Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Because the Hero Himmel Would Have Done It That Way
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After the judgment on Heo Gyun concluded, King Seonjo and the ministers headed back to the throne room to handle the remaining business. Naturally, the moods of the Easterners and Westerners were worlds apart.
"But the firewood and grain might have just been for their own use."
"Lord Heo Yeop is a man of a thousand seok. Do you really not get what it means for a household that has to sell its own rice to buy grain?"
"That's true, but... that kid's just a child. What does he even know? It still feels off."
"Tch, watch your mouth. Suspicious or not, our position is precarious right now. His Majesty has made his decision. If you spout off carelessly, you'll face severe consequences."
"..."
A few shrewd Westerners had gotten close to the truth of the matter, but the situation was too unfavorable to open that particular Pandora's box.
In politics—and factions—one blow meant bracing for two more.
They'd thoroughly botched their memorial, so now all that was left was to get pummeled.
"Aigoo, my lord! You've raised one hell of a son. Kahaha."
"To think a child that young would look out for the people like that. A saint has emerged from the Heo clan."
"Your two eldest sons have grown well, your daughter has such talent with letters, and now the youngest steals the show. What's your secret?"
"Heh heh, what have I done? I'm just grateful they grew up so well on their own."
Meanwhile, this side was downright jovial.
The legal chance to thrash those annoying Westerners was fast approaching.
Pondering how to land punches that would ring out most satisfyingly, the Easterners each clenched their fists to their liking.
'The more I think about it, the more impressive it gets.'
And King Seonjo, seated on the throne watching the two factions, marveled once more.
Good at writing?
That could happen. The Heo clan's literary prowess was renowned enough to be called the Four Great Phrases of Heo; their bloodline wasn't going anywhere. Calling it five now would settle it.
Procuring firewood and relief grain?
That too was possible. While some exploited high interest to swell their slave ranks, there had always been those who pitied the people and upheld the scholar's way. Admirable, but not astonishing.
But that child's knack for judgment and political sense? No matter how he turned it over, it was off the charts.
He'd split a perfectly good book in two. Why?
Needed more time to write? No. He'd brought it immediately at royal command, so it was already complete.
To earn money with those First Reader Tokens? He'd donated the proceeds to the people.
Eliminating reasons one by one led to a single conclusion.
'He was waiting.'
Until the fish bit the bait.
Until the Westerners took the hook.
Those worms wouldn't have filed that memorial out of pure righteousness; they'd surely gotten something in return. If the Easterners sank their teeth in determinedly, they could boot a few unlucky ones from office.
And that child had gone one step further.
'He spoke of unity. Meaning he'll let it slide.'
What the latter half of Culinary Duel: Jang Geum aimed to convey was, no matter what anyone said, forgiveness and harmony.
No way he'd written something like that by chance. The way he'd answered tough questions without missing a beat showed he'd envisioned this scenario from the start.
Truly terrifying insight.
'But why let them off?'
That part eluded him.
A warning to tread carefully henceforth? An overture to get along later?
He couldn't read the mind of a mere five-year-old.
Chills ran down his spine.
'In any case, this changes things.'
With that, King Seonjo gazed at Heo Yeop, who was beaming ear to ear in delight.
A decent man from a good family, but nothing more.
After Retreat Stream Yi Hwang's passing, the Easterners lacked heft, so they'd pulled him in as a stopgap. Once the generational shift stabilized, he'd have been shuffled to the boonies.
But now the calculus had shifted.
He had to keep him in the capital somehow until that child grew up and entered the palace.
Heaven forbid things went awry, Heo Yeop retired to the countryside, and the clan wobbled—he might refuse promotion to protect his family.
The wise always toiled until their bones melted and their ashes burned away for the realm's peace.
King Seonjo spoke.
"Historians, take note. Once today's regular audience ends, register this book at the Bureau of Books and have copies made for all here in the throne room to read."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Pfftchoo!!"
"Young master, are you cold? Shall I take you inside?"
"No, I'm fine. Just a sudden chill."
Lately, my body's been a bit weak. Happens sometimes.
After the commotion died down, I was wandering Gyeongbok Palace with the eunuch King Seonjo assigned me, waiting for Father's duties to wrap up.
"That's the famous Fragrant Far Pavilion. Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yeah... uh... pretty."
Honestly, no real thoughts.
I'd been here in my past life once, and aside from the bridge material at Takhyanggyo changing, I couldn't spot the differences. Felt like touring cultural relics.
"Since we're here, why not rest a bit?"
"Of course, young master."
Man, my butt and legs ache.
Up at dawn for palace entry, causing a ruckus in the Royal Kitchen, then pacing while waiting for Father—too much for a five-year-old. I kicked off my shoes quick and climbed the Fragrant Far Pavilion to catch the breeze when a voice called from afar.
"You there! Who are you!!"
"?"
Lispy kid voice.
Sounded younger than me just from the tone.
Turning toward the sound, a bunch of grown men and a tiny bean-sized kid were pointing and charging at me.
What the heck.
