Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 376

376. An Interlude (2)

Choi Man-ri, having been summoned by Sejong, began reporting to the office the very next day.

The Hall of Correct Sounds (正音廳) was assigned one of the newly constructed buildings within the Bureau of Records.

As Choi Man-ri crossed the threshold of the Bureau of Records to reach the Hall of Correct Sounds, his face grew even gloomier.

“Did it have to be here?”

A low-ranking official from the Hall of Correct Sounds responded to Choi Man-ri’s question.

“Yes, with the reorganization of the court system and the increase in personnel, there is no space to spare.”

“The Hall of Worthies…”

Choi Man-ri, about to utter ‘Hall of Worthies,’ stopped himself. He, along with many others—frankly, almost everyone—had been dismissed, but their positions had been filled.

And it now existed as an institution specializing in policy research, its purpose redefined.

In the end, Choi Man-ri sighed deeply and continued walking.

“Which way should I go?”

“This way.”

Following the low-ranking official who was leading the way, Choi Man-ri muttered to himself.

“Why here… Why here…”

* * *

“Hmm…”

Choi Man-ri, entering the building with the newly made signboard ‘Hall of Correct Sounds,’ sighed deeply.

The interior of the large building, with its sliding doors, pillars adorned with glass windows, and a passage surrounding all sides between the exterior and interior walls, was completely open. Only the pillars supporting the roof obstructed the view.

“It looks to be at least 8 ‘jang’ (approximately 24 meters or 79 feet) across…”

The low-ranking official immediately responded to Choi Man-ri’s words.

“It is exactly 9 ‘jang’ (approximately 27 meters or 89 feet) from the east inner wall to the west inner wall. If you include the passage and outer walls, it is 10 ‘jang’ (approximately 30 meters or 98 feet).”

“Hoo~.”

Choi Man-ri sighed again, examining the interior once more.

Furthest from the west entrance where he entered, a large desk was placed separately. In front of it, several long desks were arranged facing west, and behind those desks, bookshelves stood in rows.

Near the west entrance, smaller desks were placed. Officials who appeared to be of similar rank to the low-ranking official who had guided him were standing in front of those desks, paying their respects.

“Where is my seat?”

“This way.”

The seat the low-ranking official guided him to was, as Choi Man-ri had expected, that particular seat.

Sitting down, Choi Man-ri looked at the desks stretching out in front of his and asked the low-ranking official.

“What are those seats for?”

“Those are for the people who are in charge of translating what is written in Chinese characters into Hunminjeongeum [the original name for the Korean alphabet], but…”

The low-ranking official paused for a moment, carefully watching Choi Man-ri’s expression before continuing.

“Currently, they are vacant.”

“Vacant?”

Surprised by the unexpected explanation, Choi Man-ri glared at the low-ranking official.

“Then what is it that you people do?”

“We belong to the General Affairs Department and assist with the work carried out in the Hall of Correct Sounds. If you need materials, we find and bring the necessary items from other departments, including the Bureau of Records. We are in charge of providing support for the convenience of the work.”

“Ha~.”

Choi Man-ri let out a long sigh, looked at the envelope placed on the desk, and then looked back at the low-ranking official.

“What is this again?”

“A courtier brought it this morning; it is a work directive from His Majesty the King.”

At the words of the low-ranking official, Choi Man-ri straightened his attire and posture before tearing open the envelope.

* * *

“…”

Choi Man-ri, having torn open the envelope and read Sejong’s work directive, merely moved his lips, speechless.

-Fill the positions as quickly as possible. To this end, I grant you temporary personnel and appointment rights.

However, when exercising personnel rights, the head of the original department must agree to the personnel transfer. This does not apply to appointments.

-The first thing to be translated into Hunminjeongeum is the Gyeongguk Daejeon [Grand Code for Governing the State] of Joseon, as well as other legal codes.

However, the sentences translated into the vernacular (諺解, *eonhae*, meaning easy translation) must be simple. The degree of ease should be such that even someone who has barely mastered Hunminjeongeum can understand it without difficulty.

In addition, the vernacular translation should not only translate the legal codes but also the precedents (判例, *panrye*, meaning case laws).

