< Episode 18: Sprouting... Carcinogenesis? (11) >
The contents of the meeting between Hyang and the diplomatic mission were documented immediately upon conclusion and reported to Sejong. Sejong examined the documents together with his ministers.
"Hmm... indeed, it would be best to proceed with this matter as the Crown Prince suggested."
"We understand, Your Majesty."
"And regarding the Joseon Office... I think this is acceptable, but if we were to request the establishment of a Joseon Office from Ming, where would be the most likely location?"
"..."
Not a single minister answered Sejong's question immediately. Observing the atmosphere of such ministers, Sejong's expression sharpened.
"Why is no one answering? Is it because it's lowly commerce that you don't even want to mention it?"
"N-no, that's not it..."
"Then why is there no answer?"
At Sejong's urging, Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom stepped forward.
"In my humble opinion, if a market is established in the Liao River region, the permanent stationing of our Joseon military would be inevitable due to the Jurchen problem. Since Ming would certainly not want this, I believe they would likely establish it in the Shandong region."
"That could be the case. Conversely, if Ming wishes to establish a market near the Yalu River, what should we do?"
"Then our Joseon must oppose it."
"Opposition..."
Sejong trailed off in thought, then nodded.
"There would be no choice but to do so. Then, what do you think about making the commercial office permanent?"
"I believe it would be better than accompanying every diplomatic mission."
At the Minister of Taxation's answer, Sejong thought for a moment before looking at the Chief State Councillor.
"Chief Councillor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Persuade the Ming Emperor during this diplomatic mission and succeed in establishing the commercial office."
"...I humbly accept your command."
Seeing the Chief State Councillor's hesitant face as he answered, Sejong growled.
"Chief Councillor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I share the same thoughts as the Crown Prince. Do you ministers worry about Joseon's safety, or are you holding out to break the spirit of myself and the Crown Prince?"
"Your Majesty! We have never harbored such disloyal hearts!"
"I see the appearance of Sambong (Sam Bong, Jeong Do-jeon) in all of you."
"Your Majesty! Our loyalty is like rock! Please withdraw your suspicion!"
"Your Majesty! Please consider this carefully!"
To the ministers who had lived through the Princes' Rebellion and King Taejong's reign, 'Jeong Do-jeon' was a 'taboo' that should not even be mentioned. But Sejong bringing up Jeong Do-jeon was like a final warning.
"Please consider this carefully!"
Hearing the cries of the ministers prostrate on the floor of the Pyeonjeon (Side Hall), Sejong rose from his seat.
"We will see about that. I need to rest for a while."
* * *
When Sejong left the Pyeonjeon, the ministers also came out one by one.
"Phew~."
"It's suffocating."
"Indeed."
The ministers' faces were gloomy. Chief State Councillor Ryu Jeong-hyeon looked up at the sky with a gloomy face, then glared at the Chief Inspector.
"Don't forget that all of this started with the Chief Inspector's slip of the tongue."
At the Chief State Councillor's rebuke, the Chief Inspector exploded in anger.
"Lord! Your words go too far! What slip of the tongue did I make? I didn't say a single word today!"
"Who's talking about today? Who was it that gave the Crown Prince an opening in the first place?"
"Hmm."
At the Chief State Councillor's criticism, the Chief Inspector made a face as if chewing something bitter and only made groaning sounds.
The Chief State Councillor's words had merit. Since the Crown Prince pointed out the legitimacy issue, the initiative in state affairs had been with Sejong. Except for a single criticism that followed after the Crown Prince's pointing out, Sejong had never again brought up related remarks. Nevertheless, the ministers had no choice but to read Sejong's mood for a while. But Sejong was one step ahead. At the moment when the ministers' tension seemed to have loosened with time, Sejong struck unexpectedly. And that with one of the taboos, 'Jeong Do-jeon'.
The Chief Inspector, who had only been making groaning sounds, pressed the Chief State Councillor.
