***ANNOUNCEMENT*** New Novel Event for the entire week.
Personnel, and Public Works.
“Do you not think we should bring writing tools five days from now?” At the Minister of Taxation’s suggestion, the Minister of Personnel stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“Will writing tools really be necessary?” “They absolutely will.” “But is this not merely the political philosophy of a nine-year-old child?” At the question, the Minister of Taxation explained his reasoning.
“Certainly, the Crown Prince is only nine years old.
Because of that, some claim every one of his actions and words actually comes from His Majesty behind the scenes.
But I do not believe that.” “You do not?” “No.
The Crown Prince is a genius sent by Heaven itself.
A genuinely terrifying genius.” “And what makes you think so?” At the Minister of Personnel’s question, the Minister of Taxation stared off into the distance before answering.
“There are several reasons.
First, do you remember the day His Majesty personally struck the Crown Prince with the switch?” “How could anyone forget?” “The fact that His Majesty used the switch proves the Crown Prince’s behavior was completely unexpected even to him.
That is why His Majesty became so enraged.” The Minister of Personnel immediately countered.
“That interpretation is possible.
But to claim every incident since then came solely from the Crown Prince himself seems excessive.
Consider his age.
He is only nine.
Is it not more reasonable to believe that day was merely a fortunate coincidence?” “Someone uninformed might think so.
But have you ever visited the famous library inside the Eastern Palace?” “No.
Have you?” “I visited once after the Crown Prince requested books and instructed me to collect a list.
While there, I entered the library itself.
Every book showed heavy signs of use, and important passages had been underlined in red ink.
More than that, many books contained inserted sheets covered with notes discussing how those ideas might be applied within Joseon.
And the handwriting on those pages was not His Majesty’s.” At those words, the Minister of Personnel’s expression turned grave.
“Then you mean…” “We are witnessing someone truly terrifying.
A man possessing intelligence, execution ability, and the backing of royal authority all at once.” “Hooo…” At the Minister of Taxation’s conclusion, the Minister of Personnel released a groan that sounded halfway between admiration and despair.
The third faction consisted mainly of younger officials from the Office of the Inspector-General and Office of the Censors.
“What do you all think?” “What is there to think about?
We should submit memorials immediately!
The Crown Prince is only nine years old!
State affairs govern an entire nation!
Such responsibilities are enormously heavy, so what could a mere child possibly understand?
His Majesty is openly toying with us ministers!” “But should we not at least acknowledge the Crown Prince’s remarkable abilities?
The gold pen alone proves that much.” “The gold pens are exactly what I regret most!
We should have opposed their mass production from the beginning!
Ever since then, everyone from the king down to the lowest officials thinks only about money!
How is this any different from the previous dynasty?
Why did Joseon even come into existence if matters continue this way?” The young official’s fists visibly trembled with anger as he spoke.
Those nearby largely seemed to agree.
“Come quickly!
We need to begin writing memorials at once!” “Indeed!” As the younger censorial officials hurried away in groups, a much smaller cluster of younger officials remained behind.
Most belonged to the Office of Royal Historians responsible for compiling the draft annals.
“Brother Yi, what do you think?” “Brother Jang, I honestly do not know.
But from everything I have personally observed so far, I have yet to find the Crown Prince actually wrong about anything…” As the historians who had just rotated out of duty discussed quietly among themselves, another historian nearby joined in.
“Have we not seen this sort of behavior from the censors countless times already?
This is no different.
They believe nitpicking everything raises their own reputations.
Come now, let us return.
We already have mountains of work waiting, and considering what happens five days from now, we should prepare beforehand.” “Agreed.” Criticizing the officials of the censorial offices, the historians quickly headed back toward the Office of Royal Historians.
Meanwhile, palace eunuchs and court ladies silently watched everything from nearby.
The ministers’ reactions reached Sejong almost immediately through the eunuchs.
“You have done well.” After praising the chief eunuch, Sejong released a long sigh.
“Hooo…
why are they all so unbelievably rigid?” Listening to the ministers’ responses, Sejong lamented deeply.
