Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: Land of Brothers (2)
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The invitation that arrived for Kim Unhaeng in the name of Grand Prince Yeongdu Yi San was to attend an archery viewing—or more precisely, an archery event.
In terms of what archery meant in the late Joseon era, it was like the company's second son inviting the department head out for karaoke. The only quirky part was that the department head moonlighted as an idol singer.
In truth, Kim Unhaeng had rarely met Grand Prince Yeongdu since rescuing him from Namhansanseong Fortress.
It was because Grand Prince Yeongdu held no nomination rights for Chief State Councillor—and never would. Whether it was the Royal Library, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, or the Seoeol faction's grudges, he held no value whatsoever to Kim Unhaeng.
But to Grand Prince Yeongdu, Kim Unhaeng might hold some value.
Of course, just as with the king, the one deciding what should be granted to Grand Prince Yeongdu now wasn't Yi San himself—a thirteen-year-old with no position.
In Lady Hye-gyeong Hong's Records of Hanjung, the following is written about Princess Hwawan Uiwan:
"His temperament was exceptionally prone to crushing others, envy, jealousy, and a love for power, leading to all sorts of troubles."
Of course, this evaluation of her daughter-in-law by her mother-in-law isn't exactly high in reliability—not even comparable to the Annals of King Gojong.
Yet, much like the annals, there was still information to glean from it.
Princess Hwawan could not tolerate a power holder showing interest in anyone or anything besides herself.
It wasn't just an obsession with Jeongjo as commonly known. She even hated her father King Yeongjo's favoritism toward concubines. It was more accurate to say she was obsessed with those in power.
Thus, it made sense that she had consistently avoided her brother, Crown Prince Sado.
He offered no political power to speak of, and when dealing with a yandere wielding a kitchen knife, you had to pick your targets carefully. Someone like the dark Crown Prince Sado, swinging a longsword like a human butcher, was a whole different genre.
However, the sole reason Princess Hwawan could throw tantrums her entire life was King Yeongjo's favoritism.
But now, her father was confined to Namhansanseong Fortress, and she shared no particular bond with the current king (as siblings often don't). Hong, who once had to fawn over Princess Hwawan even while King Yeongjo was healthy, had now ascended to queen, a status where she could scarcely dream of competition.
For an ordinary person—let alone a princess who wasn't originally involved in politics—being respectfully left alone should have been a blessing worth gratitude, content to live quietly.
But to her, who always pursued only the highest, this was an unbearable insult. Princess Hwawan was truly frantic with anxiety and rage, as if on the verge of death.
In the operation to rescue Crown Princess Hong and Yi Jeong and Yi San from Namhansanseong Fortress, Princess Hwaban's contributions were second to none—save for Kim Unhaeng.
Yet in the distribution of merits, she had indeed come in second after him. So she felt wronged.
"All the credit went to Kim Chunsik. He's looking down on me so much he wouldn't even give me a single slave (Kaoru)!"
Even having to swallow such words inwardly only fueled her greater resentment.
This was the woman who, even when King Yeongjo was hale, went around proclaiming, "Who else would my father favor but me?"
Now, reduced to not even voicing complaints publicly against a mere official—her stress was imaginable. At this rate, she probably wouldn't last long anyway.
That said, it wasn't as if Princess Hwawan was suffering outright neglect.
Shortly after the chaos at the House for Supporting the Aged, Yi Hwon had arranged for the family line of Fumma Jeong Jedal to continue in his father's stead—a great favor, one that even Prime Minister Jeong Hwi-ryang had separately thanked him for at the palace.
The name of the adopted son who entered thus was Jeong Hu-gyeom.
He was one worthy of being called one of late Joseon's greatest ambitious men. Rumors even swirled that this non-Lee clan of Jeonju would become the next king.
His origin as a fishmonger's son didn't hinder him. Being the princess's son—a meteoric rise—didn't satisfy him either.
Not even his young age of sixteen was an obstacle. In a life of 27 short years burned solely for power, he had already lived more than half.
Jeong Hu-gyeom said to his mother:
"His Majesty's favoritism toward Kim Chunsik is like a man infatuated with a concubine. Rash remonstrations would only incur his wrath. For our house's glory, you must first grow close to Grand Prince Yeongdu."
Princess Hwawan, who had obsessed over her nephew Jeongjo to the point of seeming like a Silla or Goryeo royal, had no interest in the powerless Grand Prince Yeongdu. Her reaction was unenthusiastic.
