Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 521

521. Rolling, Rolling… (2)

Crown Prince Consort Wan, and Princes Du and Seul all turned 14 this year.

* * *

Hyang had six sons and three daughters with the Crown Princess Consort, Yangwon, and Yangje.

The children, born two to three years apart, each had unique birth stories. Unlike the Wan, Du, and Seul brothers who were born on the same day and time, these children were born within a day or two of each other. And unlike the difficult births of the Wan, Du, and Seul brothers, these births were easy. Rumor had it that the Crown Princess Consort, Yangwon, and Yangje, who shared a good relationship tinged with a sense of competition, had somehow orchestrated this outcome.

“Truly a miraculous event!”

The ministers and eunuchs continuously congratulated Sejong, calling the births ‘miraculous’ and celebrating the arrival of healthy children.

“Thank you. It is indeed a joyous occasion that the children are born healthy,” Sejong replied to the ministers with a pleased expression.

Hyang, equally busy receiving congratulations and responding to them, looked up at the sky and muttered, “If they had been born on the same day and time three times in a row, it would be obvious someone was interfering.”

Interestingly, the people reacted in a particular way. Every time Hyang’s children were born, Sejong and the court would hold discount events at the Monopoly Agency [a government-run store]. Each time, the people flocked to the entrance of the Monopoly Agency as if it would burst, sweeping away all the goods.

The people, having developed a taste for these discount events, shared stories about them, half in jest and half in earnest.

“Should we offer a devotion so that they continue to have many children in the future?”

“Right? The country encourages large families, so the superiors must set an example.”

“Of course! Of course!”

“They’ve had nine so far, right? It’s better to avoid the unlucky number nine, don’t you think?”

“Absolutely!”

After going on secret excursions to confirm these rumors through various channels, and even receiving offerings of everything from eel to bokbunja [Korean black raspberry wine] from the people, Hyang finally burst into anger.

“Am I the seed-sowing machine of the East Palace [the Crown Prince’s residence]! And why is the unlucky number nine even being brought up!”

After hearing the report that ‘the Crown Prince said this and got angry,’ Sejong summoned Hyang and said only one thing: “Then am I the seed-sowing machine of Gyeongbok Palace [the main royal palace]?”

“….”

* * *

In any case, all the children born were intelligent.

“Indeed, you can’t steal the seed…,” those in charge of the children’s upbringing and education would say, nodding in agreement.

Sejong, the grandfather, possessed deep knowledge and outstanding abilities that were admired not only by the people of Joseon but also by foreigners. In addition, all the achievements made by Hyang, the father, evoked awe beyond mere admiration.

Moreover, the women chosen as Hyang’s partners were not only beautiful but also thoroughly vetted for their knowledge and intellectual abilities during the selection process.

Because the children were born to such parents, their intelligence was remarkable enough to be called prodigious.

Looking only at the Wan, Du, and Seul brothers, who were the eldest, they began learning at the age of five, were recognized for their academic abilities at the level of the Sammin Academy [elementary school] at the age of six, and were recognized for their academic abilities at the level of the Junghak Academy [middle school] at the age of nine.

Sejong was pleased with the better-than-expected results, but Hyang scrutinized them carefully.

“Are you sure this has been properly verified?”

“Yes, it is. Anyone can accept the results.”

“Let’s do it again.”

“Pardon?”

“I will prepare the questions, so let’s do it again.”

Faced with Hyang’s firm decision, the official in charge of the brothers’ education, the Ganghak official [education official], had to step back.

Seeing this, Sejong asked Hyang, “Aren’t you being too strict?”

“These are the children who will inherit the throne of this country and their brothers. There is a saying among the people, ‘If the upper stream is clear, the lower stream will be clear.’ These children have been educated separately because they are royal descendants. There will definitely be those who question it.”

“Wouldn’t it be enough to severely punish those impious people?”

Hyang shook his head at Sejong’s words. “If that happens, they will think they are suppressed by power, not that they accept the results. We must make them accept the results. There should be no suspicious eyes, so that there will be no restrictions on the future actions of those children, and this must become a tradition to prevent this country from becoming corrupt.”

