Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 140

Hello Night

140. The Crown Prince Runs, I’m the King, Ministers Roll (2)

“The Sangseon [a high-ranking eunuch] should read this memorial aloud so that all the ministers can hear it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Sangseon, having received the memorial from Sejong, cleared his throat briefly and then read the memorial in a loud voice.

“Student Im Sun-wook, after bowing deeply twice (頓首再拜, bowing deeply twice until the head touches the ground), picks up the brush….”

Im Sun-wook’s memorial, as read by the Sangseon, was largely divided into two parts.

One was a proposal on how to find talent.

The other was to point out the parts that had been missed in the reforms that had been carried out so far and to suggest alternatives.

First, regarding how to find talent, Im Sun-wook criticized the implementation of the civil service examination system from the start.

-The timing of the civil service examination should be changed. The current civil service examination is generally held between January and May.

However, the civil service examination is usually held between March and April, which is problematic.

Any Yangin male [commoner male] can take the civil service examination, but this period itself limits the examination to certain types of people.

This is because the period between March and April overlaps with the spring famine and the planting season. Many people lose their energy through the spring famine, and many have to devote themselves to farming during the planting season.

Therefore, holding the civil service examination at this time is not in line with the purpose of finding the right talent. Those who can take the civil service examination at this time are only the sons of wealthy Hyangban [local gentry].

The period between January and February is also not good. This period is in the middle of a harsh winter. It is not a season for people to travel long distances.

Therefore, it is reasonable to hold the civil service examination between May and June, or between September and November, before the harvest is over and winter begins.

Im Sun-wook, who pointed out the problem of when to take the civil service examination, then pointed out the next problem.

-The exams taken by those who apply for the civil service examination are also a problem.

Looking at the records of the year Musin (Sejong 10, 1428), it was decided that success or failure would be determined by writing.

However, the debate over whether it should be Ganggyeong (講經, reciting and interpreting scriptures) or writing has continued.

The problem with setting it as Ganggyeong was that the exam period took almost a month, and there was a possibility of corruption if the examiner and the examinee knew each other.

However, if success or failure is determined by writing, the problem of neglecting Confucianism and only learning writing skills may arise.

(Note 1)

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, I propose to set the subject as ‘論’ (essays).

If the exam is about discussing the policies that the state is carrying out or intends to carry out, it will be possible to weed out those who rely only on simple writing skills.

-In addition, as arithmetic becomes more important, the arithmetic test should be widely publicized as a formal test subject so that students can prepare properly.

The method of announcing success or failure should also be improved by not only announcing the list of successful candidates, but also announcing the reasons why the unsuccessful candidates failed. Those who fail must know which part of themselves is insufficient so that they can try again or give up and find another job.

Next, Im Sun-wook suggested a way to find talent without civil service examinations.

-The fact that His Majesty has bestowed great grace and allowed me to enter the court should be widely known.

-This is to gather talent by letting people know that His Majesty and the court value talent, as in the story of Seonjongoe-si (先從隗始) [a historical reference about a ruler who sought talent by honoring those already present].

-First, widely publicize my work, and then issue the following proclamation throughout the country.

‘Discuss the improvements to the work that the court is doing now. Those who give good answers will be used heavily.’

Looking at my example, those who have the will will be able to come up with good plans, and if you select the best among them and fill the heads and waists [important positions] of the court, it will be able to last for a thousand years.

-This also applies to those who have already entered the government. Those who are studying at Sungkyunkwan [Royal Academy] to move up to the high rank of Senior 5th grade or higher, as well as all officials above Chamhagwan (Junior 7th grade to Junior 9th grade), must submit at least one suggestion (提言, thoughts or opinions) regarding state administration every two years.

This is to select those who work proactively, not those who passively manage state affairs.

The ministers nodded at Im Sun-wook’s proposal to ‘submit at least one paper every two years.’

“That’s a good idea. We’ll be able to find someone who works on their own.”

“The problem is that it sounds like we’re already hearing cries of anguish.”

Kim Jeom shook his head at the ministers’ whispers.

“Don’t you know that we’re included in that group?”

“Heop!”

While the ministers’ faces were turning pale, the Sangseon continued to read Im Sun-wook’s memorial.

