Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 76

Clangra

Hello, Bomb!

76. Let’s Make Money! Let’s Trade! (2)

March, Year 7 of Sejong (1425, Year of Eulsa).

Amidst the busy preparations for the Lesser Civil Service Examination, Kim Ta, a Jibeui (officer) of the Office of the Inspector General, submitted a memorial (formal written petition to the king).

“The six-year term for local officials is unjust! It must be reverted to three years!”

This memorial sparked a debate—or rather, a plea from the officials—with Sejong and his ministers.

* * *

When Joseon was founded, the term of local magistrates was three years—or, to be precise, 30 months. Consequently, performance evaluations were conducted annually, influencing promotions, demotions, and dismissals.

However, upon Sejong’s ascension to the throne, changes were made to the terms of local magistrates.

This was not Sejong’s unilateral decision.

The initial proposer was Ha Ryun.

“Since local officials come from other regions to govern, it takes time for them to understand the specific circumstances of their districts. The Ming Dynasty faced similar issues and addressed them by setting the term of local officials to six years. Having observed its effectiveness, I believe it is right to adopt this system.”

Following Ha Ryun’s proposal, Heo Jo, who became the Minister of Personnel, and Ryu Jeong-hyeon, the Chief State Councilor, actively supported the extension, leading Sejong to increase the term of local officials to six years.

To be precise, it wasn’t an increase from three to six years, but from 30 to 60 months. Evaluations of local officials’ performance were conducted every 10 months, making the terms effectively three and six years, including the evaluation periods.

With the extension of their terms, the local officials themselves expressed significant dissatisfaction.

The source of their discontent was the issue of promotion.

The lowest-ranking local official, the Hyeon-gam (district magistrate), held the rank of Jong 6-品 [Jong 6-品, Junior 6th rank], while the Hyeon-ryeong (county magistrate), who governed slightly larger areas, held the rank of Jeong 6-品 [Jeong 6-品, Senior 6th rank].

However, advancing to higher ranks in Joseon’s bureaucracy required a considerable amount of time.

Taking the Higher Civil Service Examination as an example, the top scorer was granted the rank of Jong 6-品, while those who passed with a C grade were given the rank of Jeong 9-品 [Jeong 9-品, Senior 9th rank]. It took these Jeong 9-品 officials anywhere from a few years to over a decade to rise to Jong 6-品.

Therefore, serving six years in a local post was akin to abandoning any hope of advancement.

“Damn it! Even if I’m a Jong 9-品, I need to stay in Hanyang [old name for Seoul] to pull some strings!”

“They say a Jeong 7-品 [Jeong 7-品, Senior 7th rank] in Hanyang is better than a Jong 6-品 in the countryside!”

Despite their grumbling, the local officials diligently performed their duties.

Failure in the performance evaluation every 10 months could cost them their meager positions.

As a result, local administration functioned quite smoothly after the implementation of the six-year term, and the people’s livelihoods were stable.

Of course, there were local officials who operated completely independently of these factors.

They were the 도관찰출척사 (Province Governor), or Gwan-chal-sa.

The Gwan-chal-sa, at the apex of the local official hierarchy, held the rank of Jong 2-品 [Jong 2-品, Junior 2nd rank] and served a one-year term.

Given this situation, local officials engaged in gift-giving to influential ministers, hoping to shorten their terms.

Thanks to these gifts, the ministers continuously argued that six years was too long and should be reduced to three.

“If local officials are away in their posts for six years, they face difficulties in supporting their elderly parents back home. This is unfilial and contrary to the teachings of the sages, so I believe it is right to reduce the term to three years.”

“There are instances of local officials barely avoiding dismissal. The people in the districts governed by these officials face immense hardship enduring them for six years, as reported in memorials.”

“Being away from home for six years creates problems in educating and marrying off their children. There is an old saying, ‘Cultivate yourself and manage your family before governing the state.’ Six years is too long, so please reduce it to three years.”

Each time the ministers spoke like this, Sejong clearly expressed his refusal.

“Supporting elderly parents is commendable, but governing the people is also important. Instead, bring your parents to your posts. The same goes for the education and marriage of your children.”

“What can you accomplish in three years? Even the smallest district has hundreds of residents, and it takes at least a year just to understand their circumstances. Moreover, frequent changes of magistrates lead to irregularities in the inspection of government warehouses. I will not allow it!”

* * *

It was in this context that Kim Ta submitted his memorial again.

After reading the memorial, Sejong glared at his ministers.

“I believe I have repeatedly stated that the term for local officials will be six years, have I not?”

In response to Sejong’s question, Chief State Councilor Yi Jik stepped forward.

“The situation has changed, Your Majesty.”

“The situation has changed? Explain.”

At Sejong’s command, Yi Jik explained the reason.

