Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 166

Following Sejong’s orders, the families involved in the revolt were utterly devastated.

Because all the adult men, the linchpins of their families and households, had participated, it was common for boys barely fifteen to find themselves as the head of their families.

However, this was only the beginning of their tragedy.

Those who participated in the revolt were executed, regardless of age. Those who killed relatives who refused to join were subjected to dismemberment, a particularly gruesome punishment.

But the repercussions didn’t end there. According to the “Joseon Gyeongguk典” [Grand Code of Joseon] and its revised version, the “Gyeongje Yuk典” [Administrative Code], sons over fifteen among the children of the rebels were hanged.

The fact that entire families moved together in this revolt only amplified the disaster.

According to the law, guilt by association extended to the third-degree relatives of the involved individuals. Those implicated in this way were to be exiled.

Of course, the powerful could further expand this scope at will.

However, in this revolt, where entire families participated, there was practically no one left to exile.

In the end, the local gentry society in the three southern provinces suffered a fatal blow.

Looking at the proportion of yangban [aristocratic class] families wiped out due to involvement in the revolt, Chungcheong Province saw 40% decimated, Gyeongsang Province 38%, and Jeolla Province 33%. Economically, approximately 55% of farmland in Chungcheong Province, 62% in Gyeongsang Province, and 69% in Jeolla Province fell into the hands of the court, or more precisely, Sejong.

“Was it truly necessary to incite a revolt like this…?”

Sejong, after reviewing the report submitted by the Ministry of Taxation, was at a loss for words.

They now controlled more than half of Joseon’s major granary areas, excluding Gyeonggi Province.

The report from the Ministry of Taxation didn’t stop there. Sejong’s expression turned fierce as he examined the latter part of the thick document.

“Is this truly accurate?”

Kim Jeom answered immediately, “It is, Your Majesty.”

“Tear them apart and kill them!”

Sejong expressed his raw anger.

The latter part of the report detailed the property confiscated from the families who participated in the revolt. Even excluding real estate like farmland and forests, the total value was equivalent to fifteen years of the court’s tax revenue. In short, the court could operate the government for the next fifteen years without collecting taxes.

“These damned bastards….”

Sejong’s cheek twitched as he gnashed his teeth.

“Your Majesty! Please calm your anger!”

“Please, calm your anger!”

As Lee Jik and other ministers urged him to calm down, Sejong took a deep breath and suppressed his rage.

After several deep breaths, Sejong looked at the ministers and spoke.

“From the end of the late king’s reign until the first five years of my own, I had to perform rain rituals every year. Every year, memorials about those who starved to death across the country poured in, and local officials continuously pleaded for a solution.”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“In such a situation, they accumulated wealth like this…. Do you believe this was possible through legitimate means?”

“….”

Sejong’s question silenced the ministers. They, too, had things to hide. A significant portion of the ‘gifts’ that officials had to cough up due to the Kim Do-yeon incident came from those who had accumulated wealth in this manner.

As the ministers remained silent, Sejong examined the report again. Staring at it intently, as if trying to pierce the paper, he called for Sangseon.

“Immediately summon the Crown Prince and the Grand Scholar of Jiphyeonjeon [Hall of Worthies].”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Shortly after, Sejong, having received the Grand Scholar and Hyang, gave a brief order.

“Executing those who directly participated in the rebellion is unavoidable. However, consider and report on how to utilize those who have been reduced to slaves. They have lived in luxury and indulgence, so they will have to pay the price.”

“We shall obey your command.”

The Grand Scholar and Hyang bowed their heads respectfully.

The answer that came out of Jiphyeonjeon and the research institute was ‘thirty years of mining labor’.

* * *

“Labor is the only answer.”

The officials of the research institute, upon hearing Sejong’s order from Hyang, immediately suggested ‘labor’. Hyang nodded in response and added,

“That is the answer, but I don’t think it’s the *right* answer. The question is where and how to make them work. It must be clear to others that ‘they are paying for their sins now.’ Also, those who do the same work should not be treated similarly. Finally, they must not be able to escape easily.”

“Ah….”

The officials all tilted their heads, considering Hyang’s conditions.

While they were contemplating, Jeong In-ji made a suggestion.

“How about putting them to work on the road construction currently underway?”

Jeong Cho objected.

“Hasn’t it already been decided to entrust the road construction to the merchants?”

“That’s true. However, according to the planned project, there are very few straight roads due to the mountains and rivers.”

“That’s right.”

Jeong In-ji brought a map, spread it out on the desk, and continued to explain, drawing a line with his finger.

“Let’s put them to work straightening this road. Digging tunnels through the mountains, and instead of just looking for the narrowest points of the river, building bridges at the points closest to a straight line. Of course, it will be a difficult and costly project. Let’s have the criminals carry out the construction in those areas.”

“Hmm….”

“Sounds good….”

The officials of the research institute seemed to find Jeong In-ji’s words plausible.

However, Hyang, the highest-ranking person present, shook his head.

“Impossible.”

“Why?”

When Jeong In-ji asked, Hyang immediately explained.

“First, road construction takes place where people live, creating a high risk of escape.”

“If we create separate accommodation facilities in the areas where difficult construction is taking place….”

“No matter how many accommodation facilities we create, road construction sites are just one or two mountains away from villages. Also, construction sites are full of dangerous tools such as pickaxes, axes, and shovels. If something goes wrong, there could be casualties in nearby villages.”

“Still….”

“Secondly, entrusting road construction to merchants also serves the purpose of circulating funds, gathering people, expanding the operation of currency, and increasing the economic scale of Joseon. Putting a large number of criminals into that mix could undermine the intended economic benefits.”

“Ah….”

