Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 32

Jjangra

Hello Bomb

32. A Major Reform in the Year of Gapjin (10)

When the ministers who heard the news rushed into the State Council, the Chief State Councilor was just finishing drafting a memorial [a formal written petition or statement to the monarch].

“Your Excellency! A memorial! What outrageous behavior is this!”

“In a situation where you should be begging for forgiveness on a straw mat [a traditional symbol of humility and repentance], you’re writing a memorial? Have you lost your mind!”

The throng of ministers lined up to criticize him, but the Chief State Councilor’s expression remained calm.

“This is a memorial that must be submitted. If you think about the future of this Joseon [the historical Korean kingdom, 1392-1897], not just the present, this matter must be addressed so that His Majesty retracts his decision.”

“Your Excellency! Are you truly losing your senses!”

When the Minister of Taxation shouted angrily, the Chief State Councilor also raised his voice.

“His Majesty has forgotten how important it is to conduct state affairs! He has also forgotten why ministers exist!”

“Your Excellency!”

Other ministers tried to stop him, but the Chief State Councilor, holding the memorial in his hand, entered the Royal Secretariat and handed it over.

“This is a memorial. Present it to His Majesty.”

“…Understood.”

Seeing the displeased expressions and hearing the tones of the Royal Secretaries, the Chief State Councilor added,

“Don’t make such faces. This is all for the future of Joseon and His Majesty.”

The Chief Royal Secretary, his face stiffened by the Chief State Councilor’s words, received the memorial.

“…I will present it to His Majesty.”

“A memorial from the Chief State Councilor, Your Majesty.”

“Leave it there.”

Passing from the Chief Royal Secretary through the court eunuch, the Chief State Councilor’s memorial was placed on Sejong’s desk.

Sejong, who had been silently staring at the memorial scroll, began to unroll and read it.

“I, your subject, Ryu Jeong-hyeon, Chief State Councilor, bow my head and prostrate myself before Your Majesty to present this memorial. In general, state affairs are…”

The content of the memorial written by Ryu Jeong-hyeon was as follows:

-State affairs, in the literal sense, are about managing the nation. Therefore, deciding on and implementing policies lightly is something that should never be done. What must be avoided when deciding and implementing policies are short-sighted measures, as even a child knows. This is because the people’s trust in the nation and its policies is at stake.

-However, looking at the issue of implementing cowpox vaccination nationwide, Your Majesty has wielded authority through unilateral decisions. This is not right.

-First, vaccinating the residents of Hanseong [the historical name for Seoul, the capital of Joseon] and then confirming its effectiveness before implementing it nationwide was the initially decided plan, and Your Majesty agreed to it. However, overturning the initial plan simply because a few individuals submitted memorials advocating for rapid nationwide expansion and presented cattle is nothing but inconsistency.

-Your Majesty has criticized the majority of the literati [scholar-officials, the educated elite] simply because a few influential figures and merchants presented cattle, which is not right. The effectiveness of cowpox vaccination has not yet been proven. Therefore, most of the literati are waiting until its effectiveness is confirmed. Of course, there may be those who have abandoned their duties as scholar-officials due to their own greed, but they are only a small minority. In general, the literati are those who study the classics, follow the words of the sages, and know shame and morality.

-Managing the nation, that is, creating and implementing policies, should only be done through consultation between the monarch and his ministers. Why are ministers needed in managing the nation? It is because it is not easy for the monarch alone to see and judge widely. Policies can only move in the right direction when the monarch and his ministers examine various aspects and gather their opinions to make decisions. If the monarch decides and implements everything in state affairs according to his own will, what need is there for the court, and what need is there for ministers? Only eunuchs to handle the receipt and delivery of documents would be needed. This is not only not the way of kings, but it is also not the way of conquerors; it is merely dictatorship.

-Furthermore, it is not right for the monarch to wield authority as a routine practice for the sake of the nation’s future. I firmly believe that Your Majesty possesses the qualities of a dragon among men and will not deviate from the right path. Also, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is also highly talented, so there is less worry, but what about after that? If a tyrant like Jie or Zhou [infamous tyrannical rulers from Chinese history] ascends the throne and wields authority arbitrarily under the guise of custom, what will become of the fate of this Joseon? To prevent such a situation, consultation between the monarch and his ministers must be observed, and policies decided through that consultation must be prepared and implemented with great care.

