Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 67

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

67. The Woes of the Minister of Taxation

“Haa~.”

The Minister of Taxation sighed, faced with scrolls and books piled high like a mountain.

The Minister of Taxation, who sighed as if the ground would cave in, was named Kim Jeom. In the original history, he would have served as the Minister of Taxation in the early years of Sejong’s reign, then moved to the Ministry of Justice, and subsequently served as the Governor of Pyeongan Province.

However, in this version of history, his fate had changed. Although there had been several regular personnel changes in the court—it was customary for the court’s ministers to move positions regularly once a year—Kim Jeom had remained the Minister of Taxation.

“I can’t tell if this is a blessing or a curse.”

Kim Jeom himself was contemplating whether it was a good or bad thing that he continued to be retained as the Minister of Taxation, but his wife was actually pleased.

“Isn’t it a good thing that you stay in Hanseong [present-day Seoul] and don’t go far away to the countryside?”

However, there was a real reason why Kim Jeom’s wife was happy. If Kim Jeom were to go to the countryside, the most likely assignment would be the Governor of Pyeongan Province. And the place where the Governor of Pyeongan Province resided was Pyongyang, famous as a ‘city of pleasure’.

In any case, after remaining in the position of Minister of Taxation, the beginning of the complete upheaval of Kim Jeom’s daily life of simply doing the work of the Ministry of Taxation was when Hyang was appointed as the Crown Prince.

The appointment of the Heir Apparent as the Crown Prince was quite significant. This was because, even if he was young, he would have some degree of say.

In that sense, Hyang’s appointment as Crown Prince was the beginning of a nightmare for the ministers.

Kim Jeom stared at the golden pen in his hand and muttered.

“The beginning of all this is because of this thing.”

This was because the amount and intensity of work that the Ministry of Taxation had to handle increased rapidly as the production of gold pens was entrusted to the private sector.

“Haa~. It was good at first.”

When he heard that it would be entrusted to the private sector, Kim Jeom felt good. Even he thought that the gold pen was a very useful item.

It was easier to manage than a hair brush, and its lifespan was adequate. Above all, even a second-grade silver pen was cheaper than most hair brushes. Thanks to this, competition to become a company that produces these gold pens would be fierce, and it was certain that a generous gift would come to him.

“I didn’t know that the Crown Prince was so damn smart.”

The Crown Prince, who had obtained the authority to produce gold pens by petitioning the King, created a truly absurd system.

It was called ‘open bidding’.

According to the Crown Prince’s order, the specifications of the gold pens were delivered to the merchants who responded to the bidding.

Under this system, the merchants wrote down the price at which they could produce them and had to undergo a public review under the Crown Prince’s observation. It was the moment when the gift Kim Jeom had expected flew away.

The Crown Prince handed pieces of paper to the Minister of Taxation, the Vice Minister, and the Councilors in charge of the review.

“Unconditionally remove the merchants who wrote down prices lower than this price.”

“What is this price?”

“It is the production cost when the artisans of the Military Supplies Command produce gold pens. It is the average amount including material costs and the wages of the workers. Therefore, unconditionally remove the merchants who wrote down cheaper prices than this amount.”

Kim Jeom questioned Hyang’s words.

“Isn’t it good if it’s cheap?”

Hyang clicked his tongue at the Minister of Taxation’s words.

“The materials for the gold pens made by the Military Supplies Command are all supplied through tribute, so it is difficult to get a lower unit price if you only consider the unit price. But to make it at a cheaper price than that? Do you think that’s possible?”

“… There will definitely be a problem.”

“Furthermore, the gold pens of the selected merchants will be stamped with the plum blossom pattern as a sign that the country has recognized the quality. But what if there is a problem with the quality of such a product? Do you think the people will trust the country?”

“I am sorry.”

Kim Jeom had to bow his head at Hyang’s sharp words. As Kim Jeom lowered his head like that, he heard Hyang grumbling.

“How can the Minister of Taxation of a country be so short-sighted… tsk!”

That’s how Kim Jeom’s ordeal began with the gold pens. In a way, the Minister of Taxation was the first among the ministers to be scolded by Sejong and Hyang.

* * *

The Minister of Taxation’s ordeal became even more intense with the nationwide implementation of cowpox vaccination.

In the process of implementing cowpox vaccination, the registers of Joseon’s [historical Korean kingdom] eight provinces were reorganized. And the first batch of the reorganized registers was submitted to Sejong. And Sejong, seeing the numbers, issued a stern order to the ministers.

“The last time the registers were organized was only two years ago, but the population has increased so much in just two years? Can the ministers believe this!”

“I am sorry!”

“Don’t create things to be sorry about!”

Sejong shouted at the top of his lungs, but the ministers had nothing to say.

Joseon organized the registers every three years. The registers organized in that way were made into three copies, one copy was sent to the relevant county, another copy was sent to the Ministry of Taxation, and the last copy was sent to the regional government offices.

