Chapter 182: I Am Not a Sage King (2)
When March arrived, Hwang Hee returned to Hanseong to make his regular report.
"Please forgive your subject's disloyalty regarding the reckless events of last year."
Having entered Geunjeongjeon Hall, Hwang Hee prostrated himself flat and asked for forgiveness first.
What he sought forgiveness for was his failure to move from the North when the Giyu Rebellion broke out last year.
* * *
Just before the Giyu Rebellion and the palace invasion occurred, Sejong, having detected the unsettling atmosphere, had immediately sent a secret order to "hold your position."
However, remaining motionless upon receiving the secret order was sufficient grounds to be accused of disloyalty. One misstep could easily drag up past matters and lead to impeachment.
Hwang Hee knew this well, so upon receiving the secret order, he immediately began consulting with the Ministry of Military to organize a special mobile force.
However, selecting suitable personnel from the Joseon forces spread across the Northeast region and the undeveloped lands west of Baektu Mountain, and gathering them together, were both time-consuming tasks.
In the end, by the time he heard news of the turmoil in the south and gathered his forces to depart, the situation at Gyeongbok Palace had already been resolved.
-...Therefore, let the minister and the various commanders of the Military fulfill their duties in the North.
After confirming the new order sent by Sejong, Hwang Hee clicked his tongue softly.
"Tsk! When I go to Hanseong this time, I'll have to prostrate myself flat."
* * *
Given the circumstances, Hwang Hee had performed the five-body prostration immediately upon entering Geunjeongjeon Hall.
As Hwang Hee prostrated himself and begged for forgiveness, Sejong replied with an expression indicating it was nothing significant.
"I had already issued orders before the events occurred, and the minister faithfully followed those orders, so there is no wrongdoing. Therefore, you may rise."
At Sejong's command, Hwang Hee bowed his head deeply.
"Your grace is boundless!"
Hwang Hee carefully rose to his feet and walked forward to present a document to Sangseon.
Receiving the document from Sangseon, Sejong carefully examined the contents of the report.
After quietly confirming the report's contents, Sejong looked back at Hwang Hee.
"Have you received reports regarding the farmers moving up now?"
"Yes. Accordingly, sufficient land has already been secured."
"How are the Jurchens responding?"
"Since their population is so small, they do not seem to feel threatened. Rather, among the Jurchens who had been farming previously, there are many who expect to learn farming methods from Joseon farmers."
At Hwang Hee's answer, Sejong breathed a sigh of relief.
"That is fortunate. Outsiders entered lands they had considered their domain, yet they did not show hostility."
To Sejong's assessment, Hwang Hee explained the reason.
"The efficacy of the cowpox method was significant."
At Hwang Hee's words, Sejong's eyes lit up.
"The cowpox method? Has smallpox finally been eradicated in the Jurchen regions as well?"
"Yes."
* * *
The Jurchen regions also suffered from smallpox. Fortunately, thanks to Hyang, Joseon had nearly completed cowpox vaccination early on, and as a result, no smallpox patients appeared among the farmers who went north and their households.
"Why do Joseon people not contract smallpox?"
The Jurchens were full of questions at the sight of Joseon people who remained unaffected even by smallpox.
The Jurchens' questions were resolved when they witnessed the Joseon people performing cowpox vaccinations. After migrating north, cowpox vaccination was carried out on children who were newly born and safely passed their first year, and it was natural for the Jurchens who witnessed this scene to ask questions of the nearby Joseon people.
"What is that they are doing?"
"That? It's to prevent mama."
"Mama?"
"Smallpox."
At the Joseon people's answer, the Jurchens' eyes opened wide.
"You mean they won't get smallpox just from receiving that needle?"
"That's right."
"Truly?"
"Has this person lived his whole life being deceived? If that were false, why would His Majesty issue a royal decree?"
"A royal decree?"
"By the royal decree, all Joseon people received that needle. Since then, no one who contracted smallpox has appeared."
