Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 364

364. What Increases When Shared: Work and Greed (6)

The two fathers completed their collaborative work, even deciding on the names for the letters.

The project, which started with about 40 volumes and grew to 70, concluded with five slightly thick books. Of these five volumes, three were intended for professionals involved in foreign language pronunciation and recording—interpreters and translators serving the merchants—while only two were for the general public. Even in those two, the section detailing the rules of the letters—orthography and pronunciation—comprised just over half a volume. The remainder provided examples of their usage.

Sejong glanced from the stack of books on one side to the five books in front of him, then looked at Hyang.

“So, we’ve ended up completing the *Haeryebon* [Explanatory Edition] as well?”

“It just happened that way.”

Sejong, noticing Hyang’s smile, asked pointedly, “You planned it, didn’t you?”

“Surely not! How could I!”

“You did plan it.”

Sejong, even more convinced by Hyang’s earnest expression, continued, “I look forward to the *Eonhaebon* [Vernacular Edition]. About five days should do it, right?”

“…Yes.”

Having set the deadline, Sejong looked again at the books on the desk. “I wonder if it will be used well?”

Hyang immediately responded to Sejong’s somewhat pessimistic remark. “It will be used well. After all, it’s a script created specifically for the language of Joseon.”

“That’s exactly where the resistance will come from. There will be those who object to using the same script as the commoners, deeming it low-class or something.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if more people object?”

“Huh?”

Sejong, questioning the unexpected remark, was met with Hyang’s smiling explanation. “We’ll need a lot of people to reorganize the records in the Record Office.”

“That’s true.”

“Wasn’t Your Majesty’s creation of *Hunminjeongeum* [Correct/Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People] not only for the sake of loving the people but also to escape the shadow of Ming?”

Sejong paused briefly at Hyang’s point, then smiled slightly and responded. “Anyway, your perception is something else…. Yes, that shadow of the Central Plains is large and deep, but if we can’t escape from it, Joseon cannot grow. And, these days, I’m becoming as greedy for the *Hwangnyongpo* [Yellow Dragon Robe, the emperor’s ceremonial robe worn by the emperor] as you are.”

“Therefore, we must throw those who oppose it into the Record Office to make them work. We need to forcibly hammer *Hunminjeongeum* into their bones to break their outdated thinking. Their skills are softer than an axe blade anyway. We need to improve their constitution and use them, even if it’s like that.”

As Hyang mentioned the recent petition from the subordinate officials, Sejong nodded. “That’s true. They may have dull skills, but they could be useful in the Record Office.”

“That’s right.”

Sejong and Hyang continued their conversation with smiles. However, the smiles on their faces seemed more wicked than anyone else’s.

Although he seemed confident of success, Sejong’s heart was half worried and half expectant. “I hope this script survives well.”

“It will survive.”

‘History proves it!’

Hyang, asserting with a face full of conviction, continued his wish. “My only wish is that these words will be used for a long time without changing. Because when the lives of the people become difficult, the first thing that becomes harsh is language.”

* * *

When Hyang lived as Jin-ho in the 21st century, the Korean language teacher who taught the changes in Hangeul explained this point.

“As these old Hangeul consonants and vowels disappeared, the words we use became increasingly strong and rigid. So why did they disappear? The most plausible argument is that it was because the people’s lives became difficult. The period when old Hangeul began to disappear was the late Joseon Dynasty, which suffered from two wars and famines. Survival was the immediate problem, so personalities became sharp, and as personalities became sharp, words also came out sharply.”

The students nodded at the teacher’s explanation. Similar content was recorded in the reference books as well.

The teacher, pausing briefly, continued. “And we actually experienced that change. When? The closest time would be the damn ‘IMF’ [International Monetary Fund crisis, a financial crisis that affected South Korea in the late 1990s] period. Until then, rockers would say ‘ssarang’ instead of ‘sarang’ (love), but after the IMF, even ballad singers sang ‘ssarang.’ And another example is the second-person pronoun ‘ne.’ Clearly, the subtitles say ‘nega’ [you – subject marker], but people started saying ‘niga,’ and before we knew it, even the subtitles were using ‘niga.'”

* * *

Hyang, reminiscing about the memories of the 21st century, repeated again. “I just hope that the language of Joseon will not become harsh for a long time to come.”

“Indeed, that’s true.”

Sejong, strongly agreeing with Hyang’s words, soon rose from his seat. “Well! Now that we’re done, let’s get up.”

“Yes.”

Sejong, getting up from his seat and slightly stretching his stiff back, turned to Hyang. “Five days. Don’t forget.”

“…Yes.”

* * *

A week later, Sejong made a shocking announcement in front of the assembled officials.

“Today, I have something to tell you all.”

At Sejong’s statement, the officials wore expressions that the moment had finally come.

They knew that Sejong and Hyang had been secretly plotting something, busily coming and going for months.

‘What on earth are they up to?’

The officials, increasingly curious about the secret activities that had been going on for months, had been subtly questioning the eunuchs they had befriended.

However, the eunuchs who received the questions all feigned ignorance.

The officials were even more intrigued by the eunuchs’ reactions.

“What on earth is he trying to do….”

Various speculations were rampant, but no one had the audacity to ask Sejong directly.

“Lord Hwang Hee might have been able to do it.”

And today, Sejong was revealing the secret himself.

* * *

With the officials, scribes, and recorders all focused on Sejong, Sejong slowly continued. “I have been researching something on my own for the past few years. And I am going to show the results to you today.”

“Gulp!”

At Sejong’s words, the officials swallowed hard and stared only at Sejong’s mouth.

“Bring the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Soon, Hyang and the eunuchs entered Geunjeongjeon [Throne Hall]. After Hyang paid his respects to Sejong and stood on the platform, the eunuchs who followed him hung large scrolls on the hangers.

