Chapter 25

< Chapter 25: Gapsin Jeongchang (3) >

Chapter 25: Gapsin Jeongchang (3)

The second group was centered around the Minister of the Board of Revenue (戶曹判書) and the ministers of the Board of Personnel (吏曹) and the Board of Works (工曹).

"Shouldn't we bring writing materials five days from now?"

In response to the Minister of the Board of Revenue, the Minister of the Board of Personnel stroked his beard.

"Is it really necessary to bring writing materials?"

"It must be."

"It's just the opinion of a mere nine-year-old child, isn't it?"

The Minister of the Board of Revenue explained the reason for his question.

"Of course, the Crown Prince is only nine years old. Thanks to that, some say that His Majesty is behind every action and word of the Crown Prince. However, I don't think so. The Crown Prince is a genius sent by heaven, and a shocking one at that."

"Is there a reason to think so?"

When the Minister of the Board of Personnel asked for the reason, the Minister of the Board of Revenue looked into the distance.

"There are several reasons. First, do you remember the day His Majesty raised the cane to the Crown Prince?"

"How could I forget?"

"When His Majesty raised the cane, it meant that the Crown Prince's unusual behavior was something new to him. That's why he was so angry."

The Minister of the Board of Personnel immediately countered the Minister of the Board of Revenue.

"That's one way to think about it. But, is it not too much to say that all of the Crown Prince's actions are his own independent thoughts? Consider his age. He is only nine. Isn't it more appropriate to think that he was caught by chance that day?"

"It would be easier for someone who doesn't know to think that way. But, have you ever been to the famous study of the Crown Prince?"

"I haven't. Have you?"

"I went there once when the Crown Prince asked me to bring him books and a list. While I was there, I looked at the books in the study. Each book was well-worn, and important passages were marked with red lines. That's not all. In some books, there were pieces of paper inserted, filled with notes on how to apply certain ideas in our Joseon. And the handwriting was not His Majesty's."

The Minister of the Board of Personnel's face turned serious.

"In other words..."

"We are dealing with a truly terrifying person. He is intelligent, has the ability to act, and wields power."

"Indeed..."

The Minister of the Board of Personnel let out a sigh, unsure if it was one of admiration or lament.

The third group consisted of young officials from the Office of Censors (司諫院) and the Office of Inspectorate (司憲府).

"What do you think?"

"Shouldn't we immediately submit a petition? The Crown Prince is only nine years old! What is state affairs? It's about running the country. It's a heavy responsibility, and a mere nine-year-old can't possibly understand it. This is His Majesty mocking us, his subjects!"

"But, as we can see from this golden pen, don't we have to acknowledge the Crown Prince's outstanding abilities?"

"The thing I regret the most is this golden pen! I should have opposed its mass production! Because of this, everyone from His Majesty down to the lowest officials only think about wealth. I can't help but lament! How is this any different from the previous dynasty? Why did our Joseon even come into being?"

The young official, unable to contain his anger, clenched his fists, and those nearby seemed to agree with him.

"Let's go quickly! We need to write a petition right away!"

"Let's do it!"

As the young officials moved, a small group of young officials gathered separately behind them. Most of them were historians from the Office of Annals (春秋館).

"Brother Yi, what do you think?"

"Brother Jang, I'm not sure. From what I've seen, I can't find anything wrong with the Crown Prince's words..."

A historian who had just finished his shift at the palace joined the conversation.

"Isn't the behavior of the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspectorate something we always see? It's the same now. They think that by nitpicking, they can raise their own status. Let's move quickly. We have work to do, and we need to prepare for five days from now."

"Let's do it."

The historians, who had been criticizing the officials from the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspectorate, hurriedly moved to the Office of Annals.

The eunuchs and palace maids quietly observed this scene.

* * *

The reactions of the officials were immediately reported to Sejong through the eunuchs.

"Good job."

Sejong praised Sangsun and sighed deeply.

"Phew~. Why are there only such stubborn people?"

