Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1185

1185. The Task He Left Behind (5)

“Ahem…”

Hyang, gathering people’s attention with a light cough, continued speaking.

“Judging from the faces of those sitting in front, many of you seem to misunderstand. Let me elaborate further.”

Hyang’s subtle rebuke made those in front flinch for a moment. However, they also had something to say.

‘We already have a mountain of work. How are we supposed to understand all that content in five days!’

‘Even the Emperor, who abandoned all other duties to read it, took more than six days!’

Ignoring the silent cries and lamentations of many, Hyang continued.

“The reason why recognition (認定) is important is…”

-Indeed, the tasks of the people are so numerous that their types cannot be counted.

-To distinguish between noble and base in such a multitude of tasks is not only useless but also harmful.

-If the work a person does does not violate morality and benefits others, it is a noble task.

-And those who have faithfully performed their work throughout their lives may be recognized as ‘gentlemen.’

-And it is natural for the people to show respect to such individuals.”

Instantly, the hands of everyone taking notes froze.

“‘It will be a natural thing’ instead of ‘It is a natural thing’?”

Until now, Hyang had put forward various arguments, but he had never made such a strong assertion.

In an instant, those sitting in front all made the same judgment.

‘This is both persuasion (勸導, guiding by reasoning) and coercion (權道, acting forcefully)!’

Hyang, pausing to observe the reactions of the officials, continued.

-Treating those who devote themselves to one occupation throughout their lives as gentlemen is essential for the continued development of the Empire.

-It is human nature for parents to want their children to be more successful than themselves.

-If there is a distinction between noble and base occupations, parents engaged in base occupations will not want their children to follow in their footsteps.

-And they will put more effort into their children’s education for this reason.

-Putting effort into children’s education is a beautiful thing.

However, focusing education solely on the desire for children to do more noble work is putting the cart before the horse.

-Let’s look at the current situation in the Empire.

The Samin Academy provides free tuition, but parents must pay tuition from the Middle Academy and the Technical Academy onwards.

-The same goes for the higher-level academies: the Engineering Academy, the Military Academy, the Medical Academy, the Industrial Academy, and the Language Academy. Only the Military Academy has state-funded tuition; the rest require considerable fees.

-Nevertheless, the number of students advancing to the Middle Academy, the Technical Academy, and various other academies is increasing.

-The tuition for those advancing to these higher educational institutions is mostly borne by their parents, placing a significant burden on them.

-It’s not just tuition. As children become economically independent later, parents will support their living expenses, further increasing the burden.

-If this continues generation after generation, parents will be less inclined to have many children due to the excessive burden.

-Furthermore, parents’ retirement will become insecure due to supporting tuition and other expenses, and they will expect their children to take responsibility for their old age.

-Of course, it is a child’s duty to support their parents. If there are many children, or if they establish themselves early, the burden on the children will not be great. But if there are few children or only one, it is not easy to bear all that burden alone.

-Although supporting parents is a duty, reality is reality.

-Eventually, if this situation persists, people will avoid starting families, and the Empire will increasingly consist of only the elderly, with a declining population.

-If this happens, the Empire will stagnate and eventually head towards ruin.

-Of course, when looking back at past history, the rise and fall of nations is also a natural occurrence.

But just as people dream of living long and healthy lives, isn’t it a natural desire for a nation to prosper for a long time as well?

At Hyang’s words, not only the ministers but also the people listening at the entrance of Gyeongbok Palace nodded.

“That’s true. Everyone says, ‘They are born with their own fortune,’ but in reality, they want their own children to live more comfortably.”

“Honestly, how many families these days only celebrate with a ‘deul-dol’ feast [a feast to celebrate a child’s strength] after finishing Samin Academy? Everyone is striving to send their kids to Middle Academy or Technical Academy, aren’t they?”

Generally, in the Empire, children were recognized as adults at the age of 14. Aristocratic families held coming-of-age ceremonies, and commoner boys held a feast to prove they could carry their weight by lifting a ‘deul-dol’ [a heavy stone].

In the early days of the Empire, the age of completing Samin Academy was roughly the age of being recognized as an adult, and upon graduating from the academy, they were recognized as adults. With the knowledge learned at Samin Academy, they could handle most tasks, so commoners in the early Empire quickly established a foundation for economic independence.

However, as more children advanced to higher education institutions over time, the burden on parents gradually increased. Therefore, most of the people listening to Hyang’s words outside Gyeongbok Palace nodded in agreement.

After taking a moment to moisten his throat, Hyang continued.

-However, if we do not distinguish between noble and base work and recognize those who have devoted themselves to their work as their calling as gentlemen, we can reduce a significant portion of these problems.

-What’s more? Even those who start their occupation immediately after graduating from Samin Academy should have their working hours recognized.”

