LATEST UPDATES

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


Chapter 184

If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again








Chapter 184

On the day King Sejong granted his approval, all the officials from the Ministry of Rites left work punctually.

While some rushed to the pleasure quarters in small groups to celebrate their timely departure, most officials headed straight home.

My dear, what brings you home so early today?

Tired, the official replied to his wifes question.

I was able to come home early because the project Ive been working on has successfully passed the initial stage. Work will pile up again from tomorrow, so I decided to come home early today.

Is that so? Then, for dinner

Ive already eaten at a restaurant. Ill go to bed first.

The wife sighed deeply as she watched her husband disappear into their private room.

Ah, to think were still newlyweds Its as if Im living the life of a widow without being one

With a face full of discontent, the wife gazed towards the private room.

* * *

Not long after their wedding, her husband passed the civil service examination. Both families were overjoyed with the double celebration, as passing the exam was considered a great honor.

However, the joy ended there. Since her husband started his career as a bureaucrat at the royal court instead of a local official, it became difficult to even see his face.

Leaving at dawn and returning late at night became his routine, and overnight stays away from home were frequent.

Even when he was home on holidays, he spent most of his time sleeping.

At first, the wife suspected he was spending time with courtesans or having an affair, but she eventually realized his absence was due to the overwhelming amount of work. Unsure whether to laugh or cry about the situation, she was torn between feelings.

Could it be said that when it rains, it pours? Not only her in-laws but also her own parents started to mention the topic of having children more frequently.

Eventually, the wife confided in her mother about her situation, lamenting,

Even though I have a husband, Im living like a widow. What should I do about this situation!

Her mother also looked troubled upon hearing her daughters words. Her husband, too, was a government official and had been burdened with heavy duties for several years.

Maybe some tonic

Dont even mention tonics! Just bringing it up causes him to have a fit! What am I supposed to do!

At her daughters response, the mother remained silent. Her husband also reacted strongly whenever the topic of tonics was mentioned.

In the end, the women from both families came together to brainstorm, but since both the in-laws and her own family were involved in government service, they all shared a sense of empathy for each others situation and were looking for solutions to the same problem.

Eventually, they decided to seek advice from Madame Jeonggyeong, a woman of respect and acquaintance. After hearing their complaints, Madame Jeonggyeong also sighed deeply.

Do you think your husbands are the only ones like this? Our man is the same Sigh.

Then, is there no solution?

Madame Jeonggyeong shook her head in response to the question.

You must insist on them taking tonics. Thats the best solution. Force it if you have to, and make sure to be together on holidays, no matter if its morning or night. And perhaps dress a bit more lightly.

Wouldnt that be somewhat improper?

The wives looked embarrassed at Madame Jeonggyeongs suggestion, but her expression remained serious.

Do you prefer to end your lineage then?

Her words made the faces of the wives turn serious as well. Madame Jeonggyeong pointed out the harsh reality.

Remember, even if you feed him tonics like fodder to a cow, the strenuous duties of serving the nation drain all his energy. Your only option is to press on with sheer numbers.

Ah

Thanks to this, ever since the initiation of the health regime, the medical clinics in Hanyang were always thriving. And the trading companies supplying herbs to these clinics actively engaged in cultivating medicinal herbs to meet the demand.

The ultimate recipients of these tonics, the officials, complained to their colleagues.

My wife keeps brewing these tonics for me, but somehow, I feel they are not meant for my benefit

You too?

Ive started to dread weekends

* * *

This should be easy enough?

Indeed.

While the two were grumbling, Hyang was voicing his dissatisfaction.

They say a frog does not remember its tadpole days Are we creating a situation akin to teaching the theory of relativity to kids just learning numbers?

After rejecting it three more times, Hyang participated in the textbook creation himself.

Recalling his elementary school days, Hyang significantly revised the content of the textbook.

Of course, he added MSG as usual. The MSG added to the textbook was the multiplication table.

And when learning mathematics, lets also teach how to use the abacus.

Yes.

Thus, the math textbook created satisfied not only the Minister of Rites but also Sejong.

***

However, the Minister of Rites also faced rejection from Sejong regarding the textbook issue.

The textbook that the Minister of Rites was rejected for was about conduct.

When initially planning the Four Social Classes School, Sejong had subtly broached the subject.

How about educating on proper posture and lifestyle from a young age?

Upon hearing Sejongs suggestion, the ministers welcomed it with open arms.

Truly wise words!

We are in awe of Your Majestys insight!

For them, being Confucian scholars, educating the populace was a must-do task, so there was no room for objection.

However, in the initially planned curriculum, this part was not mandatory but an elective course. That is, it was decided to be taught not through dedicated class time but through moral stories.

Sejong was slightly dissatisfied with this but did not object.

It was due to staffing issues.

However, an event that shook the era occurred in the 10th year of Sejongs reign when a man named Kim Hwa from Jinju murdered his own father.

Enraged, Sejong sentenced Kim Hwa to death.

It is due to my lack of virtue!

Seeing Sejong blame himself, Byeon Gye-Ryang suggested creating and distributing a book of filial piety, which Sejong accepted.

But when the Giyu Rebellion broke out the following year, Sejong commanded that loyalty and filial piety be formally included in the curriculum of the Four Social Classes School.

Teach and learn about loyalty and filial piety properly to ensure such incidents never happen again!

We shall obey the command!

Thus, the Minister of Rites created the textbook based on the book of filial piety.

However, upon receiving the first draft of the textbook, Sejong immediately rejected it.

What use is a book filled with characters to children who cant even read yet? Make it again!

Thus, the Minister of Rites had to create the textbook once again. Pondering over the issue, the Minister of Rites sought advice from Hyang. Upon the Minister of Ritess request, Hyang responded immediately.

When I used to teach my younger siblings, I found that incorporating illustrations helped them learn more easily. Why not include pictures related to the content?

Ah! What a solution!

Armed with Hyangs advice, the Minister of Rites created a revised draft of the textbook and submitted it to Sejong.

And it was rejected again.

Do we not have filial sons, loyal officials, and virtuous women in our own Haedong? Why is it filled with figures from Ming?

My thought was shortsighted! Please forgive my offense!

Make it properly once again.

And so, after three attempts, the textbook was created.

It was the birth of the (Illustrated Conduct of the Three Bonds).




Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!


COMMENTS