Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 179

179. The End of the Reorganization (4)

Year 12 of Sejong (1430, Gyeongseul Year).

Mid-January. With the New Year’s ceremonies concluded and state affairs resuming in full swing, Sejong issued an order to his ministers.

“Promulgate a proclamation regarding the state-owned farmlands confiscated due to the Giyu Rebellion.”

“We shall obey your command!”

“Clearly state the criteria for receiving tenancy, land rent, and all information related to taxes, so that the people can understand and act accordingly!”

At Sejong’s request, the ministers bowed their heads once more in response.

“We will engrave it in our hearts!”

Thus, the ministers reviewed the contents of the proclamation once again. Finally, after Sejong’s final approval, the proclamation was posted throughout Joseon, including the Samnam region (the southeastern provinces of Korea), Gyeonggi Province (the area surrounding Seoul), and the Northwest region.

It was a formal proclamation regarding the state-owned farmlands secured through the ‘Giyu Rebellion.’

If the previously promulgated proclamation was a preliminary announcement, like ‘prepare, as we will soon do this,’ the proclamation posted this time contained detailed information.

1. The court is seeking those who will cultivate the confiscated farmlands. Preference will be given to yangmin (commoners) who have established families.

2. The land rent for state-owned farmlands is 30%, the same as for lands belonging to the royal family, and the tax rate imposed on tenant farmers will follow the law.

3. The size of the farmlands to be allocated will range from a minimum of 2 결 (gyeol) to a maximum of 5 결 (gyeol) [A gyeol is a unit of land measurement], based on the grade of the land and the number of family members of the applicant.

4. Those who were tenant farmers on the land before it was confiscated as state-owned land due to the ‘Giyu Rebellion’ must choose according to the following cases:

甲 (Gap). Those who owned their own land but had to entrust (投託, rely on someone else’s power) their farmlands to the rebels due to unavoidable circumstances.

In this case, choose one of the following two methods:

One. Examine the household register and recover the entrusted land to become a self-cultivating farmer.

In this case, ownership of the land is recognized, and a new household register and land register are created.

However, since they have become self-cultivating farmers from tenant farmers, they are obligated to pay taxes accordingly.

Two. Do not reclaim the land and continue to live as tenant farmers.

In this case, the right to cultivate is guaranteed until the death of the person who signed the tenancy agreement, and taxes are levied according to the standards for tenant farmers.

However, the contract becomes invalid upon the death of the person who signed it.

乙 (Eul). Those who continued to live as tenant farmers without entrusting their land.

Those belonging to Eul will respond in the same way as the second option for Gap, but the contract period is limited to the current tenant farmer and his son.

5. Those who have their own farmlands but do not harvest at least 1 결 (gyeol) due to the small size of their farmlands, or those who have small farmlands that do not yield at least 1 결 (gyeol) of produce even when tenanted, can tenant up to 2 결 (gyeol) of additional farmlands.

However, this applies only if there is land remaining after allocating farmlands to those who have applied for tenancy.

6. Those belonging to Eul, those who were tenant farmers on land not belonging to rebels, and those who were freed with their families but do not have land can move and receive tenancy regardless of the region. However, this is limited to those who possess a document issued by the head of their hometown proving one of the above three conditions.

* * *

As the ‘Proclamation on the Tenancy of State-Owned Farmlands’ was posted in government offices nationwide, tenant farmers had to rack their brains fiercely.

They racked their brains so fiercely that there was a surge in the number of people seeking doctors.

Boeun, Chungcheong Province.

A farmer visited a doctor’s clinic located in the marketplace.

“Doctor, I need some medicine…”

“Did you come because you have a headache too?”

“Yes.”

At the farmer’s reply, the doctor roughly took out and combined a few medicinal ingredients and handed them over.

“It’s 50 won.”

At the doctor’s words, the farmer grumbled and opened his pouch.

“I’ve been living well without thinking until now, but why am I suffering like this in my old age…?”

“Are you also worried about the tenancy issue?”

“Yes. The Jin-sa’s [A Jin-sa was a candidate for the civil service examination] family, who used to lease the land, was swept away in this rebellion…. Thanks to that, my head is killing me now.”

