Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 456

456. Changing People pt.2 (1)

With the reorganization in full swing, Yukjo Street was rapidly transforming. Existing buildings were being expanded and renovated, and new ones were under construction.

The first new building was the Record Office, which earned the grim nickname ‘Writing articles with the blood and tears of writers.’

Later, a communal cafeteria for the officials and a night duty room – often called the ‘root cause of marital breakdown’ – were also built.

Over time, these buildings grew larger and larger.

The Record Office expanded to accommodate the increasing number of records, while the cafeteria and night duty room grew to serve the rising number of officials.

The sounds of hammering and sawing were constant on Yukjo Street as these buildings rapidly expanded.

Soon, these growing buildings became a famous sight in Hanseong [present-day Seoul].

“My goodness! It’s growing like a pumpkin in midsummer!”

The comment from a passing farmer was no exaggeration.

And for the officials working in those buildings, sighing deeply became a daily ritual.

“Why doesn’t the overtime and night duty decrease, even though we keep hiring more people!”

* * *

“Another night in the night duty room….”

Walking down the brightly lit corridor, a young official muttered, his face weary. His eyes were hollow, a clear sign of exhaustion.

“I’m going to die like this….”

Anxious about his well-being, the official crossed the threshold of the Sogul-daemun gate, marked with a sign that read ‘Night Duty Station (宿直所).’

Beyond the main gate of the night duty station, a small garden appeared. To the left and right of the garden, two smaller gates faced each other, each with a sign: ‘Male Official (男官)’ and ‘Female Official (女官).’

Looking at the stark signs, the official chuckled humorlessly.

“Hmph! Every time I see it, it feels so devoid of romance….”

Typically, when naming a building, people chose a concise name filled with symbolism and meaning. For something that separated men and women, like this night duty station, they would carefully select Chinese characters representing yin and yang [complementary opposites].

But the signs here were simple, direct, and utterly lacking in flair.

Passing through the gate to the male official’s quarters, the official continued to grumble.

“I don’t know who named it, but they must have been incredibly annoyed…. Well, is that really the problem right now?”

As the official grumbled, Sejong [King Sejong the Great, r. 1418-1450] and Hyang [likely a reference to a person involved in the naming] felt a sudden itch in their ears.

“Why are my ears so itchy?”

Hyang had chosen the names, and Sejong had approved them without a second thought.

* * *

The official entering the male official’s night duty station examined the wall beside the entrance.

“Let’s see…. An empty room….”

The wall was divided into square 칸 [kan, compartments or slots], numbered 1 to 4. Inside each 칸, small nails were 박혀 [bakhyeo, hammered in]. A mukpae [wooden tag] hanging on a nail indicated that the room was occupied.

“Hmm…. Building 2 still has space.”

After checking the occupancy, the official hung his mukpae on the 칸 for Building 2 and went inside.

Beyond the entrance, a courtyard larger than the first unfolded. Four large buildings surrounded the courtyard, connected by 회랑 [hoerang, covered corridors]. This design allowed officials to move between buildings without getting wet in the rain or snow.

The official, now in Building 2, checked the walls on either side of the entrance again.

“Which room is it…. There it is!”

Finding a vacant room, the official hung his mukpae on the door he had 찍은 [jjigeun, chosen] and entered.

Thus, the official’s resting place for the night was decided, and he entered another world of officials.

* * *

Inside the room, the official scanned the two-story bunk beds lining the walls, searching for an empty space.

“That seat’s still available!”

The official’s face lit up as he spotted an empty bunk one space away from the window.

A bunk right next to the window would mean being blinded by the morning sun, while one next to the door would mean being disturbed every time it opened. Therefore, a bunk 적당한 거리를 두고 [jeokdanghan georireul dugo, at a moderate distance] from both was a 명당자리 [myeongdangjari, a prime spot].

The official, having chosen his spot, took off his 관복 [gwanbok, official robes] and spread it on the upper bunk.

The official, spreading out his 관복, 작게 중얼거렸다 [jakge jungeolgeoryeotda, muttered softly].

“Hoo~. When will I ever get to use the lower bunk?”

* * *

There was an unspoken rule about the bunk beds in the night duty room: the lower bunk, being more convenient, was reserved for officials of higher 품계 [pumgye, rank].

According to the traditional classification, 당상관 [dangsanggwan, high-ranking officials] – or 관리관 [gwanligwan, managing officials] and above under the revised system – were given private rooms. However, 당하관 [danghagwan, lower-ranking officials] had to share a room regardless of their specific rank. Over time, this unspoken rule had developed.

Therefore, officials of lower rank had to choose a room that was less than half full when looking for a place. And if it seemed like their work would end too late, it wasn’t uncommon to simply spread out a 자리 [jari, mat] in the office and sleep there.

* * *

The official, having secured his spot, headed to the communal bath in 바지저고리 차림 [bajijeogori charim, wearing only his pants and jacket].

“Ah~. I’m finally going to live!”

