Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 132

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

132. Change (2)

“If you have any questions, please ask.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers began to ask questions one by one.

“You mentioned operating stagecoaches using the post stations. Could you elaborate on that?”

Since ‘post stations’ were related to the military, Jo Mal-saeng was the first to ask.

Hyang immediately began to explain in response to Jo Mal-saeng’s question.

“Currently, when the people of Joseon travel, they have to walk endlessly to their destination. This takes a long time and is dangerous. Although most bandits have been suppressed, some still remain, and there are also wild animals.”

The ministers nodded at Hyang’s point. Even setting aside the bandits, the greatest danger to the people when traveling was wild animals. Therefore, peddlers never traveled alone.

Seeing the ministers’ expressions of understanding, Hyang continued.

“However, the large horses of those Westerners are large and strong enough to pull large carriages. If these carriages operate regularly, the people’s travel will be more convenient and safer, and the travel time can be greatly reduced.”

“Indeed…”

The ministers nodded at Hyang’s words. They had been amazed by those huge horses, which seemed capable of pulling carriages full of people.

“And, by operating stagecoaches centered around these post stations, new livelihoods will develop.”

“If you’re talking about new livelihoods?”

When Jo Mal-saeng asked, Sejong answered instead.

“There will be shops selling food and places providing lodging. And more people will want currency.”

“That’s right!”

Hyang nodded vigorously at Sejong’s answer.

Following Jo Mal-saeng, Kim Jeom stepped forward.

“You said that when all the people of Joseon become adults, the country will distribute identification tags of the same shape. Considering the budget and personnel issues, wouldn’t it be better to have them make it themselves?”

“At first glance, that seems to be the case. But if people make their own identification tags, the standards and materials will all be different. Then, would it be easy to recognize them?”

At Hyang’s rebuttal, Kim Jeom replied with a sullen face.

“That’s true, but…”

“And, the wealthy will make identification tags out of all sorts of precious materials. If soldiers inspect such identification tags, will they be able to perform their duties impartially?”

“That’s…”

Kim Jeom closed his mouth, trying to say something. Soldiers impartially dealing with those who have such grand identification tags?

‘It would be a blessing if they didn’t get slapped in the face.’

This was a similar thought not only for the other ministers but also for Sejong.

When Kim Jeom couldn’t answer properly and others showed similar reactions, Hyang continued.

“The fact that the country distributes identification tags of the same standard to all the people is a symbol.”

Sejong showed interest when the word ‘symbol,’ which didn’t seem to fit at all, came out.

“A symbol?”

“Yes, Father. It is a symbol. ‘Although there may be distinctions between the noble and the common in Joseon, before the law, all are equal as one person.’ That is the symbol.”

“I see! That’s a truly wonderful symbol!”

Sejong clapped his knees in admiration at Hyang’s words. The ministers also had the same expression as Sejong.

Looking at the expressions of Sejong and the ministers, Hyang smiled faintly.

‘I’m benefiting from the liberal arts courses I took in college.’

* * *

When Hyang was a freshman in college in the 21st century, the professor in charge of the ‘Law and Democracy’ course he chose as a liberal arts course was a dignified old gentleman.

During the lecture, he took out his resident registration card [similar to a modern ID card] from his wallet and proceeded with the lecture.

“Everyone, you’ve probably heard this saying at least once in TV dramas or movies: ‘All are equal before the law.’ It must be observed, but it is a saying that is truly difficult to see being kept. However, what most concisely symbolizes this is this resident registration card. Whether it’s those who live day to day or the head of that S Group [likely referring to a large conglomerate, like Samsung], what legally proves their identity is this flimsy piece of plastic.”

* * *

Hyang’s supplementary explanation ended with the identification tag.

When the explanation was over, Kim Jeom sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. Doing all this at the same time is a concern in terms of manpower and budget.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang asked with a bewildered expression.

“Yes? What do you mean? Proceeding at the same time?”

At Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom this time asked back with a bewildered expression.

“Didn’t you say it was a linked policy? Since it’s linked, doesn’t that mean we’re implementing it at the same time?”

