Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1040

1040. That Thrilling Name… Electricity. (8)

The standardization of terminology and various symbols progressed smoothly thanks to Hyang’s ‘cheat key’ [advantage or special ability]. Hyeon expressed his gratitude to Hyang as he watched the results accumulate.

“We overcame a major crisis because the Grand Emperor was here. Thank you so much.”

“You flatter me. But, this *is* a problem.”

“What is the problem?”

At Hyeon’s question, Hyang replied with a calm expression.

“Consider my age. If similar problems arise after I die, how will you solve them? Will you summon shamans or sorcerers who serve the gods and perform a *Chohun* (召魂) [a ritual to summon the soul of the deceased]?”

“You are still healthy and strong, so you are worrying unnecessarily. You must live a long life.”

“I am already approaching ninety years old. And don’t stray from the point. It’s the same with the research institute, but also with the court. So, this is not something you can avoid. You must also think about the next emperors.”

“I am sorry.”

Hyeon’s expression, as he apologized to Hyang, was troubled. Many prominent figures had already passed away. And now, even those who wielded power over the court officials at Hyeon’s behest, such as Han Myeong-hoe, Im Sun-wook, and Jang Hang-seon, were senile and on the verge of retirement. Herein lay the problem facing the Empire.

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the prime ministers, deputy prime ministers, and ministers of the successive empires lived as long as their outstanding abilities allowed. Thanks to this, the Empire was able to grow steadily while maintaining policy consistency. However, whenever these long-serving prime ministers stepped down and new prime ministers and deputy prime ministers took their places, major and minor problems inevitably arose.

No matter how much the successors had learned from the previous prime minister, the dynamic of giving and receiving orders was inherently different. As a result, trial and error occurred, and there was much suffering to correct them. Fortunately, until now, the successors’ careers were considerable, and thanks to their competence, the turbulence was not significant. In addition, the ‘living databases’ such as Grand Emperor Hyang and Retired Emperor Wan assisted the emperor, so the turbulence caused by the change of the prime minister’s staff was weak, at the level of residual vibration.

But this was the core issue.

-If Hyang and Wan are gone, what is the probability that the next Retired Emperor and Grand Emperor will live long and healthy lives?

-It’s not just the Retired Emperor and Grand Emperor that are the problem. What if the ability and experience of the veteran ministers who make up the prime minister’s staff are not sufficient? What if they disappear due to lifespan issues as soon as they rise to the prime minister’s staff?

-In the worst-case scenario, the emperor may be the one with the longest career and the broadest perspective among those who make up the court, because the emperor is the one who has accumulated all kinds of administrative experience since his days as crown prince, according to the law.

* * *

Hyeon, agreeing with Hyang’s point, ordered Han Myeong-hoe the next day to discuss this matter.

“I obey your command.”

Han Myeong-hoe, who received the order and stepped back, called Im Sun-wook, Jang Hang-seon, and other ministers to a meeting and began the discussion.

“It is definitely a problem.”

“I agree. Moreover, when I look at the young ones these days, I feel suffocated. The skill these guys have gained while building their careers is not work skills, but the skill of dodging responsibility…”

“I’m also worried. When I look at the young ones these days, they are stuck to the ground, just trying to avoid work…”

The conversation gradually devolved into a denunciation of the young officials.

‘Why is the story going off track?’

Han Myeong-hoe, who was smiling bitterly at the endless ‘these days…’ story, hurriedly steered the topic back to the main point.

“Now! Now! The important thing is not that, isn’t it? Let’s find the answer to the order given by His Majesty.”

At Han Myeong-hoe’s words, Im Sun-wook immediately took the words.

“That’s why we’re talking about it now.”

“That’s right! These days, they are not…”

Han Myeong-hoe hurriedly cut off the denunciation that was about to continue.

“Didn’t you gentlemen always hear the words ‘you’re hopeless’ when you were young?”

At Han Myeong-hoe’s words, the other ministers glared at him. It was because Han Myeong-hoe’s expression was the opposite of what he said. No, not only Han Myeong-hoe, but also Im Sun-wook and Jang Hang-seon had similar expressions.

“So! You guys are special recruits, huh! Where would those who passed the civil service exam live in sorrow!”

“That’s right!”

Suddenly, when the arrows were aimed at them, Han Myeong-hoe hurriedly shut the ministers’ mouths.

“Stop! Keep in mind that further remarks are prohibited by national law.”

In the old days, during the reign of King Sejong, the ministers who were engaged in verbal battles went over the opponent’s civil service exam ranking, as well as the well-being of the opponent’s parents, so King Sejong prohibited this by law.

“Keueung…”

At Han Myeong-hoe’s point, the ministers closed their mouths with dissatisfied faces. When the commotion subsided, Im Sun-wook continued to speak.

“It is certain that the young friends these days are a problem. When faced with a difficult problem to solve, it is the norm to seek help by looking for precedents (前例) [previous examples or cases]. If there is no precedent, it is also the norm to do your best to find an answer. Whether you fail or succeed, that’s how it becomes your experience and career. However, these days, friends often give up, saying, ‘It’s an unprecedented event, so it can’t be done.’ This is a big problem. I don’t know why their thinking is so rigid; they are more blocked than us who are old.”

“In simple terms, they lack flexibility and adaptability. It is certain that these people will cause big problems when they later rise to high positions.”

At Jang Hang-seon’s words following Im Sun-wook, the ministers all nodded. Han Myeong-hoe, who heard the story, sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. I agree with that part too. How did it become like this…”

At Han Myeong-hoe’s lament, Seong Sam-mun, who had been sitting quietly, opened his mouth.

