Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 145

Hello, Night.

145. The Scramble (4)

‘The court summons the heads of all merchant guilds in Joseon for an important matter. The heads of each guild are required to attend.’

A royal decree containing the above message was swiftly disseminated to large and small merchant guilds throughout Joseon.

“…So, since the decree has been issued, be sure to attend without fail.”

“Yes, sir.”

The head of the merchant guild, having received the decree with a respectful bow to the Ministry of Taxation official, cautiously posed a question.

“Might I inquire as to what this ‘important matter’ entails?”

At the guild head’s question, the Ministry of Taxation official replied with a troubled expression.

“What would a lowly official like myself know? I’ve only heard it’s some kind of test His Majesty is administering to the merchant guilds.”

“A test…?”

“I’m not certain. Well then, be sure to arrive at the palace by the appointed date.”

“Farewell!”

The guild head, having seen off the Ministry of Taxation official, promptly summoned the chief clerks and managers.

“…So, we must travel to Hanseong [present-day Seoul] by the appointed date.”

The chief clerks and managers, having passed around and read the royal decrees bearing Sejong’s official seal, exchanged serious glances.

“Do you know the reason for the King’s summons?”

“That’s the problem. We only know it’s ‘His Majesty’s test.’”

“A test, you say?”

“A test… Hey, Manager Na, have you heard anything from District 51?”

The middle-aged manager, Na, scratched his head and replied.

“As a matter of fact, the fellow stationed near District 51 sent word. He said His Majesty visited District 51 with his ministers a few days ago.”

“Hmm….”

At Manager Na’s report, the faces of the guild head, chief clerks, and managers grew even more grave.

It was common knowledge among the people of Joseon that whenever Sejong visited District 51, a groundbreaking invention would emerge soon after.

Thanks to this, almost all those who had a reputation for large-scale business in Joseon had people planted around District 51.

Many had managed to multiply the size of their merchant houses by planting people and striving to get news faster than others.

Some obtained the secret recipe for military rations and sold them as emergency food for travelers or during disasters, while others made and sold flavored seasoning powder for cooking Gyejak [a type of Korean stew or soup].

Of course, they had to pay a considerable amount to the court under the newly established ‘Intellectual Property Management Act,’ but they were able to earn even more.

Unable to find the reason for Sejong’s summons despite racking their brains, they eventually had to resort to stopgap measures.

“If the King is administering a test to merchants, wouldn’t it be related to wealth? Just in case, let’s start by confirming how much wealth our guild can readily mobilize before we depart.”

“Yes, Guild Head.”

The guild head, having issued the order, wore a somewhat relieved expression.

“At least we’re fortunate to be in Gyeonggi Province, close to Hanseong.”

“Indeed.”

* * *

While the merchant guilds of Joseon were making preparations upon Sejong’s command, the court promulgated a new law.

It was the promulgation of the ‘Tenancy Law,’ which shook the rural areas of Joseon.

-The tenancy fees received by landlords must not exceed half of the yield.

-Landlords may not collect seed costs or fertilizer costs.

“Why should we give tenancy at all if this is the case!”

Many landlords were outraged by the above clauses.

Landlords often received seed and fertilizer costs in addition to land rent from tenant farmers, but the court had put a stop to it altogether.

-Tenant farmers must bring all grains harvested from the rented fields to the designated sales office.

-The exact amount of yield is to be confirmed in front of the Ministry of Taxation officials at the sales office. Afterward, taxes imposed by the state are to be paid, and land rent is to be paid to the landlord.

-All these processes are to be conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Taxation officials.

-If any additional land rent is secretly extorted before or after this collection process, the crime of deceiving the King will be applied.

Many landlords wrote petitions in protest against the tenancy law promulgated by the court, but the court did not budge.

-It is written in the Book of Odes, ‘Under the sky, there is no land that is not the King’s, and to the very edges of the land, there is no one who is not the King’s subject.’

-All the land of this Joseon belongs to the King, but convenience has been provided so that those studying Confucianism can study without worrying about their livelihood.

