Chapter 3: Meeting Yi Bang-won
Calm.
Stay calm.
I tried my best to cling to reason in my head, but my heart pounded like crazy, oblivious to the situation.
By now, my face must have been twisted.
I was scared.
Why? Because it was genuinely terrifying.
"What's this? Why are you pretending to be scared?"
"…Your Majesty."
"Suddenly you suggest making Bang-won crown prince, and act scared? Jeong Do-jeon, speak clearly. What are you thinking?"
The wild Lee Seong-gye, the king, exuded a completely different aura.
By the way, Jeong Do-jeon must normally have been fearless.
That Lee Seong-gye needed to say this meant it.
"This is a turbulent time. If not Jeongan-gun, who will lead?"
"What nonsense? It was you who told the king to only preserve his position in turbulent times."
"…Your Majesty. This is the fastest dynastic change this land has ever seen. Even the smallest tremor now would collapse the new nation."
"If anyone dares to raise their head, I'll kill them. Don't you get it?"
"…."
"The new country's name is 'Joseon.' Correct?"
This was right after the dynasty change.
'Joseon' was not yet officially used, as approval from Ming had not been received. But in the core of power, it was implicitly recognized as the new country's name.
"I will carve the two characters 'Joseon' firmly in this land before I die. Any who harbor impure thoughts will be eradicated at the root. Why? Am I lacking? Afraid to be overthrown?"
"Your Majesty, the greatest general himself declares that he will engrave 'Joseon' on this land. How could there be any deficiency or faltering? While Your Majesty is on the throne, Joseon will remain steadfast."
"Jeong Do-jeon. Stop your cunning tongue and speak to the point."
"Your Majesty, will simply establishing Joseon complete the great enterprise?"
"What did you say?"
"If Goryeo becomes Joseon, and the royal family changes from Yi to Jeong, is the great enterprise complete?"
"…."
"If all under heaven bow to Your Majesty's might, is the enterprise complete?"
Lee Seong-gye paused.
I felt it through my entire body.
This was Joseon, ruled by a king, not a constitutional Korea.
If he got upset, I could be beaten.
I couldn't tell anyone where.
And if hit by Lee Seong-gye… I could die.
But I could not stop.
"Your Majesty."
Perhaps observing the people of Gaegyeong today was heaven's help.
At this moment, Jeong Do-jeon's vast knowledge unfolded in my mind.
"The rich grow richer and the poor poorer. The impoverished cannot survive and abandon farmland, becoming bandits. Why? Because they cannot withstand the exploitation of the powerful."
"Stop your nonsense. With the implementation of the Gajeon Law, those times are over. No longer will ten men exploit land worked by one. That is what my Joseon achieved."
"Do you truly see it that way?"
"What?"
"For our people, even the jeonjo (land tax) is a burden. They must host officials coming to collect taxes, provide horses, buy forced goods, offer labor, and pay transport fees."
"Damn, Jeong Do-jeon."
"Your Majesty, observe the marketplace. The people are starving, their bones showing. A small political mistake can bring ten years of suffering to the people…!!!"
-Thwack!
In an instant,
Lee Seong-gye's enormous palm grabbed my collar.
I had no time to react.
I didn't even sense him approaching.
Only after being lifted did I understand the situation.
"Speak clearly. Do you think I cannot handle you?"
"Your Majesty, the founding of Joseon is only the beginning of the great enterprise. Joseon is merely a vessel to realize minbon—people-centered governance."
"So?"
Lee Seong-gye's gaze was fierce.
I could feel ages of wrath pressing down.
His grip tightened.
Breath caught in my throat.
…Yet I could not back down.
"Only Jeongan-gun can establish strong royal authority, fulfill the people-centered great enterprise, and open Joseon's thousand-year plan."
"I told you to speak clearly. Can't I do that?"
"How could Your Majesty be lacking? But minbon is a long-term enterprise to be completed over generations, hence I dare to speak."
"You mean… I am not the vessel to complete minbon?"
"Your Majesty began the great enterprise of minbon."
"Bang-won completes it?"
"Even that is not so. Minbon will be completed over three generations. It requires long time."
I emphasized that it wasn't lack of ability, just time.
Lee Seong-gye's anger slightly eased, and he released his grip.
Finally, I could breathe.
An astonishing strength.
"What about the politics of ministers you spoke of? It doesn't match strong royal authority."
"I mentioned ministerial politics only for peaceful times. Jeongan-gun will serve as the bridge."
"Bang-won? That bastard killed Po-eun. The people are restless. And you make him crown prince? The people will curse him."
