Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Spring in Hanyang (2)
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To be honest, the Noron Chundang faction cared little for matters of loyalty. It was Kim Unhaeng who had trained them, after all.
But Hong Daeyong had now transformed that into a choice that looked toward a far grander cause.
Hong Daeyong thoroughly attacked the traditional Joseon ideal of the noble scholar.
"How easy is it for those squashed-hat scholars huddled in grass huts to swallow their snot and compete over who can badmouth others in the shadows? If Chunsik, descendant of Lord Chungheon, declared he wouldn't step onto the filthy official path, anyone would have nodded in agreement. It would have been comfortable for him too."
Having instantly turned those who mocked Kim Chunsik as lowly into paragons of King Hyeonjong's virtue, Hong Daeyong soon elevated Yeongsu.
"But Chunsik did not do that. His point was that claims of loyalty all stem from the court, so they must be uprooted from the court. As proof, the people Chunsik gathered had no faction, no hometown, no blood ties.
Your Highness raised the banner of impartiality, but between following an order from above and acting out of self-cultivation, which weighs heavier? Our Chundang is truly the Great Party of Impartiality—a factionless, unbiased grand tangpyeong party."
If Kim Unhaeng had seen this, he would have charged out grabbing Hong Daeyong by the collar.
Kim Unhaeng's request had only been to spread the cause of rescuing the crown prince and handle a few minor favors.
Tangpyeong or whatever nonsense—Kim Unhaeng just needed to become Chief State Councillor.
Tangpyeong was the goal from the start, so why create a faction? Chundang was merely Kim Unhaeng's tool for advancement, premised on factional politics.
Yet Hong Daeyong, without even realizing it himself, had turned Chundang through this speech into something that escaped Kim Unhaeng's grasp.
A prime example was redefining tangpyeong not as 'unity of scholar-officials under the king' but as 'unity of scholar-officials separate from the king.'
Chundang was now faintly establishing the theoretical concept of being the first faction since the East-West split to 'represent all scholar-officials.'
If it had simply embraced everyone, it would have been mere hodgepodge.
Hong Daeyong's words took hold thanks to the agenda he was about to raise—and Kim Chunsik's current key project involving the crown prince.
The eternal succession of the ancestral shrine and altars. Protecting that.
It was the supreme cause no scholar, not even the king himself, could deny.
Especially when that king had once tried to sever the royal line by bringing in a cuckoo's chick, and now sought to exterminate the sole remaining descendant of the three clans' bloodline.
"I'll speak frankly. Until now, I've seen many mocking Chunsik as a thug. I couldn't defend him to their faces either."
Everyone had been the same. So Hong Daeyong only got looks like, 'Hey, even if he's your brother-in-law, you can't act like that.'
Thus, Hong Daeyong had unleashed a passionate tirade to save face with his younger sister.
"But what is the state of affairs now? Risking my death, I say the exalted one, muddled by old age, seeks to bring calamity upon the crown prince.
And the lone loyal vassal who rose up was none other than Kim Chunsik. Who else could do such a thing? Scholars who once saw dying for their faction as an honor—none stepped forward for the nation's royal line!"
A few faces flushed red—those who had vaguely suspected but deliberately avoided stepping into danger without an explicit request.
"The crown prince, emulating King Sunjo, avoids rebellion against his father and flees quietly. Kim Chunsik, scorning the hardships of Ye Yang from Qin who smeared lacquer on his face and swallowed charcoal, aids the crown prince from the shadows. With so many learned scholars here, if there's a more righteous tale from history, speak up."
Park Jiwon, who seemed to recall a few, perked up his head—only to double over with a grunt from Yu Eonho's elbow jab to his side.
With Park Jiwon silenced, Yu Eonho asked,
"Then, are you saying we should flee too and take up the way of the knight-errant, Duke Deokbo?"
"No. We're not talking rebellion. Just that we help Chunsik until the injustice is righted and all causes restored."
At the surprisingly lenient terms, Sim Hwanji jumped in.
