Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 33

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

33. Gapsin Reform (11)

As soon as the report arrived that smallpox had broken out in Geumcheon, right next to Hanseong [present-day Seoul], the court acted swiftly.

“Forbid crossing the river at any ferry except for Mapo and Noryangjin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Mobilize the soldiers of the 12 divisions defending Hanseong to prevent entry into Geumcheon County from other regions. Limit access to and from Geumcheon County to only Hanseong.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Under Sejong’s command, the soldiers defending Hanseong blocked the main entry points to Geumcheon County. It wasn’t just the land routes that were blocked; the Han River, as well as the major rivers and ports around it, were also closed to ship traffic.

The only ones allowed to pass were soldiers and officials who had received cowpox vaccinations.

Sejong gave them orders.

“Blocking transportation routes will inevitably lead to food shortages in Hanseong and Geumcheon County. I am issuing a special decree for the soldiers and officials to manage the supply of rice from the newly established rice granary in Bupyeong Dohobu [a regional administrative district].”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Bupyeong rice granary was a newly created institution. Following Hyang’s suggestion, Sejong ordered the Ministry of Taxation to import a large amount of grain from Ming China. However, the quantity was much larger than expected.

“Last autumn, there was a bumper harvest in the Gangnam region of Ming Dynasty. As a result, grain prices fell sharply, and we were able to obtain a larger quantity than expected.”

Sejong wore a complex expression at the Minister of Taxation’s explanation.

“Should I call it fortunate, or should I be envious? I have truly mixed feelings.”

“I felt the same way.”

“In any case, the amount of grain obtained through the winter solstice envoy and the New Year’s congratulatory envoy should be enough to withstand a considerable spring famine, so it is fortunate.”

“All thanks to Your Majesty’s wisdom.”

Sejong gave an awkward smile at the Minister of Taxation’s praise.

“What wisdom? It’s because the Crown Prince is smart.”

Hyang, who was sitting next to him, expressed humility at Sejong’s words.

“What have I done? Even if you have three measures of jewels, they must be strung together to be a treasure. If Father had not made the decision, how could this have been possible?”

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is absolutely right!”

As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the ministers of the Six Ministries answered in unison.

While the ministers of the Six Ministries and Hyang were raising their voices to praise Sejong’s virtue, the councilors, chief censor, and chief inspector were only moving their lips, offering silent agreement.

After the recent clash between the king and the Chief State Councilor, the councilors, chief censor, and chief inspector were clearly sidelined. As their displacement became evident, the ministers of the Six Ministries who had been aligned with them—most notably the Minister of Rites—largely shifted their allegiance to the Crown Prince’s faction. As a result, they consistently displayed the same behavior as they did today.

Sejong lightly raised his hand to stop the ministers’ praise and wrapped up the situation.

“We have deployed soldiers to prevent people from entering Geumcheon County and Hanseong from other regions, and we have also addressed the problem of food shortages through the rice granary in Bupyeong Dohobu. With that settled, what remains is the medical issue… Minister of Personnel, how is that progressing?”

At Sejong’s question, the Minister of Personnel bowed his head and immediately answered.

“We are preparing to dispatch doctors and female doctors from the Royal Clinic, as well as doctors belonging to the Hyeminseo (Public Health Office), Jesaengwon (Relief Agency), and Dongseodaebiwon (East-West Relief Center) to Geumcheon County.”

“Make preparations as quickly as possible to treat the sick. And, although smallpox is spreading in Geumcheon County, there must still be people who have not yet contracted it. What about vaccinating them with cowpox?”

“That is a remarkable insight. We will prepare to implement it accordingly.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Sejong, who had been nodding at the Minister of Personnel’s answer, turned to Hyang.

“Is there anything to add?”

“How about recruiting people from among the residents of Hanseong to go to Geumcheon County and help the doctors and female doctors? Within Geumcheon County, families of patients with smallpox must be devoted to caring for the patients and must also be quarantined in case they have contracted smallpox. Doctors and female doctors will be busy enough just treating patients. However, mobilizing people who have not contracted smallpox could actually cause it to spread even more. Therefore, we should find people living in Hanseong who will work for a daily wage and send them to Geumcheon County. We can have those sent to assist the doctors and female doctors and make food for the patients and their families.”

