Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 399

399. Higher Education Institution (1)

Late summer of the 14th year of Sejong’s reign (Imja year, 1432). The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching.

Hyang, after a long absence, volunteered to enter Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbok Palace] and reported to Sejong.

“Father, I have something to report.”

“If it concerns the budget, the answer is no.”

At Sejong’s firm response, Hyang subtly pouted, then quickly regained his composure and addressed Sejong again.

“The initial translation of the medical texts (醫書) is complete.”

“Really!”

Sejong was visibly pleased by Hyang’s announcement.

Hyang gestured to the eunuch accompanying him, who then handed a thick stack of books to the head eunuch.

Sejong received the books from the head eunuch and began to examine their contents.

“You’ve transcribed everything using Jeong-eum (正音, the original name for Hunminjeongeum, the Korean alphabet)?”

“Yes, Father. It significantly reduced the workload.”

“Even with the reduction, it was no small feat. We must reward those who undertook this translation.”

“They will consider it a great honor.”

Listening to Hyang’s reply, Sejong returned his gaze to the books and spoke.

“Now, the training of military doctors (軍醫, surgeons serving in the military) will also advance.”

“That is correct.”

The books Hyang presented to Sejong were translations of Ibn Sina’s (أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنْ بِنْ عَبْدْ الله بِنْ الحَسَّنْ بِنْ عَلِي بِنْ سِينَا) ‘The Canon of Medicine (醫學典範, القانون في الطب)’ and selections from various medical texts by Galen (Claudius Galenus).

With the establishment of the Alexandria trade route, Hyang had imported a substantial number of medical books from the Byzantine Empire and Islamic countries.

The primary reason for importing such a vast collection of medical texts was to train a large contingent of medical personnel, particularly military doctors.

* * *

“We must establish a military medicine department (軍醫科) within the Military Academy (軍學院).”

Since the beginning of the reformation, Hyang had been a strong advocate for establishing a military medicine department at the Military Academy. However, the officials met Hyang’s proposal with some reluctance.

“Military doctors? Is a dedicated department truly necessary?”

“Wouldn’t it be an unnecessary expense?”

“If war breaks out or conflicts arise requiring troop deployment, we can mobilize doctors from the Royal Clinic or nearby villages. We’ve managed until now without major issues.”

Seeing the officials’ perception of it as an ‘unnecessary expense,’ Hyang strongly emphasized the need.

“If war or conflict erupts and doctors are conscripted, what happens if an epidemic breaks out in another region?”

“Then, we can mobilize doctors from nearby regions…”

“Are we simply shifting the problem from one place to another?”

“…”

“Furthermore, as the navy’s ships venture further out to sea in the future, we must have at least one military doctor on each vessel, correct?”

“…”

Hyang’s point silenced the officials.

“After careful consideration, I find the Crown Prince’s proposal reasonable. The territory under Joseon’s rule is steadily expanding, and it will continue to do so. As the Crown Prince stated, the navy’s ships will be traveling to increasingly distant lands (異域), and if sailors fall ill in unfamiliar foreign territories, they will need someone capable of providing solutions. Therefore, let us establish a military medicine department within the Military Academy currently under development.”

“We obey your command!”

Despite Sejong’s decree, progress was slow. The establishment was repeatedly delayed due to the founding of the Samin Academy and the Jung Hakdang [other educational institutions], as well as the Giyu Rebellion and the Horan (胡亂) [Manchu invasions] instigated by Imanju and Mentemu.

* * *

However, this delay proved to be a blessing in disguise for the military medicine department.

Hyang muttered, flipping through the report.

“Misfortune can indeed be a blessing…”

The Giyu Rebellion and the Horan exposed the limitations of relying on conscripted doctors. Moreover, as the navy expanded its reach to Alexandria and skirmishes with pirates and Japanese raiders occurred in Joseon’s coastal waters, the need for dedicated medical personnel became acutely apparent.

Consequently, despite initial resistance, officials began to seriously re-evaluate the plan.

“The medical skills taught in the military medicine department should primarily focus on treating external injuries (外傷).”

“I suppose so? Considering the recent rebellion and the Horan…”

Among the officials reviewing the plan, Hyang interjected.

“Not only external injuries, but also diseases and pharmacology should be included.”

“Diseases and pharmacology, you say?”

“Is the battlefield a clean environment? Is it not a place where even clean water is scarce? Is it not naturally a breeding ground for diseases?”

Hyang’s point resonated with the officials, particularly the military commanders, including Jo Malsaeng, who nodded vigorously.

“That’s right! Even in military strategy, polluting water sources is a primary scorched-earth tactic to hinder the enemy’s advance!”

“Water can be addressed with purifiers to some extent, but if we fight in unfamiliar territories, disease outbreaks are inevitable. Thorough preparation is essential to maintain our forces! We experienced this firsthand during the last Horan.”

* * *

During the suppression of the Horan caused by Imanju and Mentemu, a significant number of soldiers deserted due to illness—the flu being the most prevalent, according to the report.

This was attributed to the fact that soldiers from Pyeongan-do and Yeongan-do—Hamgil-do—accustomed to the harsh northern climate, were better equipped to withstand the severe northern winter compared to the supporting troops from the south.