"If not us, who gathered early knowing Chunsik's wisdom that sparrows can't see, who could achieve the great cause? I'll do anything short of treason."
By now, all Chundang scholars grasped Hong Daeyong's hidden intent.
They knew anyway. The court ignored Yi Geum, and the king seemed on the verge of fully losing his mind or dying soon.
In that case, the faction raising the 'cause of enthroning the crown prince' first would rise highest.
While other ministers eyed safety, they had to risk it. High risk, high return.
Kim Unhaeng had opened the Gangnam Great Academy to indoctrinate practical scholars into orthodoxy, but upon opening the lid, the Neo-Confucian scholars had turned practical instead.
Hong Daeyong smiled at his comrades who understood him.
"The sound of my geomungo I paused earlier will resume only when true spring comes to this Seoul. Let's meet again then."
Chundang's spring. Seoul's spring.
And Chunsik's spring.
Yi Geum hadn't really expected to pack up in just two days either.
As evident from his political style, Yi Geum—whose tight control was lacking due to circumstances—often resorted to extreme, showy maneuvers.
And the ministers understood that.
Naturally, the high court officials had many interests in Seoul. Quite a few had invested in businesses Kim Unhaeng had set up everywhere.
Most of that would shatter if the king 'ancestralized' them. With the Capital Guard, Royal Guard, and Training Command sweeping through like locusts, nothing would remain in Seoul for sure.
Thus, the ministers began acting on the king's order for suhan dogeok—self-responsible, discretionary judgment and action in emergencies.
It was warranted. No need to rush. The real danger was the delusion-plunged king.
So no one cooperated with packing.
The king, who had stressed packing quickly, couldn't complain about sloppiness now. Only Gu Seonhaeng, the Capital Guard commander who needed to grab the truly vital items, ran about frantically.
Meanwhile, other ministers began openly defying the king's orders.
"Your Excellency, I heard the royal carriage is departing—what calamity has befallen the nation?"
"Calamity? What calamity in this era of peace! Ah, hem. His Majesty has been a bit unwell lately, issuing odd decrees at times—don't take them too literally. A loyal subject must consider such things."
"I, I see. Then why are soldiers swarming everywhere...?"
"His Majesty wishes to visit the tombs outside the capital, so pay it no mind. Soldiers make noise wherever they tread, as is their way... Oh right, not that—about the funds you advanced for shipbuilding the other day, they'll come back safe, yes?"
"Of course. Barring mishaps, preparations are complete to receive loot from the Gyeongsang Liberation Squadron—er, spoils from subduing the Japanese waegu."
"Good. Handle delivering to the Park family of Noryangjin's Injeolmi Pyeongseon Hall without mistake, as planned. Just tend to your business in peace."
The court nobles' assurances of defending Seoul protected their wealth networks. It also had the side effect of preventing chaos in Hanyang.
Objectively, the upheaval wasn't that noisy for a capital flight. Partly because packing concentrated only in select areas due to the king's deadline.
Yes—the king truly hadn't packed the inner palace.
From Yi Geum's view, the current inner palace held no value. With no queen or queen dowager, he had no one legally obligated to protect.
Since it had come to this, he'd select a new queen via fresh selection, honoring his father Sukjong's (experience-based) will against choosing from concubines. What need for the rest?
No leisure to ponder yet, but ideally a queen younger than his son.
The virile king Yi Geum, treading peril, included tiger skins in his luggage. In his view as a just ruler, the sin lay with Kim Unhaeng, not the tribute tiger pelts.
As for Crown Princess Consort, it would have been nice if Yi Geum forgot her as Hong Bonghan hoped—but Yi Geum was no such lax king.
"Crown Princess Consort Chobang shall accompany to Namhansanseong."
It was a check on Hong Bonghan, reassigned to Bukhansanseong. Deeply shocked, Hong Bonghan petitioned to take her himself, citing delays to the royal procession—but Yi Geum ignored it.
