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The candlelight flickered softly in the corner of the Queen's Quarter, casting long shadows on the delicately painted folding screens. Outside, the late wind whispered through the palace eaves. Inside, silence ruled—except for the gentle breathing of the young Crown Prince, over a year old, lying in his silk-covered bed.
But within that tiny body, the mind of a grown man thinking about his future.
*With the memories of his past life, an adult mind, and unmatched futuristic knowledge, I will prepare and forge the Joseon in my way and make it the greatest dynasty in existence.
"I was reborn in this era for one reason, and that is to become the greatest king of Joseon" Oh! And also to continue my hobbies.
I can't wait to try making the upgraded version of the old technology, which I was unable to make because of funding and support, which is my second-best weapon. As for my first weapon, that is my historical knowledge about this era.
But to do all of this, I need a plan, and a good one.
Even though I am royalty by birth and the first prince of the dynasty, it was not safe. As my father, the current king, holds very little power, the court is a battlefield. And the ministers smell it like wolves scenting prey. My uncle—banished, but he will return very soon. I also need to prepare for that. He will rebel with a powerful army, and I will die... again, which I basically don't want to.
Ok, let's organize everything; random thoughts and planning won't help me in any way.
The prince's tiny fists clenched instinctively.
First:
Power. Without proper power and a foothold, intelligence is just decoration.
But power must come quietly, and I need loyal men for that. How am I supposed to get them there? There is no way I will get personal bodyguards, and even if I get some, I'm not sure.
As for police power, I can cultivate them myself in a few years, obedient slaves who will work for me endlessly.
A creepy smile can be seen on the young prince's face.
Well, it will take time, at least a few more years. Can't do anything about it before that. I am just a child in the eyes of others without any proper political backing. It sucks to be a child. That is my greatest weakness... and also my greatest weapon.
I must use my current behavior to properly show the allies that I am born to rule. Let fear and awe do the work to my enemies that my voice cannot.*
*Next, the most critical part to gain power is advanced weapons, even though technology today isn't advanced, but this is a royal palace full of skilled craftsmen, so advanced weapons can be made.
" Looks like I need to find a way to take control of it."
I must secure the support of three powers: the Queen's family, the military generals, and the Confucian scholars.
I can try to weaken my uncle's support and power before he could even raise a flag. But looking at my current situation, I don't think that would work much.
And most importantly—*reform.*
The Joseon government was strong in appearance but hollow inside.
I needed land reform—too much land was in the hands of too few.
"Well, it seems every era has quite a few similarly poor starve and rich feast."
I needed military reform—outdated tactics and underpaid soldiers. Nobles also use various tricks to avoid military service. No proper disciplined standing army, and the Navy better not talk about it for now.
I needed education reform—true meritocracy, not family status. A country where everyone is equal without any class partition.
*But slowly, that would be my last agenda. Reforms are knives in silk sleeves. If they see the blade too early, they'll strike.*
*I will also create my own network.*
*Loyal men. Quiet watchers. Children now, servants maybe—but loyal to me, not to the king, not to the ministers, or anyone else. Whisperers. Listeners. Carriers of my truth when I cannot speak.*
A drop of saliva unconsciously trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Oh man, what should I do with this child's body?" the young prince said irritably.
The Queen's family was already loyal—my mother's father was a high-ranking official but had no respect for royalty, and my uncles on my mother's side also have considerable position.
But loyalty born of blood could break in the face of power. I needed to ensure their interests aligned with mine. Reward their loyalty. Make them dependent.
*The generals are harder. Many resent the court's grip on the military. Many generals still control the military at will. If my uncle returns, he'll try to win them. I must reach them first, know their characters, use them properly, and replace the troublesome ones. Not now—but soon.
And the scholars... the Sarim. They held the court's conscience in their ink-stained fingers. Win them, and I win legitimacy. But scholars were cautious, bound by tradition. I would need to present myself as a restorer of order, not a breaker of law. But few traditions must change.
*And then there is corruption.*
I had seen it already—how officials move palace funds, how food meant for orphans vanished, and how bribes flowed like water. But to fight corruption directly was always foolish. Corruption had roots in every hall. Instead, I would expose a few—loudly—and punish them in a hard way. Let fear and punishment cleanse the royal court properly.
*One day, when I speak in court, my voice will be heard across Joseon.*
Sadly, the king would not live much longer. In a few years When he died, the court would look for a puppet. They would think the prince still a child.
But they would find iron under the silk.
And by then, it would be too late.
*Let them laugh at the prince who watches silently. Let them think I am a good puppet.
*I will be what they expect—until I am what they fear.*
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END Of CHAPTER.
•I am a new writer and this is my very first novel also english is not my native language so please bear with me i will try better in new chapters. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT