Chapter 82

Chapter 82

As March approached, a strange rumor began to circulate in Hanyang.

Hearing the rumor, Hanyang’s magistrate, Kwon Jin, immediately reported to King Sejong.

“Your Majesty, there is a false and slanderous rumor circulating within the capital.”

“A slanderous rumor, you say? What is it?”

“It is truly disgraceful to even mention...”

“That’s fine. Tell me.”

At Sejong’s command, Kwon Jin cautiously recounted the content of the rumor.

“‘Crows cry in the pine tree at the royal tomb, the sky plays tricks with the weather, and the black clouds that drift as rain falls signal the time for a change in dynasty.’ This is what it says...”

Before Kwon Jin finished speaking, Sejong slammed down his armrest and yelled, “How audacious!”

At Sejong’s outburst, the ministers sealed their lips and looked for cues.

“So, has the source of this disgraceful rumor been found?”

“We are investigating with all our efforts.”

“You must find the person spreading this falsehood!”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

After giving his command to Hanyang’s magistrate, Sejong gave an order to the Minister of Law and Punishment.

“Are there still those trying to commit arson?”

“Your Majesty, indeed, there are still those carrying out such reckless acts.”

“What insolence!”

Sejong slammed down his armrest once again, bursting with anger.

After the large fire in February, there had been attempts by some to start fires, hoping to use the opportunity to steal.

However, many of their attempts ended in merely burning houses.

Military forces guarding the capital were deployed throughout Hanyang for reconstruction of the affected areas and maintaining law and order.

Not only the military, but also the residents of the neighborhoods organized watch shifts, climbing onto rooftops to guard in all directions.

As the sun set, all passage was prohibited. After sunset, those found outside without special permission for night work were immediately arrested and imprisoned in the city jail.

Despite these tightened security measures, attempts at arson continued.The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

Over 50 houses had burned since the large fire, with casualties and refugees as a result.

However, those committing arson were quickly caught by the police and soldiers, and they were executed.

While an investigation to catch the person spreading the rumor of a changing dynasty was underway, another rumor started to circulate.

‘This fire was caused by the Minister of War, Jo Mal-saeng! The Minister of War, Jo Mal-saeng, ordered a fire to burn the weapons as soon as the king left the capital, and Yon Sa-jong of Goksan tried to hatch a plot when he did not follow the king. Also, Jo Mal-saeng’s son, Jo Seon, and his relative, Lee In of Gongnyeong, tried to attack the palace after setting the fire.’

Upon hearing this rumor, Jo Mal-saeng prostrated himself before Sejong, crying out his innocence.

“Your Majesty! I have not committed such a reckless act! Please believe in my loyalty!”

“That must be true. Since the time of the previous king, you have been faithfully serving.”

Consoling Jo Mal-saeng, Sejong issued a command.

“Find out who is spreading this groundless rumor quickly and punish them!”

After an extensive investigation across Hanyang, a suspect was apprehended.

“We’ve caught the suspect.”

“Who is it?”

“It is a man named Kim Yong-saeng, who once held an official post.”

Hearing Hanyang’s magistrate’s response, Sejong expressed doubt.

“An official post? That means at least a Grade 3 high-ranking official, right? Why would such a person spread this false rumor?”

“We are currently investigating the reason.”

“Hand him over to the Royal Secretariat for a swift verification of the facts.”

“Understood, Your Majesty!”

Days passed, and the Royal Secretary personally reported the investigation to Sejong.

“Kim Yong-saeng held a deep personal grudge against Minister of War Jo Mal-saeng and Yon Sa-jong of Goksan, which led him to commit this act.”

“Oh...”

Sejong sighed at the Royal Secretary’s explanation.

“What on earth could have caused such a grudge that led him to do this? Regardless of whether the accusation is true or false, one side will be utterly ruined, will they not?”

Sejong’s question was valid.

Accusations of treason were life-or-death gambles for both accuser and accused.

If the accusation was true, the accused’s entire family would be destroyed; if false, the opposite would happen.

“That’s...”

“Speak.”

At Sejong’s command, the Royal Secretary explained the situation.

“...So, due to this bribery issue, Kim Yong-saeng, who had held a grudge, spread the false rumor.”

“Oh...”

Sejong was flabbergasted and speechless. His eyes were fixed on Jo Mal-saeng, who was bowed to one side.

“Minister Jo Mal-Saeng.”

“Yes, yes! Your Majesty!”

