Chapter 30: The Turning Point

“You’re already going to use your wish?”

That happened yesterday evening, when I was paying my respects.

Upon hearing rumors that an envoy would soon be assembled to depart for the Qing in honor of this year’s Dongji (Winter Solstice),

I resolved to use the wish coupon I’d received from Father over the matter.

“Yes, Father. The truth is…”

To my request—one made by his supposedly unambitious and adorable son—King Jeongjo seemed taken aback at first.

But after hearing my explanation, his face soon showed understanding.

“You wish for Jeong Yak-yong to be sent as Dongjisa (Winter Solstice Envoy) to the Qing? You mean your tutor?”

“Yes. I thought it would be good for such a talented man to broaden his horizons by visiting the Qing…”

That was my plan: to send our broody-nerd Jeong Yak-yong as an envoy to the Qing.

Of course, the real reason was because of the ‘Hwarureuk Spirit Tablet’ incident, which I’d half-resolved.

So far, things had been quiet in Jinsan, so it seemed my hints about future knowledge via had paid off.

But if the sharp-witted Jeong Yak-yong went to Beijing and properly investigated the Papal decree, he could snuff out any lingering embers of trouble.

Yet,

Sending Jeong Yak-yong to the Qing wasn’t just for this plausible reason.

‘Young Master, did you call me a “sacrificial lamb” just now??’

‘Hmm? Not “selling dog meat under the sign of mutton”—more like a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”...?’

I’d made a verbal slip twice in front of him.

The first time, Jeong Yak-yong merely let it slide as a mishearing, but since then, a wild look had begun to appear in his eyes.

‘Young Master, I only ask in case… Have you, perchance, encountered Western Learning…?’

‘Hmm? What is Western Learning?’

‘No, no. As the foundation of our nation, you would never…’

Of course, I had to deny any link to Catholicism—given my precarious position.

Jeong Yak-yong’s question about my connection to Catholicism needed to be firmly refuted.

From that moment on, his gaze toward me changed.

Frankly, the days when he was desperate to make me a Neo-Confucian Taliban would have been better.

These days, a strangely reverent, almost unsettling air had begun to hang around me.

“Don’t tell me you just dislike his Neo-Confucian lectures?”

Of course, my Confucian-dad Father was way off the mark.

No, just think about it.

If I really hated studying, how would I have advanced so far at my age?

Though, I still can’t say I like writing novels…

“No, Father.”

“Well, judging by your intellect, it can’t be that… Is there some issue with Jeong the Inspector?”

Yes, that’s right!!

Last lesson, he even acted as if he’d seen something holy at the end!!

But, of course, I couldn’t just blurt this out to Jeongjo.

I had to deny even that, and emphasize that sending Jeong Yak-yong to the Qing was for the greater good.

“…Hmm, as you say, broadening Yak-yong’s knowledge is not a bad idea.”

It seemed Jeongjo, too, thought it worthwhile to expand the horizons of his handpicked genius vassal.

Sigh. If you treasured Jeong Yak-yong so much, you should have cut back on alcohol and tobacco and lived longer.

Thus, the next day, I brought Jeong Yak-yong before Jeongjo and got approval to send him to Beijing.

Yet my plan to get him out of the way was about to backfire completely.

“Did the Crown Prince… personally request I be sent to the capital?”

“Yes. It seems the Crown Prince cherishes his first tutor very much.”

Jeongjo, it seemed, had misunderstood, believing I had some grand plan to cultivate Jeong Yak-yong from a young age.

The problem, however, was Jeong Yak-yong’s reaction to this news.

In that instant, a bizarre light flickered in Jeong Yak-yong’s eyes.

His gaze, already transformed once after the ‘Hwarureuk Spirit Tablet’ incident, now began a second, stranger metamorphosis.

I felt a chill as if I’d stepped on a landmine.

But in that instant, I was 100% sure my sending him to Jinsan via the had succeeded.

Clearly, Jeong Yak-yong planned to investigate the spirit tablet and the ban on ancestral rites thoroughly while in Beijing.

But the real problem was the strange, sacred energy now simmering in his eyes whenever he looked at me.

The die was cast; there was no way I could now tell Jeongjo not to send Jeong Yak-yong to Beijing.

“Your Majesty, Grand Scholar Kim Jo-sun from Gyujanggak is here.”

Fortunately,

Just then, an unexpected visitor arrived outside Heejeongdang, and Jeong Yak-yong’s wildness was momentarily suppressed.