“Although the 경장 (Gyeongjang, Reforms) have been implemented since last year, the vast majority of local magistrates do not yet fully understand them. As time passes, the 경장 will continue to grow in scale, but if the local magistrates, who are at the forefront of the administration and closest to the people, fail to implement them properly, the 경장 will face significant obstacles. Therefore, if we revert the term of local magistrates to three years and continuously rotate officials between the central government and the local posts, we can proceed with the 경장 more smoothly.”

“However, such frequent changes of magistrates will lead to discrepancies in the inspection of granaries, including 환곡 (Hwangok, government loan grains). How will you address this issue?”

Without hesitation, Yi Jik immediately pointed out,

“전매소 (Jeonmaeso, Monopoly Shops) of the Ministry of Taxation have already been established up to the 군 (Gun, county) level. While the primary function of these 전매소 is the monopoly of salt and sugar, another task is to investigate and manage the land and population of the 군, as well as the surrounding 현 (Hyeon, districts), so there will be no major problems. Even if issues arise on the magistrates’ side, the Ministry of Taxation can handle them.”

“Doesn’t the Ministry of Taxation also rotate its personnel annually?”

“However, those dispatched by the Ministry of Taxation are experts who have been professionally trained in 산학 (Sanhak, accounting), and they primarily focus on their duties when the market opens to sell salt and sugar, so there are fewer errors.”

“Hmm….”

At Yi Jik’s explanation, Sejong stroked his beard and pondered.

Seeing that Sejong’s reaction was not negative, Yi Jik continued to persuade him.

“Consider what the Ministry of Taxation experienced last year. How much trouble did we face due to the failure to properly grasp the 호적 (Hojuk, population registry) and land?”

Recalling the incident famously known as the ‘Ministry of Taxation’s Self-Inflicted Wound,’ Sejong nodded.

‘Almost there!’

Confirming Sejong’s reaction, Yi Jik moved to solidify his position.

“When the 경장 reaches its final stage, tax and military affairs will be transferred to officials directly dispatched by the Ministry of Taxation and the Ministry of War. Once this happens, there will be no need for local magistrates to be tied down for six years.”

“Hmm….”

At Yi Jik’s explanation, Sejong stroked his beard and pondered.

The high-ranking and low-ranking officials gathered in the Pyeonjeon Hall swallowed hard as they watched Sejong’s expression.

After contemplating for a long time, Sejong nodded and opened his mouth.

“Your opinion seems to have merit, so let us consider it.”

At Sejong’s decision, Yi Jik immediately bowed deeply and replied,

“Your benevolence is boundless! May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years!”

Simultaneously with Yi Jik’s cry, the other officials also bowed deeply and shouted,

“Your benevolence is boundless! May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

The historian recorded all these scenes without omission.

-… Thus, His Majesty decided to consider it, and the high-ranking and low-ranking officials, moved by His benevolence, shouted for ten thousand years.

The historian comments.

The ministers must have been exhausted.

That day, the faces of the ministers leaving the Pyeonjeon Hall were unusually flushed.

As they passed through the Geunjeongmun Gate, the Chief State Councilor turned to look at the officials.

“We cannot simply let a day like today pass by! I will pay, so let’s go!”

“You have worked hard, Chief State Councilor, so we should pay! We will treat you!”

* * *

Meanwhile, Sejong, left alone in the Pyeonjeon Hall, burst into laughter.

“Pfft!”

“Your Majesty, is something the matter?”

At the question of Sangseon, who was standing by, Sejong waved his hand.

“It’s nothing. It’s nothing.”

Although he concluded it that way, Sejong knew the ministers’ feelings.

‘We can’t be the only ones to die! If we’re going to die, let’s all die together!’

Chuckling to himself as he organized his thoughts, Sejong muttered softly.

“Since it’s always good to have as many people who know the work as possible, it should be fine.”

The next day, in a gathering of all the high-ranking and low-ranking officials, Sejong made his decision.

“I will accept your esteemed opinions regarding the local magistrates. Set an appropriate date for implementation.”

“Your benevolence is boundless!”

“Your benevolence is boundless!”

* * *

Around the time when the civil service examination ended and the weather began to warm up.

As in the previous year, Joseon, having prepared in advance, was able to overcome the spring famine without major disturbances.

During the spring famine, across Joseon, they repaired the weirs and reservoirs that had not yet been fully maintained and dredged the rivers.

The residents of Hanyang and its vicinity were mobilized for the dredging of the Han River.

Although it was quite a difficult task, the people were even willing to volunteer for the dredging work since the country was paying wages.

While they were moving busily, the court carried out cowpox vaccinations again, following the previous year.

Thanks to having already done it nationwide last year, the second cowpox vaccination was completed faster and more easily than expected.

Meanwhile, Hyang was preparing to release one by one the things he and his researchers had developed.

“Your Highness, are you checking the inventory?”

Hyang, who was inspecting the items piled up inside the warehouse of Area 51, nodded at Yi Cheon’s question from behind.

“Are you thinking of releasing them now?”

