Chapter 176
Chapter 176
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 176
Chapter Title: Three Years Later, in the Southern Sea (1)
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Three years had passed since Yi Geum ascended to the throne as Joseon's fifth Sangwang in Namhansanseong and received the utmost treatment befitting his status.
King Yi Hwon's reign had entered a period of stability. This was evident even from the lineup of high officials.
Park Mun-su still held the position of Chief State Councillor, and Jeong Hwi-ryang had been promoted to Left State Councillor as he wished.
Hong Gye-hui, who had managed Namhansanseong well as Gwangju Governor, became Right State Councillor, and Hong Bong-han rose to Minister of Personnel.
Hong Bong-han, who had faced some criticism due to his younger brother Hong In-han, was neatly summarized by Yi Hwon in a single remark.
"In the past, when King Taejong punished the Min clan's extended family with execution, Yoon Mok and others were duly punished alongside them, but his brother Yoon Gon was spared guilt by association because he was a meritorious subject. How much more so for a former Training Commandant who personally led the Training Command and suppressed the rebels? The Censorate will speak no more of this."
With that, he even enfeoffed Hong Bong-han as Prince Won-gun of Yeongpung Mansion. This measure, enacted simultaneously with Hong In-han's execution, was the most emphatic pardon for Hong Bong-han.
It was quite an arbitrary decision, but things proceeded unexpectedly smoothly.
The Censorate, who made it their life's purpose to anger the king with cries of "I've enraged the monarch! I can control the king's emotions!", surprisingly obeyed the royal command without a peep.
Of course, Hong Bong-han knew exactly whose "reward" this was.
Until now, the places where unexpected situations arose beyond Kim Unhaeng's grasp were mostly the military or practical departments. Kim Unhaeng simply had little interest in such "horses," leading to weaker control there.
But precisely because it was Kim Unhaeng, he never let go of the traditional "script" holders: the Censorate and the Office of Diplomatic Correspondence.
Joseon was a moralist state, not a militarist or capitalist one, so it was only natural that the Three Offices and the Office of Diplomatic Correspondence held more importance than the military or treasury departments.
The Censorate was dominated by the Haeng clan, merely rotating positions. The Office of Diplomatic Correspondence was headed by Kim Unhaeng himself, who had surpassed Hwang Hui to serve as Senior Counselor for over four years, with Chundang members also prominently placed.
This would continue without upheavals ahead.
Chundang members were still young and short on experience to reach Censorate high posts, but it was entirely possible later. Chundang had been selected with such people in mind from the start.
In other words, Kim Unhaeng had nearly seized both key pillars: the mid-generation represented by renowned scholars like Baekchun Kim Won-haeng and the Haeng clan, and the next generation led by the Chundang elite group.
He hadn't reached the old guard yet, but most were either compromised by him or sympathizers.
This was also why Park Mun-su couldn't step down from Chief State Councillor despite everything.
Joseon's past, present, and future lay in Kim Unhaeng's hands.
At this time in Joseon, there were scholars with a rather wuxia-novel-like moniker: the Six True and Eight Worthies.
They were 14 descendants of King Jeongjong, like former Jeolla Left Military Commander Yi Ju-guk, who had made their mark in literary arts.
Later called the "Ganghwa School," they were Yangming scholars—heretics in Neo-Confucian Joseon—and members of the Soron faction, excluded from central politics after the Naju Oracle Incident.
Moreover, the Naju Oracle Incident had now escalated into the Heungcham-dang Rebellion, forcing the Ganghwa School to keep even quieter.
Thus, the fact that Yi Gwang-ryeo—one of the Six True and Eight Worthies, renowned for his contemporary prose—visited Kim Unhaeng's home was proof of his significant resolve.
Kim Unhaeng despised Noron, the Soron's arch-rivals, especially the Ganghwa School's focus on national and practical learning. Getting caught could easily label him a remnant of the Heungcham-dang.
But Yi Gwang-ryeo had something he absolutely had to accomplish.
However, upon entering Jangdong Kim Unhaeng's residence, the first person Yi Gwang-ryeo met was utterly unexpected.
A boy who looked about ten years old stood tall and asked,
"Where do you hail from, sir?"
