Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 655

655. This Time, Let’s Add Firewood, Lots of It (1)

Year of Gyeong-o (1450, 32nd year of King Sejong). Winter.

From the vernal equinox at the beginning of the year until the Mid-Autumn Festival, the northern territories were in turmoil due to large-scale population transfers. While the Europeans, whom some might call country bumpkins, were enjoying sightseeing in Hanyang after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Hyang made a significant decision.

“Let’s finish it before the year ends!”

It was the abolition of the era name (年號) [a system where each emperor or reign period is given a specific name].

After achieving victory against Ming, claiming the title of emperor and establishing a new era name was the logical next step. Therefore, Hyang and his ministers had begun preparations.

The era name itself was what troubled Hyang and his ministers during this process.

It was common to express the new emperor’s policy direction metaphorically or to select words from ancient texts that had meanings suitable for comforting the people. Alternatively, they would use a word combined with ‘元’ (Won) [meaning ‘beginning’ or ‘origin’], to declare a new start as the era name.

However, the prerequisite Hyang set was the problem.

-Since we have broken away from the Central Plains [a historical term for China, often viewed as the center of civilization] and are taking an independent path, anything already used or similar to what the emperors of the Central Plains have used must be completely excluded.

As a result, starting with the words containing ‘元’ (Won) being filtered out, many candidate words that were nominated began to be eliminated.

“So, this is why the one reign per era system (一世一元制) [a system where each emperor uses only one era name throughout their reign] was created….”

All the ministers searching for words nodded at Hwang Hee’s grumbling.

Since Emperor Wu of Han used the era name system, more era names had been recorded in historical books than the countries that appeared and disappeared in the Central Plains.

This was because there were no set rules for changing the era name. Consequently, there were more than a few monarchs who used multiple era names during their reign, and in times when the country was divided into many nations, each nation often used its own era name, so words that seemed decent had all been used at least once.

Among them, one word that the ministers regretted the most was ‘永樂’ (Yeongnak).

The era name used by Gwanggaeto the Great, the ruler of Goguryeo, was Yeongnak. However, it had become an ambiguous era name to reuse because the Yongle Emperor of Ming had already used it.

“If we want to use it, we can, but considering the habits of those Central Plains people, it would be worse than not doing it….”

At Hwang Hee’s words, Kim Jong-seo cautiously brought up a conspiracy theory.

“Could they have used it knowingly?”

“Used it knowingly?”

At Kim Jong-seo’s words, all the ministers’ eyes lit up and their ears perked up. As always, when things are difficult, there is nothing more enjoyable than speculating.

Kim Jong-seo presented the basis for his conspiracy theory.

“Where did the Yongle Emperor receive as his fief before ascending to the throne? It was Yan (燕) [a historical state in ancient China]. It’s close to the Liao River and Liaodong. In that place, the traditions of the old Goguryeo would have continued to be passed down. Think about the stone monument discovered in the northern territories not long ago. The possibility is high enough.”

At Kim Jong-seo’s words, all the ministers pretended to know.

“Ah…. That stone monument!”

* * *

After taking control of the northern territories, the court conducted a thorough investigation to properly organize the administrative structure of the northern territories.

Although the situation was not yet complete, a vast amount of human and material information was being newly updated, and unexpected historical records were being discovered.

Among them, there was a discovery that made not only the court but also the scholars in the private sector turn their eyes.

It was the discovery of the Stele of Gwanggaeto the Great [a monument erected in 414 AD to honor the achievements of King Gwanggaeto of Goguryeo].

At first, it was thought to be from the Jurchens or the Jin. However, Hyang, upon receiving the report, firmly ordered.

“Do not think of it as something from the Jin or Jurchens and investigate it in detail!”

“It will consume a lot of time and budget.”

“Who ruled that land before the Jin and Jurchens? It was Goguryeo!”

At Hyang’s pointing out, Hwang Hee and the ministers immediately bowed their heads and replied.

