Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 70

Jjanggeura

Helo-Bomb

70. People (3)

Even when Yi Sun-ji was preparing for the civil service examination in his hometown, he enjoyed solving mathematical problems for leisure more than memorizing Confucian classics.

His talent was so remarkable that his parents were deeply concerned.

“Husband, shouldn’t we just let Sun-ji focus on technical work?”

“Technical work? Heavens, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that! Even if he passes the technical exams, he’ll only get a low-level position. What about the family’s reputation?”

“Even after passing the preliminary and main exams, you need family backing to rise above a high-ranking official. Does our family have that kind of power?”

“Ahem!”

“And, do you think our Sun-ji has that much potential?”

“Well, cough! That’s true, but…”

Yi Sun-ji’s father trailed off.

He knew his son’s aptitude for academics to some extent.

He was mediocre in Confucianism, an essential element for success as a scholar-official, but he was unparalleled in mathematics.

The problem was Yi Sun-ji’s personality.

He was cheerful and adaptable, but he also possessed a sharp tongue that could silence or turn people into enemies with just a few words.

The biggest problem his father saw was that sharp tongue.

‘Even if he achieves great success, he’ll create trouble with that tongue.’

In the end, Yi Sun-ji’s parents reached a tentative agreement.

“The preliminary exam is coming up soon, let’s decide after seeing the results.”

And when Yi Sun-ji returned from the preliminary exam and announced the joyous news—not only had he passed, but he was also entering an organization directly under the Crown Prince—Yi Sun-ji’s parents were ecstatic.

“Catch all the cows in the village! Catch the pigs, catch the chickens, catch everything you can! A great event has occurred in our family! It’s a feast!”

“Yes!”

“Wait! Wait!”

Relatives and friends who had rushed over after hearing the news of the joyous event at Yi Sun-ji’s house tried to stop Yi Sun-ji’s father as he went on a rampage.

“If you catch cows and pigs, you’ll end up seizing the pillars of the house! [Referring to selling off essential family assets.] I know it’s a joyous occasion, but you’re overdoing it!”

“Is this an ordinary joyous occasion? My son, my son! He’s going directly under His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! What does it matter if I seize the pillars of the house!”

“Going directly under His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a good thing, but isn’t the start a low-level position? And shouldn’t you also think about the wealth to use for Sun-ji and his wife’s living expenses in Hanseong [the capital city, now Seoul]? They’ll be poorly paid as it is, are you going to make them live in utter poverty?”

“Huh? Th, that’s right.”

Yi Sun-ji’s father came to his senses at his relative’s advice.

And so, although the scale was reduced from what was expected, a fairly large feast was held. It was such a grand feast that even the local official in charge of Yangseong came to offer his congratulations.

* * *

As he settled into his position at the research institute, Yi Sun-ji demonstrated his talent.

He passed the elementary mathematics course in just ten days, the intermediate mathematics course in just one month, and the advanced mathematics course, taught by Huihui people [likely referring to Muslims or those from Central Asia knowledgeable in mathematics], in two months.

Hyang, upon receiving the new recruits’ mathematics education report cards, shared his thoughts with Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji.

“I would like to grant Yi Sun-ji the rank of Senior Fifth Rank.”

“But, he just passed the preliminary exam.”

“We don’t mind, but there may be objections from other parts of the court.”

Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji expressed concern about Hyang’s opinion, but Hyang shook his head.

“If someone has the ability, they should be treated accordingly!”

“That’s true, but…”

“Then I have nothing more to say.”

Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji agreed with Hyang’s assertion. They had also received something in return.

* * *

At the last audit, the two were recognized for their contributions and promoted to the positions of Senior Second Rank Jeongheon Daebu [a high-ranking honorary title] and Junior Second Rank Gajeong Daebu [another high-ranking honorary title].

Their official ranks remained the same, but their honorary titles were elevated.

Such benefits were not limited to them. Among the officials of the research institute, those with lower ranks were promoted, and those above the Junior Third Rank had their honorary titles elevated.

These benefits also extended to the artisans who had worked together.

Jang Yeong-sil’s position was changed from Byeoljwa [an unpaid, lower-level position] to Jeongrang [a paid, higher-level position].

“Your, Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

Jang Yeong-sil, upon hearing that his position had been changed from Byeoljwa to Jeongrang, shed tears and thanked Sejong and Hyang.

Rising from a slave to Byeoljwa was already a miraculous event, but changing from Byeoljwa, an unpaid position, to Jeongrang, a position with an actual salary, was another significant step.