They had effectively staged an open protest.
‘If they truly intended action, they would already be meeting secretly outside the palace.’ Noticing Sejong’s displeased expression, the chief eunuch hurriedly tried to comfort him.
“There are also many who view matters favorably, Your Majesty.” At those words, Sejong smiled bitterly.
“So I should consider myself fortunate?
Even I sometimes struggle believing the Crown Prince is truly only nine years old…” Smiling briefly at the thought of Hyang’s brilliance, Sejong soon sighed once more.
“Hooo…
for the younger officials to be so inflexible…” What disappointed Sejong most was the rigid mentality displayed by the younger officials from the censorial offices.
The faction surrounding the Chief State Councillor also possessed rigid thinking, but thanks to long political experience they could still behave pragmatically when necessary.
The younger officials, however, were different.
To them, Neo-Confucianism represented everything.
They believed proper thought, proper living, and proper governance could exist only through Neo-Confucian doctrine.
From their perspective, everything Hyang advocated looked dangerously heretical.
And indeed, they constantly shouted exactly that.
“The nation is moving backward!
How can commerce be praised?
Why did the previous dynasty collapse if not for this?
Have they already forgotten the principle of valuing agriculture and suppressing trade?” “Hooo…” After another long sigh, Sejong muttered quietly.
“There are no proper talents.
None at all.” Five years had passed since Sejong received the throne from Taejong, and over half a year had passed since Taejong’s death.
Yet Taejong’s shadow still lingered heavily.
Immediately after ascending the throne, Sejong had partially reshuffled the cabinet, and the ministers generally obeyed him.
But Sejong also understood they still viewed him as little more than a young ruler.
What he truly needed now were capable officials loyal to his policies.
“But it is still too early to summon them.” The “them” Sejong referred to were Hwang Hui and Maeng Sa-seong.
Both men were talents even Taejong himself had acknowledged.
However, each had become entangled in Taejong’s efforts to strengthen royal authority and had suffered politically because of it.
Though both eventually returned to central politics, promoting them immediately into the core of government still lacked sufficient justification.
“The problem is whether even they could properly restrain those stubborn children…” Thinking about the younger officials whose minds had hardened completely, Sejong pressed a hand against his forehead.
“My head aches.” At Sejong’s words, the chief eunuch immediately looked alarmed.
“Shall I summon the royal physician?” “It is not that serious.
A little rest should suffice.” Rejecting the offer, Sejong turned his eyes back toward the piles of unresolved documents and memorials still awaiting judgment.
While Sejong suffered headaches over these matters, Hyang received nearly identical reports through his own eunuchs.
“So the factions have finally become somewhat clear…
though honestly…” Trailing off, Hyang tapped his desk repeatedly while muttering under his breath.
“This is still early Joseon and they’re already at Taliban levels…” “Your Highness?
Did you say something?” “Nothing important.
Ignore it.” “Yes, Your Highness.” After silencing the eunuch, Hyang continued drumming his fingers against the desk while sinking into thought.
‘Damn it!
This isn’t even late Joseon yet!
The Sarim faction hasn’t even fully risen!
I thought the early Joseon ruling class was supposed to be flexible!
If they’re already this rigid, how the hell am I supposed to deal with people whose minds are harder than the foundation stones of Gyeongbok Palace?’ The thought of confronting the younger officials, especially those from the censorial offices, nearly made Hyang dizzy.
After wrestling with countless thoughts, Hyang finally reached a conclusion.
“Leave me alone for a while.” “Pardon?” “I need time to organize my thoughts privately.” “…Yes, Your Highness.” Once the eunuch left and Hyang sat alone in the room, he clenched his fist tightly.
“Fine.
Then I’ll stop holding back and unleash everything.
Our great King Sejong can sort through the useful parts himself.
After that, once I take the throne, I’ll implement the rest personally.
If they can’t keep up, then I’ll simply replace them all.
Grind down the useful ones, discard the useless ones, and eventually things will work themselves out.” Having reached his decision, Hyang spread a fresh sheet of paper across the desk.
