Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 138

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

138. Fishing (3)

At the sudden order to serve, Im Sun-wook desperately made excuses.

“It is an honor to be ordered to serve, but am I qualified?”

At that, Heo Jo stepped forward.

“Isn’t he a successful candidate?”

“But….”

As Im Sun-wook hesitated, Kim Jeom coaxed him gently.

“Student Im, why did you take the civil service examination? Wasn’t it because of the lofty dream of serving and becoming a great minister of this country? Although, due to various circumstances, you had to abandon that dream, the opportunity to fulfill it has come again.”

“But….”

As Im Sun-wook still couldn’t make up his mind, the Chief Censor [an official who monitors other officials for misconduct] stepped forward.

“Student Im! Taking the civil service examination and serving is something that every scholar-official of Joseon [historical Korean kingdom] should naturally do! Why are you hesitating! That very appearance is disloyal!”

“Oh dear….”

When the word ‘disloyal’ even came out, Im Sun-wook looked tearful and unknowingly let out a groan.

Seeing that, Kim Jeom explained the situation of the court.

“It may sound like a bolt from the blue to Student Im, but the situation in the court is not good right now. There are not enough people in the court.”

“Hasn’t the door to the civil service examination been wide open for several years?”

At Im Sun-wook’s protest, Kim Jeom sighed.

“Hoo~. That’s true. However, those who came in that way still hold many minor positions. In addition, problems have arisen as the reforms have progressed.”

“If you mean problems?”

“There are no people who move proactively. That’s a problem we should also reflect on. However, the current officials are too busy keeping up with the reforms that His Majesty is pushing forward.”

Kim Jeom explained the current situation of the court.

As Sejong [King of Joseon dynasty] began the reforms, the number of officials began to increase rapidly.

There were two ways to fill these positions. In the central government, people were filled through the civil service examination, and in the provinces, the local government clerks were converted into formal officials.

Converting the clerks into formal officials was a double-edged sword for them.

It meant that they were given opportunities for promotion along with stipends, but at the same time, they became subject to the strict application of the avoidance system [officials cannot serve in their home region].

As a result, the clerks had to leave their positions or move to other regions, leaving their hometowns.

Although the central and local governments were filled with officials on a large scale in this way, problems continued to arise.

The first problem was that those who newly entered officialdom through the civil service examination and the clerks who became formal officials were not properly adapting to the reforms.

Both the successful candidates and the clerks were struggling in the process of newly learning arithmetic, which had become a basic requirement for officials.

Of course, there was a positive aspect in that those with potential could be sorted out in the process, but the problem was that their number was small.

Explaining this part, Kim Jeom added.

“Of course, from this year, we will be able to secure more talented people by giving opportunities to serve to those from the Northwest region and the children of concubines.”

“I am sorry, but I think there is a mistake in that part of the court.”

At Im Sun-wook’s criticism that ‘the court made a mistake,’ the eyes of the court officials, as well as Sejong and Hyang, were focused on him.

Whether he knew the situation or not, Im Sun-wook explained what the problem was.

“The fact that the clerks have become formal officials is already known to those who need to know. However… those who take the civil service examination are still preparing for the examination focusing on the classics and poetry.”

After explaining the situation of those preparing for the civil service examination, Im Sun-wook continued.

“Of course, there may be those who know the importance of arithmetic and prepare because they have relatives who are current officials. However, how many people have relatives who are current officials? The items evaluated in the examination, whether it is memorization of the classics, poetry, or arithmetic, must be accurately informed in advance. Only then can we avoid doing things twice.”

Im Sun-wook continued to explain what the court had missed.

“It is the same with informing the results. I have seen the preliminary examinations held in Hanseong [historical name for Seoul] several times, and they only informed the results. Even with a little effort, they should inform the unsuccessful candidates where they were lacking. Only then will those who want to serve prepare properly, and we will be able to distinguish the outstanding ones more clearly.”

“Ah~.”

At Im Sun-wook’s criticism, Sejong and the officials all nodded.

However, the one who was most shocked was Hyang.

‘I forgot this! Let’s reflect! Let’s reflect!’

Sejong looked at Im Sun-wook with a pleased expression.