Jang Yeong-sil was not the only one who had his life bloom.

The artisans of the Military Supplies Department, including Go Ya-jang, also had changes in their positions and departments.

They moved to positions directly under the research institute. In the process of such transfers, responsible artisans like Go Ya-jang were promoted from Chambong [a lower-level artisan position] to Bongsa [a higher-level artisan position].

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

“I will dedicate my life!”

The artisans, like Jang Yeong-sil, shed tears and expressed their gratitude upon hearing that their ranks had been raised.

In Joseon society [the historical Korean kingdom from 1392-1897], where there was discrimination based on the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, they, who had been treated worse than farmers, had achieved a ‘rise in status’ where they could be called ‘officials’.

What particularly moved them was that Sejong himself had bestowed the newly elevated ranks upon them. This was Hyang’s doing.

“Wouldn’t it be good if Father personally congratulated them?”

“Me?”

“If Father personally congratulates them, they will have hope and will be absolutely loyal to Father.”

Sejong pondered Hyang’s words.

Hyang’s words were a good suggestion.

Currently, the scholar-officials stood between the commoners at the bottom, like them, and himself, the king.

For a king like Sejong, the scholar-officials were a ‘double-edged sword’.

They were the king’s strong supporters, but at the same time, they were the ones who tied the king’s hands and feet.

After a moment of contemplation, Sejong came to a conclusion.

“You are right!”

Thus, Sejong personally summoned Jang Yeong-sil and the artisans, bestowed official certificates upon them, and encouraged them.

“The reason I am distributing these certificates to you is to praise you for your past achievements and to warn you at the same time. The higher your rank, the greater your responsibility. Do not forget this, and do your best.”

“We will engrave your solemn command in our hearts!”

“We will dedicate our lives!”

Sejong’s eyes fell upon Hyang’s face, filled with pride, as he listened to the artisans’ tearful responses.

Seeing that, Sejong added a word in the moment.

“I am calling you ‘you’ now, but I hope that the day will come when I and the Crown Prince will call you ‘gentlemen’ instead of ‘you’. May I expect that?”

“We will risk our lives to meet Your Majesty’s expectations! We will never disappoint you! Long live His Majesty the King!”

“Long live!”

“Long live!”

It was the moment when a support base that could almost be called ‘religious’ was created for Sejong and Hyang.

* * *

Because there was such a precedent, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji did not show much resistance to Hyang’s words and immediately agreed.

As soon as the two agreed, Hyang immediately requested approval from Sejong.

“Senior Fifth Rank? Isn’t that too high?”

“In the case of the Sungkyunkwan [Royal Academy] students and the preliminary exam passers from last time, it was Senior Sixth Rank. So…”

“That’s what I’m saying. Even those who received the best grades there start at Senior Sixth Rank, isn’t Senior Fifth Rank too much?”

“It’s because he is capable enough.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong firmly expressed his refusal.

“If that ability is only based on academic performance, I cannot acknowledge it. If you want to give him that rank, bring me results that can prove it. The highest rank I can allow now is Senior Sixth Rank.”

“But, Father.”

As Hyang was about to object, Sejong raised his hand to stop Hyang’s words.

“Crown Prince. I know very well that you are smart and handle things reliably. And I also know that you value rewarding merit and punishing wrongdoing.

However, the most basic thing in all of that is ‘fairness’ and ‘justice’.

This Yi Sun-ji may be a talented person, as you say. No, he must be talented.

However, if we give him Senior Fifth Rank right away according to your request, will those working in other departments accept it?

They will think that it is because he entered your research institute, not because they recognize Yi Sun-ji’s talent.

Therefore, I have no choice but to give him Senior Sixth Rank. Do you understand what I mean?”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang nodded.

“Yes, Father. I will follow Father’s will.”

“Thank you.”

Thus, Yi Sun-ji started as a Senior Sixth Rank official.

* * *

“Oh, I’m done for!”

“I’m going to die, I’m going to die!”

“This is hell!”

The graduates who entered with Yi Sun-ji began to groan as they experienced life at the research institute.

The mathematics classes that started as soon as they entered were difficult, but the actual work was even harder.

When the new researchers complained, the veteran researchers who saw this said a word.

“Is it hard? Can’t you do it? Then tell His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and move your position. We only need to bring in those who want to come here from among those who graduated with you. Rather than suffering with guys who work reluctantly, we just need to do a little more of the hard work we were already doing.”