"You there, who asked who you are!"
"Uh... I'm Heo Gyun."
Judging by his robes, no ordinary bean.
Definitely royalty. Probably around that age.
My guess wasn't off; the bean spoke up.
"I am Yi Jin, prince who will one day lead this kingdom!"
Yi Jin... who was that again?
Racking my brains through Joseon through Heo Gyun's Eyes, the answer clicked.
The messiah of crime, holding titles in assault, robbery, theft, rape, murder, and treason—a six-time champion.
Prince Imhae, infamous with Prince Jeongwon and Prince Sunhwa as Joseon's trio of utter disappointments.
Prince Imhae Yi Jin.
"Yes, hello."
No good getting tangled with him. Quick greeting and bolt.
But he's still young. Minus the fierce eyes, kinda cute.
"You worm! Will you bow or not?!"
Cute? Scratch that. Little brat from the start.
"Your Highness, this is the third son of Lord Heo Yeop, grandson of Grand Prince Imyeong through the Han clan."
"...Really?"
While I debated kneeling or not for a prince, a man nearby whispered in Prince Imhae's ear.
Yup. Great-aunt's royalty, so technically I'm like eighth cousin by marriage or something. Our family's impressive.
Prince Imhae seemed to know too; his expression softened as he addressed me.
"H-Hello. Didn't recognize you."
"Yes, Your Highness. I'm fine."
"But what are you doing here? This is my spot!"
"Just taking a quick breather. I had business in court today, on my way back from the throne room."
"Th-Throne room? Then... you saw our father... too?"
"His Majesty? Yes, just came from seeing him."
"Tch, Father's always busy, so I hardly see him."
Aigoo, King Seonjo.
Aside from spotting talent, what do you even do well?
Then again, not just Imhae—Jeongwon, Sunhwa, and late-life Gwanghae make 3.5 royal screw-ups per generation. Hard to blame the kids' personalities outright. Blame the parenting first.
I tossed a little encouragement to the visibly downcast Prince Imhae.
"Heh heh, then go see your mother. She must miss you, Your Highness."
"My mother's... often ill. She's in bed sick today too."
"Oh."
Sudden drop-in like that?
Let's see. Prince Imhae's mother is Lady Gongbin Kim...
Died at 24... so about 1-2 years left?
Yikes.
"That's why I was studying with my tutor today, but it was no fun, so I ran here. Always tough stuff; never teaches what I like!"
"Mm... I see."
Makes sense.
Father with zero interest in kids, mother gone early, Confucian tutor who'd buried his nose in books lifelong.
Separate from his innate fiery temperament, impossible environment for proper upbringing.
Prince Imhae clearly hated studying, so this setup must suck for him.
"Want to catch the breeze with me? Or since it's chilly, climb up to the pavilion for a warm cup of pear honey punch?"
No helping it.
Hate getting more involved, but gotta own my book's fallout.
Prince Imhae, slumped from the mother talk, finally nodded.
"Sure! I'll have it prepared—climb up! Eunuch! Get the pear honey punch!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Up in the pavilion enjoying the breeze with him, the eunuch soon dashed back with the warm drink.
"Thank you, sir eunuch."
"Heh heh, no trouble, young master."
"..."
Prince Imhae stared blankly as I took the cup. What?
"Is something wrong, Your Highness?"
"It's just... you're as highborn as me, but why use honorifics with the eunuch?"
"Ah."
How to explain?
Filial piety and elder respect? He'd never get it, and it'd spark endless debate.
Bad response traits:
Takes too long.
Strokes intellectual ego.
Boring and pedantic.
Guaranteed argument.
No simple angle for a three-year-old.
Then a decent idea hit.
"It's because..."
Good response traits:
Over quick.
Sticks in memory.
Factual.
No debate needed.
I poured him a cup and said,
"Because the hero Himmel would have done it that way."
"Hero Him-mael?"
Yeah. Fate brought us together; sharing one life role model couldn't hurt.
Him-mael? Cute.
"Yes, a hero is a brave scholar. Long ago, there lived a scholar of noble character and great valor, whom people called the White Falcon—Hero Himmel."
"Ooh... White Falcon."
Trashy tale or not, I won top prize at the Seonjo Cup poetry contest today. Spinning a kid's fairy tale? Piece of cake blindfolded.
"Hero Himmel always studied the benevolence Confucius taught. Does Your Highness know Confucius?"
"Tch... Tutor yaps about him nonstop, but I don't get any. Too hard!"
"True, it's not easy as said. Anyway, Himmel kept at that tough study his whole life to follow Confucius's teachings. Then one day! A massive tiger descended on Himmel's village."
"Gasp! Tiger!!"
Tiger-phobic like the rest, huh.
Makes it easy.
"Yes. The fearsome tiger came drooling, hunting people. But then!! Himmel stepped forth alone against it."
"H-Huh... but how can a person..."
"Ordinary folk can't face a tiger. But Himmel had awakened to Confucius's benevolence. Following that awakening, he cried out to the tiger."
"Benevolent Art: Flame Ball"