-Just as landlords are the King’s subjects, tenant farmers are also the King’s subjects.

-Therefore, it is also the King’s duty to ensure that tenant farmers live without fear of starvation.

With the court asserting its legitimacy based on the ‘King’s Land Ideology,’ the landlords’ resistance had no choice but to subside.

“Damn it….”

“What can we do….”

This was because the court had even brought out the card of ‘deceiving the King.’

“If the heavens are not on our side, we must change the heavens!”

“Hey! Shh! Shh!”

Some radicals even advocated rebellion, but those nearby hurriedly buried their claims deep.

They had begun to build their own forces by taking advantage of the prolonged famine that lasted from the end of Taejong’s reign to the beginning of Sejong’s reign, but as long as the Joseon army continued to show absolute loyalty to Sejong, they had no chance of winning.

* * *

The military received the greatest benefits as Sejong proceeded with his reforms.

Of course, there was the Ministry of War, an administrative body centered on civil officials, but all the actual positions in the military were assigned to military officers.

Thanks to this, military officers had to suffer the double burden of possessing not only martial prowess but also academic knowledge.

Even though they had to suffer such a double burden, the military officers were still happy. Until the reforms began, the high-ranking posts in the military were all occupied by civil officials.

A clear example of such civil official supremacy was the magistrate. According to the official system, the magistrate was clearly a military officer position. However, most magistrates were occupied by civil officials.

However, according to rumors of the reorganization of local administrative bodies, the magistrate was scheduled to return to military officers.

In addition, not only the Gapsa soldiers [elite soldiers directly under the King] but also the general soldiers were having their livelihood problems solved as the court properly provided stipends and even took responsibility for supplies.

Thanks to this, the military showed absolute loyalty to Sejong from top to bottom.

And Sejong and his ministers were not just relying on that. Opening official positions to people from the Northwest and to illegitimate children served the purpose of supplementing talent and also served as another purpose of checking the power of the landlords represented by the southern provinces.

Finally, there was also an existence that only Sejong and a very small number of people, including Hyang, knew about.

It was the Geomgye [secret intelligence agency].

At least the movements of powerful families in and around Hanseong were being reported directly to Sejong through the Geomgye.

And Hyang was not idle either.

Sitting in the Crown Prince’s residence, Hyang opened a long wooden box and examined the objects inside.

“I hope there’s no need to use these… but if the need arises, I’ll make the opponent feel like they’re in a nightmare. Just try to cross Gwanghwamun [main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace].”

Inside the wooden box were five long rifles. They were guns that would feel familiar if you had enjoyed Western movies.

* * *

As the ‘Tenancy Law’ caused a stir, the heads of merchant guilds from all over Joseon flocked to Hanseong.

“His Majesty the King arrives!”

The merchants waiting in the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace] prostrated themselves on the ground all at once, shouting in unison.

“Humble merchants greet the supreme ruler of this Joseon!”

“You have worked hard to come. Straighten your posture.”

As the merchants straightened their posture, Sejong continued.

“Recently, the officials of District 51 have developed a new device. We could use this device to establish a royal workshop, but it seems that this would not be beneficial to the national interests of our Joseon, so I would like to entrust it to you.”

At Sejong’s words, the merchants perked up their ears.

Having confirmed that the merchants’ attention was focused, Sejong ordered Sangseon.

“Summon the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After a while, as Hyang, who had been waiting, appeared in Geunjeongjeon, the merchants paid their respects once again.

“Rise.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As the merchants rose again, Hyang paid his respects to Sejong.

“Then, Father, I will take them with me.”

“Yes. I hope you bring good results.”

“I will do my best.”

Having paid his respects to Sejong again, Hyang descended the steps of Geunjeongjeon and moved to the courtyard.

Under the escort of the Naegeumwi [royal guards], Hyang gestured to the merchants.

“Follow me.”

Waiting for the merchants who followed Hyang out of Gwanghwamun were large passenger carriages pulled by two large horses.