"That might suffice for securing your one post, but how could we rival Kim Chunsik, bound by royal marriage to the crown prince (Yi Jeong)?"
"A royal marriage isn't always a boon. Take Lord Gwang-san (Kim Han-ro, father-in-law of Grand Prince Yangnyeong; implicated and punished during his deposition as crown prince). I've heard Kim Chunsik is cunning and sharp on interests. He might well understand."
Setting aside the danger of hinting at replacing the crown prince, it was a hopelessly vain hope. The crown prince wasn't some dead-end thug like Grand Prince Yangnyeong at his nadir.
But Princess Hwawan seemed to latch onto something. It was a rapport stronger than mother and son.
Well, DNA be damned—modern folk deem it "scientific," traditionalists "religious," but when viewed purely as a family system's goal of "preserving assets," Joseon was far more flexible.
Thus, the two could reach agreement without voicing more dangerous words.
As her son advised, Princess Hwawan became Grand Prince Yeongdu Yi San's doting aunt via helicopter parenting.
The young Yi San, who had received less attention than his brother, quickly warmed to his aunt's thoughtful care. It was no surprise that Jeong Hu-gyeom subtly became a trusted retainer in the prince's household.
Similarly, Jeong Hu-gyeom had essentially planned this in Grand Prince Yeongdu's name to summon Kim Unhaeng. Yi San, eager to see the famed archer Kim Unhaeng's skill, made it easy.
It wasn't much different from how Kim Unhaeng had manipulated the king.
As I picked up the mic—no, the bow—Grand Prince Yeongdu lit up like a child.
Like a Joseon child, that is. The thirteen-year-old Grand Prince Yeongdu puffed contentedly on his pipe and grinned.
"Even after forty shots (sasun), you only hit the center occasionally. If penalty wine (beolju) won't do, I suppose I must grant celebratory wine (sangju)."
What do you mean 'must'? I could already see the seeds of the office tyrant who filled desk pen holders with booze and guzzled it down.
My decision to save the crown prince using items was right. Yi Jeong, with slightly lower stats and more of a pushover... no, the one who cherished retainers and heeded good counsel, was more fit to be king than Grand Prince Yeongdu.
Just before Sin Sukju's chastity belt snapped, I glanced at Jeong Hu-gyeom.
It was to reconfirm the stats of this young man who, despite his age and lack of backing beyond Princess Hwawan, held senior official rank. He was probably the host today.
Jeong Hu-gyeom smiled and said,
"As expected of the Dog-Beating Stick Kim, Your Excellency's skill lives up to the name. I've drunk so much penalty wine that I couldn't shoot anymore long ago."
I knew who Jeong Hu-gyeom was. If he were just a bit smarter, Jeongjo would have joined his father in the rice chest, and Joseon's shaman world would have birthed a Great Combined Rice Chest King Spirit.
I wondered why he'd joined the hopeless Grand Prince Yeongdu faction, enemies in history, but for a big bet, underdogs offered better odds.
Political allegiance is like rooting for a pro baseball team—logic has little place. Even a politician with 0.1% vote share has far more friends and supporters than most popular folks.
Yi San recited lines as if prompted by Jeong Hu-gyeom.
"Don't you have a 'ga-hyeong' like mine, Your Excellency? I've heard you're exceptionally talented and strategic, managing the household as the second son."
"How could there be a brother better than his elder? My brother is merely a scholar who shuns worldly strife, so I've taken on the family duties in his stead."
Our incompetent brother truly owed me a thousand Kim family great restitution pills. Who else would hype you up like this? Unable to badmouth him for fear of ruining the herbalist ploy—it was maddening.
And then Jeong Hu-gyeom smoothly inserted himself.
"A fine reputation is good, but neglecting filial piety to parents is worthless. To remain upright amid that is all the more moving. People say that in this world where bizarre Westerners run rampant, only Dog-Beating Stick Kim upholds the true Way alone—and it seems true."
My favorability toward Jeong Hu-gyeom ticked up just a notch.
Even among Joseon folk, there were those with discerning eyes. Perhaps he was wrongly accused?
"Speaking of which, don't even Westerners frequent the Crown Prince's Tutorial Office (Chunbang) these days? Yet Your Highness aspires to emulate scholars like Your Excellency who defend the orthodox and reject heresy [Guard the Right, Repel Evil]."
Huh?
Oh ho. I see. Got it.
Shall I play along for now?
