Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 11

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb.

Germination… Carcinogenesis? (4) [Likely a reference to a previous event or inside joke, possibly related to a game or experiment.]

Starting with a phrase I’d heard somewhere before—a chain letter—Hyang earnestly explained the usefulness of Arabic numerals to Sejong.

Sejong listened to Hyang’s presentation with a serious face, stroking his beard as he pondered.

After a period of silent thought, Sejong came to a conclusion.

“While I believe it’s a good idea, I don’t think it’s right for me to make this decision alone. Come back tomorrow when the morning assembly begins and explain it again.”

“Yes, Father.”

Having finished his business, Hyang paid his respects to Sejong and stepped back.

Sejong, watching Hyang quietly retreating, opened his mouth.

“Hyang.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I am truly proud of your intelligence. However, you are still young. Rather than focusing solely on state affairs, devote yourself to the growth of your body and mind.”

“Yes, Father.”

At Sejong’s praise, Hyang’s face brightened, and he bowed deeply. Sejong smiled as he watched Hyang’s excited departure.

“Now he looks like a child his age.”

Sejong, still wearing his fatherly smile, frowned as he examined the documents.

“Tsk! I forgot to ask about this.”

* * *

The next day, as the morning assembly began, Sejong summoned Hyang as promised. Hyang, attending the assembly, explained Arabic numerals to the officials.

“…Therefore, I believe that using these Indian numbers, which the scribes call ‘Arabic numerals,’ is much more useful for expressing numbers.”

Having finished his explanation, Hyang paid his respects to Sejong and stepped aside.

Once Hyang’s explanation was over, Sejong looked around at the officials.

“What do you think of the Crown Prince’s proposal?”

The first to respond to Sejong’s question was Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation.

“I believe it would be very useful in expressing numbers.”

“I, Heo Ji, the Minister of Personnel, also believe it is very useful.”

The Minister of Taxation, who had the most need to use numbers, agreed first, followed by the Minister of Personnel, who also used them frequently.

With the ministers of the two departments most closely related to numbers in agreement, Sejong made a decision.

“Then, try using these Indian numbers for a month, focusing on these two departments. If the results are good, we will implement it nationwide.”

“We shall obey your command!”

With the matter of numbers settled, Sejong moved on to the next agenda item.

“It seems the Crown Prince should listen to this next item and offer his judgment. Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Father.”

“The Emperor of Ming has sent an imperial edict.”

At the unexpected words, Hyang looked dazed.

“Pardon?”

Seeing the Crown Prince’s face, Sejong explained the whole story.

-Sejong, pleased with the gold pen the Crown Prince had made, ordered the Military Supplies Department to produce gold pens to present to the Emperor. The Yongle Emperor [The third emperor of the Ming Dynasty in China], receiving the gold pen adorned with silver inlay on the gold nib and two magnificent dragons lacquered in yellow on the shaft, expressed great satisfaction.

Yongle Emperor, very pleased with the gold pen, sent an edict through the Joseon envoy who came to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday.

-Tribute 10,000 gold pens.

-Knowing that Joseon lacks resources, tribute 1,000 pens of the same quality as those already presented, and 9,000 pens of slightly lower quality.

Sejong and the court, receiving Yongle Emperor’s decree, were plunged into 고민 [Korean word meaning ‘dilemma’ or ‘worry’].

The gold pens sold with the state’s permission were of four grades. The special grade was used by the royal family and was the highest quality product with pure gold and silver inlay, and the following grades 1 to 3 were made of gold, silver, and copper nibs, respectively.

Yongle Emperor said it was okay to be of lower grade, but he would be satisfied with grade 1.

* * *

“If it’s 10,000 pens, the budget…”

Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation, clutched his throbbing forehead and muttered at the sudden demand from Ming.

“Why did the Crown Prince make such a device… No, why did His Majesty present it, even boasting about his son has its limits…”

“Minister!”

“Hup!”

The Vice Minister next to him gave him a warning, and Kim Jeom hurriedly shut his mouth and looked around. Fortunately, he was now in the Taxation Office, and only the Vice Minister was present.

“Hoo~.”