At Kim Jeom’s answer, Hyang sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. The order I received from Father was to come up with a countermeasure for the slaves, to be exact, a countermeasure for the slave inheritance law.”

“That’s right.”

Hyang continued, confirming that Sejong nodded and answered. The ministers also nodded along.

“So, as I was devising a countermeasure, I thought that weakening the power of the local magnates [powerful local families] was the best way to solve the slave problem and benefit Joseon. So…”

Stopping for a moment and swallowing to moisten his throat, Hyang continued.

“Therefore, as a countermeasure, I thought of linked policies such as fixing the interest rate of usury [excessive interest lending], establishing the Jeonjang [likely a type of financial institution or pawn shop], using currency, transforming the tax system, and changing the environment through road improvement. But, I swear I never said that all these policies should be implemented at the same time. I said they should be linked, but that’s all.”

“Ah…”

At Hyang’s words, the ministers looked like they had been hit hard. Remembering only Hyang’s past actions—once he started something, he would quickly carry out several things simultaneously and expand the 판 [pan, meaning ‘situation’ or ‘scope’]—they had prejudged that this time would be the same.

Looking at the ministers’ expressions, Hyang looked dumbfounded.

“Perhaps the ministers of the ministries were trying to implement all these things at the same time?”

“…”

“Does our Joseon’s budget have enough left over to make that possible?”

“…”

“Or, do you ministers think you can handle all this alone? If I were a low-ranking official, the moment I implemented these policies at the same time, I would immediately submit my resignation, take my accumulated pension, and either retire to my hometown or look for another job.”

“…”

At Hyang’s continued remarks, the ministers were speechless.

The historians and scribes were diligently recording the facts with one hand while checking Hyang’s words by searching through the records with the other hand.

‘The Crown Prince is right! The Crown Prince never said to do it at the same time!’

Hyang explained to the ministers in a little more detail.

“I thought about these policies based on the fact that the civil service examination will be open to the Northwest region and the children of concubines from this year’s examination. I envisioned that a large number of officials would be replenished, and at the point when they become accustomed to public affairs, large-scale policies with well-coordinated priorities would be implemented.”

Lee Jik honestly replied to Hyang’s explanation.

“Until now, when the Crown Prince took on a task, he proposed that several things be accomplished simultaneously, so I thought it would be the same this time.”

Hyang received the words with an embarrassed expression at Lee Jik’s confession.

“The scale of the work is a bit… If you wish, shall I revise it and submit it again so that it can be implemented simultaneously?”

Before Hyang’s words were finished, the ministers answered in unison.

“No! The current plan is the best! We will determine the order and implement it!”

Following the ministers, Sejong also continued to speak.

“I think it would be good to adjust the order well. You should adjust the order well and carry out the policies.”

“We will obey the order!”

“We will keep it in mind and carry it out!”

Hyang tilted his head at the reactions of Sejong and the ministers.

‘Why are our hands and feet working so well together today?’

Seeing Hyang’s expression full of questions, Sejong looked back at the ministers.

“I want to talk to the Crown Prince alone for a moment, so everyone please step out for a while.”

“Yes? Yes…”

The ministers, who had paused for a moment at Sejong’s command, quietly paid their respects and left Gangnyeongjeon [a royal building].

“The historians and scribes should also step out for a moment.”

“However, Your Majesty…”

“I won’t say it twice. Get out.”

At Sejong’s warning, the historians and scribes quietly gathered their golden brushes and paper and rose from their seats.

“Leave your writing tools behind.”

At Sejong’s subsequent order, the historians and scribes left Gangnyeongjeon empty-handed. However, as soon as the door closed, they immediately took out golden brushes, inkstones, and paper from their sleeves and squatted down, putting their ears to the door.

The ministers who saw that sight in the courtyard of Geunjeongjeon [another royal building] tried to say something, but soon closed their mouths. That was originally the job of the historians.

* * *

Meanwhile, when only two people were left in Geunjeongjeon, Sejong called Hyang.

“Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Father.”

“There’s more, isn’t there? Right? Recite it right away.”

At Sejong’s direct question, Hyang immediately answered.