-Simultaneously with the vernacular translation of the legal codes, proceed with the vernacular translation of the ‘Samgang Haengsildo’ [Illustrations of the Three Bonds], used in the Four Classes Academy. The period for educating Hunminjeongeum at the Four Classes Academy begins in the autumn semester of the coming year, Gyechuk year, so the vernacular translation must be completed at least two months in advance.

-Once the above process is completed, proceed with the vernacular translation of the Four Books and Thirteen Classics (四書十三經).

However, in the case of the Four Books and Thirteen Classics, from the fifth year after the promulgation of Hangeul, the creation of vernacular translations will also be ordered to the public. Afterward, the Hall of Correct Sounds and the vernacular translations of the public will be compared, and the one evaluated as superior will be adopted as the official version.

-Simultaneously with the vernacular translation of the Four Books and Thirteen Classics, proceed with the vernacular translation of the Nongsa Jikseol [Straight Talk on Agriculture], Hyangyak Jipseongbang (鄕藥集成方, *Collection of Native Korean Prescriptions*), and military strategy books such as Sun Tzu’s Art of War (孫子兵法).

-When the progress of the above-mentioned work exceeds half, begin the production of a vernacular translation of the dictionary (字典).

-The dictionary should not only translate the Chinese characters but also record and annotate (倂記) dialects from all over the country. This is to make it easily understandable to anyone throughout Joseon.

-If necessary, you may begin the vernacular translation of the dictionary as soon as the vernacular translation of the legal codes and textbooks is finished.

The end of the directive, which listed an enormous number of instructions, read as follows:

I (余) trust in your abilities and reputation and expect good results. I hope that your name will be honorably recorded in the Blue History (靑史, *cheongsa*, meaning annals of history) of this Joseon.

* * *

Choi Man-ri, who had been blankly moving his lips and examining the work directive, let out a long sigh.

“Hoo~. Will I be able to finish this before I die?”

The sheer volume was enough to make one feel faint.

Choi Man-ri, examining the work directive and the vacant seats, asked the low-ranking official who was still standing next to him.

“You said you were assisting with the work, but is dispatching messages possible?”

“It is possible if you need it.”

“I see. You may return to your seat. I will call you if I need you.”

“Yes.”

Choi Man-ri, having sent the low-ranking official away, crossed his arms and glared at the work directive. After biting his lip tightly and staring at the paper for a long time, Choi Man-ri shook his head and unfolded his arms.

“I have no choice…”

Placing the papers on one side in front of him and dipping a gold brush in ink, Choi Man-ri muttered softly.

“I’m sorry… But I can’t be the only one to suffer, can I?”

* * *

Several days later, messengers arrived at the homes of the Hall of Worthies scholars who had been dismissed and returned to their hometowns.

“This is sent by the head of the Hall of Correct Sounds.”

“The head of the Hall of Correct Sounds? Who is that?”

“It is Minister Choi Man-ri.”

“The Grand Scholar is sending this? No, when did he become the head of the Hall of Correct Sounds?”

The scholars who received the letters from the messengers went into their rooms and tore open the envelopes.

The contents of the letters inside were simple.

-Return to Hanseong [old name for Seoul] and help me.

“Huh?”

* * *

Having received Choi Man-ri’s request for help, a considerable number of scholars packed their bags and traveled to Hanseong.

“The Grand Scholar is asking for help, so I must go! Yes! There is loyalty among the literati!”

However, there were also many who did not respond to Choi Man-ri’s letter.

“Hmph! I will not listen to the words of someone who has betrayed the integrity of the literati!”

Those who stubbornly refused soon received a royal decree from Sejong.

“A royal decree!”

The scholars who rushed out at the herald’s shout straightened their attire and received Sejong’s decree.

The contents of Sejong’s decree were as concise as Choi Man-ri’s.

Immediately comply with Choi Man-ri’s request. This is where the leniency ends.

In the end, even the scholars who had refused until the end had to reluctantly get up and move.

* * *

The first task that the scholars of the Hall of Worthies, who had gathered again in the Hall of Correct Sounds, undertook was to learn Hunminjeongeum. As expected, they did not earn the name of scholars of the Hall of Worthies for nothing; they skillfully used Hunminjeongeum only three days after being taught.

Once the preparations were complete, Choi Man-ri said to the scholars.

“Let us begin now.”

No sooner had Choi Man-ri’s words ended than the low-ranking officials in charge of work support came in carrying an enormous amount of books.