But the trouble was, the person Jeongjo had summoned was also someone related to me.

“…!!”

Kim Jo-sun, too, upon seeing me, had a shift in his gaze.

Hey. Are you two in cahoots?

Why do you both act like this when you see me?

We’ve officially met only once, and you don’t even know the true identity of ‘that person’!

Luckily, Kim Jo-sun’s reaction was fleeting.

He glanced at Jeong Yak-yong, and a tense air briefly arose before he returned to normal.

But the real powder keg was with someone else.

“Y-you said the Qing, Your Majesty?”

I’d never seen Kim Jo-sun go that pale.

Even laundry pounded white on a stone all day would look yellow next to his face.

“Why, Jo-sun, are you intending to defy my orders?”

“N-no, Your Majesty, never…!”

“I told you during our last private meeting, the crime of disregarding royal command and engaging in idle gossip will be strictly punished later.”

They say there’s always a basement beneath the floor.

Perhaps referring to the incident, Kim Jo-sun’s face grew even more bloodless.

“B-but that is…”

“Working on the Gwaok case in the Bureau was your duty as a Joseon official; punishment for your misconduct will be separate, correct?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty! Your words are entirely correct!!”

Despite his submissive actions, cold sweat beaded on the back of Kim Jo-sun’s bowed head.

After all, rumor had it he’d already been to Beijing as Dongjisa and Saeunsa two years ago.

A journey so grueling it took three months round-trip—he clearly wanted to avoid repeating it at all costs.

But what could he do?

When the king orders, you must obey. Heh.

“Or do you find the trip to the Qing, commanded by royal order, so heavy a punishment that you can’t bear it…?”

“Not at all, Your Majesty!! This humble servant would never dare think such a thing!!”

Then, Jeongjo unleashed his ultimate move: ‘Turning the Retainer’—right in front of me.

Not just anyone can be sent as an envoy, you know. I’m giving you such a light punishment, and you object?

If a king says such things coldly in front of you, even the faint-hearted can be excused for wetting themselves.

No wonder Kim Jo-sun was pressing his forehead to the floor.

The real issue was, Kim Jo-sun’s terror was contagious—Jeong Yak-yong, waiting nearby, also looked unsettled for a moment.

But Jeong Yak-yong quickly composed himself, silently repeating something inwardly.

That’s right.

If I went so far as to use up my wish coupon to patch up the ‘Hwarureuk Spirit Tablet’ incident,

then our broody-nerd teacher should keep his wits about him.

He’d better repay this favor someday.

And so, it was settled: Kim Jo-sun and Jeong Yak-yong would go to the Qing as Dongjisa envoys.

But I should never have let down my guard.

After the two prostrated themselves before Jeongjo and withdrew, it happened.

“Hm… Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Father.”

Left alone for once, Father called me in a warm tone.

But as soon as I replied, I felt a chill run down my spine.

“I thought you were precocious like me, but in the end, you’re still a child.”

Jeongjo wore a beaming, pleased smile.

Yet beneath that smile lurked a certain firmness.

From that, I sharply sensed the aura of a veteran king who’d just caught a scheming vassal.

Unfortunately, my bad premonition proved true.

“Did our Crown Prince perhaps just want a little break?”

“…What?”

“Did you think sending your tutor to Beijing would mean your lessons would be suspended?”

Uh, um…?

I mean… I guess so?

No, that wasn’t really the plan…

I sent Jeong Yak-yong as an envoy for the Catholic issue…

His recent gazes had been a little strange, but it wasn’t like I meant to get rid of him altogether…

“Heh heh… Or did you just want to spend more time with your father?”

And then—

I couldn’t believe my ears.

“Well, I could assign you another tutor, but there’s hardly anyone as talented as Yak-yong. It seems wasteful to use such talent on a temporary basis…”

Wait, hold on…

“Besides, there’s no one among the officials more versed in Neo-Confucianism than your father. This is perfect timing.”

“F-father…?”

“Very well. From the day Yak-yong leaves as envoy, come to Heejeongdang every evening.”

My mind went blank.

There was no time to be happy about ridding myself of Jeong Yak-yong.

I’d escaped the fox, only to be pounced on by a Siberian tiger.

“I’d wanted to deepen our father-son bond, and now, Heaven seems to be smiling on us.”

No!! Not at all!!

It feels more like Heaven has abandoned me!!

Of course, my silent screams were never going to reach Father.

With a broad smile, he summoned a court attendant and gave several orders.

