Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 64

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

Variables (3)

After Jo Mun-dan departed for Beijing, the King’s order was delivered to Sungkyunkwan [Joseon’s highest educational institution].

“Therefore, I urge the students studying at Sungkyunkwan to follow my command.”

The Jisa [a Sungkyunkwan official], who read the royal decree, looked at the students.

“Why are you studying at Sungkyunkwan? Isn’t it to serve and help Joseon flourish? A good opportunity has come, so don’t delay your entry into officialdom.”

Having finished speaking, the Jisa left Myungryundang [the main lecture hall of Sungkyunkwan].

As soon as the Jisa left, the remaining students began to murmur among themselves.

“Lee Hyung [an honorific title for an older male], what are you thinking of doing?”

“Kim Hyung, what about you?”

“I am thinking of entering officialdom. I have been at Sungkyunkwan for five years already, and I am not confident about the upcoming civil service examination next year, so I cannot miss this opportunity.”

“I feel the same way. I am also concerned about my parents’ hardships, and this seems like a good opportunity.”

Many of the students staying at Sungkyunkwan decided to enter officialdom, but there were also quite a few who did not.

“What’s the point of entering officialdom now? You’ll only end up as a low-ranking official of the ninth rank. It’s foolish.”

“You’re right. If you’re born as a man and dream of entering officialdom, shouldn’t you start at least as a sixth rank?”

“Hahaha!”

According to the Joseon system at the time, the quota for those selected through the higher civil service examination was 33. Among them, the top scorer, the Jangwon [the top scorer], started as a sixth rank. The rest were divided into categories of Gap, Eul, and Byeong according to their scores. According to that classification, the lowest Byeong category graduates, 23 of them, started as a ninth rank. The lowest ninth rank was for those who entered through miscellaneous exams or special recruitment.

In other words, those who were talking like that were aiming for the top score in the higher civil service examination. However, among those who were talking like that, there were very few who actually had that level of skill. Most of them were children from wealthy families.

What was important to them was the prestige of being a Sungkyunkwan student. Just having that allowed them to maintain the status of the yangban [the aristocratic class] for at least three generations and receive tax exemption benefits.

The Minister of Taxation, who had compiled a list of Sungkyunkwan students who volunteered to enter officialdom, immediately handed the list to the Chief State Councilors.

“How many are there in total?”

“143.”

“Hmm…”

The Chief State Councilors’ expressions became complicated at the Minister of Taxation’s answer.

“It seems like a decent result…”

“But I don’t know why I feel so uneasy.”

“I agree.”

The number of students enrolled in Sungkyunkwan was 200. The fact that 143 of them had applied was quite a large number. However, both the Minister of Taxation, who had compiled the list, and the Chief State Councilors, who had checked the list, felt a prickling unease.

In the end, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik took the list.

“Anyway, this is all who have come forward within the set deadline, so let’s report it to His Majesty.”

“We must.”

* * *

“Tsk!”

King Sejong’s first reaction to checking the list submitted by the Chief State Councilors was to click his tongue.

“143? I thought Sungkyunkwan’s quota was 200. The rest didn’t apply?”

“That is correct.”

“Why?”

The Minister of Taxation answered Sejong’s question.

“They say the reason they stay at Sungkyunkwan is to aim for the higher civil service examination…”

Before the Minister of Taxation could finish speaking, Sejong clicked his tongue. Immediately, the Minister of Taxation bowed his head.

“I am deeply sorry!”

“Why should you be sorry? It’s just that I don’t like the Sungkyunkwan students, who are supposed to be the talents who will be responsible for the court in the future. How can they be so narrow-minded? Tsk!”

As Sejong clicked his tongue, Hwang Hee interjected. Whatever the matter, as Sejong said, the Sungkyunkwan students were the future of the court.

“They are still inexperienced…”

“What nonsense are you talking about! The breadth of vision is not a matter of experience but a matter of aptitude! Are you thinking of filling the court with such people!”

At Sejong’s rebuke, Hwang Hee had to prostrate himself.

“I am deeply sorry! Please forgive my mistake!”

“Why is His Majesty like this? Tsk!”

“I am deeply sorry!”

Hwang Hee had to bow his head even further at Sejong’s words.

Sejong, who had been glaring at Hwang Hee, asked the Minister of Taxation a question.

“Leaving Sungkyunkwan aside… what are we going to do about the future?”

“First, the Sungkyunkwan students will learn mathematics and commerce. The period is set for about three months.”