"She is married out. A wife gone from home ranks below even parents' funerals for aid—why such strange words from the Training Commander?"
Countering 'Didn't you summon Princess Hwan constantly?' would be foolish. Hong Bonghan gritted his teeth and withdrew.
A few days passed, and preparations for departure were somewhat complete.
Ministers had submitted memorials and slacked off, but Yi Geum's will didn't bend.
Paradoxically, the most proactive were the Noron Chundang—seemingly most opposed to Yeongsu's nature.
They were all elites handpicked by Kim Unhaeng. Mostly low-ranking langcheong clerks, but langcheong were Joseon's backbone of practical administration.
United, they flew about, swiftly completing preparations. Dissatisfied ministers pointed fingers, saying Chundang even sold out Yeongsu—but Chundang stood firm.
It was Yeongsu's command, aiming far higher than those lost in empty factionalism.
Kim Unhaeng, true to his title as Chundang's Yeongsu, was devoted to the grand cause.
Specifically, scamming the Dutchmen.
Some of his forces—the Dutch slaves he deliberately hadn't systematically evacuated—still clustered at Wangsip-ri SIT.
That's why he used Chunsik Ranch as base. Na jol had half-heartedly searched, but with no zeal to catch Kim Chunsik sans the king, a bribe from other herders ended it.
Gathering the Dutch, Kim Unhaeng told slave rep Uyst van,
"You've seen the capital's uproar. The madness-mad king is like Emperor Nero of old. He plans to burn the city, plunder citizens, and flee—reliable info says he'll slaughter unreliable foreigners like you first."
Uyst teared up genuinely. What had they done wrong? Just knocking for business, enduring years as slaves, now facing slaughter?
But rage-born revolt? They'd suffered gaslighting like Kaoru for too long.
Uyst pleaded pitifully,
"You've warned us, so you'll save our lives? How?"
Kim Unhaeng feigned great surprise.
"Isn't it obvious? How did you gain independence from Spain? To escape slavery, fight!"
The enslaver preaching that made him worse than Spaniards, but Uyst let it slide. Pointless.
Instead, from his ashen heart, Uyst dredged up ancestors' freedom spark and revived it.
Uyst had calculations too.
Spain mention: that bastard had conquistador-level conscience.
Thus, perhaps he'd win like them.
"We'll do it."
The Capital Guard vanguard exited Dongdaemun, followed by the king's 'tomb procession' royal carriage leaving the capital. The Training Command would soon head to Bukhansanseong too.
The Royal Guard stayed in the capital to arrest Kim Unhaeng or his forces if trouble arose.
Royal Guard Commander Gu Seonbok was furious to madness.
Objectively, Kim Unhaeng was small fry. Close to the crown prince, but no treason proof.
He fled from guilt, but capturing him likely yielded no big merit. Low-rank langcheong anyway.
Meanwhile, brother Gu Seonhaeng got to serve the king directly. With the king taking Hong Inhan as panseo too, they'd become top aides.
He, stuck with small fry, felt demoted to second line.
Better no assignment—he'd have rushed to Pingyang for the crown prince. But no position for that.
"Kim Unhaeng, you worthless thug playing drinking vessel! You thwart me at every turn!"
Gu Seonbok ranted, hacking his office randomly with his sword. He itched to show his peerless martial arts to anyone.
Then urgent news hit the Royal Guard commander.
"Sir! You must see Jongno yourself. Big trouble!"
"What! That traitor Kim Unhaeng finally acts?"
If so, handle quick and follow the king. Gu Seonbok grinned, gripping his beloved sword.
But the officer's report was unexpected.
"N-no, it's... hard to say..."
Kicking the poorly reporting officer, Gu Seonbok went to Jongno himself.
And he understood the officer.
Hongmojeok were rampaging through Jongno.
Bare upper bodies scrawled with red paint in unknown tattoos—peak barbarism.
Yet that bizarre sight paled against the calamity following.
Behind the Hongmojeok, a herd of what looked like fifty cows charged madly.
