Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 21

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

21. Sprout (發芽)… Cancer (發癌)? (14)

“There is a difference between doing something knowingly and unknowingly. The ministers who are creating and implementing policies now know well why those policies were created, but even after just one or two generations, most will not know why they are being implemented and will do so simply because of ‘custom.’ Wouldn’t you agree?”

‘Damn customs! Bureaucracy! I’m so sick of it!’

Hyang suffered from depression in the 21st century because of those damn customs, bureaucracy, and armchair administration.

However, the ministers’ opposition was also formidable.

“That may be true. However, a properly created policy will operate without problems even after 100 or 1000 years.”

“It is said that mountains and rivers change in ten years. There is also the saying ‘Sangjeon Byeokhae’ [桑田碧海, meaning a drastic change like mulberry fields turning into the ocean]. The world is constantly changing, but the same policy continues for 100 or 1000 years? That means the entire country has stopped, not that the policy is well-made. If the world is changing but you are standing still, it is the same as regression.”

“The changes of the times are fleeting. If you only follow the changes of the times, you will lose depth and eventually forget the fundamentals. From that perspective, a policy that remains consistent from the beginning is more ideal than one that floats like duckweed according to the times.”

Hyang’s voice rose at the Chief State Councilor’s response, which was faithful to Neo-Confucian concepts.

“It is not that the changes of the times are fleeting, but that people cannot keep up with the flow. If that’s the case, what is the reason for changing many of the Joseon Dynasty’s statutes (律令) and systems? These are laws and systems that have been passed down for hundreds of years, or even thousands of years since the Three Han era.”

“That is…”

“Let’s take war as an example. According to the Chief State Councilor’s words, we would still be determining the outcome of wars with single combat between generals. But what is it like now? Various military branches move as one, and new weapons such as cannons are being used. Therefore, the Chief State Councilor’s words are not ‘the virtue of consistency’ but ‘the foolishness of a frog in a well (井底之蛙) [a person with a narrow view of the world].'”

“Your Highness! Your words are too harsh!”

As the Chief State Councilor’s voice rose at Hyang’s criticism, Sejong intervened.

“Enough! There is nothing wrong with the Crown Prince’s words! Just as mountains and rivers change over time, people and customs also change. Therefore, it is right to discuss measures accordingly! Crown Prince! Tell me your measures!”

As Sejong began to support Hyang, the ministers closed their mouths. Meanwhile, Hyang, who had Sejong’s firm support, spoke about the measures he had in mind.

“All six ministries (六曹) that run the government must keep records. Whether it is a policy that is implemented or a policy that is rejected or suspended, everything must be recorded. In short, on a monthly basis, and in the long term, on an annual basis. For each policy, the reason it was created, the results of its implementation if it is implemented, and the reasons why it was rejected or suspended must all be recorded and stored.”

The Chief State Councilor immediately challenged Hyang’s words.

“Everything is already recorded in the historiographers’ records and the Seungjeongwon Diary [Royal Secretariat Diary]. This is an unnecessary duplication of work.”

“Even the King cannot see the historiographers’ records or the Veritable Records. And although everything is recorded in the Seungjeongwon Diary, it is not categorized at all, is it? After just ten years, you will spend days just looking for records related to policies. But how much time could you save if the policies implemented by each ministry were separately classified and preserved?”

“The Crown Prince’s opinion is correct.”

“I also believe that the Crown Prince’s opinion is correct.”

After hearing Hyang’s explanation, all the ministers of the six ministries began to agree. As most of the ministers agreed, Sejong also nodded.

“It has been said since ancient times that one should ‘review the old and learn the new (溫故知新) [learn new things by reviewing the past].’ However, humans are finite beings, so when time passes, they return to the soil. It is inevitable that future generations will not know the reasons even if they want to know. Therefore, it is natural for us, the previous generation, to work hard so that future generations do not lose their way and find the natural order. The ministers of each ministry should accept the Crown Prince’s plan, create records, and carefully store them separately.”

“We shall obey your command.”

“Now, and…”

“Father, I have another petition.”

