Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 401

401. Higher Education Institutions (3)

The Medical Academy was one of the higher education institutions that Sejong decided to establish through the Gyeongjang reforms.

As the Gyeongjang [a series of reforms initiated by King Sejong] neared its end, Sejong, after reviewing the progress, publicly reiterated his intention to establish formal higher education institutions.

* * *

Previously, being ‘a disciple of so-and-so’ or ‘a child of so-and-so’ was sufficient to prove one’s education and ability. However, this lacked objectivity as an official certification standard.

Of course, the civil service examination (科擧) [a rigorous examination system used to select government officials] served as a filter, but those entering through the privilege of family background (陰敍) [a system where individuals could enter government service based on their family’s status] posed a problem. Relying solely on ‘who one’s disciple or child is’ for important appointments was becoming increasingly problematic, as the administrative tasks of Joseon, driven by the Gyeongjang, had become incomparably more demanding in both quantity and complexity.

During this process, Sejong and his trained officials began to rigorously evaluate the performance of government officials.

This placed a tremendous burden on both those who appointed individuals from privileged backgrounds to mid-level positions and the appointees themselves. Those who made the appointments faced deductions in their personnel evaluations for failing to properly assess talent, while those who took on positions without adequate practical experience received painful deductions for their lack of ability.

Being able to enter the government through family privilege meant that one’s father was a high-ranking official. However, having witnessed what happened to Hwang Hee due to his sons, the officials were more thorough than anyone in evaluating performance.

Therefore, as mentioned before, the number of cases of entering the officialdom (官界) [the officialdom refers to the body of government officials] through family privilege gradually decreased.

* * *

It was these circumstances that led Sejong to decide to establish higher education institutions.

“Entering as a disciple of a renowned figure is unfair from the start, and the results are not easily recognized by all. Therefore, there is a need for certification that anyone can acknowledge the level of learning.”

Following Sejong’s strong will, advanced educational institutions were established.

The first of these advanced educational institutions were the Academy of Mathematics (算學院), the Academy of Engineering, the Medical Academy, and the Military Academy.

The Academy of Mathematics, which the officials decided to establish first, was intended to address the needs of the court.

As the Gyeongjang progressed, the court’s work moved away from outdated practices in both quantity and quality.

In this process, the most strongly demanded skill from officials was mathematical ability.

Although writing ability was more important, Sejong and his officials all agreed on that point.

“Humph! If someone passes the civil service examination but cannot write properly, they should submit their resignation and go back to farming!”

In Hyang’s expression, writing ability was the most basic passive skill.

Therefore, the most important skill for officials to cultivate was mathematics.

The reason why mathematics became important from the highest officials to the lowest-ranking officials in local government was that numbers became indispensable in all policies implemented by the court.

Even the trends of neighboring countries reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—formerly the Ministry of Rites before the Gyeongjang—invariably included physical information expressed in various tables and figures.

If the reports submitted before the Gyeongjang were written in abstract sentences such as ‘The power has grown stronger’ or ‘The difference in strength between us is obvious,’ the reports after the mid-Gyeongjang had to be written accurately, such as ‘Showed a *fold increase compared to the previous year’ or ‘Compared to our Joseon, there is a gap of approximately * : * ratio.’

As the content of the reports changed in this way, officials began to be strongly required to have mathematical calculation and analytical skills.

However, due to a lack of both personnel and capabilities to solve this problem immediately, researchers from the research institute had to be seconded.

“We have mountains of work to do too! And if you’re going to drag us away to do work, you should pay us! Why is the budget still the same!”

Hyang, as well as Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, and even Yi Cheon, rose up in protest. Of course, they couldn’t directly say such things to the officials—especially Kim Jeom—but lengthy petitions were submitted to Sejong.

“Hmm…. They’re not wrong….”

Sejong’s intention after reading the petitions, and the officials, tired of reading the room while borrowing the hand of Nam—a crown prince at that—immediately pushed for the establishment of the Academy of Mathematics.

* * *

Thus, the Academy of Mathematics, once its establishment was decided, opened its first academy in Hanseong [the capital city of Joseon].

The plan was to train mathematics specialists and faculty through this academy and gradually establish more academies of mathematics.

And the faculty of the first Academy of Mathematics to be established in Hanseong were to be primarily filled by the research institute.

As the opening of the Academy of Mathematics was announced, the interest of the officials was focused on it.

And the official document delivered to the officials gave them confidence.

-Among the examinations in the civil service examination, there is mathematics, but the level is insufficient to be put into practice immediately.

-Therefore, mathematics education is included in the training course for successful candidates, but it is still insufficient because it is a short-term course.

-Therefore, officials who are interested are encouraged to challenge the entrance examination (入院) [entering the academy] conducted by the Academy of Mathematics and hope to be admitted.

-For officials who are admitted to the Academy of Mathematics and take classes, the working days will be adjusted from 5 and a half days to 3 and a half days.

-However, if you fail (不通) [fail to pass] more than 3 times in the examinations conducted by the Academy of Mathematics, you will be immediately dismissed (退院) [dismissed from the academy].

-Officials who successfully complete the 3-year course at the Academy of Mathematics will be given additional points for promotion.

-Officials who have completed the Academy of Mathematics and have worked for more than 2 years with excellent performance corresponding to the upper level of Senior Rank 6 (正6品上) [a specific rank in the Joseon bureaucracy] will be granted the qualification to take the Sungkyunkwan [Joseon’s highest educational institution] admission examination.