“We almost made a mistake that would have left a regret for eternity! We will immediately send someone to investigate in detail!”

That was how the Stele of Gwanggaeto the Great revealed its identity.

Hyang, who gave the order, muttered inwardly.

‘Although there are more historical records left compared to the 21st century, the Three Kingdoms period [a period in Korean history from 57 BC to 668 AD] is already an era that can be called a legend.’

* * *

In any case, due to these various circumstances, the era name was still undecided even after the founding of the empire.

With only a few words suitable for use as an era name remaining, Hyang also became troubled.

“Why are the remaining words only things like ‘Meiji (明治)’ [the era of Emperor Meiji in Japan, known for modernization] or ‘Restoration (維新)’ [referring to periods of reform and change]….”

Meiji or Restoration were good in meaning themselves. However, in Hyang’s memory, these words were very unpleasant words.

In the end, Hyang came to a conclusion.

“Let’s abolish the era name system!”

“Yes?”

At Hyang’s decision, the ministers all wore perplexed expressions.

“However, Your Majesty. According to the law….”

Hwang Hee tried to argue against it, but Hyang cut him off.

“Whose law is that?”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t using era names and the one reign per era system also from the Central Plains? Now that we have declared that we will break away from the shadow of the Central Plains and go on the path of independence and self-reliance (獨立自强) [a policy of maintaining independence and strengthening oneself], when will we continue to follow the laws of the Central Plains? Also, think about the habits of the Central Plains people. They exaggerate one into ten, so if we follow the era name system, they will surely say something different in the future.”

Hwang Hee, who had been contemplating for a while at Hyang’s pointing out, stepped forward and replied.

“What Your Majesty has said is truly reasonable, but there will be those who do not understand the meaning and will resist. I will come up with a plan to persuade them and present it to you.”

“What is the need to come up with a plan? Just have them discuss it.”

In this way, notices were posted again in government offices throughout the country.

-Our Joseon has finally broken away from the shadow of the Central Plains and has embarked on the path of independence and self-reliance. Therefore, we intend to abolish the era name system as a symbolic meaning. Discuss this.

-If the era name is abolished, there will be a problem with the era reckoning (紀年) [the system of numbering years] afterward. As a way to solve this, we must decide whether to use the Dangun Era [referring to the mythical founder of Korea, Dangun] based on the founding of Dangun or to make the founding of the Empire the first year. Discuss this.

The deadline is the end of this month.

As soon as these notices were posted, memorials began to pour in from all over the Korean Peninsula for the first time in a while.

And this sight also caught the eyes of the European scholars who were still staying in Seoul.

“What is written on that bulletin board?”

“That is….”

The European scholars, who heard the explanation through interpreters and monks, could not hide their surprise.

“No, is the emperor asking the people for answers? Is there no problem with that?”

“Why would that be a problem? That is also one of the channels of communication (言路) [a channel for the people to express their opinions to the government].”

The interpreters, in response to the European scholars’ questions, instead looked puzzled and answered, and the monks answered with a bitter smile.

“The monarchs of this country often do this. Thanks to this, the top and bottom communicate well. Of course, there is also talk that this is the emperor’s fishing….”

“Fishing?”

The professors who heard the monks’ explanations were all filled with admiration.

“Such a method!”

“How wise it is to be able to continuously obtain new talents in that way!”

“It is a truly excellent method because it not only obtains talent but also knows public opinion!”

While admiring it in that way, the professors were also confused on the other hand.

The existence that confused them was Hyang.

“I thought he was a venomous, arrogant, and deeply scheming man, but is that not the case?”

“Is he the closest to the philosopher king (哲人王) [a concept from Plato’s Republic, where the ideal ruler is a philosopher] that Plato imagined? That venomous speaker?”

* * *

The contents of most of the memorials that poured in were positive about the abolition of the era name system.

-It is a matter of breaking away from the shadow of China, which calls itself the center of civilization (中華) [a term used to refer to China, emphasizing its cultural and historical importance], so the abolition of the era name system is a reasonable measure.

