Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 348

348. Let’s Make a Playground! (2)

While Hyang was realizing the gravity of the situation, Sejong, in Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbok Palace], was pointing out the same problem.

“Minister of Justice.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Was the number of those arrested in connection with the last case of Lim Dae-soo said to be 80?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“How many households are there in the neighborhood where they were caught?”

“About 30 households.”

At the Minister of Justice’s answer, Sejong’s face became even more serious.

“Are you saying that 80 people were gambling in a small neighborhood of only 30 households?”

“That is correct.”

“During this busy farming season?”

At Sejong’s words, the Minister of Justice bowed his head.

“I am sorry. My abilities are insufficient….”

“It is not your fault. There must be something wrong with this Joseon. Hmm….”

As Sejong trailed off with a serious face, the Chief Eunuch announced Hyang’s arrival to Sejong.

Shortly after, Hyang, having received Sejong’s permission, entered Geunjeongjeon and paid his respects to Sejong.

“Yes. What is it?”

“I have something to say regarding the recent artisan outflow attempt.”

“I am planning to discuss measures to protect artisans with the ministers now.”

“That is also an important issue, but what I am worried about is a different matter.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong’s eyes twinkled.

“A different matter? Yes, what is it?”

“It is the issue of gambling.”

“Gambling?”

Sejong, after briefly repeating the word, glared at the officials and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk!”

At the sound of Sejong clicking his tongue, which he hadn’t heard in a while, the officials became stiff.

Although it was a small clicking sound, it was a loud noise like thunder to the officials.

-The Crown Prince, who is always holed up in Area 51 [a reference to Hyang’s workshop, implying secrecy and advanced projects] doing other things, noticed the problem, but no one mentioned it until I did. Are they in their right minds?

The officials, realizing the long reprimand contained within the single click of the tongue, began to sweat profusely.

‘Why didn’t I know this?’

‘That’s right, but why did the Crown Prince, who is always doing other things in Area 51, have to interfere! Why only at times like this!’

‘Even if he inherited His Majesty’s blood and is smart! To have the same thought on the same day? This is a conspiracy!’

‘No matter how I look at it, it seems like they’re in cahoots?’

While the officials, horrified by the sound of Sejong’s tongue-clicking, were drifting into conspiracy theories, Hyang continued his explanation.

“Yes, it was said that those who were gambling together were also arrested in the process of apprehending Lim Dae-soo. I do not know how large the place where they were gambling is, but the problem is that 80 people were caught at once. During the farming season, and even in broad daylight, 80 adult men were gambling. How could this be a small problem? Would those who gamble only be in that neighborhood? If we consider the entire capital, no, the entire Joseon, how many people are neglecting their livelihoods and gambling?”

At Hyang’s pointing out, the Minister of Justice stepped forward.

“The Crown Prince’s words are truly reasonable. The wickedness of gambling ruins the person involved, ruins the family, and even ruins the country, so it is best to punish it severely and prevent it.”

Hyang immediately asked a question regarding the Minister of Justice’s words.

“Are prohibition and severe punishment really the best approach, and is that the only way?”

“Yes?”

The Minister of Justice, who did not properly understand Hyang’s question, blinked and asked back, and Sejong stepped forward in place of Hyang.

“Historically, gambling has been a national affliction, and countless wise rulers and loyal subjects have worked to prevent gambling. However, gambling has not been eradicated despite such efforts. Do you think it can be prevented only by prohibiting it and severely punishing it?”

The Minister of Justice began to stammer at Sejong’s question.

“That is…. In my opinion…. That’s….”

“Tsk! Think about it a little more!”

Sejong, having rebuked the Minister of Justice, looked back at the other officials.

“What do you think?”

“…”

At Sejong’s question, the officials became tight-lipped. Sejong, with a frustrated face, looked back at Hyang.

“Does the Crown Prince have any thoughts?”

“Yes. First of all, we need to understand the extent to which the people have fallen into gambling. And we need to know the reason why. The solution comes next. The most urgent thing is to understand the cause.”

