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Published at 16th of April 2024 07:00:35 AM


Chapter 172

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Chapter 172

After the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion and the execution of the punishments for those involved in the uprising were completed, the court and the military began their post-rebellion handling.

Though its called post-rebellion handling its more accurate to say that it involves identifying and refining the deficiencies encountered during the suppression of this rebellion, said the Minister of Military Affairs, who was leading the meeting, to which King Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers all nodded in agreement.

The Minister of Military Affairs continued speaking.

Just before the recent rebellion, we had drafted an escape plan which, in the event of an emergency, involved immediately escorting His Majesty and key figures to Changdeokgung Palace. Of course, during the last treasonous incident, no one had to flee

Ehem!

Cough!

Sejong and Hyang turned away, trying to cover their embarrassment with a cough at the pointed remark of the Minister.

After the incident, both of them had been in trouble with Queen Soheon for a while.

* * *

When Grand Prince Yangnyeong led the counter-insurgency during the rebellion, the Golden Army soldiers guarding the Junggungjeon followed the plan to escort Queen Soheon, the concubines, and the princes to Changdeokgung Palace.

Has His Majesty already evacuated?

Queen Soheon, upon learning that Sejong was still holding out in Geunjeongjeon, scolded the Golden Army military officer who was about to take her away.

You fool! His Majesty is facing a crisis, and youre dallying here!

At Queen Soheons rebuke, the officer responded awkwardly.

This is the established plan and procedure

Silence! Chief Court Lady!

At Queen Soheons call, the Chief Court Lady, who was standing nearby, rushed over.

Yes, Your Highness!

Bring me my bow at once!

Your Highness

The Chief Court Lady hesitated at Queen Soheons order to fetch her bow. Queen Soheon, grasping the hem of her skirt, went back inside the room and came out with her bow.

Were heading to Geunjeongjeon! Soldiers, follow me!

Your Highness!

Quiet and follow!nove(l)bi(n.)com

Following the Queens command, the officer in charge of the Golden Army soldiers at Junggungjeon resignedly instructed his subordinates.

First and Second Squads, follow me. The rest, escort the concubines, princes, and princesses to Changdeokgung Palace. Move out!

Yes!

* * *

Thus, after leading the soldiers to Geunjeongjeon, Queen Soheon collapsed from relief once the situation was resolved.

Afterwards, Sejong and Hyang had to plead earnestly for forgiveness from Queen Soheon.

I am sorry, Sejong, sitting in front of the bedridden Queen Soheon with his head bowed, sincerely apologized. Hyang, sitting beside him, felt the same.

Royal Mother, please forgive us.

Ugh

Groaning in discomfort, Queen Soheon propped herself up and admonished Sejong.

Your Majesty You are the sole sovereign of this nation. How could you stay in such a perilous place?

Well, there were guards

Your Majesty! Even with guards, that place was extremely dangerous! It was fraught with arrows and iron bullets flying in every direction!

I, I am sorry.

And the Crown Prince too! How could the future foundation of our nation wander around the battlefield! What were you thinking?

I have made a mistake!

Ugh!

Groaning again, Queen Soheon lay back down and turned away.

This is serious

Realizing that Queen Soheon was deeply upset, Sejong turned to the court physician, who silently shook his head. Sejong let out a long sigh.

Sigh

Ultimately, Sejong and Hyang had to repeatedly seek Queen Soheons forgiveness over the next three days.

* * *

Source: /hyunukpark/docs/____________2017_

Namhansanseong

* * *

Let the one who expanded the plan explain in more detail.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Upon Sejongs command, Hyang stood up. As Hyang took the lead, the Minister of Military Affairs quickly handed over the pointer and returned to his seat.

The reason for this was not the complexity of the matter, but rather the pressure from the high-ranking officials. Although the Minister himself was among the high-ranking, the array of dignitaries in front of him was dauntingly eminent.

As Hyang stood in front, the ministers began their questioning.

We understand the need for fortresses. Do you have suitable locations in mind?

