Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 5

[Episode 5 Who is your father? (3) ]

Episode 5: Who is your father? (3)

“History has not changed.”

Massaging his still tingling calf, Hyang looked outside the East Palace. Hyang’s eyes, looking at the scenery outside, were filled with regret that was unusual for his age.

The battle for crown prince, which can be summarized as the defense of Yangnyeong and the siege of Chungnyeong, was won by Chungnyeong according to the flow of history.

Yangnyeong was not an incompetent person. And although it was not recorded, he also had ambition, as shown at his first birthday party.

However, as shown in the Annals, Yangnyeong was a person with a ‘free spirit’ who enjoyed hunting in the mountains and fields rather than learning academics and loved the color vermilion.

Because of that, he was unable to overcome the enormous stress that occurred during the competition process.

In the end, to relieve the stress, he indulged in hunting and drinking alcohol, and even committed an extreme case of violating the taboo of fornication.

In the end, the reason why Yangnyeong lost in the royal battle was because Prince Chungnyeong had outstanding qualities, but the biggest defeat was that he could not overcome the stress and committed suicide.

* * *

Prince Chungnyeong became the winner in the crown prince, but he also suffered a great wound. His wife’s family had been wiped out.

As Chungnyeong was installed as crown prince, Shim On emerged as a powerful person. It was not Taejong who would allow Shim On to rise like that.

When Chungnyeong was installed as crown prince, Hyang entered the palace together and saw Taejong for the first time, recalling memories of her previous life.

When Jin-ho, Hyang’s previous incarnation, was a high school student, the teacher ‘Samcheonpo’ – a nickname given to him because he often left aside during class – who was in charge of Korean history, evaluated King Taejong this way.

“If Catholic priests who advocated ‘royal authority theory’ had arrived in Joseon during the reign of King Taejong, Taejong would have immediately made Catholicism the state religion. Of course, after that, everyone would have been wiped out except for the few who were obedient.”

Teacher Samcheonpo’s words were ‘IF’. However, when Hyang came into the palace with Prince Chungnyeong and saw Taejong for the first time, Hyang acknowledged Teacher Samcheonpo’s words.

‘That guy was right!’

King Taejong’s face was full of fatigue as he entered old age, but his eyes alone made people feel intimidated.

“Welcome.”

King Taejong, who was bowed by the Chungnyeong couple who became crown princes, had a surprisingly soft voice.

“A lot has happened in the meantime, but from now on, you are the crown prince. “Be thoroughly prepared to rule this country after me and deepen your friendship with your brothers.”

“I will keep in mind the words of Abamama, who are like gold and okjo (金科玉條).”

As soon as Chungnyeong finished answering, Mr. Min, Jungjeon, who was sitting next to King Taejong, opened his mouth.

“From now on, the crown prince must rule over the internal affairs of women. “We must work hard to ensure that there is absolutely no noise.”

“I will keep your words in mind.”

Taejong and Jungjeon Min, who gave good wishes, focused on Hyang sitting next to them.

“The child looks truly intelligent.”

Chungnyeong responded to Taejong’s words with a smile.

“I am already learning Sohak.”

“already? “Isn’t that child only 4 years old?”

“I’m turning 4 this October.”

“How fast!”

“He is showing greater qualities than me.”

King Taejong seemed satisfied with Chungnyeong’s answer.

“It’s a blessing for our Joseon and royal family!”

Hyang, who was observing Taejong and the Jungjeon Min clan, quickly straightened her posture when Taejong and the Jungjeon Min clan focused their attention on her. When Taejong and his wife seemed satisfied with Chungnyeong’s praise, Hyang grumbled inwardly.

‘No matter how hard I tried!’

While the competition between Yangnyeong and Chungnyeong became increasingly fierce, Hyang continued to worry about what was best for him.

“Why can’t he eat like this all of a sudden? “Please call Congressman Nanny.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Hyang, who was worried enough to have his mother, Mr. Sim, call a doctor, made a decision.

‘Refining myself! Even in the worst case, you must have a minimum intellectual and physical foundation! No, even if a physical foundation is impossible due to a matter of time, we must have at least an intellectual foundation!’

Hyang made a firm decision and started learning the thousand-character pattern as soon as two years later he was able to speak.

“This kid seems to be a prodigy!”

“I see!”

The Chungnyeong couple was happy to see Hyang memorizing the thousand-character sentence while speaking softly. Hyang didn’t know if he knew what that couple looked like, but he worked hard to learn the thousand-character pattern.

‘Luckily the hardware is good! Is it because he is King Munjong?’

In actual history, perhaps due to being the body of a person named King Munjong, Hyang had excellent hardware (?) such as memory and understanding, and passed on to Tonggamjeolyo (通鑑節要) at a much younger age than others. And when Chungnyeong was confirmed as crown prince, he was transferred to Sohak.

“Your eyes are so bright, it’s really nice to see!”

While bowing her head at Taejong’s praise, Hyang observed the atmosphere of Taejong and his wife.

‘As expected, the atmosphere is a bit subtle.’

– Isn’t there a proverb that says, ‘Enemies in the past life become husband and wife in the present life?’ If we look at the example of King Taejong and his wife, the proverb is exactly true. A love-hate couple?

Hyangi, who was recalling the story of Teacher Samcheonpo, returned to reality when Taejong spoke to his mother.

“I heard that Gukgu (the crown prince’s father-in-law) is truly very generous with public affairs.”

“I don’t really know because I’m just in the room.”

“Is that so?”

The smile was erased from Taejong’s face as he asked briefly.

“Now that Guk-gu is older, I hope he can live a more relaxed life. “Aren’t all the good times in vain if you lose your health?”

Hearing King Taejong’s harsh words, the Crown Princess bowed her head in a cold sweat.

