"Then what do you suggest we do in this case General Shin?" The King asked, trying to steer the assembly back on course.
A profound silence enveloped the courtroom following the King's inquiry, as all attention shifted to General Shin. "Your Highness, it is fortunate that a viable approach to this challenge has been identified," General Shin stated, directing his gaze toward Prince Young-Sik. "Your Highness, I would appreciate it if you could elaborate on our discussion." He urged the prince to step forward and present his proposal.
Young-Sik, who had been standing quietly in a corner, made his way to the forefront and bowed deeply. "Your Highness, Your Majesty, and honorable Crown Prince," he commenced, paying his respects to the royal family. "The most critical matter we face is the treatment of Chiongsun fishermen by the Guiong in those waters, alongside the necessity of preserving our Crown Prince's dignity."
"The straightforward reality is that our people may face harassment," Young-Sik articulated to the assembly. "To avert such occurrences, I suggest we deploy one of our naval ships at a prudent distance from the shared waters, ensuring it is positioned to respond promptly should any incidents arise."
The Queen raised a concern, "Might this not be interpreted as an aggressive stance from our side?"
Young-Sik reassured her, "Your Majesty, I fully recognize your concerns. Nevertheless, the ship will be stationed outside the shared waters. It will not interfere with Guiong vessels as long as they respect our fishing rights."
The King inquired, seeking to elucidate the intricacies of Young-Sik's strategy, "What if they dispatch their own warship into our shared waters?"
"Following the agreement established with the crowned prince, their presence in our waters is strictly limited to fishing activities, and no other purposes are permitted. While they may deploy a vessel, it must remain outside our territorial boundaries; otherwise, they would breach the triumvirate pact forged with King Chiong Sun." He took a moment to emphasize, "Let us reiterate the terms of the pact: no warships are allowed to traverse maritime borders without explicit consent, or they risk igniting open conflict"
With an unwarranted air of self-assurance, Minister Gi perceived a gap in the prince's argument and seized the opportunity to diminish the prince's stature. "This pact is a thousand years old; do you honestly think it would restrict their choices?" he challenged his voice firm, convinced he had delivered a blow that could not be refuted.
Minister Lim shot a disapproving look at the whimpering minister, compelling him to retreat into the shadows.
"Minister Gi, I must emphasize that contesting the triumvirate agreement is deemed an act of treason, carrying the gravest penalty of death in Aranes, Guiong, and indeed here in Chionsun as well. I strongly advise you to think carefully before you speak further, as your words may provide me with justification for your execution." Prince Young-Sik warned the small minister.
After successfully silencing the vexatious Minister Gi, Prince Young-Sik spoke to the royal family, asserting, "Let it be known that this is only a provisional arrangement. I believe that the crowned Prince, with his exceptional wisdom, will be able to create a more permanent solution."
Temporary as it may be, the King nodded in approval of the prince's solution "Very well said Prince Young-Sik" The King said praising his youngest son. Turning his attention to General Shin he gave his instructions "General calculate the most effective distance to station one of our vessels, how soon can you deploy?"
"Three days your Majesty, I can do the calculations within the day and deploy our ship in three days" General Shin assured the King as he bowed to show respect.
"Very well, execute the plan as intended. This assembly is adjourned!" The King declared, before leaving the courtroom followed by the Queen and the crowned prince.
General Shin and Minister Im, pass by Young-Sik's direction as they exit the courtroom. "Well done my student, you made us proud today" Minister Im stated as he gave the prince a hug filled with pride
The general placed his hand over the Prince's shoulders, before hugging him as well. With a nod, the two officials went out of the courtroom.
Young-Sik followed his father and brother, taking the same exit they had chosen. As he walked through the long corridor, he spotted Prince Man-Ju waiting for him. He greeted his brother with a smile, saying, "Brother…" but was instantly met with a punch to the face as he approached.
Prince Man-Ju grabbed Young-Sik by the collar, pinning him against the wall. "What was that about?" Young-Sik demanded, pushing back and shoving Man-Ju against the wall in response.
"You arrogant prick! How dare you make a fool of me in front of everyone!" Man-Ju accused, his voice filled with indignation.
"Humiliate you? What would be the point of that?" Young-Sik questioned his brother, bewildered by the sudden confrontation. "What could I possibly gain from such behavior?"
"Concocting a scheme to fix my blunder without my knowledge? Then announcing to everyone that I need to find a lasting solution? If that's not humiliation, then I'm not sure what is!" Man-Ju shot back.
"What are you talking about? I did that for your sake" Young-Sik explained, trying to pacify his older brother
"ENOUGH!" The King's voice reverberates in the corridor stopping the tussle between the brothers. They let go of each other as the King approached them, he slapped Man-Ju first then slapped Young-Sik. "You two follow me!"
The King walked past the two brothers who were nursing their cheeks. King Seo-Jung stopped when he sensed that his sons were not following him "Did I not tell you both to follow me?"
"Why did you hit me first?" Man-Ju asked his father, like a child about to cry
"I got hit twice, Can I hit him so we'll be even?" Young-Sik asked like a little child that was done wrong while pointing at Man-Ju
The King rushed back at his sons his hand raised "Why you little brats are you going to follow me or what?"
The two brothers started to use the other as a shield to avoid getting hit again by their father "Hit him, he's only been hit once" Young-Sik said as he pushed Man-Ju toward their father
"What? No, hit him, he deserves to be hit again. Stop pushing me you jerk" Man-Ju told his younger brother.
