The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 126



< What I Forgot (2) >

Newly registered indigenous plants of the Korean Peninsula over the past decade.

I have a document summarizing them in front of me now.

“Hmm… It seems like it went a lot further than I expected.”

Looking at the thick wad of paper I wondered where to start.

Choi Hyun-sik watched me staring intently at the report and interpreted the current situation in his own way.

“I think the number of registered plants has increased recently perhaps because the number of botanists visiting the Korean Peninsula has increased.”

“I guess so. I think so too.”

Since the mid-19th century Western botanists have traveled all over the world trying to discover new plant species.

in result.

Almost every region has been explored except for the most remote places such as the Arctic Antarctica the Tibetan Plateau central Africa and the Amazon jungle.

In such a situation let’s think about the few remaining temperate climate undeveloped areas like the Korean Peninsula.

What would you do if you were a botanist?

‘What should I do? I will pack my bags and head to the Korean Empire.’

Because it is the only temperate zone with a good climate that is easy to explore and where relatively unknown plants remain.

That is why a three-digit number of botanists have visited the Korean Peninsula in the past decade.

“We will continue to explore plants on the Korean Peninsula for some time as new species are still being discovered.”

“I guess so.”

“majesty.”

“Tell me.”

“Your Majesty would you like to give Korean names to native plants in your country?”

“okay.”

“There is one way.”

“What?”

“Usually we give newly discovered plants our own name or our native country’s name. But….”

“but?”

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“They say that if there is support for the expedition the story will be a little different.”

Because there is a custom of naming newly discovered plants with the sponsor’s last name or nationality as a sign of ‘thank you’ to the sponsor.

I squinted my eyes and made a displeased expression.

“In the end it comes down to money again.”

“Isn’t that how things work? Money is everything.”

Choi Hyun-sik scratched his head.

since.

He made a face as if to ask what his proposal was.

‘I don’t feel like it but I guess I have no choice but to give Korean names to domestic plants that have not yet been discovered.’

It might be nothing.

Some people may tilt their heads and wonder what the use of giving a Korean name to a newly discovered plant is.

‘But if you think about it the other way around…’

Foreign names for native plants.

In particular being given a Japanese name is quite unpleasant.

I can’t help it since I can’t get involved with the previously registered ones.

Things are different now.

If I just gave a little bit of research funding things could be different.

‘Investing in the basic science of botany… is not a bad idea in the short term and long term.’

Also in the field of seed improvement.

Also in the seed business sector.

Because they are derived from the basic discipline of botany.

further.

My sponsored botanists may travel all over the peninsula in search of new plants.

It would be a good excuse to plant a spy operating within the Korean peninsula.

‘Okay. Let’s do it.’

I’ve made up my mind.

I told Choi Hyun-sik my plan.

“I am thinking of opening a botany department at the university I founded and hiring renowned professors. I plan to sponsor domestic exploration with them as the mainstay.”

“Good idea.”

“Ah! Make sure to write up the contract thoroughly. Scholars are quite good at secretly playing around with contracts. You have to be careful.”

“yes.”

After I finished explaining my plan I read a report on newly registered indigenous plants on the Korean Peninsula over the past decade.

As I was roughly checking them out a familiar name caught my eye.

‘Jeju fir tree.’

A good tree to use as a Christmas tree.

I don’t know about anything else.

If we bring this in I think we can get some pretty salty side benefits.

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‘In this history should I actively pursue this?’

I thought about it for a moment.

Meanwhile Choi Hyun-sik saw my movements and came closer.

“Are you also interested in fir trees?”

“It’s a bit long. It’s perfect for a Christmas tree.”

“That’s true.”

Choi Hyun-sik looked at me with an expression on his face as if he was remembering something.

“Next month by order of the Crown Princess a large number of forsythia azalea and cherry blossom trees will be brought in along with pear trees. At that time I will also bring in the fir trees.”

“Are you saying that Ethel ordered that other Korean trees be brought in besides the pear tree?”

“Yes that’s right.”

It looks like they’re going to turn the garden into a little Korea.

It’s touching once again.

Plus I feel like I’m learning something from her.

‘Even that brooch is like that.’

I looked at Choi Hyun-sik who was loitering in front of me.

To be exact I looked at the top of the suit he was wearing not his face.

‘It’s cold today too.’

There was a small brooch hanging near Choi Hyun-sik’s heart.