Yi Gwang-ryeo hurriedly glanced around, but the servants seemed all busy with errands at the Hulsuk-cheong.
He couldn't ignore or scold the child before him. At a glance, it was clearly Kim Unhaeng's son or nephew. With business needing Kim Unhaeng, Yi Gwang-ryeo had to tread carefully.
"Ahem. I am of the Yi clan from Ganghwa. You seem to be the son of the house— is the master at home?"
"I am Kim I-hwan, the eldest son of this house. My grandfather (Kim Yong-gyeom) has gone sightseeing with his poetry-painting friends (meaning genuine masterpieces), my uncle is at the apothecary, and my father has gone to court and not yet returned."
He couldn't demand someone else then. This Kim I-hwan was currently the highest-ranking person available to greet guests.
"I... I see. Then I'll leave my calling card in the se-ham (age placard for notifying visitors at high officials' gates) and go..."
"Our house does not mistreat guests. Please come in and wait until Father returns."
Impeccable etiquette, but Yi Gwang-ryeo couldn't. The Hulsuk-cheong inside surely crawled with Noron spies eyeing his weaknesses.
When Yi Gwang-ryeo declined, Kim I-hwan tilted his head and asked,
"Do you perhaps have a message for Father?"
Having scraped his way to Seoul but now worrying about a bed for the night, Yi Gwang-ryeo replied in a slightly deflated voice.
"It's nothing much. I came to obtain some of those potatoes and sweet potatoes."
Potatoes and sweet potatoes, first settled in Jeju, had taken root over the past three years through the real scholars' tireless efforts.
Park Ji-won had successfully transplanted potatoes to Pyeongan Province, thanks to his eighth cousin Park Myeong-won, an emerging talent succeeding Nak-chang-gun as a Yeonhaengsa envoy. Sweet potatoes had already spread widely in Yangnam beforehand.
But the central regions saw little progress.
Kim Unhaeng hadn't zealously blocked potatoes and sweet potatoes. Even in history, it took half a century.
It was simply an era of scant inter-regional travel, with few harboring "modern" notions of national development through crop dissemination.
Yet Yi Gwang-ryeo was one such "modern" thinker. Around this time, Communications Envoy Jo Eom would import sweet potatoes from Japan at Yi Gwang-ryeo's earnest request.
Having heard Kim Unhaeng's house had sweet potatoes and potatoes, he had come unannounced.
Kim I-hwan eyed Yi Gwang-ryeo with the frank gaze allowed only to children.
Yi Gwang-ryeo caught the unspoken question in that look and, forgetting he faced an eleven-year-old, earnestly explained.
"As you see, I'm a poor scholar. But I'm somewhat known for my prose. Don't you have a fan or such? I'll write a verse on it and leave it. Tell your father to take a look when he returns."
A renowned calligrapher's elegant prose could turn an ordinary fan into a luxury. It sold especially well in Japan, but decently in Joseon too.
Kim I-hwan knew well how his grandfather Kim Yong-gyeom, indulging his hobby, handled nearly all of Jangdong's genuine masterpieces in place of his busy son. Kim I-hwan scurried off and brought several fans.
Then he whispered secretly to the writing Yi Gwang-ryeo.
"Father doesn't care much for poetry. I'll just give them to you quietly—take them and go."
It made sense. Yi Gwang-ryeo nodded readily. When I-hwan truly brought out sweet potatoes and potatoes, Yi Gwang-ryeo even smiled brightly.
"Young master, you have truly made a great contribution to saving the people this time."
"You flatter me."
It really was flattery.
As Yi Gwang-ryeo left, Kim I-hwan carefully dried the fans to prevent damage.
Just then, his two-year-younger sister Suk-yeong poked her head through the door.
"What mischief are you up to now, big brother?"
I-hwan flailed in panic, nearly ruining a fan.
"Weren't you supposed to be with Yi-chan?"
"The baby was crying, so Un-nyeon took her. I'm bored."
Suk-yeong then said innocently,
"I saw you sneak out potatoes and sweet potatoes for that guest earlier. I'll tell Father everything when he comes."
