Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 143

짱그라

헬로밤

143. Scramble (2)

The proposals, categorized as pass or fail by Hyang’s lab and Jiphyeonjeon [Royal Academy], were sent to the Royal Secretariat for a second review.

“Isn’t this interesting?”

“What’s interesting?”

The Royal Secretaries showed the Chief Royal Secretary the classifications from Jiphyeonjeon and the lab.

“The evaluations for the ‘joint production and equal distribution’ proposals are contradictory. Jiphyeonjeon mostly approves them, but the lab mostly disapproves.”

Upon hearing the Royal Secretaries’ report, the Chief Royal Secretary stroked his beard, looking troubled.

“This is a problem. If we leave it as it is, it could cause issues.”

Sensing the potential crisis, the Chief Royal Secretary immediately reported to Sejong. Sejong, upon receiving the report, also appeared perplexed.

“The evaluation standards are so different… It was my oversight not to consider this beforehand. Eunuch! Immediately summon the Crown Prince and the Grand Scholar!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

* * *

Thus, Hyang and the Grand Scholar—Ha-yeon, who replaced Byeon Gye-ryang after his resignation due to illness—had to engage in a fierce debate in front of Sejong and the other officials.

“If the people can obtain income equally without discrimination, there will be no distinction between rich and poor, or between scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants!”

Hyang refuted the Grand Scholar’s argument.

“That’s just an ideal.”

“Even if it is an ideal, wouldn’t the world become a better place if we strive for it?”

“Grand Scholar, ‘joint production and equal distribution’ sounds good in theory. However, joint production means joint labor, and there are many types of labor. There’s agriculture, fishing, and even the scribes sitting there writing the Veritable Records [historical annals] can be considered labor. How will you equally value these diverse forms of labor?”

“Well, that’s…”

“And equal distribution is the same. No matter how equally you divide it, someone else’s share will always seem larger, depending on individual circumstances.”

After a lengthy debate, Sejong and the officials sided with Hyang.

“‘Communist Egalitarianism’ is idealistic but not realistic. Therefore, the Grand Scholar must re-examine the results.”

At Sejong’s command, the Grand Scholar reluctantly bowed his head.

“I obey the command.”

Watching this, Hyang muttered inwardly.

‘I’ve seen how theories with that word ‘communism’ end up.’

* * *

Thus, after evaluating the proposals collected over 100 days—110 days, to be exact—15 people submitted their statements of intent to the court.

The officials then engaged in a desperate scramble for these 15 individuals.

No, to be precise, the officials competed for 14 individuals.

The remaining one was someone whom Jo Mal-saeng strongly advocated for. The problematic individual was the one who argued for ‘Iron and Blood.’

“This is the person the Ministry of War desperately needs!”

Jo Mal-saeng’s assertion made not only Sejong but also Hyang and the other officials feel awkward.

“Iron and blood… Isn’t that too extreme?”

While Sejong and the officials questioned the extremism of the theory, Hyang was worried about other aspects.

‘If we’re not careful, this could lead to militarism or a military-first policy….’

However, he couldn’t outright oppose it, as strengthening national defense was essential for Joseon at the moment. Therefore, Hyang wore a troubled expression.

‘This is quite awkward….’

In the end, Sejong issued a royal decree due to Jo Mal-saeng’s strong advocacy.

“Bring the person who made this proposal here immediately! I will ask him directly and decide on his course!”

* * *

Thus, the person who made the controversial claim was summoned to the court.

“I greet His Majesty!”

Jang Han, a burly man in a robe, immediately prostrated himself and shouted loudly upon seeing Sejong.

Sejong smiled slightly at the sight and replied.

“Nice to meet you. Just hearing your voice, you sound like a general.”

“I am deeply grateful!”

The owner of the voice that echoed through Geunjeongjeon [main hall of the palace] was Jang Hang-seon, a licentiate [degree holder] from Cheolsan County, Pyeongan Province.

Like Im Sun-wook, Jang Hang-seon had been living in obscurity despite passing the civil service examination due to the restriction on appointing people from the Northwest.

The difference from Im Sun-wook was that he frequently clashed with the Jurchens [nomadic tribes] due to the proximity to the border.

“So, you argued for Iron and Blood?”

Jang Hang-seon immediately answered Sejong’s question.

“Yes! If those Jurchen bastards see that we are strong, they will never attack us! Therefore, national defense must be strong!”

Hyang interjected in Jang Hang-seon’s words.

