Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 374

374. Stagnation – Stillness in Motion (8)

While Sejong and his ministers were in the midst of a meeting at Geunjeongjeon Hall, a group of eunuchs and officials entered.

“What is the matter?”

At Sejong’s question, the head eunuch approached one of the eunuchs. After receiving a report in a whisper, the head eunuch approached Sejong and carefully conveyed the situation.

“Choi Man-ri is outside Gwanghwamun Gate, kneeling on straw and submitting a written appeal? What for?”

“It is regarding the *Hunminjeongeum* [the Korean alphabet] you recently created.”

Upon hearing the report from the head eunuch, Sejong’s face momentarily turned fierce. However, a sneer soon replaced the anger.

“Hah! Choi Man-ri… His insight and integrity are certainly commendable. Yes, indeed.”

Sejong, uttering words that were difficult to discern as either praise or sarcasm, rose from his seat.

“I must go out and see. Let us all go together. I suppose we should hear what he is barking about, shouldn’t we?”

At Sejong’s use of the word ‘barking,’ the ministers momentarily paused and looked at Sejong.

“Why are you all looking like that?”

“Your Majesty, that remark is not befitting of your dignity…”

As Lee Jik trailed off, Sejong, with a puzzled expression, retorted.

“I used ‘barking’ to refer to someone with profound insight, what is the problem?”

“Ah… It is nothing! Nothing at all!”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers hurriedly rose from their seats. Sejong clicked his tongue at their reaction.

“What on earth are they thinking… Tsk!”

The historian, who had been recording all of this, quickly added as he stood up.

-The historian says:

I do not think so…

* * *

“Your Majesty! Please reconsider! The promulgation of *Hunminjeongeum* must not happen!”

As they reached Gwanghwamun Gate, Choi Man-ri’s cry could be heard. Hearing this, Sejong chuckled and muttered.

“He certainly has a good voice.”

“Your Majesty!”

“You have all worked hard.”

Sejong, receiving the salute of the soldiers guarding Gwanghwamun Gate, crossed the threshold and surveyed the scene before Gwanghwamun.

Choi Man-ri, kneeling on a straw mat, continued to raise his voice, and the residents of Hanseong [old name for Seoul] were gathered around in droves.

Many people had gathered during the previous written appeal, but even more had gathered now.

The reason for this difference was Choi Man-ri’s reputation.

-Former Deputy Head of the Hall of Worthies [a royal research institute] and a renowned man of integrity.

People had gathered because someone of a completely different caliber than the riff-raff from the previous time was submitting an appeal.

“Your Majesty! I, Choi Man-ri, former Deputy Head of the Hall of Worthies, risk my life to appeal to you! The promulgation of *Hunminjeongeum* must not happen! Please reconsider!”

Seeing Sejong, Choi Man-ri raised his voice even louder.

Sejong subtly surveyed his surroundings.

The ministers who had followed him were present, as well as Hyang, who had rushed over from Area 51.

Seeing Hyang’s slightly worried expression, Sejong muttered to himself.

“I cannot show a poor figure as a father while my son is watching.”

Taking a small breath, Sejong ordered the head eunuch.

“Bring a desk and chair.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Soon after, the eunuchs brought a desk and chair, and Sejong pointed to the space in front of Choi Man-ri.

“Place them there.”

As the eunuchs placed the desk and chair and retreated, Sejong sat down. Resting his elbows on the desk and lightly supporting his chin with his clasped hands, Sejong asked Choi Man-ri.

“Why do you say that *Hunminjeongeum* should not be used? It cannot be that bad of a creation, can it?”

Choi Man-ri immediately replied to Sejong’s question.

“No, Your Majesty. The *Hunminjeongeum* that you created contains extremely profound principles. Therefore, anyone who can think and act like a human being will be able to easily learn and skillfully use it.”

“Then, why do you say it should not be used?”

“That is precisely why it should not be used. The reasons are…”

“Wait.”

Interrupting Choi Man-ri, Sejong ordered the ministers.

