Chapter 17

< Chapter 17: Sprouting... or Cancer Sprouting? (10) >

Chapter 17: Sprouting... or Cancer Sprouting? (10)

‘If I want to be comfortable, Sejong must live a long life, and it must be a healthy long life!’

Following this decision, Hyang persistently persuaded Sejong.

"According to the medical texts obtained through envoys from the Yuan Dynasty era..."

Hyang persuaded Sejong based on medical evidence.

"I am well aware that Your Majesty prefers meat. However, a biased diet disrupts the balance of yin and yang and the five elements..."

"Excessive consumption of grains along with meat can make the blood turbid..."

Hyang actively adjusted Sejong's diet, sometimes even quoting passages from medical texts or laying them out for reference.

To the extent that she even stayed in the royal kitchen for a whole month, pushing the skilled cooks and servants to the limit.

"The liver is too salty! Again!"

"It's better to eat small amounts frequently rather than indulge in a single large meal. Make sure to present fruits and light snacks to the king in between!"

Hyang's insistence wasn't limited to the kitchen.

"Why are you still only reading medical texts from the Tang Dynasty when you're supposed to be the royal physician! There are several new medical texts that have been published since then; go and get them and read them immediately!"

"Reading medical texts is one thing, but you must put them into practice! What are you doing?"

"Are the herbs mentioned in Chinese medical texts not available in our Joseon? If so, you must either go and find them or find herbs in Joseon that have the same effects! Herbs don't just grow by themselves! Go out of the palace and find them immediately!"

Due to Hyang's relentless pressure, the royal physicians in the Inner Medical Bureau had to obtain the latest medical books and study herbs, breaking a sweat in the process.

"Exercise is the best, no matter what anyone says!"

Hyang carefully observed what kind of exercise Sejong enjoyed. Sejong's favorite was Gyeokbang (a traditional Korean game similar to golf).

"Gyeokbang? It's similar to golf... Golf... It's quite a good exercise, but..."

After much deliberation, Hyang chose 'jump rope.'

"Though it may seem silly, the king's position allows for a lot of free time and space, making jump rope appropriate."

Hyang, who had the jump rope made by the craftsmen of the Military Supplies Office, sighed softly.

"Even making a jump rope is such a hassle..."

From finding a light and durable rope to making a sturdy and lightweight handle, Hyang went through numerous trials and errors.

"The problem isn't the technology but the lack of concept... Do I really have to push them?"

In Hyang's mind, which was constantly upgrading its so-called 'tech tree' for the sake of confidentiality, there was only one item that remained unchanged.

"Yes, I have to push them."

As Hyang grew and became more in sync with Sejong, this item would become a source of groans for many.

* * *

Holding the jump rope and bell in one hand and a book written in Latin in the other, Hyang immediately sought out Sejong.

"What is that?"

"It's something I found in the books of the Western Barbarians while looking for medical texts for Your Majesty. It says that jumping rope is a form of exercise."

"Jumping rope?"

"Yes. May I show you the book I found?"

"Permitted."

As soon as Sejong gave his permission, Hyang stepped into the center of the side hall, grabbed the rope with both hands, and started jumping.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! Jingle!

With each light jump, the bells around Hyang's ankles jingled merrily. After about ten jumps, Hyang caught her breath and respectfully handed the rope to Sejong.

Sejong, who had taken the rope, looked at Hyang.

"It doesn't seem too difficult. But does this really help me?"

"Yes, according to the Western Barbarians' writings, 'If you jump rope 100 times without stopping every day, your lower body will become strong, and minor illnesses will disappear. If a man continues to jump 100 times without stopping for several years, his foundation will become strong...' The part after that was hard to translate, so I used the Chinese interpretation: 'It will improve the relationship between husband and wife.'"

"Hmm?"

"What?"

Suddenly, not only Sejong but everyone in the side hall (except the eunuchs) had their eyes widen.

Sejong, gripping the rope tightly, looked at Hyang.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, according to the Western Barbarians' writings. They also added, 'For those in high positions or who spend a long time at sea, their lower bodies tend to weaken. While horseback riding and running are the best exercises for strengthening the lower body, those in high positions lack the time, and those at sea lack the space. That's why this was developed.'"

"Indeed! Truly!"

Sejong, impressed by Hyang's explanation, slapped his knee. He had often been told by his father and the founding king that a man should be strong in his lower body, especially if he rides horses or runs.

"Jump this 100 times?"

"Yes."

"It doesn't seem too difficult. But what are these bells for?"

"They are worn around the ankles. If you jump correctly, they make a pleasant sound, but if you trip, they make a jarring sound, helping you to focus. Especially, Sangsun,"

"Yes, Crown Prince."

"When the king jumps rope, you must count the bell sounds carefully to ensure he jumps exactly 100 times. The Western Barbarians wrote, 'Too much is as bad as too little. When starting, aim to jump 30 times without stopping, and gradually increase the number to 100.'"

"I will keep the Crown Prince's instructions in mind."

As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, the ministers chimed in. For them, it was a rare opportunity to score points with the king.

"The Crown Prince's words are correct! The king's health is the most important matter of state!"

In the end, Sejong started his morning routine by jumping rope after drinking water upon waking.

"This isn't easy!"

At first, Sejong kept tripping, but gradually he became more adept at jumping.

* * *

After starting to jump rope, Sejong began to experience positive changes, the most significant being that he started to have more robust bowel movements. Seeing Sejong's complexion improve as he had regular bowel movements, Hyang smiled with satisfaction.

