Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 139

Jjanggeura

Hello, Night.

139. The Crown Prince Runs, I Rule, the Ministers Roll (1)

Starting with the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Finance, all the ministers of the Six Ministries insisted that Im Sun-wook was essential for their departments. Even Jo Mal-saeng of the Ministry of War was vocal about the need.

“Your Majesty! The Ministry of War needs someone with the insight and ability of Im Saeng-won [a title for scholars] the most! The Ministry of War and the military have plenty of people skilled in martial arts and military strategy, but there are hardly any like him!”

Eventually, those who had been arguing for their own needs began to engage in verbal battles with their competitors. The verbal battles that erupted quickly became heated. Inevitably, the situation escalated to the point where they were inquiring about the well-being of each other’s parents, and Sejong intervened.

“Silence! Be quiet! What kind of disgraceful behavior is this!”

“We are deeply sorry!”

The ministers and high officials all bowed their heads at Sejong’s rebuke.

Watching the ministers, Sejong grumbled.

“I can understand that it is human nature to be tempted by Im Saeng-won’s qualities, and I can even understand the verbal battles that arise from it. But! Stop asking about the well-being of each other’s parents!”

“We obey your command.”

The historian who recorded all of this concluded as follows:

-…Therefore, the King ordered the ministers not to engage in unfilial accusations.

The historian comments:

It is certainly not good for those who have learned morality to use unfilial language in their verbal battles. Of course, it is right to obey the royal command.

The problem is that the historians are also short-staffed, and no one cares. I want to go home on time too.

The historian had a reason to grumble. As all the affairs of the court were being documented, the task was assigned to the historians and scribes.

From the beginning, the duties of the historians and scribes included summarizing reports and royal decrees and distributing them to the Six Ministries and the Censors.

However, the problem was that the workload for these tasks had increased exponentially as the Gyeongjang reforms [a series of political and economic reforms] progressed.

Due to the exploding workload, petitions were continuously submitted to increase the number of historians, which consisted of eight people. However, as the allocation of personnel to other departments took precedence, the eight historians had to work day and night until the later stages of the Gyeongjang reforms.

* * *

It was Hyang who resolved the fierce competition among the ministers to get Im Sun-wook.

“Father, may I say something?”

Sejong’s face lit up at Hyang’s words, and the ministers burned with fighting spirit.

‘This time, I will never let them be snatched away by Area 51!’

‘I will stop it no matter what!’

‘I have to build a logical argument! Logic!’

As the ministers braced themselves, Hyang opened his mouth.

“Isn’t there a plan to select some departments and conduct experiments before reorganizing the ministries of the court this time?”

“That’s right… Ah!”

Sejong, who had been answering Hyang’s question absentmindedly, exclaimed.

“We can entrust him with coordinating the mock experiment!”

“That’s right. The ministers and high officials already have a considerable amount of work assigned to them, so I don’t think it’s necessary to add to their burden. And since he’s coming from the outside, he may be able to find and solve problems that the court hasn’t noticed.”

“That’s right. Yes….”

Sejong, nodding repeatedly, turned to the ministers.

“I would like to entrust Im Saeng-won with the progress of the mock experiment first. What do you think?”

At Sejong’s question, the ministers and high officials began to assess the situation, looking at each other’s reactions.

‘It’s a little disappointing that I can’t keep him under my command, but it’s the same for the other departments….’

‘Once the mock experiment starts, evaluating and coordinating it will be a big task….’

‘I already have a lot of work, and if there’s more… just thinking about it is terrible!’

After considering various factors, the ministers soon came to a conclusion.

“I think His Highness’s plan is the most reasonable.”

“That’s right! Although it’s called a mock experiment, its importance is beyond comparison!”

“I believe Im Saeng-won’s insight will be sufficient to fulfill his role!”

Starting with Chief State Councilor Lee Jik, the ministers lined up to express their approval.

As the ministers lined up to agree, Sejong made a decision.

