Seoul’s reaction to the New Frontier palace reconstruction plan was almost exactly as Hyang had anticipated.
“Sigh~ How does he start such a massive project immediately after arriving there…”
Wan sighed as he held the report in his hands. After examining the report several times, he sighed again.
“The Audit Office will make a fuss. But since it’s absolutely necessary, we’ll have to ignore whatever the Audit Office says this time.”
***
As Wan predicted, a petition criticizing the palace reconstruction was submitted by the Audit Office.
The main points of the Audit Office were as follows:
- -We acknowledge the need to support native people and immigrants in the New Frontier to settle easily. However, it is not right to focus on reconstructing the New Frontier palace when there are many alternative projects such as railways and roads.
- -Since ancient times, ivory chopsticks and jade cups have been considered the beginning of a nation’s downfall. If such small items as ivory chopsticks and jade cups can cause this, what about an excessively large palace?
- -Throughout all precedents of past and present, there has never been a case where a palace in a vassal state was larger than that of the suzerain state. This is tremendously disrespectful.
After receiving and reading the Audit Office’s petition, Wan refuted each point:
- -Supporting settlement through large civil engineering projects such as railway and road construction besides palace reconstruction is also a good method. However, among those who migrated to the New Frontier, few understand civil engineering well, and the natives don’t even know how to handle iron tools. The palace reconstruction is the best place for them to learn skills and gain experience.
- -It is natural to be cautious of luxury as in the parable of ivory chopsticks and jade cups. However, most of the timber used in the palace is from trees cut down nearby, and the same applies to the stone.
Gold and silver are barely used, so it’s unreasonable to call it luxurious.
- The New Frontier is not a vassal state but part of the empire’s territory. The imperial constitution prohibits discrimination between the homeland and other regions, so what are you thinking, discussing vassal states?
- Finally, the New Frontier is the palace where the Emperor Emeritus resides. Just as parents raise their children preciously, it is also natural for children to treat their parents with reverence. That is filial piety. Are you trying to make me an unfilial person?
Because of the last two items in Wan’s response, the head of the Audit Office and its officials turned pale.
- -They had violated the constitution, the empire’s highest law, and attempted to make the emperor, the supreme being, an unfilial person.
If Emperor Wan was determined, there was sufficient justification for him to create a bloodbath.
Ultimately, the Audit Office had no choice but to surrender.
“Our thoughts were shortsighted. Please forgive us.”
“Tsk! That will do.”
The head of the Audit Office flinched at Wan’s tongue-clicking but continued nonetheless.
“However, it is true that the finances going into the New Frontier are substantial.”
“Tsk! Have you forgotten who is currently residing in the New Frontier?”
At Wan’s pointed question, the head of the Audit Office’s face showed an “oh no” expression as he bowed his head.
“My thoughts were shortsighted. I merely misspoke, my vision clouded by the enormity of the budget. Please forgive me.”
“I too am well aware of the Audit Office’s duties. Your task is to ensure that the finances operating the empire, which come from the taxes paid by the people, are not spent frivolously. The Emperor Emeritus in the New Frontier understands the importance of your duties and the budget better than anyone. Therefore, your concerns are merely unfounded worries.”
“I apologize deeply.”
“If you’re sorry, don’t create reasons to be sorry. What a waste of time! Tsk!”
At Wan’s tongue-clicking, the head of the Audit Office could only bow his head while flinching.
The interesting thing was that every time Wan clicked his tongue, all the officials in the hall flinched.
Ah! That damn tongue-clicking!
I thought we wouldn’t have to hear it anymore!
Well, who raised the current emperor… and who raised that person…
Forcibly suppressing the goosebumps that rose with each tongue-click, the ministers glared at the protagonist of the problem, the head of the Audit Office.
Why did you have to say such unnecessary things!
Did you even properly examine the plan sent by the Emperor Emeritus?
He’s probably going to send a truckload of medicinal tonics!
Seeming to understand the ministers’ feelings, Wan looked at the head of the Audit Office with a mischievous expression.
“Since you are so concerned about the affairs of the New Frontier, how about going there to assist the Emperor Emeritus?”
At Wan’s suggestion, the head of the Audit Office, whose face had turned pale, answered with a trembling voice.
“I-I am too old for such an important responsibility.”
“As far as I know, among the vice ministers and ministers present in Geunjeongjeon right now, you are among the youngest, aren’t you?”
“I have been sickly since childhood…”
“Tsk! Enough! If you’re sickly, there’s nothing to be done!”
At Wan’s words, the head of the Audit Office inwardly sighed with relief.
I’ve escaped the crisis.
But Wan’s attack wasn’t over.
“By the way, isn’t it the Audit Office’s job to examine all aspects of state affairs and find what’s wrong? But if you’re so sickly, can you properly do that job? My oversight could lead to unfortunate situations, so it would be best for you to resign.”
At Wan’s words, the head of the Audit Office tightly closed his eyes. But it was already an irreversible situation.
In the end, the head of the Audit Office had no choice but to request resignation.
“As my health is not good, I wish to step down from my position, so please accept my resignation.”
“Thank you for your service.”
After hearing Wan’s response, the head of the Audit Office paid his respects formally and quietly left Geunjeongjeon.
Watching the head of the Audit Office withdraw with slumped shoulders, the ministers inwardly gulped.
I forgot! The current emperor is also a dragon’s child!
He inherited the blood of the Venerable Emperor and the Emperor Emeritus directly, and grew up watching how the both the retired Emperors behaved! We should never underestimate him!
I forgot that there’s not a single person in that family without a vengeful streak!
