Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 69

Clangra

Heloam

69. The People (2)

Five days after the preliminary and secondary civil service examinations, the list of successful candidates was announced. Near Gwanghwamun Gate [the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, a prominent landmark in Seoul], examinees who had taken the exam gathered, waiting for the results.

“Has the list not been posted yet?”

“Hey, move your head!”

Amidst the light commotion among the nervous examinees, the side gate of Gwanghwamun opened, and officials and palace servants emerged.

As the officials came out of Gwanghwamun, the examinees’ commotion subsided. They swallowed hard, their eyes darting around.

The official applied paste to a large bulletin board set up on one side of the fortress wall next to Gwanghwamun and then posted the notice.

“The list of successful candidates is here!”

As the list of successful candidates was posted, the examinees rushed to the bulletin board to check if their names were there.

“It’s here!”

“Mine too!”

“Hahaha! I passed!”

Some checked their names and rejoiced, while others lamented their failure.

“I failed again!”

“What am I going to tell my parents…?”

Before those who were happy, angry, and sad, palace servants reappeared and set up a small platform.

As the platform was set up, an official wearing a dark navy-blue uniform went up onto the platform, put a funnel-shaped object to his mouth, and shouted.

“Lee Soon-ji! Is Lee Soon-ji here! Lee Soon-ji from Yangseong, Gyeonggi Province (now Anseong, Gyeonggi Province)!”

At the official’s shout, a young man, barely twenty years old, rushed forward from among the examinees.

“That’s me!”

“Are you Lee Soon-ji? From Yangseong, Gyeonggi Province?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Year of birth?”

“Eul-yu year [one of the years in the traditional sixty-year cycle].”

At Lee Soon-ji’s answer, the official checked the record.

“Lee Soon-ji… Yangseong… Eul-yu year… correct. Stand over here.”

“Yes? Yes.”

The official, having placed Lee Soon-ji next to him, called out nine more names.

“Let’s see… one, two, three, four… ten… all correct. You men, follow me.”

“Yes? Yes.”

Thus, shrouded in mystery, Lee Soon-ji and the nine successful candidates followed the official into Gyeongbokgung Palace.

“Who are those people? Hey, brother. Do you know anything?”

“I don’t know either.”

As the examinees buzzed with questions, an official wearing a blue uniform went up onto the platform.

“Quiet! Quiet! Quiet!”

At the official’s shout, the gathered examinees fell silent.

The official put the funnel-like object to his mouth and shouted.

“Successful candidates, move to the right for the verification process! And those who have failed, try again next time!”

Following the official’s command, the examinees split into two groups. The successful candidates moved to a place on the right side of Gwanghwamun for verification, and those who failed turned away, shedding tears of bitterness.

* * *

Meanwhile, in Pyeonjeon Hall [the main council hall in the palace], Sejong and his ministers were discussing the recent preliminary civil service examination.

“How many successful candidates are there in this preliminary examination?”

“A total of 185, Your Majesty.”

“185? The number of successful candidates has decreased?”

At Sejong’s question, Hwang Hee answered.

“The test on the classics was effective, but those who failed the arithmetic test were all disqualified.”

“What is the standard for failing arithmetic?”

“Those who scored 20 points below the average, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm… They are talented individuals who passed the village examination, is it not a bit of a waste?”

At Sejong’s question, Hwang Hee explained the reason.

“That is true, but it would take too much time and money to educate them in mathematics from the basics and deploy them to work.”

“Is that so? I understand. They are carefully selected talents for the sake of the nation, so we must make the best use of them.”

At Sejong’s request, the ministers bowed their heads in unison.

“We obey Your Majesty’s command!”

“The selection process is one thing, but what will you do with those who have completed their education? What about their ranks?”

“As with the Sungkyunkwan [the Royal Academy] students last time, we will divide them into grades according to their academic performance in mathematics, and after a three-month probationary period, we plan to distribute them appropriately to the Six Ministries [the main administrative divisions of the government].”

“That’s good. But what if some of them insist on going to Sungkyunkwan?”

“Even if they go through Sungkyunkwan and pass the higher civil service examination, they will start from the 9th rank, unless they are the top scorer. If they have any sense, they will know that it is much more advantageous than being in Sungkyunkwan.”

“That’s right.”

Hwang Hee continued his explanation, seeing Sejong’s reaction.