It was at this point that the officials’ eyes began to gleam fiercely.

Sungkyunkwan had been strengthening its characteristics since the early days of the Gyeongjang.

Those who passed the preliminary examination (小科) [a preliminary examination to enter Sungkyunkwan], entered Sungkyunkwan, and successfully passed the curriculum were given the qualification to take the higher examination (大科) [the higher civil service examination].

And those who passed the higher examination received the privilege of starting from Junior Rank 6.

And this part was greatly strengthened as the Gyeongjang progressed. First of all, those who could enter Sungkyunkwan were those who had received the rank of Senior Rank 5 and whose performance was excellent.

The new mission of Sungkyunkwan was to rigorously educate and filter those with solid practical experience to train the next generation of high-ranking officials.

In other words, Sungkyunkwan had upgraded its existing mission.

Therefore, being given the qualification to enter Sungkyunkwan meant that one could get ahead of others in the competition to reach the apex of power, the Dangseonggwan (堂上官) [high-ranking officials eligible to attend royal meetings], which was only a handful.

* * *

As the establishment of the Academy of Mathematics was announced, officials belonging to local government offices throughout Joseon began to submit petitions.

-Although the Academy of Mathematics will be established in other regions besides Hanseong over time, unfair competition will occur during that empty time. An alternative to solve this is needed.

“They are not wrong. If they are pushed back just because they went down to the provinces, even though they passed the examination equally, it is natural to be dissatisfied. Then what do you think is a good alternative?”

To Sejong’s question, the officials offered various proposals.

“How about establishing the Academy of Mathematics throughout Joseon from the beginning?”

“If we did that, there would be no one left in the research institute and Area 51.”

“How about providing intensive education in the provinces using the Academy of Mathematics’ vacation or the officials’ vacation period?”

“Do those who teach mathematics have bodies made of iron? They need time to rest too!”

Whenever the officials put forward various alternatives, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji vehemently refuted them.

Amidst this fierce debate, Hyang put forward a new proposal.

“How about printing and distributing textbooks and lecture notes?”

“Print textbooks and lecture notes?”

As Sejong showed interest, Hyang explained in more detail.

“Yes. Although it may be inferior to learning by directly seeing and hearing at the Academy of Mathematics in Hanseong. If there are textbooks and lecture notes, and one’s own efforts are added, they will not be far behind in the competition. Of course, it will be necessary to reduce the working schedule to reduce excessive burden.”

“Even if lectures are possible in that way, no, it may be possible. How should the exams be taken?”

“We should distribute the pre-printed exam papers and take the exam, just like when taking the civil service examination. However, the grading will be processed in bulk in Hanseong.”

“Hmm, wouldn’t it take a lot of time?”

To Heo Jo’s point, Hyang immediately replied.

“We have to use the express mail service (破撥) [a system of relay stations for rapid communication].”

“The express mail service?”

“Yes.”

At Hyang’s answer, Heo Jo nodded, and Jo Mal-saeng’s face turned white.

Looking at Jo Mal-saeng’s face, Hyang continued the explanation a little more.

“If we actively operate the express mail service throughout Joseon, we can continue to monitor the condition of the road network that has been in progress, which will help with maintenance. In addition, we can quickly improve any shortcomings found in the process of operating the express mail service. Finally, by operating the express mail service in this way, we can select horses with excellent qualities and breed even better breeds of horses.”

“Hmm…. Are there any other objections?”

At Sejong’s question, the officials closed their mouths. It seemed definitely better than the proposals they had put forward.

“Then, I hope you will summarize and submit a plan based on the Crown Prince’s plan.”

“I obey your command!”

Jo Mal-saeng, who came out after finishing the meeting, looked up at the sky and sighed for a long time.

“Hoo~. Carrying the gazette, carrying the census register, carrying the documents of the battlefield and investment fund, now even the Academy of Mathematics…. Haa~.”

Kim Jeom, who was passing by, lightly patted Jo Mal-saeng’s shoulder at the sight of him sighing.

“You’re having a hard time, Your Excellency. Instead, I will take responsibility and pay attention to the budget, so please take good care of me.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Jo Mal-saeng’s face brightened.

“Be sure to take responsibility for that!”

In this way, express mail horses began to run frantically on all the roads of Joseon—from newly built roads to trails.

Later, there came a situation where the people became anxious if express mail horses did not run on the road.

And in this way, the world’s first correspondence course and systematic postal service were born.

* * *

As these advanced educational institutions were created, the research institute and Area 51 became frantically busy.

This was because the research institute and Area 51 were where those with the highest level in Joseon—no, the highest level in the world—were gathered, not only in mathematics but also in engineering.

“Suffer for a few years! And by doing so, you have to discover new talents so that your work will be easier, right?”

“Yes….”

Although they were researchers who answered weakly to the encouragement of Hyang, Jeong Cho, and Jeong In-ji, they did their best in class.

As one of the ‘three joys of a gentleman (君子三樂) [a Confucian concept of ideal happiness]’ was ‘the joy of teaching outstanding disciples,’ there was a reward for teaching the students who were trying hard to learn.

In particular, the researchers who lectured at the Academy of Engineering kept their eyes peeled for talents. This was because it was not only the research institute and Area 51 that were aiming for those who were admitted to the Academy of Engineering and were learning.

Merchants who were increasingly growing in size, especially those with manufacturing, began to target those attending the Academy of Engineering.