Cancer?
The news that "the king struck the crown prince with a rod" and "the ministers were scolded by the king" began to spread quietly through the capital.
The ministers, worried about losing face, ordered silence, but it was only a matter of time before those who loved to talk would spill the beans, as it was not a state secret.
As a result, the rumors spread at lightning speed.
Within just five days, there was not a single person in Hanyang who was unaware of the incident.
Among those who heard the rumors, most of the common people, except for the conservative scholars, expressed their support for Hyang's words.
"Yes! The crown prince's words are not wrong! Every time that damned Ming envoy comes, the wailing never stops!"
"Absolutely!"
"Hostess! Bring me a bucket of makgeolli! On a day like today, we should drink!"
As many commoners in the capital sent their support to Hyang, there were some who unexpectedly suffered.
These were boys of similar age to Hyang, from the grandsons and great-grandsons of the ministers to the sons of farmers.
The boys of similar age to Hyang had to endure similar insults.
"The crown prince is already outstanding in his studies, having debates with the ministers, and what are you doing? You’ve only just learned the Thousand Character Classic! Is there any shame for this family?"
"I-I’m sorry! I will try harder..."
"Shut up! Bring me the rod!"
"The crown prince is making those proud ministers into fools, and you, you little brat, are just sitting around breaking jars in the neighborhood! Alright! Let’s have a funeral today! Bring me a thick rod!"
While the sons and grandsons were being scolded and beaten by their fathers and grandfathers, the attention of the women in the noble families, starting with the Jeonggyeongbuin, turned elsewhere.
"I wonder how the queen disciplined the crown prince."
"We are curious as well."
"I would like to ask, but due to the recent rebellion, the queen's relatives are no longer here..."
The women, searching for a connection to the queen, turned to the concubine of King Sejong, Lady Kang.
"As far as I know, the crown prince has learned his studies by himself."
"Is that so..."
Seeing the disappointed expressions of the women, Lady Kang continued, "The crown prince is not only excellent in studying but also in teaching."
"Really?"
"The way he taught his younger siblings was truly remarkable."
Hyang, who was pondering how to educate his younger siblings, finally reached a conclusion.
"To eliminate them before they can act is without justification, and I will make them work hard! No, I will make them work hard and then some!"
Having made his decision, Hyang immediately set it into action.
"To roll them properly, they must be properly taught!" After confirming the reality, Hyang placed his hand on his forehead.
"They still can't even read the Thousand Character Classic... What should I do with them..."
Upon hearing the rumors that Hyang lamented over his younger siblings' academic achievements, Queen Sohyeon called for him.
"Crown prince, it is not that your younger siblings are lacking; it is that you are too outstanding."
"Mother, my siblings also carry the blood of Father. It is an undeniable fact that Father is a genius of the ages, yet to see them like this is a disgrace to Father's honor. I cannot tolerate this!"
"Rolling those dimwitted kids will only burn my insides!"
Resolute, Hyang thought of a way to help his siblings' studies.
"First, they must learn the Thousand Character Classic properly..."
Soon, while worrying about the education of his two younger siblings, who would become Su-yang and An-pyeong, Hyang devised a solution.
His solution was word cards.
Hyang ordered the Dohwawon to create word cards.
Thick wooden boards were covered with paper on both sides, with the four-character phrases of the Thousand Character Classic on one side and illustrations depicting those phrases on the other.
Along with the Thousand Character Classic word cards, Hyang used "carrots"—mostly snacks—and "competition"—to instill competition between Su-yang and An-pyeong.
With the appropriate use of a whip, the education progressed, and within 40 days, Su-yang and An-pyeong completely mastered the Thousand Character Classic.
Hyang's education did not end with the Thousand Character Classic.
He used illustrations depicting the contents of the classics to explain them in a storytelling manner, keeping Su-yang and An-pyeong focused on their studies.
"It seems my younger siblings are following along well, so for the time being, it would be best to continue this method of education."
"I am in awe of the crown prince's teaching methods!"
The princes—especially Su-yang, who had spent a long time in the countryside—were greatly impressed by Hyang's methods, bowing their heads in respect.
"Then, how long should we continue this method?"
"The Four Books and Five Classics must first be approached with the right attitude, so until then would be sufficient."
"Understood."
