Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 393

393. Small Changes (5)

While the administrative organizations, including the court, were quietly and steadily improving their systems and solidifying their foundations, the lives of the people were also constantly evolving.

As previously mentioned, the burgeoning economy, fueled by ongoing economic reforms, was drawing an increasing number of individuals to invest in commerce and industry.

Among these investors, some plunged in impulsively, while others entered with carefully considered plans and calculated chances of success.

A fierce competition erupted between these newcomers and the established players.

In this competitive environment, many were eliminated and faded away. A significant portion of those who failed were the newcomers. For those who entered with only ambition and lacking experience and capital, the world of commerce and industry proved to be a harsh and unforgiving arena. Of course, even some long-standing merchant groups from the Goryeo era failed to adapt to the changing times and were left behind, ultimately disappearing as well.

Those who were eliminated from the competition either returned to farming or sought new opportunities in frontier areas like Hamgil Province and Daeseol Island. Sadly, some lost all hope and resorted to desperate measures.

* * *

According to the laws of Joseon at the time, all incidents involving fatalities, such as murder, suicide, or tiger attacks, were reported to Sejong.

“Someone took their own life?”

“Yes, and what’s more tragic is that the entire family…”

“Hmm…”

As Minister of Justice Jo Geuk-gwan trailed off, Sejong sighed, his face etched with sorrow.

Observing Sejong’s deeply furrowed brow, Hwang Hee inquired of Jo Geuk-gwan on Sejong’s behalf.

“Why would they make such a choice?”

“They opened a store, but it failed miserably, and the debt collectors were relentless.”

“Debt collectors? Did they resort to private loans?”

“Yes.”

“How exorbitant was the interest rate?”

“Upon investigation, the loan term was a mere month, and the interest was double the principal.”

“Double!”

The Great Hall buzzed with astonishment at the revelation that the interest on the loan taken by the deceased was twice the original amount.

Hwang Hee, equally surprised, pressed Jo Geuk-gwan further.

“It has been several years since His Majesty promulgated the ‘Interest Restriction Law’ [a law limiting the maximum permissible interest rate], yet there are still those who dare to charge such usurious rates?”

“That is correct. We are currently pursuing those who provided the loans.”

After hearing the explanation, Sejong issued a stern order to Jo Geuk-gwan.

“Order the officials in charge of the arrest to apprehend each and every one of them without exception! Confiscate all their assets and secure the list of their debtors! Return the excess interest to the impoverished individuals who were forced to pay more than the law allows!”

At Sejong’s command, Jo Geuk-gwan immediately bowed his head and responded.

“I obey your command!”

Having given the order to Jo Geuk-gwan, Sejong fell silent, lost in thought. The longer Sejong remained silent, the more anxious the officials became.

“Hmm, now that I consider it… Why would the entire family of the deceased make such a choice?”

“It was reported that not everyone committed suicide; rather, the head of the household killed his wife and children before taking his own life.”

“Why would the head of the household make such a decision?”

“It appears he feared that his wife and children would suffer if he were to die alone.”

At Jo Geuk-gwan’s answer, Sejong sighed and lamented.

“Alas~. Regardless of his position as head of the household, a husband and wife are individuals, and children are not livestock but human beings! How could he make such a unilateral decision! It is truly regrettable! This is my fault!”

As Sejong blamed himself, the officials all bowed their heads and protested.

“No, Your Majesty! This is the responsibility of the person who committed the act, not Your Majesty’s fault at all!”

“That’s right! This is not something Your Majesty should blame yourself for! The unfortunate person simply made the wrong choice in the end!”

“No, the fact that this continues to happen indicates that I have not properly overseen matters. It is indeed my fault.”

“No, Your Majesty! These are the mistakes of those who took their own lives! They resorted to high-interest private loans even though the Jeonjang [government-run loan institution] was available; this is their responsibility!”

“Hoo~.”

Sejong sighed deeply and addressed Kim Jeom.

“Minister of Finance.”

“At your service.”

“Why did they use private loans even though the Jeonjang existed? As I understand it, one of the Jeonjang’s purposes is to provide seed money to individuals seeking to establish new livelihoods?”

“That is correct.”

Kim Jeom, answering Sejong’s question, sifted through the stacks of documents before him and retrieved the relevant report.

“When we established the Startup Review Department, we selected 담당 관리들을 차출해 부서를 만들었사옵니다 [officials in charge and created the department]. And, as Your Majesty stated, we have been reviewing applications from those seeking to establish new livelihoods and providing them with seed money.”

“Then why did they resort to high-interest private loans?”

“It appears that those who were notified that their applications were 불가(不可) [rejected] by the Startup Review Department did not give up.”

“They couldn’t borrow money from the Jeonjang, so they borrowed from private lenders?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong, pondering Kim Jeom’s answer, spoke.

“Then, what if we slightly ease the screening criteria?”

“That is not possible!”

At that moment, Heo Jo, who had been listening quietly, exclaimed that it was not possible.

“Why not?”

At Sejong’s question, Heo Jo explained the reason why it was not possible.

“The money lent by the Jeonjang is money that the people have entrusted to the Jeonjang. Even now, a significant number of those who have taken out loans to start businesses are failing, and the loans are not being fully recovered. If we ease the loan criteria, more loans will be issued, and the amount of unrecoverable funds will increase! If the Jeonjang’s losses increase in that manner, the people will lose trust in the Jeonjang! Distrust of the Jeonjang will lead to distrust of the government! Easing the loan criteria is absolutely not possible!”

