At Sejong’s firm answer, Hyang immediately closed his mouth.
Sejong and Wan were rather surprised by Hyang’s quick surrender.
‘Why is this guy…?’
‘Why is Imperial Father…?’
Unable to contain his curiosity, Sejong immediately asked for the reason.
“It seems like the Emperor is quick to surrender this time? Is there perhaps a health issue? Should we call for the royal physician at once?”
To Sejong’s concerned question, Hyang answered with an embarrassed smile.
“I had somewhat anticipated this already.”
“So, you were just testing the waters? Good if it worked, and if not, no harm done?”
“Hahaha.”
“Hey, you rascal!”
Watching this scene from the side, Wan muttered inwardly.
‘This scene feels oddly familiar!’
Naturally so. It was the same situation he experienced every time Hyang defeated him.
After this small comedy ended, Hyang asked Sejong with a serious face.
“What do you think of the Crown Prince’s work? I find it quite excellent.”
At Hyang’s words, Sejong nodded.
“The Emperor’s judgment is correct. What the Crown Prince currently lacks is experience. With the Prime Minister and senior officials, he won’t easily fall into crisis, but these officials have their strengths and weaknesses. As I’ve said before, though senior officials with abundant experience won’t easily lead one into crisis, conversely, with just a small mistake, the Emperor could be swayed by them. There are only two ways to prevent this: either possess overwhelming ability and experience, or conduct a purge. Doesn’t the Emperor remember the Ryu Jeong-hyeon faction?”
At Sejong’s point, Hyang immediately nodded.
“I remember it clearly.”
***
When Sejong had just emerged from Taejong’s regency and began his direct rule, his strongest allies and competitors were State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyeon and the senior officials who followed him. Having grown tired of Taejong’s authoritarian politics, these senior officials attempted to undermine Sejong’s momentum and establish a republican political system where the power of ministers prevailed.
However, they were extensively purged through the “Smallpox Incident,” resulting in a major reshuffling of the court.
And the descendants of Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s faction still had not been pardoned or reinstated.
Sejong had no intention of pardoning them, and Hyang also never mentioned their reinstatement.
‘The foundation of the empire, no, the Emperor is still vulnerable! At least 100 years must pass! One wrong move, and we’re back to square one! Democratic revolution isn’t a revolution from above, but from below!’
***
Meanwhile, Wan’s face was full of resignation as he listened to Hyang and Sejong’s conversation.
Various words were being exchanged, but there was only one conclusion.
-Dump everything on the Crown Prince!
They claimed it was to help him gain experience quickly, but in reality, both Hyang and Sejong just wanted to stand back comfortably and watch. Of course, they would occasionally click their tongues to upset him.
As Wan resigned himself to this fate, he remembered that he too carried Sejong’s blood. Additionally, he had learned something from his experiences dealing with the research institute, Area 51, and court officials—especially those from the Treasury.
‘I cannot die alone!’
Having firmly resolved this, Wan interjected into Hyang and Sejong’s conversation.
“Though it may be presumptuous, even if Your Majesty returns to the New Frontier, wouldn’t Imperial Grandfather’s presence make it difficult for senior officials to attempt any arbitrary actions?”
At Wan’s words, Sejong responded with a puzzled expression.
“Why should I interfere in state affairs?”
“Yes, of course, since you are the Emperor Emeritus…”
Sejong firmly cut off Wan’s words.
“What I can offer is advice, not interference. If I step in carelessly, imperial authority will be shaken. That would be counterproductive.”
At Sejong’s decisive answer, Wan could only bow his head.
“My thinking was shortsighted.”
‘There’s no help for it! Crown Prince’s son, I’ll count on you! Grow up quickly!’
***
While Sejong, Hyang, and Wan were conversing, another discussion was taking place in Gyotaejeon Hall.
Empress Dowager Soheon, who had returned with Sejong, had gathered the Empress, imperial consorts, the Crown Prince’s wife, and concubines for an inspection.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you all, but everyone looks healthy, which pleases me greatly.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Having begun with these pleasantries, Empress Dowager Soheon turned to the Crown Prince’s wife and concubines with questions.
“You all look healthy as well, which is good to see.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“How is your health?”
“We have no significant issues.”
“To continue the imperial line and avoid turbulence, you must bear many healthy children. However, childbirth is a difficult task that greatly damages both body and mind. Therefore, you must always pay attention to your health, maintain a proper mindset, and never become a source of worry. Remember this well.”
“We will keep it in mind, Your Majesty.”
Empress Dowager Soheon nodded slightly at the response from the Crown Prince’s wife and concubines, but her questions didn’t end there.
“Do you practice archery?”
“Only enough to make a show of it.”
“Oh dear… What about horseback shooting?”
“That as well…”
Upon hearing these answers, Empress Dowager Soheon immediately turned to the Empress and imperial consorts. Seeing their inability to meet her gaze properly, she discerned the truth and clicked her tongue sharply.
“Tsk!”
As soon as Empress Dowager Soheon clicked her tongue forcefully, the Empress and imperial consorts tensed up.
‘We’re in trouble!’
With a hardened expression, Empress Dowager Soheon glared at the Empress and imperial consorts.
“What have you been doing? Archery and firearms are the best means to train both body and mind, so what have you been doing?”
“We… we are deeply sorry!”
At Empress Dowager Soheon’s reproach, the Empress and imperial consorts unanimously bowed their heads seeking forgiveness, while the Crown Prince’s wife and concubines fidgeted nervously.
Empress Dowager Soheon’s face became stern as she advised the Crown Prince’s wife and concubines.
“My insistence that you diligently train in archery and firearms is not simply for your health. It’s also preparation for unfortunate incidents in the palace. Although there are the Imperial Guards, ultimately, it is you who will protect the Emperor and Crown Prince to the end. You must not forget this.”