"What do you mean? I thought Westerners merely presented amusing foreign customs. Surely they aren't..."
Jeong Hu-gyeom whispered to me as if sharing a grand secret.
"Indeed. Since Confucius (referring to Yi Hwan) stepped back from affairs, you may not know, but those dubious Westerners calling themselves 'preachers [Seon-gyo-sa]' are slyly spreading disloyal, unfilial heresies."
No, I know. My son's no longer at the palace, but I have a daughter there.
Of course, Suk-yeong is the crown princess, so she doesn't join the crown prince's office hours.
But I didn't raise her to passively accept whatever's spoon-fed. I'm a modern man, after all.
Novelty beats the familiar for fun. The crown prince seems deeply engrossed in Western learning.
The two missionaries grew ever more fervent. They might even push for baptism. As 'Expel Evil Westerners' Kim Unhaeng, I ought to block this heathen invasion.
Even if it means changing the next king.
Right, Jeong Hu-gyeom. Is that the crown prince's weakness you've grasped? You want me in on it?
Well, Hong Bong-han in original history abetted his son-in-law Crown Prince Sado's rice-chest fate despite being his father-in-law, so figuring I'd do it for sufficient reward wasn't unreasonable.
Funny.
No, the idea I might abandon the crown prince isn't wrong per se, but me hating Westerners? That's the laughable part.
The simple reason I wanted to block Western culture in Joseon wasn't that it was evil per se, but because a systemic change would spell trouble.
But now it's different. Blocking it rashly could flip the system itself.
As I thought during my last talk with Park Mun-su, don't confuse ends and means.
Whether the king turns Catholic or Hanyang becomes the Vatican—what do I care? As long as I become Chief State Councillor, this country could make voodoo the state religion and have 36 zombies dance in the ancestral rites for all I care.
I could only thank Grand Prince Yeongseong, who burned his final hours to remind me of my purpose.
Better yet. To devour, first fatten them up.
Play it right, and a decently challenging quest might spawn without even a northern expedition.
So instead of shouting, I feigned great shock.
"Then someone must remonstrate the king at once."
"Precisely. Especially from a national merit like Your Excellency, former royal tutor to His Majesty—surely he'd heed it? This aligns with our Grand Prince's deepest concerns for Crown Prince as his brother."
I smirked inwardly. After all, even at their smartest, they were just sixteen-year-old greenhorns.
First, send Jeong Hu-gyeom out briefly.
As Jeong Hu-gyeom wished, I became an 'expel evil Westerners' advocate.
"I'm neither censor nor tutor. You'd have me petition the king? Overstepping for a mere retainer."
"I merely..."
"Withdraw."
Bold kid, but flashing MZ energy in Joseon was tantamount to begging for death. Jeong Hu-gyeom retreated with a crestfallen look.
Then I stood again and took up the bow.
This area was all under Jeong Hu-gyeom's surveillance anyway, phones on backup batteries at the ready. From now on, I'd speak to Grand Prince Yeongdu through this.
I drew the bow for the first shot of the next five rounds—the fortieth overall.
Of course, the arrow flew precisely 'where I aimed' and struck.
The courtier, repeating "Pierced the center (gwanjung)!" like a broken recorder, glitched briefly.
"Pierced the center... ah, no. Right side!"
Grand Prince Yeongdu seemed even happier for some reason.
"Even the world's Dog-Beating Stick Kim can't handle the wine. Clear water holds no fish—don't be disheartened. Come, drink your penalty."
I did. Then stood and shot again.
Perfectly. And missed.
Yi San said nothing more about penalty wine.
He watched silently as I deliberately missed all ten shots.
Too young yet for war bows, but true to tales of hitting fifty arrows daily, he had an eye for archery form.
As the fifth round ended, Yi San asked,
"What lesson do you intend for me, Your Excellency?"
"As expected of the perceptive Grand Prince."
I replied deferentially.
"Do you recall what His Retired Majesty instructed while at Namhansanseong?"
"...I do."
Yeongjo had stripped Grand Prince Yeongdu's title to sow discord and, from the fortress, told his grandsons to abandon their father Yi Hwon—driving the wedge deeper. Father and daughter shared tempers.
And unlike Yi Jeong, Yi San couldn't deny it outright.
Such guilt easily warped into twisted justification at a young age. Turning mistakes into intent, stubbornness.
It also made recruiting such misfits easy.
For a kid like that, offer what wayward children crave inwardly: righteous justification.
