The issue of the deposed consort was resolved with the disapproval of King Taejong and King Sejong, and with this matter settled, the purging of the powerful relatives also came to an end.
After that, until the death of King Taejong, there were not many significant obstacles, except for doubts regarding the Ming Dynasty.
The Ming Dynasty, which had been wary of Joseon due to the failed invasion of Liaodong planned by King Taejo and Jeong Dojeon in the early days of the kingdom, suddenly raised issues regarding the abdication.
Thanks to this, King Sejong had to expend a lot of mental and financial resources persuading the envoys sent by the Ming Dynasty.
Since King Taejong held military power, King Sejong could only watch the expedition to Tsushima.
"What a pity," King Sejong murmured softly while examining the documents related to the Tsushima expedition, with Hyang sitting on his lap.
When Hyang turned to look at him after hearing his lament, King Sejong smiled gently.
"If I had a bit more power and resources, I could have prepared better for this expedition..."
Seeing the look of regret on King Sejong's face, Hyang began to think. 'What was the outcome of Lee Jong-mu's expedition to Tsushima? Was it half successful?' Curiosity piqued, Hyang reached out.
As Hyang, nestled in his arms, reached for the memorial and report scrolls on the desk, King Sejong smiled brightly.
"It seems our Crown Prince is already interested in state affairs? Hmm~. To handle state affairs, one must have knowledge."
After a moment of contemplation, King Sejong turned to the attendant standing nearby.
"Call the Chief State Councilor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As the attendant left to convey King Sejong's order, Hyang felt a cold sweat trickle down his back. 'This is dangerous...'
When Grand Prince Chungnyeong was confirmed as the Crown Prince, Hyang devised his own plan.
"The most fundamental thing is that King Sejong is a bit of a nerd. And he is quite positive about nurturing skilled craftsmen."
With his short limbs crossed and a serious expression, Hyang diligently tapped away at the calculator in his mind.
1. The original King Munjong was also a nerd, especially a military nerd.
2. The craftsmanship of the artisans from the early Joseon period, like the earrings seen at the past birthday celebration, is certainly not bad.
Especially the artisans related to the royal family would be even more excellent.
3. In Joseon, one is recognized as an adult at the age of 15. That leaves 11 years.
4. By combining the background of being a Crown Prince with skilled artisans, I won't have to struggle alone.
I just need to give orders.
This especially reduces the headaches from various calculations.
I only need to provide ideas.
The most important part!
5. Based on King Sejong's nerdy personality and his emphasis on national defense, I can expect to gain decent support, like flintlocks or percussion caps.
As for the level of technology? I believe it can be sufficiently overcome with the skills of artisans in this era.
If not? I'll just roll with it.
I'm the Crown Prince after all...
6. If I can achieve a few successes in this way, not only will my position become solid, but I can also secure substantial material support to expand my field.
Conclusion: Profit!!!!
Caution: I must ensure I have a solid foundation in scholarly knowledge before turning 15. If I lose in debates with the officials, it's game over.
Additional Note: I will make sure to win over the Crown Prince's guests as much as possible.
By the time I come of age, they will all have secured their positions, so I need to butter them up in advance.
"In the end, my memorization skills and the Crown Prince's guests are the issues..."
Hyang thought, lightly tapping his arms crossed with his fingers.
King Sejong ordered the guests teaching Hyang to pay more attention to his studies.
At just over four years old, Hyang was still in the status of a prince before being officially named Crown Prince.
However, due to his exceptional talents, his education was entrusted to the Crown Prince's Academy.
In this situation, King Sejong's order for the guests teaching Hyang to focus more on his studies put immense pressure on them.
The teachers of the Crown Prince's Academy gathered the guests and officials.
"Your Highness is now entering five years of age... What have you learned so far?"
"He is studying the Great Learning."
"How old were you when you learned the Great Learning?"
"At eleven years old."
"You were a prodigy, then?"
"That is too much praise."
"Even at eleven, learning the Great Learning was considered prodigious... but Your Highness is not even five yet. If we are not careful, he may lose interest in his studies."
"Isn't there a saying, 'Too much is as bad as too little'?"
"Indeed."
"Haah~."
The gathered officials sighed at the teacher's assertion.
"Educating the prince who will inherit the throne."
In a way, it was the best opportunity to rise to the core of the next regime at the Crown Prince's Academy.
However, educating the Crown Prince there was both an opportunity and a risk.
Just like in the case of King Taejong and Yangnyeong, the king wanted his successor to be intelligent and of good character.
However, satisfying such demands was not an easy task, as seen in the case of Yangnyeong.
If those demands were not met, the king would surely hold the officials accountable.
The problem was that the current king, the father of the prince receiving education, was known for his outstanding scholarly abilities since his days as a grand prince, impressing even the old scholars.
As he was exceptional, it was certain that his expectations for the prince would be high.
And the newly issued royal decree made that a reality.
The officials of the Crown Prince's Academy were troubled because of the prince.
They feared that the extraordinary prince, showing remarkable talent, might lose his enthusiasm for learning due to excessive pressure.
After much deliberation, the head of the academy reached a conclusion.
"In conclusion, we have no choice but to maintain moderation."
"That is the principle, but..."
"Complex problems can only be solved by principles."
The officials of the Crown Prince's Academy educated the prince according to the principles.
They praised good academic achievements but warned against arrogance.
On the other hand, if there was any laxity or laziness in studies or behavior, they disciplined him strictly.
