Chapter 18

< Chapter 18: Germination... Carcinogenesis? (11) >

Chapter 18: Germination... Carcinogenesis? (11)

The content of the meeting between Hyang and the Sasin-dan was immediately documented and reported to Sejong. Sejong reviewed the documents with his ministers.

"Hmm... Indeed, it would be best to follow the Crown Prince's suggestion."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

"And, the Joseon Office... I think this is a good idea. If we request the Ming to establish a Joseon Office, where would be the most likely location?"

"..."

None of the ministers answered Sejong's question immediately. Sejong's expression grew sharp as he observed their silence.

"Why is no one answering? Is commerce so lowly that you cannot even mention it?"

"T-that's not it..."

"Then why are you not answering?"

Prompted by Sejong, the Minister of Personnel, Kim Jeom, stepped forward.

"In my humble opinion, if a market is established in the Liaodong region, our Joseon troops will inevitably have to be stationed there due to the Jurchen issue. This is something the Ming would definitely not want, so it is more likely that it would be established in the Shandong region."

"That could be the case. Conversely, if the Ming wanted to establish a market near the Yalu River, what would we do?"

"Then we must oppose it."

"Oppose... I see."

Sejong nodded after a moment of thought.

"There is no other choice. What do you think about making the envoy's position permanent?"

"I believe it would be better than sending an envoy with each mission."

Sejong looked at the Prime Minister after hearing the Minister of Personnel's response.

"Prime Minister."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Persuade the Ming Emperor to establish the Joseon Office during this mission."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Sejong glared at the Prime Minister, who hesitated before answering.

"Prime Minister."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I also agree with the Crown Prince. Are you concerned for Joseon's safety, or are you resisting to undermine my and the Crown Prince's authority?"

"Your Majesty! We have never had such disloyal thoughts!"

"I see the shadow of Sam-bong (Jeong Do-jeon) in you."

"Your Majesty! Our loyalty is as solid as a rock! Please do not doubt us!"

"Your Majesty! Please show mercy!"

For the officials who had experienced the War of Succession and Taejong's reign, mentioning Jeong Do-jeon was a taboo. However, Sejong's reference to Jeong Do-jeon was a final warning.

"Please show mercy!"

Sejong stood up as he heard the officials prostrate on the floor of the hall.

"We will see. I need to rest for a moment."

* * *

As Sejong left the hall, the ministers gradually followed.

"Phew~."

"It's suffocating."

"Indeed."

The ministers' faces were gloomy. Prime Minister Ryu Jeong-hyun, looking up at the sky with a gloomy face, glared at the Chief Censor.

"Do not forget that this whole situation started because of the Chief Censor's slip of the tongue."

The Chief Censor flared up at the Prime Minister's rebuke.

"Sir! That's too harsh! What slip of the tongue did I make? I didn't say a word today!"

"Who are you talking about today? Who gave the Crown Prince the opportunity in the first place?"

"Ugh."

The Chief Censor groaned with a pained expression in response to the Prime Minister's criticism.

The Prime Minister had a point. After the Crown Prince pointed out the issue of legitimacy, Sejong had the upper hand in the political situation. Except for one criticism after the Crown Prince's initial remark, Sejong had not brought up the issue again. However, the ministers had to be cautious of Sejong's intentions. Sejong, however, was one step ahead. He struck unexpectedly when the ministers' tension eased, even mentioning the taboo of Jeong Do-jeon.

The Chief Censor, still groaning, confronted the Prime Minister.

"Fine! Let's say I gave the Crown Prince the opportunity! But, didn't you also make a mistake? What did you do to the Crown Prince today? Even a child knows not to underestimate the Crown Prince, yet you didn't prepare properly before acting!"

"Ugh..."

The Prime Minister groaned with a pained expression in response to the Chief Censor's rebuttal. After calming his rough breath, the Chief Censor concluded.

"What's the point of blaming each other? We've already missed our chance. For now, we have no choice but to follow the King's will."

"If we fail, the King's authority might become even more tyrannical."

"What can we do? We can only hope that the King is wise."