The official, returning from relieving his 피로 [piro, fatigue] in the bath, 반색 [bansaek, was delighted] to see another official placing his 관복 in an empty seat.

“Who is this? Shin Hyung, is that you?”

The official, turning at the sound of his name, 반색하며 답했다 [bansaekhamyeo daphaetda, replied with delight].

“Seong Hyung! It’s been a long time!”

The two men, expressing their 반가움 [bangaum, pleasure], were Seong Sam-mun and Shin Suk-ju.

* * *

Shin Suk-ju, having returned from relieving some of his 피로 in the bath, made small talk with Seong Sam-mun across a small 탁상 [taksang, low table] in the night duty room.

“How is the Ministry of Education doing?”

Seong Sam-mun answered with a bitter smile.

“It’s always noisy. There’s a constant 설전 [seoljeon, debate] between those who insist on teaching even one more word of Seonghyeon [teachings of the sages] and those who want to focus more on practical matters. I wonder how much the minister had to say to settle it.”

Seong Sam-mun sighed.

“Hoo~. If I had known this would happen, I should have gone to the 감사원 [gamsawon, Board of Audit] as I originally wanted. I shouldn’t have been 넘어 가면 안되었는데 [neomeo gamyeon andwaeotneunde, shouldn’t have been swayed] by Jo Daegam’s [Daegam is a respectful title] persuasion….”

In the 임용 시험 [imyong siheom, civil service examination] of the year Muo (1438, the 20th year of King Sejong), Seong Sam-mun passed with excellent grades.

After that, Seong Sam-mun, who continued to excel in the 이어 진 연수 과정 [ieo jin yeonsu gwajeong, subsequent training courses], immediately caught the eye of the ministers and vice ministers, and soon they were trying to 회유 [hoeyu, entice] him – fishing would be a more accurate description.

“I want to go to the 감사원! I want to do my best to eliminate 부정부패 [bujeongbupae, corruption] and make this Joseon [historical Korean kingdom, 1392-1897] more beautiful!”

Seong Sam-mun’s will was firm, but Jo Gye-saeng, the Minister of Education, was persistent.

“That’s a truly beautiful intention, but straightening out education is also important. There’s an old saying that if you think about a hundred years, you should raise people.”

In the end, Seong Sam-mun joined the Ministry of Education due to Jo Gye-saeng’s persistent 회유.

And Seong Sam-mun, entering 실무 [silmu, practical work], 눈물지었다 [nunmuljieotda, shed tears] while looking at the sky.

“I was crazy….”

* * *

Seong Sam-mun, answering with a sigh, asked Shin Suk-ju.

“How is Shin Hyung? Is life in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 할 만하오 [hal manhao, manageable]?”

Shin Suk-ju also answered with a 울상 [ulsang, tearful face].

“My wife says that I now 잠꼬대 [jamkkodae, talk in my sleep] in four languages. It was three languages a while ago, but now I’m learning Latin….”

“Oh dear….”

The relationship between Seong Sam-mun and Shin Suk-ju had formed during the 연수 과정.

The two, who passed the same Muo year’s 임용 시험 with excellent grades, also showed 두각 [dugak, distinction] in the 연수원 [yeonsuwon, training institute].

In the end, Seong Sam-mun was 낚여 [nakyeo, hooked] to the Ministry of Education and Shin Suk-ju to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the ministers’ and vice ministers’ fishing.

* * *

As the two were talking, a 걸걸한 목소리 [geolgeolhan moksori, rough voice] was heard.

“I heard a 익숙한 목소리 [iksukhan moksori, familiar voice] and came over, and there’s Geunbo (謹甫, Seong Sam-mun’s 자 [ja, courtesy name])!”

Seong Sam-mun, turning at the sound of his 자, quickly got up from his seat.

“Gwon Jusa-nim [Jusa is a rank]!”

Gwon Ram, taking a seat on the lower bunk while receiving Seong Sam-mun’s 깍듯한 예 [ggakdeuthan ye, respectful greeting], looked at Shin Suk-ju and spoke.

“It seems like you have a 친분 [chinbun, acquaintance] with our Geunbo?”

“I am Shin Suk-ju.”

“Ah! You’re the one from the 소문 [somun, rumors]! I heard you’re fluent in 어학 [eohak, languages]?”

“You flatter me. I’m just a little 할 따름이지요 [hal ttareumijiyo, only a little].”

As Shin Suk-ju answered 겸손히 [gyeomsonhi, humbly], another 목소리 [moksori, voice] was heard.

“If that’s just a little, your 선배 [seonbae, senior] wouldn’t be 욕먹을 [yongmeogeul, getting cursed] so much, would they?”

Shin Suk-ju, turning at the 난데없이 끼어든 목소리 [nandeopsi kkieodeun moksori, voice that suddenly interrupted], immediately 고개를 숙였다 [gogaereul sugyeotda, bowed his head].

“Han Jusa-nim, you’ve arrived?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Han Myeong-hoe, answering lightly, looked at Gwon Ram sitting on the lower bunk and immediately said one word.