However, according to the household registers recorded in these registers, the population of Joseon at the time of the founding of Joseon (1392) was only about 300,000 people.

Since then, the population of Joseon began to increase rapidly as they continuously settled the displaced people and strongly implemented the census.

And, according to the census conducted two years ago, the population of Joseon was about 1.9 million people.

However, the population of Joseon confirmed through the cowpox vaccination conducted this time was about 4.3 million people.

“Tell me! Tell me! In the past two years, have the people of Joseon done nothing but give birth to children! Is it possible for the population to increase by more than 2 million in just two years!”

“I am sorry!”

“Don’t create things to be sorry about!”

The ministers could only bow their heads continuously at Sejong’s roar.

However, Sejong and the ministers all knew the reason why this happened. This was because the benefits that both the local administrative organizations and the people could obtain while avoiding the burden of taxes, especially tribute, were great.

The people could reduce the burden of tribute, and the local administrators could fill their pockets appropriately.

Sejong, unable to contain his anger, urged the ministers with a reddened face.

“When our Joseon was founded, the people were few and devastated by the exploitation of the nobles, so we reduced taxes! Since less came in, it was natural to spend less, so that’s why we greatly reduced the stipends of the royal family and ministers compared to the previous dynasty!

But look! The actual population is so large, but the population recorded in the register is not even half of that! The country is receiving less taxes, but the people are still not free from poverty, so where has all that wealth gone!”

“….”

“Why are you silent? Isn’t it obvious? If not the Sadaebu [scholar-officials], then who else is there! The very Sadaebu that you are so protective of!”

“I am sorry.”

Sejong gritted his teeth.

“The country is in such a mess right now, but what, the Sadaebu are not guilty? These damn bastards!”

Sejong’s arrows were aimed at the purged ministers. The ministers who heard Sejong’s roar clicked their tongues inwardly.

‘Those people will probably have a hard time being released from exile for the time being.’

‘Considering their age, they probably won’t be released from exile before they die.’

“Hoo~.”

Sejong, forcibly calming his anger with a long deep breath, ordered the ministers.

“Immediately create accurate registers and land registers!”

“We will obey your command!”

“I have included the realization of stipends in the economic reform policy in consideration of your hard work! But do you think it is necessary to show such favor when you work like this?”

“I am sorry!”

“We will handle it with all our might!”

Sejong showed a cold reaction to the ministers’ answers.

“Let’s see!”

* * *

As Sejong’s order fell, the Ministry of Taxation became the most urgent. This was because both the register and the land register were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Taxation. Kim Jeom gathered his subordinates and conveyed the royal order.

“Therefore, both the register and the land register must be supplemented. Do your best, everyone.”

“Minister, but even now, the work is excessive!”

When one of his subordinates protested, Kim Jeom shouted.

“Then write a letter of resignation! Do you think I’m doing this because I like it! Because I like it!”

At Kim Jeom’s roar, the officials of the Ministry of Taxation all became turtle-necked and only watched Kim Jeom’s mood.

“If you have any complaints, deal with the local officials who have done a terrible job! First, find out which places have the most population growth compared to two years ago and report it! ….”

Fifteen days later, Kim Jeom submitted a scroll to Sejong.

“What is it?”

“It is a list of counties where the population has increased strangely while organizing the register.”

“Are there only one or two such counties?”

“That’s true, but it’s especially severe.”

At Kim Jeom’s answer, Sejong unfolded the scroll and read the contents. Sejong frowned as he read the contents carefully.

“This is a bit much….”

There were a total of 12 counties written on the scroll, with the population increasing from 5 times to 8 times at most. Sejong, looking at the list with a deeply frowned face, looked back at Sangseon.

“Call the Grand Censor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Following Sejong’s order, the Inspectors and Commanders belonging to the Office of the Censorate headed to the 12 counties. The officials who arrived in the counties thoroughly investigated the local officials, the clerks, and their direct superiors, and as a result, 26 former and current local officials and 40 clerks received dismissal and exile.

The officials of the Ministry of Taxation, including Kim Jeom, had vented their anger, but soon received compensation for it.

“They’re here again!”

“Again?”

At the report of his subordinate, Kim Jeom grabbed his stiff neck.

“Where is it this time?”

“It’s Gwangju-mok, Jeolla Province.”

“Damn it….”

Kim Jeom spat out a curse.

As local officials suffered a series of misfortunes due to the register’s corruption problem, other local officials desperately created countermeasures to avoid the blade of investigation. They thoroughly searched the records, including those left by their predecessors, and created ‘statements of reasons’.

They individually confirmed the number of displaced people who had successfully settled, their children, and the number of slaves who had been emancipated and became commoners, and created grounds for population growth. They also meticulously recorded the scale of land increased by reclaiming ownerless land and wasteland, and the current owners, and these books were flooded into the Ministry of Taxation every day.

