Imperial Year 16 (1464 CE)
Park Jong-woo, the Prime Minister of the Empire, passed away.
He was 59 years old at the time of his death.
As the Empire’s third Prime Minister, he set the record as the “youngest Prime Minister” when appointed at age 53 in Imperial Year 10 (1458).
At that time, numerous theories circulated behind the scenes as to why Hyang had appointed Park Jong-woo instead of choosing from among other prominent ministers such as Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Hui.
Among these theories, the most plausible was this:
-The Emperor’s grand design.
Both Hwang Hui and Kim Jeom lived to the age of 90, showing remarkable longevity.
They had also served as officials for a very long time.
In addition, having weathered all kinds of storms as high-ranking officials during the turbulent period of the late Goryeo and early Joseon, from the reign of King Taejo to King Sejong, they possessed outstanding crisis management abilities.
The issue was who would succeed these two.
The candidates were Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In.
Both possessed excellent administrative abilities and were considered ideal candidates for the position of Prime Minister.
Hwangbo In was known for strictly adhering to established standards. As Prime Minister, a position second only to the Emperor and above everyone else, he could certainly hold his ground and assist the Emperor through all kinds of unexpected variables and crisis situations.
Kim Jong-seo had a different character from Hwangbo In.
While Hwangbo In stubbornly adhered to his own standards, Kim Jong-seo was similar to Hwang Hui.
“You’re right, and you’re also right. However, given the circumstances, why don’t we each step back a little?”
This was how Kim Jong-seo achieved the best results by mediating between stakeholders. But when neither side was willing to back down, he would firmly push forward with his own decision.
This is why he, along with Hwang Hui, was able to successfully complete the development of the northeastern region in the past.
Either of these two men would have been a good choice for Prime Minister.
However, if there was a problem, it was their age.
Both Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In were in their seventies.
And there was no guarantee that they would live as long as Kim Jeom and Hwang Hui.
Therefore, the theory was that Hyang had chosen Park Jong-woo, the most recognized talent among those in their fifties.
And this was partially correct.
***
Hyang had been contemplating the most suitable appointment for the vacant position of Prime Minister.
“Either Kim Jong-seo or Hwangbo In would be qualified, but they’re too old. And they haven’t been thoroughly tested in the position…”
Trailing off, Hyang suddenly continued with a bitter smile.
“No, I probably don’t trust my own judgment.”
Hyang’s concern was whether he was overestimating Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In.
Hyang’s lack of confidence in his own assessment stemmed from his knowledge of history.
In the history before Hyang’s intervention, Hwangbo In and Kim Jong-seo were purged during the Gyeyu Jeongnan (Purge of 1453) initiated by Prince Suyang.
Because of this, Hyang found it difficult to trust his own evaluation of Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In.
-Even looking at the annals and records of that time, Hwangbo In and Kim Jong-seo are described as outstanding individuals. But are these records accurate and objective? Are they perhaps overestimated due to their tragic end? The records of their actual performance while serving as Right State Councillor and Chief State Councillor are too sparse.
In other words, Hyang was doubting himself, wondering if he was overestimating them because they were “loyal ministers who met a tragic end in the Gyeyu Jeongnan.”
“They’re certainly excellent, but I’m still uneasy. Age is also an issue… We need someone who can steadily hold the position for at least ten years. And Kim Jong-seo’s excessive attachment to Seoul is also a problem…”
After serious consideration, Hyang appointed Park Jong-woo as Prime Minister and named Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In as Deputy Prime Ministers.
“Park Jong-woo was trained under Kim Jeom. His ability has been verified, and with assistance from Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In, he can make up for his lack of experience. And if it doesn’t work out, I can demote Park Jong-woo to Deputy Prime Minister and promote one of the two to Prime Minister. Then when the time comes, promote him back to Prime Minister.”
This wasn’t unprecedented. In the history before Hyang’s intervention, there were many cases where individuals alternated between the positions of Chief State Councillor and Left State Councillor.
For this reason, Hyang had appointed Park Jong-woo as Prime Minister.
But now, Park Jong-woo had suddenly passed away.
***
Concerned about filling the Prime Minister position left vacant by Park Jong-woo’s sudden death, Wan sought out Sejong.
“What brings you here?”
“I would like your advice on selecting the new Prime Minister.”
At Wan’s response, Sejong set aside the book he was reading and looked at him.
“Well… who does Your Majesty think would be best?”
To Sejong’s question, Wan immediately replied.
“I’m considering either Kim Jong-seo or Hwangbo In.”
“Aren’t they both too old?”
“The younger generation lacks sufficient experience. For now, we need elder statesmen, even if it’s risky.”
Seeing Sejong nod silently, Wan continued.
“Hwangbo In is upright and strong-willed, so he can keep the government functioning steadily. Kim Jong-seo is flexible and can find solutions quickly in unexpected crises. Considering the current situation of neighboring countries and the Empire’s circumstances, I would appreciate your advice on who would be better.”
After pondering Wan’s response briefly, Sejong spoke.
“First, their personalities are as you described. Hwangbo In is outwardly strong but inwardly gentle, while Kim Jong-seo is outwardly gentle but inwardly strong. Hwangbo In is strict yet takes good care of his subordinates, and Kim Jong-seo, though appearing indecisive, is upright and disciplined. Indeed, they both have their strengths and weaknesses.”
“That’s why it’s not an easy decision.”
“Hmm…”
After a moment’s thought, Sejong replied to Wan.
“The decision is yours, Your Majesty, but in my opinion, it would be best to have Hwangbo In as Prime Minister. And send Kim Jong-seo as the Right Deputy Prime Minister.”