“We will engrave it in our bones and minds!”
At Empress Dowager Soheon’s words, the Crown Prince’s wife and concubines hurriedly bowed their heads and responded, while inwardly muttering:
‘They called her a heroine of her generation, and indeed she is!’
***
When the former Hanseong was engulfed in flames, Sejong and Hyang were absent from the capital, attending military training.
Naturally, chaos ensued due to the absence of the highest decision-makers, and it was Empress Dowager Soheon who resolved the situation. Despite being heavily pregnant at the time, she urged the officials to determine priorities for fire suppression and personally directed the efforts.
That wasn’t all. When rebels led by former Grand Prince Yangnyeong and Seoseon infiltrated Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Imperial Guards under Sejong’s orders tried to evacuate her. However, she instead reprimanded the guards who came for her and, taking up a bow herself, rushed to Geunjeongjeon Hall—truly a woman of valor.
In the history before Hyang’s intervention, she had died earlier than Sejong, but after Hyang’s intervention, she still maintained good health alongside Sejong.
***
After receiving Empress Dowager Soheon’s reproach and advice, the Empress’s party paid their respects and left.
“We sincerely apologize! We have been foolish!”
As soon as they exited, the Crown Prince’s wife and concubines bowed deeply at 90 degrees to the Empress and imperial consorts in apology.
“Tsk!”
With a visibly annoyed expression, the Empress clicked her tongue and commanded the Crown Prince’s wife and concubines.
“Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, come directly to the archery field.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“When you come, bring jump ropes, bows and arrows, and horseback guns. And you must carry them yourselves.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After giving these orders, the Empress turned to the court lady standing beside her and commanded:
“Send someone to the Duke and Marquis households to convey my orders as well. Tell them that those who do not attend archery and firearms practice punctually from now on should not expect to see my face.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
And thus, the notoriety of the “Gyeongbokgung Mafia” grew even stronger.
***
After these various commotion large and small, Sejong’s party returned to the New Frontier.
And as Sejong and Hyang had said, Wan had to handle more work to gain experience.
But Hyang wasn’t just sitting idle either.
“I’ll be leaving for the New Frontier in two years anyway. If Wan is to have an easier time, there’s much to handle before then.”
Thus, concerned about Wan’s reign, the first thing Hyang addressed was personnel policy—specifically, dealing with the “Four Experts.”
“It would be convenient for me to take them to the New Frontier, but since Jinpyeong is also coming, that’s a problem. It could cause trouble in the New Frontier.”
Worried about preventing a meeting between the Four Experts—or rather, between Han Myeong-hoe and Jinpyeong—Hyang transferred the Four Experts.
Han Myeong-hoe was moved to the General Affairs Department, Seong Sam-mun to the Justice Department, Gwon Ram to the Foreign Affairs Department, and Ha Wiji to the position of Third Vice Minister in the Education Department.
From the outside, it looked like a promotion. However, Han Myeong-hoe’s expression was not at all pleased.
“It’s a message to work ourselves to death.”
Upon hearing Han Myeong-hoe’s comment at a small gathering of just the Four Experts to celebrate their transfers, the other three tilted their heads in confusion.
“What do you mean? Isn’t this a remarkable promotion from the former rank of Junior Third Rank to Senior Second Rank?”
At Gwon Ram’s question, Han Myeong-hoe gave a bitter smile.
“The promotion is indeed remarkable. But it’s the position that’s the issue. We’re all vice ministers, but the position is Third Vice Minister. From the outside, it looks like we’re fourth in the hierarchy of our respective departments, but looking from the inside, it’s a position where even a slight misstep means going no further.”
“Ah!”
At Han Myeong-hoe’s words, the other three simultaneously exclaimed. As Han Myeong-hoe said, from the outside, the position of vice minister was undoubtedly that of a high official. However, from the inside, it meant being fourth in rank.
From what they had observed so far in the empire’s personnel policy, when a minister stepped down, it was the First Vice Minister who immediately succeeded. The First Vice Minister was a position given to someone whose experience and ability were recognized, and the Second Vice Minister was prepared just in case.
But the Third Vice Minister was different. It was a position given to those whose abilities or experience were recognized but still somewhat lacking.
In a way, the Third Vice Minister was almost no different from the level just below it, the Administrator. If one didn’t show definitive results, the Third Vice Minister would end up watching an Administrator from below rise to become Second Vice Minister.
Understanding Han Myeong-hoe’s words, the other three emptied their cups with bitter expressions.
“As expected of His Majesty. He just can’t let us be comfortable.”
At Gwon Ram’s remark, Seong Sam-mun refilled his cup and responded.
“But couldn’t this also be a good opportunity? Since it’s such a precarious position, if we show proper results, couldn’t we gain even greater recognition?”
“You think so?”
As Ha Wiji showed interest in Seong Sam-mun’s words, Han Myeong-hoe added:
“Maejukheon—Seong Sam-mun’s pen name—is right. To be honest, from the perspective of the departments we’ve been assigned to, we’re like stones that rolled in. That means they absolutely won’t look kindly upon us. But if we gain recognition for our results there, it’s a straight path to the top from then on. I don’t know about you all, but I have no intention of stopping here. Born as men, shouldn’t we at least aim for the position of ‘First under the Heavens, Above All Others’?”
At Han Myeong-hoe’s ambitious words, the other three nodded in unison.
“That’s right!”
“If we’ve entered government service, we should go all the way!”
Meanwhile, Hyang, receiving a report through a secret agent, shook his head from side to side.
“As expected, it’s Han Myeong-hoe. Han Myeong-hoe indeed.”