< Chapter 12: Sprouting… or Spreading Like Cancer? (5) >
Meanwhile, having realized his mistake, Sejong opened his mouth with a reddened face.
"Historian…"
But when Sejong saw the royal historian energetically moving his golden brush, he smacked his lips and turned toward Yi Hyang instead.
"Crown Prince, if you have more to say, continue."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Having caught his breath through the brief farce, Yi Hyang resumed his offensive.
"The ministers present here and the scholar-officials outside the palace have learned propriety and can endure hunger. But the ignorant common people, who have not properly learned such principles, do not know how to endure hunger. If we are to teach them morality and cultivate virtue in them, should we not at least ensure their stomachs do not go empty? Virtue as the root and wealth as the branch and valuing righteousness over profit are important, yes—but benefiting the people and enriching their livelihoods is equally important!"
"Indeed!"
At Yi Hyang's words, Sejong slapped his knee in agreement. Once again, the atmosphere of the court froze.
'This gentleman's dam has burst—truly burst!'
Letting out a small sigh, Yi Hyang looked toward the ministers. Those who had opposed his plan were now nearly in a state of collapse under his assault.
'This is my final card! If it succeeds, I can completely silence them!'
Steeling himself, Yi Hyang launched his final attack.
"Since ancient times, it has been said, 'The will of the people is the will of Heaven.' Even if we accumulate virtue, if the people's hearts cry out in anguish, will Heaven respond in harmony? It is said, 'Do all that is humanly possible, then await Heaven's will.' Should we not first do everything within our power before waiting for Heaven? Yet when drought comes, it is said to be the king's lack of virtue; when plague spreads, the king's lack of virtue; when people starve to death, again the king's lack of virtue—and you ministers say we must first accumulate virtue! The order is reversed! Before drought strikes, should we not manage waterworks properly? Before plague spreads, should we not prepare medicines in advance? Before famine arrives, should we not store grain? Is that not the natural order? And yet, without making such preparations, to discuss the king's lack of virtue—could it be…"
He paused and glared at the ministers.
"Do you believe this Joseon is lacking in virtue? Many among you have served since the previous dynasty. Then does that mean that when Great King Taejo, though a subject of Goryeo, founded Joseon, it was unjust and lacking in virtue? That when my grandfather took up the sword against his brothers, it was unjust and lacking in virtue? That when Your Majesty ascended the throne in place of his elder legitimate uncle—"
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, absolutely not!"
"We have never harbored such treasonous and presumptuous thoughts!"
Forgetting that they were in the middle of court, the ministers were horrified, waving their hands frantically. Seeing Sejong's displeased expression, they all prostrated themselves.
"Your Majesty! We have never once harbored such treasonous thoughts! Please see into our hearts!"
"Please see into our hearts!"
Beginning with the Chief State Councillor Ryu Junghyun, all ministers denied the accusation while bowing low. Yet Sejong did not immediately speak.
After a long, heavy silence, Sejong finally opened his mouth.
"Crown Prince, your words were excessive."
"I am deeply ashamed. Please forgive me."
"In the future, be more careful in your speech."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Having warned Yi Hyang, Sejong turned to the ministers.
"The tribute issue requested by the Emperor of Ming will proceed according to the Crown Prince's plan. Prepare thoroughly. This year's spring hardship was severe, and though summer approaches, rainfall is scarce. It is right to prepare grain and relieve the people."
"We obey Your Majesty's command."
No one voiced opposition.
Looking at the ministers, Sejong's face softened again as he turned to Yi Hyang.
"Is there anything you wish to add?"
"When distributing grain, I believe it would be better to provide it as compensation for labor rather than simply giving it away."
"Compensation for labor?"
"Drought occurs frequently not only because rainfall is scarce, but also due to insufficient water facilities. Let each district repair its forts and reservoirs; where none exist, build new ones; dredge riverbeds to prevent flooding. If we mobilize the people for such works and provide grain in return, we can expand water infrastructure while simultaneously preventing wandering refugees and deaths by starvation."
"A plan that kills two birds with one stone. Let it be done as you propose. What do you say, ministers?"
"We believe it is a very excellent plan!"
"Then it shall be carried out as proposed."
"We obey Your Majesty's command!"
After hearing his officials' responses, Sejong turned to Yi Hyang.
"Crown Prince, you may return now."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And once the audience is concluded, attend the royal lectures."
Startled by the order, Yi Hyang looked at Sejong, then quickly bowed his head.
"I receive Your Majesty's command. Though I am still young and inexperienced, to grant me the honor of attending Your Majesty's royal lectures fills me with boundless gratitude."
"Then return and finish what you were doing."
"Yes."
After sending Yi Hyang away, Sejong looked at the ministers with a hardened expression.
The gentle smile he had shown while facing the Crown Prince had vanished, replaced by a coldness like a northern wind and driving snow.