“In addition, Sungkyunkwan’s role will change in the future, so we plan to dismiss all students this time.”

At Hwang Hee’s words, Sejong burst into laughter.

“Hah! They will end up chasing a chicken after trying to take an easy route.”

* * *

A similar story unfolded at the place where the successful candidates were being briefed.

“…Therefore, you will complete the course and then be put to work.”

As soon as the official’s explanation ended, one of the successful candidates raised his hand.

“I am aiming for the higher civil service examination! Is it not possible to enter Sungkyunkwan?”

The official who received the question answered briefly.

“No. Sungkyunkwan’s role has changed from this year. Sungkyunkwan will only perform ancestral rites for the Confucian shrine and educate candidates to be appointed as high-ranking officials. Oh, and speaking of which… the qualifications for the higher civil service examination will also change. In short, if you want to become a Dangsanggwan [a high-ranking official], you must become a government official.”

The official explained it simply, but the reality was not simple at all.

In order to become a high-ranking official above Dangsanggwan, one had to take another civil service examination. And in order to take that civil service examination, one had to prove their ability in their work.

However, the reason why the official did not explain this in detail was simple.

‘We need to weed out the hopeless ones from the start!’

The people in front of him and those who would continue to come in the future were his subordinates and potential competitors. Even when competing, he had to pick out the promising ones to make things easier for himself right now.

As the official’s explanation ended, the same successful candidate raised his hand again.

“Can’t I just return to my hometown, study, and then challenge the higher civil service examination?”

At those words, the explaining official shouted.

“You stupid fool! Did you listen to what I’ve been explaining so far, or did you just ignore it? What did I say? Didn’t I say that the nature of the higher civil service examination has changed? What are you listening with, and why are you talking nonsense now! You’re expelled!”

“Expelled…?”

“Disqualified! You stupid bastard!”

At the official’s words, the problematic successful candidate shouted.

“Hey, you! Do you know who I am!”

“Who are you!”

“The former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Works is my great-grandfather, and the current Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Justice is my cousin!”

At his words, the official scoffed.

“Humph! In the end, you’re just a nobody.”

“What!”

The one who was suddenly treated as a nobody became furious, but the official gave an order to the official next to him.

“Go to the Office of the Inspector General [an office that monitors government officials] and bring Song Jip-ui. If you say that Jang Ryung Kang of the Ministry of Personnel sent you, he will know.”

At Kang Jang-ryung’s words, the official who was present nodded and stood up from his seat. The official who stood up glared at the problematic successful candidate and went outside.

Meanwhile, the successful candidate who had boasted about his backing turned pale as soon as the word ‘Office of the Inspector General’ came out.

Looking at such a successful candidate, Kang Jang-ryung raised his voice.

“This bastard is boasting about his backing! You bastard! Do you think I’m expelling you as I please? It’s all by royal decree! Do you understand? My backing is His Majesty the King! You rotten bastard, boasting about your backing!”

In the end, the successful candidate who caused the commotion was expelled and disqualified at the same time.

“Just one forgiveness!”

The successful candidate who was expelled begged for forgiveness while being dragged out, but the officials remained unmoved. After a brief commotion, Kang Jang-ryung warned the frozen successful candidates.

“If there are any problems with your conduct during the mathematics education period and internship period, or if you cannot keep up with the tasks, or if you cause any trouble, you will be expelled immediately. Do not forget this point. Do you understand?”

“Yes!”

The successful candidates answered in a loud voice.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Inspector General immediately wrote a memorial and sent it to Sejong. Sejong, upon receiving the memorial, immediately ordered punishment.

“The fact that someone who has just passed the preliminary civil service examination is acting so arrogant is because he firmly believed in the backing he mentioned. After reading the memorial, I am truly saddened as I am reminded of the case of Ryu Jeong-hyun in the past.”

“We are in fear, Your Majesty!”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers all bowed their heads. Sejong’s words continued over the heads of such ministers.

“If he is committing such atrocities against the officials of the court, I think I know without seeing what kind of atrocities his backing has committed. The Chief State Councilor shall order the Uigeumbu [a high-level law enforcement agency] to investigate the relatives he mentioned and find out their remaining crimes.”

“We obey Your Majesty’s command!”