“It seems this will be quite a long story. You are all old, so bring chairs and sit down.”

“Your benevolence is boundless.”

“The Crown Prince as well.”

“Your benevolence is boundless, Father.”

“The people may also sit comfortably on the ground if they are tired, or they may leave if they wish.”

“Your benevolence is boundless!”

The residents of Hanseong, who had been prostrating on the ground in accordance with etiquette and national law, responded with loud voices to Sejong’s command.

Having settled the situation, Sejong turned to Choi Man-ri.

“Where were we?”

“That is… Ahem! Ahem!”

Choi Man-ri, who had been sitting blankly, soon regained his senses, cleared his throat, and continued speaking.

Seeing this, the ministers all muttered inwardly.

‘He has already mastered the art of handling people!’

Choi Man-ri explained to Sejong the reasons why *Hunminjeongeum* should not be used. It was an incredibly long story, but to summarize, it was roughly as follows:

-The *Hunminjeongeum* created by Sejong is a very easy script to learn and use.

However, this will cause many major problems, so it is right not to use it.

-Since its founding, Joseon has served Ming [Chinese dynasty] and followed the institutions of China. However, although the newly created script takes its form from the old seal script, the sounds and writing methods are different, so Ming may take issue with it.

-Since ancient times, those who created and used their own languages instead of the script of China have all been barbarians. Our Joseon’s culture and etiquette are comparable to those of China, so how can we go down the path of barbarians?

-The *Idu* script [system of writing Korean using Chinese characters] created by Seol Chong of Silla [ancient Korean kingdom], although it is a vulgar language, still requires the use of Chinese characters. The new script does not require any Chinese characters at all, which will cause problems in learning. If officials become proficient in *Hunminjeongeum* without knowing Chinese characters, future generations will think that they can achieve success with just *Hunminjeongeum* and abandon Chinese characters. There will be no one to learn the teachings of the sages.

-It is said that *Hunminjeongeum* can be used to resolve the unfairness of criminal cases, but this is not a problem of the script. This is a separate issue that depends on the fairness of the prison officials.

-In the case of *Hunminjeongeum*, the decision to use it was made suddenly without discussion with the ministers, which is not right. Although the current trend is to make decisions and see results quickly, it is absolutely unacceptable to do so with such an important issue as script.

-Looking at the creation process of *Hunminjeongeum*, it can be seen that even the Crown Prince participated. Who is the Crown Prince? He is the heir to this Joseon. He has been exceptionally bright since he was young, but it is regrettable that he is now indulging in miscellaneous studies and is not diligent in his academic pursuits. It is not right to continue assigning the Crown Prince tasks related to *Hunminjeongeum* in such a situation.

-If *Hunminjeongeum* is used, the people will be able to easily learn and write sentences. Being able to easily read and write sentences is a separate issue from becoming knowledgeable.

If someone with malicious intent uses deceptive words and sentences to mislead the public, it will cause even greater harm than when only Chinese characters were used.

“…Therefore, the promulgation and use of *Hunminjeongeum* must not happen! Please reconsider!”

Choi Man-ri’s explanation ended, but Sejong did not immediately open his mouth.

“Hmm…”

Sejong, making a small humming sound and organizing his thoughts, soon opened his mouth.

“It seems right at first glance, but it is not right.”

Sejong refuted Choi Man-ri’s opinions point by point.

-Serving Ming is not a mandatory etiquette, but a diplomatic choice. Acting as you say is not taking the example of serving, but subservience. This is obscuring the meaning of serving that has continued since King Taejo.

-As you say, our Joseon’s culture and etiquette are comparable to those of China. What is the meaning of ‘comparable’? It is to weigh the importance of two different things. In other words, since Joseon’s culture and etiquette are different from those of China, it is only natural that the script is also different, is it not? In fact, is that not why *Idu* came about? Is it not because there was no proper script for different languages and cultures that *Idu* was used?

-Your statement that the unfairness and fairness of criminal justice depend on the prison officials is not wrong. However, if the law is written in easy language and the people can easily read and understand it, would it not be easier to avoid unfairness?

