Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 236

236. The Start of School (3)

Samin Academy, which Sejong established with firm resolve and by advocating for it within the court, was met with a positive response from the populace.

On the day of Samin Academy’s opening ceremony, not only children but also their parents gathered in front of the academy, chatting amongst themselves.

“Do they provide meals for the children?”

“That’s what I heard. They definitely provide one meal a day.”

The man who asked the question sighed in relief upon hearing the answer from his neighbor.

“Whew, that’s a weight off my shoulders.”

“Why? Were you worried about your children going hungry?”

“It’s not that. It’s just that those little rascals eat like horses despite their small size, so I was concerned. It’s a relief they’ll have one less meal to worry about.”

“Hey! That’s not a nice thing to say!”

After a short while, the doors of Samin Academy opened, and the teachers who would be instructing the children emerged.

As the teachers appeared, the noisy chatter immediately quieted down. The people’s demeanor toward the teachers was noticeably respectful.

This cautiousness stemmed partly from genuine respect for the educators, but their attire also played a significant role.

The male teachers were all clad in black Confucian robes [traditional scholar’s gowns] and wore Confucian hats [Gat]. Adorning the forehead of each hat was a circular gold ornament engraved with the Chinese character ‘敎’ (teach).

The female teachers wore black skirts and jackets, along with black dansams [formal jackets]. Notably, they did not wear gache [elaborate wigs], which were typically essential for women of the royal family or noble lineages. Instead, they wore black jokduris [small ceremonial hats], each also featuring a gold ornament with the character ‘敎’ engraved at its center.

Finally, both the Confucian robes and dansams were embellished with gold stripes on the sleeves, with a plum blossom pattern in gold leaf at the very center of each stripe.

* * *

All of this, of course, was Hyang’s idea.

“They say you shouldn’t even step on a teacher’s shadow, and there are also female teachers now, right? Problems could arise. We need something to establish their authority. What would be suitable?”

While contemplating suitable options, Hyang recalled a university graduation ceremony from the 21st century, remembering the black gowns and square academic caps worn by both professors and students.

“That’s it!”

Drawing from that memory, he adapted the concept, resulting in the black uniforms the teachers were now wearing.

When Sejong first saw the uniforms Hyang had designed, he commented,

“Isn’t the ink color a bit too intimidating?”

Hyang explained the reasoning behind Sejong’s concern.

“It’s not just about the teacher’s authority. Black is the most solemn color. It’s meant to constantly remind them of the importance of their mission. What is Samin Academy? Is it merely a place to teach reading and arithmetic? No! It’s a place to guide children who don’t yet know right from wrong, and to nurture the pillars that will support Joseon. How could this task not be significant?”

“That is indeed correct!”

Sejong exclaimed, expressing his agreement with Hyang’s explanation. The officials present shared Sejong’s sentiment.

Even compared to the teachings of the sages, Hyang’s words held true.

Consequently, Hyang’s words were documented and distributed to Samin Academies throughout the country, with framed copies displayed in the teachers’ offices.

The black teacher’s uniform, created in this manner, became a standard uniform worn by teachers not only at Samin Academy but also at Junghak Academy [higher-level academy].

This teacher’s uniform became a symbol of pride and tradition for those in the teaching profession in Joseon.

Over time, there were changes in clothing styles, but the black Confucian robes and dansams, Confucian hats and jokduris, remained the quintessential teachers’ uniforms.

Of course, there were those who advocated for a ‘new era’ and rejected these uniforms, but most teachers, even with minor modifications, never abandoned them.

“To abandon this teacher’s uniform is to abandon the sacred will of our great ancestors!”

Eventually, a conflict arose between the ‘꼰대s’ [old fogeys] and the ‘immature dreamers’ regarding the teacher’s uniform.

* * *

Regardless of what the future held, many parents in Joseon gained hope with the opening of Samin Academy.

“Our children must achieve a better position than we have!”

Perhaps fueled by this fervent hope, some unfortunate incidents occurred in certain areas.

A village near Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

“Have we always had this many children in our town?”

A man, looking at the throng of children in front of Samin Academy, tilted his head in confusion, prompting his neighbor to chide him.

“Dolsoe’s father, haven’t you heard the story?”

“What story?”

“One of the teachers at our town’s academy is Mrs. Kang from the neighboring village.”

“Who is Mrs. Kang?”

Dolsoe’s father, upon hearing this, craned his neck to observe the teachers, and the neighbor pointed.

“The third one from the right over there.”

Dolsoe’s father located the female teacher in question and nodded.

“She looks a bit stern. The number of children at Samin Academy increased because of that teacher? Why?”

“She has three sons, and she supported her parents-in-law while single-handedly ensuring all three of her sons passed the civil service examination.”

“Huh?”

“It’s said that she taught them herself, without a tutor, and got them to pass.”

“Huh!”

Dolsoe’s father’s eyes widened upon hearing this. As he struggled to contain his surprise, the neighbor continued excitedly.

“Although they didn’t achieve the highest scores, all three sons passed the higher civil service examination in the first and second ranks at the age of 약관 [yakgwan, around 20 years old]! Without even attending Sungkyunkwan [royal university]!”

“Wow! That’s incredible!”

As the story unfolded, Dolsoe’s father couldn’t hide his astonishment. Encouraged by his reaction, the neighbor continued.

“So, when the king heard the rumors… he asked her to become a teacher at Junghak Academy, but she refused.”

“Why?”

The moment Dolsoe’s father voiced his question, everyone nearby wore the same expression. Before he knew it, those around him were completely engrossed in the story.