“There are a few more things. Expansion of education, establishment of media organizations, creation of labor standards laws, etc…”

“That’s quite a lot?”

Hyang smiled awkwardly at Sejong’s question and answered.

“I think of the reforms that Father is carrying out as the cornerstone, and the policies I explained to the ministers and the policies I just mentioned as the pillars to be built on top of them.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong, stroking his beard and thinking at Hyang’s words, came down from the throne and stood in front of Hyang.

“You’ve grown a lot. I thought you would be a child forever.”

“I am deeply grateful.”

“But, listening to what you just said, I had a thought. By the time all these policies are implemented and settled, it seems like it will be about time for you to start acting as regent or take over the throne?”

“Surely not? It is my wish that Father lives a long and healthy life.”

“Let’s say that’s the case, I’ll be going through all sorts of hardships while implementing these policies, but you, who inherit them, will only have to take improvement measures, right? Right? You thought of that too, didn’t you?”

“Surely not! How could I, as your son, have such an unfilial thought?”

Hyang strongly denied Sejong’s question, but Sejong glared at such Hyang.

“Then why are your eyes looking elsewhere?”

“…Absolutely not.”

Sejong shouted in a fit of anger at Hyang’s appearance, still looking in another direction.

“Hey, you! Get out!”

* * *

While such a thing was happening inside Geunjeongjeon, the ministers were having a heated debate in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon.

“Anyway, even if we determine the order and implement the policies, it won’t be easy.”

Kim Jeom nodded at the Minister of Public Works’ point.

“That’s right. I thought I could take a breather with the large number of people coming in… Haa~.”

As Kim Jeom sighed, Jo Mal-saeng opened his mouth.

“The suffering of the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Taxation will be truly severe. You must put in a lot of effort.”

“Huh? Why do you only think we’re suffering?”

Heo Jo retorted at Jo Mal-saeng’s words.

“Well… Isn’t the job of reorganizing the system the responsibility of the Ministry of Personnel, and the matters related to budget and economics the responsibility of the Ministry of Taxation?”

Kim Jeom snorted at Jo Mal-saeng’s answer.

“Hmph! Do you think the world is that simple? Expanding and repairing roads is the job of the Ministry of Public Works.”

“Oh dear…”

The Minister of Public Works had a bitter look on his face at Kim Jeom’s point. Heo Jo glanced at such Minister of Public Works and continued.

“In addition, determining the size of the roads is also important for military value, so Minister Jo should also be involved.”

Kim Jeom added to the words as soon as Heo Jo’s words were finished.

“In addition, if you want to operate stagecoaches or whatever, you need to know about the post stations, and weren’t the post stations under the Ministry of War?”

“Damn it…”

Jo Mal-saeng unknowingly uttered profanity at Kim Jeom and Heo Jo’s words.

Kim Jeom and Heo Jo continued to speak, pointing out the other ministers.

“Not only the laws related to slaves, but also various laws including the identity law must be revised or newly created, so the Ministry of Justice cannot be excluded!”

“It’s a problem related to the Sarim [faction of scholars], including the Hyangan [local gentry organization], so the Ministry of Rites cannot be excluded either!”

All the other ministers frowned at Heo Jo and Kim Jeom’s words. Seeing that appearance, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik cautiously opened his mouth.

“Then tell us when some coordination is done…”

Heo Jo cut off Lee Jik’s words before they were finished.

“You ministers must also be present! Since the interests of the six ministries are all intertwined, conflicts are bound to arise! Isn’t it the job of the Chief State Councilors to mediate and coordinate this? Where are you thinking of putting your hands behind your back and playing the role of a hermit?”

“Ugh…”

The State Councilors, including Lee Jik, had to make groaning sounds at Heo Jo’s words.

Seeing that appearance, Kim Jeom said to Heo Jo.

“Hey, the turtle you sent me last time was very effective.”

“It has a great biting force! If possible, send me a few more.”

“I will gladly send them to you.”

The other ministers and State Councilors shook their heads at Heo Jo and Kim Jeom’s conversation.

‘They’re saying they’ll never die alone!’