“Indeed, he is a talented person! He is someone who is absolutely necessary for the court!”

“Your Majesty, but I….”

As Im Sun-wook tried to escape at Sejong’s words, Kim Jeom intervened again.

“The problem of junior officials can be solved that way, but the problem is with the mid-level and senior officials.”

“Yes?”

“The change is not that great in the provinces yet, but the central court is changing greatly. First of all, the most noticeable thing is that the number of officials has greatly increased, as I just said. As the number of new officials increases, the number of mid-level officials who must command them must also increase. Isn’t that so?”

“That is correct.”

At Kim Jeom’s skillful eloquence, Im Sun-wook unknowingly got drawn into the conversation.

“As the number of mid-level officials increases rapidly, there is a problem. Perhaps because of a lack of experience, there are problems with the distribution of tasks and with managing the progress of tasks.”

“The only answer to that is time. Or, the most senior officials must thoroughly….”

As he was speaking, Im Sun-wook quickly shut his mouth. The ones he was pointing out were the officials standing right in front of him. To go further, he was even involving the king sitting above them.

‘I’m dead!’

Realizing his mistake, Im Sun-wook began to sweat profusely with a pale face.

However, Sejong, as well as the officials, did not rebuke him. Rather, Kim Jeom nodded and agreed.

“You are right! That’s the problem! To be honest, His Majesty and the Crown Prince are taking the lead in the reforms, and we are too busy trying to keep up. That’s why we need people like you!”

“You seem to think too highly of me….”

“Let me be honest. The truth is, we don’t know how big your capacity is. As you said, we may be thinking too highly of you. However, it is certain that you have something that we lack.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Im Sun-wook became curious instead.

‘What exactly did you see in me?’

In the end, Im Sun-wook asked Kim Jeom.

“What did you see in me?”

“The eye to see. The eye to see what we have not seen.”

Kim Jeom explained honestly to Im Sun-wook.

-I keep saying, but with the current capabilities of the councilors and officials, they are too busy just implementing the policies that His Majesty and the Crown Prince are putting out.

This is partly a matter of competence, but the excessive workload also plays a big role.

“Ahem! Cough!”

At Kim Jeom’s remarks, Sejong coughed slightly with an uncomfortable expression, but Kim Jeom continued without paying attention.

‘If you don’t like it, just dismiss me!’

-As a result, the overall atmosphere of the court is flowing in a passive direction. From the ministers above to the low-ranking officials below, all officials are only carrying out the orders that are handed down.

-This may not be a problem right now, but it will be a big problem in the future. This is because there are too few people who can check whether the direction is going properly.

“There are a few qualified people. Hwang so-and-so and his gang…. But the problem is that they are all busy in the north right now.”

Kim Jeom, who did not miss the opportunity to criticize Hwang Hee, told Im Sun-wook the conclusion.

“So, the court needs people who can check whether the direction is going properly.”

“Isn’t His Majesty and the Crown Prince already there? I don’t know if I have the ability to do that.”

Im Sun-wook continued to argue, but his momentum was much weaker than at first. Sejong intervened at Im Sun-wook’s words, worrying about his ability.

“The officials have stepped forward because you have sufficient ability. Therefore, I hope that Student Im will serve and assist me.”

As Sejong lowered himself by calling himself Gwa-in [royal ‘we’], Im Sun-wook was lost in thought.

‘It’s not that I didn’t have a dream of success….’

Feeling the dream of success, which he had thought was not meant for him for 20 years, growing again, Im Sun-wook had no choice but to worry.

Meanwhile, the officials were whispering softly with faces mixed with various emotions.

“Hehe…. How long has it been since His Majesty called himself Gwa-in….”

“That’s what I’m saying….”

Until the purge of the veteran officials symbolized by Ryu Jeong-hyeon, Sejong had the word ‘Gwa-in’ on his lips. However, after the purge of the veteran officials who put pressure on the royal authority, Sejong rarely used the word ‘Gwa-in’.

After thinking for a long time, Im Sun-wook opened his mouth.