"Hey now. As the eldest son, what's that to me? Try tattling to Father. You'll get it worse later."
"Then I'll go tell Mother right now."
"...He's off eating something tasty now, but I'll bring some back for you."
"To Kaoru-ne's place?"
"Yeah."
"Hehe. Bring some for sure. I like the sweet potato candies."
Grumbling at the unexpected loss, Kim I-hwan grabbed the fans and stood.
Originally, Kaoru's Japanese confectionery shop operated on custom orders for royalty and nobility, needing no street stall.
But lately, Kaoru had expanded to commoners.
Sugar supply had surged in three years, but potatoes were the real driver.
Aside from tricky storage, potatoes could replace rice in most roles, including as raw material for joseng (malt syrup).
Sweet potatoes worked too, but being naturally sweet, potatoes were preferred. Joseon people quickly realized small, low-value potatoes could fetch high prices as syrup.
The first production village was naturally Jeju, where potatoes first spread. Even with abundant sugar imports, commoners couldn't afford it, so syrup filled the gap.
Kaoru coated sweet potatoes in syrup for a candied treat (Kim Unhaeng's house stocked many because he was the raw material wholesaler). Lower costs than sugar candies made it vastly more profitable.
Not just anyone could do it.
Namdaemun market, where Kaoru settled, was dominated by traditional monopoly merchants. A good idea alone meant your body floating in Cheonggyecheon the next day.
Yet Kaoru faced little trouble.
"You bastard, looks like some house's illegitimate slave—who let you trade here?"
"Kim Chunsik."
"Apologies for not recognizing you."
Thus, Kaoru had no choice but to serve Kim Unhaeng's son with utmost respect.
"Isn't this Young Master? Where are Jangbok and Eoji—did you come alone?"
"They're escorting Father. Any good treats today?"
Kaoru stifled a laugh at the stern, hands-behind-back I-hwan.
"Of course. Fresh imagawayaki tray cakes here, and plenty of syrup-glazed sweet potatoes at a bargain."
"Thanks. Then the payment..."
As Kim I-hwan rummaged for fans, Kaoru looked baffled.
"Pardon? Didn't you hear? Payment's already covered by the Crown Palace. These are all for Senior Counselor Kim's residence, by order of the Crown Prince (Yi Jeong)."
"Why from the Crown Prince?"
"How could I presume to know the minds of the exalted? I just follow orders."
Though he said so, Kaoru, frequenting the palace, guessed the intent.
By Japanese standards, a high official like Kim Chunsik without royal blood ties would be odd otherwise.
Kaoru's treats, essential palace desserts, ordered by the Crown Prince—not king or queen—spoke volumes.
It meant not to seek other matches for soon-marriageable Suk-yeong.
Unlikely the Crown Prince, similar age to I-hwan, planned it; probably King Yi Hwon or Queen Hong's directive. Quite bold for Joseon times.
But clever I-hwan was still too young to deduce it instantly.
Instead, he pondered destroying evidence of embezzlement from the leftovers.
"Come to think of it, I recall hearing something like that. Father entrusted me these fans for that purpose. If you get a chance at court, deliver them to the Crown Prince."
"Certainly."
Not "if"—Kaoru planned to close shop and rush them now.
Kaoru smiled.
By Japanese years, he'd be retired peddling scraps, but now no worries of fading from the center.
That night, as Kim Unhaeng eyed suspiciously the children skipping dinner most oddly, King Yi Hwon visited the queen's quarters.
Yi Hwon and Queen Hong gazed fondly at the "fan from Kim Unhaeng."
"Sending such elegant prose—he surely understands our intent."
With Queen Hong formally enfeoffed, Yi Hwon favored her more than before.
No more horrific beatings like history's go-board assault seemed likely. Her response was thus relaxed.
"Indeed. Though ignorant, I can sense the refinement in this poem and calligraphy."
Neither mentioned, "Did Kim Chunsik know poetry?"
"But wouldn't Kim Chunsik's eldest be of marriageable age sooner?"
"True, but double in-law ties are somewhat avoided. Above all, royal sons-in-law can't hold office. Kim Chunsik's heir must inherit his father's genius to serve the nation greatly—we can't waste him."