“Good. Then we will have Im Saeng-won oversee the mock experiment. What rank would be appropriate?”

At Sejong’s question, another verbal battle broke out among the ministers. The topic of the debate was ‘Whether to recognize the time spent living outside as experience.’

“Given Im Saeng-won’s insight, it is worth fully recognizing that time! Therefore, considering the 20 years and his insight, the rank and position of Vice Minister of the Third Rank is appropriate!”

“While I acknowledge Im Saeng-won’s abilities, it is impossible to recognize all 20 years of living as a commoner! How many of those who entered government service around the same time hold the Third Rank? Inspector General of the Third Rank is appropriate!”

“To say that we should give him the Third Rank just because not many people have risen to the Third Rank is absurd! Why should we consider their inability to get promoted?”

“That doesn’t mean we can ignore those who have devoted themselves to government service for decades! How will we solve the problem of their morale being lowered?”

Hyang intervened in the ministers’ verbal battle.

“Father, I….”

“I allow it. Speak.”

Sejong, who was annoyed by the officials’ debate, gave permission before Hyang could finish speaking.

As Hyang joined the conversation, the ministers stopped their verbal battle and focused their attention on Hyang.

After taking a moment to catch his breath, Hyang opened his mouth.

“The opinions of the ministers all have merit. The experience and insight that Im Saeng-won gained while living as a commoner for 20 years are certainly worth giving him a high rank. Also, it is only natural to acknowledge the hard work of those who entered government service around the same time and have been working as officials. However, isn’t the reason we are trying to employ Im Sun-wook now because we lack internal personnel? In addition, in order to conduct and coordinate the mock experiment, we must give him a rank that allows him to command the officials.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s words.

“That’s right. If someone coming from the outside has a rank similar to theirs, who would listen to him?”

As Sejong showed a favorable reaction, Hyang continued.

“And it is right to give those who have devoted themselves to government service in the court the opportunity to move to higher positions. Your Majesty has already prepared a plan using Sungkyunkwan [Royal Academy], so I think it would be good to widen that door a little more.”

While proceeding with the Gyeongjang reforms, Sejong also revised the civil service examination system. He made it easier to supply lower-level officials through the preliminary and final examinations. And the existing Sungkyunkwan was transformed into a place where officials who received excellent grades in experience and job performance prepared for exams to rise to high-ranking positions.

Hyang was suggesting to increase the number of students admitted to this Sungkyunkwan.

“I think the Crown Prince’s proposal is good. What do you think?”

At Sejong’s question, the ministers became very nervous.

‘He used the word ‘I’ and even used the polite form of speech. It’s a warning!’

‘Even if we follow the King’s words, we won’t lose anything! We have to yield!’

The ministers, who understood the warning mixed in the words, all bowed their heads.

“Please do as Your Majesty wishes!”

As the ministers all agreed, Sejong made a decision.

“Then we will bestow the position of Vice Minister of the Third Rank on Saeng-won Im Sun-wook. And when Saeng-won Im Sun-wook officially begins to attend court, let us entrust him with the task of preparing for and executing the mock experiment.”

“We obey your command!”

Thus, Im Sun-wook’s future was decided.

* * *

After the meeting ended, Hyang returned to the East Palace and muttered with a bitter smile.

“The passive behavior of these officials… it truly boasts a history and tradition.”

When 21st-century Hyang started his public service as a Grade 5 civil servant, the first things he experienced were the passive public service of ‘doing only what is asked’ and ‘꼰대-ism’ [Kkondae-ism, a Korean slang term for older people who are condescending or patronizing].

“Hey! You don’t have to work so hard! It’s not like you’re getting paid more for it!”

“No matter how hard you try, it’s all for nothing if the president changes.”

They were administrative officials in the central government, full of people from famous universities and with outstanding abilities, but the working behavior of most civil servants was like that.

What was even worse was that there were so many ‘꼰대’s [Kkondae].

“Hey! Back in my day!”

This was mild and cute.

“Who do you think you are to act up?”