Slower than horses, but incomparable mass. Earth screamed dust clouds, scattered by human screams.
Now, whether the king went to Namhansanseong or Samsugapsan—no one in the capital cared.
Standby Royal Guard rushed out haphazardly—but that was it. They did nothing.
No weapon of this era could safely stop rampaging cattle. Even if, wise Joseon troops would flee instead.
Spain's Pamplona fame, San Fermin festival, introduced to Joseon by one modern man.
The Training Command's Bokma Army, as transport unit, had many horses and cows, free to enter/exit the capital.
And those cows were originally Chunsik Delivery's. Friendship with Kim Unhaeng was longstanding.
The innocent cows gladly endorsed Kim Unhaeng's 'let's go play outside' proposal.
Humans, less so. Uyst sprayed spit, snot, tears mix, yelling,
"Why, huff, must, we, do, this!"
Disguised as Dutch like them and running same, but knowing cows wouldn't gore him, calm Kim Unhaeng replied,
"Aren't you experts at this? Wasn't the Netherlands once Spain's?"
Uyst couldn't throttle Kim Unhaeng. Stopping meant flying like Yan Feridon ahead into the herd.
Kim Unhaeng was satisfied. His Western history knowledge checked out.
This was literary exam caliber. Bonus: anthropological lore for crude barbarian tattoos via Yeoni's talisman ink.
Neither he nor the crown prince was 'attacking' the king now.
The crown prince merely fled quietly like King Sunjo, as ordered. No attack.
Thus, if later blamed for capital disturbance, claim it was Hongmojeok tradition.
Just spring warmth making Hongmojeok frolic. If Kim Unhaeng protected, slavery over death—as before.
Kim Unhaeng glanced back reassured.
'Time now...'
His prediction was spot-on.
Enormous explosions rocked Hanyang everywhere.
Royal Guard troops—some fleeing, some advancing in chaos—halted, looking around. Then screamed hoarsely,
"Headquarters!"
Training Command Bokma Army—Chunsik Delivery elites who'd transported arms to Royal/Capital Guards—knew powder magazine locations naturally.
And those armories/powder depots now erupted under Dalmun and Pyo Cheolju's command. Armies need safety codes for this reason.
I'd never considered moving Training Command or Jangyongyeong for flashy Hanyang street battles to paint the crown prince unfilial.
As always, answers lie in love and peace.
First, blow Royal/Capital Guard supplies.
Capital Guard vanguard only exited; supply train still in capital. Timing cow chaos for Royal Guard—tough, but it worked. Lucky.
The king—stake my soul—he won't return even seeing explosions.
If he were that type, no flight initially. Instead, 'The crown prince finally reveals fangs!'—boost to Namhansanseong straight.
I agree. Hope the king reaches Namhansanseong quick.
With Capital Guard half-supplies/weapons gone.
Better if Training Command went too, but didn't expect Qing fear that deep.
Anyway, good as is. Plan smooth.
Jangyongyeong, feigning grain haul to Namhansanseong per king, 'storm-delayed' returns. Training Command—never Bukhansanseong-bound—welcomes them.
Royal Guard? By then, 'suppression' not 'fight.' I hate fighting.
Remaining officials, court organs, 200k Hanyang folk assuming king gone—not much moved—fall under people's will... not my grasp.
Seoul's spring arrives.
Seeing freedom, justice, democracy fireworks burst across Hanyang, I felt supreme pride.
This is modern man. Revolution suits my taste maybe.
Why revolution for scholar? Don't know? Revolution's originally Confucian term. Paper treason, but I win.
But shelve satisfaction. I wheeled toward Inwangsan.
Perfect prep before next phase.
Time to pull that deferred top-grade rice chest plug.
Author's Note
1. Due to Jang Hui-bin's precedent, Sukjong willed no queen from concubines henceforth. Thus Yeongjo newly selected after Queen Jeongsun's death, not from palace. And if truly remarrying, 15 was unavoidable—older would've married out already...