‘Well, I don’t think Sejinyo [a type of corrupt official] will come out…,’ Sejong thought.

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s words. “You are right. Carry it out.”

“Yes.”

Thus, Lee Soon-ji of the Research Institute and other officials created questions for the academic verification of the Wan, Du, and Seul brothers.

The completed questions were stored in the Research Institute’s vault, and the vault was surrounded by sealing paper.

And, as a control group to objectively assess the brothers’ skills, graduating students from the Junghak Academies located in Hanseong [old name for Seoul] took the same exam.

The court officials and the gossips of Hanseong all focused their attention on the results of this exam.

* * *

The Junghak Academy students in Hanseong were considered to have the highest level of students among the Junghak Academies throughout Joseon.

Thanks to this, among the local elites, there were even cases of families providing private tutoring for their children to enter the Junghak Academy in Hanseong, as well as boarding them at the homes of relatives living in Hanseong to meet the qualification requirement of ‘limited to residents of Hanseong’.

* * *

As a result of grading the exams conducted in this way, the Wan, Du, and Seul brothers were ranked in the top 10.

“At the age of nine?”

“As expected, blood doesn’t lie….”

While the gossips of Hanseong admired the excellence of the Wan, Du, and Seul brothers, the court officials began to set their sights on the remaining seven.

“The top ranks, you say….”

“If we teach them well, they’ll be useful later….”

They were officials looking at the top scorers with the eyes of a wolf eyeing a plump hen.

Through this exam, the academic abilities of the Wan, Du, and Seul brothers were objectively recognized, and no one could argue with it.

However, the aftermath of this exam was quite strong.

The Junghak Academy teachers and parents from all over the country simultaneously submitted petitions.

-Allow us to take the exam as well!

-This can solidify the prejudice that only the Junghak Academy in Hanseong is excellent! We must evaluate it nationwide to eliminate disputes!

As the number of petitions reached the point where they had to be counted in cartloads, Sejong made a decision.

“It would be good in many ways if one could objectively know what one has learned. The excellent will have more confidence and strive to learn, and the lacking will be able to properly recognize and compensate for their shortcomings.”

Following Sejong’s decision, exams were conducted nationwide.

And this became established as a tradition, becoming the origin of the infamous National Scholastic Aptitude Test [Korean college entrance exam].

* * *

The Wan, Du, and Seul brothers, having been recognized for their Junghak Academy academic abilities, were slated to take classes at higher education institutions.

The problem was where to receive education.

“Given the Crown Prince’s disposition, it will undoubtedly be the Gonghak Academy [Confucian academy],” Sejong and most of the court officials thought.

However, Hyang’s choice was the Gunhak Academy [military academy].

“Why?”

When Sejong asked the reason, Hyang immediately began to explain. “Taejo the Great, who founded this Joseon, protected the people from the northern and southern invaders. Since the children inherited that blood, it is only natural that they should be the first to step forward when foreign invasions strike the country. Therefore, they must be sent to the Gunhak Academy. Learning martial arts is possible individually, but the only way to learn everything from tactics to the mindset of a soldier and how to operate an army is at the Gunhak Academy.”

“The Crown Prince Consort must also learn administration, shouldn’t he?”

“Administration is also necessary in the military, so he can learn it there as well.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong was lost in thought at Hyang’s answer, and the ministers admired inwardly.

‘The royal family must come forward first when foreign invasions strike! Truly a wise saying!’

‘I am reminded of the Hwarang [elite warrior group] of ancient Silla!’

While the ministers were all admiring, Sejong pointed out the problem. “Your idea is truly beautiful. However, I cannot hide my worries. If you become accustomed to the military while attending the Gunhak Academy, you may end up handling everything in a military style. No, perhaps that might be good too. Since those who prioritize efficiency the most are the military, efficiency may improve in running the country. However, if you are not careful, you may become a tyrant, insisting on obedience in everything. In addition, the people may suffer as the military is put first. Crown Prince, you must know this, but I cannot hide my concerns.”