A Taegeuk pattern decoration created at Ethel’s suggestion.

Everyone who works at my house has one.

‘It’s nothing special.’

Since I started wearing the brooch the expressions on my family’s faces have changed.

It could be because of a sense of belonging.

It may be because patriotism is heightened by wearing the Taegeuk pattern on one side of the chest.

‘It all started with Ethel’s idea.’

I have often seen artists’ works change a lot depending on the muse.

Actually I didn’t understand this.

I wondered how a great painter’s style could change so drastically due to one variable his companion.

But now that I’m married I have a rough idea why that is.

My wife’s presence has a greater influence on me than I thought.

‘I am influenced by Ethel whether I know it or not.’

Staying with someone longer than anyone else in the living space.

You can also receive counseling by reviewing your day before going to bed.

Aren’t you a partner who overcomes hardships together when things get difficult?

A married couple is a being that cannot help but resemble each other.

“majesty.”

Choi Hyun-sik who had gone outside for a moment approached me.

“I heard that the candidates for the royal dog have been roughly selected. The owners are waiting outside now. What should we do?”

Adopting the puppy Ethel wanted was just around the corner.

I wanted to see the puppies right away even today.

“The sooner the better. Let the owners in. Ah I’ll tell Ethel.”

“yes.”

I wanted to hurry.

I’m leaving for Europe soon and I don’t have time to waste energy on such trivial things.

* * *

“Oh my! Look at this prince. The way he moves and wiggles is so cute.”

Ethel pointed at the puppies with her finger her characteristically nasal voice full of energy.

“Look at that cute nose on the left. And those feet are so big. I bet they’ll grow to be huge later on.”

Puppies with different appearances look at Ethel and me with bright eyes.

“Come here my baby.”

Ethel looked at the puppies and then unable to bear it any longer took one of the puppies out of the box.

After that she held me in her arms and looked at me once and asked if I and the puppy got along well.

“how is it?”

“I think it suits you well.”

“Really?”

“then.”

“Hmm. This smell.”

Ethel lifted the puppy she was holding in her arms and brought it close to her prominent nose.

After that I sniffed around.

I kept checking the dog’s scent wondering if it was addictive.

“These kids. How old are they?”

“It hasn’t even been three months.”

While Ethel was going crazy over the puppy smell I looked at the puppy owners and started asking them detailed information about the puppies such as their ages and health conditions.

“Can I see the mother and son?”

“This way Your Majesty.”

Nearby the parent dogs were waiting leashed.

Pointing to the black puppies Ethel was holding he asked which of the eight dogs were Black Goo’s mother and father.

“These are the boys. The father is four years old and the mother is three years old. Your Majesty aren’t they handsome?”

“I see.”

I looked at the dignified looking adult dogs and then looked at Ethel again.

She was still petting the puppy she was holding.

“Ethel.”

“Oh yes Your Majesty.”

Ethel also came to her senses as if she sensed my gaze and started asking for information about the puppy she was holding.

“What is this child’s breed name?”

“What breed is Pooh?”

The dog owner rolled his eyes and thought about it for about ten seconds.

Then he started answering Ethel’s questions in awkward English pronunciation.

“Yes it’s called four-eyed.”

“Um… four-eyed?”

Ethel smiled faintly and looked at the slightly embarrassed owner.

“Four-eyed… Is it because the white fur above the eyes feels like another eye?”

“Yes that’s right. Your Majesty the Queen.”

Ethel is the daughter of the Rockefeller family.

She had a very good eye.

Because of that when his subordinates lied he would quickly notice it.

“Wow that’s a good name. Considering you just thought of it.”

Look.

Aren’t you still pointing it out now?

“Mom I’m sorry. I don’t really understand the concept of a small breed….”

“Oh it’s okay. That’s possible. Mr. Park I didn’t mean to harass you. Don’t be so nervous.”

“….”

“But it’s really well made. I like it.”

Ethel sincerely praised the breed name saying that what she had just said was not malicious.

It’s a pretty good name considering it was just made up on the spot and the meaning behind it is pretty good.

“What breed is that dog?”

“This is a sapling.”

“Now that you mention it I guess this was an original name.”

“….”

“What’s next to it?”

“It’s called Bulgae. The one next to it is Jindo.”

Of the four puppies Ethel seems to like the four-eyed one she’s holding the most.

Ethel showed no interest in any other dog except Black Goo.