“The carriage is large, Your Highness.”

“I’ve never seen such big horses before, Your Highness.”

At the words of the merchants who had come from the provinces, Hyang smiled and explained.

“These are passenger carriages that will soon run on the main streets of Hanseong. Get on quickly.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Having confirmed that the merchants were divided among the three passenger carriages, Hyang mounted his horse.

“Let’s go then.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

* * *

“Wow~.”

“It’s truly another world!”

The merchants in the passenger carriage repeatedly exclaimed in admiration.

The roads paved with Hwejuk [lime mixed with sand] were not unfamiliar. Paved roads were gradually being laid in the relatively large towns of the provinces.

What surprised the merchants was the scale. The wide road that crossed the east and west of Hanseong and stretched straight to the south was so wide that even if eight of their large carriages were lined up side by side, there would be no problem moving. On that wide, straight road, the rumored rickshaws were running. Yangban [noblemen] were riding in the passenger seats of the rickshaws, but so were young ladies and courtesans from ordinary homes.

One of the merchants, watching the courtesans in the rickshaws making flirtatious expressions, muttered to himself.

“I heard that flowered parasols are in fashion in Hanseong these days… there was a reason.”

The courtesans and young ladies from ordinary homes in the rickshaws were all holding up parasols with colorful floral patterns to shield themselves from the sun.

* * *

Hyang, who had guided the merchants to District 51, introduced the ‘automatic loom.’

“This is the device I want to introduce to you.”

The merchants, examining the loom that turned using a cow as a power source, showered Hyang with questions.

“How many looms can you turn with one cow at most?”

“Six at most. If you mobilize more than two cows at once and connect the drive belts well, you can turn up to 20 at the same time.”

“Do we have to use cows?”

“Horses or donkeys are also possible, and waterwheels are also possible in places where water is abundant.”

“How many seungpo [a unit of measurement for cloth] is possible?”

At the merchant’s question, Hyang gestured to the person waiting behind him. At Hyang’s gesture, the person behind him brought a roll of cotton cloth.

“Take a look.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The merchants, examining the cotton cloth that Hyang handed them, looked back at the cotton cloth being woven on the automatic loom with surprised eyes.

“Your Highness! This looks like at least 10 seungpo?”

“Exactly 15 seungpo. If you pay a little more attention, you can even make 20 seungpo.”

As Hyang explained, the faces of the merchants examining the cotton cloth gradually became serious.

“Your Highness. Then what about the standard cloth? If this cotton cloth is released, the value of the standard cloth….”

“Could it be! Is currency finally being operated again!”

At the merchants’ questions, Hyang nodded.

“Currency will be operated within this year.”

With the explanation of the automatic loom finished, Hyang brought up the main point.

“I want to sell these looms to you. The cost of the materials to make the looms is 35 silver nyang [currency] per loom.”

“It’s a bit expensive….”

“If you order more than 20, I’ll give you up to 30 silver nyang.”

At Hyang’s words, the merchants closed their mouths and began to calculate their profits and losses.

‘To have the value of a proper product, you have to turn at least 20 at the same time.’

‘The Crown Prince probably said 20 for that reason. In addition, even if it’s woven automatically, human hands are needed. In that case, we have to hire women who are good at weaving and pay them wages….’

As the merchants were worrying about various problems, Hyang added.

“The contract will be limited to the three merchant guilds that order the most looms. District 51 itself has limited production capacity, and there are many things going on. Instead, I will give you exclusive rights for 5 years.”

At Hyang’s words, the merchants made up their minds.

‘Let’s go! This is an opportunity! Exclusive preemption is an opportunity to get ahead!’

‘This time is too much! If we gather capital for 5 years and make it bigger, it’ll be fine! Let’s bide our time!’

The merchants who had decided whether to advance or retreat immediately wrote down their merchant guild names and the number of looms they wanted on paper and submitted them to Hyang.

In this way, three merchant guilds were determined.