Sejong, who thought Hyang’s petition was over and was about to put another agenda on the table, stopped speaking. After looking at Hyang’s face for a moment, Sejong smiled slightly and allowed it.

“Tell me.”

“I came to realize this while speaking about supplementing the ‘Hyangyak Jeseong Jipseongbang (鄕藥濟生集成方) [Collection of Native Korean Prescriptions].’ If we look at this entire Joseon, there will be quite a few farmers who are over the age of sixty (耳順, I-sun) [a respectful age referring to being receptive to advice] or even seventy (古稀, Go-hui) [a rare old age].”

“That’s right.”

“We must find them, ask them about farming, and record it.”

At Hyang’s suggestion, Sejong stroked his beard and muttered.

“Ask about farming and record it? Hmm…”

Sejong’s face brightened as he made a humming sound and thought for a moment.

“That’s right! They must have experienced a lot as much as they have lived! There must be many who know the secrets to a good harvest! Just like Soedol knew the secret art of Uduchim!”

Hyang nodded greatly at Sejong’s words.

“Yes, it’s not just farming secrets. They will also know the omens (前兆) of natural disasters such as droughts! Individually, they may seem like small signs, but if we collect those signs and create a casebook…”

“We can prepare in advance!”

Sejong said what Hyang was about to say, hitting his knee. Hyang bowed his head and replied to Sejong’s words.

“That’s right. Floods can be reduced by repairing and dredging dikes and reservoirs, but droughts can cause great damage if we do not know about them in advance and prepare for them.”

“Your words are correct! The Minister of Personnel should order the Bureau of Astronomy (觀象監) to organize the data as soon as it comes up and make a book!”

“We shall obey your command.”

“There’s more. Not only during the spring poverty season (春窮期) [the period before the harvest when food supplies are low], but also after droughts or floods, epidemics always break out. But if we know the signs in advance…”

Sejong interrupted Hyang, hitting his knee.

“We can prepare medicine in advance and prepare for it! Indeed!”

‘Indeed, Sejong! Your brainpower is amazing! But please use your turn signals! And please don’t hit your knees so hard! I’m getting bruised!’

Hyang clicked his tongue softly, mixing feelings of admiration and annoyance, and nodded.

“That’s right. If the Hyeminseo (惠民局) [public health office], Jaesaengwon (濟生院) [another public health office], and Dongseodaebiwon (東西大悲院) [another public health office] can prepare in advance, and furthermore, if the local government offices can also prepare in advance, we can greatly reduce the number of people suffering from diseases.”

“The Crown Prince’s words are correct! The Minister of Personnel should also implement this!”

“We shall obey your command!”

No ministers opposed Sejong’s orders. In an agricultural (農本主義) country, there was nothing as important as a good harvest, and making the people free from the pain of disease was also important from a Neo-Confucian perspective.

Sejong was very pleased. The petitions that Crown Prince Hyang was making were worth a thousand gold (千金) [a great treasure].
In addition, the ministers, who used to oppose every agenda that the Crown Prince put forward, were now responding without much objection. Sejong looked at Hyang with a bright face.

“Do you have any other petitions (請願)?”

As soon as Sejong’s words were finished, Hyang’s mouth opened.

“Yes. There is no proper geography book (地理志) in our Joseon, nor in the previous dynasty (前朝). The products of our Joseon are said to be small, but this is small compared to Ming, and it is by no means small in absolute terms. Therefore, we must properly examine the territory of Joseon and create a geography book.”

“A geography book… It is a work (公役) that requires a lot of effort.”

“That’s right.”

Hyang nodded at Sejong and the ministers’ comments.

“Of course. However, if we create a proper geography book, we can reduce the people’s suffering.”

“Reduce the people’s suffering with a geography book? Crown Prince, please explain in more detail.”

“Yes. If we create an accurate geography book, we can accurately know the products of each county in the country, and this can reduce the burden of tribute (貢納) [taxes paid in local products]. The fact that the people are suffering greatly from tribute has been the biggest problem since the previous dynasty, and in order to solve this, we must first accurately know the products of each county.”

