“W-what Her Majesty says is truly the unassailable truth,” the Inspector General conceded, backing away a step from the Queen’s diplomatic coup and offering a low, defeated bow.

  King Jin-Ho finally allowed himself a satisfied, subtle smile, seizing the opportunity to speak with an authority that would not appear biased, but rather righteous.

  “The Ministers and scholars here, and the nobles outside the court, do not have to endure genuine hunger merely because they can only reason while not having to suppress their empty stomachs,” King Jin-Ho spoke, his commanding voice ringing loudly so every person present could hear the condemnation in his words. “But the commoners lack such a necessary privilege of those virtuous nobles.”

  Everyone in the room had their eyes wide open, analyzing the King’s statements. Was he insinuating that they, the nobles and officials, were eating like pigs while the commoners starved? Before they could formulate a defense, he continued without pause: “If we genuinely want to teach our subjects to cultivate such virtue of righteousness amid poverty, shouldn’t we, at the very least, ensure that they are not hungry first?”

  The whole hall was utterly silent now. Mi-Reu looked at her father with awe. The King’s statement was a brilliant twisting of the Neo-Confucian argument, reframing the debate to say: ‘You claim you want the commoners to have the virtues of nobles, yet you are doing nothing practical to even make that possibility exist.’

  “Ahom-Confucianism was built around the foundational principles of Confucianism by the Founding Queen, not the more rigid doctrines of Neo-Confucianism held by our neighbours in Joseon” Queen Myeong-Hwa added, her smile gentle but powerful. “So that does not mean the foundations of Neo-Confucianism are absolute.”

  King Jin-Ho nodded, affirming his wife’s statement and citing the source of their kingdom’s unique philosophy. “It was Her Doctrine that stated: ‘Since time immemorial, it has been said that the people’s hearts are the heaven’s heart.’”

  He tapped his foot lightly, demanding attention. Gi-Reu looked at his father with profound awe for turning the ideological tide so swiftly and decisively. The King continued, his gaze piercing: “No matter how much virtue we may cultivate within these walls, how will heaven possibly respond to the King when the people’s hearts are wailing in misery?”

  “Man Proposes, Heaven Disposes,” King Jin-Ho quoted the famous phrase from the ancient text The I Ching. “Do you understand what that truly means, Inspector General?” he asked.

  The Inspector General could only offer a low bow and a sigh of defeat. King Jin-Ho pressed his advantage: “First, we must do everything we can. Every practical, human action at our disposal, only then should we wait for Heaven’s response.”

  Mi-Reu gained a surge of confidence. “However, from what the Inspector General says…” She knew the quote from the hugely popular historical epic, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which had become a cultural phenomenon even in her past life. She stepped forward again, joining the rhetorical battle with a bow.

  “It is as if he means to say that if there is a drought or an epidemic, it is solely the problem of the King, the man, because his virtue was not great enough to stop a natural disaster,” Mi-Reu reasoned. “Isn’t the order entirely twisted here?”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  She turned to look directly at the Inspector General, now speaking with full, uncompromising confidence. “We must arrange for water and food before the drought arrives; we must prepare medicine in advance before an epidemic begins; and we must stockpile grains before the year of famine comes. Then, and only then, should we wait for Heaven’s will.”

  Gi-Reu, sensing the complete collapse of their opposition, seized the opportunity to deliver the final, devastating blow. “But judging by how you didn’t make such practical preparations, and chose instead to fob off the crisis as the people’s lack of the virtue of poverty…” He fixed a severe glare upon the Minister of Public Conduct, who had supported the Inspector General in the debate. “Are you all saying… that our Haebang Dynasty itself lacks virtue?”

  A terrible expression of horror and shock spread across every noble’s face as the words left Gi-Reu’s mouth. The insinuation: that the court's actions discredited the King's own reign was pure treason.

  “Your Highness, that is absolutely not the case!” the Inspector General hastily stammered, his voice filled with genuine terror. “Your Majesties! We ministers have never harbored such heinous and insolent thoughts against the throne!”

  “Please show us your mercy, Your Majesties!” every single noble in the hall instantly bowed in unison, repeating the phrase in abject submission.

  King Jin-Ho waved his hands dismissively, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. “The twins were perhaps too harsh with their phrasing.” Queen Myeong-Hwa also smiled, adding, “I shall personally ensure to educate them in proper court conduct.”

  “We apologize!” Both Gi-Reu and Mi-Reu bowed deeply, their faces beaming with suppressed triumph.

  “Be more careful with your choice of words next time, children,” Queen Myeong-Hwa 'scolded' them lightly.

  King Jin-Ho then delivered his final ruling: “So, Ministers, heed my direct command: The people’s relief comes first. As such, prioritize it immediately.” He looked pointedly at the Inspector General. “Additionally, the case of the Ming Envoys will be executed exactly as Princess Mi-Reu has proposed.”

  “...Your wish is our command!” The ministers responded in a subdued, unified voice, their obedience tinged with reluctant acceptance.

  King Jin-Ho, having successfully navigated the ideological battlefield and secured his desired course of action, turned his attention back to his daughter and son, his eyes shining with intrigue. He was genuinely fascinated by the little twin’s unusual thought process.

  “So, my clever daughter, now that the court has agreed to your method, do you have any ideas on how to sell the Thousand-Year Spirit Tortoise? An open auction to instigate competition between the Envoys, perhaps?” he asked, leaning forward on his throne.

  Mi-Reu nodded, performing a small, dignified bow. “Yes, Father. We will certainly instigate a competition, but we won't hold an auction in the traditional sense. Instead, we shall hold a Raffle!”

  As soon as the foreign, alien word left the Princess’s lips, a wave of confusion rippled visibly through the hall. The ministers and scholars exchanged perplexed glances; the word meant nothing in the established Ming, Joseon or Haebang dialect.

  Suddenly, the familiar, semi-translucent blue panel flickered into existence in the upper corner of Mi-Reu’s vision.

  [Memory Archive System

  Balance: 500 Yang

  Cognitive Bandwidth: 1.2↑]

  [Note: Store Page has been unlocked!!]