Wan had previously had a weak presence, overshadowed by Sejong and Hyang. Because of this, the ministers had at some point begun to take Wan lightly.
But now, witnessing him metaphorically decapitate the head of the Audit Office, the ministers couldn’t help but become tense again.
***
The Emperor has fired the head of the Audit Office!
This rumor spread faster than the wind throughout Gyeongbok Palace and the Six Ministries district.
“This is the Emperor’s tyranny!”
“The channel for expressing opinions must not be blocked!”
“We must write a petition immediately!”
The Audit Office officials, filled with indignation, immediately rose up. As they created a commotion talking about writing petitions and holding sit-in protests, the head of the Audit Office yelled angrily.
“What disgraceful behavior is this! Stop immediately!”
“But, Sir!”
“In this matter, His Majesty’s decision is correct! Rather, not imposing punishment and merely accepting my resignation deserves hundreds of deep bows in gratitude for such leniency!”
At the head of the Audit Office’s words, the Audit Office officials asked with puzzled expressions.
“Sir, what crime? What crime did you commit?”
To the Audit Office officials’ questions, the head of the Audit Office answered with a bitter expression.
“The crime of failing to maintain consistency between words and actions. An official responsible for speaking the truth to power, who should risk his life to remonstrate, has betrayed his duty for personal comfort—this is a capital offense.”
“Ah…”
At the head of the Audit Office’s words, the Audit Office officials nodded slightly.
When Wan had ordered—though it was phrased as a suggestion—’If you’re so concerned, go to the New Frontier yourself and control it,’ the head of the Audit Office had made excuses and refused. And as the head of the Audit Office said, Wan could have punished him for this, and there would have been no defense. No matter how much time had passed, their ideological foundation was Neo-Confucianism, and consistency between words and actions was one of the guidelines that gentlemen must follow.
After organizing his desk, the head of the Audit Office gave his final order to the Audit Office officials.
“Don’t forget to maintain consistency between words and actions! Even at the risk of our lives, remonstrating is our duty!”
***
That night.
“Sigh~”
The head of the Audit Office, sitting alone in his reception room, sighed as he looked at the moon in the night sky.
“Suddenly resigning and coming out feels overwhelming.”
As he was trying to compose his emotions, feeling adrift after suddenly becoming unemployed, a servant approached and reported.
“Sir, a guest has arrived.”
“A guest? At this hour?”
The head of the Audit Office expressed doubt at the servant’s words. Since becoming the head of the Audit Office, visitors to his house had greatly decreased. He had deliberately prevented guests from visiting to avoid being caught up in scandals related to corruption. And now, having resigned, there were hardly any who would seek out someone who had lost all influence.
“I don’t know. Where did they say they were from?”
“They say they’re from the palace.”
“From the palace? Bring them in.”
“Yes, sir.”
After sending the servant off, the head of the Audit Office checked his attire again and left the reception room.
From the palace? Why? For what reason?
As he stood on the veranda of the reception hall waiting for the guest with a face full of curiosity, the head of the Audit Office immediately went down in his socks and prostrated himself as soon as he saw the guest in question.
“I greet Your Majesty!”
The head of the Audit Office guided Wan to the seat of honor in the reception room.
“I apologize for visiting suddenly so late at night.”
“N-not at all, Your Majesty.”
Looking at the head of the Audit Office, Wan first apologized.
“I came to apologize for what happened earlier today.”
“N-not at all, Your Majesty. The crime of failing to maintain consistency between words and actions—for the head of the Audit Office, it was a grave offense. That you ended it with just my resignation makes me grateful beyond words.”
“I appreciate your understanding.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty.”
“I don’t misunderstand your intentions for the empire and for me. But this time, you were unlucky.”
“What do you mean by unlucky, Your Majesty?”
At the head of the Audit Office’s question, Wan answered directly.
“The discipline in the court has been quite lax lately. Well, it’s a natural occurrence. The empire’s state affairs are running smoothly, and we don’t have to worry about Ming for the time being. But if we let our guard down, that’s when all problems begin, isn’t it?”
To Wan’s question, the head of the Audit Office immediately replied.
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
“So, I orchestrated today’s events as a warning to others.”
“You did well, Your Majesty. What does my well-being matter when it comes to the safety of Your Majesty and the empire?”
“I truly appreciate your understanding.”
Feeling his burden lightened, Wan rose from his seat.
“I’ll call for you again in a few days, so until then, consider it a vacation and rest well.”
“Hasn’t my resignation already been decided?”
“It hasn’t been documented yet.”
“Ah…”
Seeing the head of the Audit Office’s peculiar expression mixed with all sorts of emotions, Wan smiled slightly.
“Do you think filling an empty position is easy? When there’s already someone doing a good job, why would I drive them away? This is the first thing I learned from the Venerable Emperor and the Emperor Emeritus. ‘Use those who work well to the end.’ Have you forgotten Minister Hwang Hui and Minister Jo Mal-saeng?”
“Ah…”
At Wan’s words, the head of the Audit Office unconsciously nodded. Both Hwang Hui and Jo Mal-saeng had been implicated in power-related corruption cases. And Sejong and Hyang had used them until they died.
Watching the head of the Audit Office nod, Wan didn’t forget to give a warning.
“As I said, this was a warning to others, which doesn’t mean you’re without fault. If I had been truly determined, it wouldn’t have ended with just resignation. I would have immediately sent you to the Office of Records. Keep that in mind.”
At Wan’s words, the head of the Audit Office immediately prostrated himself and answered.
“I will engrave it on my bones and heart!”