“Your words are reasonable. Minister of Justice, immediately….”

“The Ministry of Finance will need help.”

“Even the Ministry of Finance?”

“Gambling requires money. At first, they will use their own money, but if it is not enough, they will borrow money, and there will surely be those who gamble with debts. And would such people pay taxes properly?”

“That’s right! If we are not careful, there will be a resurgence of those who sell themselves into servitude to pay off debts! Minister of Finance!”

At Sejong’s words, Kim Jeom immediately bowed and answered.

“I will do my best to investigate with the Minister of Justice! I will unconditionally eradicate those who evade taxes!”

At Kim Jeom’s answer, who was full of spirit, Hyang muttered inwardly.

‘That man has changed since he tasted money….’

* * *

In the end, a nationwide crackdown was carried out jointly by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance.

In the meantime, Hyang also requested other information from the Ministry of Finance.

-The total population of the capital.

-The amount of rice consumed in the capital.

-The difference between the estimated amount of rice and grain consumed for food by the residents of the capital and the actual amount of rice consumed.

-Based on this, the estimated consumption of rice used for brewing in the capital.

-The amount of fabric sold in the capital.

-The quantity of expensive silk among the fabrics sold.

The faces of the Ministry of Finance officials who received Hyang’s request turned pale.

“We’re already busy enough with the crackdown….”

“I need to get my medicine first.”

“…Get some black bean tea too.”

Having received and analyzed the reports prepared by the Ministry of Finance officials, Hyang sighed.

“Haa~. As expected, where there is light, there is darkness….”

The report from the Ministry of Finance was showing the dark side of Gyeongjang [a period of economic prosperity during Sejong’s reign].

As Gyeongjang progressed, the consumption activities of the people who had economic leeway increased.

This was a natural phenomenon. Hyang also knew this, so he created and sold various luxury goods and high-end daily necessities through Area 51 and the Royal Workshop. And private merchant groups also joined this trend.

The problem was that this consumption was starting to overheat.

Expensive silks imported from Ming, as well as silks made inside Joseon, were being sold in large quantities, and high-end soju [Korean distilled spirit] was being sold commonly even in rural taverns.

* * *

This was something that happened even in the history before Hyang intervened.

In the 8th year of Jungjong [another Joseon king], Jungjong issued the following edict.

“From the nobles to the commoners in the capital, they are competing in extravagance in all aspects such as houses, clothes, carriages, and weddings, so the order of nobility and inferiority is collapsing.”

In some ways, it seemed like he was lamenting how well-off commoners were living more luxuriously than nobles, indicating an abundance of money throughout the capital.

This was because the population of the capital itself exceeded 200,000, and the capital was the center of trade with Ming, Jurchen, and Japan.

All sorts of extravagances were rampant with this increased economic leeway, and as a prime example, according to a survey by the Jinhyulcheong (賑恤廳, government office that rescued the people during famine) in the 36th year of Jungjong (1541), the amount of rice consumed for brewing alcohol was about 1,000 seok [a unit of volume, approximately 180 liters] per day. (Note 1)

The report that Hyang is looking at now contained similar content. Of course, in terms of absolute quantity, it was smaller than the situation almost 100 years later, before Hyang intervened, but it was a scale that could not be left unattended.

“In simple terms…. The entire Joseon has become like a nouveau riche neighborhood in Gangnam [a wealthy district in Seoul] in the 20th century.”

Hyang came to a simple conclusion after finishing the analysis of the report.

* * *

In the 20th century, specifically from the 1980s, the Gangnam development produced enormous numbers of nouveau riche [newly rich]. And these nouveau riche transformed the consumption culture.

Those who were ordinary, or even poor, until the development, held enormous sums of money in their hands. However, those who had not learned how to consume properly could not have engaged in healthy consumption. In the end, luxurious luxury goods circulated in large quantities through them, and all kinds of decadent cultures began to emerge.