Kim Jeom, letting out a sigh of relief, warned the Vice Minister.

“Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”

* * *

Hyang, hearing about this situation, was lost in thought. Nodding to himself, Hyang looked at Sejong as he did this and that calculation.

“Father, how about doing business?”

“Business?”

“Business! How could you say such a thing!”

“Quiet, Chief Censor. Crown Prince, continue.”

As soon as Hyang uttered the word ‘business,’ Seong Eom, the Chief Censor of the Censorate [An office in Joseon dynasty that monitored the administration and the officials], opposed it as if he had a seizure. However, his attempt was blocked by Sejong’s hand. At Sejong’s command, Hyang opened his mouth and continued speaking.

“If Ming is sending an imperial edict demanding gold pens as tribute, it means there is considerable demand in Ming. Consider the vast territory of Ming and the number of people living there. Even if we only consider the number of literati [Scholars or intellectuals], it is several times greater than our Joseon. If we contact the merchants who make gold pens, they will be able to make more than the amount for tribute.”

At Hyang’s question, Sejong and the officials calculated in their heads. And a conclusion was immediately reached.

‘We can profit!’

Seeing the reactions of Sejong and the officials, Hyang continued his explanation.

“In addition, we should have merchants accompany the envoys. Not just a few people secretly accompanying them, as is the case now, but officially.”

-Merchants accompanying the delegation will pay 2 seok (approximately 320kg) [A traditional Korean unit of measurement for volume, mainly used for grains] of white rice per person. The court will guarantee their accommodation and safety until they arrive in Beijing.

– The court will lease buildings around Huidongguan (會同館) [A type of lodging facility for envoys from other countries], the accommodation exclusively for Joseon envoys in Beijing, to support the commercial activities of merchants.

– Merchants will pay 20% of the profits earned from sales to the court. However, luxury goods such as ginseng will pay 40% of the profits.

– If officials belonging to the delegation and those escorting them have items to sell, they will entrust them to the merchants. The profits will also be paid to the court at the same rate as the merchants.

-Before the delegation departs, the Ministry of Taxation will accurately record the items and quantities of goods that the merchants and the delegation intend to sell. In addition, officials from the Ministry of Taxation will accompany the delegation to clearly record the sales situation.

“…I think it would be good to proceed as described above.”

“Hmm…”

After Hyang’s explanation, Sejong and the officials began their review. While examining the pros and cons of Hyang’s plan, Seong Eom opened his mouth.

“I, the Chief Censor, believe that the Crown Prince’s plan should never be adopted.”

“Why is that?”

“The Crown Prince’s plan will certainly bring in a lot of wealth. However, as the old stories say, if a lot of wealth comes in, not only the royal family but also the people will be immersed in luxury, which will lead to tyranny that imposes heavy taxes on the people.”

“I, the Chief Secretary, agree with the Chief Censor’s opinion. It is thought that true royal politics is for the monarch and the people to be frugal, rejoice in simple living, cultivate virtue, and spread a beautiful fragrance throughout the world, which other countries admire.”

“I, the Minister of Rites, agree with the opinions of the two previous speakers. How can we include lowly merchants in the delegation going to see the Emperor of the Upper Kingdom? This will tarnish the dignity of our Joseon. I understand the Crown Prince’s intelligence, but it seems that he does not yet know much about state affairs and diplomacy. I would like to inform you that it is advisable to devote more effort to your studies and learn what state affairs and diplomacy based on royal principles are.”

In a nutshell, he was saying, ‘What does a young man know about state affairs and diplomacy to interfere?’ At the remarks of the Chief Secretary, the Chief Censor, and the Minister of Rites, Hyang’s eyebrows shot up.

“Hoo~.”

Hyang, taking a small breath and calming his rising anger, looked back at Sejong.

“Father, may I answer?”

“You may.”

Sejong’s voice was not good, as if he was not feeling well either. Hyang, having received Sejong’s permission, began his rebuttal.

“I ask the Chief Censor. Did you say that if wealth comes in, the royal family will be immersed in luxury, which will lead to tyranny?”