Choi Man-ri, surprised by the sheer volume of books that kept arriving, said to the low-ranking officials.

“I only intend to translate the legal codes for now! So only bring those related to the legal codes!”

The official who had first guided Choi Man-ri stepped forward and replied.

“Everything that is coming in now is related to the legal codes. They are the legal codes of Joseon: Gyeongguk Daejeon (朝鮮經國典, *National Code*), Gukheon (國憲, *National Constitution*), Gyeongje Mun’gam (經濟文鑑, *Reference for Economic Administration*), Gyeongguk Yujeon (經國六典, *Six Codes of Governance*), Gyeongje Yujeon (經濟六典, *Six Codes of Economy*), Sok Yujeon (續六典, *Supplement to the Six Codes*), Gyeongje Yujeon Sokjip Sangjeol (經濟六典續集詳節, *Detailed Clauses of the Supplement to the Six Codes of Economy*), Sin Sok Yujeon (新續六典, *New Supplement to the Six Codes*), Yujeon Deungnok (六典謄錄, *Register of the Six Codes*), and Sinchan Gyeongje Sok Yujeon (新撰經濟續六典, *Newly Compiled Supplement to the Six Codes of Economy*), as well as records of judgments recorded since the founding of the country.”

At the official’s explanation, Choi Man-ri and the scholars unknowingly uttered curses.

“This damn…”

“Son of a bitch…”

* * *

And so, Choi Man-ri and the scholars fiercely proceeded with the vernacular translation work.

The vernacular translation work that Choi Man-ri and the scholars were carrying out was a war. Fierce debates were common over how to interpret sentences written in Chinese characters.

It was so intense that yesterday’s friends became today’s enemies, and tomorrow they would become friends again.

However, as time passed, the scholars reached a state of detachment—or, in the expression of Hyang, human translators—enjoying their work.

As they were doing the vernacular translation work, the scholars slowly began to worry.

“Minister Choi.”

“Why?”

“Didn’t you say that Hunminjeongeum would be promulgated next autumn?”

“I did.”

“There will be many who will rise up against it.”

“So?”

“We’re finally getting along, but if newcomers come in, won’t the work become more difficult?”

At the scholars’ worries, Choi Man-ri chuckled and raised his hand, pointing in the direction of the Bureau of Records.

“There’s more to translate over there. Don’t be nosy and just work. Shouldn’t we try to leave work on time too?”

“Yes.”

* * *

In the autumn of the year Imja, Lee Jik passed away.

He was 70 years old.

The last words he said before his death were as follows:

“It is a pity that I did not see the completion of the reforms, but I am glad that I can now rest in peace.”

Hyang came to pay his respects on behalf of Sejong, and the chief mourner, his eldest son Lee Sa-hoo, was greatly moved by Hyang’s visit.

The ministers who gathered to pay their respects were immersed in emotion and shared stories.

“They are starting to leave one by one.”

“That is so.”

The ministers were filled with mixed emotions at the passing of someone who had been working with them since the founding of Joseon.

However, they could not know that in the history before Hyang’s intervention, Lee Jik had died a year earlier, in the year Sinhae.

It was a butterfly effect created by Hyang’s intervention.

The ministers, who had been immersed in emotion, soon returned to reality.

“Now that the Prime Minister has passed away, who should we recommend for the position?”

After pondering for a moment at Maeng Sa-seong’s question, the ministers unanimously pointed to one person.

“Minister Hwang Hee is the most suitable.”

* * *

Fifteen days later, at the entrance of Heunginmun (興仁門, Dongdaemun [Great Eastern Gate]).

Looking at the wide-open Heunginmun, Kim Jong-seo shouted with deep emotion.

“I have finally returned! Hanseong! I have returned!”

“Quiet, you rascal! Follow me right now!”

At Hwang Hee’s rebuke, Kim Jong-seo pouted and grumbled.

“Tch…. You’re always picking on me…. I might as well resign.”

“Don’t talk about resigning. Hey! Let me tell you, the moment you submit your resignation, I’ll send you to Hamgyeong-do or Daeseol Island [remote and harsh locations].”

“Sir. Only His Majesty the King can make personnel decisions!”

“Have you forgotten that His Majesty listens to me?”

At Hwang Hee’s remark, Kim Jong-seo stuck out his lip a foot and followed behind Hwang Hee.