"Fine! Let's say I gave the Crown Prince an opening! But hasn't the Lord also done something wrong? What about what you did to the Crown Prince today? Even a three-foot-tall child already knows that the Crown Prince is someone not to be underestimated for being young, so if you're going to start something, you should have prepared properly!"
"Hmm..."
At the Chief Inspector's rebuttal, this time the Chief State Councillor had to make a face as if chewing something bitter and spit out groaning sounds. The Chief Inspector, who calmed his rough breathing due to anger, concluded.
"What's the use of arguing about whose fault it is? We've already missed the timing. For the time being, we have no choice but to move according to His Majesty's will."
"If we make a mistake, royal tyranny could intensify."
"What can we do? We can only hope that His Majesty is wise."
"Phew~."
"How did we establish this Joseon..."
"Sigh~."
Not only the Chief State Councillor and the Chief Inspector but all the ministers gathered around sighed.
* * *
They too had not shared the same views as Jeong Do-jeon, but there was one thing they sympathized with.
-The establishment of an ideal Confucian kingdom (Wang-do Nation).
For such a kingdom to be created, a republican government (Gong-hwa Jeong) through harmony between the king and the scholar-officials—originally the public ministers and high officials—was essential. And for the completion of the republican government, constraint on royal power was essential.
When King Taejo made his youngest son the Crown Prince, Jeong Do-jeon's support was also for that reason. There was also the fact that he was a political comrade of King Taejo, but King Taejo was old and the youngest son who became Crown Prince was young, so there was a calculation that after King Taejo's death, they could seize the initiative in state affairs by using the weak sovereign and strong ministers dynamic.
A plan was even created to absorb the private soldiers of powerful families, including the biggest obstacle Yi Bang-won, into the central army and then deplete them under the pretext of the Liaodong expedition, but Yi Bang-won. No, King Taejong struck first, and Jeong Do-jeon's dream became nothing but foam.
The ministers, who had only been sighing, collected themselves.
"We must succeed as much as possible in what His Majesty commanded during this Winter Solstice diplomatic mission. If we fail, we will all be as good as dead, and we will never be able to regain the initiative."
"That is true."
"Let's think about that part first. How we can succeed."
"Let's do that, Lord."
When the Chief State Councillor concluded, the other ministers also agreed and moved their feet.
* * *
The conversation between the ministers quickly reached Hyang's ears.
"If it reached my ears, Father must have already heard it."
Hyang admired the speed of the ultra-fast information network created within the palace. Like the saying 'Even the walls in the palace have eyes and ears,' the eyes and ears of the court ladies, eunuchs, and guards stationed everywhere were obtaining the ministers' every move in real time and delivering it.
"But Father even mentioned Sambong, so he will definitely take the initiative for the time being."
Looking at the history Hyang learned in his previous life, Sejong's reign was the one where consultative politics between sovereign and subjects worked best. However, the Sejong's reign that Hyang saw after reincarnation was a bit different. Consultation was happening. However, that was only on the surface.
The ministers tried to take the initiative in state administration whenever they had the chance, and Sejong blocking such ministers' movements and counterattacking was daily life.
Hyang making an issue of the Winter Solstice mission to attack the ministers was a heaven-sent opportunity for Sejong.
Just cause and practical benefit, everything was perfectly passed to Sejong. And Sejong was thoroughly utilizing that opportunity.
"Now the next step is a cabinet reshuffle. Finally, the appearance of the famous Hwang Hui and Maeng Sa-seong?"
After briefly predicting future events, Hyang shook his head.
"I'll think about later things then, that's not what's important right now. Attendant!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
At Hyang's call, an attendant standing outside entered promptly.
"Go and bring the Minister of Taxation!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
After a while, the Minister of Taxation came to Hyang.
"Did you call for me?"
"Yes, I apologize for calling a busy person preparing for the diplomatic mission."
"Not at all. So, is there something you'd like to separately request of me?"
"I'd like you to obtain some books for me."