-Our Joseon has only been founded for a little over 30 years. To use a house as an analogy, we are just laying the foundation. Consolidating the harmony between the monarch and his ministers and the consistency of policy implementation is the way to avoid building on sand and to promise Joseon’s endless prosperity. The reason why the previous dynasty headed down the path of ruin was because it neglected this.

-In conclusion, the nationwide implementation of cowpox vaccination through the use of authority should be stopped. As initially decided, the effectiveness should be confirmed first, and then the decision on whether to implement it nationwide should be made.

“…If it actually has efficacy, I, Ryu Jeong-hyeon, will gladly donate all of my property.”

After reading the Chief State Councilor’s memorial to the end, Sejong put it down and gnashed his teeth.

“Truly a cunning fellow!”

Sejong, holding the desk firmly with both hands and suppressing his rising anger, ordered the court eunuch,

“What are those esteemed ministers doing now?”

“They are begging for forgiveness on straw mats in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace].”

“Tell them to come into the main hall immediately! Not a single one is to be left out!”

“I obey!”

The ministers, having received the order through the court eunuch, rushed into the main hall.

As the ministers, starting with the Chief State Councilor, took their places, Sejong handed the problematic memorial to the court eunuch.

“Read it aloud so that all the ministers can hear it.”

“Yes.”

At Sejong’s command, the court eunuch read the Chief State Councilor’s memorial aloud.

As the content progressed, the faces of the ministers, which had been stiff from the beginning, became even more rigid. Although it was written with polite words, it was criticizing Sejong’s decision-making as dictatorial. The sentence added at the end, although said to be given gladly, could actually be interpreted in the opposite sense.

-We were told to get vaccinated, so we got vaccinated, but will it really work? If it does, I’ll give you all my property!

After finishing the reading, the court eunuch quietly folded the scroll and placed it on Sejong’s desk.

During that time, the main hall was as silent as a graveyard. The historians and scribes also stopped their golden pens and only swallowed their saliva.

It was Sejong who broke the silence.

“When I first learned about cowpox, I immediately thought of implementing it nationwide. However, the Right State Councilor said that it was too hasty, and I also thought that his words made sense, so I accepted them. I ask you, what authority have I wielded?”

“…”

“Before and after that, have I wielded authority every time? I have consulted with you on every matter and chosen the plan that everyone thought was right. Is this also wielding authority?”

“…”

“The Chief State Councilor demonizes the wielding of authority, but authority is also one of the tools of governance that a monarch possesses. When managing the nation, there are situations where quick decisions are needed. However, if the situation is sluggish even though a quick decision is needed, then eventually, one has no choice but to wield authority. Is not a monarch who misses the opportunity while waiting for his ministers to come to a conclusion truly an incompetent monarch! The creation of a custom where wielding authority becomes commonplace, whose responsibility is this? The monarch’s or the ministers’?”

“…”

As Sejong’s rebuke continued, the ministers’ heads sank lower and lower.

“The Chief State Councilor’s memorial becomes more cunning the more I read it. The sentences are beautiful, but they are full of stench. Most of the literati know shame and morality? Then why do we reward the scholar-officials who open their granaries to help the people when there is a drought? If they follow the way of the sages and know shame and morality, is not helping the people something they should naturally do? But since that is not the case, we reward them so that others will follow their example, isn’t that so? Why are the Chief State Councilor’s words different from reality?”

“…”

“Chief State Councilor! Answer me!”

At Sejong’s command, the Chief State Councilor bowed his head.

“…I am deeply sorry.”

“What about the scholar-officials who, whenever smallpox or epidemics break out, release their wealth to buy medicine to treat their neighbors, or even call shamans to perform rituals in the hope of borrowing the power of the supernatural? What about the scholar-officials who release their wealth to buy cattle and present them this time? Are they acting hastily because their cultivation is shallow?”

“…I am deeply sorry. However, in the case of cowpox, its effectiveness has not been clearly proven…”

“What about the herdsmen of Neobeol Island! They have been vaccinated against cowpox for generations and have avoided smallpox. Is that not enough proof!”

“I repeat, the number of herdsmen alone is too small!”

“This!”

Sejong, who had grabbed the inkstone on the desk, released his grip.

