Eventually, Jang Yeong-sil’s blueprints disappeared into the depths of Hyang’s mirror stand along with his concept designs.
“Whew~”
Leaving Geunjeong Hall, Jang Yeong-sil let out a long sigh, looked back at the hall, and muttered.
“Sometimes he tells us to reveal everything we’ve hidden, and other times to hide things… Just what rhythm are we supposed to dance to…”
Though he grumbled thus, Jang Yeong-sil wasn’t unaware of what Hyang meant.
“Even without that, there were quite a few who only looked to me already.”
Whenever something new was registered in the challenge log, or when the Emperor Emeritus, Emperor, or Crown Prince presented difficult tasks, quite a few people would loiter around him like chicks waiting for their mother hen.
“Need to filter out those who should be filtered. They’re not even worth Pietro or Raphael.”
Jang Yeong-sil couldn’t hide his contempt for those who only sought easy paths, unlike Pietro and Raphael who burned brighter with each difficult challenge.
While grumbling thus, Jang Yeong-sil looked down at the bag in his hand and smirked.
“Speaking of the defensive mallet… Even just seeing the concept design, it looked better than what Area 52 made… If it turns out as His Majesty wants, the Emperor Emeritus will have some stomach aches. The problem is having to make it within five days—that’ll be tough work.”
Yet despite his words, Jang Yeong-sil’s eyes were sparkling.
***
Five days later, Jang Yeong-sil visited Hyang again.
“Here is the item His Majesty commanded.”
As Jang Yeong-sil presented a long wooden box, Hyang came down from his pavilion and received it.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Click!
Opening the box, Hyang took out the defensive mallet and began examining it from various angles.
After thoroughly checking the craftsmanship from the handle to the head, testing the balance, and giving it a light swing, Hyang smiled broadly and praised Jang Yeong-sil.
“Thank you very much! You’ve made it exactly as I wanted! I can well imagine how much effort the Deputy Director must have put into this!”
“You praise me too highly!”
Thoroughly pleased with the defensive mallet Jang Yeong-sil had crafted, Hyang bestowed the highest reward.
“Register all specifications and materials for this mallet with the Intellectual Property Management Office.”
At Hyang’s words, Jang Yeong-sil hastily waved his hands with an expression suggesting this was nonsense.
“What? When Your Majesty conceived this idea, how could I commit such a disloyal act?”
“I only had the idea, but you actually made it—and made it perfectly at that. Don’t you deserve the credit? Besides… wouldn’t the craftsmen work even harder with your precedent?”
Hearing Hyang’s words, Jang Yeong-sil prostrated himself and cried out loudly.
“Your imperial grace is boundless!”
As a side note, Jang Yeong-sil would come to earn great wealth when Sejong’s new defensive game became established as a new entertainment.
That evening, back in Gangnyeong Hall, Hyang held Jang Yeong-sil’s mallet while looking toward Sugangung Palace with a smirk.
“Shouldn’t we have a revenge match?”
***
The next morning, Hyang visited Sugang Palace.
After paying his morning respects to Sejong and his wife according to protocol, Hyang casually brought up the topic.
“I had Deputy Director Jang make a mallet—would you like to see it?”
“Is that so? Let’s have a look!”
At Hyang’s words, Sejong brightened and rose from his seat.
Moving to the practice ground (사장, shooting range), Hyang took out the mallet from a wooden box carried by a court eunuch and showed it to Sejong.
“Hmm…”
After examining the mallet in his hands from various angles, Sejong returned it to Hyang and shared his impression.
“Isn’t it too light?”
“It’s just the right weight. Let me show you.”
Wearing gloves made of thin pigskin (돈피, donpi), Hyang stepped onto the hitting platform. After loosely swinging the mallet to warm up, Hyang had Jang Yeong-sil place a specially made pin on the ground with a ball, then swung the mallet gracefully.
Thwack!
“Great shot!”
As the eunuch called out, the ball sailed straight to the end of the practice ground.
Starting with this, Hyang hit ten balls. And all of them flew straight to the end of the field.
“Let me try it too!”
“Of course.”
Receiving the mallet from Hyang, Sejong tried hitting a ball and exclaimed in admiration.
“Ho ho! This is truly a masterpiece!”
“The old saying goes, ‘A master calligrapher doesn’t blame the brush.’ However, when a master calligrapher has a good brush, doesn’t their work shine even more?”
“That’s true.”
Having said this, Sejong returned the mallet to Hyang. But his face was full of regret.
As Hyang prepared to leave after this not-quite-revenge match, Sejong made a request.
“I would like a permit to enter Area 51.”
“To meet Deputy Director Jang? Aren’t you returning to the New Frontier together anyway?”
At Hyang’s question, Sejong explained his reason.
“I need to make one and get used to it beforehand. It’s been almost a year since I’ve been to the New Frontier—I can easily imagine how much those chieftains’ skills have improved.”
At Sejong’s words, Hyang immediately responded.
“I’ll write and send it as soon as I return.”
“Thank you.”
***
Thus, after experiencing various events including the Opening of Heaven Ceremony, May arrived, and immediately, Crown Prince Wan’s wedding took place.
“Let’s finish everything before the Emperor Emeritus leaves!”
Following Hyang’s decision, Du and Seul also held their weddings five days apart.
After the weddings, Sejong and Hyang gathered all the in-laws of the Wan-Du-Seul brothers for a banquet.
As the banquet atmosphere reached its peak, Sejong, seated in the highest position, spoke.
“I say again, becoming one family with the royal house is truly a congratulatory matter.”