“It is the duty of a person who has become a subject to follow the orders of His Majesty. However, I am running a business association. It is said that I can hand over the business association to my child, but if I do wrong, it may tarnish His Majesty’s reputation.”

At Im Sun-wook’s criticism, Kim Jeom intervened.

“Does the student’s business association sell the Ministry of Taxation’s monopoly items?”

“No, it does not.”

“Or does it do construction work?”

“No, it does not.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“However… it will create bad rumors for a mere merchant to become a court official.”

Seeing Im Sun-wook hesitating, Sejong asked.

“Are you not confident that you can refrain from what you are worried about?”

“No, I am!”

“Then there’s no problem. Why else would there be a Chief Censor and a Chief Admonitor [official who advises the king] in the court?”

“…”

At Sejong’s words, Im Sun-wook closed his mouth again.

After thinking for a long time, Im Sun-wook got up from his seat and gave a big bow to Sejong.

“I, Im Sun-wook! I accept His Majesty’s command! You have given this foolish person such a great opportunity, I am overwhelmed by your grace!”

As Im Sun-wook accepted Sejong’s offer, Sejong took an unprecedented action. Coming down from the shrine, Sejong walked to Im Sun-wook and ordered Im Sun-wook.

“Student Im, stand up.”

As Im Sun-wook stood up from his seat, Sejong lightly patted Im Sun-wook on the shoulder.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“I will do my best, even if it means breaking my bones, sob!”

Im Sun-wook was moved by the fact that Sejong personally patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him.

In this way, a person who was not seen in the history before Hyang intervened emerged to the forefront of history.

* * *

“Then, report to the court in five days. In the meantime, I and the officials will decide where you will work.”

“Your Majesty. It is a truly presumptuous request, but please give me only fifteen days.”

“Fifteen days? Why?”

When Sejong asked the reason, Im Sun-wook calmly explained the reason.

“As Your Majesty said, I can finish organizing the business association to some extent in about five days. However, I do not know much about the reforms that the court has been promoting so far. Of course, I have seen a lot from the outside, but I do not know the inside, so I need time to figure it out.”

“That’s right. That’s right!”

At Im Sun-wook’s explanation, Sejong liked Im Sun-wook even more.

“Then, I will give you fifteen days as you wish. However, the main records on the reforms are state secrets, so they cannot be taken outside. Chief Royal Secretary, listen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sejong gave an order to the Chief Royal Secretary.

“Give the person here, Student Im, a pass to enter the records office.”

“I obey your command.”

At Sejong’s kindness, Im Sun-wook bowed again and shouted.

“I am overwhelmed by your grace!”

* * *

Sejong, who liked Im Sun-wook so much, accompanied Im Sun-wook to the entrance of Geunjeongjeon [main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace] and saw him off.

Thanks to this, Im Sun-wook, who was moved, wept profusely, which was a small farce.

Sejong, who saw off Im Sun-wook in that way, went back to the shrine.

“Now, then, who would be good for Student Im to work with?”

Sejong, who had reeled in Im Sun-wook, rubbed his hands lightly as if he was very satisfied and asked a question.

Flap! Flap!

As soon as Sejong’s words fell, the Chief State Councilor and the officials raised their hands, flapping the sleeves of their official robes.

“Heo? Chief State Councilor, tell me the reason first.”

Sejong, who was slightly surprised by the unexpected situation, gave an order, and Chief State Councilor Lee Jik opened his mouth.

“Student Im’s greatest strength is his eye to see, so he is most suitable for the State Council. The work of the State Council is to coordinate the work coming up from each ministry in advance, so Im Sun-wook’s insight will shine the most.”

“That sounds plausible.”

As Sejong nodded, Heo Jo shouted urgently.

“Your Majesty! Student Im’s ability is perfectly suited to the Ministry of Personnel. The work of the Ministry of Personnel is to manage the administration of the entire Joseon. If it is Student Im’s insight and experience in running a business association, he can fully handle it!”

“Your Majesty! Considering Student Im’s experience in running a business association, he is the person most needed by the Ministry of Taxation right now! Balancing the national finances is more important than anything else!”

Starting with Heo Jo and Kim Jeom, the officials of each ministry all shouted that they needed Student Im.