Out of nowhere, the Queen came like a shadow with a flair for discipline, yanking the two princes by their ears. They squirmed like worms on a fishing hook, trying to escape her grip. "Just because you're taller than me doesn't mean I can't still give you a good whack! Now, run after your father!"
At the palace's grand pavilion overlooking the lake, heavy rain hits the capital. The King sits his two sons down. With a sigh of disappointment he addressed his two princes "Is this how the two of you will manage the nation after I am laid to rest? By bickering and potentially splitting the nation into two?"
"I didn't mean to, your Highness. It just happened in the heat of the moment," Young-Sik tried to clarify to the King.
"In the heat of the moment? Do you think that's an excuse? Do you have any idea how many conflicts have erupted because someone acted on impulse?" King Seo-Jung shot back at his youngest son.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. We let our feelings take control," Man-Ju interjected, taking his turn to explain.
"And what will you tell your subjects if a war breaks out? 'I'm sorry, my people, my feelings led us into this conflict'?" The King mocked, shaking his head at his two sons.
Prince Young-Sik and Prince Man-Ju bowed their heads too ashamed to face the King. "If the two of you cannot overlook something like this, how can you expect the people to be loyal to you?"
Man-Ju and Young-Sik glanced at each other "Sorry for hitting you" Man-Ju expressed to his brother
"I should have included you in our dialogue last night," Young-Sik said in apology "Can I still hit you?" He asked jesting which made the King laugh.
Man-Ju put Young-Sik in a headlock and started to ruffle his hair "You shameless brat" He said in jest while the King continued to laugh at his sons.
The King then spoke, prompting Man-Ju to let Young-Sik go "That is how you must guide our nation, like it was family. Forgive each other, let go, and keep moving forward" He then gestured to a eunuch to give the two princes their drinking cups
Young-Sik inquired of his father, the King, as he rested against the intricately carved wooden railings, "What prompted your sudden desire to join us for drinks, Your Highness?"
The King, seated regally at the head of the table, responded with poise, "Must I issue a royal decree to spend time with my two sons?"
Seated on the middle steps that led to the top of the pavilion, Man-Ju let out a snicker at the King's words: "What Prince Young-Sik implies is that we miss you dearly, Father."
The King responded, "I regret to say that leading the kingdom has been fraught with difficulties in recent years." He sighed heavily, continuing, "Every few years, there are attempts by commoners from the provinces to spark an uprising. Action must be taken to suppress these insurrections before they spiral out of…"
"Before it spirals beyond our control... thus, it will not lead to the insurrection that claimed the lives of the royal family," Man-Ju remarked with a tone of sorrow, concluding the King's words.
Young-Sik remained silent, merely turning to gaze at the diminishing rain, while the King lowered his head and consumed a cup of liquor in a single gulp.
Young-Sik disrupted the stillness that surrounded the pavilion by stating, "Had I possessed my current capabilities in the past, we would not have suffered the loss of the royal family. I would have eliminated each one of them."
Man-Ju then contributed his perspective, asserting, "I would have guided them effectively, ensuring that no grounds for rebellion or insurrection from arising in the first place."
The King inquired of his son, "Prince Young-Sik, would your proposed solution have entailed the eradication of the enemies of the people?" King Seo-Jung scrutinized him closely, "Thus, your means of ensuring their protection would have been to obliterate their adversaries, correct?" Young-Sik responded with a nod.
Subsequently, he addressed Man-Ju, "Crowned Prince, was your only resolution, to lead them wisely so that they would have no cause to revolt?" Man-Ju, mirroring his brother's response, nodded as well.
The King contemplated for a moment, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Rising from his seat, he approached the two princes. "To protect without offering guidance is insufficient. New adversaries will emerge, and this time they will come from within your ranks," he addressed Young-Sik.
Turning his attention to Man-Ju, he continued, "Similarly, to lead without ensuring protection is equally inadequate. Insurrections will persist."
He returned to the forefront of the pavilion and settled into his seat. "To govern as a king necessitates the dual obligation of leading and protecting your people and your nation," he articulated. He took a moment to pause as he observed his two sons, who were carefully listening to his discourse. "A king is tasked with not only enhancing the lives of his citizens but also defending them against threats from both outside and within. The act of leading and protecting are inseparable; one cannot thrive without the other."
The two princes exchanged silent glances before turning their attention back to the King, who awaited their response with anticipation. "You both exemplify the essence of the late crowned prince. His readiness to lead and his unwavering strength to protect." He extended both hands towards his sons, saying, "In you, I see the reflection of your late brother, who held both of you in high regard and passed on to you his most significant virtues."
Young-Sik and Man-Ju grasped the hands of the King, who then united his sons' hands. "A time will arrive when it will be just the two of you," he stated. "The Queen and I will eventually depart, and when that moment comes, ensure that no one comes between you. Only in unity can you both guide Chiongsun into the uncertain future." The King then embraced his sons, and as the rain began to lessen. Seo-Jung raised his glass as did the two princes enjoying the taste of wine.
As the sun dipped low over the horizon, Young-Sik heard something, at first he thought it was from the alcohol or maybe and earworm. The sound was melodic and familiar. It was a sound that he constantly heard when he was a child a sound that he has never graced his senses for sixteen years. His father and brother were deep in conversation, it seemed that they could not hear the sound.
He stood up looked around him, following the melody. He looked over the wooden rails and there he saw the source, sitting under the expanse of a willow tree. The melody was more lucid the rhythm unmistakable it was Queen Min-Ah's lullaby, and humming it beautifully was Jin-Ri.