Pardoning the First Duke of Seon-guk, Yu Bok-tong
The souls of father and son are invited back. The crime of the First Duke of Seon-guk, Yu Bok-tong, is hereby pardoned, and his title restored.
There was a minor stir since it was none other than the late Emperor himself who had decreed Yu Bok-tong's exile to Haenam. But it didn't escalate into outright opposition.
Yu Bok-tong, the First Duke of Seon-guk, had been a close friend of the late Emperor even before His Majesty rose in rebellion for the sake of the realm. He had built ties with numerous founding merits and elders, and as a duke, his achievements ranked just below those of the kings.
"Even if Yu Bok-tong's crimes run deep, he has paid for them with his life. Moreover, he protected the border folk by subduing the pirates stirring trouble in Haenam. His merits are far from insignificant."
"His daughter ventured into Haenam prepared to face severe punishment. Though she was only adopted, how could one fully sever a bond bestowed by heaven? Please show mercy to this pitiful father and daughter."
Thus, the elders who had murmured upon hearing the Left Vice Inspector General's report gradually lent their support to Yu Bok-tong's pardon.
"Your words ring true. Yu Bok-tong's crimes were grave, but his merits outweigh them. The guilt he bore vanished with his title and his passing in Haenam. It is cruel to shackle a departed soul as a criminal."
Of course, opinions were initially split between those who argued for forgiveness and those who insisted a criminal remained a criminal. Yet Yi Beon's filial devotion, braving heavy punishment, stirred the elders' sympathy. And since no one in the hall knew the full details of Yu Bok-tong's offense, an atmosphere formed: 'Isn't it time to forgive him?'
Once public sentiment leaned toward mercy on the grounds of compassion, the rest was straightforward. Even a nod of agreement from the elders yielded the desired outcome.
"The criminal Yu Bok-tong is pardoned, and his daughter Yi Beon's residence in Haenam is permitted."
"Your Majesty's mercy is as vast as the sea."
Just like now.
'They pardon him easily since they don't know the charges.' I gave a wry smile watching the elders acquiesce so readily to the pardon and restoration.
The late Emperor had decreed Yu Bok-tong's exile abruptly. Even the high ministers who served him learned of the commotion only after Yu Bok-tong had left the capital, knowing nothing beyond the vague charge of delusional rebellion.
What on earth had Yu Bok-tong done to warrant delusional rebellion? What compelled the late Emperor to exile his close friend and founding merit?
None of it was revealed.
'It's inconvenient if others find out.'
After the elders withdrew, I leaned back against the dragon throne and let out a chuckle.
I alone knew the full truth. I alone must know it, and it must never leak to anyone.
'Who could I tell that it was to discipline the founding merits?'
Yu Bok-tong's exile—stripped even of his title—was a warning. No matter how exceptional a founding merit, impudence toward the Emperor would earn no mercy.
In a way, it echoed an anecdote from Emperor Gaozu of Han. After unifying the realm, he granted titles befitting merits even to his most despised vassal. The other ministers, seeing this, had no doubt their own rewards would follow. With a single act, he secured the loyalty of all.
The late Emperor's treatment of Yu Bok-tong was much the same. Punishing one instilled vigilance in all. For the greater good—for imperial authority—he cast out even a close ally and brilliant merit, no matter how dear.
By sacrificing one, he demonstrated unyielding resolve to the entire realm.
'...Uncle Yu bore a heavy sacrifice.'
Yu Bok-tong. First Duke of Seon-guk. Founding merit of Great Song.
But to me, the title "uncle" felt more natural. The man who had cherished me like his own child since I was young.
That's why this pardon brought me greater joy than anything.
Publicly, it restored honor to a merit who had endured disgrace for the late Emperor. Privately, it repaid the uncle who doted on me.
A bit—no, very late in coming, but still.
'Without the Left Vice Inspector General, it would have been even later.'
The thought drew a faint sigh from me.
No matter the scheme between the late Emperor and Uncle Yu, to the world, he remained the criminal who had committed delusional rebellion against the late Emperor who rebuilt Great Song.
Even as Emperor myself, forgiving such a criminal without cause would be difficult.
That's why the Left Vice Inspector General's report had filled me with such delight. By emphasizing Yi Beon's filial piety, we could solidify the tenuous justification for pardon.
"Crown Prince."
"Yes, Father Emperor."
"I go now at heaven's call, but with you here, I depart in peace. I trust without doubt that you will accomplish what I could not."
"Your Majesty has banished all the realm's worries and restored smiles to the people. How could there be anything left undone?"
"Bok-tong. I should have called that fellow back, but I couldn't manage it in time."
Suddenly, the late Emperor's final words to me resurfaced.
