Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 191

191. Teacher (3)

Meanwhile, Sammin Academy remained a hot topic of debate.

After Sejong resolved the controversy surrounding the academy’s entrance requirements, another issue ignited further discussion: the title of ‘Teacher’.

-The word ‘teacher,’ especially ‘sa(師)’ [a respectful term for teacher], should not be used lightly. Isn’t there a saying, ‘King, Teacher, and Father are one’? This highlights the immense grace and nobility of a teacher! Why are they noble? Because of their outstanding knowledge and their role in educating our precious children! How can we bestow the noble title of ‘sa’ upon those who teach children of unknown backgrounds, even girls!

Such appeals flooded the court, infuriating the ministers, who then pleaded with Sejong.

“Please punish those who dare to write such outrageous things immediately!”

The ministers’ anger stemmed from the fact that their own grandchildren or great-grandchildren were among the first students of the newly established Sammin Academy.

Following the purge of Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s extremist conservatives and the ongoing reforms, the ministers’ awareness had shifted considerably as they confronted the realities and future needs of Joseon. Consequently, they did not oppose Sejong’s plan to establish the Sammin Academy. Furthermore, they actively insisted that their descendants be admitted to align with the academy’s mission of serving all ‘Sammin(四民, four classes of people)’.

However, even they balked at the idea of their offspring being associated with those ‘whose backgrounds they did not know’.

Sejong sighed at the ministers’ reaction.

“Hoo~. It hasn’t been long since we last saw bloodshed, and already you crave more? Do you think I am a monster thirsty for blood?”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers immediately bowed their heads.

“Please forgive our disloyalty!”

“Our thoughts were short-sighted!”

“It’s alright. Your reaction is understandable.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

Sejong, overlooking the ministers’ outburst, looked at the petitions with a weary expression and continued.

“These people are not malicious, merely foolish. They confine all of life’s possibilities within a narrow frame, pathetic individuals unable to break free. Hmm….”

Sejong paused, pondering for a moment before continuing.

“These people detest even the slightest perceived loss. Very well, let us make it law that admission to the Jung Hak Won(中學院, Middle School Academy) and Gun Hak Dang(軍學堂, Military Academy) [elite academies] is restricted to graduates of the Sammin Academy, and ensure this is clearly documented.”

“We obey your command!”

“In addition, legislate that even the children of the royal family must begin their education at the Sammin Academy.”

“Your Majesty… that is….”

Seeing the officials’ hesitant expressions, Sejong spoke firmly.

“The royal family and the people are like fish and water. Just as fish cannot survive without water, the royal family cannot exist without the people! From a young age, they must witness the lives of the common people and understand their hardships to earn respect as members of the royal family!”

Sejong’s words were unconventional, yet undeniably reasonable, leaving the ministers no choice but to accept them.

“We obey your command!”

Thus, what had been mere rumors became established law and was formally recorded.

Sejong’s response didn’t end there. Shortly after the petitions were submitted, Sejong’s official reply was posted on bulletin boards in government offices throughout the country.

-Many object to calling those who educate children at the Sammin Academy ‘teachers’. However, this view is held only by those with limited perspectives, like a frog at the bottom of a well [idiom for someone with a narrow view of the world].

They question how we can bestow the noble title of ‘sa’ upon those who merely teach children basic skills, but it is precisely these individuals who deserve the title most.

As I have stated repeatedly, the Sammin Academy is not simply a place for academic instruction. It is a place where children learn proper conduct, develop the right mindset, and understand how to live virtuous lives, and these teachers are the ones who guide them. Therefore, who is more deserving of the title ‘sa’ than these individuals?

Sejong’s reply was a direct rebuke to the Sadaebu [scholar-officials] who jealously guarded the title of ‘teacher’.

The Sadaebu had no choice but to remain silent in the face of this criticism.

Since the suppression of the Gi Yu Rebellion [a political purge], Sejong’s royal authority had reached its zenith.

Of course, that power might eventually wane, as the saying goes, ‘Even the moon wanes when it is full,’ or ‘Power does not last ten years,’ or ‘Flowers do not bloom for ten days,’ but in the current climate, it was impossible to predict when that time would come.

This was because the majority of the people, with the exception of a small faction of extremely conservative Sadaebu, supported Sejong with almost ‘religious’ fervor.

Ultimately, the conservative Sadaebu could only vent their frustration in private gatherings.

“In Joseon these days, the teachings of the sages are nowhere to be found!”

“That’s right!”

“The end is near! The end!”

Other Sadaebu and the common people scoffed at the reaction of these old-fashioned scholars.

“Humph! So what are you going to do about it? Start another rebellion?”

“If you were so dissatisfied, you should have joined us when things kicked off last year! For better or for worse! But at that time, you were just watching cautiously like a dead mouse… Tsk! Don’t call yourselves Sadaebu! You’re embarrassing all of us!”

The reason for the criticism directed at the old-fashioned Sadaebu was simple: their opposition lacked genuine Confucian justification.

They were criticized because they simply desired a return to the status quo before Sejong’s reforms.

Shortly after Sejong’s reply was posted, an official announcement from the court appeared on the bulletin board.

-In accordance with the changes in the newly reorganized court, the method of appointing officials will also be revised. Details will be announced at a later date.

-Eligibility for the newly implemented recruitment exam is restricted to those who have completed the Sammin Academy course and subsequent advanced studies.

