Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 389

389. Small Changes (1)

June, Year 15 of Sejong (1433, Gy 축 Year).

As summer approached, new notices were posted on bulletin boards in government offices throughout Joseon.

“Huh? A new official announcement?”

“I hope it’s something like a discount event at the monopoly store….”

“That would be great! It’s been quiet lately, hasn’t it?”

Sharing jokes and serious thoughts, the people gathered in front of the bulletin board and began to read the announcement.

“Let’s see…. Uh…. ‘Notice of Reform of the Civil Service Examination System’? Are they changing the civil service examination system?”

“Eh! It’s nothing to do with me.”

“I know, right? They should just have a monopoly store discount event.”

Most of the people who checked the title soon lost interest and left. However, there were also quite a few who stood there, staring intently at the bulletin board.

Most of those focusing on the bulletin board were the Sadaebu [scholar-officials] and a small number of women.

“Changing it again?”

“It’s been about 10 years since the last change, so isn’t it about time?”

The Sadaebu’s reaction to reading the contents of the bulletin board was cynical.

On the other hand, there were those who were indignant.

“Ha-ha…. If education is a plan for a hundred years, then the civil service examination is a plan for five hundred years….”

“This is more like changing things every morning and evening (a saying that criticizes the lack of consistency in work)….”

Among those who were talking like this, the faces of the Sadaebu, excluding those who showed cynical reactions, were filled with earnestness.

‘There isn’t much time left now!’

This was because, in as little as two years, or as long as three years, children who had completed their studies at the Sammin Academy and the Jung Hakdang would emerge as new competitors.

* * *

As mentioned before, the Yangban [aristocrats] of Joseon now—or, to be precise, the Munban Sadaebu [civil official scholar-officials]—were desperately seeking a way out at a crossroads.

Due to the Gi Yu Rebellion, a large number of Sadaebu were purged, and the number of local Sadaebu decreased, greatly reducing their influence on society.

Having shrunk significantly in number and influence, these local Sadaebu were largely divided into three categories.

One was the ‘landed gentry obsessed with the past.’

With the abolition of tax exemption benefits that had been in place since the founding of Joseon, and the introduction of a progressive tax system, their economic power had decreased. However, the vast amount of land they owned still guaranteed them a comfortable life.

Based on this land, they were transforming into the most radical, fundamentalist, and conservative forces.

These were the ones who showed a cynical reaction to the official announcement.

The second category was those who actively sought to participate in public office.

These were people who were economically less well-off than the first group, and who had chosen to enter government service as a means of survival.

However, as mentioned before, the court and Sejong, while suffering from a shortage of personnel, were also 까다로운 [picky/fastidious] in selecting talent, so they had to make desperate efforts.

To enter government service, they did their best not only to take the civil service examination but also to submit petitions.

The third category was those who chose a ‘new path.’

Seeing the explosive growth of commerce and industry as 경장 [economic reform] progressed, they were 投身 [devoting themselves] as capitalists or managers.

* * *

Those who read the official announcement with such earnest faces sighed deeply.

“Haa~. They’re finally opening the door even to women….”

“I thought it would be at least a few more years….”

Their eyes were fixed on the ‘eligibility requirements.’

Eligibility Requirements – Yangin [commoner] men and women with academic backgrounds equal to or higher than Sammin Academy and Jung Hakdang.

– Addendum (附則) Clause A

Those who have not completed Sammin Academy and Jung Hakdang will only be allowed to apply if they have been certified through the soon-to-be-implemented qualification certification test.

– Addendum Clause B

The application of Addendum Clause A will be suspended for the next two years.

This item made the Sadaebu who read the notice feel even more acutely that ‘there is no time.’

‘I have to pass the exam within the next two years!’

With eyes full of urgency and earnestness, the Sadaebu read the next item.

Application Procedure.

-1st Stage

Written test on the Four Books and Five Classics.

A total of 30 questions in multiple-choice format.

Must get 25 or more questions correct to pass.

Arithmetic Test.

20 questions in multiple-choice format.

Must get 17 or more questions correct to pass.

-2nd Stage

Conducted for those who passed the 1st stage.

Choose one of the three topics presented by the examiners and write an essay.

Those who pass the 1st and 2nd stages will receive the rank of Jong 9 Pum [lowest rank in the Joseon bureaucracy].

Assignment of Workplace.

The Sangpije (相避制, avoiding 배치 in 지방 with 연고) [system to avoid assigning officials to their hometowns or places with familial connections] is applied.

– Addendum Clause A.

Applied equally to both men and women.

– Addendum Clause B.

Those who volunteer for 외방 [remote regions] such as the North and Daeseol Island will receive additional points.

