Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 30

Jjangra

Helo Bam

30. The Reform of the Year Gapjin (8)

From the next day, memorials flooded Sejong again. While many agreed with the Crown Prince’s opinion, the opposition, led by the Chief State Councilor and the Chief Censor, was also formidable.

-The Crown Prince’s opinion seems good at first glance, but it is a truly dangerous idea. According to the Crown Prince’s opinion, if the goal is good, the means do not matter. This is a very dangerous idea. As much as the purpose is just, the means must also be just.

Thus, a fierce debate began between the Daeyu faction, which agreed with Hyang’s ‘Multi-Instrument Theory,’ and the orthodox Confucian scholars, who insisted that only Neo-Confucianism was correct and agreed with the ‘Single-Instrument Theory’ of the Soyu faction.

The debate that began in this way intensified with the implementation of the ‘Reform’ decided by Sejong, and throughout the year Gapjin, the 6th year of Sejong’s reign, countless memorials, resignations, and dismissals followed. And it became the beginning of the Gapjin Debate, in which the Joseon intellectuals were divided into two and fought fiercely.

* * *

The story of Hyang’s policy address and the resulting debate between conservative officials and Hyang soon spread to the people living in Hanseong [present-day Seoul], triggering a chain reaction.

The victims of this chain reaction were the children of prestigious families.

“By the time our grandson enters officialdom, the Crown Prince will have either succeeded to the throne or seized real power. Judging from the Crown Prince’s tendencies, he will not be given a heavy responsibility simply by mastering Confucian classics. Therefore, from now on, make sure to master not only Confucian classics but also the various schools of thought.”

“Yes, Father.”

“That goes for you too. Where do you think the Crown Prince’s temperament came from? For the sake of the family’s survival, you must also exert your strength.”

“…Yes, Father.”

Officials and noblemen who were watching the flow of events and seeking the family’s prosperity began to study not only Neo-Confucianism but also the various schools of thought.

Meanwhile, the anti-Crown Prince faction families were not just standing still.

“We must not stand idly by while the King and the Crown Prince are trying to go down the wrong path! To bring the King and the Crown Prince back to the right path, thorough refutation is the only answer! We must thoroughly delve into the various schools of thought and find their weaknesses!”

“Yes, Father.”

“Why is our grandson silent? The Crown Prince is the same age as you, so by the time you enter officialdom, the Crown Prince will be at the forefront. If you don’t make an effort now, you will disgrace our family!”

“Grandson is already working hard…”

“Is that how you work hard, now holding onto the Analects [a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius]! Father! Bring the whip immediately!”

“Father, calm your anger…”

“Just bring it!”

Thanks to the overpowered Hyang, the calves of the boys in the noble families in the capital were never free from welts.

* * *

Around the same time, Hyang was reviewing the previous debate.

“I feel refreshed after saying everything I wanted to say. And I liked the feeling that even our Abamama [father in Korean] was on my side…”

Hyang trailed off with a tired face. According to the eunuchs belonging to the Donggung Palace [Crown Prince’s residence], memorials from ministers expressing favor and opposition to Hyang’s views were lined up. The amount was so great that some of the Seungjeongwon’s Seungji [Royal Secretariat officials] collapsed from overwork, and Sejong had to specially bestow royal meals and tonics.

Hyang smiled as he thought while looking at the blank paper.

“Am I lucky to have been reincarnated in the early Joseon Dynasty? If I had been reincarnated in the late Joseon Dynasty and said this, I would have been immediately called a ‘heretic’ and at least been deposed as Crown Prince, and if things went wrong, I would have been put in a rice chest [a method of execution]. Anyway, am I fortunate that there are ministers who support me this time?”

Hyang stopped speaking for a moment, tapped the desk with his finger, and looked in the direction of Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace].

“Soon, cowpox inoculation will begin. If good results come out of the cowpox inoculation, the scales will tip in my favor…”

Hyang trailed off and sighed, turning his gaze to the ceiling.

“Haa~. Is it ‘Do your best and wait for heaven’s will’?”

* * *

Year 6 of Sejong. The third day of the first lunar month of the year Gapjin.

“Begin!”

“Yes!”

At the order of the Minister of Personnel, many medical officers and female doctors who had been waiting, along with officials who would conduct the census at the same time, and soldiers who would escort them in preparation for any possible situation, left the palace gates and scattered in pairs in all directions.

“It’s a royal order!”

At the cry of ‘It’s a royal order!’ heard outside the thatched gate, the whole family in the thatched house rushed out and knelt down. The official explained the reason to the family who knelt down with bewildered expressions.

“By order of His Majesty, everyone must line up to be inoculated to prevent smallpox! Men, go to this medical officer, and women, line up to that female doctor!”

“Yes? To prevent smallpox?”

“Isn’t that what I said? Line up quickly. Ah! Have you ever had smallpox before?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Then line up!”

“But I don’t have rice or cotton cloth to pay for it.”

The official replied immediately to the head of the household’s answer.

“It’s free.”

“Really?”

“You scoundrel! How dare you doubt the royal order!”

At the official’s roar, the head of the household bowed so that his head touched the ground and gestured to his family.

“No! Line up quickly! Quickly!”

According to the head of the household’s order, the family lined up, separated by men and women.

“Have you ever had smallpox before?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“What about the other family members?”

“None of us have ever had smallpox.”

“I see. Then take off your jacket.”

That’s how the inoculation proceeded. Men took off their jackets in the yard, and women took off their jackets behind a folding screen on one side and were inoculated with cowpox on their shoulders. The official next to them unfolded a writing tablet and recorded their personal information.