In simple terms, they were blocking the path to officialdom for those who had not attended the Sammin Academy. This was tantamount to barring the old-fashioned Sadaebu from political office.

“How is this any different from the tyranny of Jie and Zhou!” [infamous tyrannical rulers of ancient China]

The old-fashioned Sadaebu once again voiced their anger, but it was to no avail.

Meanwhile, Hyang, who had attended court meetings and heard about the world’s reactions through the eunuchs, shook his head.

“Conservatism is as necessary as progress. But these people are not conservatives, they are reactionaries.”

In this way, Sejong resolved the issue of the Sammin Academy and its teachers.

“I may be criticized for being radical and dictatorial, but I hope you understand that this was the only way. In particular, I earnestly seek the understanding of the Grand Censor and the Grand Interlocutor.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers responded in unison.

“No, Your Majesty. This was a natural and just course of action!”

The Grand Censor and the Grand Interlocutor, specifically addressed by Sejong, voiced their strong support.

“It is a noble endeavor to enlighten the people. This is what the ancient sages dreamed of, even in their sleep. To oppose this is to oppose the will of the sages.”

“Their arguments cling to trivialities and fail to grasp the fundamental importance of this undertaking, so there is nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you.”

Sejong was sincerely grateful for the support of the Grand Censor and the Grand Interlocutor. Their backing signified the support of the Gangan [Office of the Inspector General], the most potentially troublesome faction.

* * *

While these events unfolded in the court, a debate was also taking place within Changdeok Palace.

Those who had passed the first written exam and the second interview were residing in Changdeok Palace, learning the curriculum.

However, since the Sammin Academy’s curriculum was entirely new, the officials of the Ministry of Rites were also navigating uncharted territory.

Therefore, most of the courses were being developed through ongoing discussions between the Ministry of Rites, the officials, and the applicants themselves.

In this process, the teaching materials created by Hyang received high praise from the applicants.

The applicants who saw the Thousand Character Classic [a foundational text for literacy] word cards that Hyang had created to educate Jinpyeong and Anpyeong – who received the title of Bonggun [royal title] in Gyeongsul year – praised them without exception.

“These are truly useful teaching materials! If used effectively, children will learn the Thousand Character Classic with greater ease.”

“Indeed. But who created these materials?”

At the applicant’s question, the Ministry of Rites official replied with a proud expression.

“It was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. He created them at the age of eight, upon receiving the title of Crown Prince, to teach his younger brothers, the Grand Princes.”

“Heok!”

The applicants were shocked by the Ministry of Rites official’s answer. Seeing their faces, filled with disbelief, the official continued with a solemn tone.

“Do not doubt it. Many have witnessed this. The rumor that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s wisdom is otherworldly is not a rumor, but a reality.”

“Oh my….”

Most of the applicants were speechless. However, a small number of applicants who had relatives working in the court nodded in agreement.

They had witnessed firsthand the overwork their relatives endured due to the genius of Sejong and his son, and the demanding tasks they undertook based on that genius.

More than a few had chosen the path of a teacher over that of an official after witnessing the struggles of their relatives.

However, even these individuals felt uneasy upon seeing the teaching materials created by Hyang.

‘Could it be that teachers will also suffer from overwork?’

* * *

In this way, the method of educating children through discussion was being systematized.

It was inevitable that conflicts of opinion would arise and debates would occur as men and women of various ages from all over the country gathered and discussed these matters.

Most of the debates reached a consensus relatively quickly, but some required considerable time and effort.

One of the issues that sparked a particularly fierce debate was ‘corporal punishment’.

“Since ancient times, it has been said, ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child.’ Teachers are not simply imparting knowledge, but also disciplining children on behalf of their parents, so they should not hesitate to use the rod!”

“That’s right!”

“That’s not right! I’m not saying we shouldn’t use the rod at all, but indiscriminate corporal punishment is worse than not using it at all!”

“Exactly! Children grow bigger and stronger as they age, while parents become weaker! What happens then? Children will no longer fear the rod! The worst possible outcome!”

“I agree! The more you are hit, the more you become accustomed to it! Once you become accustomed to it, you will no longer fear the rod! If you do not fear the rod, you will not fear committing wrongdoings. If that happens, you will not be afraid of breaking the law! The rod should not be used frequently!”

The applicants were fiercely debating, divided into two sides based on their individual backgrounds and experiences.

In the end, it was Mrs. Jo, one of the oldest applicants, who brought the debate to a close. Mrs. Jo, who hailed from Jeolla-do [province in Korea], calmly shared her thoughts.

“I have lived a little longer than you all, so I will offer a few words based on that experience. Would you be willing to listen?”

“We will listen carefully.”

When Mrs. Jo, the oldest applicant and recipient of the titles of filial daughter and virtuous woman, began to speak, not only the applicants but also the officials of the Ministry of Rites fell silent and listened attentively.

“Having lived a little longer, I have witnessed the process of children in my village growing into adults. I have seen the children from the households that did not spare the rod, as some of you mentioned earlier. The children from those houses largely fall into two categories. They either become troublemakers in the neighborhood, causing all sorts of disturbances because they have no fear of punishment, or they become like cattle and horses, constantly intimidated and only doing what they are told without any independent thought. Do you believe that such individuals will be beneficial to the country?”

Mrs. Jo’s words were quiet, yet carried significant weight.