Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Hanyang Great Fire (4)
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On the day the great fire broke out in Hanyang, King Sejong and King Taejong Yi Bang-won had left the palace to immerse themselves in a royal hunt.
Even before, Yi Bang-won had frequently gone hunting, dipping into court funds and privy purse money under the pretext that Sejong needed to exercise for his health...
So the hunt itself wasn't particularly unusual.
However, there was something different this time: Sejong and Taejong's hunting styles had changed dramatically from before.
"Your Majesty, is riding uncomfortable in any way?"
"It's been over a year since Your Supreme Highness personally taught me to ride, so I'm not the least bit tired from this much."
Yi Bang-won chuckled at those words.
In his eyes, Sejong had one glaring shortcoming: his stamina.
But now, much of the pudge he'd carried was gone, his stamina greatly improved. He showed no signs of fatigue even after riding for two si-jin—four hours.
Of course, if Yi Seong-gye were alive, he'd say that for a man of our house, two si-jin was nothing; two days without tiring would be the norm...
Even among able-bodied men, some tire after two si-jin on horseback, so this was quite impressive.
"Your Majesty rides so well now, and your health has improved—this is truly a great blessing. It feels like I'm watching the Ancestral Temple and State Altar grow ever more secure with my own eyes."
"Then this son will surely catch game this time and offer it directly to Grand King Taejo in sacrifice."
"With Your Majesty's robust health and such profound filial piety, I truly have no worries left."
The traditional royal hunt—gangmu—involved beaters driving three beasts to a stationary king, who would then shoot them.
All soldiers and nearby civilians were allowed free hunting as well.
But Sejong and Taejong had completed the formal rituals and were now hunting freely.
As they rode swiftly through the hunting grounds, Yi Bang-won spotted a wild boar.
He signaled everyone around to be silent, had Sejong halt his horse, and gestured for him to nock an arrow.
Sejong and Yi Bang-won held their breaths and drew their bowstrings taut.
Aiming precisely at the boar's right shoulder—ideal for an Ancestral Temple offering—they hoped the arrow would pierce the heart and exit the left shoulder.
At Sejong's glance, they released simultaneously.
By sheer luck, both arrows struck true, killing the boar instantly.
"Your Majesty, splendid shot! Haha, the day has come when Your Majesty and I ride and shoot to hunt a boar so perfectly! This is an auspicious event worthy of the annals, to be recorded for posterity, isn't it?"
"With Your Supreme Highness so hale and hearty as to claim this boar so perfectly, it is indeed a grand occasion."
"I believe it's possible because Your Majesty has diligently trained your body without slacking, practicing riding and archery even amid your busy state affairs. Your robust health made it so—a great auspicious event."
The Inner Royal Guard and Joint Guard warriors around them shouted "Long live the king!" three times in agreement.
Taejong thought he should reward these quick-witted men with a sack of rice each.
Elated, Taejong seized the momentum for some impromptu fatherly boasting and asked the Joint Guard captain,
"Captain, what do you make of His Majesty's equestrian skills?"
"How could this subject presume to judge His Highness's horsemanship?"
"His Majesty will continue practicing riding, honing mounted combat arts excluding lance work, and strengthening his body. You'll have to serve as his master then, so speak freely."
"He rivals the regular cavalry of ten garrisons. If he keeps at it steadily for another year or two, mastering mounted archery and such—excluding lance work—he'll match even an armored warrior."
"Regular cavalry, maybe, but armored warrior? Isn't that exaggeration?"
"Your Majesty has already hit 47 out of 50 arrows. For someone who's studied archery a mere three years to achieve this, as a military man, I speak with conviction."
Taejong's mouth curved up to his ears at those words.
Once his son could shoot from horseback, he'd one day witness him hunting beasts that way with his own eyes.
As a father, the mere thought thrilled him.
"The captain says so, and it pleases me greatly. I'll specially grant you a treasured sword—receive it and redouble your efforts to protect His Majesty henceforth."
"Yes, Your Supreme Highness."
"And isn't His Majesty's improved health and agility due, in the end, to Kim Dae-bung risking his life to offer me loyal counsel?"
Sejong flinched at that.
His body was indeed leaner and healthier now, and even in bed, he was a mighty man in many ways—good, yes.
But it recalled the agony of dragging his hefty frame up Bukaksan daily on Kim Dae-bung's advice, plus the misery of forgoing beloved late nights and reading for "exercise."
The wretch deserved to be made prime minister pronto and worked to death for life.
"I hear he took down three tigers today. I'll grant him one pelt to reward his loyalty."
"Your benevolence overwhelms us."
"With court funds ample, from today until the hunt ends, buy oxen, pigs, and chickens alongside the game so even the slaves can feast on meat."