“Father, I…”

“I permit it.”

‘He’s granting permission before I even finish speaking now. Is this automatic?’

Muttering to himself, Hyang asked Jang Hang-seon a question.

“Licentiate Jang, you said that safety comes from strong national defense, but how strong do you think it should be?”

Jang Hang-seon’s answer came out immediately.

“The stronger, the better! But, we must keep it within reason!”

Sejong and the officials’ eyes began to sparkle at Jang Hang-seon’s statement.

“Keep it within reason?”

“Yes! National defense is meant to protect the people, not to devour them!”

Hyang turned to look at Sejong at Jang Hang-seon’s answer. Sejong clenched his fist without realizing it and shouted.

“Approved!”

Thus, Jang Hang-seon was dragged into the Ministry of War.

Later, Jang Hang-seon, exhausted from working overtime, would greatly regret it.

“I was too naive…”

* * *

While the court was busy, one task was completed in Area 51.

“Father, do you remember what you ordered me to do before?”

“What I ordered you to do? Let me see…”

Sejong pondered for a moment, then looked at Hyang.

“There are only a few of my orders to you that haven’t been answered yet. But, looking at your face… is it about the issue of a stable livelihood?”

“Yes, Father.”

Hyang smiled and replied.

Sejong’s order was to find a way to take responsibility for the lives of female servants who bore children with commoners but were alienated (separated from others) due to adultery, while mentioning the ‘Law of Following the Mother’s Status for Slaves.’

Sejong’s face lit up at Hyang’s answer.

“Really? Did you find it?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“A loom.”

Sejong seemed disappointed for a moment at Hyang’s answer but soon changed his expression.

“Judging by your usual behavior, it wouldn’t be a simple loom. What is it?”

“It’s a loom that automatically weaves cloth.”

“Huh?”

* * *

In the end, Sejong, unable to resist his curiosity, led the officials to Area 51.

The people walking along the road prostrated themselves and shouted as Sejong left the palace after a long time.

“We greet His Majesty!”

“We see His Majesty!”

“Long live! Long live! Long live!”

Amid the shouts of ‘Long live’ from all directions, Sejong, sitting in the palanquin [covered litter], looked at the people with a pleased expression.

After examining the faces of the people, Sejong spoke to Hyang and the officials who were escorting him.

“The faces of the people look good.”

“It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s grace.”

Sejong smiled slightly at the Chief State Councillor’s words and replied.

“It’s not just my merit. It’s thanks to your help.”

As they exchanged compliments, Sejong’s procession arrived at Area 51.

The personnel in Area 51, who had been waiting in advance, immediately paid their respects to Sejong.

“We greet His Majesty!”

“Loyalty!”

“You’ve all worked hard. Please rise.”

Sejong responded in a soft voice and turned to look at Hyang.

“Alright. Let’s see that loom then.”

“Yes, Father. This way, please.”

Guided by Hyang, Sejong moved to where the looms were located.

“Is that the loom?”

“Yes, we have connected three units for the demonstration.”

“I see.”

Sejong’s gaze was directed at the three looms standing in a row.

“It’s a bit unfamiliar in shape to be called a loom.”

“Yes, the overall shape has changed because we installed a device to transmit power.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong carefully examined the structure of the looms.

A large rod was passing over the heads of the looms, and large discs were attached to the middle of the rods.

And a thick leather strap was connected between the disc and the loom. A large gear was attached to the very end of the rod, and a gear of similar size was lying perpendicular to the gear.

Finally, a cow was tied to a wooden rod connected to the axis of the horizontally lying gear.

“Hmm….”

Sejong, who had been examining the structure of the loom for a while, turned to look at Hyang.

“Does that cow move this loom?”

“Basically, yes. Currently, it is an animal-powered system using cows, horses, or donkeys, but it can be replaced with a steam engine once it is completed.”

“Wouldn’t it be good to use a water mill or a waterwheel?”

Sejong, who instantly understood the driving principle, let out a regretful sound.

“That’s true, but there are many places where the amount of water is always insufficient, so the utilization rate is low.”

“That’s why it’s a pity. That steam engine is a distant story.”

“We will consider installing some in places where the amount of water is relatively abundant.”

“Alright. Anyway… I want to see it move.”

“Yes.”

At Sejong’s command, Hyang gave a hand signal. At Hyang’s signal, several men and women came forward and politely paid their respects to Sejong.

“Alright. Do well.”