“Kim Jong-seo as Right Deputy Prime Minister?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask the reason?”
“Think about it, Your Majesty.”
At Sejong’s words, Wan’s expression grew serious.
‘This is a test!’
Recognizing Sejong’s intentions, Wan deeply pondered the possible reasons.
After thinking intently for a while, Wan shared his thoughts with Sejong.
“Kim Jong-seo experienced warfare in the northeastern region. Looking at the current situation around us and in Suez, we cannot neglect defense. Kim Jong-seo is not only a civil official but also understands war, and he is disciplined, so he can avoid excessive defense measures. Therefore, he would be suitable as the Right Deputy Prime Minister.”
In response to Wan’s answer, Sejong smiled broadly and replied.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking. Additionally, if people become dissatisfied with Hwangbo In’s strictness, Kim Jong-seo can smooth things over.”
“In that case, if Kim Jong-seo were Prime Minister, matters could escalate. If something is severe enough to anger Kim Jong-seo, it would likely anger Hwangbo In as well.”
“Exactly. We must prevent a situation where fire upon fire creates a blaze.”
“Indeed.”
Thus, Hwangbo In was appointed as the new Prime Minister. Following this, Kim Jong-seo became the Right Deputy Prime Minister, and Lee Gyeon-gi, the Minister of Finance and Economy, became the Left Deputy Prime Minister.
Finally, Lim Soonwook was appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Economy.
Lim Soonwook’s appointment as Minister of Finance and Economy was one of the butterfly effects created by Hyang.
Someone who wasn’t even known to exist in the history before Hyang’s intervention had now risen to the surface of history.
As time passed, Hyang frowned upon receiving the related report in New Frontier.
“Hwangbo In as Prime Minister and Kim Jong-seo as Right Deputy Prime Minister? This is like saying Hwangbo In as Chief State Councillor and Kim Jong-seo as Right State Councillor…”
Tapping his fingers on the desk in thought, Hyang looked out the window and muttered.
“I suppose it’s reassuring that I brought Jinpyeong here.”
***
While the Empire was busy with the consecutive personnel changes after Hwangbo In’s rise to the new Prime Minister position, a critical event occurred in Ming.
The Jingtai Emperor had died.
He had lived seven years longer compared to the history before Hyang’s intervention.
Although everything around him had changed, some things remained the same.
The Jingtai Emperor had no heir.
He had one son and two daughters, but his son, Zhu Jianjie, died of illness at a young age.
Afterward, he took several concubines and tried to have a son, but his efforts did not bear fruit.
With the Jingtai Emperor’s death without an heir, the Ming court was thrown into chaos.
“Who should inherit the throne…”
The ministers desperately searched through the imperial family tree to find a suitable successor.
But it wasn’t an easy task. The previous emperor, the Xuande Emperor, had only two sons. One was Zhu Qizhen, who committed suicide in Liaodong, and the other was the Jingtai Emperor.
“Should we go further back…”
“That would take us to collateral lines, and if we’re not careful, we could have another civil war over the throne.”
While the ministers were at a loss and in confusion, someone found an answer.
“The legitimate son of the Prince of Liaodong is still alive in Joseon!”
“The legitimate son of the Prince of Liaodong?”
“Oh!”
The ministers were delighted at the information that Zhu Qizhen’s legitimate son was alive, but soon faced another problem.
- Although relegated to being the Prince of Liaodong, Zhu Qizhen was the emperor’s legitimate first son.
- Therefore, if it’s Zhu Qizhen’s legitimate son, there’s no problem with legitimacy. In fact, he’s the most suitable candidate with no questions of legitimacy.
- However, the only issue, and the biggest one, was that this legitimate son was now living in Joseon.
“He’s lived in Joseon for almost a decade or more. Shouldn’t we consider him a Joseon person?”
“That does seem to be the case, no matter how you look at it.”
“Would the people welcome him?”
“Then do we have any other options?”
“How about choosing from among the princes of the late Hongxi Emperor?”
“Are you referring to Prince Yang, Zhu Zhanshan?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t he not a legitimate son? And he’s already 64 years old!”
“Then from among Prince Yang’s sons…”
“A collateral of a collateral who isn’t even legitimate? Do you think the other imperial family members would just stand by and watch?”
What the ministers worried about was a power struggle breaking out among the imperial family members. Having already experienced the Tumu Crisis, Zhu Gou’s rebellion, and the civil war instigated by impostors of Zhu Yunwen and his son, the ministers wanted to avoid such occurrences again.
Exhausted from intense deliberation, the ministers sighed and complained.
“Sigh~ We needed an elder in the imperial family at times like this…”
The ministers recalled the Xuande Emperor’s empress, Empress Dowager Xiaogong Zhang Sun Shi, who had passed away a few years earlier.
But they couldn’t leave the throne vacant indefinitely. After careful consideration, the ministers reached a conclusion.
“Let’s send someone to Joseon.”
***
A month later, Ming envoys arrived in Seoul.
After receiving the envoys, Foreign Minister Heo Hu immediately reported Ming’s request to Wan.
“They want us to return Zhu Qizhen’s son?”
“That is correct.”
After briefly searching his memory, Wan looked at his ministers with a puzzled expression.
“But where is this son living now?”
“Ah…”
At Wan’s question, all the ministers shared his expression.
‘Oh no! We completely forgot about him!’
‘We only allocated the budget, but we haven’t been properly keeping track!’
Zhu Qizhen’s son had become like a “kite with a broken string,” completely forgotten.