Amid this heartwarming exchange, a single official was seen galloping toward them urgently from afar.
His disheveled appearance as he neared the king suggested...
He undoubtedly brought dire, urgent news.
"Your Highness, disaster! A massive fire has broken out in Hanyang!"
"How great is the damage?"
"This subject doesn't know that far. Right now, Her Majesty the Queen is directing firefighting efforts despite being heavily pregnant. Focused as we are on suppression, we can't even identify the arsonists."
No misfortune like this.
While the king was away, some scoundrel worthy of being torn limb from limb had set Hanyang ablaze.
"Father, it seems this son must return to the palace at once."
"Yes, this isn't the time for hunts."
Their return wouldn't douse the flames instantly.
But arsonists who started one fire might ignite more anytime.
To prevent further damage, the king had to hurry back.
Countless refugees in Hanyang needed care, reconstruction too... mountains of tasks.
"We're returning now. Prepare at once. Skip all convoluted protocols—back to the palace as fast as possible!"
"Yes, Your Supreme Highness."
Sejong found it insufficient.
With his stamina and riding skill, from Gwangju in Gyeonggi to Hanyang, he could make it in half a day at full gallop.
The sooner the king returned, the less the damage...
"Your Supreme Highness, this son will ride back to Gyeongbok Palace."
"Galloping on horseback is dangerous."
"With the Joint Guard captain and Inner Royal Guard here, protecting against bandits or assassins won't be hard."
Yi Bang-won couldn't oppose Sejong's determination.
He'd just seen Sejong's fine horsemanship; Gwangju to Hanyang was feasible.
"Captain, ensure His Majesty doesn't overexert himself."
"Yes, Your Highness."
With permission granted, Sejong galloped off toward Hanyang.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As Sejong predicted, he and his retinue reached Gyeongbok Palace in under half a day.
"What's the situation now, My Queen?"
Queen Sohyeonwanghu, who had commanded the firefighting in Sejong's stead, explained in detail.
By heaven's grace, Changgyeong Palace and the Ancestral Temple were safe, but fires had erupted across Hanseong, likely burning thousands of homes and injuring or killing many commoners.
Tears streamed from Sejong's eyes as he listened.
Imagining countless people dying agonizing deaths in the flames was heartbreaking.
The Bangwon Law had just begun giving the people hope for the future.
How could so many perish without truly tasting it?
"We've opened relief kitchens to feed the homeless with gruel. And in suppressing this fire, Inspector General Kim Dae-bung performed heroically."
"Kim Dae-bung again? What a loyal vassal, truly loyal... What feat did he accomplish?"
"The moment he learned of the fire, he evacuated his family first. Then, donning his official robes, he stood before the panicked people, calming them. He personally wielded a hammer, demolishing homes in the fire's path with the commoners to halt its spread. Even amid the crisis, he devised a plan to catch the arsonists and reported it to me. Thanks to him, we've arrested thirty suspects."
Sejong was deeply moved.
A civilian official, not military—no need to lead from the front.
Yet he'd risked his life at the forefront, soothing the people and extinguishing the blaze.
'Kim Dae-bung must have saved thousands of Hanyang's people.'
"The instant he heard the fire was out, he collapsed unconscious. I had the royal physicians examine him."
Royal physicians didn't only treat king and royals.
They also attended senior officials of jeong 2-pum rank and above.
So Queen Sohyeonwanghu's action was fitting.
How absurd to deny a physician to a minister who'd toiled selflessly for the realm?
"His robes were caked in mud, riddled with burn holes—little more than rags."
Sejong had much to do.
Yet he prioritized visiting Kim Dae-bung.
Checking on the vassal who'd staked his life for Hanyang was the king's duty.
Asking Kim Dae-bung's location, Sejong rushed there at once.
"Your Highness."
As Sejong entered, he saw Kim Dae-bung slathered in ointments, his body covered in burns and wounds.
"How is Kim Dae-bung's condition?"
"He's passed the crisis, Your Highness. He'll regain consciousness soon."
Sejong wept at the sight of Kim Dae-bung.
A man under no obligation to risk danger, who'd thrown himself in to save even one more life—and borne these wounds.
Seeing them, Sejong felt the disaster stemmed from not heeding his counsel more closely.
"......All this is Our fault. The physician must save Kim Dae-bung at any cost."
Sejong said this, then removed his own gonryongpo robe and placed it beside Kim Dae-bung.
"When the ointment dries, cover him with this directly. It must never serve as his burial shroud."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The idea of a gonryongpo as a shroud was absurd, but the physician wasn't fool enough to argue.
It was the judgment of one who'd risen beyond the typical physician's ceiling of jeong 3-pum.
This anecdote later became a textbook tale of virtue.