"You must suspect as much, Crown Prince, but Bok-tong committed no crime. The only offense that rascal could commit against me is abandoning his title and vanishing without permission."
"Yes. Uncle Yu is that sort of man."
"Yet for the sake of the realm, for imperial authority, he branded himself a criminal. One shouldn't do that as a man, but what could I do? I was no longer a man—I was the Emperor."
The late Emperor, his face bitter with regret for Uncle Yu. He revealed the full truth of the exile incident.
"Crown Prince. One day—no matter when, even after Bok-tong dies—can you pardon that fellow's crime?"
And he implored me to resolve this lingering regret.
"I will, without fail."
"Hearing you say that eases my heart."
When I answered without hesitation, the brilliant smile he gave...
From that moment, my heart had grown heavy. I realized viscerally that the throne demanded forsaking one's humanity, that no emotion could supersede the greater good.
Even the late Emperor, whom I could never hope to equal, had suppressed his feelings for duty and role. He cast out a friend and carried that regret lifelong.
If even he endured such, how much harsher my path?
"But, Your Majesty."
"What is it?"
"I beg your pardon, but may I ask why you charged Uncle Yu specifically with delusional rebellion?"
And in a way, it gladdened me too.
"...That bastard mocked my hair."
"Pardon?"
"He dared claim my head shone like the sun! As if I'd received the sun as reward for lighting incense on Mount Tai!"
I realized the loftily heavenly late Emperor laughed and wept over petty matters like any man.
Despite his age and achievements, he was just a ordinary fellow quarreling with a friend.
"What? Even the hero who seized the realm can't help his hair? That damned bastard—thinking back, it pisses me o—"
He collapsed in such fury it was hard to believe he was dying. Honestly, that scene alone suggested he'd shake off his illness and race to Haenam to grab Uncle Yu by the collar.
Regrettably, it was a final burst of lucidity. Yet his will lives on, fused into my mind and heart.
Forsake humanity if you must, but not everything. Prioritize the Emperor's role, but scorn nothing else.
'Hair, huh.'
I fiddled unwittingly with the hair the late Emperor had bequeathed me.
In my memory, he had thick, black locks. But after driving out the Mongols and unifying the realm, endless duties and upheavals took their toll.
'And he reached Hwagyeong before founding, missing the chance for hwan-gol-tal-tae bone refinement.'
What's the use of a perfect body? If overwork ruins it.
'Ah.'
As I toyed with my hair in thought, a few strands slipped out.
'The sun...'
It felt poignant. It seemed I was treading my late father's path too.
What could I do? Such is the fate of one bearing the realm and its people.
The Emperor's glory is too radiant for mere hair loss to sadden me.
"That bastard Bok-tong. Before he left, I should've yanked out all his hair and made a wig."
"Pfft..."
"Crown Prince, why do you laugh? You find my hair amusing too?!"
Seeing my fallen strands kept bringing back the late Emperor's words, which was troublesome.
Even raging wildly, his complexion had oddly—no, strangely brightened.
Thanks to that, I alone chuckled softly.
The unifier of the realm, excited over mere hair—it was truly a rare sight.
Right before ascending to heaven, he showed his human side over imperial.
'Someday, the realm must know.'
I brushed off the few hairs from my hand and stroked my chin in contemplation.
For now, revealing the truth was inconvenient, so I kept silent. But in a century or two, no need to hide.
Besides, for Uncle Yu's true honor, it wasn't enough to merely pardon him—we must declare his innocence from the start.
Of course, that would expose the late Emperor's heartfelt fury and Uncle Yu's eccentric temperament, but 'It'll be fine.'
That much exposure should be tolerable.
Official histories and biographies aren't for just anyone anyway.
Publicly affirm Uncle Yu's innocence, quietly record the hair kerfuffle—that suffices.
On the boat heading to Guangxi.
- Kki-ing...
- Kki-ong...
Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i wailed mournfully, groaning.
"Are you alright? Can you hold on?"
Ak I-yeon stroked their backs with a face full of worry.
- Kki-ing, kki-i-ing...
- Kki-o-o-ong...
The two spirit beasts flailed about, licking Ak I-yeon's cheeks amid her concerned pats. The sight was so wretched I couldn't bear to look.
'Sorry.'
The reason sturdy Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i suddenly suffered seasickness?
I had a rough guess, and my conscience churned triangularly in guilt.
It was probably because of Yu Bok-tong's secret will. They'd eaten paper buried underground for years, and it seemed to have upset their stomachs.
'Sorry...'
But there was no choice. I couldn't reveal that insane content to the world.
Thanks to your sacrifice, Yu Bok-tong's baldness joke stays secret forever. Please forgive this unworthy master...