Killing the Tyrant (1)
On December 29, the revolution had triumphed.
“People’s sovereignty, people’s rights, people’s livelihood!”
“The People’s Sovereignty, the People’s Rights, the People’s Livelihood!”
Hanseong was thick with the heat of fervent excitement.
“Long live the people’s revolution!”
“Long live the people’s revolution!”
It was more than the red flood could describe.
I lifted my right hand high toward the sky and shouted,
“Comrades!”
“Comrades!”
A boy on a white horse appeared at the head, followed by hundreds of red flags waving as the Vanguard marched forward.
“Fall, you tyrant and coward!”
I shouted first,
“Welcome! We have arrived!”
Following my lead, soldiers who had been searching for the revolution and comrades answered in kind,
“Form ranks, citizens!”
Pointing far away at the oppressor's grand palace,
“Advance! Advance! Advance, people!”
Startled citizens realized the tyrant's end was imminent and joined the cry.
“The wretched tyrant is being dragged out!”
I drew the sword at my waist and pointed toward Changdeok Palace.
“The true royal way has been established!”
“Warriors of the revolution, people!”
At that call, scholars from the Confucian literati like Choe Ik-hyeon and the nobles of Bukchon leaped into the ranks, shouting with revolutionary fervor.
“The revolution has reached this land! Long live!”
When all the people of Hanseong shouted together,
“May the revolution live forever!”
“Long live! Long live! Long live!”
The red flags of the Alliance Association covered Hanseong.
Finally!
Finally!
*****
As the red flood swept through Han-yang, the palace where King Yi-hyeong had taken refuge, Changdeok Palace, was in utter chaos, as if struck by a bomb.
“Your Majesty!”
“Have mercy!”
The remaining civil and military officials knelt on the cold ground, weeping and pleading with the tyrant.
“The rebels have occupied Gyeongun Palace and Gwangye Palace in succession and are advancing on Changdeok Palace!”
“The inner and outer guards, left and right guards, have all sided with the rebels! Have mercy!”
“General Cho Yeong-ha of the Gyeongsa Military Command has joined the rebels and is inciting the soldiers! Issue an order immediately to—”
The very ones who should have been loyal to him had turned their guns on him.
“Your Majesty must leave Han-yang at once!”
“The, the ministers are fleeing the palace. Your Majesty!”
Even the ones who had strutted about were running.
“Have mercy!”
Yet those still before the tyrant's eyes were clearly loyal ministers.
In this moment when red flags pressed in from all sides like a dark current, some might call them foolish, but who could mock them as cowards?
Despite being incompetent, greedy, and corrupt, they had stood by their lord — that alone marked them as extraordinary.
“These useless wretches!”
But King Yi-hyeong of Joseon thought differently.
“What, what is all this happening... How can I face my ancestors in the afterlife!”
King Yi-hyeong, the true owner of Joseon and the final beneficiary of five hundred years of tradition, could not maintain his composure.
Or was he trying to evade his duty as a monarch even now?
But if you heard his next words, the people would surely say, ‘As expected!’
“Why did the loyal soldiers side with the rebels? Ah! The in-laws have blinded the king's eyes again and are tormenting the people! It is heartbreaking — what is to be done!”
He had originally been a collateral relative far from the throne, and his father had forced the title upon him, which was undeserved.
The essence of Yi-hyeong was not understanding responsibility but finding escape natural.
Not only was his life hanging by a thread, but his mind was scheming to cover up his mistakes rather than listen to the loyal ministers' worries and advice.
‘What nonsense are these idiots spouting? Who is invading? Who sided with the rebels? Is this my fault?’
But even the loyal ministers who remained at the palace were not ordinary.
They were extraordinary figures who had mastered the ancient Joseon tradition of ‘transfer of responsibility’.
Surviving in the Joseon bureaucracy meant precisely that.
“Your Majesty! The ministers of the Enlightenment Party did not stage a coup without cause!”
“Why did you order the Gyeongsa Military Command to mercilessly interrogate his retainers before guilt was proven? This is not recorded in the Daejeon or the Veritable Records!”