“You must remember what the late king said to you. ‘I want to give you a promotion, but I’ll do it slowly, so don’t decline.’”

“Your Majesty....”

Sejong’s voice became increasingly cold.

“For the time being, be prudent. Auditor General, listen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Investigate the bribery issues related to the Minister Jo Mal-Saeng.”

“Please decide quickly!”

“I said I will consider it! That’s enough for today!”

Although Sejong said he would consider it, the Office of the Inspector General and the Secretariat did not lose momentum.

From the next day, the officials of the Secretariat and the Inspector General’s Office spread mats in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon Hall and began a sit-in protest.

“Jo Mal-saeng and the corrupt bureaucrats must be executed!”

“Please decide quickly!”

“Please decide quickly!”

“Sigh~.”

Hearing the shouts from the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, Sejong, who let out a long sigh, stood up.

“Let’s take a break for now.”

After declaring a recess, Sejong headed for Eastern Palace.

“Is the Crown Prince here?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve stayed in the Eastern Palace.”

After confirming with Eastern Palace’s steward that Hyang was staying there, Sejong ordered the following officials,

“Wait here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“It’s a private conversation between father and son. Do not cross the line.”

The officials retreated at Sejong’s command, which was so firm that it even seemed angry.

‘Somehow! Someday!’

They were officials burning with determination, recalling legends of their senior officials.

“Please come in.”

“Yes.”

Hyang, who had offered a seat, opened his mouth as soon as Sejong sat in his chair.

“You seem deeply troubled.”

Sejong nodded his head in response to Hyang’s question.

***

“I’ve seen it all. I want to destroy everything just as I thought. There’s no suitable successor, and if I handle this poorly, I could be criticized for committing an act of filial impiety by offending the subjects raised by the late king. Sigh~.”

Sejong heaved a long sigh, and Hyang nodded quietly.

As long as Joseon’s state system included Confucian scholars, the shadow of the late king was not easily dismissed in personnel matters.

Especially since many of the ministers involved in the current problem were intertwined with royal and familial relationships.

Seeing Sejong filled with concern, Hyang offered his opinion.

“Why not simply not kill them and not appoint them to new positions?”

“Huh? How?”

Hyang whispered to Sejong. After listening to Hyang for a while, Sejong slapped his knee.

“That’s an idea!”

* * *

‘The king has returned.’ Upon hearing this, the ministers returned to the hall and took their seats. Seated on his throne, Sejong opened his mouth and addressed the ministers.

“Upon deep consideration, the crimes of Jo Mal-saeng and others are far from light. According to the law, they should be executed, but...”

“Execute them! Execute immediately!”

“Execute immediately!”

The moment they heard the words ‘they should be executed, but...’, the chief state councilor and chief eunuch advocated for severe punishment.

“How dare a subject interrupt the king! What country’s etiquette is this?”

Realizing their mistake at Sejong’s reprimand, the chief state councilor and chief eunuch knelt immediately.

“Please grant us death!”

“Please grant us death!”

“Should I really do so?”

Sejong, having silenced the two officials, continued.

“The execution is deserved, but since they were trusted by the late king, I will not kill them. However, their crime is not light, so they will be punished as follows;

– First, all the official positions, ranks, merits, lands, and wealth bestowed upon the criminals will be confiscated.

– Only the assets of the criminals themselves will be considered for confiscation, without touching those that were passed to their wives and children beyond the last five years.

– Furthermore, I order them to serve as document organizers. They will be assigned to the Six Ministries and serve in document management.”

“Gulp!”

Everyone was horrified at the word ‘document management,’ since it meant dealing with a considerable amount of records, some even connected to previous dynasties.

Sejong’s judgment left Jo Mal-saeng utterly collapsed.

Above his head, Sejong’s command continued.

“I also command other ministers. I will give you one month. Those who have received bribes above the legal standards must return them to the state immediately. If anyone is discovered after one month, not only will they face additional penalties, but they will also serve in document management!”

“We accept the command!”

* * *

As the ministers crowded out after the meeting, the officials who had been protesting swarmed the chief state councilor and chief eunuch.

“What happened?”

At the officials’ query, the chief state councilor and chief eunuch looked at Jo Mal-saeng.

With a face that seemed to have aged 10 years, Jo Mal-saeng, supported by those around him, was leaving the hall.

Seeing him, the chief state councilor opened his mouth.

“Death would have been better.”