Zhu Qizhen, who was defeated in the war of King Sejong’s 30th year (1448), committed suicide at Liaodong Fortress.
At that time, Zhu Qizhen and his primary consort committed suicide together, while his concubines, eunuchs led by Wang Chong, and court ladies all became prisoners of Joseon.
During this process, the most notable person was Zhu Jianshen, Zhu Qizhen’s only son.
Seeing Zhu Jianshen, who was only recently born and wrapped in blankets, the Joseon military commanders all wore perplexed expressions.
“We’ve captured his birth mother as well, but it would be difficult for her to care for the child alone.”
“Find a wet nurse immediately!”
“Yes, sir!”
Fortunately, among the captured women was Zhu Jianshen’s wet nurse, which relieved the Joseon military commanders.
“No matter if he’s the enemy leader’s child, we cannot kill an innocent baby. We cannot tarnish the name of our Joseon army, can we?”
All the Joseon military commanders nodded at Choi Yoon-deok’s words.
“That’s right.”
***
The war ended with Joseon’s victory. After securing everything it could in the peace treaty, Joseon asked Ming about the fate of Zhu Jianshen.
- What should be done with the late Zhu Qizhen’s concubines and child?
In response to Joseon’s question, the Jingtai Emperor and his officials fell into deep thought. After much deliberation, Ming answered Joseon.
- We will repatriate any concubines, eunuchs, and court ladies who wish to return. However, let Zhu Qizhen’s son remain in Joseon.
“Hmph! Such a transparent answer!”
Hyang snorted upon hearing Ming’s response. The court ministers felt the same way.
Currently, the Jingtai Emperor had succeeded the Xuande Emperor in Ming. The problem was that the Jingtai Emperor was not the legitimate successor but born of a secondary consort.
Although the Jingtai Emperor had ascended to the throne according to the Xuande Emperor’s command, someone of legitimate descent could potentially cause problems in the future.
For this reason, Ming had abandoned Zhu Jianshen.
“Anyway, now that we’ve heard Ming’s answer, let’s proceed accordingly.”
“We obey your command.”
“Ah!”
Just as Hyang was about to conclude the matter of Zhu Jianshen, he suddenly exclaimed as if remembering something and added an order.
“Demand child support from Ming for Zhu Jianshen, and make sure to collect it properly.”
“Child support, Your Majesty?”
To the bewildered Hwang Hui’s question, Hyang nodded.
“Yes. After all, he is of imperial lineage, is he not? We must find suitable accommodation within the four gates, arrange people to care for him, as well as provide clothing and food in the future. All of this costs money. We barely have enough for our own expenses—how could we spend it on him as well?”
“That’s right!”
Kim Jeom was the first to step forward and agree with Hyang’s words.
Thus, Joseon once again dipped into Ming’s purse.
- Could we allow someone of the Ming imperial lineage to live in poverty?
By gently pricking their pride this way, Joseon managed to extract child support from Ming.
Having secured child support from Ming, Joseon proceeded according to Ming’s requests.
They asked Zhu Qizhen’s captive concubines, court ladies, and eunuchs if they wished to return, and sent back on ships all those who expressed a desire to go back to Ming.
While almost everyone chose to return, there were some who decided to stay.
They were Noble Consort Zhu, Zhu Qizhen’s concubine and Zhu Jianshen’s birth mother, and the eunuch Wang Chong.
Noble Consort Zhu’s decision was understandable as she was Zhu Jianshen’s birth mother, but Wang Chong’s was unexpected.
“Although I must live in an enemy country, he is the Prince of Liaodong’s only offspring. It is only natural that I should serve him.”
Though this was his stated reason, Wang Chong’s true thoughts were different.
‘The current emperor has long been rumored to be sickly! There will surely be succession issues! I will wait for that moment! Just like Jiang Taigong!’
It was a life-staking decision.
After separating those returning from those remaining, Hyang arranged accommodations in the western district inside the four gates.
He then assigned servants to manage the household and even established a surveillance post in case of any unforeseen events.
Additionally, he set up a temporary department within the Ministry of Finance and Economy called the “Zhu Jianshen Management Office” to manage the child support received from Ming.
This was to ensure accurate budget execution and management. Hyang also gave special instructions to the office manager:
- When the time comes for Zhu Jianshen to receive education, send him to a public school. Enforce this even if his birth mother refuses, and reject any requests for a private tutor. There will be no exceptions.
- If he wishes to pursue higher education after completing public school, permit this. However, forbid him from studying mathematics or engineering.
With these arrangements in place, Zhu Jianshen was forgotten by everyone.
And now, this forgotten Zhu Jianshen had resurfaced.
***
Upon receiving Ming’s request, the Empire immediately checked on Zhu Jianshen’s situation.
Reviewing the report submitted by the responsible department, Wan’s eyes lit up.
“He’s already 18? Hmm…”
According to the report from the management office, Zhu Jianshen’s current situation was as follows:
- Currently 18 years old. Unmarried.
- His mother, Lady Zhu, is in good health.
- Amiable personality, well-mannered, maintains good relationships with neighbors.
- Completed public school and middle school last year. Currently studying at home in preparation for admission to the Science Academy.