Soon after, the attendant returned—carrying an enormous stack of books.

“Did you know? I’ve long been annotating the entirety of the Thirteen Classics of Confucianism.”

The Thirteen Classics.

The Book of Changes, Book of Documents, Book of Songs, Spring and Autumn Annals, Book of Rites, The Great Learning, The Doctrine of the Mean, The Analects, Mencius, Classic of Filial Piety… the thirteen texts regarded as essential in Confucianism.

Even while overworking himself with state affairs, Jeongjo was so much a Confucian overlord that he personally compiled the annotated ‘Questions on the Thirteen Classics’.

And now, this overlord was thrusting those countless books in front of me for only one reason.

“Uh… Father…”

“Yak-yong praised your knowledge so highly I wanted to see for myself. Now’s my chance.”

S-save me…!!

If it was going to be like this, I’d never have sent Jeong Yak-yong to Beijing!!

So, the next day, after paying dearly for sending Jeong Yak-yong off as an envoy,

I dreamt of being flattened beneath a tidal wave of Confucian texts, and made a resolution.

If the price was this high,

then whether Jeong Yak-yong or Kim Jo-sun was sent as envoy, I would have to squeeze every bit of value out of it.

Then, a thought struck me.

Back in April, when it rained too little over the Pyeongan province, the court was in an uproar.

Luckily, rain finally fell before famine set in, but with the barley harvest ruined, Jeongjo had to organize famine relief.

Recalling that,

I realized there was something I should have them bring back from the Qing.

Jeong Yak-yong might be a poor choice for the task—a broody-nerd likely to fail—but Kim Jo-sun, who’d already been to Beijing and had excellent social skills, would be perfect.

After all, books in this era are still luxury items.

If I want my novels to sell far and wide, I need to increase surplus production among the people first.

That evening.

No sooner had he returned home after work than Kim Jo-sun began sending urgent messages everywhere.

The king’s will was so clear, he’d already begun preparing to leave as Dongjisa.

“But dear, what if His Majesty changes his mind…”

“He won’t. He said it in front of the Crown Prince. There’s no way he’ll go back on it.”

“Sigh… But I can’t bear another long separation like that.”

His wife, Lady Shim, seemed to hope the order would be rescinded, but Kim Jo-sun was certain that was impossible.

King Jeongjo hated losing composure in front of others more than death itself.

Every retainer who knew his feelings toward the Crown Prince knew this well.

“Contact your family too. See if we can get any of the late Master Pyoam’s calligraphy or paintings.”

“To bring as gifts on your journey?”

“Of course. That’s the kind of thing the Qing really love.”

As a seasoned envoy, Kim Jo-sun wasted no time making arrangements.

What he sought were works by Kang Se-hwang, also known as Pyoam, who had died earlier that year.

When forging connections with Beijing’s powerful figures, nothing was as effective as the works of famous Joseon artists.

On his first trip to the capital, Kim Jo-sun had built rapport with scholar Jang Do-ak by bringing Lee Jo-won’s calligraphy and Jeong Seon’s paintings.

‘And, if possible, a work by ‘that person’ as well…’

Of course, Kim Jo-sun was also determined to distribute the Crown Prince’s novel to bookstores in the Qing.

Even , written in the vernacular, should be hastily translated into classical Chinese to test its appeal on the continent.

He was now proof that he was one step from becoming a full-blown devotee.

But then, a sudden thought crossed Kim Jo-sun’s mind.

“Wait… If I bring something too amazing, will that be a problem?”

That came from a near-disaster on his first envoy mission.

Because of the high demand for Jeong Seon’s paintings in the Qing, his pieces were almost confiscated before Kim Jo-sun could use them for networking.

The destroyer of art, who would stamp his seal all over any great artwork or calligraphy gathered from all over the continent.

Every masterpiece brought to Beijing passed through that monster’s hands—and Kim Jo-sun had nearly lost Jeong Seon’s painting to him.

“Hmm… Surely, this time it’ll go smoothly…?”

※ Author’s Note

Joseon envoys to the Qing often forged friendships with local officials and scholars by offering works from renowned Korean calligraphers and artists.

There was always demand for Korean art in the Qing, and the Kangxi Emperor himself requested books like the and , as well as the handwriting of Choe Chiwon, Kim Saeng, and Prince Anpyeong.

It is historically accurate that Kim Jo-sun brought Lee Jo-won’s calligraphy and Jeong Seon’s painting on his first Dongjisa journey.

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