While listening to the reactions of the ministers, Sejong sighed deeply. The officials were openly protesting.

'If they had actually moved, they would have met outside the palace, very secretly!'

Seeing Sejong's poor expression, Sangsun quickly pleaded.

"There are also many who show goodwill."

Sejong smiled bitterly at Sangsun's words.

"Is that a relief? After all, even I find it hard to believe that the Crown Prince is only nine years old..."

Sejong smiled at the Crown Prince's excellence and sighed deeply again.

"Phew~. How can the young officials be so inflexible..."

What disappointed Sejong the most was the rigidity shown by the young officials from the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspectorate.

The faction of the Prime Minister also had a rigid mindset, but based on their experience, they could be flexible when necessary.

However, the problem was with these young officials. They were staunch believers in Neo-Confucianism, thinking that thinking and living according to Neo-Confucian principles was the only right path. In their eyes, everything the Crown Prince was promoting could be called heretical.

Indeed, they were already shouting about it.

"The country is going in the wrong direction! Emphasizing commerce! Why did the previous dynasty fall? Have we forgotten the principle of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce?"

"Phew~."

Sejong sighed deeply again and lamented.

"There are no talents. There are no talents."

It had been five years since he received the throne from Taejong, and more than half a year since Taejong's death, but Taejong's shadow was still strong.

He had made partial cabinet changes immediately after ascending the throne, and the ministers followed his words well. However, Sejong knew that in the eyes of the ministers, he was still a young man. Ultimately, Sejong needed capable talents who would follow his words well.

"It's too early to call them yet..."

The 'them' Sejong was thinking of were Hwang Hee and Maeng Sa-seong.

Hwang Hee and Maeng Sa-seong were talents recognized even by Taejong. However, both were caught up in Taejong's power consolidation schemes and faced crises. Although they eventually returned to the central government, it was difficult to immediately bring them to the core of power.

"The problem is whether they can control these fools well..."

Thinking of the young officials with rigid mindsets, Sejong put his hand on his forehead.

"My head hurts."

Sejong's words filled Sangsun with worry.

"Should I call the royal physician?"

"It's not that bad. I'll be fine after a short rest."

Sejong, who had stopped Sangsun from calling the royal physician, turned his gaze to the documents and petitions he had yet to process.

* * *

While Sejong was suffering from a headache, Hyang also heard a similar story through the eunuchs.

"Is the distinction between us and them somewhat clear now? By the way..."

Hyang, trailing off, tapped the desk with his fingers and muttered.

"Still in the early days of Joseon, and already at the Taliban level..."

"Your Highness? What did you say?"

"It's just talking to myself. Don't mind it."

"Understood, Your Highness."

Hyang, who had silenced the eunuch, tapped the desk and fell into deep thought.

'Damn! If it's already at the Taliban level, what are they trying to do? How do I deal with these people with minds as solid as the foundation stones of Gyeongbokgung?'

Hyang was overwhelmed at the thought of dealing with the young officials, especially those from the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspectorate.

After much deliberation, Hyang finally came to a conclusion.

"Leave me alone, eunuch."

"Excuse me?"

"I need to organize my thoughts alone."

"...Understood, Your Highness."

After dismissing the eunuch and sitting alone in the room, Hyang clenched his fist.

"Damn! I'll do it all without holding back! King Sejong will surely pick the best from among them! Starting from there, I'll implement the rest the moment I ascend the throne! If they can't keep up, I'll get rid of them! I'll push those who can be pushed, and they'll figure it out on their own!"

Having made his decision, Hyang unfolded a blank sheet of paper.

"Hmm... Where should I start?"

How long had it been since Hyang turned on the switch? The eunuch standing outside the door called out loudly.

"His Majesty is here!"

Hearing that Sejong had arrived, Hyang got up from his chair, checked his attire, and respectfully greeted Sejong.

"Have you come? Father."

"It's late, and you're still not sleeping? It's not