Yeongan was 23 years old when he became King of Joseon, and he reigned for 40 years.
In the first year of his reign, the Chief Royal Secretary, Cha Sung-Je was summoned and brought before the new King of Joseon.
King Yeongan sat upon his magnificent golden throne, his court officials assembled themselves before him, while looking very resplendent in his red robe with emblems of the dragon.
Cha Sung-Je bowed before the King, then said: "So His Majesty has summoned me at last."
"I summoned you," King Yeongan began, "because you are determined to do what is bad in the eyes of your King."
"May His Majesty the King be praised. What is it I have done to earn the King's displeasure?"
"I regret having kept you as the Chief Royal Secretary after the death of my father for you have not carried out my words."
Immediately Cha Sung-Je protested.
"But I have carried out the word of my King....."
King Yeongan's handsome face grew hot with vexation.
"Stop! I sent you on a mission to devote everyone involved in the rebellion at Gyeonggi to destruction. You were to exterminate all of them. But what did I hear? You sold them as slaves to merchants from Qing!"
The Royal Secretary quickly defended his actions.
"The money, Your Majesty was donated to the Royal Treasury."
"Because you rejected the words of your King, he has also rejected you from being the Chief Royal Secretary."
Cha Sung-Je fell to his knees before prostrating himself before the golden throne.
"I have sinned, Your Majesty. I have overstepped the order of the King and have acted presumptuously. Please pardon my error and return me to post," he begged the King.
King Yeongan stood up from his golden throne with deep annoyance and regret.
"I will not return you to your former post for you have rejected my order and therefore your King has rejected you."
In that very moment the doors of the throne room were thrown open and palace guards came rushing in.
As they collected the Chief Royal Secretary and dragged him from before the golden throne, he screamed at the top of his lungs.
"My King, please pardon my mistake and show mercy to your favorite person. Please show your loving kindness on my behalf."
King Yeongan turned his back as Cha Sung-Je was dragged out of the throne room.
Later King Yeongan returned to the Royal chambers and sat behind his desk. After a long moment of silence, he went into mourning for Cha Sung-Je. And regretted that he had made him the Chief Royal Secretary.
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