Chapter 4

< Chapter 4: Who's the Father? (2) >

Chapter 4: Who's the Father? (2)

Unexpected confusion arose due to the unexpected choice for the baby's first grab, but the celebration continued.

“Hahaha!”

“Sir! Have a drink!”

“Sir, one more!”

The guests laughed and passed the drinks, enjoying the festivities.

“What a clever nephew, truly delightful!”

In response to the prince's praise, Prince Chungnyeong smiled and replied.

“My wife says that whenever she hears me reading, the baby laughs.”

“Hahaha! Truly, a father and son of talent!”

“Seeing such a talented child is a blessing. Chungnyeong, congratulations.”

“Thank you, brother.”

As the brothers exchanged compliments, Hyang was nestled in the prince's arms. Ever since touching the prince's earring, Hyang had remained in his embrace, lost in his own daydreams.

‘Since the creation of Hangul is inevitable, it would be wise to start spreading the word early. If it comes out during the mid-reign rather than the late reign, my influence will be much broader. Then, I can start working on the firearms...’

As Hyang was formulating his plans, a wave of drowsiness suddenly hit him, and he grumbled inwardly.

‘Oh, this lousy body! With such a poor physique, I ended up dying right after the three-year mourning period!’

While Hyang was grumbling, unaware that his body was that of a one-year-old, a subtle tension began to arise among the prince and his brothers as the celebration was nearing its end. The guests were fidgeting, but they were all watching the prince, who was seated at the highest position.

“Gentlemen, it's time to go home, isn't it? We have to be at the palace early tomorrow, don't we?”

“Prince, shouldn't you also return to the palace?”

“I need to talk a bit more with my brothers. Please go ahead.”

“Then...”

In response to the prince's dismissal, the guests began to leave one by one, offering their farewells.

* * *

“Feels a bit stuffy.”

Once all the guests, including Hyang's maternal grandparents, had left, and there was no one to see, the prince, feeling the heat from the alcohol, began to loosen his robe. As he loosened the ties of his outer robe and then the inner robe, Prince Chungnyeong immediately intervened.

“Brother, please fix your attire.”

“What's the problem? A person needs to be comfortable.”

“You are the foundation of this country. You must not forget this.”

“Puh~.”

With a sigh mixed with alcohol, the prince straightened his clothes.

Seeing the prince follow his advice, Chungnyeong bowed in gratitude.

“Thank you for listening to this foolish brother. Brother.”

As he poured more wine, the prince spoke to Chungnyeong.

“Chungnyeong.”

“Yes, brother.”

“I told His Majesty this: Chungnyeong, you are no ordinary person. Your scholarly achievements at your age are not those of an ordinary person. I, this foolish brother, cannot even gauge your level.”

“You flatter me. It's just that you have not been close to the classics. If you put in a little effort, you will easily surpass this foolish brother's meager achievements.”

Chungnyeong's response made the prince laugh heartily.

“Hahaha! Chungnyeong, you also have the talent for flattery!”

“It's not flattery. If you get closer to the classics...”

“Chungnyeong, do you also advocate for moral governance and the Way of the King?”

“Isn't that the right path?”

Chungnyeong's response made the prince shake his head.

“That is just an ideal. Our Joseon, as well as the Ming, is now in the era of power politics. When I ascend the throne, I will recover the lost lands of the ancient Samhan and make Joseon into Great Joseon.”

“Brother!”

Shocked, Chungnyeong warned him, but the prince was confident.

“Don't worry. When I ascend the throne, I will surely achieve great deeds.”

Confidently, the prince continued, but Chungnyeong persisted.

“Brother, it's too risky! The Ming is a great nation! With Joseon's current strength, it's a sure defeat! You must not forget why King Taejo had to retreat from Wihwado and why King Sejong had to execute Jeong Dojeon!”

“Are you a prince of the Ming?”

“No! With Joseon's current strength, it's too risky! We need to build our strength!”

In response to Chungnyeong's criticism, the prince raised his right hand lightly and replied.

“Ah, ah. I know that. I don't plan to start the great deeds immediately. I'm thinking of a ten-year preparation period.”

“Ten years is too short!”

“Ten years is enough! The star generals who fought with Zhu Yuanzhang are mostly gone, either purged or died of old age. The few remaining were eliminated in the civil war led by Emperor Yongle. And the generals Emperor Yongle raised are also gone due to the civil war and military campaigns. So, I repeat, ten years is enough!”

Frustrated by the prince's response, Chungnyeong abruptly stood up.

“Damn! Brother! Do you even think? Do you remember how many troops Emperor Yongle mobilized to suppress the remnants of the Yuan? Fifty thousand, fifty thousand! And it wasn't just once; each time, thousands or tens of thousands died or were injured, yet he continued to mobilize fifty thousand! Mobilizing such numbers is terrifying, but even more terrifying is the administrative and supply system that made it possible! What about us? We haven't even completed the household survey, and the land survey hasn't even started! And you say ten years is enough? Wake up!”

“Brat! It will take one year for the land survey and one year for the household survey! Considering Father's age, by the time I ascend the throne and ten years pass, the talented generals of the Ming will be gone!”