“Hmm…”
While examining the report, Wan asked his ministers:
“Given his age, he should be married by now, but he’s not. Is there some issue?”
In response to Wan’s question, Prime Minister Hwangbo In stepped forward to answer.
“Wouldn’t it be because of his background?”
“Ah? I see…”
Wan nodded at Hwangbo In’s answer.
***
Thanks to the child support received from Ming, Zhu Jianshen lived comfortably. Nowadays, more and more foreigners were settling in the Empire, and marrying foreigners was no longer unusual.
From that perspective, Zhu Jianshen could have been considered a decent marriage prospect.
He would never have to live in poverty throughout his life.
However, no matter how friendly the neighbors were, none considered him a suitable match for their daughters.
It was because he was Zhu Qizhen’s son.
Even though Joseon had grown into an Empire through that war, and even though Zhu Jianshen was just a newborn at the time and thus not directly guilty, being “Zhu Qizhen’s son” was an indelible stigma.
***
As Wan continued examining the report, he moved on to the next point.
“Ming says they’re looking for Zhu Jianshen because he’s Zhu Qizhen’s legitimate son, but strictly speaking, isn’t he a son of a concubine rather than the primary consort?”
In response to Wan’s observation, Hwangbo In once again stepped forward to answer.
“Technically that’s correct, but since there were no children from his primary consort, Lady Tian, and he is the only child, they seem to consider him a legitimate son.”
“So it’s a matter of ‘earrings if hung on the ears, nose rings if hung on the nose’?”
“That’s one way to look at it, but Zhu Jianshen is virtually the only one closest to the bloodline of the previous emperor, the Xuande Emperor.”
Nodding at Hwangbo In’s response, Wan immediately issued an order.
“We don’t need to worry about their succession issues, do we?”
“That’s right. In fact, the more complicated and chaotic their succession becomes, the more peaceful it will be for us.”
Upon hearing Hwangbo In’s answer, Wan made his decision.
“Then let’s send him back as quickly as possible.”
“We obey your command.”
***
That night, Wan received a Secret Agency report at a safe house.
While reviewing the report compiled by Secret Agency agents who had infiltrated as servants in Zhu Jianshen’s house and those who had been staking out the surroundings, Wan tilted his head.
“A middle school disease patient? Is there such a disease as middle school disease?”
To Wan’s question, the Secret Agency representative answered with a slight smile.
“Strictly speaking, it’s not a disease. It just refers to behaviors commonly observed in boys and girls of middle school age.”
“Behaviors?”
In response to Wan’s question, the Secret Agency representative explained about the middle school disease.
- In Joseon and neighboring regions, individuals around 14 years old are generally recognized as adults.
- However, while their bodies may have developed enough to be recognized as adults, their minds are often still immature.
- This disharmony can lead to peculiar behaviors, collectively referred to as middle school disease, as it’s commonly observed among middle school students.
- Common characteristics include becoming excessively serious, thinking pessimistically, exhibiting excessive inferiority complexes, or believing oneself to be a special entity whose uniqueness has been sealed for some reason.
“Special? Sealed?”
In response to Wan’s incredulous query, the Secret Agency representative added with a bitter smile:
“You know how people have prophetic dreams before having children? Well, looking at these dreams, none are ordinary, so that’s how they come to think. There are numerous similar legends as well.”
“Hmm…”
Shaking his head at the representative’s explanation, Wan asked with a serious face:
“Should we be looking for a treatment? It seems like they might have trouble fitting into society otherwise.”
Seeing Wan’s concerned expression, the representative smiled slightly and answered:
“Time is the medicine. After behaving this way for about 1-2 years, they eventually understand the world and outgrow the middle school disease. If there are aftereffects, they might become the subject of jokes at drinking parties, or they might suddenly wake up at night kicking off their blankets.”
“You seem to know a lot about this. Did you perhaps suffer from this disease?”
“My son did.”
“Ah…”
Nodding unconsciously, Wan resumed examining the report. As he continued reading, his eyes brightened.
“He has a girl he likes?”
“Yes.”
“What’s their relationship like?”
“Zhu Jianshen is infatuated and chases after her. The girl seems to view him as nothing more than a close friend.”
“This is getting interesting. Keep a closer eye on them.”
“We obey your command!”
As an aside, Wan wrote about this middle school disease in a letter to Hyang. Upon reading Wan’s letter, Hyang burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! To think chuunibyou exists even in this era!”
***
A few days later, an official from the Empire’s Foreign Ministry visited Zhu Jianshen’s home.
“Welcome.”
Greeted by the eunuch Wang Chong, who served as the butler, the official entered and respectfully bowed to Noble Consort Zhu.
“Have you been well?”
“I have been comfortable thanks to the benevolence of the Empire’s Emperor. So, what brings you here today?”
In response to Lady Zhu’s question, the official took out a document from his bag and handed it to her.
“This is a royal letter from Ming. You need to return.”
“What? Why? Those who have forgotten us all this time suddenly want us to return?”
Deep resentment permeated Lady Zhu’s words.
To her question, the official briefly replied:
“They say Prince Zhu Jianshen must succeed to the throne.”
At the official’s words, Lady Zhu and Wang Chong’s eyes simultaneously began to shine. Within those shining eyes, a deep venom was gradually infusing.