Imperial Year 10 (1458), autumn.
Kim Jeom died at the age of 90.
Compared to the history before Hyang’s intervention, he had lived one more year.
***
Nevertheless, the issues of old age remained, so he had requested to resign in February of Imperial Year 10, and Hyang had no choice but to accept.
“I am truly sorry for requesting the disloyalty of resignation, which you have graciously permitted. However, my body no longer follows my will. Please forgive me for being unable to remain at Your Majesty’s side.”
Upon his resignation being accepted, Kim Jeom bowed deeply to Hyang and Wan.
“I, too, am regretful. But who can prevent the weakening of the body? I am truly grateful for all you have done.”
Hyang, hastily descending from the royal seat, returned the bow to the prostrate Kim Jeom and expressed his gratitude with these words.
Kim Jeom, receiving Hyang’s gratitude and bow, could not hide his flowing tears.
“Your Majesty has honored this old man so greatly that I have no regrets even in death!”
“I am truly grateful for all these years.”
“You have truly worked hard all these years!”
“You have truly worked hard!”
Following Hyang, all officials and eunuchs in Geunjeong Hall bowed deeply to Kim Jeom and conveyed their thanks.
“I am so grateful to receive such celebration from all of you who have had to endure this old man’s constant nagging!”
Kim Jeom expressed his gratitude, looking at the ministers who had shared his hardships.
As Kim Jeom, whose resignation had been accepted, left Geunjeong Hall, Hyang supported him by the arm and headed toward Geunjeong Gate. When the Emperor himself moved, all the ministers followed to see off the departing Kim Jeom. The ministers who came out to bid farewell were filled with envy toward Kim Jeom, who was being supported by the Emperor.
The court historian who recorded all of this added:
-…Thus, the Emperor, having accepted the resignation of Lord Uichon (義村), personally supported him to Geunjeong Gate, at which many officials expressed their envy.
Uichon Kim Jeom served four monarchs, and few could match his experience.
He was the first envoy to visit Beijing after Ming moved its capital there, and he was also in charge of receiving Ming envoys thereafter.
If the late Emperor favored Hwang Hui, then it would not be an exaggeration to say that the current Emperor favored Kim Jeom. The connection between the Emperor and Kim Jeom began long before the Emperor ascended the throne, making it both long and deep. He was the one who sought to strengthen the nation by both arguing and collaborating with the Emperor on financial matters, so it is natural that the Emperor held him in special regard.
The court historian says: I am envious. Will I also be able to depart with such treatment later?
“Huuu~. Now I have only to go. This feels both refreshing and melancholic.”
Kim Jeom, after organizing his final work and leaving the Prime Minister’s Office, looked at the Six Ministries Street and Gyeongbok Palace with a face full of mixed emotions.
***
After resigning, Kim Jeom organized the records he had kept during his service, arranged the distribution of his assets, and prepared for his final days.
Meanwhile, the court busily moved to fill the vacancy left by Kim Jeom.
Hyang appointed Park Jong-woo as Prime Minister and Kim Jong-seo as Left Deputy Prime Minister.
There was no opposition to these appointments.
Both Hwang Hui and Kim Jeom were very well-versed in statecraft. Therefore, Park Jong-woo, who had risen to Left Deputy Prime Minister after serving as Minister of Finance, was deemed qualified.
The same was true for Kim Jong-seo. Since the Left Deputy Prime Minister’s area of responsibility included the Ministry of Finance and the General Administration Department, it was appropriate for Kim Jong-seo, who knew these well, to take the position. Furthermore, Kim Jong-seo was evaluated as optimal for mediating disputes between departments.
However, officials and commentators invariably added one sentence:
“The problem is his love for Seoul.”
And Hyang added to that:
“If it weren’t for that love of Seoul, I would have dragged him to the New Frontier. What a pity.”
Meanwhile, after these personnel changes, some secretly sought out physiognomists.
The questions they asked the physiognomists were almost identical:
“Tell me, do I have the face of longevity?”
Those who asked such questions were officials who were just one step away from becoming high-ranking officials in the court.
They asked this because both Hwang Hui and Kim Jeom had worked in office until they were nearly ninety, and those currently sitting in ministerial positions were also quite aged.
“I hate to boast, but I’m quite capable. Shouldn’t I aim for the highest position under heaven? But look, everyone sitting in senior official positions has easily passed their sixtieth birthday. I need to live long and endure if I want to be called ‘Lord’!”
***
Upon receiving news of Kim Jeom’s death, Hyang suspended official duties for a day according to protocol and visited Kim Jeom’s house with Wan.
The chief mourner, Kim Jeom’s eldest son Kim Yu-son, was deeply moved by Hyang and Wan’s visit and bowed deeply.
After paying respects with Wan at Kim Jeom’s house, Hyang consoled Kim Yu-son and returned to the palace.
Meanwhile, during the funeral, Kim Jeom’s house was filled with mourners.
According to the newly established Imperial Law, the funerals of all except the Emperor were unified as three-day ceremonies, and for those three days, mourners filled the house.
Among the local residents watching the scene, words like these circulated:
“The old saying goes, ‘When a dog in a prime minister’s house dies, mourners flock, but when the prime minister dies, not even a puppy comes.’ I guess that’s not true after all?”
In any case, Kim Jeom’s death carried several symbolic meanings.
First among them was that there were no longer any officials who had served since the Goryeo Dynasty.
Finally, Goryeo existed only in records, and the connection to the Empire was completely severed.
The second was that the first generation of bureaucrats, excluding the founding meritorious subjects, had disappeared, and the second generation had taken their place as the main actors.