“Your Majesty would you like to hug me too?”

“I wonder?”

“Oh my. It suits you well.”

Ethel clapped her hands once and asked me.

“Have you ever raised a puppy before?”

“That has never happened.”

There was no exact time when it was Lee Kang.

When I was a modern-day Park Byeong-jun I raised several dogs.

“Really?”

Ethel looked at me with slightly suspicious eyes.

“It doesn’t seem like this is your first time hugging me…”

She tilted her head slightly then smiled brightly and took the puppy from me again.

After that he whispered to me in a hoarse voice.

“I think the prince will be a good father.”

“Why?”

“Because the way she holds her puppy is so comforting. My child will also be able to hold her very well. I’m sure.”

I smiled brightly in response to Ethel’s compliment.

“Then should we decide at this point? Do you like this child?”

“yes.”

The selection process is almost over.

I gave a look of approval to the dog owners who came to my house.

The dog owners are leaving.

I quietly asked Choi Hyun-sik one thing.

“I’m talking about the people who came to our house today.”

“yes.”

“Please actively support those who have been chosen. They are the ones who will help in raising native dogs.”

If you visit Europe the popularity of the Ney-eyed and other native Korean dogs may skyrocket.

Breeding is essential as it can be given as a gift to other royal families.

It seemed like everyone gathered here today needed to work a little harder.

“I will follow Your Majesty’s orders.”

Ethel came back to me holding the four-eyed black sphere in her arms.

“Prince. This child. What shall we name him?”

What would be good?

What is a Korean name that Ethel can easily pronounce?

“What do you think? I’d like to see your naming skills.”

The difficult part is that you have to outsource it.

I asked Choi Hyun-sik who was next to me if there was a suitable name.

“Well may I dare to write this on Your Majesty’s behalf?”

Choi Hyun-sik looked at Ethel with an embarrassed expression.

It’s like a look in his eyes asking for help.

“Think about it carefully.”

Where are you trying to avoid it?

I blocked Choi Hyun-sik’s saving gaze towards Ethel and asked him for help.

Choi Hyun-sik hesitated for a moment and then started explaining the basics to me.

“majesty.”

“Tell me.”

“When our people name their dogs they usually name them after people they like or dislike.”

“okay?”

I made a surprised expression.

Even if you like it you still give it the name of someone you hate.

Choi Hyun-sik answered my question with a slightly mischievous expression.

“Because it’s a funny situation. Imagine potty training your child by naming him or her after someone you hate.”

“ah….”

I understand why our ancestors named us like that.

“Have you decided?”

Since the conversation we just had was in Korean Ethel didn’t understand us at all.

That’s why.

She looked at me and Choi Hyun-sik with a curious expression and urged me on.

“then.”

“What is this child’s name? Please tell me.”

“Meiji. How about Meiji?”

Choi Hyun-sik who was next to me clenched his fists and held his breath.

Because he knew very well who ‘Meiji’ meant.

“Are you a Mage?”

However unlike Choi Hyun-sik Edel seemed to not know the meaning of mage.

Because she was ignorant of East Asian history like most Westerners.

“Mayjeera…..”

Ethel tilted her head for a moment.

Because it wasn’t a name commonly given to puppies.

“Well we were fascinated by the magic this child used. Isn’t that right Mage?”

At Ethel’s last words the four-eyed black sphere suddenly reacted.

like.

Just as his original name was Meiji.

“Oh it seems that Mage likes my name too. Look at this Prince. Our Mage reacted to the name I just gave him.”

Ethel laughed heartily and flashed her black ball.

Then Meiji started to moan.

“Meiji~ Why why? Are you hungry? Then shall we go get something to eat?”

Is it because I’m too nervous?

As Ethel lifted the mage high into the sky the four-eyed man pee’d.

On Ethel’s face.

“Oh my Magi! What is this!”

“Woof woof-”

“What if I act like this to my mom? I’m going to get scolded by Meiji. I need to get potty trained by my mom first!”

As a veteran dog owner who has raised seven dogs Ethel scolded Maisie with a stern expression.

Ethel got angry and took Maisie out into the yard.

I think he’s thinking of doing some special training.

“I don’t think I need to tell you right?”

I whispered to Choi Hyun-sik as I watched Ethel heading home with Maisie.

Then he blinked and answered “Yes.”

< What I Forgot (2) > End