Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 320

After their two-week leave, the returning sailors dedicated themselves to the ship’s upkeep.

“Wow~. Did we really pick up this many barnacles after just a few months at sea?”

“Stay sharp and do it right!”

“Aye, aye!”

At the boatswain’s command, the sailors scrambled to the task, scraping away the accumulated marine growth and other debris.

The ship, having journeyed as far as Suez, was in dire need of maintenance. From the initial design, efforts had been focused on streamlining upkeep, minimizing tasks that required complex procedures.

However, the remaining tasks were still tedious and challenging. Eventually, the sailors and shipyard workers found themselves humming tunes to pass the time.

“In the Nakdong River’s breeze~.”

A sailor, overhearing the carpenter humming beside him, inquired,

“That’s a tune I don’t recognize.”

“Ah! You probably wouldn’t! It’s a song that’s become popular in Hanseong [modern-day Seoul] these past few months. It’s quite catchy and has a lot of flavor!”

“Why would they be singing about the Nakdong River in Hanseong?”

The carpenter chuckled at the sailor’s question.

“Hahaha! That’s the charm of the song!”

* * *

While the ships underwent repairs in the dry dock near Suyeong, the next deployment schedule was being discussed at the Suyeong headquarters.

“The *Invincible* is to embark on a northern exploration as soon as maintenance is complete. Here is the order. The *Maengjin* is to sail to Tianzhu [ancient Chinese name for India] with the *Jinchi*. ”

Kang Nam-gil, upon receiving the commander’s order and the written directive, immediately asked,

“Does this mean I will continue to oversee the Tianzhu route?”

“Not exactly. In the future, Challenger-class ships will rotate between the northern and southern routes.”

At the commander’s response, Kang Nam-gil pointed out the potential issue.

“The sailors won’t become familiar with the routes if we keep rotating them.”

Kang Nam-gil’s concern was valid.

This was the Joseon navy’s first time sailing so far into open waters. It was optimistic to expect sailors to master a route after only one voyage.

The commander acknowledged Kang Nam-gil’s point but explained the necessity of the rotation.

“There’s truth in your words, but the Joseon navy is still facing a manpower shortage. We can’t afford to have sailors specialize in only one route. We need to train them to be proficient in both northern and southern passages.”

“That’s true, but they won’t gain sufficient familiarity with just a single voyage.”

“Unfortunately, there’s no other option. There’s also the matter of fairness to consider.”

“Fairness, you say?”

The mention of fairness prompted Kang Nam-gil and Kim Sang-il to exchange knowing glances.

“Judging by your expressions, you have some idea of what I’m referring to. Some soldiers have been earning extra income through these voyages. If this continues unchecked, it could lead to dissatisfaction among the ranks. That’s why we’re implementing this rotation system.”

The captains, including Kang Nam-gil and Kim Sang-il, nodded in understanding.

* * *

Joseon also had its share of those seeking fortune. Hearing rumors of exotic goods brought back by soldiers returning from Tianzhu, these individuals quickly sought them out, providing the soldiers with a lucrative side income.

Naturally, this sparked envy among other soldiers.

The soldiers aboard the *Panokseon* [standard warship] and *Jounseon* [transport ship] near the coast envied the crew members on the *Panokseon* and *Haeunggeup* [coastal patrol ship] warships that traveled to and from Waeguk [Japan], and the soldiers on the *Haeunggeup* warships envied the soldiers on the Challenger-class ships.

The military commanders, already struggling to prevent soldiers from avoiding naval service, complaining that it was ‘Sinlyangyeokcheon (身良役賤, the status is a commoner, but the work is base)’, immediately recognized the potential problem and began brainstorming solutions.

“At first, they resisted so much that they wouldn’t even do it if we asked them to…”

The initial reaction from the senior commanders upon receiving the report was one of exasperation.

-They have to go to the open sea, and the voyage lasts at least a few months, or even years.

When the Challenger-class warship was first introduced, the soldiers who heard about the mission all shied away. In the end, the higher-ups had to offer more pay and receive support from the soldiers.

However, after seeing the decent side income of the soldiers who went to Tianzhu, complaints came out.

“Isn’t that how people’s hearts are? Let’s find an answer.”

“Still, to be so different from front to back…”

“Wasn’t that the same with the captains?”

“Hmm…”

The solution they devised was the most traditional and orthodox: a ‘rotation system’.

The first step was to expand the naval training facilities built in Wonsan and establish similar facilities in other naval bases to impart basic operational skills.

Based on the scores achieved in these training facilities, personnel would be assigned to either the deep-sea fleet or the coastal fleet, with rotations to other posts occurring after a set number of years of service and based on performance.

* * *

While preparations, including ship maintenance, were steadily progressing at the Mokpo naval base, the Hanseong court was also formulating new plans and adjusting existing policies in anticipation of the upcoming Imja year (1432, the 14th year of King Sejong’s reign).

During this process, Hyang found himself in a heated debate with the ministers, particularly Heo Jo, who was responsible for general affairs.

“Why! Why is the allocation of researchers being excluded again this year?”

“The personnel replenishment for other departments is still incomplete. I apologize.”

Hyang’s voice rose in frustration at Heo Jo’s response.

“It’s the second year since Imja year! The students attending the research institute’s affiliated industrial academy are now only *Jeongui* [8th rank official] left. There’s a critical shortage of personnel to oversee research at the institute and Area 51!”

“For the time being, it’s best to manage with the existing staff…”

“You should consider the personnel taken from the existing personnel to the military academy and the administrative training center!”

Hyang’s voice grew louder, but Heo Jo simply bowed his head.

“I am sorry.”

* * *

The most pressing issue facing the court as Gyeongjang [political reform] progressed was the supply of manpower.

