Surprised by the unexpected suggestion, Anpyeong momentarily experienced cognitive dissonance, prompting Hyang to explain in more detail.
“Starting with the music and dances of the sadangpae[1], we will record the music and dances of the gisaeng, as well as the music and dances of the common people.”
“For what reason?”
“How much do we really know about the music and dances enjoyed by our ancestors?”
Prompted by Hyang’s question, Anpyeong, after a moment of reflection, responded.
“Hardly anything, Your Highness.”
“Indeed. Then will our distant descendants, a few hundred years from now, know what we did and played, what songs we sang?”
Anpyeong fell into silent thought at Hyang’s inquiry.
‘I think I grasp the gist of His Highness’s words, but…’
Realizing the significance of Hyang’s proposal, Anpyeong pondered it seriously.
After a long contemplation, Anpyeong looked at Hyang.
“The ministers and the nobility may disapprove, Your Highness.”
“Why? They diligently record their own poems, writings, and deeds in books, do they not? Are they the only people of Joseon?”
“Certainly not, Your Highness.”
“It’s not just the scholars who are the people of our Joseon. Shouldn’t we also record the lives of other citizens?”
Prompted by Hyang’s words, Anpyeong was once again lost in thought. However, unlike before, the negative aura on his face gradually dissipated.
After much deliberation, Anpyeong finally made up his mind.
‘That’s right! If I enjoy it alone, it ends with me, but if I record it, dozens, hundreds, thousands of people will know about it! This is also the work of a scholar!’
Anpyeong, determined, looked at Hyang.
“Though I am lacking, I shall undertake this task, Your Highness.”
“Good!”
Hyang clapped his hands lightly and moved on to the next point.
“To record and organize properly, you need experience. As it happens, Park Yeon, the judge of the Bongsangsi (Office of Music), is in charge of organizing the music used in the palace. Gain experience by helping him.”
“Yes?”
“Since he is exceptionally talented in the musical arts, he will be of great help when you undertake your own tasks later. It’s mutually beneficial, right?”
“Yes, yes. Then I will work alongside him.”
“I will speak to His Majesty and arrange a position for you, so wait a little while.”
“Yes.”
Anpyeong, after finishing his conversation with Hyang, continued to tilt his head.
“Why do I feel so uneasy?”
***
On the other hand, Hyang, who had entrusted Anpyeong with the task, went straight to Sejong.
“…Thus, I humbly ask Your Majesty to allow Anpyeong to learn under Park Yeon.”
As soon as Hyang’s words ended, Sejong immediately replied.
“Granted!”
As soon as Sejong’s decision was made, Heo Jo, the Minister of Personnel, stepped forward and objected.
“Your Majesty! The Grand Prince’s rank is First Senior Grade. Park Yeon’s rank is only Fifth Senior Grade Judge. How can a First Senior Grade superior work under a Fifth Senior Grade as a subordinate?”
Sejong pondered for a moment at Heo Jo’s point, then quickly came to a conclusion.
“Until Park Yeon’s work is finished, Anpyeong will retain his newly rank as Fifth Junior Grade Assistant Director. The Ministry of Personnel shall announce the corresponding personnel changes.”
Heo Jo had no choice but to bow his head at Sejong’s command.
“I obey your command.”
This was because even Heo Jo thought Sejong’s order was extremely fair.
And so, in the fourth month of the year Gyeongseul, Anpyeong entered Park Yeon’s service and became engrossed in the task of organizing the Aak[2].
[TL/N: Aak musicians]
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/NogoIMG_6088.JPG/330px-NogoIMG_6088.JPG
***
It was six years ago that Park Yeon was entrusted with the organization of the Aak.
In the sixth year of Sejong’s reign, Sejong issued an order to his ministers.
“The music used in the court needs to be organized. Recommend suitable candidates.”
At Sejong’s command, the ministers recommended Park Yeon. Sejong, accepting the ministers’ recommendation, appointed Park Yeon as the head of the Office of Music.
“I order you to organize the musical scale.”
“I obey your command!”
Park Yeon, having received Sejong’s command, devoted himself wholeheartedly to the task.
Park Yeon checked the items needed to organize the musical scale and made a report to the Ministry of Rites.
The Ministry of Rites, after reviewing Park Yeon’s report, immediately submitted the report to Sejong.