“yes. “I will definitely tell you.”

It was Taejong’s warning.

* * *

But history continued as it was.

September 9, four months after Grand Prince Chungnyeong ascended to the throne. Taejong transferred the throne to the crown prince. In the proclamation announcing the transfer of the throne, King Taejong declared as follows:

-I will personally supervise the military until the chief minister grows up, and for matters that are difficult for the state to decide, I will order the Uijeongbu and the Sixth Joseon Dynasty to implement them, each with a yes or no, but I will also participate in the discussion on the yes and no.

It was a firm expression of his intention to assist his son, who was certain to be pushed aside by his older subjects, no matter how smart he was, and to solidify the national flag that was not yet solid. No, he not only expressed his intention, but also established the Uigeonbu (Uigeonbu) to continue to hold military power in his hands.

Even though Taejong firmly expressed his policy of promoting military authority, noise arose.

The incident started with Kang Sang-in, a military judge. Kang Sang-in only reported directly to King Sejong, even though Taejong held military power. In addition, he illegally promoted his younger brother, Kang Sang-rye, to the rank of Sajik, a military officer of the 5th rank.

As a result of this event, King Taejong was able to enumerate Kang Sang-in. Appeals from Daegan to severely punish Kang Sang-in were filed, but King Taejong took into account the fact that Kang Sang-in was an original meritorious servant of King Wonjong and his past merits, and forced him to return to his hometown. It ended with the confiscation of meritorious certificates and direct concubines. This was the first round of handling of the ‘Kang Merchant’s Jade’ case from August to September.

However, what led to the downfall of Sim On was the departure of Sim On, the royal councilor, as a thank you message to obtain Ming Dynasty’s approval for the transfer of the throne.

King Taejong felt a sense of crisis after hearing that not only the people but also many high-ranking officials had gathered to welcome Sim On, who was leaving as an envoy.

-He is the father-in-law of the crown prince and the next successor to the throne. And his younger brother, Shim Jeung, holds an important position in the military called the Comrade General of the Central Army of the Uiheung Three Military Departments!

As King Taejong’s suspicions were deepening, something happened that confirmed his suspicions.

November 26th. An Heon-oh, the military commander, reported to King Taejong.

“Kang Sang-in and Sim Jeung Park had a private meeting the other day.”

“however?”

“It was said on the spot, ‘These days, the command is coming from two places, but it doesn’t seem like it’s coming from one place.’ “I did.”

Upon hearing Ahn Heon-oh’s report, King Taejong slammed his armrest and screamed.

“what!”

‘Kangsanin’s Jade’ rose to the surface again in a larger size.

* * *

As ‘Kang Merchant’s Jade’ ignited again, Hyang’s maternal family was struck by lightning.

Kang Sang-in was put to death, and Park Seup and Shim Jeung were murdered. Shim On, who returned from his mission as an envoy in the Ming Dynasty, received a harsh civil service and was put to death, and all members of his family became slaves.

While these things were going on, a storm raged inside the palace.

“If it’s not enough for me, I’ll have to make my daughter-in-law’s family like this too!”

Queen Wongyeong, seeing the tragedy that had happened to her happen again, raised her voice, but King Taejong pushed ahead with the purge.

During such a chaotic time, Hyang was troubled.

‘It sucks that I’m only a child!’

If he had been a normal 4-year-old child, not a reincarnation, he would not have been able to understand the situation properly and passed on, but for Hyang, who had memories and personality until his mid-30s, it was a truly difficult time to endure.

‘If you have the right maternal relatives, they can actually serve as a strong defense. If I could step forward and reduce the anger that befell my mother’s family even just a little, wouldn’t it be of great help to me in the future?’

After entering the palace, Hyang, who had been adjusting the scales while thinking about the future and the fact that King Taejong had found her very cute, did not come forward as a result.

‘no. I think it would be better to stay still. That’s how it went in real history too. I could succeed by putting on a ‘tearful butt show’, but on the other hand, if I used a 4-year-old child, it could make things even worse. And the most important thing is that my father is a noble man…’

Even though his wife’s family was suffering from heavy rain and rain, King Sejong was not showing any particular reaction. No matter how much his father King Taejong’s power was like a storm, his complete lack of response was beyond the limit.

In response to the king’s father’s reaction, Hyang decided to take action.

‘Taejong and Sejong reached an unspoken agreement! Then the best solution is not to move!’

As a result, Hyang had to watch his mother shed bloody tears for several days and nights.

King Sejong’s wife’s family was destroyed by ‘Kangsanin’s Jade’, but the aftermath did not subside easily.

“It is not appropriate for the daughter of a traitor to be queen! “The queen must be abolished!”

Daegans from the Saheonbu and Saganwon came forward to demand that the queen be dethroned, but King Sejong put his throne on the line and did his best to oppose it.

In the end, King Taejong ended the ‘dispute over the abolition of the monument’ with the following words.

“I don’t even speculate. “It is not right to dethrone someone who has already given birth to three legitimate children.”

Due to King Sejong’s opposition and Taejong’s decision, Queen Soheon was able to maintain her position.

Hyang nodded as he watched the conclusion of the ‘debate debate’.

“It was a good thing I didn’t step forward.”

Praising herself, Hyang praised herself. Hyang, who was in the midst of praising himself, looked towards the place where the main hall was.

“After all, you can’t fake family blood?”

– Perhaps because he was born in a military family, not only King Taejong but also King Sejong is very calm when it comes to making decisions.

“As expected, the ultimate goal was ‘strengthening the power of the king.’”

Hyang, who saw the situation unfolding in real time, saw Taejong and Sejong’s purpose and shook his head.

“It’s not easy to be king….”

[Episode 5 Who is your father? (3) ] End

ⓒ Gukbbong

========================================