Faced with Heo Jo’s strong opposition, Sejong turned to Hwang Hee.

“What are the Prime Minister’s thoughts?”

“I also believe it is not possible.”

“Hmm…”

With even Hwang Hee in opposition, Sejong appeared perplexed.

Once again, Sejong fell silent, contemplating a suitable solution before offering another suggestion.

“Even if we accept that those who attempted to start a business but failed made their own choices and there is nothing we can do, their families remain a concern. The inheritance of wealth is a problem, but so too is the inheritance of poverty, is it not?”

“That is true.”

“Therefore, shouldn’t the country provide an opportunity to escape such inherited poverty? What are your thoughts on 사민(徙民, relocating people) them to Daeseol Island and other frontier areas that will expand in the future? Of course, there should be tax cuts and support for at least three to five years; I believe it would be 괜찮을 것 같다는 생각이오 [a good idea].”

At Sejong’s suggestion, the officials weighed the pros and cons, calculating the potential impact.

“It could be a good opportunity for people who have fallen into despair, but it could strain the finances.”

At Kim Jeom’s point, Sejong immediately responded.

“Let’s release more of the gold and silver we have been mining and collecting. Given our current capabilities, I believe we can adequately manage even a slightly larger release of our stockpiled gold and silver, don’t you agree?”

Kim Jeom, who had been weighing the pros and cons with Sejong’s additional explanation, bowed his head.

“I will prepare a plan and submit it soon.”

“I look forward to it. And…”

With one problem addressed, Sejong unveiled a series of policies like a flowing river.

“Considering policies to assist those who have failed to start a business and their families, there are a considerable number of people with disabilities in Joseon. Many have become disabled while working or fighting for the country, but many others have become disabled due to unforeseen accidents or congenital conditions. In the former case, we are already implementing veteran affairs policies, but the latter presents a challenge. Let’s explore ways for them to become self-sufficient. We must move away from the prevailing attitude of treating them as outcasts, dismissing their plight with comments like ‘They were unlucky’ if they become disabled due to an accident, or ‘천형(天刑) [divine punishment]’ if they have a congenital disability, don’t you think?”

“That is true, but…”

At Sejong’s suggestion, the officials looked perplexed.

Sejong’s intention was undoubtedly noble. Indeed, it was a sentiment worthy of praise for generations to come.

For one of the fundamental duties of a king is to empathize with the suffering of his people and offer them hope.

Therefore, the officials offered various opinions and engaged in continued debate.

After a lengthy discussion, Sejong’s proposal gradually took shape. However, the officials’ expressions remained troubled.

“If only one of their limbs is disabled and their mind is sound, there are several avenues for support, but the challenge lies with those who are mentally impaired or those who are blind and deaf. These individuals require care rather than self-reliance.”

Following Hwang Hee’s point, Maeng Sa-seong immediately added.

“The tragedy is that they are often abandoned at birth or become beggars, wandering aimlessly.”

“It’s a difficult problem…”

Sejong looked perplexed as he listened to the officials’ conversation.

“Let’s take a break.”

Sejong, declaring a recess, exited Geunjeongjeon [main hall of the palace] and strolled around the palace grounds. As he walked to clear his head and admired the scenery, he noticed monks heading towards Junggungjeon [Queen’s residence].

Sejong, observing them absentmindedly, burst into laughter.

“It reminds me of the old days. The Crown Prince rushed in and said, ‘Let’s do business,’ didn’t he?”

Sejong, smiling at the memory, suddenly stopped walking.

“Wait!”

Sejong abruptly halted and fell into thought. He stood there like a statue, nodding and shaking his head for a long time, before turning around with a brightened expression.

“If I execute this well, I’ll have a brilliant idea!”

* * *

Sejong, returning to Geunjeongjeon—Sajeongjeon, which was a 편전 [private office] that had become spatially cramped as 경장이 [administrative reforms] progressed, was relegated, and Geunjeongjeon became the primary venue for conducting state affairs—addressed the officials who had reassembled.

“I have a promising idea. What if we mobilized monks to prevent congenitally disabled individuals from being abandoned at birth or left to wander aimlessly?”

“Monks, you say?”

At Sejong’s suggestion, the officials inquired with slightly hesitant expressions. Sejong nodded and elaborated on his thoughts.

“Isn’t one of the core tenets of monastic life to alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings? Therefore, we entrust them with the care and protection of abandoned disabled individuals. In return, we will permit them to establish 12 additional 말사(末寺) [branch temples] in addition to the existing 36 본산(本山) [main temples], but we will differentiate the treatment of the Seon [Zen] and Gyo [Scholastic] sects based on their performance. And, if necessary, we will provide an appropriate amount of food and 재물 [goods/resources].”

At Sejong’s explanation, the officials once again began to engage in mental calculations.

‘This is 숭유억불 [promoting Confucianism and suppressing Buddhism], but…. But it’s suitable for this kind of thing….’

‘If we don’t support 전답 [farmland] and provide 현물 [physical goods], it’s not a bad deal.’

‘When I served as a 지방관 [local magistrate], I witnessed firsthand the immense suffering inflicted upon families with a disabled member. How desperate must they be to abandon them….’

The officials, having weighed the pros and cons from every angle, soon nodded in agreement.

“If it is limited to adding 12 말사, it does not appear that there will be a significant problem.”

“If we provide 현물 instead of 전답, we can prevent the 전조’s [land tax] abuses.”

“Good. The General Affairs Department is tasked with refining this plan and submitting a revised report.”

At Sejong’s command, Heo Jo bowed his head.

“I obey your command.”