“Having committed such an unjust act, the current nobles must be greatly disappointed in today's events!”
Then the self-proclaimed loyal ministers continued to denounce, ‘What did we do wrong? You commanded it!’
King Yi-hyeong exploded at their appearance.
“Wh-what are these brats saying!”
But realizing he could no longer shift all the blame to others and that fortune could not be expected like past mistakes, the tyrant merely clutched his heavy crown and shouted.
These idiots were no different from the rebels outside.
“Shut your mouths at once!”
“Crash!”
A brush in the study flew through the air and smashed into a pillar, shattering.
At that moment, a brilliant idea came to mind.
Hadn't something similar happened in the Imo Incident?
“Ah!”
The tyrant, amazed at his own clever mind even in crisis, ordered the stupid ones to do his bidding.
“Order the Geumwi and Jangwi Guards to protect the palace! The decree!”
Here you are, you idiots, I'm leaving!
“Your Majesty!”
“I will abdicate!”
“Yo, Your Majesty! It cannot be! Even abdication is too much!”
“Release me!”
Shaking off the officials trying to stop him, the tyrant hurried to the inner palace.
Just like two years ago. If he could safely reach Jemulpo from leaving Han-yang, or hide again under Qing influence!
‘There's a chance! I will return and exterminate your rebel clans, or even the nine clans!’
Comforting himself that this was just avoiding a storm, the tyrant went to find his only supporter.
“Clunk!”
“Your, Your Majesty?”
“The queen consort is still inside.”
“I don't want to hear it! Prepare for abdication quickly too!”
Opening the door to the queen consort's chambers, he blocked the startled palace maids and eunuchs rushing out and said to the queen consort calmly holding her position.
“Queen consort.”
There was not only the queen consort there.
In front of her was Jinryeonggun, the shaman who had been brought by the queen consort during the previous turmoil.
The lowly shaman, upon seeing him, prostrated herself with a terrified expression.
“Your Majesty.”
But since it was urgent, the tyrant ignored the lowly shaman and commanded the queen consort.
“Leave the place at once, Queen consort.”
“Your Majesty.”
“There is no time. Everything will be recovered when we return, so lighten your body.”
Unlike before, who was obedient, despite the tyrant's strict order, the queen consort showed no sign of leaving the seat, so the tyrant stamped his feet.
He had to escape the city before those stupid ministers remaining at the palace blocked the way!
In frustration, the tyrant was about to shout loudly when the queen consort, with a determined face, clasped her hands modestly and spoke.
“Unlike the previous turmoil, today's events seem not to be resolved by simply leaving the place.”
“What do you mean...?”
When someone who was supposed to never oppose him on his matters spoke frankly, the tyrant raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Is the queen consort telling me ‘no’ now? How dare she?
“Speak again.”
But anger quickly faded.
The queen consort was the only companion who had supported him from the beginning when he was isolated. She wouldn't say unnecessary words.
“Hmm, keep it short.”
Realizing the queen consort was barely holding back with gritted teeth, the tyrant lowered his head and answered cautiously.
“Unlike the past, the rebels who rose against Your Majesty today are essentially different from those who relied on my father.”
“Father?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The arrogant Enlightenment Party faction and the foolish citizens of Hanseong who followed them have rebelled against you. It should not be viewed as a power struggle between the past nobles and ministers, but faced directly.”
Swallowed by the queen consort's passionate story like a torrent, the tyrant turned his steps again.
Yes, why was I thinking this?
My father hadn't returned to this land!
“Your Majesty.”
“I am listening.”
Confirming with a sidelong glance that the queen consort had stopped her excitement and was listening to his advice, she continued.
“Instead, go out boldly. Say that the group that disturbed Your Majesty's mind and harbored evil intentions has divided the loyal people and the monarch. Then naturally, the people will turn their anger toward the treacherous and flattering group.”
“…Oh, indeed!”
Indeed, the queen consort!
How is there such a wise woman!
The tyrant, impressed by the good strategy, clapped his knees and said.
“My eyes have finally opened. The treacherous and villainous ones must have been deceiving the court and blinding my eyes! The foolish people have no fault. It seems I was hasty with the abdication. For now, I will consult with the officials again.”