"My view differs."
"What?"
"If Jeongan-gun had not acted decisively regarding Po-eun, Joseon as it is today would not exist."
"…What?"
"Jeong Mong-ju's noble blood—no one wanted to touch it. While all hesitated, Jeongan-gun boldly acted. How can this be denied?"
This must have caught Lee Seong-gye off guard; his expression blanked.
But briefly.
Soon, he glared at me as if ready to kill.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"My loyalty is solely to this country, Joseon."
"…Bang-won, this bastard must be eliminated."
"Eh?"
"He probably threatened to kill, like he did to Po-eun."
"…Does that mean Jeong Do-jeon is swayed by trivial threats?"
"Either that, or the person before me is not Jeong Do-jeon."
"…Then, who am I?"
"Enough. I will deal with Bang-won myself."
The conversation was going in a strange direction.
Suppressing my confusion, I quickly proposed:
"Your Majesty, what if we do this?"
"Speak."
"Give them an opportunity."
"Opportunity?"
"A chance for any prince to prove their merit."
"Explain."
"This is a turbulent time."
"I know."
"…If they can resolve accumulated crises, they can prove their worth as king, can they not?"
"Hah. Do you really consider Bang-won capable of kingship?"
"I boldly affirm. Jeongan-gun has the ability to solidify Joseon and lead as king."
"Hah."
"If even this is impossible, postpone the crown prince appointment."
"The appointment is the king's authority. Ministers cannot interfere."
"Then I shall remain silent."
Lee Seong-gye, who had been sharp-tongued, assumed a solemn expression and refined his voice.
"Yet your words carry weight. I will consider it."
"If so…"
"One must act before seeing the lives of the starving people of Gaegyeong."
If no visible change occurs outside the palace, the opportunity is lost.
Lee Seong-gye was no ordinary man.
I thought his thinking might be short, but the founder of a nation is never to be underestimated.
Anyway, I had gained time.
Now I just had to discuss matters with Yi Bang-won.
Escaping Lee Seong-gye's trap, I emerged outside to find Yi Bang-won waiting.
Having openly pushed him as crown prince, there was no need to worry about appearances, so we calmly moved home.
"Rumors travel fast."
"The king scolded everyone. All palace officials know. How could this man not know?"
"Then the conversation should be quick."
"…."
"I believe Jeongan-gun should be Joseon's next supreme ruler."
Hearing it directly from me, Yi Bang-won's expression shifted oddly.
Whether he could not hide it, or never intended to, I didn't know.
But clearly, he felt immense joy.
"I have a few questions."
"Ask freely."
"You thought I didn't trust you."
"Someone must have spread rumors. Or perhaps your advisors talked nonsense."
"This man killed Po-eun."
"Is there anyone in Gaegyeong unaware?"
"Thus, I thought he hated you."
"To cut to the chase—you see for yourself."
"…."
Even mentioning Jeong Mong-ju didn't phase him; Yi Bang-won's expression shifted peculiarly again.
Seeing this repeatedly felt strange.
"This person believes you prefer ministerial politics."
"Everyone has ideals."
"Ideals?"
"Creating the impossible ideal is fulfilled in the founding of a new nation."
"That alone doesn't cover the concreteness of your thought."
"That is for later generations. Being born a man, rising to sage's rank isn't bad, but one cannot force it. If displeased, you may ascend the throne and burn all my books."
"…."
No hesitation or disruption in his words.
So naturally, Yi Bang-won was left speechless.
"You need not doubt. I already informed the king."
"I accept your goodwill."
"But one condition exists."
"Yes. If I ascend the throne, you will sit beside me and lead Joseon together."
"That's not it."
"…."
"Allow me to retire peacefully."
"…What?"
Yi Bang-won stammered in surprise, eyes wide.
"My final task is to place you on the throne. In old age, I wish to retire comfortably."
"Sam-bong Jeong Do-jeon retiring? Giving up power? Voluntarily?"
"I have done all I could as a man."
Founded the nation.
Made an unfit prince crown prince.
It's tidy enough.
Did Yi Bang-won sense my sincerity?
He only chuckled.
"Hah… hahah…"
"Is it difficult?"
"Fine."
It was done.
I smiled and extended my hand.
"A man's word is gold."
"…Golden as the sun. Why extend your hand?"
"Oh, simply shake it. A symbolic gesture between comrades."
"Symbol name?"
"Handshake."
"A handshake."
"If one refuses, it signifies refusal to cooperate."
Yi Bang-won smiled faintly and shook my hand.
"A man's word is gold."
"Golden as the sun."
Now it begins.