“We are overwhelmed by your grace!”
The in-laws’ families all bowed their heads in response to Sejong’s toast.
However, Sejong and Hyang’s faces had hardened.
“Though I’m embarrassed to say it myself, there have been several tragic incidents involving royal in-laws.”
Those who knew of the tragic events during Taejong and Sejong’s periods turned pale. Among them, the more timid ones began trembling, their cups shaking in their hands.
“Fortunately, the New Frontier lacks people to work. So, how about coming with me to the New Frontier?”
Though phrased as a suggestion, it was an order. Finally, all those attending the banquet had no choice but to accept Sejong’s proposal.
“We shall do as you command!”
“I’m truly grateful.”
***
Sitting alone in Gangnyeong Hall after the banquet, Hyang muttered with a serious expression.
“When I recall the history I learned, there were many problems with in-laws both before and during the era of in-law politics. Therefore, excluding in-laws to some extent is the right answer, but thinking of Jinpyeong makes me slightly uneasy. Of course, father is still vigorous and active, I’m here too, Wan is already eighteen, and Jinpyeong himself has become a serious otaku, so it might be needless worry… but still, Jinpyeong is the issue.”
Hyang scratched his head in frustration and reached a conclusion.
“There’s only one answer. Keep them busy!”
***
With the weddings of the Wan-Du-Seul brothers complete, Sejong prepared to return to the New Frontier with a lighter heart. The native-born officials who had come with him had already returned as soon as the thaw began, and those rotating with officials serving in the New Frontier had already departed.
As preparations for Sejong’s return were nearly complete, Hyang arranged a banquet for him.
“Please stay healthy in the New Frontier as well!”
“We pray for your continued health!”
At Hyang and the ministers’ wishes for his health, Sejong laughed heartily and raised his cup.
“Hahaha! Thank you! Thank you! I shall do my best!”
As the cheerful atmosphere continued, Anpyeong stepped forward.
“I, Duke Anpyeong Yi Yong, have come forward with joyful news to report to His Imperial Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus.”
“Oh?”
“Have you finally finished it?”
At Anpyeong’s words, Sejong showed curiosity, while Hyang wore an expression saying “Finally!”
***
When Joseon changed to the Great Han Federal Empire, the noble title system also changed.
The noble title system established by Sejong was very different from Ming’s, with the most notable difference being the disappearance of the king title.
“After being called king for a while, they might actually try to act like one.”
Concerned about possible rebellion by royal family members, Sejong simply eliminated the king title entirely.
After eliminating kings, Sejong kept only the five noble ranks.
Grand Princes and Princes were enfeoffed as dukes and marquises respectively, with these titles inherited only by the eldest son. Other sons and sons by concubines received titles one rank lower, and these titles were also inherited only by their eldest sons.
However, the inherited titles couldn’t necessarily be maintained by the eldest sons.
Even in the existing noble title system, ranks decreased by one generation after generation until becoming commoners in the fifth generation.
Similarly, if an inheritor failed to serve in office and accumulate merit, the next inheritor would receive a title one rank lower. And as titles decreased, various benefits provided by the state, especially tax benefits, were also reduced.
Furthermore, noble titles given to meritorious subjects were determined to follow the same ranking system, starting with giving the rank of marquis to first-grade meritorious subjects. Of course, the degradation of rank due to later generations’ incompetence applied equally.
Seeing this system, Hyang noticed what Sejong wanted to say and wore an incredulous expression.
“So basically, whether imperial family, royal clan, or meritorious subject, if you want respect, you better work for it—that’s what you’re saying.”
Though Hyang had figured out Sejong’s true intention, he didn’t raise any particular objection.
“I don’t know about all times and places, but for our people, there’s one saying that’s always held true, past or present: ‘I can’t be the only one dying.’ When even the Emperor is suffering from intense labor, how dare they try to coast along…”
As a side note, when discussions about these five noble ranks took place, there were no ministers who opposed it.
***
“Emperor, it seems you know something about Anpyeong’s announcement—what is it?”
“He’s composed several musical pieces.”
“Musical pieces?”
As Sejong’s eyes lit up, Anpyeong stepped forward and spoke.
“I dare say it’s new music, different from both Tang music and native Korean music!”
“Is that so? Emperor, shall we listen to it?”
“I too am most eager. Duke Anpyeong. Let us hear it.”
“Yes!”
Responding vigorously, Anpyeong soon gestured to the court musicians.
Accordingly, the musicians busily moved about preparing their sheet music.
When preparations were complete, Anpyeong announced to Sejong.
“The piece I will present is called ‘Cavalry of the Battlefield.'”
“Oho~”
Seeing Sejong showing increasingly strong curiosity, Anpyeong signaled to the musicians.
At Anpyeong’s signal, a single gayageum began plucking strings. Then a large drum began to resound deeply, followed by various instruments joining in.
“Oh~ What’s this?”
“Indeed, the title ‘Cavalry of the Battlefield’ seems fitting. The drum sounds like galloping horses.”
“It strangely stirs something in one’s chest.”
The ministers who heard Anpyeong’s ‘new music’ nodded their heads.
Nodding at the ministers’ words, Sejong asked Hyang.
“Was it you again?”
“I merely provided the seed of inspiration.”
Hyang’s words were true.
The music being performed now was the theme from “For a Few Dollars More.”
Hyang had simply hummed the melody and advised which instruments would suit which parts. It was all Anpyeong’s work to transcribe Hyang’s humming into proper sheet music and refine Hyang’s suggestions into proper arrangements.