Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 142

Jjangra

Heloam

142. The Fight for Supremacy (1)

As April arrived, the anticipated decrees were promulgated.

The first to be announced concerned usury [the practice of lending money at unreasonably high interest rates].

-The interest on borrowed money is prohibited from exceeding the principal.

-Monthly interest is also prohibited from exceeding 3% of the principal.

With the announcement of this interest limitation law, there was considerable backlash. However, the court pushed forward, stating:

-Even the Great Ming Code stipulates that monthly interest shall not exceed 3%, and no matter how long the money is borrowed, the total interest shall not exceed the principal.

Those who opposed this continued to object, saying:

“Joseon is Joseon, and Ming is Ming! This is what the court always says!”

In response, the court retorted:

“You used to insist on following the Great Ming Code, but now you say Joseon and Ming are different? It’s not even worth considering!”

Having refuted the arguments of those who opposed, the court embarked on revising the Sok Yukjeon (Supplement to the Six Codes) [a legal code supplementing the main legal framework of Joseon].

* * *

Not long after the promulgation of the ‘Interest Limitation Law,’ the court announced a new decree.

-From this year forward, the civil service examination will be limited to the preliminary and final examinations held annually.

-The preliminary civil service examination will be held on the first five days of May each year, and the final examination will be held on June 20, a month and a half later.

-The examinations for the preliminary and final stages will consist of essays and arithmetic. Failure in either subject will result in disqualification.

-The military examination will be held on October 1st each year.

-For the military examination, the existing martial arts test will be supplemented with the Four Books and Three Classics [core texts of Confucianism], and military science.

-The military examination will continue for the next five years, after which it will be replaced by entrance exams to the Military Academy.

“What’s this Military Academy?”

As a term never heard before emerged, the attention of those preparing for the military examination was focused.

-The Military Academy is an institution that will train officers to operate Joseon’s army and navy in the future.

-The age to apply for admission to the Military Academy is between 15 and 20 years old.

With the announcement that there was an age limit for the Military Academy, which in the 21st century would be equivalent to a military academy, those who were nearing the age limit had no choice but to be on edge.

“There are only five years left! I have no choice but to work myself to death!”

Just as those preparing for the civil service examination, an equally fierce entrance exam hell unfolded for aspiring military officers.

* * *

The yangban [the aristocratic ruling class] of Joseon were shaken by the ‘Interest Limitation Law’ and the revision of the civil service examination system.

“It has finally begun.”

Those who had been closely observing the reforms being carried out by the court wore expressions that said, ‘What was coming has finally arrived.’

“The good times are all gone.”

“That is correct. Perhaps the next thing will be to deal with us, the local yangban.”

“Deal with us… The tax exemption benefits will be the first to go.”

“Most likely.”

The yangban, who had anticipated the court’s next move, pondered ways to respond to it. However, they found it difficult to find a clear solution.

“There is no justification to counter the justification that the court will put forward.”

While the yangban were contemplating countermeasures, the court promulgated a new decree.

This decree began to accelerate the division among the yangban.

* * *

In mid-May, after the preliminary examinations were completed throughout Joseon, the court spread Sejong’s edict throughout Joseon.

-It has already been 11 years since I ascended the throne, and I have made many efforts for the well-being of this Joseon during that time.

However, in the process, I have keenly felt the lack of talent.

The ministers of the court are assisting me based on their brilliance and long experience, but their numbers are too small.

I have recently broadened the gateway to advancement, but it takes a long time for the talents who come in this way to acquire experience.

Therefore, I intend to follow the ancient story of ‘Start with Guo Wei’ [an allusion to a historical event where a ruler sought talent by honoring a respected figure].

Just as King Zhao of Qi was able to seek out talented people from all over the world by treating Guo Wei, the prime minister of Yan, with great respect, I will do the same.

Many people will already know that Yiju-born saengwon [a graduate of the lower civil service examination] Im Sun-wook has been appointed to the rank of chamui [a junior official rank] and has begun his service.

(Omitted)

The edict promulgated by Sejong shook the yangban.

“This is an opportunity! The current King is heading down the path of dictatorship! This is an opportunity to stop it!”

“No, this is the King’s trap! At times like this, we must unite and resist the King’s tyranny!”

The local yangban were largely divided into two factions and engaged in heated debates. However, the number of those who tried to follow Sejong’s edict gradually increased.

This was because they also had dreams of achieving fame and success.

