< Chapter 6: Who do you say my father is? (4) >
The issue of the disposal of Queen was concluded with its rejection by Taejong and Sejong, and with that matter, the purge of the maternal relatives also came to an end.
After that, until Taejong's death, aside from Ming's suspicions, there were no major obstacles.
Ming, which had not relaxed its vigilance toward Joseon due to the Liaodong expedition that had been planned by Taejo and Jeong Dojeon in the early days of the founding but later scrapped, suddenly took issue with the abrupt abdication and began to raise objections. As a result, Sejong had to expend considerable mental and financial resources persuading the envoys sent from Ming.
Because he had to persuade the envoys sent by Ming, and because Taejong still held military authority, Sejong could do nothing but watch the Tsushima expedition from the sidelines.
"How truly regrettable."
Sejong muttered quietly as he examined letters related to the Tsushima expedition, with Yi Hyang seated on his lap during a courtesy visit. When Yi Hyang turned his head at the sound of the complaint and looked at him, Sejong gave a small smile.
"If I had a bit more power and leeway, I feel we could have prepared this expedition far more thoroughly…"
Watching Sejong, whose face was filled with regret, Yi Hyang began to think hard.
'How did Yi Jongmu's Tsushima expedition turn out? Was it only half a success?'
Curiosity stirred, and Yi Hyang stretched out his hand. Seeing the child in his arms reaching toward the memorials and report scrolls placed on the desk, Sejong smiled faintly.
"Our Crown Prince seems already interested in affairs of state? Hmm~. To attend to state affairs, one must first cultivate scholarship."
After pondering briefly, Sejong turned to the Royal Secretary standing nearby.
"Summon the Chief Royal Secretary."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As the Royal Secretary left to relay Sejong's command, cold sweat began to trickle down Yi Hyang's back.
'This is dangerous.'
* * *
Around the time Chungnyeong was confirmed as Crown Prince, Yi Hyang drafted his own plan.
"The foundation is that King Sejong the Great is a true enthusiast. And he's quite positive about fostering engineer-types too."
With his still-short arms and legs folded as he sat cross-legged, Yi Hyang wore a serious expression while rapidly calculating in his head.
The original Munjong was also an enthusiast—especially a military enthusiast.
The craftsmanship of early Joseon artisans is by no means poor, as seen in the earrings from that first birthday banquet. Artisans connected to the royal household must be even more skilled.
In Joseon, one is recognized as an adult at the age of fifteen. Eleven years to go.
If I combine the status of Crown Prince with skilled artisans, I won't have to suffer alone doing everything myself. I can just give orders. Especially, I won't have to rack my brain over complicated calculations. I only need to provide ideas. That's the most important part!
Considering Sejong's enthusiast tendencies and his emphasis on national defense, I should be able to secure sufficient support for something decent—say, flintlocks or percussion caps. The technological level? Given the standards of artisans of this era, it should be possible to overcome. If not? I'll just push them harder. I'm the Crown Prince, after all…
If a few things succeed this way, not only will my position become solid, but I'll also secure definite material support to expand into other fields.
Conclusion. Profit!!!!
Caution: Before turning fifteen, I must thoroughly equip myself with Confucian learning. If I lose debates against the ministers, I'm finished.
Additional note: Win over the Crown Prince's tutors as much as possible. By the time I come of age, they'll all hold important posts. Best to secure them in advance.
"In the end, it all depends on my memory and the Crown Prince's tutors…"
Yi Hyang lightly tapped his folded arm with his fingers as he pondered the tutors.
* * *
Through the Chief Royal Secretary, Sejong ordered Yi Hyang's tutors to pay closer attention to his studies.
Yi Hyang had only just passed the age of four and had not yet been formally invested as Crown Prince; he still held the status of Royal Prince. However, due to his exceptional aptitude, his education had been entrusted to the Crown Prince's Lecture Hall.
In this situation, Sejong's command to focus even more on Yi Hyang's studies placed immense pressure on the tutors.
Upon receiving the royal order, the Instructor of the Crown Prince's Lecture Hall summoned the Grand Tutor, the Assistant Tutor, the tutors, and the officials of the Lecture Hall.
"His Highness is now entering his fifth year… How far has he progressed?"
"He is studying the Great Learning."
"At what age did you master the Great Learning?"
"At eleven."
"You must have been called a prodigy."
"You flatter me."
"Even at eleven you were considered gifted… Yet His Highness is not even five. If we don't pay attention now, he may lose interest in scholarship."
"Do you mean 'excess is as bad as deficiency'?"
"Indeed."
"Whew…"
At the Instructor's firm conclusion, the gathered officials sighed.
'To educate the prince who will inherit the throne.'
In some sense, the Crown Prince's Lecture Hall was the greatest opportunity to rise to the core of the next regime. Yet educating the Crown Prince was both opportunity and danger.
As in the cases of Taejong and Yangnyeong, the king desired an heir who was intelligent and beyond reproach in conduct. But as with Yangnyeong, satisfying that expectation was not easy.
If the heir failed to meet that standard, the king would undoubtedly hold the officials accountable.