Hyang nodded inwardly at Sejong’s words.

‘As expected, you are definitely out of the norm! You’re even progressing to militarism and Songun [military-first] politics!’

“Yes. The part that Your Majesty is concerned about is definitely a worrying part. Therefore, after completing the Gunhak Academy, the Crown Prince Consort will be entrusted with the operation of Area 51 and the Research Institute.”

“As expected!”

As soon as Hyang’s words were finished, the ministers muttered in unison. Hyang glanced at the ministers and continued to speak. “When the Research Institute and Area 51 were first created, a law was made that the Crown Prince would be in charge of their operation. I will extend this to the Crown Prince Consort.”

“Will the operation of the Research Institute and Area 51 be helpful?”

“Most of what is being devised in the Research Institute and Area 51 is to promote the convenience of the people, and the next is for the convenience of the military. In the process of devising knowledge and technology and creating equipment, they will learn to help the convenience of the people. But the most important thing is….”

Hyang paused for a moment, glared strongly at Kim Jeom – who was about to become the Deputy Prime Minister from the Minister of Finance – and then continued to speak. “It is to know the terror of the budget.”

As soon as those words came out, Sejong made a conclusion. “It would be good to do as you plan.”

“Thank you for your grace.”

* * *

On the day the higher education institution for the Wan, Du, and Seul brothers was decided, the ministers who came out after the meeting asked Kim Jeom.

“By the way, Minister. Let me ask you something. Why is knowing the terror of the budget the answer while being in charge of the operation of Area 51 and the Research Institute?”

Kim Jeom explained the reason to the other ministers’ questions. “Like all the institutions of the court, the Research Institute and Area 51 cannot function without a budget. And striving to secure even one more penny of this budget is the same for all institutions.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

When the ministers still didn’t understand, Kim Jeom clicked his tongue. “Tsk! But the Ministry of National Defense is an exception. They routinely exploit His Majesty’s authority, saying, ‘If it is absolutely necessary for national defense, it cannot be helped even if it is somewhat unreasonable,’ to extract the budget. However, Area 51 and the Research Institute are places where they can secure the budget smoothly even without authority.”

Hwanghee asked at Kim Jeom’s words, “I don’t think that’s possible, but His Highness the Crown Prince?”

Kim Jeom shook his head at Hwanghee’s question. “No. When I look at the documents they submit to secure the budget, I have nothing to say.

The usage of the budget received this year and its results. And the economic effects created by the results (Note 1). The increased tax revenue through the economic effects and the tax revenue expected in the future.

After showing their results in that way, they write down the plans to be carried out next year, and the economic effects that the results of the plans will bring, and then write down how much budget is needed.

In this process, they make everything into accurate figures and submit it. There is no room to cut anything.

So, if the Crown Prince Consort operates the Research Institute and Area 51 and learns the process, wouldn’t he know exactly what the economic situation of this Joseon is and how it is changing? If he gains experience in that way, wouldn’t things like Songun disappear?”

The ministers all nodded at Kim Jeom’s words. However, Jo Malsaeng raised his voice instead. “Hey, Minister! Let’s speak properly! What nonsense is it that our Ministry of National Defense received more budget through authority! If our Ministry of National Defense received the budget in that way, would the military officers shout the slogan ‘Our main enemy is the Ministry of Finance!’ at drinking parties?”

Kim Jeom shouted at Jo Malsaeng’s words, “Shall we open the books once! Huh!”

* * *

Note 1) In ‘Black Company Joseon’, the word ‘gyeongje (economy)’ is replaced with the word ‘gyeongse’.

Looking at the origin of the economy, it is said that Fukuzawa Yukichi replaced the word ‘economy’ with gyeongje during the Meiji Restoration in Japan, and it became established.

(https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/201701171130037294)

A word similar in meaning to ‘economy’ came out during the Song Dynasty, ‘gyeongsejemin (經世濟民)’, and it seems that it would be better for Joseon Dynasty officials, who were Confucian scholars, to use the word gyeongse, so I am arbitrarily changing it, so I hope you will look at it with a broad understanding.