More specifically, it was ‘the supply of manpower educated to the level desired by the court’.

On the surface, Joseon’s population was growing rapidly.

The ’10 million population’ that Kim Jeom and Sejong desired was within reach.

However, this also meant that the average age in Joseon was very low, and while the number of people requiring management by the court was increasing, the number of individuals with sufficient education to be effectively employed remained small.

The primary reason for this was the Sadaebu [scholar-officials], or rather, the local Sadaebu who had participated in the Giyu Rebellion [political revolt].

At least half of the local Sadaebu in the Samnam region [southern provinces] had participated in the rebellion and were eliminated, and at least a third of the remaining half suffered the tragedy of extermination for opposing the rebellion.

As a result, the only regions capable of supplying manpower to the government were Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and the Northwest region.

Demand continued to rise, while supply had drastically decreased.

To address this problem, Sejong and the court devised various solutions.

The first was to lift the ban on government service for individuals from the Northwest region, followed by lifting the ban on government service for the Seo-eul [illegitimate children of high-ranking officials].

However, most of those affected had abandoned their studies due to the decades-long ban, leaving the thirst for manpower unquenched.

Consequently, Sejong and the court were forced to draw resources from the nearest available source.

The institutions drained to fill the administrative organization’s anemia were Jiphyeonjeon [Hall of Worthies] and the research institute established by Hyang.

Jiphyeonjeon, under Sejong’s direct control, released manpower without protest, but the research institute resisted.

Hyang stood firm, blocking any attempts to take his personnel.

“How much manpower did I raise! I can’t give it! I won’t give it! Tear my belly!”

Not only Hyang but also Grand Prince Jinpyeong stepped forward to voice his opposition.

“We don’t have enough people to lay railroads all over Joseon! Rather, cut off my head!”

Faced with Hyang and Jinpyeong’s staunch resistance, Sejong summoned them both.

“The country is in a difficult situation, so you must follow my orders.”

“We don’t have enough people to conduct research to develop the country and make it prosperous! Moreover, they have only been devoted to Sanhak (算學) [mathematics] so far, so they don’t know anything about administration.”

At Hyang’s response, the assembled ministers muttered inwardly.

‘Looking at the reports they submit, they write better than our kids, well…’ [sarcastic remark]

Sejong reiterated his explanation in response to Hyang’s protest.

“That Sanhak skill is essential. Arithmetic is needed in all sorts of places, including the court and the military.”

“However…”

“Abama [father]! It is impossible!”

When both Hyang and Jinpyeong continued to object, Sejong’s expression darkened, and he turned to Sangseon [eunuch].

“Sangseon, bring some ironing boards and switches to Gangnyeongjeon [king’s residence].”

Seeing Sejong’s intention to resort to force, Hyang immediately conceded.

“10%! I will send 10% of the research institute’s personnel to support.”

“30%.”

“I can do up to 20%.”

“Tsk…”

“25%! This is the maximum!”

“Tsk… Good. 25%. Instead, I will replenish the manpower as soon as possible.”

“Yes.”

In this manner, manpower was withdrawn from the research institute and assigned to the newly established military academy and administrative training center.

Even after a year had passed, Hyang continued to appeal.

‘If I just let it go, it will be buried! I have to keep reminding them like this!’

However, with Imja year approaching, Hyang was no longer simply appealing but genuinely arguing for the need to replenish manpower.

* * *

“Good! Then our research institute will directly replenish the manpower!”

At Hyang’s declaration, Heo Jo and Kim Jeom exchanged embarrassed glances.

“As the Crown Prince knows well, preparing for the *past* [civil service exam] requires a lot of effort and cost. However, I think it is a waste to prepare separately.”

“That’s right, General Manager. Sejaya [Crown Prince], I think it would be better to wait a little longer, as we will be able to allocate manpower from Haechuk year?”

When Sejong stepped in, Hyang made a proposal.

“Would you allow me if I could replenish the manpower with minimal cost and effort?”

“Do you have a number [plan]?”

“Yes.”

Intrigued, Sejong nodded.

“I allow it. Show me your talent.”

“Thank you very much.”

* * *

Having obtained Sejong’s permission, Hyang returned to the research institute and summoned Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji.

“…So, I have obtained His Majesty’s permission.”

Jeong Cho nodded in agreement with Hyang’s explanation.

“It’s better that way. Considering the commotion that was caused by taking manpower from those who were selected in the *past*. ”

Jeong In-ji also nodded in agreement with Jeong Cho’s words.

Looking at the manpower replenishment method so far, it was a method of bringing in those who had good Sanhak skills among those who passed the *past*.

The problem was that they were excellent in other areas as well as passers, so they had to have a tiring tug-of-war with other departments.

Jeong In-ji, who was nodding at Jeong Cho’s words, asked Hyang.

“However, you said that you would replenish the talent with minimal cost and effort, but how will you do it?”

Hyang answered simply.

“I will spread fairly difficult math problems all over the country. I will bring in those who solve it.”

“Aha!”

“If you leave it to Byeoljong [Lee Soon-ji’s title], he will create the best problem!”

In this way, Lee Soon-ji was summoned.

“…So, Manager Lee Soon-ji, I want you to create a problem.”

“What level of difficulty should I set?”

At Lee Soon-ji’s question, Hyang looked back at Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji.

“Should it be medium to high?”

“Medium to high is a bit too much. Medium to low would be appropriate.”

“I also think medium to low is appropriate.”

Hyang, who nodded at Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji’s answers, looked back at Lee Soon-ji.

“Set the difficulty to medium to low, and make a total of five problems. How long will it take?”

“Give me five days.”

“Do so.”