"Consuming more fiber and stimulating the intestines through jump rope should definitely help with constipation!"

As word spread that jump rope was effective for constipation, the queen and concubines also began to show interest.

"Crown Prince, if this jump rope is so good, would it be good for me too?"

The question, which was more of a command, from Queen Soheon made Hyang respond immediately.

"Of course! Please forgive my lack of foresight!"

Hyang readily agreed and immediately had jump ropes made for the queen and concubines, which were presented to them. When Queen Soheon and the concubines received the jump ropes with colorful, elaborate ropes, they encountered another problem.

"The skirts are too inconvenient!"

"Should I tell the Crown Prince?"

After some deliberation, Queen Soheon took the lead again.

"Crown Prince, jumping rope is good, but there's a problem. The clothes are a bit..."

"I will think about it."

Although she gave that answer, it wasn't an easy task for Hyang.

"Did I push too hard?"

Nonetheless, after giving her answer, Hyang pondered and found a solution. She borrowed the design of riding pants worn by 19th-century and early 20th-century Western noblewomen and upper-class women and sent it to the Royal Wardrobe Office.

When Queen Soheon and the concubines received the riding pants, they were initially taken aback by the unfamiliar design, but soon realized they were more comfortable to move in than their usual attire, and began to wear them not just for exercise but also in their daily lives.

As a result, an unexpected butterfly effect occurred: Sejong's nightlife became busier. The design, which slightly emphasized the waist and buttocks, was the cause.

* * *

The jump rope that Hyang created for Sejong's health quickly spread throughout the country. Surprisingly, it spread much faster than the gold thread.

"The rope can be replaced with a thinner one if necessary, but... the biggest reason was 'virility'!"

Hyang chuckled as she read the document sent by the merchants, who had become her personal information network, through the eunuchs.

The most interesting report was about a 60-year-old country gentleman who, upon hearing the news, immediately started jumping rope.

However, there was another unexpected butterfly effect.

"Riding pants are becoming fashionable? No way!"

Riding pants, which were convenient for exercise and activity, began to spread among the women of the yangban class.

"Why?"

Upon investigating the cause, Hyang discovered an unexpected fact. The riding pants designed by Hyang, which slightly revealed the waist and buttocks, were the best way to bring men back home who were often tempted by women outside. Moreover, women in early Joseon were surprisingly open and active. In fact, from the Goryeo period, and even earlier during the Three Kingdoms period, the customs of the Korean Peninsula were quite open, and this trend continued into early Joseon. In such a social climate, a convenient and sexy (?) outfit was a perfect fashion trend.

"That's why the chastity arches were built..."

Hyang recalled the miscellaneous talk of the Samcheonpo teacher once again.

- The fact that they built chastity arches and even provided benefits is proof that chaste women were not common! The same goes for the 'saintly women' in the West, or rather, in Catholicism!

"Come to think of it, wasn't the Tang Dynasty's fashion, which exposed the cleavage, also introduced from Silla?"

* * *

Time steadily passed, and the day for the envoy to depart for Beijing was approaching. Hyang prepared a scenario and trained the envoy group.

"Thus, if they approach in this manner, I believe the best response is to..."

"While that may be true, this could also mean lying to the emperor, which could lead to diplomatic issues."

"It's not a lie, is it? It's true that our national finances are strained every time Ming envoys visit, and it's true that we produce less gold and silver. It's also true that we want to adopt Ming's system but can't due to the lack of gold and silver. It's just not the exact truth. A bit of exaggeration is mixed in."

"If it's discovered, it could still lead to diplomatic issues."

In response to the Prime Minister Ryu Jeonghyeon's criticism, Hyang glared at him.

"If it's discovered, it could lead to diplomatic issues... Is that what you're worried about?"

"Moreover, the yangban must always be honest..."

"Then, should we tell the emperor that all the warhorses we've sent to Ming were bought from the Jurchens and that we've made a profit of almost double the purchase price? Or that we don't produce less gold and silver, but we simply don't mine or explore for them?"

"That's..."

Hyang's rebuke left Prime Minister Ryu Jeonghyeon speechless. Hyang, who had been glaring at him, pressed on.

"Are you concerned about the welfare of Joseon, or are you just trying to undermine me?"

"I have never had such malicious intentions!"

"Then what is the right approach?"

"··· I will follow the Crown Prince's plan."

With the Prime Minister's submission, the meeting proceeded more smoothly.

"According to the rules set by Ming, our country, Dae Wae, and Siam are allowed to send envoys every three years. What if Ming revives this rule?"

"Why would Ming revive this rule?"

In response to Hyang's question, the official who raised the issue explained the reason.

"Because the size of the accompanying merchant delegation can raise suspicions about the nature of the envoy mission."

"In that case, we should ask Ming to establish a Joseon House, similar to how we have a Japanese House. Instead of accompanying the envoy, it could be a permanent establishment, which could benefit both sides. Eunuch, bring a map."

"Yes, Your Highness."

A short while later, as the eunuch brought the map, Hyang pondered for a while. After some time, she continued.

"If only sea routes are allowed, it would be best to establish it in Shandong. If only land routes are allowed, the Liao River region would be better. Please present this to His Majesty for consideration."

"Understood."

Returning to her room, Hyang sighed.

"Phew~. There's no other answer besides Shandong!"

< Chapter 17: Sprouting... or Cancer Sprouting? (10) > End

ⓒ National Pride

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