Hearing the Joseon person's explanation, the Jurchens flocked to the government office in droves.
"Please give it to us too, no, at least to our children, let them receive that needle!"
"We are now Joseon subjects too! So please let us receive that needle!"
Thinking the Jurchens' petition had merit, Hwang Hee immediately contacted the capital to request cowpox vaccination for the Jurchens.
Upon receiving this request, Sejong readily accepted, and a large-scale medical group was organized and sent north.
Through these people who went north, large-scale cowpox vaccination was carried out, and smallpox ceased to be an object of terror for the surrendered Jurchens.
* * *
Hwang Hee continued his explanation.
"As the reputation of the cowpox method spread, even tribes that had been negative about surrendering until then are now submitting. Thanks to this, armed conflicts have also decreased significantly."
"That is fortunate."
As Sejong expressed relief, Hwang Hee presented a gift.
"The surrendered Jurchens have offered tribute to Your Majesty."
"Tribute to me? What is it?"
"It is in the front courtyard of Geunjeongjeon Hall."
"Is the sound of horses crying that I've been hearing since earlier that? Let us take a look."
Sejong came down from the hall with a face full of anticipation.
* * *
"Oh my."
Coming out to the front courtyard of Geunjeongjeon Hall, Sejong uttered words of admiration at the magnificent sight before his eyes.
Dozens of horses were filling the area in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall. The gathered horses all displayed extraordinary appearances.
Hwang Hee, standing beside Sejong, continued with additional explanation.
"These are fine horses carefully selected from among the horses raised by the surrendered Jurchens. There are 10 stallions and 30 mares."
Going down the stairs of Geunjeongjeon Hall to examine the horses, Sejong repeatedly expressed admiration.
"Truly fine horses! Did the surrendered Jurchens offer these fine horses as tribute?"
"Indeed they did."
At Hwang Hee's answer, Sejong gave an order to the Chief State Councilor who had followed behind.
"Send these horses to Majang-dong and Jayang-dong according to custom."
"Yes."
"And order the Sirok Office to attempt breeding with these horses as well."
"Yes."
The Chief State Councilor, having received Sejong's order, immediately gathered palace servants to carry out the command.
* * *
There were plenty of other things the Jurchens had offered as tribute.
Tiger pelts, bear gallbladders, seal penises, and other items obtained by entering the still-virgin lands of the eastern frontier were packed in large and small boxes and offered as tribute to Sejong.
Showing the contents of the boxes, Hwang Hee explained to Sejong.
"These are items offered as tribute by the Jurchens who were moved by the grace Your Majesty has bestowed, including the cowpox method. The loyalty of the surrendered Jurchens is very high. All of this is thanks to Your Majesty's virtue."
At Hwang Hee's praise, Sejong responded with a slight smile.
"How could this be accomplished by my virtue alone? Is it not because many officials including the minister, and Joseon's soldiers, all strove together?"
"Would this have been successful through effort alone? It was possible because Your Majesty won over the Jurchen tribal chiefs. And it was possible because Your Majesty spread the cowpox method widely. Right now, the shamans of the surrendered Jurchen tribes are praying for Your Majesty's long life, saying 'A sage king has appeared.'"
"Is that so? That is something to be grateful for."
At Hwang Hee's words, Sejong smiled, but his eyes were shaking minutely. Having answered briefly, Sejong turned his body.
"Come! There is much to do, so let us finish quickly!"
* * *
'The surrendered Jurchens offered famous horses and all kinds of gifts to the King!'
'The surrendered Jurchens are praising the King as a sage king!'
Stories about the gifts Hwang Hee had brought immediately spread not only throughout the capital but across all of Joseon.
It was only natural that the people who had benefited from the reforms Sejong was implementing would react.
"What! Even those Jurchen fellows praise the King's virtue, so what are we doing?"
"Right! A sage king has appeared and we're living this comfortably, so we can't just sit still!"