Yes, there are. Eunuch, bring the map of Hanyang and the surrounding area.

Yes, Your Highness.

At Hyangs command, an eunuch brought a scroll with a map attached.

As the strategic discussion progressed, several items, including maps, were always kept on hand in Geunjeongjeon.

Hyang placed the map beside him and pointed to a location on it with the pointer.

For the northern fortress, we plan to expand Jungheung Fortress. In the south, we are considering the site of Jujang Fortress[2] from the the Three Hans period, located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.

What is the reason for choosing that site?

Yes, the location has been historically significant as a fortress site since the Three Hans period. Its distance from Hanyang is also ideal for quick movement. Lastly, it allows us to actively utilize the Han River, a crucial geographical defense.

Hearing Hyangs explanation, the ministers nodded in agreement.

If an attack comes from the south, the Han River can serve as the first line of defense, while Bukhansanseong prepares for a defensive stance. Conversely, if the attack comes from the north, the Han River again serves as the first line of defense, and Namhansanseong can be fortified.

Seeing the ministers convinced, Hyang pointed out another location.

To prepare for any incursions through the Han River from the sea, we will construct a fortress here in Haengju. This site, too, was once a fortress during the Three Hans period, making it a strategically significant location.

Hyang continued to explain how these three fortresses would interconnect.

The fortresses in the north and south wont just serve as temporary capitals during wartime. Properly integrating these three fortresses will significantly strengthen the defense of Hanyang.

Hmm

Sejong and the ministers weighed the effectiveness of Hyangs plan.

This is promising

At Sejongs words, the ministers nodded. Indeed, as Hyang had explained, building fortresses in these locations would greatly enhance the defense of Hanyang. The fact that these sites were once military fortresses in the Samhan period further underscored their strategic importance.

However, there was an issue.

After a moment of contemplation, Kim Jeom spoke up.

Although I acknowledge the necessity, constructing fortresses in such terrain is no easy task. I have not been to the southern site, but the northern site is visible from Bukhansan and Inwangsan, which reveals the ruggedness of the terrain. Constructing fortresses in such harsh mountainous areas will require significant labor from the people, not to mention the considerable construction costs.

Youre right. Building fortresses requires a lot of stone, and transporting it to those high and rough mountains is no ordinary task.

Starting with Kim Jeom, the ministers pointed out the geographical challenges of construction.

At these concerns, Hyang, along with the Minister of Military Affairs and military officials, smiled knowingly. The ministers, noticing Hyangs smile, felt a sense of unease.

Whats going on? What am I missing?

While the ministers were pondering, Hyang spoke up.

Have you forgotten? We have iron-reinforced concrete.

Ah

At Hyangs words, the ministers looked as if they had been hit with a realization.

The concrete first used by Hyang in road construction, had been officially named Iron-reinforced concrete. The ministers were well aware of its usefulness. With proper formwork, iron-reinforced concrete could be used to construct buildings in shapes and forms that were impossible with traditional wood or stone construction.

I had forgotten about that.

Of course, transporting aggregates, reinforcing bars, and concrete mix to the fortress sites is not an easy task. However, it requires less labor than quarrying, refining, and moving stone.

At Hyangs explanation, the ministers had nothing to do but nod in agreement.

Eventually, Sejong made a decision.

I will accept the proposal of the Ministry of Military Affairs. The Ministry of Taxation should calculate the necessary budget, and the Ministries of Public Works and Personnel should devise plans for sourcing the required labor for construction.

We shall comply with Your Majestys command!

Kim Jeom and the heads of the relevant departments responded with a somewhat troubled expression, understanding the magnitude of the task ahead.

In contrast, at Sejongs decision, Hyang, the officials of the Ministry of Military Affairs, and the military officers bowed their heads in deep gratitude, loudly expressing their appreciation.

Your grace is boundless!

Namhansanseong was designed as an emergency capital for the Joseon dynasty (13921910), in a mountainous site 25 km south-east of Seoul.[]Jujang Fortress is from the period of Unified Silla, also a current site for Namhan Fortress or Namhansanseong[]




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