“There’s no precedent! No precedent!”

“If you want to do what you want, build up your achievements first!”

Hyang and his colleagues, who had passed the Grade 5 civil service exam, a high position, gradually lost their motivation every time they heard those words from their superiors.

What was even more infuriating was that many of those superiors were people who had quit their jobs because they were fed up with those ‘꼰대’s [Kkondae] and then came back.

Many of those who came back as officials had become even worse 꼰대’s [Kkondae] than the 꼰대’s [Kkondae] they had criticized.

Thanks to that, Hyang, who was not well-suited to the job and was fed up with the 꼰대-ism [Kkondae-ism] of his superiors, had to submit his resignation due to depression.

Hyang, recalling the painful memories of the 21st century, gritted his teeth.

“I have to change it!”

* * *

Meanwhile, Im Sun-wook’s appointment caused a great stir throughout Joseon.

‘Someone who passed the civil service examination 20 years ago, and from the Northwest region, has been appointed as a high-ranking official in the court!’

Those who heard the rumors showed various reactions depending on their circumstances.

First of all, those from the Northwest region were burning with motivation.

“We can do it too!”

“We can’t miss this opportunity given by heaven!”

“The King’s mind may change again, so if we miss this opportunity, it’s over!”

While those from the Northwest region were burning with motivation, many in the Samnam region showed the opposite reaction.

“Did you hear? Someone who just passed the civil service examination and was doing business has become a high-ranking official?”

“Huh! Does that guy think he’s Lü Buwei [a controversial merchant who became a powerful minister in ancient China] or something? It’s the end of the world! The end of the world!”

While there were many who criticized him, there were also those who showed motivation again in the shadows. These were small-scale landowners or descendants of humble families.

“This father is satisfied with living his whole life farming, but you must succeed.”

“Yes, Father.”

“His Majesty is showing enthusiasm in finding talent, so work harder.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Don’t forget that this is an opportunity to raise the family.”

“Yes, Father.”

While these various reactions were coming out, Im Sun-wook, who had finished organizing the merchants association, stayed in the Records Office and analyzed the records of the Gyeongjang reforms and ‘Dongjin [a policy to encourage migration to less populated areas].’

“Haa~.”

Im Sun-wook, who was looking through the records, sighed deeply.

“If things proceed as they are, our Joseon will be worthy of proclaiming itself an empire. The problem is that the path is not easy.”

Im Sun-wook, who made the assessment, smiled bitterly.

“Should I have just stayed in business? But….”

That’s what he said, but ambition was sprouting in Im Sun-wook’s heart.

‘If it succeeds properly, this Joseon is worthy of being called an empire! It’s the second founding of the nation! If my name is recorded along with that glorious moment….’

Im Sun-wook, thinking about the distant future, came to a conclusion.

“Yes! Isn’t it a blessing for a man to have something worth dedicating his life to!”

Im Sun-wook, who made up his mind, immediately moved on to the next thing.

“The biggest problem is the lack of talent!”

Im Sun-wook, who found the problem, looked for the manager of the Records Office.

“Can I get some paper and ink?”

“Please wait a moment.”

The manager, who had heard the rumors about Im Sun-wook, answered politely and immediately found paper and ink and handed them to Im Sun-wook.

Im Sun-wook, who received the paper and ink, returned to his seat, spread out the paper, and pondered.

After thinking for a while, Im Sun-wook soon began to write a memorial on the paper.

This was the famous ‘Im Sun-wook’s Policy Recommendations (時務策) [a formal written petition to the King].’

Three days later, the Royal Secretary delivered the memorial to Sejong.

“Your Majesty, this is a memorial from Saeng-won Im Sun-wook.”

“A memorial?”

At the news that Im Sun-wook had submitted a memorial, Sejong unfolded the scroll with a curious face.

After reading the contents of the memorial, Sejong said to the Chief Eunuch.

“Where is the Crown Prince now?”

“He is in Area 51.”

“Send someone to tell him. I have found a good person.”