The Plan to Conquer Yanbian and Hunchun (12)

I never imagined that the memorial I had written would become the opening speech announcing the beginning of the development of Manchuria.

Yet His Majesty King Sejong took one look at my memorial and immediately chose it as the opening speech, as if declaring, 'This fellow is the top scholar.'

Ordinarily, Jo Mal-saeng himself should have submitted a memorial that would also serve as the opening speech, but he passed the whole thing off to me, claiming that I enjoyed greater esteem among the people than he did.

"Why does it always end up like this...?"

In any case, now that it had become my responsibility, I had to do the best I could.

"Now that things have turned out this way, I should clearly declare my resolve onstage."

Just as I steeled my resolve once more, a proclamation announcing the beginning of the departure ceremony rang out.

"Four prostrations!"

Ceremonies attended by the king in Joseon always began with four bows to His Majesty.

Royal audiences and lectures alike began this way...