Meanwhile, upon hearing reports that Hyang had created an innovative method that greatly aided his siblings' studies, King Sejong clapped his knees in satisfaction.
"Indeed, he is the crown prince! Truly the eldest son!"
As the commotion caused by Hyang stirred the court, time passed, and the mourning period for King Taejong was nearing its end.
September 6: The funeral was held at Heonreung.
September 18: King Sejong and the ministers gathered at Gwanghyojeon for the funeral rites.
And for the first time since King Taejong's death, meat was offered to Sejong.
After the funeral rites, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers all donned white mourning attire, black caps, and black sashes.
September 20: An owl hooted, and a ritual to ward off misfortune was held.
September 21: Sejong and the ministers finally returned to the main hall to resume state affairs.
Upon returning to the main hall and resuming state affairs, the court began to find its footing again.
They busily worked to normalize the state affairs that had become somewhat lax during the funeral of King Taejong, by creating precise scales and reinforcing the regulations for those entering and exiting the palace.
It was not only Sejong and the ministers who were busy.
True to his promise, Sejong included Hyang in the Gyeongyeon.
Sejong's Gyeongyeon was not merely a discussion of Confucian classics.
"Regarding the Book of Songs..."
Starting with a mention of a section of the Confucian classics, Sejong and the ministers engaged in fierce debates.
The intensity of the discussions escalated, not merely due to differing interpretations of the classics, but also regarding how to apply Confucian ideals to actual policies.
"Your Majesty! The teachings of the sages are like golden rules that must be remembered and upheld!"
The ministers' arguments generally maintained a similar tone.
The writings in the classics were the teachings left by Confucius and Mencius, and thus the king should strive to follow those teachings with all his might.
"The duty of the state is to educate the people! In educating the people, moral virtue must come first!"
While the ministers, deeply immersed in Neo-Confucianism, argued for "virtue as the foundation of wealth" and "valuing righteousness over profit," Sejong, Hyang, and the pragmatic ministers countered with opposing arguments.
"In the section of the Book of Documents, the sages stated that they took 'governing the world and benefiting the people' as the ideal of virtuous governance."
"Confucius spoke of the wealth of the people before education, and Mencius stated that providing the people with a stable livelihood is the foundation for realizing the kingly way!"
The two leading figures in dismantling the dogmatic Neo-Confucian perspective were Sejong and Crown Prince Hyang.
Once a proper debate ignited in the Gyeongyeon, the elder ministers would leave drenched in sweat and looking exhausted.
"I thought the crown prince was only skilled in trivial knowledge..."
"After being bested last time, you still think that?"
"I've never been so afraid of the Gyeongyeon as I am these days."
"Perhaps it would be better to request a reduction in the frequency of the Gyeongyeon?"
During the reigns of Taejo and Taejong, ministers had insisted on capturing the king to ensure he attended the Gyeongyeon, but now they were contemplating reducing its frequency.
While the ministers were feeling overwhelmed, Sejong's face was filled with smiles.
Since ascending to the throne, Sejong had constantly been under pressure from the ministers.
"It is difficult to deal with many ministers at once," he often lamented after exhausting debates.
Figures like Hwang Hee and Maeng Sa-seong were still in low-ranking positions, and there were too few reform-minded ministers.
In this situation, the outstanding abilities displayed by Crown Prince Hyang were a blessing from heaven.
Despite being only nine years old, far from the age of maturity, his academic achievements were on par with Sejong's, and his arguments were sharper than his own.
Whenever he spoke, the ministers, who had once made it difficult for both King Taejong and Sejong, would become fools at Hyang's words.
Perhaps thanks to Hyang, Sejong felt a reduction in mental burdens.
He also regained physical vitality, as many of the ailments that had plagued him began to disappear, including headaches and shoulder pain.
"It seems the saying that children are treasures is indeed true."
"Hahaha! If others heard Your Majesty say that, they would call you foolish."
"Let them say it!"
Thanks to Hyang, every time Sejong faced Queen Sohyeon, he felt like a fool.
However, there was one moment when Hyang became a burden to Sejong.
That was during mealtime.
"Father! Don't just eat meat!"
"You brat! You don't disturb a dog while it's eating!"
"That's because dogs are vegetables! A balanced diet is the beginning of keeping your health!"
To protect Sejong's health, Hyang nagged him every mealtime, and the court historian followed closely behind to record it.