- The musical styles are scattered indiscriminately in the classics and historical records, making them difficult to access.
- No one possesses the Munheontonggo, Jin’s Treatise on Music Theory[3], Compendium of Du[4], or Music in the Rites of Zhou[5], making it very difficult to study music theory privately.
- Therefore, the current musical scale is in danger of being lost.
- To solve this problem, one scholar will be assigned to compile a book of music. The melodies of Hyangak[6], Aak, and Dangak[7] will be examined, and the instruments and musical notation will be compiled.
- The compiled book will be printed, and one copy will be kept in the palace, and one copy each will be kept in the Ministry of Rites, the Office of Music, the Office of Music Practice, and the Office of Aak. (Note 1)
“The Ministry of Rites’ request is reasonable.”
After reading the report submitted by the Ministry of Rites, Sejong immediately accepted their request.
Accordingly, Park Yeon, while serving as the head of Aak’s Music, was granted the position of Judge of the Office of Music and was put in charge of organizing the Aak. The reason for this was because the Office of Music was responsible for managing the musical instruments.
Thus, six years passed, and in February of this year, Park Yeon made another suggestion.
In his petition, Park Yeon argued that the instruments and music used in ceremonies should be restored to their old standards.
“Judge Park Yeon is right.”
With Sejong’s decision, Park Yeon began to move more actively.
It was in this situation that Anpyeong came to work under Park Yeon.
***
“I have come to work with you by royal decree. Please take care of me.”
“I have received the royal decree. Are you sure it is okay for you to work under me?”
Park Yeon’s attitude towards Anpyeong was very stiff.
This was because he had been doing everything on his own, and now, out of nowhere, an outsider, and a Grand Prince at that, had come in.
“It doesn’t matter. I am just a Fifth Junior Grade Assistant Director now.”
To Anpyeong’s answer, Park Yeon immediately replied.
“I see. Then let’s get started right away.”
‘Huh?’
Anpyeong was momentarily taken aback by the sudden change in Park Yeon’s attitude.
“What are you doing! Are you planning to stay up all night!”
“Ah… Yes, no, I’m going!”
At Park Yeon’s words, Anpyeong quickly followed after him.
***
Even after that, Park Yeon continued to treat Anpyeong without any regard for his rank.
To Park Yeon, who had received the royal decree, Anpyeong was not a Grand Prince. He was simply a subordinate official who was supposed to faithfully carry out his orders.
Hyang, who heard about this situation through the eunuchs, muttered to himself.
“Isn’t this like a drama I saw in the 21st century? A capable executive who treats the heir of a conglomerate who parachuted in like a spoiled child. The only difference from the drama is that in the drama he is the heir, but here he is far from the heir. But isn’t he being too obvious about it?”
Even though he was far from the line of succession, Anpyeong was still Sejong’s legitimate son.
No matter how fair Sejong was, if he made a single mistake, Park Yeon would fall from grace.
However, Park Yeon demonstrated his abilities without reservation.
When Park Yeon made and presented a Seokgyeong (stone chime, one of the instruments of Aak), Sejong said this:
“People say that Park Yeon knows nothing about the world and only knows music, but that is not true. Park Yeon is a scholar who is also proficient in worldly affairs.” (Note 1)
This was how much Park Yeon was trusted by Sejong.
In the end, all Hyang could do was call Anpyeong, who was leaving, and offer him some words of comfort.
“I heard you’ve been having a hard time lately. But don’t give up and keep working hard. Then, you will be able to do your job properly later, right?”
To Hyang’s words, Anpyeong answered with a strong voice.
“Your Majesty doesn’t have to worry! There are not many days when I don’t learn something new these days!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! Little by little, I’m starting to see what I need to do!”
Hyang patted Anpyeong’s shoulder with a pleased expression on his face at Anpyeong’s strong appearance.
To Hyang, he was just a child who had suffered a stroke of luck, but even in the history before Hyang’s intervention, Anpyeong was considered one of the greatest writers of early Joseon.
It was not uncommon for envoys from Ming to visit Anpyeong and ask him to write for them, and he was so famous as a calligrapher that even the emperor of Ming was impressed. He was also a talented artist who was proficient in instruments such as the gayageum.
As Anpyeong was rigorously trained by Park Yeon, his professional abilities were developing rapidly.