At the farmer’s complaint, the doctor advised.

“This concerns not only you but also the future of your children, so think carefully. Don’t do anything rash while drunk.”

“Yes…”

As the farmer nodded and left, another farmer entered the clinic.

“Did you come because you have a headache?”

“Yes…”

“Ugh…”

Making a small groan, the doctor mechanically combined the medicinal ingredients.

As such incidents became frequent, the doctor piled up bundles of paper-wrapped medicinal ingredients in front of his clinic and put up a sign.

– Headache medicine. 500 won per packet.

The doctor was able to make unprecedented sales until the issue of state-owned farmlands was somewhat settled.

* * *

Most of those who were seriously worried to the point of relying on the clinic were those who fell under clause 甲 (Gap) of item 4 of the proclamation.

It was common for these people to sit on a wooden platform in their front yard with neighbors in the same situation, sharing takju (unrefined rice wine) and exchanging opinions.

“Should we just live as tenant farmers?”

“Hey! A farmer should have his own land, even if it’s just a tiny piece!”

The homeowner nodded at the neighbor’s words but pointed out the problem.

“That’s right in principle, but the problem is taxes. Taxes.”

“Of course, the tax rate is more than double, so it’s unsettling, but it’s not like we should just be tenant farmers, right? Aside from taxes, everything else, starting with the land rent, is more! And you have to think about the fact that the tenancy will be cut off when you die!”

“Our eldest is smart, so he doesn’t necessarily have to farm…”

“What about the second or third?”

“Ugh…”

The farmer, who was groaning at the neighbor’s point, saw his second and third sons coming in covered in dirt and burst out shouting.

“You damn kids! Your father’s head is splitting thinking about you guys, but you’re just out playing! I’m going to get you!”

“Oh my, you! Why are you suddenly grabbing the kids and making a fuss!”

The wife, who was in the kitchen, ran out and began to stop the farmer as he grabbed a stick nearby and started to chase the children.

The neighbor farmer, who had been sharing the story together in the mess, quickly moved to his own house.

The farmer who returned to his house opened the door to the room he had newly built last spring.

“Sky, Heaven, Earth, Ground…”

Seeing his son reciting the Thousand Character Classic [a classic Chinese text used for literacy] diligently with a pleased expression, the farmer soon made up his mind.

“Honey, let’s talk!”

* * *

Unlike those who had entrusted their farmlands and were now tenant farmers, who were agonizing at the crossroads of choice, those who had been tenant farmers from the beginning had no particular worries.

Rather, there were even those who were greedy.

“So? You’re going to continue to be a tenant farmer?”

“Yes. I don’t have my own land, and I don’t have any other talents, so I’ll continue to be a tenant farmer.”

“Is that so?”

“I just want to increase the tenancy a bit.”

“You want to increase the cultivated land? Let me see your hopae (identification tag).”

“Here.”

The Ministry of Taxation official who received the hopae opened the household register and land register to examine the data.

“You’re qualified… but won’t it be too much for you?”

At the Ministry of Taxation official’s question, the farmer smiled and replied.

“My eldest is now doing his part.”

“The eldest? Hmm…. He’s only twelve years old?”

“He lifted the lifting stone a while ago.”

“Hoo!”

At the farmer’s reply, the Ministry of Taxation official lightly exclaimed.

* * *

Among the children of the Joseon Dynasty’s noblemen, boys would tie their hair in a topknot and wear a gat (traditional Korean hat) when they reached the age of 15 to 20, and women would comb their hair and wear a binyeo (ornamental hairpin). Since weddings were held around the same time, the notion of ‘marriage = coming-of-age ceremony’ arose, but properly speaking, the coming-of-age ceremony and the wedding were separate events.

Meanwhile, the coming-of-age ceremony for ordinary people was a little different. They could be treated as adults by proving their strength by lifting a ‘lifting stone’ weighing about 100 근 (geun) (about 60kg) and providing food to the elders in the neighborhood, calling it ‘Jinseotuk.’ (Note 1)

* * *

Although he was impressed by the farmer’s words, the Ministry of Taxation official did not immediately stamp the document.