“Three months… so we will start the monopoly business from next year?”

“That is correct. In the meantime, we will secure the stock of sugar and build the buildings where the monopoly offices will be located.”

Sejong nodded at the Minister of Taxation’s answer.

“That’s appropriate. Then how will you allocate personnel?”

“First, we will deploy a Jibeui [Junior 3rd rank official] to each of the eight provinces, and Sagin and Jangnyeong [Senior 4th rank officials] to the Bu [large towns], Daedohobu [larger administrative divisions], and Mok [major districts]. Finally, we will deploy Jwarang [officials of the 5th or 6th rank] to the Dohobu [administrative divisions] and Gun [counties].”

“Hmm…”

Sejong stroked his beard and considered the Minister of Taxation’s explanation.

“Their ranks are lower than the local magistrates, including the governors.”

“We took into account the morale issues of the local magistrates.”

“I see…”

Sejong nodded at the Minister of Taxation’s answer.

By deploying those with lower ranks than the local magistrates, starting with the governors, they avoided offending the pride of the local magistrates. However, it was not such a low rank that the local magistrates could look down on them. And since it was an organization directly connected to the court, the local magistrates would not be able to treat them carelessly.

‘It will be harder for the local officials to rest easy.’

However, Sejong continued to bombard the Minister of Taxation with questions.

“It’s a good method, but wouldn’t there be a shortage of personnel in the corresponding ranks to send them like that?”

“That is correct. Therefore, we will select officials with good performance evaluations and first grant them acting ranks. And we will decide whether to change that acting rank to a real rank, promote them, or demote them based on the results of their work for one year.”

“So, the minimum service period when assigned to a monopoly office is one year?”

“That is correct. We plan not to assign them to one place for more than two years, no matter how long they work.”

What was monopolized at the monopoly offices was salt and sugar. As they were almost essential to the people’s diet, it was certain that enormous wealth would be exchanged, and considering the things that would be added in the future, it was essential to keep rotating the officials to prevent corruption.

“Then, the Sungkyunkwan students will fill the vacancies left by those officials leaving?”

“We will primarily fill them by promoting existing officials. The method is the same as for the officials going to the monopoly offices in the outer regions. We will give the Sungkyunkwan students acting ranks based on their performance during the training period and assign them tasks.”

“What rank do you plan to give the Sungkyunkwan students?”

“From Junior 9th rank to Senior 6th rank.”

“Senior 6th rank…”

Sejong considered this again.

The point at which a regular civil service examination top scorer started their official career was Junior 6th rank. However, although it was an acting rank, it was one rank higher, Senior 6th rank. Although they were planning to gradually increase the number of officials, even with that increase, the standards for the promotion process were also expected to become increasingly strict.

Sejong, who had been estimating the possibilities based on the personnel plan and future plans presented by the Ministry of Taxation, looked at the Minister of Taxation.

“Everyone will work desperately.”

“That is the goal.”

Sejong, who heard the Minister of Taxation’s answer, came to a conclusion.

“Good! Proceed according to the Minister of Taxation’s plan!”

“I obey your command!”

“However! Although it is an acting rank, pay the salary according to the rank! If the work is hard, we should at least pay them well.”

“I will engrave it in my heart!”

Later, Hyang, who heard this plan, muttered with a bitter expression. “Interns must be desperate in the 21st century and Joseon.”

And those who had decided to stay at Sungkyunkwan had to regret it bitterly.

“Senior 6th rank!”

* * *

Meanwhile, a major commotion broke out in the Ministry of Taxation as a large number of new recruits came in. The reason for the commotion was the ‘Myeonsinrye (Exemption from Newcomer’s Ritual)’ ceremony [a traditional, often abusive, welcoming ritual for new officials].

With a large number of new recruits coming in from Sungkyunkwan and existing officials being promoted, the superiors did not remain still.

Not only did they set up extravagant tables and treat them, but all sorts of bizarre things happened, and the Office of the Inspector General raised an objection to this.

“Such outrageous behavior!”

Sejong exploded with anger upon receiving the objection.

The atrocities of the Myeonsinrye were famous from ancient times, and the kings of Joseon had been trying to eliminate this evil practice for generations.

Sejong himself had punished officials who had performed the Myeonsinrye just the previous year, in the year of Gyemyo (1423).

“It was just last year that I issued an order prohibiting the Myeonsinrye! Have you seen such outrageous people! Minister Ho! What have you been doing!”