At Dolsoe’s father’s question, the neighbor paused to moisten his throat and continued.

“The teacher replied, ‘The children are bright, so that’s the result. I didn’t do anything special.'”

“She’s so humble!”

“Right? The king responded, ‘Even if the children are talented, without proper guidance, their potential cannot blossom.'”

“As expected of the king! He has a keen eye!”

“So, she still refused even when he ordered her again? Her reason was, ‘Those who attend Junghak Academy are already aiming to pass the civil service examination, so they must learn independently. However, Samin Academy is for children who are just beginning to learn, so they must be taught the joy of learning.’ So, she remained a teacher at Samin Academy.”

“Huh….”

Dolsoe’s father, who had been exclaiming in admiration, tilted his head again.

“I understand that the teacher is remarkable, but why did the children flock there? If it’s for the civil service examination, shouldn’t they go to Junghak Academy?”

At Dolsoe’s father’s words, the neighbor answered simply.

“You idiot! You have to consider the bigger picture! What did you hear earlier? Those who attend Junghak Academy have to learn independently, right? What’s the most important thing for independent learning? Knowing how to study. But that teacher said, ‘You have to know the joy of learning,’ so….”

“Ah!”

Before the neighbor could finish, Dolsoe’s father and those listening nearby exclaimed in understanding.

* * *

Three months before Samin Academy opened.

“Sir, how about we move?”

“Move?”

Kim Saeng-won asked, puzzled by his wife’s sudden suggestion.

At Kim Saeng-won’s question, Mrs. Han answered more emphatically.

“Yes. I want to move to the next village.”

“Why?”

“It’s said that Mrs. Kang is among the teachers at the Samin Academy being built in the neighboring county.”

“Who is Mrs. Kang?”

At Kim Saeng-won’s question, Mrs. Han explained Mrs. Kang’s story in detail.

Kim Saeng-won, after hearing the story, still seemed doubtful.

“She’s a great woman, but I don’t understand why you’re suggesting we move because of that….”

“Husband!”

Mrs. Han raised her voice.

“Look around you! The people in the village call you Saeng-won [title for those who passed the preliminary civil service exam] and our house Saeng-won’s house, but legally, aren’t we just commoners?”

At Mrs. Han’s criticism, Kim Saeng-won’s head drooped. Due to Sejong’s changes to the law, Kim Saeng-won had narrowly lost his Saeng-won qualification. Mrs. Han’s words were like rubbing salt in his wounds.

Seeing Kim Saeng-won’s reaction, Mrs. Han gently coaxed him.

“Of course, I’m not worried because you’re preparing for the civil service examination again, but we also have to think about our children’s future. We need to lay a good foundation now so that our children can easily pass the civil service examination in the future, right?”

To study well, one needs a good mind, but also the tenacity to stick with the books.

The best way to cultivate this tenacity is to enjoy studying.

Therefore, Kim Saeng-won had no choice but to nod at Mrs. Han’s words.

“Okay…. Let’s move.”

This wasn’t an isolated incident.

* * *

The neighbor concluded, observing Dolsoe’s father’s expression.

“So, the wealthy families nearby are sending all their children who are just learning to read here.”

“Is that even allowed?”

“Didn’t you notice the tiled houses being built around our town recently? It might be a problem in Jeolla-do or Gyeongsang-do, but since it’s nearby, they can overlook it and move in.”

At the neighbor’s words, Dolsoe’s father’s mouth remained agape.

“Huh….”

For the first time in the history of the Korean Peninsula, a case of falsely moving in pursuit of better school districts had emerged.

This wasn’t limited to this area. Similar incidents occurred near Samin Academies where there were rumors of female teachers known for successfully educating their children, or teachers with excellent scores on the teacher employment exam.

Eventually, a report was sent to Sejong.

Sejong, after reading the report, looked at Hyang and the officials.

“How should we handle this?”

At Sejong’s question, the officials responded nonchalantly.

“There’s also the saying ‘맹모삼천지교 [Mengmu’s three moves, referring to Mencius’s mother moving three times to find the best environment for her son’s education],’ so how about overlooking it? Isn’t it for the sake of their children’s education?”

“Is that so? That could be true.”

As Sejong nodded in agreement, Hyang stepped forward.

“We must thoroughly stop it!”

“Why?”

“First, there will be problems with the household register if they move like that. If the household register is inaccurate, everything from taxes will be affected, so we must stop it!

Second, if they move based on the reputation of specific teachers, it will create discord among the teachers! This will negatively impact the learning children, so we must stop it!

Finally, teachers are rotated every three years! It’s a nightmare if this happens every time!”

As the officials listened to the crown prince’s criticism, Kim Jeom’s face gradually paled.

In the end, the officials reversed their opinions instantly.

“What the Crown Prince said is absolutely correct!”

Consequently, a thorough investigation into false transfers was conducted under Sejong’s strict orders.

As a result of the investigation, children confirmed to have made false transfers were required to move to the Samin Academy they should have attended initially, and families who made false transfers were subjected to hefty fines.

* * *

Note 1) Confucian robe image.

http://dh.aks.ac.kr/Encyves/wiki/index.php/%EB%B0%95%EC%84%B8%EC%B1%84_%EC%B4%88%EC%83%81(%EC%9C%A0%EB%B3%B5%EB%B3%B5)

Note 2) Confucian hat image.

https://folkency.nfm.go.kr/kr/topic/detail/7137

Note 3) Dansam image.

https://theqoo.net/square/759337965