“The affairs of the country must be strict, so bring that eldest son and prove it. Then I will grant your request.”

“Can’t you just do it…?”

“What did I just hear? The affairs of the country. If your words are not false, what’s the problem? Just come and lift a stone, and it’s over.”

“Yes. I understand.”

The tenant farmer left the government office at the Ministry of Taxation official’s sternness. Watching the tenant farmer’s back as he returned, the Ministry of Taxation official grumbled.

“If I make a mistake, I’ll be sent straight to the record office. Who am I trying to catch…?”

* * *

As time passed, many tenant farmers began to leave their hometowns, where they had lived until then, and move to the Samnam region.

The farmlands they were aiming for were the farmlands that landlords who had participated in the rebellion had directly cultivated by using slaves. As they were agricultural lands that were the economic source of the landlords, they were the best lands for farming. Because they had petitioned the government, used coercion, or even mobilized slaves to carry out water management projects, they were the best agricultural lands that were not affected by ordinary droughts or floods.

To ensure the safety of the tenant farmer families moving in this way, the court devised various methods.

“As long as you have a hopae and a Jeonjang (government-run loan service) account, you won’t starve!”

Before they departed, the local officials and Jeonjang officials explained the use of the account and the government’s support measures.

“…So, if it looks like it’s going to get dark on the way, stop by a nearby government office or barracks. Then they will give you a place to sleep. Even if it’s a tent, it’s better than sleeping outside, right? If you sleep outside and something goes wrong, you’ll be tiger food.”

“That’s right!”

“And if you run out of food in the middle, tell the government office or barracks. Then you can buy dried rations cheaply.”

“I understand, thank you!”

In this way, the families of tenant farmers who set out on the road were able to move smoothly. In some cases, nearby soldiers even provided escort.

While receiving such escorts, the tenant farmers praised Sejong.

“He’s a wise ruler! A wise ruler has appeared!”

“Yes! He is a wise ruler!”

* * *

While the tenant farmers were praising Sejong, Kim Jeom was reporting to Sejong in the court.

“…Thanks to you, we have been able to significantly reduce the inventory of dried rations that are nearing their expiration date.”

“You have worked hard.”

The biggest purpose of Sejong and the court in supporting the tenant farmers who embarked on the migration was to maintain public order.

“It is good that they have set out on the road, but if they become vagrants (流民), everything will be in vain. A countermeasure is needed for this.”

At Sejong’s command, the ministers put their heads together, and the result was the support measures mentioned above.

“The biggest difficulties faced by those who have embarked on the migration are the problems of finding a place to sleep and eating. There will surely be those who try to make a lot of money by using various tricks as an opportunity, so this must be prevented in advance.”

Sejong nodded at Heo Jo’s explanation.

“That is a natural explanation. So, has a solution been found?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Heo Jo told the solution that the ministers had come up with.

The solution that the ministers came up with was to provide lodging for the tenant farmers at the local government offices, barracks, and garrison offices located on the way to the Samnam region.

“…If the scale is small, you can provide empty rooms left in the government office, and if the scale is large, you can set up tents.”

“It would be better than sleeping outside.”

Sejong, who was nodding at the ministers’ explanation, pointed out another problem.

“Let’s say we solve the lodging problem that way, but what about food?”

At Sejong’s question, Jo Malsaeng stepped forward.

“We will sell the military’s dried rations at cost.”

“The military’s dried rations?”

“Yes, there are quite a few dried rations among the ones currently stored that are nearing their expiration date. If we start by processing these dried rations and sell the old dried rations, we can recover the funds that went into manufacturing and solve the storage problem.”

Sejong, who was thinking deeply at Jo Malsaeng’s answer, burst into laughter.

“Your tricks have increased as well.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers shouted inwardly at the same time.

‘How can we compare to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince!’

“Anyway, it is a plan that kills two birds with one stone, so carry it out immediately.”

“We shall obey your command!”

* * *

(Note 1) http://blog.daum.net/nohyd/61