When Hyeong spoke, the ministers hurriedly tried to counter, but they had no proper rebuttal. However, the ministers could not back down.
"His Royal Highness! No matter what, you cannot arbitrarily punish a minister!"
As the Daesagan, who was directly responsible, stepped forward, Hyeong immediately countered.
"Why not? I am also a servant of His Majesty! The duty of a servant is to speak the truth to the ruler, and the responsibility of a servant is to faithfully carry out the ruler's orders! However, this person is trying to cloud the ruler's eyes with clever wordplay. How can I, as a servant, not impeach him?"
"His Royal Highness! Your words are too harsh! Although I do not know the exact content of the petition, the sages have repeatedly taught that extravagance is a disease that leads to the downfall of a nation! How can you argue that frugality is worse than extravagance?"
"Their frugality is not frugality but exploitation! Did the sages teach us to provide long-term benefits? Or did they teach us to suck the blood of the people with high-interest private loans? A rich man who is extravagant is more helpful than a miser who pretends to be frugal! At least they spread their wealth!"
"Extravagance must never be defended!"
"Then how do we take the wealth stored in the granaries of these landowners and distribute it to the people?"
Seeing the debate between Hyeong and the Daesagan go too far, Sejong immediately intervened.
At Sejong's command, Hyeong and the Daesagan stopped their debate and bowed their heads. Sejong looked at the two and the ministers and spoke.
"The two of you have diverged greatly in your opinions, but I understand that it is all for the good of our Joseon. However! Even if an opinion is correct, it becomes excessive if it deviates from propriety! It would be best for both of you to stop here."
"Your Majesty, I am deeply ashamed."
"Your Majesty, I am deeply ashamed."
In response to Sejong's reprimand, Hyeong and the Daesagan bowed their heads.
"Prince, show that petition to the Daesagan."
"Yes, Father."
"Daesagan, read the parts of the petition that the Prince did not mention."
Following Sejong's command, the Daesagan read the problematic parts of the petition and was shocked, prostrating himself.
"Such a grave matter! Your Majesty! This is merely the personal opinion of Yi, not the collective stance of the Saheonbu!"
"That's why the Prince did not mention it. I also did not."
"Your Majesty, I am deeply ashamed!"
Sejong's and the Daesagan's reactions filled the ministers with curiosity. Looking at the ministers, Sejong concluded.
"I will take some time to think about the punishment for this person. Let's end today's session here."
* * *
With Sejong's command, Hyeong and the ministers had to leave the hall. The ministers who were friendly to Hyeong bowed respectfully as they left, but the unfriendly ministers only gave a formal bow and turned away. The Daesagan was at the forefront.
"Hey, Daesagan. Even if it's the Prince, are you not afraid of future repercussions?"
Unable to bear the sight, the Yeonguijeong, who was also on the Prince's side, warned him, but the Daesagan sneered.
"Tsk! What is there to worry about while His Majesty is still healthy?"
"But what if His Majesty favors the Prince?"
"I'll just quit this position if it comes to that!"
"Hey!"
"I have urgent matters to attend to first."
With that, the Daesagan strode away, leaving the Yeonguijeong to click his tongue.
"Tsk tsk tsk... You'll get yourself into trouble..."
The Daesagan hurriedly headed to the Saheonbu.
Bang!
Slamming the door of the Saheonbu open, the Daesagan looked around and then rushed to one of the officials, grabbing his collar.
"You scoundrel!"
"Choke!"
As the Daesagan shook the official, the other officials rushed to intervene.
"Control yourself, sir!"
"Calm down!"
"Don't stop me! Because of this fool, we are all in danger!"
"What?"
The Daesagan growled, still holding the collar.
"You... What gives you the right to talk about deposing the Prince? Who are you to do that?"
"Choke!"
The moment the Daesagan said 'deposing the Prince,' the surrounding officials quickly stepped back.
"Speak up! Why did you talk about deposing the Prince?"
"How can we place a prince who has abandoned Confucianism and embraced heresy on the throne?"
"So you talked about deposing a 9-year-old prince? Did you really think it was a good idea?"
"In upholding the teachings of the sages, age is irrelevant..."
"You fool! To change the direction of power, you need the right timing, geographical advantage, and the support of the people! The current ruler became the prince because the previous king's will aligned with the right timing, and there was a person with the outstanding qualities to replace the prince, which provided the geographical advantage. Finally, most of the ministers agreed, which provided the support of the people. But now, do any of these three conditions align? Because of your foolish judgment, not only you but also the other officials are in grave danger!"
The faces of the surrounding officials turned pale at the Daesagan's words. However, the official who wrote the petition did not back down.
"Just because we are called scholars, it doesn't mean we can say wrong is right! It is the duty of an official to speak out, even at the risk of their life!"