“That’s true, but…”

Sejong trailed off, and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Taxation, who attended the meeting in place of the Minister of Taxation who had left on a mission, opened his mouth.

“I also agree that the Crown Prince’s words are correct and that it should be done. However, the amount of work involved is not insignificant.”

Hyang pointed out what the ministers had forgotten at the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Taxation’s comment.

“Of course, that’s right. However, we are moving nationwide to supplement the ‘Hyangyak Jeseong Jipseongbang’ and to collect the knowledge of farmers. Since we are dispatching personnel from the central government to the whole country anyway, we can just assign them one more task.”

‘1+1 is nothing!’

“Ah!”

Sejong and the ministers simultaneously exclaimed at Hyang’s point.

“We didn’t think of that!”

“I didn’t think of it either!”

“We can greatly reduce the budget!”

In Hyang’s mind, the words of Teacher Samcheonpo echoed as he was about to click his tongue at the sight of Sejong and the ministers.

‘Not all people of the past were idiots, and not all modern people are geniuses! It’s just that people of the past had less information coming in, and modern people, who have an absolutely large amount of information, have a slightly wider view! Shall we take an example? It was only after the mid-1990s that multitasking, which is now the most basic thing, became commonplace! Until then, even that great computer could only perform one task at a time, and people were satisfied with it!’

As Sejong and the ministers had a kind of great awakening (大悟覺醒) [sudden enlightenment], Hyang’s petition immediately became an official policy.

And from that day on, the famous ‘sleepless (不夜城) Yukjo Street’ began.

* * *

That night.

“The historians must not follow.”

“However, Your Majesty.”

“It is a private conversation (私談) between a father and a son.”

As Sejong spoke firmly, the historian stepped back. Sejong, who had dismissed the historian, led the eunuchs to the Crown Prince’s residence.

“You’re still awake.”

Sejong said, looking at the room in the Crown Prince’s residence, which was brightly lit. Sangseon, who was following behind, responded.

“The earliest you go to bed is between 9 PM and 11 PM (2경) [gyeong, a timekeeping unit], and you often stay awake until 1 AM to 3 AM (4경) [gyeong, a timekeeping unit].”

“You’re still a child, how can you drive yourself so hard?”

Unable to hide his concern for Hyang, Sejong continued to move forward.

“His Majesty the King is here!”

The eunuch who was standing guard outside Hyang’s room reported to Hyang after seeing Sejong, and immediately opened the door to the room.

As soon as the eunuch reported, Hyang, who had gotten up from his seat and stepped aside, bowed as soon as Sejong entered.

“What brings you here at this late hour?”

“I was taking a walk and saw that the lights were on, so I stopped by. What are you doing up at this hour?”

“I was just reading a book.”

“Is that so? Let’s sit down first.”

Sejong, who sat in Hyang’s seat, shone his eyes as he looked at the book spread out on the desk.

“It’s a book from the Western barbarians (西夷) [a derogatory term for foreigners]? What is it about?”

“It is a book titled ‘A Short Study on Alchemy (鍊金術)’. As the title suggests, it is a critical book on alchemy.”

“What is alchemy?”

“It is a study of how to make gold by adding various things to metals such as lead or iron.”

Sejong’s eyes twinkled at Hyang’s words.

“Is that possible?”

“According to the author (著者), the Western barbarians have been studying it for hundreds of years, but they have not found an answer. According to the preface (序頭) written by the author, ‘Alchemy is impossible. However, the true alchemy is to study it further and create alloys that are helpful in life.'”

“‘Creating alloys that are helpful in life is true alchemy.’…”

Sejong, who was savoring Hyang’s words, briefly concluded.

“He is a wise man (賢者).”

“I also think so.”

Sejong, who was smiling at Hyang’s appearance, picked up the unfolded alchemy book and began to read it.

“There is a translation, would you like to see it together?”

“No, I’m just looking at it because I’m curious about what the Western barbarians’ letters are like.”

However, Sejong did not put down the book in his hand even after a long time. Just as Hyang’s waist, who was standing still, began to feel stiff, Sejong put down the book and opened his mouth.

End