“Oh my! Our Sohandang [Gwon Ram’s pen name] is occupying the lower bunk! When did you 승차 [seungcha, get promoted]?”

“I’m just sitting down because I’m tired. 잠시 [jamsi, for a moment]! Why are you 트집 잡나 [teujip japna, nitpicking] so much? Like a 소인배 [soinbae, petty person]!”

“소인배? I don’t think the person who kicked me as soon as they saw that my work was hard is in a position to say that?”

“I was dragged in like ‘아닌 밤중에 홍두깨’ [anin bamjunge hongdugge, out of the blue] and 맡았는데 [mateunneunde, took on] the work, so consider it fortunate that it ended with a 발차기 [balchagi, kick]!”

Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-mun 심각하게 고민했다 [simgakhage gominhaetda, seriously pondered] while watching Han Myeong-hoe and Gwon Ram exchanging conversations with 살벌한 눈초리 [salbeolhan nunchori, fierce glares].

‘Should I stop them, or not?’

Unaware of the two men’s 고민 [gomin, worries], the two who were exchanging words 살벌하게 [salbeolhage, fiercely] with each other 어느새 어깨동무를 하고는 밖으로 나섰다 [eoneusae eokkaedongmureul hagon bakkuro naseotda, suddenly put their arms around each other and went outside].

“Let’s go wash up!”

Shin Suk-ju and Seong Sam-mun were 허탈해지는 [heotalhaejineun, feeling drained] while watching the two 사라지는 [sarajineun, disappear] while 하하 호호 [haha hoho, laughing heartily].

* * *

Gwon Ram and Han Myeong-hoe, returning from taking a bath, immediately 끼어들었다 [kkieodeureotda, joined] the conversation.

“This is a good opportunity, so let’s share our stories.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Relax. I won’t 잡아먹어 [jabameogeo, eat] you.”

Although Gwon Ram said that, Seong Sam-mun and Shin Suk-ju could never 긴장을 풀 수 없었다 [ginjangeul pul su eopseotda, couldn’t relax].

The two men in front of them were 특채된 [teukchaedoen, specially appointed] officials who had caught the eye of the king and the crown prince. Although their 연배 [yeonbae, age] was similar to theirs, their 품계 was higher. To be exact, they were Jusa-bo [Assistant Instructors], while the two in front of them were Jusa, a one-grade difference. But these two were 예정 to be 올라갈 사무관 [yejeong to be ollagal samugwan, scheduled to be promoted to secretary] soon.

And from 사무관 onwards, if there were no 어지간한 실수 [eojiganhan silsu, significant mistakes], they could 올라갈 고위 관료 [ollagal gowi gwallyo, rise to high-ranking officials], so the door to 승진 [seungjin, promotion] was wide open.

In the end, the 주도권 [judogwon, control] of the conversation 넘어갔다 [neomeogatda, passed] to Gwon Ram and Han Myeong-hoe.

As stories were exchanged about this and that 근황 [geunhwang, recent news], Han Myeong-hoe asked Gwon Ram.

“I heard that Gangjung (剛中, Seo Geo-jeong’s 자) is doing well these days?”

When Han Myeong-hoe mentioned Seo Geo-jeong, Gwon Ram shook his head slightly.

“He’s good at his job, but the 평 [pyeong, reputation] is not very good.”

“The 평 is not good? How?”

“He came to the 조정 [jojeong, court] at a young age and has been 익혀 실무 [ikhyeo silmu, mastering practical work]. It’s good that his ability is outstanding, but…. His 성질 [seongjil, temperament] is not good.”

“성질?”

“It’s 더러워 [deoreowo, foul]….”

Gwon Ram, answering briefly, glared at Han Myeong-hoe and 투덜거렸다 [tudeolgeoryeotda, grumbled].

“That 순진하고 착했던 애 [sunjinhago chakaetdeon ae, innocent and kind kid] is full of 독기 [dogi, venom] and lives with 욕 [yok, curses] in his mouth. Why did you 끌어들여 [kkeureodeuryeo, drag] even that 어린아이 [eorinai, child]….”

Han Myeong-hoe 가슴을 치며 억울해했다 [gaseumeul chimyeo eokulhaeeotda, beat his chest and protested] at Gwon Ram’s words.

“I’m 억울하네 [eokulhane, wronged]! I only 답했을 뿐이네 [daphaesseul ppunine, only answered] when His Majesty asked who 동문 [dongmun, alumni] were! I’m 억울해!”

“Talk about that later. He’s 예정 to be 승차 as a 서기관 [yejeong to be seungcha as a seogigwan, scheduled to be promoted to secretary] in the 총무부 [chongmubu, General Affairs Department] in this 인사 [insa, personnel changes]….”

‘I can’t 차마 못 해 주겠네 [chama mot hae jugenne, bear to see] that he grinds his teeth when he hears your name.’

Gwon Ram was 불쌍하게 바라보는 [bulssanghage baraboneun, pitifully looking at] a 동문 who seemed like his future would be 암울해질 [amulhaejil, bleak] for some reason.