“But then smallpox could spread to the residents of Hanseong?”

When the Second State Councilor, who had been sitting quietly, interjected, Hyang chuckled softly and replied.

“Have you forgotten? All the residents of Hanseong have been vaccinated with cowpox.”

“Cowpox is effec—”

The Second State Councilor quickly stopped speaking when he tried to refute Hyang’s words. Hyang immediately jumped in at the sight.

“I know what you want to say, but I have no doubt about the effectiveness of cowpox.”

Hyang, who had silenced the Second State Councilor, spoke to Sejong.

“Father, I petition as your subject. If the people of Hanseong hesitate, send me! I will take the lead in treating the sick!”

The scribe who was recording Hyang’s words muttered softly.

“Again…”

The reaction was not only from the scribe. Not only the ministers but even Sejong showed a similar reaction. Sejong, who had been glaring at Hyang, came to a conclusion.

“Issue a proclamation to the people of Hanseong to find workers.”

“I will obey your command.”

“How much do you think is appropriate for a daily wage?”

At Sejong’s question, the Minister of Taxation paused to recall and then answered.

“According to the last survey, the average number of members in a household in Hanseong was five. Considering this, and since it will be a difficult task, about five *hops* [a unit of dry measure, roughly equivalent to a handful] a day would be appropriate.”

Sejong, who had been stroking his beard and calculating at the Minister of Taxation’s answer, nodded his head.

“Five *hops*… Then let’s give that as a daily wage and gather people.”

“I will obey your command.”

* * *

As soon as Sejong’s command was issued, the court moved quickly. The balance of power had completely shifted to Sejong, and it was because of the danger of the infectious disease called smallpox.

The soldiers who received the order began to block the paths entering Geumcheon County and Hanseong. Those who tried to enter Hanseong from the provinces and were blocked protested fiercely, but they immediately turned back at the soldiers’ words.

“Smallpox is spreading.”

“Oh, my!”

It wasn’t just the land routes that were blocked. The ferry ports on the Han River, as well as the surrounding rivers such as the Imjin River, were blocked.

The court, which had blocked the spread of smallpox from Geumcheon County to the outside, began full-scale treatment.

Near Yeongdeungpo.

A considerable number of people entered the village.

“Is this the place?”

“Yes, it is.”

At the answer of the local official, the official of the Ministry of Personnel, who had led the doctors and female doctors, ordered the soldiers.

“Set up tents for the doctors and female doctors to use next to that well, and set up tents to accommodate the patients in a place away from the well, over there! As soon as the tents are set up, gather the patients right away!”

“Yes!”

The soldiers who came according to the official’s order began to set up large tents next to the well and in the open space. As the tents were set up, the soldiers began to unload beds from the carts and move them to the tents. Before long, beds were prepared for the patients to lie down.

While the soldiers were busy moving tents and other equipment, the doctors and female doctors began to prepare for treatment.

“Search all the houses around and bring all the patients.”

“Yes, Vice Minister.”

“And prepare to boil the medicinal decoctions, and start by boiling Sosiho-tang [a traditional herbal medicine], which is most needed to reduce fever.”

“Yes, Vice Minister.”

The fight against smallpox, which took place in various parts of Geumcheon County, was compiled into a daily report and sent to the court. Sejong and the ministers checked the progress with serious faces each time the report came up.

About fifteen days later, hopeful reports began to arrive from Geumcheon County.

“The number of those confirmed to have smallpox has not increased for three days!”

“Oh!”

“That’s right!”

Sejong clenched his fist at the report of the Minister of Personnel, and the ministers exclaimed. The Minister of Personnel continued to report.

“Among those who were vaccinated with cowpox, which was completed ten days ago, only five have developed smallpox, and it has been confirmed that they had already contracted smallpox before receiving the cowpox vaccination.”

“Is that so! Then what about those who went down from Hanseong?”

“Not a single one has contracted smallpox!”

“Hoo~.”