"Let us conclude the morning audience here. Go and attend to your duties."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"That said, perhaps I should reflect on how you gentlemen truly regard our Joseon."
No sooner had Sejong finished speaking than the ministers threw themselves to the ground.
"Your Majesty! We have never once harbored such disloyal thoughts! Please see into our hearts!"
"Please see into our hearts!"
The ministers pleaded for their innocence with such desperation that their throats seemed ready to bleed.
Watching them with an icy expression, Sejong turned his head away.
"Go and attend to your duties."
"Please see into our hearts!"
"I said, go and attend to your duties!"
At Sejong's thunderous shout, the ministers scattered and hurried out of the chamber.
* * *
Leaving the temporary mourning audience hut, the ministers sighed heavily.
"This could become dangerous. If we are not careful, blood may flow."
"After all, he is of the blood of Great King Taejo…"
Their conversation turned to the Crown Prince.
"His Majesty is remarkable—but the Crown Prince is equally so."
"Not merely remarkable—frightening. With just his tongue, he steers the political situation."
"He has only just entered his ninth year, yet if you listen to the way he speaks, he is as shrewd and seasoned as an old minister past sixty…"
"He is certainly no ordinary person…"
"Still, what concerns me most is His Majesty's heart."
Unable to conceal their anxiety, the ministers glared at those they considered the root cause of the incident.
"Carelessly wagging your tongues like that!"
"Have you never heard the saying, 'The mouth is the gate of disaster'?"
The Chief Inspector-General Sung Um, the Chief Censor, and the Minister of Rites Park Seup walked on in silence despite the other ministers' reproaches.
"You there! If you have mouths, speak!"
"You spoke boldly enough in court—why are you silent now?"
"How do you intend to resolve this situation?"
As accusations poured in from all sides, Chief Inspector-General Sung Um finally spoke on behalf of the group.
"I apologize."
"Is 'sorry' supposed to fix everything?"
"…"
Avoiding the others, the three men moved off to one side.
After passing through the palace gates and arriving at the Six Ministries Street, they let out long sighs.
"Hoo…"
"We have been thoroughly outmaneuvered. We underestimated him far too much because of his youth."
At the Chief Inspector-General's words, all three nodded.
"What would be the best course of action going forward?"
In response to the Minister of Rites' question, Sung Um answered:
"If nothing else works, we may have to submit a resignation memorial."
"A resignation memorial… you mean it?"
"Yes. Once suspicion has taken root in the royal heart, disaster will come sooner or later. What kind of blood flows in His Majesty's veins? It is a bloodline that, once resolved, does not hesitate to shed blood. That is why even brothers fought each other in deadly strife, and why he did not shrink from utterly destroying the households of his own in-laws and the Queen's kin. Submitting a resignation memorial may be the only way to prevent calamity from befalling our clans and our scholarly lineages."
At Sung Um's words, the Chief Censor and the Minister of Rites nodded with grim expressions. Sung Um let out another long sigh.
"Hoo… I had wished to build a nation governed by the Kingly Way and virtuous rule…"
* * *
Back in the Crown Prince's quarters, Yi Hyang muttered to himself.
"I used the term 'benefiting the people and enriching livelihoods.' Did I use it correctly? I was so heated I just threw it out there…"
He had drawn upon historical knowledge from his previous life, invoking the practical-learning principle that would only later flourish in late Joseon thought.
"If the ministers had a bit more time, they might have counterattacked…"
Then he smiled faintly.
"Father's virtue was great."
Indeed, Sejong's spontaneous outburst had become a miraculous move that froze the ministers' thinking.
"I wonder how the historians will record this in the Annals."
* * *
While the ministers worried about the future and Yi Hyang mentally replayed everything he had said, Sejong was conversing with Queen Soheon.
On the mat laid out in front of the mourning hut sat Queen Soheon, while inside the hut sat Sejong. According to Confucian mourning rites, a husband and wife were forbidden from sitting together or sharing the same quarters during the period of mourning.
"Have you eaten?"
"I had some rice gruel."
"Your Majesty is the pillar of the nation. You must maintain your strength."
After tea was served, the queen spoke of the morning's events.
"The Crown Prince caused quite a stir, I hear."
"He caused no trouble. He proposed an excellent policy. It was I who caused the commotion."
He admitted he had spoken too boldly—but felt strangely refreshed.
"I have ordered that once the mourning period ends, the Crown Prince will attend the royal lectures."
"Is that wise? He is still young."
"Given what he showed today—his words and conduct—I believe he is capable."
With a sigh, Sejong added:
"He is no ordinary child. In action, speech, and thought, he resembles a minister past forty."
Though he expressed concern, pride filled his expression.
"You once worried he will build walls between father and son with his precociousness. Now you seem reassured."
"I am."
Sejong nodded firmly.