– Addendum Clause C.

Those who volunteer for 외방 will be given priority to those who have mastered 마술 (馬術) [horsemanship] or 궁술 (弓術) [archery].

“Huh?”

Those who saw the last addendum regarding workplace assignment all tilted their heads.

“Wasn’t this the 문과 (文科) [civil service examination] just now?”

While they were tilting their heads like that, some who had heard related rumors nodded.

“I heard that working in 외방 is tough….”

* * *

Among those reading the notice, there were also a small number of women.

“I’ve read it all. Let’s go.”

The woman who read the bulletin board while wearing a 너울 [veil] turned around with those words, and the female servant who was with her hurriedly followed and asked.

“Miss, are you really going to take the civil service examination?”

“Isn’t that why I came all the way to the government office in broad daylight?”

According to the laws of Joseon, women of the Yangban and merchant classes, who were not 천민 [lowborn], were not allowed to go outside 함부로 [carelessly/without permission] in broad daylight. (Note 1)

However, the current situation was that some flexibility was shown due to livelihood issues, including agriculture.

“If the 출사 [entering into government service] of women begins, the curfew law will also change.”

“Is the current law the problem? I’m worried that Master will issue a stern order.”

The woman smiled slightly at the female servant’s whining and replied.

“Gannan-ah. The world is changing.”

* * *

“A young lady of a noble family walking around in broad daylight! Do you really have any sense?”

An Jinsa [a title for those who passed the preliminary civil service exam], rumored to be the wealthiest man in Pyeongtaek-hyeon, stood in the main hall and shouted.

Munhye, the eldest daughter, who had taken off her 너울 at An Jinsa’s scolding, answered confidently.

“I went to the government office because the official announcement regarding the civil service examination to be implemented this time was posted.”

“Are you really going to take the civil service examination as a woman! Huh! What a 망측한 [outrageous/preposterous] thing to do!”

Unlike An Jinsa, who repeatedly said 망측하다, Munhye still asserted her will in a confident voice.

“Father. The world is changing since 주상 전하 [His Majesty the King] implemented 경장 [economic reforms].”

“Even if the world changes, there are 법도 [rules/norms] that must be kept!”

“Father, even 주상 전하’s precious 여식 (女息, daughter) [daughter], the princesses, are learning medicine, mastering 산학 [mathematics], and working as officials. Where is the distinction between men and women in doing work that helps the country by making use of what they have learned and mastered?”

“Eing!”

An Jinsa, who had nothing to say to Munhye’s clear-cut answer, turned around in 역정 [anger].

Munhye, who had finished a round of 설전 [argument] like that, sighed deeply as soon as she entered her room.

“Hoo~. I’m relieved that the princesses moved first, so I can breathe a little easier.”

Thanks to the princesses who moved first and showed decent results, the social advancement of women was gradually becoming easier.

Of course, women were actively engaged in external activities in most farming households and the lower classes. However, this was a desperate struggle for survival, and it was impossible for the middle class and above in Joseon society.

Therefore, it was truly a revolution that women were allowed to take the civil service examination starting this year.

Munhye, who was sitting down and 펼쳐 들던 [unfolding] a 산학 [mathematics] book, suddenly got up from her seat.

“They said there are additional points for volunteering for 외방 [remote regions], right? And they said you have to be good at 마술 [horsemanship] or 궁술 [archery] to go to 외방….”

Munhye, who 잠시 기억을 복기하던 [recalled her memories], took down the 전통 (箭筒) [arrow quiver] that was hanging on one side and 부렸다 [loosened] the bow that had been 풀어 놓았던 [stored away].

“Gannan-ah! Let’s go to the 활터 [archery range]! Get ready!”

“Yes, Miss!”

Munhye, who had prepared the 전통 [arrow quiver] and bow while the female servant was diligently packing 요깃거리를 [snacks], murmured softly.

“If I’m going to 출사 [enter government service] anyway, I should become a 당상관 [high-ranking official], shouldn’t I?”

* * *

“Well, well?”

Munhye, who arrived at the 활터 [archery range], was 기가 막혔다 [speechless]. This was because more women than usual had come out and were 당기고 활 [drawing their bows].

And a significant number of them were girls of similar age to herself.

“These 년들이 [girls/bitches]…. What 뛰니 [running] what also 뛰다고 [running]….”

Munhye thought she knew why the girls had come out to the 활터 [archery range].

It seemed certain that they had come with similar thoughts to Munhye.

Munhye, who was 살피던 [observing] the girls who were 열심히 시위를 당기는 [diligently drawing their bowstrings], took a seat next to one girl. She was the 여식 [daughter] of a family that was 서로 경쟁심을 불태우는 [burning with rivalry] with her own.