As Hyang’s explanation continued, Jeong In-ji’s head drooped. Hyang, looking at Jeong In-ji, turned to the other officials.

“Finally, building bridges and digging tunnels is difficult work. If we proceed with such construction, the workers will gain experience and become skilled technicians.”

After pausing to catch his breath, Hyang pointed out a crucial problem.

“However, are we going to allow criminals, especially those who have committed treason, to learn such important skills? Ordinary criminals might learn skills for rehabilitation, but traitors are different, aren’t they?”

When Hyang raised a political issue, Jeong In-ji conceded.

“I was a little short-sighted.”

“The idea was good, but you didn’t consider the political implications. Let’s think about it a little more.”

“Yes.”

Thanks to this, Hyang and the research institute officials brought various reports and maps from the Ministry of Taxation and the Ministry of Personnel and put their heads together to brainstorm.

What worried them was the problem of ‘Shinnyangyeokcheon (身良役賤)’ [People of good birth performing base tasks], the social stigma associated with high-born individuals performing menial labor.

“It would be perfect to use them as miners or oarsmen….”

“But there are already fewer people willing to do those jobs because of Shinnyangyeokcheon, so how will we secure manpower in the future?”

“Ugh….”

Then one day, Lee Cheon came to Hyang, who was working in Area 51 [a common term for a highly secretive or restricted area].

“Your Highness, have you heard the news?”

“What news are you talking about?”

Lee Cheon smiled slyly and continued.

“Soon, an official report will come to the court, but a large iron mine has been discovered in the newly reclaimed area.”

Hyang’s eyes twinkled.

“An iron mine? Where is it?”

At Hyang’s question, Lee Cheon took a map hanging on the wall, spread it out on the table, and pointed to a spot.

“It’s here.”

Hyang, looking at the place Lee Cheon indicated, nodded.

“Looks promising. I’ll need to investigate further. Thank you, General.”

“You flatter me. I am also a subject of Joseon, so I am simply doing my duty.”

Following Hyang’s orders, the officials of the research institute immediately headed north.

“What’s going on in Hanseong [old name for Seoul]?”

“The Crown Prince sent us.”

The official on the business trip handed Hyang’s letter to Hwang Hee. After examining the contents, Hwang Hee called the clerk.

“Go and….”

“I’m here!”

Hwang Hee frowned at Kim Jong-seo’s voice, which came from right next to him.

“That guy doesn’t care about anything when it comes to Hanseong….”

Hwang Hee grumbled under his breath before giving Kim Jong-seo an order.

“Hand over the handwritten copies of the data on Musan to them, and conduct a field survey if necessary.”

“Yes! Follow me!”

Kim Jong-seo excitedly led the officials of the research institute out.

“Where is the most popular Giru [traditional Korean entertainment establishment] in Hanseong these days? What about the Gisaeng [female entertainers]?….”

Hwang Hee frowned at Kim Jong-seo’s excited voice, full of questions about Hanseong.

“That guy’s love for Hanseong is unwavering….”

* * *

Through this process, the officials of the research institute and Hyang, having obtained the data, soon chose Musan as the best location.

“It is surrounded by mountains and the Tumen River on three sides, with the only exit being the road to Chongjin, making it easy to monitor.”

“Because it is an open-pit mine, there is less burden on making women work. Also, it is the best location to supply iron ore to the 2nd Ironworks, which is scheduled to be built in the Chongjin area.”

Based on the report from Hyang and the research institute officials, Sejong made a decision.

“Send the criminals to Musan and make them work!”

* * *

According to Sejong’s orders, the survivors of the families who started the revolt were demoted to slaves and sent to the iron mine in Musan and the coal mine discovered near Gyeongheung – called Aoji in the 21st century.

As Sejong made the decision, those imprisoned in the prisons or barracks of each local government began to head north. The number of people moving in this way reached nearly 110,000 – the family members and the slaves owned by those families.

In the process of moving north, many sacrifices were made. Countless people tried to escape, only to be caught and killed. Others committed suicide, despairing of their situation, while still others died of exhaustion, unable to overcome the mental shock and physical fatigue.

Those who died were roughly buried in the nearby mountains.

“Move quickly!”

At the shouts of the soldiers in charge of escorting them, the remaining people moved their reluctant feet, shedding tears.

The misery of becoming slaves overnight after enjoying a life no less enviable than that of kings and nobles, and the pain of burying their families without proper funerals, devastated the minds of the survivors.

* * *

In the distant future, progressive historians harshly criticized Sejong, citing this incident and the ‘Hwacheok Extermination’ [persecution of the Hwacheok outcast group] that had taken place before.

“Sejong was a tyrant!”

The debate between these progressive historians and conservative historians heated up the historical community.

* * *

The ‘Three Southern Provinces Revolt’ caused a great stir throughout Joseon society. The aftermath further strengthened the centralization of the court and weakened the local gentry.

In this process, an unexpected victim emerged: the Hyanggyo [local Confucian schools] scattered throughout the country.

Sejong, having received a report that the rebel forces had first started plotting and forming parties in the Hyanggyo, ordered their abolition.

“The place created to perform ancestral rites for the Munmyo (文廟) [Confucian shrine] and to cultivate academic knowledge has become a hotbed of subversive people! Therefore, the Hyanggyo will be abolished! Seonggyunkwan [National Confucian Academy] will be in charge of conducting ancestral rites for the ancient sages! Those who wish to perform ancestral rites should come to Seonggyunkwan!”

In the past, such an order would have been met with resistance from ministers and local gentry alike. However, with Sejong’s royal authority absolute and his justification seemingly unassailable, no local gentry had the courage to revolt.

Thus, before the end of the year Giyu [year in the sexagenary cycle], the Hyanggyo throughout Joseon were demolished.