When Hyang’s preparations were complete, Sejong spoke again. “What I am going to show you today is our own script of Joseon.”

At Sejong’s words, the officials’ eyes widened as much as possible.

“The Crown Prince will explain.”

“Yes, Father.”

Hyang, answering Sejong’s command, opened his mouth, turning the cover of the scroll with a pointer. “From now on, I will explain about ‘*Hunminjeongeum*’ [Correct/Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People].’”

* * *

The officials, having somewhat recovered from the initial shock, soon focused on Hyang’s explanation.

Hyang explained to the officials, starting with the pronunciation of consonants and vowels, the method of combination, and even simple examples.

“That’s all.”

When Hyang’s explanation was over, Sejong asked the officials. “What do you think?”

Although Sejong asked, none of the officials answered immediately. Eventually, Yi Jik came forward and reported to Sejong. “I think we need to think about it a little more.”

“Still, wouldn’t there be a first impression?”

Meng Sa-seong stepped forward at Sejong’s question. “At first glance, it seems easy to write and read, but it is difficult to give a definite answer until we actually try to write it.”

Sejong immediately responded to Meng Sa-seong’s answer. “So, Jin-pyeong and An-pyeong have been working on it since yesterday. You will probably see some results soon. For your information, it took Jin-pyeong and An-pyeong only about one *shijin* [approximately 2 hours] to learn the *Hunminjeongeum*.”

The officials thought about the meaning of ‘1 *shijin*’ that Sejong mentioned.

‘Boasting about his sons? No…. It means it’s that easy.’

‘Is he emphasizing that it is easy to understand and easy to use?’

* * *

While the officials were pondering to find the hidden meaning in the words, the Chief Eunuch informed Sejong that An-pyeong had arrived.

“Let him in.”

“Yes.”

Soon, An-pyeong, who entered Geunjeongjeon, paid his respects to Sejong.

“Yes, what’s going on?”

“I have carried out what you ordered yesterday and brought five *Sogyo* [folk songs] recorded first.”

“Give it to me.”

Sejong, receiving the papers through the Chief Eunuch, carefully examined the contents. On the paper, the Chinese character lyrics were on the top, and the lyrics in *Hunminjeongeum* were on the bottom.

“Hmm….”

Sejong, comparing the lyrics written on the paper, put down the paper and asked An-pyeong. “Yes, how is it?”

“*Hunminjeongeum* was overwhelmingly useful for writing lyrics. I could just write it as it sounds, so I greatly reduced the effort to find the Chinese characters that match the word. Also, since I wrote the sound as it is, there was less risk of miswriting.”

“Is that so? Well, you should read it too.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The officials read the lyrics that An-pyeong brought. The officials, who had just seen *Hunminjeongeum*, were not familiar with it, so they alternated between the scroll hanging on the wall and the paper to understand the sentences.

“G… Ga… Gat… Gasi… Gasiri….”

However, since they were second to none in terms of literary talent, they soon became familiar with it and began to read the sentences.

“Gasiri Gasiriitgo….”

“Nima Nima….”

Sejong, confirming that the officials had finished reading, asked again. “What do you think?”

Yi Jik was the first to open his mouth at Sejong’s question. “To be honest, I was able to understand the meaning as it was read. It seems useful in its own way, but I think it is right to decide after doing some more empirical evidence.”

Sejong’s expression turned bad at Yi Jik’s answer. Yi Jik’s heart sank at the expression, but he couldn’t agree right away.

‘Lord Ryu Jeong-hyeon might end up like that, but it’s a letter! A letter! We need to look into it a little more!’

Yi Jik continued to bow his head and continued. “Using letters is not just about writing lyrics. I think it is right to verify and decide in more uses.”

“If the results of the *Hunminjeongeum* report that Jin-pyeong will write are good, will you accept it?”

Yi Jik was very nervous at Sejong’s question.

‘It’s the final warning!’

Yi Jik, feeling that his life was at stake, quickly calculated as quickly as possible.

‘What Prince Jin-pyeong is in charge of is official documents! If there are no other problems with official documents….’

Yi Jik made a decision while calculating. “Then I will accept it.”

“Then, let’s talk about it again then. Let’s stop the morning assembly here today. I’m tired, so I need to rest.”

* * *

When Sejong declared the adjournment, all the officials who came out of Geunjeongjeon flocked to the *Chongriwon* [State Council, former Uijeongbu].

The officials gathered in the Chongriwon conference room and began to discuss *Hunminjeongeum*.

“It seems that His Majesty the King has made up his mind, so we must follow him, right?”

“That’s right, but a script of Joseon out of nowhere….”

“Still, it seems quite useful, but what do you think?”

Amidst the various words, Kim Jeom showed a very positive reaction. “I think it looks very useful. Isn’t it not easy to translate our thoughts into other people’s letters? If we do well, we might be able to find hidden talents, right?”

Meng Sa-seong sighed deeply at Kim Jeom’s words. “Hoo~. Why wouldn’t I know that? There is a bigger problem than that.”

“What’s the problem?”

“A historical problem.”

Kim Jeom, thinking for a moment at Meng Sa-seong’s words, nodded and looked at Yi Maeng-gyun. “It seems that you will be busy.”

Most of the officials except Yi Maeng-gyun nodded at Kim Jeom’s words, and Yi Maeng-gyun grumbled with a very angry face. “Hey! History is true!”

It may be speculation to say it is speculation, but among the countries around the Central Plains, there were not many countries that had their own script and had good relations with the countries of the Central Plains.

That was the case with the Liao Dynasty (Khitan script), the Jin Dynasty (Jurchen script), and the Yuan Dynasty (Mongolian script).

If Joseon creates and uses its own script, there is a very high possibility that Ming will show a nervous reaction.