“What’s with you, only 겨우 사서나 보는 [barely reading the Four Books], coming to the 활터 [archery range]?”

The girl 피식 웃으며 [smiled derisively] at Munhye’s words and replied.

“What about you? I heard you haven’t even 제대로 못 떼었다 주비산경 (周髀算經, a mathematics book published in the Song Dynasty) yet [haven’t even properly started studying the Zhoubi Suanjing]? Ah! So that’s why you came? That’s right. With your 산학 [mathematics] skills, you can’t even dream of the 재경부 [Ministry of Finance] or 총무부 [General Affairs Department], and it’s perfect for you to 뛰는 발로 [running feet] in the 국토부 [Ministry of Land]. If you don’t want to 당하지 호환 (虎患) [suffer from tiger attacks] by 뛰다 발로 [running feet] in 험지 [dangerous places], you have to 제대로 익혀야지 궁술 [properly learn archery].”

“Hey!”

“Why!”

In an instant, the two girls began to fight, 움켜쥐고 서로의 머리채 [grabbing each other’s hair].

That evening, the mothers of both girls 싸매고 이마 and 몸져누웠다 [bandaged their foreheads and were bedridden].

“What sin did I commit in my past life….”

On the other hand, the fathers of the two girls made different decisions from the mothers.

“Good! I’ll 지원해 주겠다 [support you] as much as you want.”

“Thank you!”

“However, there is a condition! You must 급제해라 [pass the exam]. If that 빌어먹을 집안’s 여아 [damned family’s daughter] passed, but you failed? I’ll send you off to get married right away, or I’ll shave your head and send you off as a 비구니 [Buddhist nun]!”

The girls 흘리며 식은땀 [sweating cold sweat] at their fathers’ 엄명 [strict order] and replied.

“I will 반드시 급제하겠사옵니다 [I will definitely pass the exam]!”

* * *

The number of women moving with the goal of taking the civil service examination was higher than expected.

The reaction of their parents or husbands to this was largely twofold.

One was active support, and the other was active opposition.

In addition, stimulated by the fact that the movements of women were unusual, the men preparing for the civil service examination also began to prepare more fiercely.

However, there was also something unexpected, which was that there were fewer 상소 반대하는 출사 여자들 [petitions opposing women entering government service] than expected.

“세자야 [Crown Prince], what do you think is the reason?”

Hyang answered immediately to Sejong’s question.

“Isn’t there already a 전례 [precedent]?”

“전례 [Precedent]?”

Sejong 잠시 곱씹던 [pondered for a moment] Hyang’s words and immediately nodded.

“That’s right, there are already 적지가 않지 부녀자들 [quite a few women] who have 출사 [entered government service] as teachers at Sammin Academy and Jung Hakdang. Hmm…. 경들 [ministers], listen.”

At Sejong’s words, the 대신들 [ministers] immediately 머리를 조아리며 [bowed their heads] and answered.

“It is difficult to 예단하기 [predict] the number now, but it is certain that the number of 부녀자들 [women] who will 출사 [enter government service] will not be small, so re-examine the measures regarding this.”

“We 받드옵니다 the 명 [receive the order]!”

According to Sejong’s 명 [order], the 대신들 [ministers] re-examined the related policies.

-Ensure the supply of 관사 [government housing] for those who have 출사 [entered government service] but have 가세가 한미해 [humble family circumstances] and have not been able to 마련 집 [secure housing].

-If 부부 [married couples] have 출사 [entered government service] at the same time, the issue of 부임지 [post assignment] will be implemented as follows.

A. 배치 [assign] 부부 [married couples] 모두 the same 임지 [post].

B. The 부임지 [post assignment] will be based on the 부임지 [post] of the one with the higher 품계 [rank] among the 부부 [married couples].

– Prepare 기숙사 [dormitories] for those who are still 미혼 [unmarried]. However, since 남녀가 유별하므로 [men and women are different], 수용 [accommodate] 남녀 [men and women] in 별도의 기숙사 [separate dormitories].

(Omitted)

Hyang, who was 확인하던 [checking] the 대안 [alternatives] that came out like this, 확인하고 [checked] the 기숙사 [dormitory] part and 지었다 쓴웃음을 [gave a bitter smile].

“The country 먹여 주고 [feeds], 재워 주고 [houses], 옷도 주고 [clothes], 월급도 주고 [pays a salary], 죽도록 뺑이 치고 [works you to death]…. This is the 군대 [military]?”

* * *

Note 1) Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. 항목 야간통행금지 [Item: Night Curfew].

http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0035247