-Although there was no discussion with the ministers, the ministers all gave positive evaluations in the evaluation after its creation. Also, it was evaluated as easy to use for writing official documents. Also, have you forgotten the existence of the censors? Do you think they would have remained silent if I had done something wrong?

-Also, you mentioned the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince’s participation is almost over. Even if you point out something that has already happened, it cannot be undone, can it? Is this not criticism for the sake of criticism? And, you said that the Crown Prince is only paying attention to miscellaneous studies and neglecting his academic pursuits, but the Crown Prince has already established himself in the past. And, many people are enjoying the results of the Crown Prince’s achievements through miscellaneous studies, so what is your arrogance in taking this lightly?

“…And, you said that they will abandon Chinese characters and neglect the teachings of the former scholars, and that they will be deceived and cause harm, but I ask you.”

Choi Man-ri, who had been refuted point by point by Sejong, replied in a tired voice.

“Please ask.”

“Is it only Chinese characters that can contain the profound meaning of the former scholars? Are you valuing the meaning of the former scholars, or are you valuing the Chinese characters, which are merely the vessel containing the meaning of the former scholars?”

“That, that is…”

“What is the problem with changing the vessel to make it easier for more people to understand the meaning of the former scholars? And, deceiving the public? Looking back on history, there have always been those who deceive the public and cause trouble. Was that because the people did not use Chinese characters at that time?”

“That is not the case…”

Sejong persistently grilled Choi Man-ri.

“Yes, it is six of one, half a dozen of the other… Whether they are completely ignorant or only superficially knowledgeable, they are equally susceptible to being deceived. But, listen. Do you think that those who have realized the joy of learning through easy writing will be satisfied with shallow knowledge and stop there?”

“But, the people are originally reluctant to learn…”

At Choi Man-ri’s words, Sejong shouted.

“Are your eyes blind? Even when you see the children flocking to the Samin Schools [private schools] right now, do you still say that? Nine out of ten children who are awakening to the joy of learning at the Samin Schools are commoners!”

At Sejong’s rebuke, Choi Man-ri’s head fell to the ground.

Sejong’s rebuke continued to reach Choi Man-ri’s ears.

“Was not the greatest task of the scholar-officials to enlighten the people? If it is difficult to enlighten the people because there is no script, it was natural to devise all sorts of ways to solve this problem! But a solution to that problem has been found, and what madness is it to block it!”

In the end, Choi Man-ri had to wave the white flag.

“My thoughts were short-sighted. Please forgive my sins.”

At Choi Man-ri’s answer, the ministers sighed in relief.

‘Choi Man-ri, it is fortunate that stubborn man waved the white flag.’

‘That was close. If he had gone any further, His Majesty would have cut off his head.’

Whether he knew the ministers’ thoughts or not, Sejong stared at Choi Man-ri in silence for a long time.

“What should I do with someone as foolish as you?”

At the word ‘foolish,’ Choi Man-ri gritted his teeth. However, he had no excuse in the current situation, even if he was subjected to such an evaluation.

Sejong, who had been staring at Choi Man-ri for a long time, turned his head.

“Prime Minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I think I need to reverse one of the decisions I made in the past, would that be alright?”

“It depends on the matter, but Your Majesty’s will comes first.”

“Is that so? Hmm… Choi Man-ri, listen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The *Jeongumcheong* (Correct Sound Bureau) will soon be established. You will be in charge of the bureau and be responsible for translating the laws of this country into *Hunminjeongeum*. And not just simply translating them, but translating them in an easy way so that anyone can easily understand their meaning! You, who recognized the advantages of *Hunminjeongeum* in just a few days, should be able to do it, right?”

“My abilities are insufficient…”

Choi Man-ri, terrified, tried to back away, but Sejong did not let it go.

“You have no right to refuse. And…”

Pausing for a moment, Sejong approached Choi Man-ri and whispered so that only he could hear.

“Thank you. Thanks to your reputation, many people in Joseon will become more interested in *Hunminjeongeum*.”