-The biggest problem with the reforms is that the number of items being monopolized is increasing. The monopoly items, which started with salt and sugar, continue to increase, and now include glass products, iron materials, and spices.

I acknowledge that the monopoly directly helps the national budget and the people’s household finances. However, as in the case of paper, excessive monopoly can lead to a decline in the motivation of artisans and an increase in smuggling. Therefore, from now on, as the reforms enter the second half, we must decide which items to release from the monopoly.

(Omitted)

* * *

When the Sangseon finished reading, Sejong looked around at the ministers with a pleased expression.

“It seems that we have found a truly good talent. Don’t you think so?”

Chief State Councilor Lee Jik replied to Sejong’s words.

“That is true. Of course, there are some parts where he is too enthusiastic and goes too far. However, I think that part will be resolved with experience.”

Sejong nodded at Lee Jik’s words.

“That’s right. We’ll have to leave that to your experience.”

The ministers’ faces turned black at Sejong’s words.

‘The conclusion is that our workload is increasing again!’

‘I’m going to write a resignation letter! I’m going to write it!’

Whether he knew the ministers’ thoughts or not, Sejong looked in the direction of the Crown Prince’s palace and continued to speak.

“Our Crown Prince seems to have a lot of luck with people. How can he find such good talent….”

The ministers cried out inwardly at Sejong’s words.

‘It’s not luck with people, it’s luck with work!’

Whether he knew the ministers’ minds or not, Sejong came to a conclusion.

“First of all, let’s announce the laws regarding interest and land rent as planned.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And, since Im Saeng-won’s point about the civil service examination is valid, let’s think about it, and let’s also think about how to find talent buried in the countryside (草野, remote land in the countryside).”

“…I will obey your command.”

Sejong added to the ministers’ answers, which were full of emotion.

“Don’t forget that the more talent there is, the less hardship you will have.”

“I will keep that in mind!”

The ministers raised their voices and answered Sejong’s words.

“Let’s stop here and take a break.”

When Sejong declared a recess, the ministers flocked out of Geunjeongjeon [main hall of the palace] and headed to the State Council.

* * *

Among the ministers who arrived at the State Council’s conference room, the Minister of Rites opened his mouth first.

“Which one do you think we should discuss first? The civil service examination? Or Seonjongoe-si?”

All the ministers answered at the same time to the Minister of Rites’ words.

“Seonjongoe-si!”

“Wouldn’t Seonjongoe-si be better?”

“What else do we need besides Seonjongoe-si?”

Chief State Councilor Lee Jik came to a conclusion at the ministers’ reactions.

“Since everyone has the same opinion, let’s start with Seonjongoe-si.”

“Let’s do that.”

“Good.”

As the ministers responded, Maeng Sa-seong continued to speak.

“It seems like it will be a very difficult (至難, extremely difficult) task, so take care of your physical strength in advance. Soft-shelled turtle soup is very good for nourishing your body, right?”

The Right State Councilor added to Maeng Sa-seong’s words.

“Speaking of soft-shelled turtle soup, it reminded me. If we get soft-shelled turtles, we should send a few to Commander Hwang in the Northeast. I wonder if he’s exhausted from working hard in a remote area, because it’s hard to see his face except when he reports regularly…. It seems that the development of the Northeast is also slowing down. If we replenish his energy, he will finish the work in the Northeast quickly and return, right?”

“That’s right!”

“I’ll ask the doctors at the Royal Clinic to find herbs that go well with soft-shelled turtles!”

The ministers were happily responding to the Right State Councilor’s words.

For the next few days, the soft-shelled turtles that came into the pharmacies in Hanseong [old name for Seoul] disappeared as soon as they came in.

* * *

While this was happening in Hanseong, Hwang Hee, who was in charge of overseeing the administrative work of the frontier in the Northeast, frantically picked at his ear with his little finger.

“Why is my ear so itchy? Did a bug get in?”

Kim Jong-seo, who was sitting next to him processing documents, opened his mouth at Hwang Hee’s muttering.

“I guess someone is cursing at you, sir.”

“A curse? Who?”

“Well….”

Kim Jong-seo mumbled and buried his eyes in the documents at Hwang Hee’s words.

“Hmm….”

Hwang Hee, narrowing his eyes and glaring at Kim Jong-seo, muttered inwardly.