Of course, talking about these nouveau riche as the root of all evil could have been a simple scapegoat, but it was true that they had too many negative effects.

* * *

“The common thing about nouveau riche and these people is that they have money but don’t know how to use it…. To be precise, they don’t know how to have fun. Since there are no proper amusements, it’s either alcohol or gambling.”

Hyang, having come to a conclusion, placed a blank sheet of paper in front of him and began to draft a report.

Hyang, looking at the various ways to provide leisure for the people that he had written down, said only one thing.

“Anpyeong [a prince known for his artistic pursuits] will like it. Minister Kim Jeom will hate it….”

Hyang smiled wickedly at the list of policies that were sure to involve enormous expenditures.

“If there is an abundance of money, isn’t it natural to put in a straw and siphon some off?”

* * *

While Hyang was plotting such a wicked scheme, Sejong was receiving a report from the Commander of the Royal Guard.

“I have investigated the matter Your Majesty ordered. The Secret Guard also noticed the unusual movements and were about to start an investigation.”

“Then why was there no report?”

“Because the Lim Dae-soo incident broke out in the middle, there was no manpower to spare….”

“Oh dear….”

Sejong clicked his tongue at the Commander of the Royal Guard’s answer.

“The Secret Guard is also suffering from a shortage of talent.”

“If we expand the organization as Your Majesty has ordered, the talent problem will be solved to some extent.”

“I say again, do your best in the selection.”

Sejong repeatedly gave a warning to the Commander of the Royal Guard’s answer. It seemed that he was worried because the members of the Secret Guard were from the Geomgye [a group with a specific background or affiliation].

“Anyway, let’s look at the report first.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sejong, having received the report, carefully read the contents of the report.

After concentrating on the report for a while, Sejong looked at the Commander of the Royal Guard with surprised eyes.

“Gambling debts circulating in gambling dens are almost 10,000 gold nyang [a unit of currency]? Only in the capital? Is this certain?”

“That’s just what’s on the surface. The heads of the Secret Guard believe that it will be several times more if we dig deeper.”

“Huh…. That’s amazing….”

Sejong was speechless with astonishment. Gambling debts were mostly high-interest private loans. If the amount of money circulating as gambling debt was 10,000 gold nyang, several times that amount of interest would go into the pockets of the lenders as it circulated.

Sejong, having examined the report several times, ordered the Commander of the Royal Guard.

“You have worked hard.”

“If you give the order, I will deal with the lenders immediately.”

“It’s too big to do that rashly. If we are not careful, the Secret Guard will be exposed. Stand by for the time being.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sejong, having sent out the Commander of the Royal Guard, muttered while looking at the report.

“How can I absorb this money….”

* * *

While Hyang was plotting a scheme and Sejong was contemplating how to put in a straw, the first result of the joint work between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance was written as a report.

“First of all, we have confirmed the types of gambling that are circulating among the people. The most common is Jeopo (樗蒲, Yut Nori) [a traditional Korean board game], followed by Ssangnyuk [a backgammon-like game] and Golpae [a card game]. However, Baduk [the game of Go] and Janggi [Korean chess] are the ones with the most significant exchange of wealth.”

“Baduk, huh….”

When the word ‘Baduk’ came out, Sejong’s face was filled with regret.

It was when Yangnyeong, who was given death [forced to commit suicide], was still the Crown Prince. Yangnyeong called Baduk players to Heungdeoksa, where the memorial service for his grandmother, Queen Shinui, was being held, and played Baduk, and Sejong clashed with him over this issue.

Following the Minister of Justice, Kim Jeom stepped up to report.

“As a result of investigating those arrested in this crackdown, we have found those who lent private loans to them. The assets seized from those found are 17,000 gold nyang. The problem is that those caught in this crackdown may not be all of them.”

At Kim Jeom’s answer, Sejong and the officials were lost in thought.

* * *

Note 1) Segye Ilbo 2007.08.28.

https://m.segye.com/view/20070827001639