At the veteran researcher’s words, the new researchers immediately shut their mouths.

The work at the research institute was hell, but the outside was also hell.

Escaping this hell meant resigning and leaving, but due to the newly changed system, leaving meant becoming just commoners.

Even if they took the civil service exam again and entered, they would have to start all over again in the same hell.

As the new researchers despaired, the veteran researchers subtly offered a carrot.

“Don’t just think it’s hard, find a sense of accomplishment in your work. If you do it right, not only His Royal Highness the Crown Prince but also His Majesty will give you a lot of rewards. And this work is also fun if you do it.”

The veteran researchers at the research institute had reached the point of ‘enjoying the pain’ in just one year.

No, they had become enthusiasts while traveling around the country and conducting various experiments in Area 51 [a playful reference to a secret research location, adding a touch of humor].

While other new recruits were going through a difficult time, Yi Sun-ji was actually enjoying every day.

* * *

Thanks to his outstanding talent in mathematics education, Yi Sun-ji was able to be put into practical work in less than four months.

However, as his talent was so outstanding, it was only natural that those who envied him would emerge.

In addition, Yi Sun-ji was the youngest among those who entered together.

On top of that, he received the highest rank.

In the end, they soon began to call Yi Sun-ji a ‘weirdo’.

“Hey, weirdo!”

“Where are you going, Mr. Weirdo?”

Whenever they called him a weirdo, Yi Sun-ji responded with a smile.

“Hahaha! What is it?”

However, as soon as he judged that those who envied him had crossed the line, Yi Sun-ji immediately began to fight back.

With the highest rank among the new recruits, ‘Jwarang’ [a specific official title], the position of ‘Research Supervisor’, and another talent that only his family knew. ‘Verbal abuse’ was his weapon.

Yi Sun-ji’s job was to review the assignments that the researchers brought.

“Here are the results. Please review.”

Yi Sun-ji, upon receiving the results, began to recalculate with a hum.

“Let’s see. Hmm… Hmmm? Huh? This calculation is wrong.”

“Yes? Where?”

“This part here. How can you make a mistake on something so easy… Were you thinking about the courtesan at your favorite gisaeng house [a traditional Korean house of entertainment] while calculating?”

“Ugh…”

From then on, Yi Sun-ji’s verbal abuse began to pour out on the researchers.

“Haha… How can you make a mistake on something so easy… You need to take the mathematics class again.”

“Oh my… Isn’t this the most basic addition? How can you make a mistake in addition? If mental calculation is difficult, write out the formula, write out the formula!”

“You’re writing out a formula with just this? Are there papers to spare?”

“You made a mistake on this? Calculate while counting on your fingers and toes! What are you going to do if you make a mistake on the most basic single-digit addition and subtraction!”

“Is the thing on top of your neck just there because you’d feel empty without it, or is it there to make you think?”

“Is your skull three times thicker than others? Otherwise… Even if you had a brain the same size as others, you could solve it… It’s impossible to make a mistake on something so easy! It’s a problem that you can’t make a mistake on unless you have a much smaller brain than others!”

“Are you good at using your strength at night? If you work like this, your promotion is gone, so you have to be good at using your strength at night to avoid being divorced, right?”

……

“Ugh!”

“Oh! That guy!”

The researchers who were thoroughly *털리고* [a Korean slang term for being completely and utterly defeated or humiliated] by Yi Sun-ji had to vent their frustration while looking at the moon as soon as they left the government office and passed through the palace gate.

Yi Sun-ji’s notoriety immediately reached the ears of superiors such as Jeong In-ji and Jeong Cho.

“That Jwarang seems to be making people work very hard.”

Jeong In-ji immediately replied to Jeong Cho’s words.

“Yes, that’s right. However, it is also true that the results are coming out a little better as a result.”

“In order to handle subordinates, a person may have to be a bit harsh, so let’s leave it alone for now.”

Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji nodded at Yi Cheon’s suggestion.

“Let’s do that.”

In fact, the three of them were all thinking similar things, although they didn’t say it out loud.

‘It may be presumptuous, but that Jwarang may get along well with His Majesty the King or His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Neither of them has a good personality.’

The truth was, all three of them were not hearing good things about their personalities from their subordinates.

Rather, everyone was saying something behind their backs as they watched Yi Sun-ji being trusted by Jeong In-ji and Jeong Cho.

“Birds of a feather flock together!”

“Do you have to have a bad temper to get a good rank?”