“Think about Emperor Won and Grand Emperor. And think about the people who were with them. Were they ordinary people?”

“Ah…”

At Seong Sam-mun’s words, everyone in the conference room simultaneously exclaimed. Sejong and Hyang, as well as Hwang Hee, Maeng Sa-seong, Kim Jeom, and Kim Jong-seo, were people who could be said to have transcended the realm of ordinary people. The people sitting in this place were also prominent in their own way, but they paled in comparison to the prominent people of the previous generation (前代) [the previous era or generation].

For those who grew up seeing the results created by such prominent people, they were an insurmountable wall. No, it had become a wall that should not be crossed.

‘Huh? You’re going to change what they decided? You have to change it? Are you that good?’

Along with these unspoken questions, they had to undergo several times more difficult reviews and evaluations, and most of them failed to overcome the crisis here and used ‘no precedent’ as a shield. Seong Sam-mun continued to speak.

“…And, this issue has been talked about several times since before. However, everyone ignored it and covered it up, saying they were busy with state affairs.”

“Keum! Keuheem!”

“Keum!”

The ministers, who were embarrassed by Seong Sam-mun’s point, turned their eyes elsewhere and coughed dryly. Han Myeong-hoe, who also coughed once, asked Seong Sam-mun.

“Then do you have any good ideas?”

“I think it would be good to create a Council of Elders (元老會) [a group of respected, experienced individuals who offer advice].”

“Council of Elders?”

Seong Sam-mun’s idea was as follows:

-The council members consist of retired high-ranking officials above the vice-minister level, as well as the Retired Emperor and Grand Emperor.

-The members of the Council of Elders are tasked with providing advice on matters requested by the Emperor and the court.

-However, as can be seen from the name ‘Council (會)’, no political authority is given.

“Hmm…”

Han Myeong-hoe, who was pondering Seong Sam-mun’s explanation, looked at Seong Sam-mun.

“Are you suggesting changing the name of the *Girosu* (耆老所) [an office for retired officials]?”

“Since the Retired Emperor and Grand Emperor are participating, shouldn’t we change it?”

“Hmm…”

While Han Myeong-hoe was pondering again, Im Sun-wook pointed out the problem.

“Don’t you know the problem with the current *Girosu*? Isn’t it a vacant house with only a signboard because there are no retired people?”

The *Girosu* was created as an ‘office for friendship and courtesy for retired civil officials of the second rank or higher.’ However, after the Gyeongjang ended and the empire was changed, not only civil officials but also military officials could enter the *Girosu*. However, the problem was that among those who were qualified, regardless of whether they were civil or military officials of the current empire, there were no people who had entered the *Girosu*.

Because they worked until they died. Seong Sam-mun immediately answered Im Sun-wook’s point.

“That’s why I’m saying, let’s create a retirement age (停年) [a mandatory age for leaving office].”

“Retirement age?”

Seong Sam-mun continued to explain.

-Those who have entered the government service or the military are required by law to retire after working for a certain period of time after entering the service.

– This working period is 40 years after entering the service, or until the age of sixty.

-However, high-ranking officials above the vice-minister level are limited to 10 years after taking office. Unless there is a serious crime such as corruption or treason, this period is guaranteed by law.

“…This is taken from the traditional ‘power does not last ten years (權不十年) [a saying that no one holds power for more than ten years].’ And if we do this, we can solve the problem of corruption or excessive rigidity because there will be continuous turnover.”

“Hmm… that’s good.”

“It looks good.”

The ministers all nodded after hearing Seong Sam-mun’s explanation. If the abilities of the newly appointed ministers or prime ministers were insufficient, the Council of Elders could help, and it was okay to just endure while maintaining the status quo for about 10 years and then replace them immediately. No, they would resign on their own if they were watched from all sides before that. In addition, if generations continue to change, it will be easier to adapt to the changing times.

If it’s insufficient, the Council of Elders can help. When the ministers showed a favorable reaction, Seong Sam-mun delivered the final blow.

“And, wouldn’t it be nice to retire after reaching the retirement age and spend your time leisurely while using the pension you have accumulated?”

At that moment, the eyes of everyone in the conference room lit up.

“The best!”

“Let’s make it a document right away!”

As I said before, ‘retirement = death’ was a tradition, not a tradition, that had been passed down to high-ranking officials until now.

‘The emperor also abdicates when the time comes, so why can’t we! Why can’t we do it!’

Unanimous agreement was reached in an instant, and then the contents and sentences of the document to be submitted to Hyeon were coordinated. Han Myeong-hoe, who was watching the process of creating a report full of unprecedentedly wonderful sentences, looked back at Seong Sam-mun.

“People call me a schemer and a sly fox, but you are the real schemer.”

* * *

While Han Myeong-hoe and the ministers were putting their heads together to create something called the ‘Council of Elders,’ Hyang was reading the report in his hand with a strange expression.

“It’s good to have brought the era forward, but this kind of problem arises.”

What Hyang received was a collection of terms submitted by the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Research Institute. It was this collection that made Hyang feel a sense of incongruity.

“Volt, ampere, ohm… these have all changed.”

The names of the units representing the magnitude of voltage, current, and resistance had all changed. Feeling a sense of incongruity, Hyang examined the glossary several times and sighed.

“I guess it can’t be helped since they were all named after people?”

Hyang, who acknowledged that it couldn’t be helped, looked out the window.

“This part will be a matter of familiarity…”