“That is correct. According to old stories…”

“In those old stories, they squeezed the blood of the people to maintain that luxury. Am I now saying that we should squeeze the blood of the people? Isn’t it coming from outside?”

“It may be possible to bring it in from outside once. However, there is no guarantee that it will continue to come in like that. It may sell well at first because it is new, but the next time is not guaranteed. If that happens, the people will have to bear the burden.”

“Do you only live for today, Chief Censor?”

The Chief Censor, Seong Eom, made a dumbfounded expression at Hyang’s presumptuous question.

“What do you mean!”

“Is the only thing merchants can sell gold pens? There are many other things! And how can you be so sure that gold pens will only be sold once?”

“Where are those who use gold pens among me and the officials? At first, I bought it because it was new, but it is an object that cannot keep up with the dignity and elegance of the writing brush! Gold pens are like children’s toys!”

At Seong Eom’s words, Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation, who had been sitting quietly, intervened.

“The Chief Censor’s words are wrong. Do you know how much gold pens are consumed in a month now? 60 grade 1 pens are consumed per month, and silver and copper pens are consumed a total of 400 pens. This is the number consumed only by the government, and more than 1,000 pens are sold in the private sector per month. Even 600 or more grade 1 gold pens are sold.”

At Kim Jeom’s additional explanation, Seong Eom’s eyes widened as much as they could.

“Per month?”

“Per month.”

At Kim Jeom’s answer, Seong Eom muttered to himself without realizing it.

“Heo… How can such a frivolous thing…”

Hyang, hearing Seong Eom’s words, quickly interjected.

“I’m sorry. It’s frivolous because a young man made it.”

“Hup!”

Seong Eom, realizing that he had made a slip of the tongue, immediately bowed his head to Sejong.

“Your Majesty! Please forgive my slip of the tongue!”

“I will forgive you.”

“Thank you!”

While Seong Eom was wiping cold sweat from his brow, Hyang continued his offensive.

“The Chief Censor and the Chief Secretary opposed it by citing the example of ivory chopsticks and jade cups, but this trade is essential for the sake of the people. Eunuch! Go to my room and bring a book. The title is ‘Comprehensive Geographical Records of the World’.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After some time, the eunuch, panting, returned and handed the book to Hyang.

Hyang, finding the part he wanted, handed the book to the eunuch who was standing by.

“Have it given to Father.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As Sejong examined the contents of the book he had received, Hyang continued to speak.

“That book is one of the miscellaneous books I asked the envoys to obtain. Like the title ‘Comprehensive Geographical Records of the World,’ it is a book that records the geography and specialties of China and neighboring countries. According to that book, rice is harvested twice a year in Jiangnan [A region in China, south of the Yangtze River], Ming, and in the case of Dayue (大越國) [The old name of Vietnam], which is located further south than Ming, it is harvested three times a year. Therefore, we must buy rice from Jiangnan or Dayue with the profits earned by the merchants accompanying the delegation and bring it back. And we must use the rice we have obtained to relieve the people suffering from starvation.”

Hyang, who was thirsty from talking continuously, paused for a moment and swallowed. Hyang, who had moistened his dry mouth, continued his offensive.

“Did you say to be frugal and rejoice in simple living? Do you think the people are frugal because they want to be frugal? The people are now impoverished. Simple living? They die of drought in the summer, freeze to death in the winter, and starve to death in the spring! In this situation, who will praise the virtue of the monarch even if he accumulates virtue? The people are dying of starvation, but is the dignity of the country a problem! There is a saying in the marketplace. ‘Even a nobleman will cross the wall if his child starves for three days.’ What parent would stand still when their child is starving! The king is the father of all the people! Shouldn’t we do whatever we can when our children are crying in hunger!”

“My boy, well said!”

The court froze at Sejong’s sudden cry.

Hyang and the officials stared at Sejong with their mouths open, and the scribes also stopped recording and stared at Sejong.

Hyang, looking at Sejong, remembered his first birthday. Hyang, recalling the situation where he had a verbal battle with his brother Yangnyeong and almost grabbed him by the collar, clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘Tsk! He’s been holding back that personality for a long time.’

End