Not just I-hwan's generation. To elevate Kim Unhaeng further now, this match was needed.
Kim Unhaeng's rise had been too swift.
Many prodigies appeared young, but usually resigned mid-career due to parental bereavement, bold memorials leading to exile, or other quits.
Kim Unhaeng fit none. Thus, his steady promotions looked meteoric.
Above now lay Second Rank officials—the pinnacle of "premiership."
Like upper and lower rank divide, a vast chasm existed here.
At his age, merit alone wouldn't suffice upward.
Fortunately, in Joseon, bloodline was official criterion.
Royal kin lingering low was a face-loss issue. Ministers had petitioned Hong Bong-han's promotion first.
Yi Hwon spoke lowly.
"This nation has changed too vastly lately. Many matters can't be handled by ancestral precedents. Without a quick-witted leader at this time, we'd miss the moment. Kim Chunsik is now indispensable not just to me, but to the realm."
"As he saved the Crown Prince before, Kim Chunsik will surely assist Your Highness in governing the realm's myriad lives."
Some might decry two-generation royal consort politics lumping Hong Bong-han and Kim Unhaeng.
But to them, it was warm family affection. If favoring kin was crime, ban father-to-son throne passes first.
Yi Hwon had no intent to halt so-called "royal consort politics" anytime soon.
Venus's solar transit was a monumental event for European astronomers, an exciting scholarly opportunity.
In Joseon, daytime Taobaekseong (Venus) was ill omen—yang qi waning.
Of course, no one in Joseon knew of the transit.
Yet as heaven's entrusted shepherd of the people, the king might sense a warning instinctively.
Han Jung-ryang, last Three Provinces Naval Commander and first Southern Sea Marine Commander, encountered that omen more concretely.
A merchant, recently returned from Hangzhou—sole foreign sea trade port outside Gwangju by imperial grace—brought dire news.
"A Western ship never seen in Gwangju docked, from England."
English ships in Gwangju were routine. But the follow-up chilled.
"Chinese say they're bizarrely seeking a lost Joseon ship and crew."
Han Jung-ryang recalled Kim Unhaeng foaming at the mouth over that name.
"Those world's strongest sea pirates, the English? He warned they'd peddle wicked wares—and here they are. As expected of Chunsik."
"Shall I report to the Senior Counselor at once?"
"Ah, you worked under Chunsik, right?"
Chae I-seong, who once smashed enemy ships in Hamgyeong as a rebel and long commanded Chunsik's fleet for it, nodded.
"Indeed. I'm sending a report anyway—add this for Chunsik. Better than rushing to Border Defense Council."
"Understood."
For speed, Han lent Jeju's Ninth Dutch Warship. Chae, unloading faster, was pleased too.
Han figured Kim Unhaeng would handle it calmly—he'd foreseen it all.
In a sense, true.
Receiving the report before the king, Kim Unhaeng calmly gritted teeth and clenched fists.
It was because he wondered if that's what the status window's chatter meant then.
1. During Wei, Jin, Southern-Northern Dynasties, there were "Five Excellencies and Eight Eminent" or "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove," etc. Character-building like Five Villains, Seven Creations, 72 Sages, Ten Iron—widespread in East Asia—likely originated in literary circles and later borrowed into wuxia novels.
2. As mentioned before, Joseon people actively imported "needed" foreign goods. Sweet potatoes exemplify. Yi Gwang-ryeo learned of them pre-arrival and begged Communications Envoy Jo Eom.
Potatoes entered via various routes, with zealous propagators each time: via China, Hamgyeong Musan's magistrate Yi Hyeong-jae; via Britain (Lord Amherst), scholar Kim Chang-han's father, etc.
3. Yi Gwang-ryeo was famed as "Park Ji-won in prose, Yi Gwang-ryeo in poetry." "Ganghwa School" is a 20th-century term, nonexistent then.
4. Venus crossing daytime sky as "gyeongcheon" differs slightly from transit. Joseon lacked transit observation means, so Yeongjo Annals have no 1761 Venus mention. But they meticulously noted sun-trailing as "janggyeongseong," preceding as "gyemyungseong," etc.