“Have you not considered that the middle-ranking officers who gained experience from the suppression campaigns will fill the gaps left by the old generals? Considering that, it will take thirty years! And that's assuming the next Ming emperor doesn't wage war!”

By now, both the prince and Chungnyeong were standing, creating a tense atmosphere as they argued.

Hyang, who had been held by Hyoryeong, quickly moved back and sighed, finishing his tea.

“Sigh~. Blood is thicker than water... Who would have thought the sons of a military general...”

As Hyoryeong grumbled, the argument between the prince and Chungnyeong reached its climax.

“Once the army is reorganized, the first priority will be to deal with the private armies and the Japanese pirates! We need to secure our rear first!”

“The private armies have already been dealt with by Father! The Japanese pirates are quiet now! The Jurchens are the real headache! If we think about the future, we need to deal with the Jurchens first!”

“So the private armies are gone? The private armies and the Japanese pirates are the priority!”

“Shut up! I am the prince! I acknowledge your intelligence, but the next throne is mine, not yours! You just need to help me!”

“...”

Chungnyeong, in response to the prince's outburst, gritted his teeth and glared at the prince.

Meanwhile, Hyang, nestled in Hyoryeong's arms, watched Chungnyeong with wide eyes.

Seeing the subtle emotions on Chungnyeong's face, Hyang broke out in a cold sweat.

‘This guy, didn't he become king reluctantly?’

In his previous life, the general consensus was:

- Chungnyeong became king because Yangnyeong's character was chaotic, and Hyoryeong was deeply involved in Buddhism, so Chungnyeong had to become king, which turned out to be a ‘stroke of genius’.

To Hyang, who held this common knowledge, Chungnyeong's subtle expression was shocking.

As Hyang looked at Chungnyeong's face, he felt as if he could hear the OST of a famous historical drama.

‘Damn! This isn't a fusion drama but a traditional one! Surely, my reincarnation isn't causing a butterfly effect that changes history, is it?’

Despite his concerns, Hyang's one-year-old body was struggling with fatigue. He forced himself to stay awake, grumbling.

‘Damn! This lousy body! Poor physique!’

Unbeknownst to Hyang, the competition between Yangnyeong and Chungnyeong was intensifying.

* * *

Two months after Hyang's first birthday, in December. (Unbeknownst to Hyang) Chungnyeong visited Namjae's house with several people.

As the meeting continued, Namjae praised Chungnyeong's deep scholarship and said:

“When His Majesty was in the palace, I advised him to study, but he said, ‘As a mere prince, what is the point of studying if there is no place for me to participate?’ I replied, ‘Who says a prince cannot become king?’ Now, seeing that you, Great Prince, love learning, I am very pleased.” (Note 1)

It was a truly meaningful statement.

Namjae did not explain his intentions, but his position and the content of his words reached King Taejong. However, Taejong laughed it off, saying:

“That old man is exaggerating.”

Although Taejong laughed it off, the competition between those supporting the next heir, Yangnyeong and Chungnyeong, was gaining momentum.

The decisive reason for this intense competition was Taejong's ambiguous handling. While he officially recognized Yangnyeong as the heir, he also showed continuous interest and praise for Chungnyeong.

“Look at Chungnyeong!”

Whenever reports came that Yangnyeong, the heir, was neglecting his studies, Taejong would mention Chungnyeong and scold the heir.

Once, unable to bear the comparison, the heir criticized Chungnyeong during a private meeting with Taejong.

“Chungnyeong is not brave!”

In response, Taejong openly contradicted him.

“Though he may not seem brave, in matters of great importance, his decisiveness is unmatched in this era.”

This evaluation, combined with his compassion for the people, made Chungnyeong the strongest competitor to Yangnyeong.

Although Taejong was the one who triggered this intense competition, he continued to recognize Yangnyeong as the heir.

Whether it was Taejong's intention or the spontaneous actions of the ministers to prevent another ‘prince's rebellion,’ a warning was given to Shim On, the leader of those supporting Chungnyeong.

“Chungnyeong is virtuous, and people inside and outside the court are drawn to him. You should advise him on how to conduct himself.” (Note 2)

Despite the warning from Park Eun, Shim On ignored it and did not pass it on to Chungnyeong. Eventually, the frustrated Park Eun visited Chungnyeong's residence directly.

Hyang remembered this event. Despite being a one-year-old, he slept for most of the day, but the commotion outside was enough to wake him.

“Sir Shim! Do you even think or not!”

“Haha. Sir Park. It's not like that...”

“Sir Shim, this is not acceptable! Do you want to relive the bloody tragedy of King Taejo's time?”

“Surely not!”

“Then what is this behavior! Step aside! I must see the Great Prince!”

“I simply forgot last time. This time, I will definitely pass it on. Let's end it here for today.”

“Sir Shim!”

“Come, come... Let's end it here for today.”

Though Hyang could only hear the voices, he realized the situation was serious.

‘Is this really going to be a problem?’

“Sigh~.”

Shim On, pushing Park Eun out the door, sighed deeply. After watching Park Eun's back disappear into the distance, Shim On turned with a determined face.

“It's a situation where we are already on the tiger's back.”

Sh