"His Majesty was not an ordinary person, but Your Highness is also quite remarkable."
The left and right guests directly responsible for Hyang's education praised his achievements, shaking their heads in disbelief.
Hyang was showing even better academic achievements than the guests had expected.
His behavior was also impeccable.
It was to the extent that jokes circulated among the officials of the Crown Prince's Academy.
"Is it really true that Your Highness is not yet five years old? He seems too precocious for his age."
"I agree. Not only does he accept teachings, but he also raises questions..."
"I was worried that there might be excess in carrying out His Majesty's orders, but seeing Your Highness's talent, it might be good to be a bit more ambitious."
"I agree. I should discuss this again with the higher-ups."
The officials of the Crown Prince's Academy began to lean towards more active education and discipline.
The background for the officials' decision to take a more proactive approach was not only Hyang's outstanding achievements but also his determination.
"I need to accelerate my plan!"
As July passed, Hyang decided to completely revise his plan.
"I was going to start my activities at the age of 15, but I can't stand it any longer!" Hyang pounded his chest, unable to hide his frustration.
"I need to start as soon as possible! I must begin by the age of ten at the latest!"
Unable to contain his impatience, Hyang gulped down some water and exhaled.
"Phew! If I don't start soon, I'm going to explode!"
The reasons that led Hyang to revise his plan were twofold.
One of those reasons was the expedition to Tsushima.
The court issued a mobilization order for ships and troops for the Tsushima expedition.
The areas affected by the mobilization order were Gyeongsang, Jeolla, and Chungcheong provinces.
Hyang was furious about the contents of the mobilization order.
- Mobilize 200 warships from the three provinces and recruit lower-class soldiers, special units, guards, skilled craftsmen, farmers, idle people, and low-ranking officials... and gather them at the port by June 8.
"This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"
After obtaining a copy of the mobilization order, Hyang exploded with anger.
"While it's understandable to recruit warships and lower-class soldiers, to include performers, commoners, and low-ranking officials... The term 'noble' refers to those who have passed the civil and military examinations, right? To say they are skilled in handling ships... they are gathering everyone except farmers during the busy farming season."
As Hyang reviewed the recruitment targets, he sighed.
"Haah~. No matter how much it's the Joseon era, this is too much, isn't it? There is a severe lack of combat troops and specialized naval forces."
As Hyang checked the details of the troop mobilization, a scene from a foreign movie he had seen before came to mind.
It was the scene where sailors returning from a long voyage were making a ruckus in a tavern when soldiers with clubs barged in, beating the sailors and dragging them off to the warship.
In the midst of it, navigators and deckhands protested by showing their certificates, but the soldiers responded with clubs.
"The problem is that this wasn't just a fictional movie... If I look at this mobilization order, a similar situation will likely unfold."
Hyang sighed at the overly haphazard and unprofessional human composition, but nonetheless, the preparations for the expedition were complete.
"Your Highness, are you going too?"
"Yes, Father."
Upon hearing Hyang's intention to participate in the expedition ceremony, King Sejong pondered for a moment before nodding.
"Alright, let's go together. Attendant, prepare for the Crown Prince to accompany us."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
On May 18, at the white sandy beach of Dumopo (now Dongbinggo) by the Han River, a ceremony was held to send off the expeditionary forces led by General Lee Jong-mu.
"At least they are all wearing armor."
As Hyang checked the soldiers' attire, he let out a small sigh.
Unlike the attire he had seen in historical dramas, the soldiers were wearing armor up to the heart-protecting level.
Thus began the expedition to Tsushima, which came to a first conclusion on July 3 when the expeditionary forces retreated to Geoje Island.
While the expeditionary forces were regrouping on Geoje Island, another raid by the Japanese pirates occurred, prompting the court to discuss a second expedition.
As opinions advocating for the postponement of the second expedition grew due to declining morale among the troops and the onset of typhoon season, urgent news arrived that the Japanese pirates invading Ming had been annihilated.
Upon receiving the urgent news, the court disbanded the expeditionary forces and sent envoys to Tsushima.
- It is recorded in literature that Tsushima is part of Joseon's territory.
Therefore, the lord of Tsushima must restore the lord-vassal relationship.
- The lord of Tsushima must relocate all residents to Joseon.
- If the above orders are not carried out, a new expedition will be launched.
Under pressure from Joseon, the lord of Tsushima sent a letter through envoys.
- The land of Tsushima is barren and life is difficult, so please relocate the residents of Tsushima to Geoje Island and other islands.
Additionally, if you grant the lord of Tsushima the title and seal of the King of Joseon, we will obey the orders as a matter of lord-vassal etiquette.
Upon receiving the letter, the court regarded it as a surrender document from the lord of Tsushima.
There were concerns that relocating the residents of Tsushima to Joseon could turn Geoje Island and its surrounding islands into a den for pirates, so the lord of Tsushima was granted the title of "Jongshi Dodowongwa."
While listening to the progress of the events in the East Palace, Hyang clicked his tongue.
"Too lenient, far too lenient!"
"The strategy, operations, and command are all too lacking!"
"First, we should have accepted all the residents of Tsushima into Joseon! If we had fully accommodated the residents of Tsushima, we wouldn't have to worry about the lord of Tsushima afterward! If we send them all north instead of to the islands, it would have been over!"
"We underestimated the value of Tsushima!"
Hyang, who was alone organizing the results, exploded with anger.
"I can't stand it any longer!"