According to the investigation by the Uigeumbu, the one who had served as the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Works had all his meritorious subject certificates confiscated, and the one who worked in the Ministry of Justice was demoted to Bongsa [a low-level government position] and then sentenced to ‘document sorting punishment.’

* * *

While such things were happening outside, Lee Soon-ji and his group were also in chaos.

“Where are we going now?”

After passing through the gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace and continuing deeper into the palace, Lee Soon-ji asked the official walking ahead with a fearful voice. At Lee Soon-ji’s question, the official walking ahead answered briefly.

“To the East Palace [the residence of the Crown Prince].”

“Hiek!”

As soon as they heard the words ‘East Palace,’ Lee Soon-ji and the successful candidates were horrified. They were heading to the place where the protagonist who would inherit the next throne resided.

Seeing Lee Soon-ji’s group tense up, the official walking ahead chuckled.

“Relax. Anyone would think you’re entering a tiger’s den.”

“Yes! Yes!”

The official, turning his back while looking at the faces of Lee Soon-ji’s group who still couldn’t relax, muttered to himself.

“Wouldn’t a tiger’s den be better?”

* * *

“Welcome. I am Jeong Cho, the Deputy Director of the Research Institute.”

The one who welcomed Lee Soon-ji’s group was Jeong Cho. Jeong Cho first conveyed his apologies.

“Originally, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would have welcomed you, but he is busy with the affairs of Area 51, so I am welcoming you instead. I am sorry.”

“Ah, no, it’s alright.”

As Jeong Cho bowed his head, Lee Soon-ji’s group hurriedly bowed their heads.

“Now, please sit down.”

As Jeong Cho offered them seats, Lee Soon-ji’s group quickly sat down on the chairs.

Looking at the faces of Lee Soon-ji’s group sitting on the chairs in a stiff posture and looking only at him, Jeong Cho smiled bitterly.

‘When I think about the hardships these friends will go through, I feel sorry for them.’

“Ahem. Ahem!”

Jeong Cho, clearing his expression with a light cough, got to the point.

“I will tell you what you will be doing in the future. First of all, are there any of you who know about Cheonchuksu [a simplified mathematical notation]?”

At Jeong Cho’s question, Lee Soon-ji quickly raised his hand.

“Oh? I thought Cheonchuksu hasn’t spread much yet, how did you know about it?”

“I saw a peddler who often visits my family using it.”

“Is that so? The others… you’re the only one. Then, what’s your name?”

“I am Lee Soon-ji from Yangseong.”

“Okay, Lee Saeng-won [a term of respect for a student] will learn Cheonchuksu with the other Saeng-won as a review.”

“I understand.”

“After the learning of Cheonchuksu is finished, you will learn mathematics. And…”

Jeong Cho told them what they would learn and do in the future. Jeong Cho finished his explanation as follows.

“First, you will be given a month and a half to return to your hometown, inform them of your success, and pack your belongings to return to Hanseong [the capital city, now Seoul]. I hope to see you then. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has high expectations, and I also have high expectations for you.”

“We will do our best!”

* * *

After a month and a half, Lee Soon-ji and the other Saeng-won went to work at the research institute without a single person missing.

“Nice to meet you!”

Hyang greeted the newly hired employees. This was because, while the existing staff had been brought in based solely on the evaluations of those around them, the ten people in front of him were personnel secured through direct evaluation.

“I believe that you will accomplish great things!”

At Hyang’s words, filled with expectation and trust, the new researchers all answered in a loud voice.

“We will dedicate our lives!”

And it didn’t take even half a month for that shout to turn into a wail.

“Ugh, I’m going to die…”

“Hyung Song, did you work overtime yesterday too?”

“I haven’t been home for five days already. I’m worried I’ll get dumped.”

The new researchers, gathered in the break room during a short break, rubbed their necks and shoulders, complaining about the difficulty of the work.

“At least the salary is good…”

“Those who were assigned to the Six Ministries are still dying from practical training. They say they are being evaluated every day.”

“I don’t know whether we are lucky or they are lucky…”

Lee Soon-ji was passing by in front of the eyes of those who were talking about other successful candidates who were suffering as probationary officials with temporary ranks.

Lee Soon-ji’s face, carrying a bundle of books in his arms, was full of energy.

Looking at that sight, the new researchers all grumbled.

“Lee Saeng-won has found his perfect calling.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”