Thanks to this, from metropolises like Hanseong [the capital city, modern-day Seoul] to remote mountain villages in Jirisan and Taebaeksan [famous mountains in Korea], from wealthy people wearing silk clothes to poor scholars studying diligently at night, all picked up their pens.

* * *

Although Sejong had set a generous deadline of 100 days, many suggestions poured into the court from all over Joseon in less than half a month.

The chief secretary and secretaries, seeing the suggestions being carried in full carts, appealed to Sejong for their difficulties.

“Hmm… I see. But the task of reviewing these is absolutely necessary….”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, even the education of those who passed the final examination is continuing, so we are very short-handed. It would be best to postpone this for a while and deal with other matters first….”

At the ministers’ words, Sejong pointed out the reality.

“Even now, so many are pouring in, wouldn’t it become even more difficult the longer we postpone it?”

“That is true, but….”

The ministers trailed off.

Even to them, the amount of suggestions coming in was increasing. According to reports from those in charge of receiving them, there were many cases where the same person submitted multiple suggestions. In the end, the amount when the 100 days passed—considering Joseon’s poor transportation environment, it would take another half a month—would clearly be beyond imagination.

“The conclusion is that we need to sort through them once as soon as they come in to make the work easier….”

While pondering to find a clear answer, Maeng Sa-seong came up with an answer.

“How about selecting personnel from the Jiphyeonjeon [Hall of Worthies, a royal research institute] and the research institute?”

“The Jiphyeonjeon and the research institute?”

Sejong, hearing Maeng Sa-seong’s suggestion, stroked his beard and calculated.

As the reforms progressed, the Jiphyeonjeon had established itself as a policy research institute directly under the King. The scholars belonging to the Jiphyeonjeon, like the officials belonging to the research institute in Hyang, were not holding concurrent positions.

Thanks to this, ‘Saga Dokseo (賜暇讀書) [a system of granting scholars leave to study],’ which had emerged in the history before Hyang’s intervention, did not appear.

“Hmm… the Jiphyeonjeon and the research institute….”

Muttering to himself, Sejong finally made a decision.

“Good! Let’s do that! Sangseon! Go and summon the Grand Scholar and the Crown Prince!”

“Yes, Your Majesty….”

* * *

“…And so, we have been tasked with the job of prioritizing these suggestions.”

“I see….”

Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji nodded with sour expressions at Hyang’s explanation.

‘We’re already busy enough to die!’

‘The ministers only think we’re lazing around!’

Seeing the faces of Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji, who were suppressing their dissatisfaction, Hyang continued.

“We also have a lot of work to do, but this is also something that is absolutely necessary for the future of the country, so we have no choice. First, what are some of the things we are currently doing that can be postponed a little?”

At Hyang’s question, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji searched through the records.

After selecting tasks that could be postponed without much impact, the three soon summoned the people in charge and explained the situation.

“Okay! It will be a bit of a headache, but let’s process it quickly! I will also participate.”

“We will also participate.”

Since Crown Prince Hyang himself said he would participate, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji had no choice but to participate, albeit reluctantly.

Seeing the carts filled with suggestions coming in, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji wore gloomy expressions.

‘No wonder! I had a restless dream last night!’

‘No wonder! I wanted to go to Area 51! I envy Minister Yi Cheon, I envy him!’

* * *

Evaluating the suggestions that came up from all over Joseon was truly a task that consumed a lot of mental energy.

“Hoo~. The work itself is simple, but the consumption of mental energy is great.”

As Hyang grumbled with a long sigh, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji, and the officials of the research institute, nodded with hollow eyes.

The work itself was simple.

-First, record who the sender is.

-Open the sealed envelope and check the contents.

-Evaluate the contents and divide them into pass (通) and fail (不通).

-Send the suggestions divided into pass and fail to the Seungjeongwon (Royal Secretariat) [the King’s personal secretariat].

-The Seungjeongwon works to ensure that Sejong can read the suggestions evaluated as pass.

In a way, it was a very simple task, but a huge amount of mental energy was consumed in the process of evaluating the contents.

“There are many heads, but few brains… There are many delusional people, but few thinkers… Is there really such a lack of talent in this Joseon?”

At Hyang’s complaint, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji nodded without realizing it.

This was because there were so many suggestions close to delusions.

“Hoo~.”

Hyang, letting out a long sigh, picked up the next envelope.