“It is an honor to have Your Majesty's deep consideration for even a woman's advice.”
“Haha, as expected, Queen consort.”
Satisfied with her opinion, the tyrant smiled contentedly and headed outside, thinking.
‘Yes, if the people are not easily appeased as the queen consort said, I'll just leave a few arrogant ones as examples!’
Of course, the victims would likely be her family.
While quietly allowing the in-laws to gain power, there was some of his own fault.
But would the wise queen consort not oppose it?
It's fine. This is a matter of the country, the queen consort would surely understand!
*****
However, the situation completely missed the queen consort's determination and the king's expectations.
The Alliance, which had grown tired of the tyrant's erratic movements, moved thoroughly.
In front of the monarch who turned his steps, a group of soldiers appeared.
With boldness, the ones with vicious guns pointed straight said.
“Your Majesty.”
“You are not the North Qing Army?”
The tyrant's steps heading to the temporary palace in Changdeok Palace were blocked by the North Qing Army.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
“Escape!”
Discovering the officials crying out behind the armed soldiers, the tyrant broke into a sweat.
These guys, not...
“I will arrest you.”
The tyrant's anxious premonition was exactly right.
Slowly, the guns and bayonets aimed at them.
To the frozen tyrant, the soldiers, the rebels, spoke again.
“Let us escort you.”
Their commander, Yun Ung-ryeol, stated solemnly with etiquette, the North Qing soldiers approaching the king with tense expressions.
Although they had once served the monarch, the hesitant soldiers were urged by Yun Ung-ryeol.
“Bring him down.”
As the ugly hands approached, the palace maids and eunuchs were frightened and backed away, a small number of Geumgun soldiers trembled while forming a semicircle to protect the monarch, but it was useless.
The palace maids and eunuchs held by the soldiers screamed in terror.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”
“Insolent brats!”
“Damn it!”
Soon, four hundred North Qing soldiers forcibly removed his hands and feet and threw them into the courtyard, so the tyrant finally became alone.
“Th-these…”
Realizing no one remained around him, the tyrant hid his trembling hands behind his back and tried to raise his voice to rebuke the rebels in front.
“W-what kind of thing is this!”
Although he had no dignity himself, using the dignity from the crown and tradition, the tyrant stopped the approaching North Qing soldiers' movements and shouted with even more momentum.
“What you are doing now is the same as what the rebels do! Won't you kneel and confess your crimes! The decree!”
Yun Ung-ryeol and the North Qing soldiers, stunned by the bold appearance, closed their mouths.
The tyrant, not missing this moment, continued to press.
If he let go of the reins now, he would die!
“Arrogant brats, traitors! Who dares to order the arrest of the crown prince? I am the monarch of this country, you brats!”
But the ridiculous, bold acting didn't last long.
From the opposite side of the raging tyrant, a clear voice awakened the North Qing soldiers.
“In the name of the people, Your Majesty.”
“What…?”
It was me.
I turned my head to Yun Ung-ryeol, who sighed while looking at my face on the white horse as if trying to confirm, and commanded with a stupid expression.
“What are you doing with the people's army? Arrest this tyrant at once. Do you not fear the major affairs of the state?”
When I warned indirectly, Yun Ung-ryeol shook his head vigorously and immediately urged the soldiers.
“Yes, Commander. What? Arrest them.”
“Yes!”
“Eh! Let go, you brats! Let go!”
“Stay still, Your Majesty!”
The weak old man held by the big soldiers writhed desperately to escape, but soon couldn't last.
“Take him away.”
The Yi-seon-gwan and E-dae, meaning monarch, were torn and fell to the dirty ground.
At that time, the expressions of the palace maids and eunuchs who fell away by the soldiers and the officials who rushed out from the palace upon hearing the commotion entered my eyes.
But no one existed who rushed at the soldiers to save their monarch or fought.
‘Hah, everyone is relieved.’
Most of them had relieved faces.
When things reached that point, I felt a bit sorry for King Yi-hyeong.
It was a truly undignified, miserable collapse.