“Fine. Then I will ask you just one thing. If smallpox breaks out in Gangwon-do instead of Hanseong, what will you do? Will you wait until it spreads from Gangwon-do to Hanseong? Even if many people die or become disabled or pockmarked in the meantime?”

“…”

“Is not vaccinating against smallpox, even though there is a way to prevent it, because it has not been sufficiently proven, is not abandoning authority and only moving according to the harmony of the monarch and his ministers, is that worth enduring such sacrifices?”

“It is heartbreaking that sacrifices occur, but firmly establishing the laws of national governance is more valuable than that. It is pitiful that the people are suffering from smallpox, but there have always been victims of smallpox. In order to properly establish the laws of this Joseon from the beginning, I believe that degree of sacrifice can be endured!”

“Huh!”

A sigh of dismay erupted from among the ministers at the Chief State Councilor’s answer. Even to the ministers, the Chief State Councilor’s answer was stubbornness. Sejong gritted his teeth at the Chief State Councilor’s answer.

“Fine! I will definitely prove its effectiveness! From today onwards, if a report comes up that smallpox has broken out anywhere in these eight provinces of Joseon, I will immediately move everyone in the palace, starting with me, and all 103,328 residents of Hanseong to the outbreak area! I will investigate those who contract smallpox among those who are moved to confirm its effectiveness!”

The ministers all rose up at Sejong’s bombshell statement.

“Your Majesty! Please reconsider!”

“Please reconsider! This is impossible!”

“Moving 100,000 people is impossible to execute!”

All the ministers opposed Sejong’s decision. However, Sejong’s will was firm.

“Silence! If we do as you wish, we will have to wait until smallpox breaks out in a place other than Hanseong and spreads to Hanseong, or until smallpox breaks out in Hanseong! Then who will endure the resentment of the people who have been sacrificed in the meantime! And the movement of 100,000 people is impossible? Then how does the military move! This is just an excuse!”

After pausing for a moment to catch his breath, Sejong glared at the Chief State Councilor and concluded.

“This is to firmly establish the laws for maintaining the harmony of the monarch and his ministers, so I will not accept any objections! And Chief State Councilor, listen! If its effectiveness is confirmed, I will hold you accountable for your crime!”

After finishing his words, Sejong stormed out of his seat.

The historian recorded all of these events without omission.

The Chief State Councilor’s memorial was like adding fuel to the fire, further exacerbating the situation.

After finishing the record, the historian immediately added his words.

The historian says:

In realizing a righteous kingship, the harmony and consensus of the monarch and his ministers are essential. However, consensus is only a tool, not the goal. Today, the Chief State Councilor’s memorial and remarks can be said to be putting the cart before the horse [prioritizing the method over the objective]. It pains my heart to see the downfall of a renowned elder statesman.

Hyang clicked his tongue after hearing about the conflict between Sejong and his ministers.

“It’s completely turned into a chicken race [a reckless and dangerous contest]. Politics is about justification, but this is going too far.”

Hyang, who had been clicking his tongue at the deteriorating situation in the court, suddenly stiffened his expression.

“Could this lead to a coup that never happened in history?”

Hyang, with a serious face, crossed his arms and fell into thought. After calculating in his head for a long time, Hyang came to a conclusion.

“I should start preparing just in case.”

That night, Sejong visited Hyang’s room.

“Crown Prince, you must have heard about what happened today, right?”

“Yes.”

“Do you also think that this father was excessive?”

“I am simply frustrated by the Chief State Councilor’s stubbornness. Justification is important, but so is practicality, I believe.”

Sejong smiled at Hyang’s answer and patted Hyang’s shoulder.

“Crown Prince, I am reassured to have you.”

“You flatter me.”

“Hoo~.”

Sejong sighed deeply and complained.

“Now that things have come to this, I would rather wish for smallpox to break out nearby.”

“You will surely achieve good results.”

* * *

Five days later, an urgent report was delivered to the court.

“Smallpox has broken out!”

“Where is it?”

“It is in the Yeongdeungpo area of Geumcheon County!”

Sejong and the ministers, upon hearing the outbreak area, wore expressions that were rather relieved. This was because Sejong and the ministers were all exhausted from the stress brought on by the situation, which had been like walking on thin ice.

“It’s a good thing, rather. A good thing.”

End

ⓒ Gukbbong