The problem was that the current king—the father of the Royal Prince—had himself been so learned in his youth that veteran ministers had marveled at him.
The more brilliant he was, the higher the standard he would demand of his son. And the newly issued royal order made that reality undeniable.
The officials' concern lay with the Royal Prince. They feared that excessive pressure might extinguish his passion for learning, despite his extraordinary aptitude.
After much deliberation, the Instructor reached a conclusion.
"In the end, we must uphold the Doctrine of the Mean."
"That is the principle, but…"
"Difficult problems can only be solved by principle."
Thus, the officials adhered to principle. When Yi Hyang excelled, they praised him—but cautioned him against arrogance. When he showed laxity in study or conduct, they disciplined him strictly.
"His Majesty was no ordinary man, but the Royal Prince is equally formidable."
The Left and Right Tutors directly responsible for his education marveled at his accomplishments.
Yi Hyang's academic achievements exceeded their expectations, and his conduct was flawless.
To such an extent that a joke circulated among the officials:
"Is it truly possible that His Highness is not yet five? He is far too mature for his age."
"I agree. He does not merely accept instruction—he raises questions."
"We worried we might overdo His Majesty's command, but with such brilliance, perhaps we may allow ourselves to be a little more ambitious."
"I agree. We should discuss it again with our superiors."
Thus, the Lecture Hall gradually shifted toward more active education and discipline.
While Yi Hyang's innate talent contributed greatly to his achievements, the primary reason was his own resolve.
"I need to move up the schedule!"
As July passed, he resolved to completely revise his plan.
"I was going to begin at fifteen, but I can't stand this suffocation!"
He thumped his chest in frustration.
"As soon as possible! No later than ten, I must start making moves!"
Unable to contain himself, he gulped down water and exhaled sharply.
"Puh! If I don't start soon, I'll explode from frustration!"
Two main causes drove his decision to revise his plan.
One was the Tsushima expedition. To prepare, the court issued mobilization orders for warships and manpower in Gyeongsang, Jeolla, and Chungcheong Provinces.
What infuriated him was the content of the mobilization order:
– From the three provinces, mobilize 200 warships and conscript reserve armored soldiers, special units, royal guards, garrison troops, entertainers, outcastes, idle men, day guards, and yangban skilled with ships… (omitted)… embark them and assemble at Gyeonnaeryang by June 8.
"This is unbelievable! Just unbelievable!"
Having obtained and read a copy of the order, Yi Hyang fumed.
"Warships and reserve soldiers are one thing… but garrison troops, entertainers, outcastes, unemployed men, minor officials… And yangban? Those who passed the civil and military examinations? 'Yangban skilled with ships'? They're practically rounding up everyone except farmers during planting season!"
He sighed.
"Even for Joseon, this is too much. There's a severe shortage of professional naval forces."
A scene from a foreign film he had once seen came to mind—sailors returning from a long voyage drinking in a tavern when soldiers stormed in with clubs, beating and dragging them onto warships. Officers protested with certificates in hand, but the soldiers answered with clubs.
"The problem is that it wasn't fiction… This mobilization order could create a similar situation."
Though he sighed at the haphazard, unprofessional composition of forces, preparations were completed.
"Royal Prince, you wish to attend as well?"
"Yes, Father."
After brief consideration, Sejong nodded.
"Very well, we shall go together. Prepare for the Royal Prince to accompany us."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
On May 18, at Baeksajeong in Dumopo along the Han River, a ceremony was held to send off the expeditionary forces under Yi Jongmu, Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies.
'At least they're wearing proper armor.'
Observing the soldiers' attire, Yi Hyang sighed softly. Unlike what he had seen in historical dramas, they were wearing proper chest armor.
The Tsushima expedition began thus and concluded its first phase on July 3 when the forces withdrew to Geoje Island. While regrouping, renewed pirate raids prompted discussions of a second expedition.
Many argued for postponement due to lowered morale and the typhoon season. Then urgent news arrived that pirates who had invaded Ming were annihilated.
The court disbanded the expeditionary forces and sent envoys to Tsushima.
– Tsushima is recorded in literature as Joseon territory. Therefore, restore the lord–vassal relationship.
– Relocate all Tsushima residents to Joseon.
– Failure to comply will result in renewed conquest.
The Lord of Tsushima replied:
– The land of Tsushima is barren and life is difficult. Relocate the residents to Geoje and nearby islands. Grant the Lord of Tsushima a royal title and seal, and I shall submit in lord–vassal rites.
The court regarded this as a surrender document. Concerns were raised that relocating the islanders to Geoje and adjacent islands could turn them into pirate bases. Instead, the court granted the Lord of Tsushima a seal bearing the name "Sōshi Dōdōyū".
Hearing of these developments in the Eastern Palace, Yi Hyang clicked his tongue.
"Too soft—far too soft!"
"The strategy, the operations, the command—they're all inadequate!"
"They should have accepted all the Tsushima residents into Joseon first! Once fully absorbed, there'd be no need to worry about the Lord of Tsushima! Send them north instead of leaving them on islands, and it's done!"
"They underestimated Tsushima's value!"
He fumed as he summarized the outcome.
"I absolutely cannot endure this!"