"Phew~."

"How did we build this Joseon..."

"Ha~."

The Prime Minister and the Chief Censor, along with the other ministers gathered around, sighed deeply.

* * *

While they were not in agreement with Jeong Do-jeon, they shared one common goal.

-The construction of an ideal Confucian state.

For such a state to be realized, a republic through the harmony of the king and the scholar-officials—originally the gonggungdaebu (high-ranking officials)—was essential. To achieve this, the king's authority needed to be restrained.

When Taejo made his youngest son the Crown Prince, Jeong Do-jeon supported it for this reason. While he was a political ally of Taejo, Taejo was old, and the youngest son, now the Crown Prince, was young. After Taejo's death, Jeong Do-jeon planned to use the situation of weak king and strong ministers to take control of the political situation.

The plan also included absorbing the private armies of powerful families, including the biggest obstacle, Yi Bang-won, into the central army under the pretext of the Liaodong campaign and then eliminating them. However, Yi Bang-won, or Taejong, struck first, and Jeong Do-jeon's dream turned to dust.

The ministers, who had been sighing, finally pulled themselves together.

"We must do our best to achieve what the King has ordered during this Winter Solstice Mission. If we fail, we will all be dead men, and we will never regain control."

"That's true."

"Let's start with that. How can we ensure success?"

"Let's do that, Sir."

After the Prime Minister concluded, the other ministers agreed and left.

* * *

The conversation among the ministers quickly reached Hyang's ears.

"If it reached my ears, the King must have already heard it."

Hyang marveled at the speed of the ultra-fast information network within the palace. As the saying goes, "The palace has eyes and ears in the walls," and the eunuchs, palace maids, and royal guards were constantly gathering and relaying information about the ministers' every move.

"Since the King mentioned Sam-bong, he will definitely assert his authority for a while."

From the history Hyang learned in his previous life, the best period of consultative politics between the king and his ministers was during Sejong's reign. However, the Sejong's reign he observed in this life was different. Consultations were taking place, but only on the surface.

The ministers tried to seize control of the government at every opportunity, and Sejong's daily routine was to block their moves and counterattack.

Hyang's attack on the ministers over the Winter Solstice Mission was a heaven-sent opportunity for Sejong.

The justification and practical benefits were all on Sejong's side, and he was thoroughly exploiting this opportunity.

"The next step will be a cabinet reshuffle. Will the famous Hwang Hee and Maeng Sa-seong finally appear?"

Hyang shook his head as he thought about the future.

"Let's worry about that later. That's not important now. Eunuch!"

"Yes, Sir!"

At Hyang's call, the eunuch standing outside the door quickly entered.

"Go and bring Minister of Personnel Kim Jeom here!"

"Yes, Sir!"

A short while later, the Minister of Personnel came to see Hyang.

"Did you call for me?"

"Yes, I apologize for calling you here despite your busy schedule with the mission preparations."

"Not at all. What do you need from me?"

"Please help me acquire some books."

Hyang handed over a scroll and a small wooden box wrapped in a bundle.

"The scroll lists the names of the books I have already acquired, and the box contains silver for the purchase. Please buy as many as you can with this silver."

"The purchase can be funded from the taxes collected from the merchant guilds accompanying the mission."

"That money belongs to the national treasury. Even as the Crown Prince, using it for personal purposes would be embezzlement."

The Minister of Personnel involuntarily showed a pained expression at Hyang's response.

'At such a young age, he already has such a clear distinction between public and private! It's not just surprising, it's frightening!'

"Cough! Cough!"

After a false cough to compose himself, the Minister of Personnel untied the scroll to check the list of books.

"Hmm... So, I should acquire miscellaneous books not on this list?"

"Yes."

"Understood. I'll do my best."

Hyang was surprised by the Minister of Personnel's calm response.

"Are you not concerned? Other ministers have criticized the purchase of miscellaneous books."

"Your Highness is not buying miscellaneous books without reason. It's a foundation for doing something that will benefit the country, big or small, so there's no reason to stop you."

"Is that so?"

Hy