This became a catalyst for Park Yeon to accelerate his work on organizing the Aak.
***
After seeing Anpyeong diligently handling his work, Hyang went to the Crown Princess.
“I’m sorry, but could you please take care of Anpyeong’s wife?”
“Are you referring to Grand Prince Anpyeong’s wife?”
“Yes. It’s good that this child has made up his mind and is working hard, but he’s working too hard. It hasn’t been long since they got married, and Anpyeong’s wife is constantly alone, isn’t that a pity? It is said that peace in the family leads to peace between brothers, so I would like you to please take some trouble, Crown Princess.”
At Hyang’s words, the Crown Princess nodded her head gently.
“I will do as you say. Grand Prince Jinpyeong’s wife also comes often, so the two of them will get along well.”
“Yes. That’s good. Let’s call it a day.”
***
In a gathering where the wives of Jinpyeong and Anpyeong were also present, talk turned to their respective husbands.
After talking about their husbands for a while, the Crown Princess sighed softly and muttered.
“How can the three brothers be so alike…”
“Indeed.”
At the Crown Princess’s words, not only Hyang’s concubines, Yangje and Yewon, but also Jinpyeong and Anpyeong’s wives nodded their heads.
Of course, Hyang, as well as Jinpyeong and Anpyeong, were all living a life of ‘practicing virtues’.
Jinpyeong’s wife, who had been nodding her head at the Crown Princess’s words, let out a long sigh and complained.
“At least His Highness the Crown Prince and Grand Prince Anpyeong maintain some semblance of decorum. But looking at my husband, it seems like the railroad is his main wife, and I am just a concubine.”
“Oh dear…”
At the tearful complaint, the Crown Princess felt genuinely sorry.
***
Jinpyeong’s life, having become a ‘train fanatic’, was literally a life ‘of the railroad, by the railroad, for the railroad’.
He spent most of his time participating in railroad-related experiments at the research institute and Area 51, and whenever he had a free moment, he would travel all over Joseon to investigate ‘railroad construction sites’.
Jinpyeong’s horsemanship and martial arts skills were excellent, but it was also all thanks to the ‘railroad’.
In the case of horsemanship, it was for the purpose of moving quickly and conveniently when investigating areas where railroads were being laid or planned.
The same was true for martial arts.
Although he had to learn martial arts according to the royal code, his training had a different purpose.
Hyang asked Jinpyeong why he was learning not only the traditional archery, swordsmanship, and hand-to-hand combat, but also musketry and spear fighting.
Jinpyeong’s answer to Hyang’s question was simple.
“As I travel around to lay railroads, there may be times when I encounter wild animals or bandits. This is in preparation for those times.”
“…I see. Work hard.”
Hyang, who had encouraged him and turned back, muttered with a troubled expression.
“If I think about my brother, this is something he should like. But why… do I feel like I’ve lost a perfectly good child?”
***
Perhaps because they shared similar sorrows and pains, the Crown Princess, the concubines, and the wives of Jinpyeong and Anpyeong quickly bonded.
The women who had grown close enjoyed having tea together, shooting arrows at the archery range, and indulging in musketry.
Eventually, even the princesses began to join their circle.
Hyang, upon receiving the report, scratched his head and muttered,
“Are we going to end up creating a Gyeongbokgung Mafia at this rate?”
***
Anpyeong carried out his duties vigorously. As a result, Park Yeon began to trust him more, gradually entrusting him with more responsibilities.
However, during this process, a rift began to form between Anpyeong and Park Yeon.
The cause was their differing views on court music, including Aak, Hyangak, and Dangak.
***
Note 1) A Comprehensive Read of the Annals of King Sejong. The Park Yeon Section. Authored by Park Young-kyu. Woongjin Knowledge House.
- A group of masked dancers who perform at village shrines and festivals.[↩]
- Traditional Chinese court music.[↩]
- A book on music theory written by Chen Yang (陳暘) during the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279).[↩]
- Also known as the Comprehensive Compendium of Du You, it is an encyclopedia compiled by Du You (杜佑) during the Tang dynasty (618–907).[↩]
- A section of the Rites of Zhou (周禮), a classic Chinese text on禮 (lǐ), or ritual and propriety.[↩]
- Korean indigenous music[↩]
- Traditional Korean court music[↩]