"Such a fool!"
* * *
While the Daesagan was raging at the Saheonbu, Hyeong, who had returned to the Donggung Palace, was sighing deeply.
"Phew~. This is why I hate historical dramas... Fusion historical dramas are the best."
Hyeong had anticipated strong opposition and prepared accordingly for the presentation of his views.
"The only way to counter their eloquence is with more eloquence, but the problem is that their specialty is to bring up ancient examples and twist them."
To prepare for the debate, Hyeong had to search through numerous classics to find appropriate idioms and proverbs to counter the expected arguments. Despite his excellent memory from his past and present lives, this was no easy task. Whenever he got tired of memorizing, Hyeong would mutter to himself.
"Still, fusion historical dramas are the best... They don't use such difficult language..."
To soothe his exhausted mind and body from the debate, Hyeong moved to his study and prepared ink, brush, and paper.
"Damn! They know how to write petitions, don't they!"
* * *
The next day, as soon as the morning assembly began, an inner official from the Donggung Palace approached the Seungjeongwon.
"What has happened at the Donggung Palace?"
In response to the Seungji's question, the inner official presented a tray containing a scroll.
"It is the Prince's petition."
"Choke!"
Hyeong's petition was processed with the utmost urgency and delivered to Sejong. Holding the scroll, Sejong placed his hand on his forehead and muttered softly.
"This kid..."
Sejong, who had experienced Hyeong's determined actions before, knew that when Hyeong set his mind to something, it could cause a storm.
"Phew~."
Sighing, Sejong unfolded the scroll and began reading Hyeong's petition.
As he read, Sejong's body straightened, and his expression became serious. Finally, after finishing the petition, Sejong looked towards the Donggung Palace and laughed heartily.
"Hahaha!"
Sejong, whose chest had been heavy, handed the petition to the Yeonguijeong.
"Yeong, and Daesagan, read this."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Yeonguijeong's face turned red as he read Hyeong's petition. The Daesagan, who read it next, had a similar reaction.
"Ugh..."
"Ahem!"
Seeing the Yeonguijeong and the Daesagan make groaning sounds or cough, the other ministers could not hide their curiosity. Sejong called the Sangseon.
"Sangseon, deliver the Prince's petition to the Hojo Panso."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Hojo Panso, read it aloud so everyone can hear."
"Excuse me? Yes..."
Following Sejong's command, the Hojo Panso began reading Hyeong's petition aloud.
"Your Majesty, I, Hyeong, a loyal servant, write this petition. Some ministers have criticized my views as following the Legalist path. They cited the example of Shang Yang's self-destruction and the fall of the Qin Dynasty. However, through Shang Yang's laws, the Qin became a dominant power in the Warring States period and eventually unified Central China into an empire. Since then, Shang Yang's laws have remained the fundamental laws of Central China, even as dynasties and national titles changed.
Ah. How many Confucian scholars have strived to achieve the ideal of benevolent governance by following the teachings of the sages throughout the long history of Central China? Why did these scholars, who worked so hard, base their legal reforms on Shang Yang's laws? Furthermore, was the fall of the Qin really due to Legalism?
The Qin fell because Emperor Qin Shi Huang and his ministers abandoned the right path. They exploited the people, killed innocent civilians, and abandoned the righteous path of heaven. How could the state not fall?
(Excerpt)
A tall tree that does not fall in strong winds has strong roots, and a well that does not dry up in drought is deep. This is because the roots of the tall tree are wide and deep, giving it the strength to withstand strong winds, and to dig a deep well, one must start by digging widely.
The methods of seeking the right path and governing the state are similar. Our Joseon has only been open for 30 years. For our Joseon, which has just begun to take root, to grow into a tall tree and bear the fruits of benevolent governance, and to become a deep well that quenches the thirst of the people, it must become wide and deep.
Therefore, I believe that for the prosperity of our Joseon and the perfection of benevolent governance, we must broaden our horizons and accept diverse ideas. How can the efforts of Confucian scholars, who have strived to follow the high ideals of the sages, be limited to Neo-Confucianism? Similarly, is the ultimate goal of the Hundred Schools of Thought not the same?"
The Hojo Panso's reading ended, but the hall remained silent. Despite being known for their talkative nature, none of the ministers spoke easily.
To that extent, Hyeong's petition was groundbreaking.
Breaking the silence, Sejong spoke.
"My son, but he is quite clever, isn't he? What do you think, Yeong?"
"Indeed, I think so."
Sejong, looking at the Yeonguijeong with a satisfied expression, continued.
"Although the Prince's petition is groundbreaking, there are many aspects worth considering. I would like to hear the opinions of the ministers. Think carefully and give me your answers."