“Huh?”

As many people expressed confusion, not understanding the meaning, Hyang explained in more detail.

“For example, let’s say there is a child who enters the path of a craftsman immediately after graduating from Samin Academy. And there is another child of the same age who enters the path of a craftsman after completing Technical Academy. From what I hear these days, the child who completed Technical Academy is valued more highly. This is not right. The child who entered Technical Academy learned there, but the child who only completed Samin Academy also learned and practiced on the job. Therefore, the time spent learning on the job should be valued the same as the time spent learning at Technical Academy.”

“Ah!”

In an instant, the exclamations that people uttered echoed throughout Geunjeongjeon and the entire Gyeongbok Palace.

Hyang paused until the commotion subsided and then continued.

“And what becomes important again here is fairness. Now that both children have started from the same place at the same time, fair evaluation must continue to benefit both children.”

“Ah-ha.”

Hyang’s lecture continued thereafter.

* * *

What Hyang emphasized most in his lecture was ensuring that the people could live stable lives.

“The reason why Emperor Won insisted on the Wangto ideology [land belongs to the Emperor], even though he was called a ‘tyrant,’ was because he wanted the people to continue living comfortably. In order for people to live like people, morality must be upheld internally, and food, clothing, and shelter must be secured externally. The largest part of this food, clothing, and shelter is housing.”

-The problem is that the houses in which these people live are not free.

-The most expensive part of building a house is the land, the soil.

-If private ownership of land is recognized, the landowner will demand a lot of wealth by selling or renting the land, which will burden those who build houses.

-However, if the land is determined to belong to the Emperor, that is, the country, the biggest burden will be reduced.

“If this happens, those who build houses for rent will also find it difficult to charge excessively compared to the market price. Then the people will be able to live more peacefully.”

The ministers nodded diligently at Hyang’s words. Watching the ministers, Hyang muttered inwardly.

‘This is the hopeful side of real estate; over time, all sorts of illegal practices will run rampant, and if they are not properly resolved, it will become the despairing side of real estate. That part will be the responsibility of the officials in charge at that time. If I say it now, there will be guys who will immediately say it’s right and start scheming.’

* * *

As time passed, Hyang’s lecture was gradually coming to an end.

At the end, Hyang emphasized ‘officials.’

“I believe that the Empire’s officials should be like signposts showing the people the way to go.”

-The world is constantly changing, and it is not easy to find the right path in that change.

-If you take the wrong direction even a little, morality will disappear, and only the law of the jungle will remain.

-Therefore, officials must examine these changes ahead of the people and find the right path.

-No, if it is difficult to be ahead of the people, you must at least move together.

-Saying ‘There is no precedent (典例) and no previous example (前例)’ and being lazy can be regarded as treason.

-Neglecting one’s duties and causing the country to decline, what is the difference from treason?

-If it is difficult to examine things ahead of time, listen to the people’s petitions (請願) and do your best to resolve them. Then you will become faithful signposts for the people.

-Above all, those at the center of change are the people. If you listen carefully to the people’s petitions, examine them, and find answers, it will help many times more people.

-However, this is only a temporary measure.

As mentioned earlier, you must examine these changes ahead of the people and find the right path.

This is the occupation (業) of officials and loyalty (忠) to the Emperor.

“…It is not an easy task. But if you do this faithfully, the Emperor and the people will respect you, and your name will remain in the annals of history (靑史). Isn’t this the greatest blessing of a gentleman?”

At Hyang’s words, the ministers nodded but also sighed softly.

‘It’s hard enough to keep up, but to be ahead… Please save me!’

* * *

As Hyang was preparing to return to Suganggung after finishing the lecture, Woo approached and bowed politely.

“It was truly a lecture of golden words and jade principles. My dim eyes were cleared at once, and my blocked ears were opened at once.”

At Woo’s gratitude, Hyang smiled and replied.

“You flatter me. I also feel very relieved as if I have finished a task I had been putting off. I need to rest now.”

“Rest in peace.”

The smile disappeared from Woo’s face as he watched the palanquin carrying Hyang heading towards Suganggung.

“I have a bad feeling… I should order the royal physician.”

Woo’s feeling was right on the mark.

Around the time the season changed, Hyang began to weaken rapidly.

Accordingly, a cruiser carrying urgent news was immediately dispatched to Shinji. The urgent news delivered from the cruiser that arrived at the port of Shinji was immediately transmitted to Hyun via telegraph.

Hyun immediately left Shinji and returned to the mainland.

“Your grandson has arrived!”

As Hyun announced his arrival, Hyang smiled and welcomed him.

“My grandson has come? I’m glad I saw my grandson’s face before it was too late.”

“You will regain your strength soon.”

Hyang only smiled at Hyun’s words.