In other words, when Hyang abdicated to Wan, the shadow of Joseon would fade at an increasingly rapid pace.
***
Imperial Year 11 (1459)
As spring arrived, Sejong returned from the New Frontier.
While Sejong’s party waited at the quarantine station, Hyang and Wan, having received notification, arrived in Wonsan to prepare to welcome Sejong.
“It’s been a while. I’m truly pleased to see you in good health.”
“Seeing you in good health is truly reassuring.”
Having exchanged greetings, Hyang and Sejong, with Wan behind them, walked toward the station while conversing.
“I heard that Lord Uichon passed away. It’s truly regrettable.”
“Yes. He was someone I relied on greatly.”
At Hyang’s answer, Sejong looked at the distant sky with a face full of regret.
“Just before leaving the New Frontier, Jang Yeong-sil also departed.”
“Oh no! Such a valuable talent has been lost.”
“I feel as though my era is almost at its twilight.”
At Sejong’s words, Hyang hurriedly responded.
“No, you are still in your prime.”
To Hyang’s words, Sejong smiled slightly and answered.
“Thank you for seeing it that way.”
***
Upon returning to Seoul, Sejong immediately settled in Sukang Palace (壽康宮, now Changgyeong Palace).
As Sejong settled in, Hyang began preparations for formal abdication.
The first thing Hyang did was to summon Wan and express his intention to abdicate.
“…You have already anticipated this, as have the ministers. Therefore, do not engage in unnecessary acts like self-recrimination.”
“But Your Majesty is still robust…”
“Shh…”
As Hyang’s expression turned stern, Wan immediately lowered his head and changed his words.
“Yes! I will follow Your Majesty’s command!”
“There’s a mountain of work to do in the New Frontier, so let’s not waste each other’s time. Understand?”
“Yes.”
Having conveyed his intention to abdicate to Wan, Hyang officially announced his abdication the next day in the presence of assembled ministers.
“The Crown Prince Wan has already come of age and is skilled in managing state affairs, so I will abdicate to him.”
At Hyang’s declaration, Prime Minister Park Jong-woo immediately expressed opposition.
“However, Your Majesty is still robust, so I believe abdication is premature.”
“Tsk!”
Hyang immediately clicked his tongue, but Park Jong-woo did not back down.
“I say again. Your Majesty is still robust, so abdication is inappropriate. Of course, the Crown Prince has come of age and is skilled in managing state affairs, but what is too early is too early.”
“Then who will manage the New Frontier?”
At Hyang’s pointed question, Park Jong-woo closed his mouth.
None of the ministers were unaware that the size of the New Frontier was sufficient not only to establish a country but even an empire.
Therefore, the situation of the Emperor going to govern the New Frontier was the safest approach.
Still, the opposition to abdication was because of what had happened during King Taejong’s time.
When previous Prince Yangnyeong was Crown Prince, Taejong declared his intention to abdicate at every opportunity. However, this was not because he truly wanted to abdicate. It was groundwork for suppressing the Crown Prince’s spirit and carrying out political purges.
That was why they still opposed abdication.
Observing the ministers who seemed unable to resolve their dilemma, Hyang persuaded them.
“I say again, the Crown Prince has already come of age and is skilled in caring for state affairs. Even if there is a slight deficiency, now that the Former Emperor has returned, the Crown Prince will face no difficulties. Therefore, I will abdicate.”
“But…”
“Enough.”
Cutting off Park Jong-woo’s words, Hyang threatened the ministers.
“Those who oppose the abdication should submit their resignations. I will process them immediately. Then, let us go to the New Frontier and work together. You all already have more than enough experience, so there is no need to select additional people, and the Crown Prince can independently appoint fresh talent to carry out state affairs. Isn’t that a truly good thing?”
“…”
“What do you all think? Hmm… Eunuch, go prepare writing materials.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
While the eunuch prepared the writing materials, the ministers frowned deeply and grumbled inwardly.
‘At this age, to go suffer in the New Frontier! I’d rather die!’
‘Leave Seoul? I’d rather die!’
‘Wasn’t this expected anyway? Just accept it.’
In the end, the ministers accepted Hyang’s will.
“We will follow Your Majesty’s will.”
“Thank you.”
As they left Geunjeong Hall after the meeting, the ministers sighed, looking up at the sky.
“Huuu~. The Former Emperor!”
Middle-level officials who heard the story also grumbled with similar expressions.
“The Former Emperor!”
At the sight of their superiors, young officials tilted their heads in confusion.
“The Former Emperor won’t directly involve himself in politics anyway, will he?”
“Do you know how His Majesty handles affairs and what his temperament is like? Is it easy?”
“Not at all.”
“The Former Emperor is the one who raised such an emperor. As you say, he may not directly involve himself, but if even a slightly sloppy appearance is shown, nightmares will begin immediately.”
“Oh…”
***
Meanwhile, Sejong and Hyang were examining the list of those who would go to the New Frontier.
“Hmm… So these are the people who will go to the New Frontier with you?”
“Yes.”
“Let me see…”
Sejong reviewed the list and coordinated opinions with Hyang.
“I think this person would be better sent to Suez than the New Frontier. What do you think?”
“Looking at the situation in the New Frontier, I think it would be good to increase the number of physicians. Let’s add more people with enough experience to operate a medical academy.”
“Let’s also include more craftsmen needed for Area 52.”
As Sejong was making these adjustments, he saw one name and looked at Hyang.
“Jinpyeong? Are you planning to lay railways in earnest in the New Frontier? Or is it for the Crown Prince’s safety?”
At Sejong’s observation, Hyang looked at him with surprised eyes.
“You knew?”