Believing every error or irrational act defines the person, never forgiving—that's Yeongjo's fermented crab mindset. Opposite the current regime's rice-chest ideology.
I'll absolve the sin in your heart in place of your parents.
Not as father's friend or brother's father-in-law—we're fellow little brothers who know fraternal woe, right?
"You were not wrong, Grand Prince. Hitting fifty arrows perfectly isn't the only way to show skill. A tiger roaring endlessly to flaunt might scares all beasts away, starving it. Hiding light, nurturing obscurity [Three Kingdoms]-that's a hero's breadth."
I tried to maintain the context from my earlier talk with Jeong Hu-gyeom.
"Parents aren't superior for being better. Two heads sans arms, or four arms sans head—how grotesque?"
Just as my brother excels at salt slave, potato overseer, scam doctor, but thrust into high office would doom the folk (me) to misery.
This land of brothers was the same.
"Some are nobler for being below. Unlike Crown Prince, your reply then was truly wise amid the chaos."
You did no wrong. Nor betrayed parents.
You lulled Yeongjo there, feigned meekness like Liu Bei to give hope, ultimately defeating your father's greatest foe.
You can do the same to Jeong Hu-gyeom's ilk scheming to manipulate you.
Yi San pondered long, then said,
"...I understand well. I'd receive your guidance at my side henceforth, but in that one regard, I envy my brother."
Hm. 'That one regard.'
Even without Sin Sukju's chastity, I got it.
The one who should have been king, Yi San, hadn't misunderstood me.
Unlike Jeong Hu-gyeom.
Jeong Hu-gyeom brought glad tidings to his mother Princess Hwawan.
"It was touch-and-go, but Kim Chunsik seems keen to secretly ally with us."
As Kim Unhaeng expected, though Jeong Hu-gyeom wasn't there, his people were plentiful. Every word was bugged.
And Kim Unhaeng had affirmed that 'Yi San, who didn't defy the Retired Majesty,' was right.
He'd also said to bide time and build strength, as he was still lacking.
This meant assent to the 'final plan' they'd exchanged with mere glances. Princess Hwawan rejoiced.
"As expected, you're a genius of the age."
The mother-son duo riding this happiness high was understandable. Kim Unhaeng had provided irrefutable proof.
On the condition of keeping the profitable snack shop contract intact, from that day, he began paying Princess Hwaban's household with Kaoru's services.
In effect, handing over an external slave.
Sending the pretty boy Kaoru into a widow princess's home would raise eyebrows, so registering him as external slave was pure Kim Unhaeng savvy.
It was premature to say Kim Unhaeng had fully joined Princess Hwaban's side. Yet for these two, merely not being enemies with the nation's top power broker was a huge win.
And from the next day, Kim Unhaeng abruptly shifted behavior as if a new man.
The staunchest northern expedition foe petitioned the king.
"The world's situation churns mightily. Before this lacking subject departs, allow me to report insights from my duties in Pyeong'an Province and request an audience with the elders of the State Tribunal."
Seemingly routine, but it revived the grave name of the State Tribunal, fading in true purpose by then.
The State Tribunal was, as named, for preparing against upheavals.
In other words, Joseon's war department.
Author's Note
1. Lady Hye-gyeong claims King Yeongjo's adoption of Jeongjo as filial son of Crown Prince Hyojang was Princess Hwaban's scheming (preventing her from becoming queen dowager; she emphasized this). Hard to call reliable, but with no diary from Hwawan, Hanjungnok is heavily referenced.
2. 'Hong had to fawn over Hwawan' refers to her lobbying Hong Bong-han via Jeong Hu-gyeom for a post to shield Jeongjo from Yeongjo's wrath.
3. Kim Unhaeng's thought that Hong In-han, Jeong Hu-gyeom, Kim Gwi-ju (brother of Queen Jeongsun Kim) etc. doing well might've put Jeongjo in the chest too—hard to assert. Unlike Sado case, no clear guilt, and no alternative.
4. Jeong Hu-gyeom was kin to Hwaban's husband Fumma Jeong Jedal. Unlikely, but rumors swirled she'd crown him; Yi Wan-yong later rehabilitated the defeated, dead Jeong Hu-gyeom.
5. Yi Jeong, Yi San, and Yeongjo's talk appeared in Ch. 167 'Recovery Life Starting from Namhansanseong.' Proposal to adopt them as Hyojang's sons if they abandoned father; Yi Jeong refused instantly, Yi San couldn't.