Since most of the memorials had similar content to the above, Hyang and the ministers were able to breathe a sigh of relief. However, there was a part that was divided even in the memorials, and that was the issue of era reckoning.

– Since Dangun is the founder, it is right to use Dangun as the origin.

– The Dangun Era is good, but it is better to make the founding of the Empire the origin. The Empire is no longer just an empire of Joseon people. Many residents of different regions have already become citizens of the Empire, so insisting on the Dangun Era may be a source of discrimination.

In this way, a debate broke out over the era reckoning, and a large-scale debate took place with memorials as well as posters being put up. And at the center of this debate was the Institute of Confucian Studies.

* * *

-To study the old scriptures and inform the people living now of the right path.

The Institute of Confucian Studies, which was established in the latter half of the Gyeongjang [likely referring to a specific period or reign], with the above purpose, was a place where those selected from among officials and local scholars gathered to reinterpret and discuss the scriptures.

Naturally, it was a composition that caused disputes from the very composition of its members, so it was famous as a place of fierce debate from the beginning of its establishment.

As an aside. Hyang’s question, which had created a controversy among the intellectual circles of Europe, created a similar controversy here as well.

-Regarding the words of the ancient sages, is Zhu Xi’s interpretation truly the only correct answer?

A fierce debate took place on this topic, and a new academic style similar to a mixture of textual criticism, Yangmingism [a Neo-Confucian school of thought], and historical research began to be created.

* * *

Among the members of the Institute of Confucian Studies, scholars from the gentry supported the Dangun Era, and officials supported the founding year of the Empire – also known as Gaechun.

And as intellectuals from the Jurchens participated here as new firewood, the center of gravity gradually began to shift towards ‘Gaechun’.

-Even if Joseon people are excluded, there are more than a few imperial citizens of different origins. Insisting on the Dangun Era may be a source of discrimination.

-If we use the Dangun Era, we must also allow the concurrent use of the Buddhist Era (佛紀).

“Why the Buddhist Era?”

“The Jurchens believe in Lama Buddhism. If we make a mistake, the Jurchens may rise up. Then it will become a headache….”

In the end, Gaechun, which made the founding of the Empire the origin, became the era reckoning as the best way to solve these and other problems.

* * *

January of Gaechun 2 (1451, Year of Sinmi).

The ships to take the European professors back finally arrived.

“Do we finally have to leave….”

“It’s a pity, it’s a pity!”

The professors who had been eliminated from the selection and had to return could not hide their disappointment, while the professors who were staying were excited and talking.

“It feels new to be in a position to learn again at this age.”

“Still, isn’t learning new things a joyful thing?”

“That’s right.”

Amidst the joy and sorrow among the professors, their appearances were all conveyed to Hyang and the ministers.

“Seeing them enjoy learning, they seem to be scholars after all.”

Hyang nodded at Hwang Hee’s words. However, Hyang’s inner thoughts were the opposite.

‘Future test takers will suffer even more.’

Hyang was already unaware, or deliberately ignoring, that the future history field, no, history itself, especially East Asian history, had become the worst labor-intensive job group due to what he had done.

“What do I care!”

* * *

Giovanni, who arrived in Seoul, immediately visited Hyang and paid his respects.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

“I am truly pleased to see you in good health despite having to make long voyages every year.”

“I am truly grateful that Your Majesty is so concerned.”

“Then, I hope you will resolve the task you have been entrusted with well.”

“Thank you.”

Giovanni, who came out after paying respects to Hyang, proceeded to have a meeting with Heo Hu.

“This is the quantity of Eulshik muskets and Hwachas [Korean rockets or fire arrows] that we will purchase this time. The payment has been prepared in silver.”

Heo Hu, who checked the list of items in the document that Giovanni handed over, lit up his eyes.

“Is the quantity quite large?”

“I intend to see the end of this tiresome war within this year.”

This was the intention of Henrique and Mehmed II rather than Cosimo’s intention. And France was behind that.