After mechanically recording the sender, Hyang tore open the seal and examined the contents.

“Problems arise in managing the country because class discrimination arises, and the gap between rich and poor arises.

The country can only be operated soundly if this is resolved.

Nationalize all production facilities such as land, workshops, and trading companies. After that, food and supplies are distributed differently according to the number of family members?”

‘Isn’t this a red ideology ahead of its time?’

Unlike Hyang, who was horrified, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji showed interest.

“Oh? That’s an interesting idea?”

“Is it?”

At Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji’s reaction, Hyang pointed out the problem.

“It may seem so at first glance… but if we only distribute differently based on the number of family members, would the country be managed properly?”

“Yes? Ah….”

“If we do it wrong, there will be cases where people only make children without working.”

As Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji nodded, Hyang put the problematic suggestion aside.

“Fail!”

After that, suggestions with similar ideologies of ‘joint production and equal distribution’ poured out.

“Seriously… the words ‘joint production and equal distribution’ are very good, but who is going to distinguish the size of the labor….”

“That’s right.”

“The criteria itself is too vague.”

Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji, who had already processed several similar documents, also nodded at Hyang’s complaint.

In the end, Hyang came up with a new standard.

“From now on, let’s prioritize failing suggestions that mention ‘joint production and equal distribution.’”

“Yes.”

“I understand.”

“Puhah! Pooh!”

While Hyang, Jeong Cho, and Jeong In-ji were seriously discussing their opinions, laughter erupted from one side.

“Huh?”

The gazes of the three turned to where the sudden laughter came from, and Yi Sun-ji was snickering as he examined the suggestions.

“Pooh! Fail!”

Seeing this, Jeong In-ji called Yi Sun-ji with a serious face.

“Yi Sun-ji Jeongrang [a junior official title]. What is so funny?”

At Jeong In-ji’s question, Yi Sun-ji scratched the back of his head and replied.

“These suggestions are so absurd….”

At Yi Sun-ji’s words, Jeong In-ji rebuked.

“The people who wrote those suggestions must have written their lifelong beliefs, but aren’t you taking it too lightly?”

At Jeong In-ji’s rebuke, Yi Sun-ji replied with a serious expression.

“You can see it that way, but there are too many articles full of only glib talk, dreaming of perhaps some luck. I think it’s my loss if I examine that seriously.”

At Yi Sun-ji’s answer, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji examined the documents in their hands.

“Certainly….”

Like Hyang’s evaluation that ‘there are only delusional people,’ there were too many things that were full of plausible words, hoping for perhaps some unknown luck.

As Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji’s momentum subsided, Yi Sun-ji continued.

“I think you shouldn’t be serious from the beginning in order to minimize the consumption of mental energy.”

Hyang agreed with Yi Sun-ji’s words and stepped forward.

“That’s a good idea. Let’s do that. There will be many more things to see in the future.”

“I understand. That would definitely be better.”

When even Hyang stepped out like that, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji took a step back.

Through Hyang’s decision, people changed their attitude towards evaluation.

* * *

“Huh? What’s so heavy about this?”

Hyang, who was holding a thick envelope, wore a surprised expression at the unexpected weight.

After mechanically recording the sender, Hyang tore open the envelope and checked the contents.

Thud!

The moment he tore open the envelope and tilted it down to take out the paper inside, something fell out of the envelope.

“What is it? Huh? A knife?”

What fell out of the envelope was a small dagger.

Hyang grabbed the handle of the dagger and carefully pulled it out. Seeing the blue-edged dagger, Hyang muttered without realizing it.

“What is this….”

Hyang, seeing the dagger, took out the paper from the envelope and unfolded it.

“It’s a deep mountain. Is it a blood letter this time?”

When the dagger suddenly popped out, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji immediately approached. With even Yi Sun-ji gathered, Hyang read the contents of the blood letter.

“The peace of the country can only succeed if the defense of the country is strong. The only thing that can strengthen the defense of the country is iron and blood?”

‘What is this, Bismarck!’

Hyang, Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, and Yi Sun-ji, who had confirmed the contents of the problem, looked back at each other’s faces. After a long silence, Jeong Cho came to a conclusion.

“I would say pass. It is short and concise, but it shows a firm belief in national defense.”

“Me too….”

“Me too….”

When Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, and even Yi Sun-ji decided to pass, Hyang silently added the blood letter to the suggestions that had been decided to pass.