‘There are too many suspects!’

Starting with Kim Jong-seo, who is working right next to him, to his sons who are mining coal in the mines, to his wife who is crying over her children, and finally to his fellow ministers who are suffering in Hanseong.

Hwang Hee smiled as he pondered over those who were chewing him out.

‘Pfft! Is that the problem now? I’m in a desperate situation…. If you want to curse, go ahead.’

The reality of having a lot of work and not enough people due to the development of the Northeast was a more urgent situation.

‘I refuse to be stuck in the archives until I die!’

Hwang Hee, burning with renewed enthusiasm, looked at the documents and called Kim Jong-seo.

“Hey, Jong-seo!”

“Please call me Deputy Administrator!”

“Okay, Deputy Administrator! This document is wrong! Are you not going to do your job properly? Do you want to go back to Hanseong after working like this? Are you thinking of having your sixtieth birthday party as Deputy Administrator here in the Northeast and then going back? Huh? Is that what you’re thinking?”

“Give it to me!”

Kim Jong-seo, receiving Hwang Hee’s scolding, took the problematic documents and returned.

Kim Jong-seo gritted his teeth as he examined the documents.

“These guys! I told them to refer to Yuseopilji (儒胥必知) [a guide for official documents] so much! They’re even using Idu [ancient writing system] in official documents!”

Yuseopilji, which recorded the forms and writing skills of various official documents that Confucian scholars and scribes must know, was a book that was always on the desks of officials.

Kim Jong-seo, after confirming who had written the problematic documents, immediately ran to where they were working.

“Are you really going to work like this! Do you want to go back to Hanseong like that! Remember! If I can’t go, you can’t go either! You can’t go even if you die!”

Kim Jong-seo was becoming more and more like Hwang Hee.

* * *

While such a busy daily life continued, Sejong looked perplexed at Hyang’s request.

“You want to build a new building?”

“Yes, I do.”

“What about the budget?”

“I’m thinking of using the budget from Insunbu [Crown Prince’s household administration].”

“That’s fine, but why do you need a new building? If you’re not careful, the censors (諫官) [officials who monitor the king and government] will rise up and say you’re being extravagant.”

“It’s not because of extravagance. It’s because of an unavoidable necessity.”

“An unavoidable necessity? What kind of building is it for?”

Hyang replied briefly to Sejong’s question.

“It’s a restaurant.”

“A restaurant?”

“Yes.”

According to Hyang’s explanation, building a restaurant was for the employees of the research institute, the eunuchs and court ladies working in the Crown Prince’s palace, and the Geumgun [royal guards].

First of all, in the case of the employees of the research institute, there was a problem that they were consuming a lot of energy because they were working their brains every day.

“So, I’m going to have them eat proper lunch and dinner to replenish their energy.”

“That sounds plausible.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s words.

“The reason for the court ladies, eunuchs, and Geumgun is because of Sangmulrim [sharing leftovers].”

“Why Sangmulrim?”

Looking at the customs of Joseon, there was a custom of subordinates eating what their superiors had left over. Therefore, it was polite for superiors to use a front plate to eat as cleanly as possible.

In the palace, it was common for the court ladies and eunuchs to share what the king and the royal family had left over, adding insufficient side dishes – in Sejong’s case, meat.

“This also has a hygiene problem, so I changed it to eating in a communal dining hall. Finally, I will also eat in the dining hall.”

“Why? That’s against etiquette.”

Hyang highlighted another part at Sejong’s criticism.

“It’s a matter of safety. Surely they can’t poison themselves and hundreds of others just to kill me, can they?”

“Ah….”

“Also, showing the high-ranking officials that they are eating the same food as them will increase their loyalty.”

Sejong, who had been pondering for a while at Hyang’s explanation, nodded.

“That sounds good. Go ahead and do it.”

“Thank you for your grace!”

After Hyang left, Sejong, who had been thinking deeply, looked at the Sangseon.

“Isn’t that a pretty good idea?”

“….”

* * *

Note 1) April of Sejong 10. Sejong, after discussing with the ministers according to Byeon Gye-ryang’s memorial, decides to focus on writing for the Daegwa exam. Sejong the Great Annals read in one volume. Written by Park Young-gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House.