Later, after reviewing the related report, Hyang muttered with a somber expression.

“Is the natural environment of the south and north so different even within this small Korean peninsula? Is that so? No, the soldiers who went north were from Gyeonggi, so it’s only half of a half, right?”

* * *

With the strong support of the military, who had experienced the issue firsthand, Hyang pushed further.

“Furthermore, I believe the military medicine department should also teach basic military tactics.”

“Military tactics, you say?”

Hyang’s suggestion surprised not only the officials but also the military personnel.

In response to their reactions, Hyang elaborated.

“Let’s say an epidemic breaks out. The doctors in the affected area will be the first responders, and the court will dispatch doctors and female doctors from the Royal Clinic, but wouldn’t the military doctors closest to the area be the first to be mobilized?”

Hyang’s point prompted the officials and commanders to consider the situation, and they nodded in agreement.

“That’s the most likely scenario.”

“There’s no time to wait for support from Hanseong when a doctor is readily available.”

“What is treating an epidemic? Is it not a war to stop and defeat the disease that threatens to kill our Joseon people? Take a moment to consider the similarities between preventing an epidemic and preventing an enemy invasion.”

At Hyang’s words, the officials and commanders briefly reflected and nodded once more.

When an enemy invades, the first step is to assess the point of entry and the scale of the invasion.

Next, a defensive line is established around the enemy’s occupied territory to block their advance and cut off their supply lines.

By containing the enemy in this manner, they are gradually weakened and defeated.

This was the most fundamental defensive tactic outlined in military strategy, and the response to an epidemic outbreak was remarkably similar.

The officials and commanders, understanding Hyang’s analogy, agreed to include ‘Basic Military Tactics’ in the curriculum.

The issue arose when the designated ‘Basic Military Tactics’ text was ‘The Art of War’ [a classic Chinese military treatise by Sun Tzu].

“The Art of War? Isn’t that too advanced?”

At Hyang’s suggestion, the commanders responded with incredulous expressions.

“The Art of War is required reading for anyone applying for the military examination, so isn’t it a natural choice? Or is it not?”

“Well, it is… well. Let’s proceed with that.”

Hyang, having taken a step back, muttered inwardly.

‘Sometimes I feel like things are reversed when comparing the 21st century and now.’

Concepts considered basic in the 21st century were often advanced knowledge or technology in Joseon, and vice versa.

‘Anyway, my condolences to the gentlemen who will be studying what is said to be the beginning and the end of military strategy…’

It was Hyang who initiated the situation and then distanced himself.

* * *

Having overcome one obstacle, Hyang, the officials, and the commanders moved on to the next challenge.

The next problem was the duration of the education period, which affected the entire Military Academy.

Regarding this duration, the military insisted on 10 years, while others argued for 6 years.

“6 years! That’s too short! Military texts are as profound as the classics! 6 years is insufficient!”

“To apply for the military examination, one had to study for at least 10 years! At least!”

The officials, disagreeing with the military’s insistence on 10 years, stood their ground.

“10 years! Even with 10 years of study, no, even 20 years, one is still considered inexperienced without actual combat! It’s better to teach only what is necessary and then gain experience in actual combat! 10 years? Are you trying to justify the budget?”

“Doesn’t the 10-year period include time for basic academics like the Thousand Character Classic [a foundational text for literacy]? Since students are already graduating from the Samin Academy and the Jung Hakdang, shouldn’t that time be excluded?”

“This is looking down on the military class (武班)!”

“That’s absurd! It’s stipulated that even civil officials graduating from the Samin Academy or the Jung Hakdang can apply for the state examination! How is that looking down on the military class? If you put it that way, it’s looking down on the civil class!”

Neither side was willing to concede. However, both sides had valid points. The military sought well-trained talent, while the officials aimed to provide talent with the necessary skills within a limited budget.

As the confrontation escalated, Hyang intervened.

“How about a 6-year course to start? I mean, ‘for now’.”

“Did you say ‘for now’?”

“Yes.”

Hyang nodded and elaborated.

-For the first 3 years at the Military Academy, students will learn the most basic military knowledge, military skills, and unit operation methods.

-After 3 years, they will take an exam, and those who fail will be assigned to lower-level positions such as military instructors (軍校) and pacification officers (鎭撫).

-Those who pass the exam will learn advanced military knowledge and unit operation skills for the next 3 years.

-Those who pass this total of 6 years of training will be appointed and assigned as squad leaders (哨官) or acting squad leaders (權官) according to their ranking.

-After that, those who have performed exceptionally for at least 5 years will be promoted to senior officers, starting from military commander (萬戶), through an examination.

-Those who start as military instructors or pacification officers will also be promoted to flag commander (旗總) or squad leader if they demonstrate excellent performance for 3 years. After that, they will be given the opportunity to challenge the promotion examination if they also record excellent performance for 5 years.

“How does that sound?”

The officials immediately agreed to Hyang’s proposal.

“It’s a good plan! The current promotion process for civil officials is also designed to follow a similar path, so we can address the issue of fairness!”

Having secured the officials’ support, Hyang turned to the military personnel.

“What are your thoughts?”

“Please give us some time to consider…”

“Very well.”