“We are getting a shot to prevent smallpox by order of the King! And it’s free!”

As the rumor about cowpox inoculation spread, Hanseong was greatly agitated.

“When will they come to our house?”

“They said that you will have a fever and blisters on your shoulders for about five to ten days, so prepare in advance, right? And don’t pop the blisters?”

In houses where no one had had smallpox, adults stood outside the door, waiting for the medical staff to come, and houses that had already been inoculated were bustling about preparing cold water and clean towels.

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“You’re welcome.”

“There’s not much to offer, but please have something to eat before you go.”

Those who visited noblemen or wealthy houses were treated generously after the inoculation. When well-prepared food and alcohol were served, those who were treated enjoyed the meal with a smile.

“Here, have a drink.”

When the head of the household offered a glass of alcohol, the official in charge of the escort politely bowed and opened his mouth.

“I am grateful for your kindness, but I cannot drink alcohol because I am currently performing official duties.”

“Oh, dear…”

It was not only the wealthy who treated the medical staff with alcohol and food. In neighborhoods where many poor people gathered, they collected grain and food little by little and treated the medical staff.

“You don’t have much to eat, so are you okay?”

“If we don’t have enough to eat, we can save it, but smallpox is not like that, is it? It’s a cheap price for a life.”

“Huh…”

The officials who heard the people’s answers sighed. Most of the young officials who had just entered officialdom were heartbroken by the people’s words and patted their chests.

“What’s wrong with the Crown Prince’s words!”

* * *

Not all residents of Hanseong welcomed cowpox inoculation. A significant number of doctors submitted a memorial in joint names.

“…In general, when we examine the examples of ancient and modern times, there has never been a case where human diseases and animal diseases are the same. However, what is this bizarre method of treating human smallpox by using cow’s pus? Is this any different from calling in a shaman who believes in strange powers and chaos and performing a gut [a Korean shamanistic ritual]? Eek!”

Sejong, who was angry after reading the memorial, threw the memorial and shouted at the ministers.

“Do these people know what they are talking about? It is the duty of a doctor to save people’s lives and keep them healthy. To this end, they must constantly study diseases, practice new skills, and find medicinal herbs and devise prescriptions, but what? Bizarre? A shaman who believes in strange powers and chaos? Can these people really be called doctors! Sangseon! Tell the Mayor of Hanseong to arrest these people immediately!”

“Yes!”

By order of the enraged Sejong, the doctors who submitted the joint memorial had to be imprisoned.

“It’s unfair!”

The doctors who were imprisoned appealed their grievances, but Sejong did not forgive them.

“Punish all the criminals with 20 strokes of the cane!”

By order of Sejong, the doctors who submitted the joint memorial were released only after receiving 20 strokes of the cane each.

While such commotion was taking place, cowpox inoculation and census for the residents living in Hanseong were completed.

“…As a result of adding them all up, it has been confirmed that there are a total of 103,328 people, including commoners and lowborn, residing inside the four gates of the capital.”

“You have worked hard.”

When Sejong was praising the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Taxation for their reports, the Royal Secretary came in with a tray full of memorials.

“The Crown Prince has been quiet for the past few days, so what kind of memorial is this?”

“It’s not about the Crown Prince, but about cowpox inoculation. These are memorials requesting that cowpox be inoculated in their towns as well.”

“Really?”

At the Royal Secretary’s words, Sejong quickly untied the string that bound the scrolls. As he read the contents written in the memorials, Sejong unknowingly let out a sigh.

“Huh~.”

The contents of the memorials written by the influential figures and doctors from various regions of Joseon were desperate.

-Protecting the people from smallpox must be done quickly.

-There are already several successful cases, so there is no reason to experiment again. This is just a waste of time.

-Giving hope to the people, even if it is as thin as a thread, must be carried out without delay.

-If it is because there is a shortage of cows, we will release wealth and find all the cows within a hundred li [approximately 40 kilometers] in all directions and offer them as tribute. There is no wealth more precious than human life.

“Let the ministers read it too.”

“Yes.”

According to Sejong’s order, the ministers took turns reading the memorials.

“What do you think we should do?”

It was a question with an obvious answer, but none of the ministers answered immediately. Even the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Taxation, who were known as pro-Crown Prince faction, were just watching.

Sejong was angry, but he could understand. The memorials that had been submitted were only a small part compared to the number of influential figures residing throughout Joseon. Considering the cost of cowpox inoculation and the tasks to be carried out at the same time, it was certain that there would be considerable resistance. And such resistance could lead to resistance to the royal authority, and there was a high possibility that it would proceed to impeachment of the ministers as scapegoats.

“The Crown Prince…”

Sejong, who was about to call Hyang, soon stopped speaking. If it were Hyang’s personality, he would have immediately called for nationwide inoculation without asking any questions. However, if resistance to cowpox inoculation turned into a political movement, it could become a major stain on Hyang’s reputation.

In the end, Sejong had no choice but to step back.

“Let’s take some more time to think about this part.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

It was an uncomfortable conclusion for both Sejong and his ministers.

* * *

While Sejong and his ministers were pondering a clear answer regarding the nationwide implementation of cowpox inoculation, there were people cautiously talking in a large merchant group in Unjongga [a street in Hanseong, now Jongno-gu, Seoul].

“…So, the Crown Prince?”

“He submitted a memorial arguing for immediate implementation, but it was said that it was not accepted.”

“He must be very heartbroken.”

“I heard that he is writing memorials every day.”

“Huh~.”

The old man sitting in the seat of honor, who was listening to the report, sighed and fell into thought. After much deliberation, the old man finally made a decision.

“We’ll have to release some wealth.”

End