At the answer of the Minister of Personnel, Sejong took a long sigh and leaned back on the backrest of his throne. While Sejong’s face was full of joy as he leaned back, the Chief State Councilor’s face was turning black. Looking at the Chief State Councilor’s face, Sejong turned to the Minister of Personnel.

“When can we confirm that smallpox has completely disappeared from Geumcheon County?”

“Since the last patient was three days ago, it will take at least fifteen days…”

“Then will the doctors and female doctors dispatched to Geumcheon County stay there until then?”

At Sejong’s question, the Minister of Personnel immediately answered.

“No, Your Majesty. The number of patients is decreasing, so we plan to withdraw about half of them in five days.”

“Is that so?”

Sejong, who had been stroking his beard and thinking for a moment at the answer of the Minister of Personnel, gave an order.

“When the doctors and female doctors who went on a business trip to treat this smallpox return, give them five days of vacation, and when the vacation is over, order them to prepare for the nationwide implementation of cowpox vaccination.”

“I will obey your command.”

“And, give those doctors, female doctors, officials, and soldiers who were involved in this matter a reward ranging from one *bag* to one *mal* [traditional Korean units of measurement for volume, especially of grain] of white rice, according to their rank. They worked hard for the country and the people, so shouldn’t we give them a reward?”

“Yes?”

The ministers’ eyes widened at Sejong’s unconventional order. Right then, Hyang seized the opportunity and interjected.

“That is a truly righteous decision! There is nothing as unfair as taking it for granted because they receive the country’s salary. It is not an ordinary matter but an extraordinary matter, so it is only natural to give a reward!”

“Loyalty and filial piety are not subjects of transaction!”

The Chief State Councilor shouted at Hyang’s words. In response, Hyang’s voice also grew louder.

“In order for loyalty and filial piety not to be subjects of transaction, there must be even more reliable trust in compensation! The belief that the country will take care of me and my family even if I die or become disabled! The belief that parents will not abandon me no matter how difficult it is! There are not just one or two parents who take it for granted even if they go to war and die or get injured, or who abandon their children when there is a famine, so who will uphold loyalty and filial piety!”

The Daejeon [the main hall of the palace] became quiet at Hyang’s words. Hyang continued to speak loudly.

“I say again, who will practice loyalty and filial piety without this belief? Rather, it is right to practice Oh Gi’s ‘sucking the sore’ (吮疽之仁, sucking pus from an enemy soldier’s boil)! If you take for granted what should not be taken for granted, the country and society will perish! Reflect on the history of the Middle Kingdom [China] and our Haedong [ancient name for Korea]!”

“…”

The ministers were silent at Hyang’s words. They wanted to offer a rebuttal, but there was no suitable rebuttal. Since the founding of Joseon, there have been several severe famines. Each time, there were overflowing orphans, and there were many reports with desperate content informing of this. The same was true of the military. Even when conscripting soldiers, there were not a few who self-harmed to avoid military service or who deserted in the middle and became vagrants.

In the end, Sejong made a decision.

“It is right that loyalty and filial piety are mindsets that the people must have as a basis. However, it is also imperative that the country and parents also have the right mindset in dealing with the people and children. I think it is good to carry out the reward for those who were in charge of handling the smallpox in Geumcheon County as originally planned. Are there any objections?”

The ministers all bowed their heads at Sejong’s question.

“We obey Your Majesty’s command.”

The scribe who recorded all of this added the following at the end.

-Think of trust before loyalty and filial piety. These words of the Crown Prince may seem like heresy (邪道). However, looking at the reality of today, we must think deeply about it.

After confirming the agenda for the reward, Sejong looked at the Chief State Councilor. Sitting on the royal throne above the hall and looking down at the Chief State Councilor, Sejong muttered in his heart.

‘Such a pathetic old man…’

“Chief State Councilor, don’t we have something left to settle?”

At Sejong’s question, the Chief State Councilor, who had been bowing his head, tightly closed his eyes.

‘What was coming has come!’

The Chief State Councilor immediately prostrated himself on the floor and raised his voice.

“I, Ryu Jeong-hyeon, Chief State Councilor, with loyalty (忠心) solely for the country…”

“Stop.”

Sejong, who stopped Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s words, unleashed the words he had been determined (作心) to say.

End

ⓒ Gukbbong