Accordingly, all sorts of precious things began to flow into Gyeongbok Palace from all over Joseon.
That was not all.
"Our town is barren and has nothing to offer as tribute, so let us erect a stone monument praising virtue!"
"Correct!"
In towns where the environment was barren and suitable tribute items could not be found, the people began pooling their intentions to erect stone monuments praising virtue. The people rushed to local government offices and pressed the local officials.
"We don't know letters well, and our handwriting is poor, so please write it for us, my lord!"
"Very well!"
The local officials willingly complied with the people's petition. It was a good opportunity to showcase their literary talents while also adding a line to their records.
* * *
Whenever reports came in about all sorts of tribute items and stone monuments praising Sejong's virtue being erected throughout Joseon, the ministers unanimously praised Sejong's virtue.
"The people erecting stone monuments praising Your Majesty's virtue is a sign of a peaceful realm! All of this is Your Majesty's virtue!"
At the ministers' praise, Sejong replied with a smile.
"Thank you. It is all thanks to the ministers' assistance."
However, as reports about the people praising Sejong's virtue became less frequent, the bitterness in Sejong's smile deepened.
And at some point, Sejong began drinking alcohol alone every night.
Hearing that Sejong's drinking had become more frequent, Hyang immediately kicked his seat.
"This man! I worked so hard to take care of his health all this time, and now it's alcohol! If the liver goes bad in Joseon right now, it's just the end!"
That night, receiving a report that Sejong was again drinking alone, Hyang went to find where Sejong was.
"Where is His Majesty?"
"He is at Gyeonghoeru."
"Guide me there."
"Yes, Your Highness."
* * *
Arriving at Gyeonghoeru, Hyang sought out Sejong.
"Father, the night has grown late. The air is still cold, so would it not be better to go inside?"
Looking at Hyang with slightly intoxicated eyes, Sejong opened his mouth with a bright smile.
"It's my eldest son! It's been a long time since I drank with you face to face, hasn't it? Sangseon, bring a cup for the Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Father, I..."
As Hyang tried to decline, Sejong seated Hyang with exaggerated gestures and voice.
"Oh my! When this father speaks, you should sit! Where are you pulling away to? Sit, sit! Let's have a quiet drink between father and son for the first time in a while!"
'Father's condition is not...'
Sensing that Sejong's situation was not good, Hyang sat down quietly.
Facing the drinking table with Sejong, Hyang asked carefully.
"What worries do you have?"
At Hyang's question, Sejong shook his head slowly and answered.
"Worries? What worries could there be in such a peaceful era as this?"
"Yet I see worries on Father's countenance."
"You must have seen wrongly."
Though Sejong continued to deny it, Hyang kept asking.
"Father. What is it that worries you so?"
At Hyang's words, Sejong emptied his cup in succession and opened his mouth.
"Crown Prince."
"Yes, Father."
"Do you also think I am a sage king?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang answered immediately.
"You are a sage king."
'Even in the 21st century, if I said otherwise, I'd get hit with stones!'
At Hyang's answer, Sejong frowned and shook his head.
"No. I am not a sage king. I pushed aside my elder brother who was the legitimate eldest son and took the throne, and I killed that brother, so how could I be a sage king?"
"Father..."
Before the surprised Hyang could finish speaking, Sejong continued.
"I am a tyrant, a foolish ruler! I exaggerated small flaws and killed or exiled those who were founding merit subjects and loyal subjects of the nation! When local scholar-officials opposed my will, I chose suppression over winning them over! Even when dealing with ordinary people, instead of bestowing enlightenment and virtue, I used various cunning methods to manipulate them into moving in the direction I led. Am I a sage king for that?"
Like a blocked dam bursting, Sejong's pouring cries caused Hyang's face to gradually harden.
"Father..."
"If you had not discovered the cowpox method, I would still be operating state affairs while making many concessions to the ministers and local scholar-officials!"