From the Ministry of Taxation’s point of view, after venting their anger, their work had increased several times.

“Heo, heo, heo….”

“Ha! Ha ha! Ha!”

Looking at the accumulating books, Kim Jeom and the officials of the Ministry of Taxation could only let out hollow laughter with a distraught expression.

* * *

While the work was piling up like this, another task was given to the Ministry of Taxation.

“The creation of a nationwide organization to be in charge of the monopoly of sugar and salt.”

“I’m really going to submit my resignation!”

“At this rate, we’re all going to die!”

“We’re going to die anyway!”

When everyone from Kim Jeom to the officials of the Ministry of Taxation was making a desperate decision, Hwang Hee suggested to Sejong ‘recruiting manpower through the civil service examination’ on their behalf.

At Hwang Hee’s suggestion, Hyang submitted a plan to hire ‘Sungkyunkwan [royal university] students’ due to the problem of ‘time and cost’, and Sejong accepted it.

The officials of the Ministry of Taxation, who heard the news that ‘the number of personnel in the Ministry of Taxation will be greatly increased by Sungkyunkwan students’, all cheered.

“His Majesty the King, long live!”

“Long live!”

* * *

“Now! Then, let’s suffer a little more.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Kim Jeom encouraged them, the officials of the Ministry of Taxation regained their energy and engaged in their work once again. However, some officials had too much energy.

“What! Myeonsinrye [ceremony where newly appointed officials are treated by their colleagues]!”

Kim Jeom, who was processing the reports piled up like a mountain, was horrified. Kim Jeom, who jumped up from his seat, asked the Vice Minister of Taxation.

“Who on earth? Where? When?”

“Three days ago….”

“Bring those damn guys here right now!”

After a while, the officials who had performed the Myeonsinrye were brought in front of Kim Jeom in a row.

“How many people are there?”

“There are 23 people.”

“Damn, there are so many….”

Kim Jeom shouted at the officials standing in front of him.

“Are you guys sane or not! Myeonsinrye! Why Myeonsinrye of all things!”

“I’m sorry. But Myeonsinrye is a tradition….”

“You damn bastards! Everyone has forbidden Myeonsinrye for generations! Especially since the current King punished Myeonsinrye just a year ago! What, tra~di~tion~? You’re talking about tradition!”

“I, I’m sorry!”

“How are you going to solve this! The bastards from the Office of the Censorate are already excited and writing memorials, huh! How are you going to solve it!”

“I’m sorry!”

“If you’re going to be sorry, you shouldn’t have done things to be sorry about! Go home and reflect on yourselves right now!”

“Yes….”

The officials in question began to leave Kim Jeom’s room, hesitating at Kim Jeom’s roar.

Kim Jeom, whose insides were bursting at the sight, shouted.

“Do you have shackles on your feet! Get out of here right now!”

“Yes, yes!”

As Kim Jeom had worried, Sejong was furious after receiving the report.

Sejong, who was about to impose the death penalty right away, was offered a suggestion by Hyang. Sejong immediately executed the sentence at Hyang’s suggestion.

It was ‘document sorting punishment’.

It was a punishment that required the sorting of the register and land register, which would take half of the Ministry of Taxation officials five years to complete, to be completed within one year.

If they failed to complete it within a year, an additional punishment of exile awaited them.

Thanks to this, the officials in question could not even go home and had to solve their meals and lodging in the newly created library next to the Ministry of Taxation office.

Although the number of personnel had been increased, the amount of work that the Ministry of Taxation had to handle had increased several times, so everyone from Kim Jeom to the low-ranking officials was always overworked.

In the end, Sejong, who could not stand to see this, ordered the royal kitchen to bestow royal food. To be precise, it was a feast disguised as royal food. Sejong gave a feast to the officials of the Ministry of Taxation and encouraged the officials who attended.

“I am well aware that your work is difficult. However, if the livelihood of this Joseon is to function properly, the Ministry of Taxation must be without problems, so I have no choice but to ask you to put in a little more effort. If the livelihood of this Joseon improves, we will increase the number of personnel, so I hope you will bear with it a little longer and cheer up.”

“We are grateful for your grace!”

The officials all bowed and expressed their gratitude at Sejong’s encouragement.

In this process, a new proverb was created.

It was called ‘The day of receiving royal food from the Ministry of Taxation.’ It was a proverb that ridiculed treating someone well before giving them hard work.

Meanwhile, Sejong handed Kim Jeom a bag of medicine through Sangseon.

“I ordered the royal physician to make a tonic that is good for your body. Take good care of yourself.”

“We are grateful for your grace!”

“I put a lot of precious medicinal herbs in it, so it will be of great help to you.”

“We are grateful for your grace!”

He kept saying words of gratitude, but Kim Jeom heard Sejong’s words like this. ‘You have to pay for the medicine, right?’