At Sejong’s command, the men headed to where the cow and the rod were, and the women took their places in front of the looms. The women, sitting on a perch-like seat in front of the loom, signaled, and one of the men shook the cow’s reins.

“Giddy up!”

Moo~.

As the cow began to move, the wooden rod began to rotate, and the loom began to move.

Clatter, clatter!

With an unfamiliar noise, the batten of the loom moved up and down, and the cloth began to be woven.

“Hoo….”

As Sejong admired the process of weaving cotton cloth, Hyang gave a supplementary explanation.

“Because existing looms had to be operated entirely by manpower, productivity was low, and women had to work hard. However, this automatic loom is highly efficient because it replaces the most labor-intensive parts with livestock or steam engines.”

“I see.”

Hyang, who also showcased an automatic spinning machine that used animal power to spin yarn, moved the location to the office and continued to explain to Sejong and the officials.

“The advantage of this machine is that the width of the cotton cloth or silk produced is much wider.”

At Hyang’s gesture, those who had been waiting brought in cotton cloth and silk woven by machine, and cotton cloth and silk woven by traditional methods.

Sejong was greatly impressed when he placed the hand-woven cotton cloth over the machine-woven cotton cloth.

“It’s at least three times wider!”

“That’s right. So, it’s even more versatile.”

“I see. Yes.”

In the case of cotton cloth woven with a traditional loom, it was difficult to exceed a width of 1 ja (尺, about 33cm) [traditional Korean unit of measurement]. This was due to the physical limitations of the woman operating the loom.

However, in the case of weaving cloth by machine, the limitation on the width was greatly expanded.

Hyang continued to explain the advantages of machine-woven cotton cloth.

“Using this automatic loom, you can weave cotton cloth and silk with a much wider width and more finely.”

“Weave finely?”

“At the same width, it was possible to go up to 20 seung [unit of thread count].”

“Oh?”

The standard for cotton cloth received as tax during this period was 5 seung. Cotton cloth woven with 5 bundles of 80 weft threads each, that is, 400 weft threads, was called jeongpo (正布) [standard cloth] and was used as a substitute for currency.

However, as this seung increased, the value of cotton cloth or silk skyrocketed. The fact that more weft threads were used meant that the threads were thinner, and the cloth was softer in proportion.

Therefore, the royal family and the nobility used 12 seung or 15 seung cloth, which they ordered in advance or brought in from Ming [Chinese dynasty], for their clothing.

* * *

After finishing the explanation about the advantages of the automatic loom, Hyang explained its value as a stable livelihood.

“Although it is an automatic system using machines, the overall method is the same as the existing loom. This is the first reason why it becomes a tool for women who have been exempted from military service but do not have a stable livelihood.”

“I see.”

“Secondly, men with large and thick hands have difficulty coping with problems that occur during the weaving process because the weaving is so dense. However, women are more advantageous because their hands are small and fast.”

When Hyang’s explanation was over, Sejong wore a satisfied expression.

“You’ve worked hard. Then, all that’s left is for the country to build a factory and set an example.”

At Sejong’s decision, Hyang made a suggestion.

“Father, how about entrusting this to a private merchant guild this time?”

“Entrust it to a private merchant guild? Why?”

Hyang explained the reason for Sejong’s question.

“Yes, until now, the country has taken the lead in setting an example, and private merchant guilds have followed suit. However, it is difficult for private merchant guilds to develop their ability to judge in this way.”

‘How long are you going to spoon-feed them?’

Hyang emphasized the ‘strengthening of self-reliance’ of the merchant guilds to Sejong.

“Commerce can only develop if they develop the ability to judge value for themselves and succeed in their work.”

“Hmm….”

As Sejong pondered, Kim Jeom, who had been pacing back and forth, quickly interjected.

“Your Majesty! I believe that the Crown Prince’s plan is the best way to grow the commerce of this Joseon!”

He realized that their work would increase if this became a national project.

“Is that so?”

“That’s right!”

Sejong, who had been pondering for a while at Kim Jeom’s plea to avoid overwork, came to a conclusion.

“Let’s think about it a little more. Crown Prince, you have created a truly excellent result. You have worked hard.”

“I am deeply grateful.”

* * *

After three days of fierce debate, it was decided to experimentally entrust the textile industry to the private sector.

As the court’s decision was announced nationwide through a proclamation, merchant guilds across the country began to move.

“This is an opportunity to rake in money!”

It was the beginning of a bidding war that would go down in history.