Sejong beat his chest and engaged in self-criticism as if vomiting blood.
"When I was weak, I only watched for others' reactions, but when I gained strength, I didn't try to win them over and wielded the sword first! How cunning a human being am I! Such a person, am I a sage king? Do you think that makes sense?"
At Sejong's question filled with self-reproach, Hyang answered with a hardened face.
"A certain minister of the West said, 'The end justifies the means.'"
"That is sophistry!"
At Hyang's words, Sejong denied it firmly.
"No matter how good the purpose, if the means are not right, the result is nothing but the corruption of the purpose! That is sophistry, nothing but a cowardly excuse."
Hyang held a bitter smile at Sejong's angry cry.
'This man has been under a lot of stress from what happened. Well, I guess I'm the only one he can speak this openly to.'
As the head of the household and the king, he could not have said such things to Queen Soheon, and even less to the ministers who could be considered political enemies.
However, the relationship between Hyang and Sejong was somewhat special. To Sejong, Hyang was not a being who threatened royal authority, but a companion looking toward the same goal, like Jang Ja-ryang who devised various plans and tools necessary to implement the reforms. That was why Sejong was revealing his inner self to Hyang and pouring out his true feelings.
Hyang's hardened expression relaxed slightly. In a voice calmer than ever, Hyang spoke to Sejong.
"However, do the people not rejoice because of the things Your Majesty has done? And was it not Grandfather's choice that he was pushed aside from being Crown Prince, and was it not because he attempted a palace invasion that Your Majesty had to kill him? And did the criminal Ryu Jeong-hyeon not receive such punishment because he did not understand Your Majesty's great intention and was only intent on protecting his own power?"
"...."
To Sejong, who was listening with his lips tightly pressed, Hyang continued to speak as if soothing him to not feel pain.
"Finally, those who rebelled did so not for a great cause but with only the thought of protecting their vested interests, so they were people who deserved to die."
At Hyang's words, Sejong let out a sigh full of regret.
"Huu~. But he was my elder brother, and he was a loyal subject who had dedicated his life to the founding of this Joseon. And they were the influential figures of the large and small towns in the provinces."
At Sejong's words, Hyang asked again.
"Then will you abandon the reforms? And will you recall those among the exiled merit subjects who are still alive? Will you restore the families of the scholar-officials sent as government slaves?"
At Hyang's question, Sejong answered firmly.
"Impossible. If they are recalled, things will return to the past. Such a thing must absolutely not happen. They must die in their places of exile."
Having confirmed that Sejong's will was firm, Hyang pointed out reality.
"In my humble opinion, this is the case. The people are calling you a sage king and showing absolute loyalty to Your Majesty. If Your Majesty were a tyrant and a foolish ruler, would the people follow you so?"
After briefly catching his breath, Hyang reached a conclusion.
"Your Majesty is a sage king. The people are proving that."
"The people are proving it? The people are proving it..."
Sejong vacantly mulled over Hyang's words.
As he continued to chew on Hyang's words, Sejong smiled.
It was an expression as if there was no longer any reason to agonize.
"Then I must become a sage king. Since I have put on the skin of a sage king, I must do my best until I die."
Having emptied his cup, Sejong rose from his seat.
"I should not drink alcohol for the time being. There won't be enough time to work, after all."
Hyang, who had also risen from his seat following Sejong, answered while performing a formal bow.
"Please rest comfortably."
Sejong, who had been turning away, looked at Hyang again.
With a much more comfortable face, Sejong reached out his hand toward Hyang, who had his head bowed.
"Thank you. Thanks to you, my heart has become lighter."
After lightly patting Hyang's shoulder, Sejong left Gyeonghoeru and returned to Gangnyeongjeon Hall.
When Sejong had disappeared into the distance, Hyang held a bitter smile and murmured.
"Sometimes I forget that he too is human. It must be because I learned about the father from books first."