At Sejong’s scolding, the Minister of Taxation clung to the floor.

“Please kill me!”

“What have the Chief State Councilors been doing!”

At Sejong’s rebuke, the Chief State Councilors also had to cling to the floor.

“Please kill me!”

“What did you do to those outrageous people who performed the Myeonsinrye!”

“First, they are confined to their homes…”

“Eunuch! Immediately summon the Uigeumbu Jinmu [officers of the Royal Secret Investigation Bureau]!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

By the enraged Sejong, all the officials who had performed the Myeonsinrye were imprisoned in the Uigeumbu prison.

Sejong, who received the report, gnashed his teeth and glared at the ministers.

“The law is that the orders of the king must be obeyed no matter what… Do you see me as a joke?”

“Please kill me!”

“If you don’t see me as a joke, why did this happen!”

“Please kill me!”

The ministers had to cling to the floor, following the Chief State Councilors and the Minister of Taxation. Sejong’s roar flowed over the heads of such ministers.

“Is all you can say is to kill you? Shall I really do that!”

“I am deeply sorry!”

After a while, the Uigeumbu Jinmu, who had been summoned, entered the Pyeonjeon [the King’s council chamber]. Sejong immediately ordered the Uigeumbu Jinmu.

“Immediately arrest the officials of the Ministry of Taxation who are confined to their homes and imprison them!”

“I obey your command!”

According to the enraged Sejong’s order, 23 officials were imprisoned in the Uigeumbu prison. Sejong, who received the report, gnashed his teeth and muttered.

“How should I deal with these damned bastards…”

Hyang, who had run to the Pyeonjeon after hearing the rumors, smiled bitterly at Sejong’s appearance. It was because the memories of the 21st century came to mind.

The freshman welcoming party that took place after entering university in the 21st century was a memory that Hyang wanted to forget unconditionally.

The villains in the name of seniors fed them ‘Sabalju’ [a drink mixed in a bowl] mixed with all sorts of bizarre filth or made them drink until they were almost dead.

‘This damned evil practice…’

Hyang, who was smiling bitterly while recalling the nightmare of the 21st century, spoke to Sejong.

“Father. The officials of the Ministry of Taxation seem to have enough time to perform the Myeonsinrye.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong’s expression turned evil.

“Is that so? But they said they were short of staff and asked to increase the number of people?”

At Sejong’s words, the Minister of Taxation shouted with a pale face.

“Absolutely not! We are truly short of staff!”

“But they have enough time to perform the Myeonsinrye?”

“That is the work of a few officials who have forgotten their duties!”

The Minister of Taxation desperately made excuses. Watching such a Minister of Taxation, Hyang said to Sejong.

“Father. Listening to the words of Minister Ho, it seems that those impious people who disobeyed Father’s orders this time are quite capable.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Not only the Minister, but all the other officials are crying out for more people because they have so much work to do. In such a situation, the fact that they performed the Myeonsinrye means that they have finished all their work and still have time left, doesn’t it?”

“Ah! That’s right! Looking at it that way, they were quite talented people!”

“That’s right.”

As the ministers listened to the conversation between Hyang and Sejong, an unknown sense of unease gradually began to rise.

While the ministers were trembling with anxiety, Hyang came up with a way to use them.

“The organization of the household registration data and copies of the land register that were investigated during the last cowpox vaccination has not yet been completed. Those who are now imprisoned are capable enough to finish their work and have time left to perform the Myeonsinrye, so how about entrusting them with this task?”

“That’s right!”

Sejong clapped his knees at Hyang’s words.

“That’s a brilliant idea! Minister Ho! How long did you say it would take to organize the household registration data and copies of the land register?”

“It will take another five years…”

“Immediately put those involved in this incident into the organization work! The period is one year! If they don’t finish it within that time, they will be immediately exiled! The exile period will be proportional to the amount they haven’t finished! If 10% remains, they will be exiled for one year, and if 50% remains, they will be exiled for five years! Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes, yes!”

The Minister of Taxation answered, sweating profusely at Sejong’s words. Watching such a Minister of Taxation, Sejong continued.

“While they are doing the organization work, deduct 80% of their salary. There is no need for their families to suffer as well. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I understand perfectly!”

“Then execute it immediately!”

“Yes! I obey your command!”

In this way, the saying ‘Document organization is more frightening than execution or exile’ became popular among the officials of the Joseon Dynasty.