“Hm…
where should I begin?” How much time had passed after Hyang finally “flipped the switch”?
Suddenly the eunuch standing outside the door shouted loudly.
“His Majesty approaches!” At the announcement, Hyang immediately rose from his chair, straightened his robes, and respectfully welcomed Sejong.
“You have come, Father.” “It is already late at night.
Why are you still awake?
It is unhealthy.” “When there is work to be done, how can sleep matter?
Besides, Father’s health is far more important than mine.” “You little brat…” Clearly pleased by the answer, Sejong lightly patted Hyang’s shoulder before turning toward the papers spread across the desk.
“May I read these for a moment?” “Yes.” Yet before Hyang even finished answering, Sejong had already picked up the papers and begun reading carefully.
Watching him, Hyang pouted inwardly.
‘If you’re going to read them before I answer anyway, why even ask?
Powerful people really are all the same.’ Completely unaware of Hyang’s thoughts, Sejong examined the papers thoroughly before suddenly asking: “Crown Prince.
What do these symbols beside the sentences mean?
These marks shaped like ‘?’ and ‘!’?” “They are punctuation marks used by the Westerners.
The curled mark ‘?’ indicates a question, while the upright mark ‘!’ expresses surprise or emphasis.” “Oh?
A simple symbol can clarify sentence meaning this effectively?
Hm…
I see…
indeed…” Now understanding punctuation, Sejong studied the papers even more carefully.
“Father, perhaps you should sit while reading?” “My legs were beginning to ache anyway.
Very well.” Brightening immediately at the suggestion, Sejong sat down.
‘Seriously, Father, lose some weight.
You jump rope every day, so why do you still look shaped like a pyramid?’ Complaining inwardly while looking at the overweight king, Hyang sat across from him.
Spreading the papers across the desk, Sejong moved them around repeatedly while examining the contents.
“Administrative restructuring…
decentralization of local offices…
reform of the taxation system…
land reform…
this is hardly a simple presentation of political philosophy.” “My philosophy itself is very simple.
Long ago, Hwanung spoke of ‘benefiting all humanity.’ And do not the teachings of the sages ultimately mean the same thing?” “That much is certainly true.” Sejong nodded firmly in agreement.
Though people spoke endlessly of virtuous kingship, the conclusion remained simple.
“Let both ruler and people live peacefully.” “To truly achieve that ideal, however, the current system remains incomplete in many ways.
My dream is to repair those weaknesses one by one until Joseon becomes a nation where both the royal house and the people live in peace.” “A fine dream indeed.
To be honest, simply reading these proposals makes me want to adopt them immediately as policy.
But you are still only nine years old.
Many will refuse to listen properly because of that alone.” At Sejong’s observation, Hyang merely shrugged.
“They are not entirely wrong.
I truly am only nine years old.
And because I am young, it is also true my political experience remains shallow.” At Hyang’s answer, Sejong clicked his tongue.
“Tsk!
When discussing governance and virtue, placing age and seniority first was never the intention of the sages…” “Still, there are advantages to it.” “Advantages?” “Does it not make it easier to distinguish who will truly become Father’s allies?” “Indeed!” At the same moment, both father and son smiled identically.
It looked like a warm and harmonious scene between parent and child.
Had the ministers witnessed it, however, cold sweat would likely have poured down their backs.
Feeling far more relaxed after hearing Hyang’s response, Sejong rose from his seat.
“Sleep now.
Children grow properly only when they sleep early.” “Yes, Father.
Please retire for the night yourself as well.
Only while Father remains healthy can Joseon remain peaceful.” “I shall.” Smiling faintly, Sejong began walking out before suddenly stopping and turning back.
“Ah!
I nearly forgot.
Not only the high ministers, but even officials down to the sixth rank will attend your presentation.
Prepare yourself carefully.” “Yes.” “Rest well.” After seeing Sejong out, Hyang’s expression twisted badly.
“Damn it.” The scale of the event had suddenly become far larger than expected.