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