Hyang held out a bundle wrapped with a scroll and a small wooden box.
"The scroll contains the names of the books I've obtained so far, and the box contains silver to be used as book purchase funds. Please obtain as many as can be paid for with that silver."
"The purchase funds can be covered by the taxes paid by the merchant groups accompanying the diplomatic mission, can they not?"
"That is money that will go into the national treasury. Even though I am the Crown Prince, using that money would be embezzlement."
At Hyang's answer, the Minister of Taxation made an astonished face without realizing it.
'To be so young and yet so clear about the distinction between public and private! Now I'm beyond surprised, I'm almost frightened!'
"Ahem! Hem!"
Clearing his throat and quickly arranging his expression, the Minister of Taxation untied the scroll's string and examined the book list.
"Hmm... so I should obtain miscellaneous books excluding those on this list?"
"That's correct."
"I understand. I will put in the effort."
At the Minister of Taxation's calm response, this time Hyang was surprised.
"Minister, are you not bothered by this? Others used to say things when I purchased miscellaneous books..."
"Your Highness wouldn't be obtaining miscellaneous books without reason, would you? Since you're doing things that help the country, whether big or small, there's no reason for me to stop you."
"Is that so?"
At Hyang's answer, the Minister of Taxation stroked his beard and replied.
"Honestly speaking, there are two things that are always lacking when working in the Ministry of Taxation. One is time, and the other is the budget. Time cannot be increased, but the budget can be, can it not? As the budget increases, the things the country can do increase, and most of what Your Highness does helps increase the budget, so there's no reason to stop it."
"Thank you for viewing it favorably. Then I'll rely on you."
"Yes. Then I'll take my leave."
The Minister of Taxation, having paid his respects, left Hyang's room. Hyang, left alone in the room, muttered with a regretful expression.
"It would be nice if all the other ministers were like that man. Should I tell Father to make all those who become ministers go through the Ministry of Taxation first?"
* * *
As time passed, the Winter Solstice mission departed for Beijing. In the midst of the increasingly bitter cold weather, Hyang was pondering deeply.
"It's already a cliché that's been used to death..."
After pondering for a while in front of the brazier, Hyang jumped up from his seat.
"It may be the ultimate cliché, but if it's to save my life and to prevent the death of my sister who is an insider among insiders, I have to do it! Attendant! I'm going to see Father. Notify the Pyeonjeon!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Arriving at the Pyeonjeon, Hyang informed Sejong that he wanted to go out.
"Go out?"
"Yes."
"Where do you want to go in this severe winter cold?"
"I want to go to Neobeolseom (Yeo-ui-do)."
"To Neobeolseom? Why?"
"There is a very important matter I need to confirm."
At Hyang's answer, Sejong made a face that couldn't understand the reason at all.
"There are only beasts raised by the royal family on Neobeolseom..."
'That's why I'm going.'
"I must go."
At Hyang's firm answer, Sejong thought for a moment and then nodded.
"I permit it."
"I am overwhelmed by your grace!"
"What grace..."
Seeing Hyang bow deeply and retreat excitedly, Sejong burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! He's still a child after all!"
However, before the sun set that day, Sejong had to roar in anger rather than laughter.
* * *
When Sejong was conducting the afternoon meeting with his ministers, one eunuch entered, pale with fear. The chief eunuch, having received the report from the eunuch, looked at Sejong with a white face.
"Your Majesty..."
"What is it?"
"Your Majesty..."
"I'm asking what it is!"
"They say the Crown Prince has harmed himself!"
"What!"
Sejong, greatly shocked, shot up from his seat.
"Where is the Crown Prince now!"
"He just returned to the palace..."
Crash!
Sejong kicked away the desk that was in his way and ran outside.
"Self-harm?"
"They say self-harm!"
"Why would His Highness!"
The ministers, unable to grasp the unimaginable situation, also ran outside following Sejong.
< Episode 18: Sprouting... Carcinogenesis? (11) > End
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