“Yes, I should start releasing them soon. Releasing these will alleviate His Majesty’s concerns to some extent.”

At Hyang’s words, Yi Cheon nodded.

“That is correct.”

As Yi Cheon agreed, Hyang solidified his resolve.

“I should contact the Minister of Taxation soon.”

However, due to an incident that occurred externally, Hyang had to temporarily halt his plans.

The Hongxi Emperor of Ming had died.

The court was put on high alert at the news that ‘the new emperor of Ming had died.’

“The words of the physiognomist and the royal physician were correct then.”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

Yi Jik immediately replied to Sejong’s words.

“Prepare the envoys for condolence and prepare the mourning altar.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And, do you have any information about the crown prince who will become the new emperor?”

As soon as Sejong finished speaking, Hwang Hui stepped forward to answer.

“There are rumors that he was greatly favored by the late emperor.”

“Is that so? What is his personality like, personally?”

“There are rumors that he is proficient in both literary and military arts. That is why the late emperor favored him so much.”

Hwang Hui’s answers to Sejong’s questions were seamless.

Having been severely burned once last year, the preparations he had made in the meantime were now shining.

“Hmm… Then, do you think the crown prince, who will become the new emperor, will be as focused on foreign affairs as the late emperor?”

“He is said to be quite cautious. And… it is difficult to even put into words, but there is a rumor that has come in through the 상단 (Sangdan, merchant guild).”

“A rumor? What is it?”

Sejong expressed interest in the words ‘a rumor that is difficult to even put into words.’

“There is a rumor that the ambition of the Prince of Han (漢王), Zhu Gaoxu, is very great.”

“Oh? Is the source reliable?”

Hwang Hui immediately replied to Sejong’s question.

“It is said to be a rumor that is slowly circulating among the merchants in Beijing.”

“Hmm….”

Stroking his beard as he organized his thoughts at Hwang Hui’s answer, Sejong issued an order.

“Select an appropriate 상단 and send them as 상관 (Sanggwan, government-approved merchants) and convey my orders to the merchants and officials staying in 상관. Tell them to collect all information about the new crown prince and the Prince of Han.”

“I obey the command!”

“And send a messenger to the border and tell them to strengthen the defenses. If Ming falls into chaos, the Jurchens will also cause trouble.”

After giving orders to Hwang Hui, Sejong sighed.

“Hoo~. This is just great… I was trying to get some work done, and now this happens.”

* * *

“Ugh! Either way, that damn China is no help!”

“Your Highness!”

As Hyang grumbled, the eunuch following behind was horrified.

“I didn’t say anything. Nothing at all! Understand?”

At Hyang’s warning, the eunuch made a tearful face and nodded.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Either way, there’s no privacy in this palace. No privacy….”

Having silenced the eunuch, Hyang grumbled as he moved towards the research institute next to the Crown Prince’s residence.

“Crown Prince…”

“Shh! Everyone is busy working, so be quiet.”

“Yes.”

Hyang, who had silenced the eunuch who was about to call out, walked quietly down the hallway.

Just as he arrived in front of the room with the train model, Hyang frowned.

“Haa~. Haa~. It’s so cool! The best!”

Hearing the excited moans mixed in from inside, which could easily be misunderstood by anyone who heard them, Hyang asked the eunuch in front of him,

“Yu?”

“Yes, it is Prince Yu, Your Highness.”

At the eunuch’s answer, Hyang sighed.

“That’s a severe case….”

Hyang swallowed the words that followed.

‘Even I, in the 21st century, wasn’t that bad at that age!’

* * *

After the death of the Hongxi Emperor, the Joseon court could not afford to relax its vigilance due to the information coming from Ming.

Upon hearing the news that the emperor had died, the crown prince, who was staying in Nanjing, immediately departed for Beijing.

The Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu, who had been dreaming of seizing the throne, attempted an assassination along the way, but Zhu Zhanji safely overcame the crisis and arrived in Beijing to ascend the throne.

Afterwards, Zhu Zhanji, the new emperor, was bestowing many favors to appease Zhu Gaoxu, just like his father.

However, according to information obtained by officials and merchants staying in 상관, Zhu Gaoxu was constantly looking for opportunities.

Unable to relax his vigilance due to the continuing crisis, Sejong complained to his ministers.

“If he’s going to start a rebellion, he should just do it right away. Why is he being so cautious… It’s exhausting….”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

The ministers nodded at Sejong’s words.

This was because the ministers’ workload had doubled due to the crisis of 외환 (Oe-hwan, foreign troubles) that had struck while the 경장 (Gyeongjang, Reforms) were still in progress.

“Hoo~.”

Sejong, who let out a long sigh, looked at the ministers.

“Now! Let’s get to work! Work! It is said that working is the best thing to do when you have a headache! Let’s work!”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers let out silent screams.

‘Isn’t resting the best thing to do when you have a headache!’

—-

Note 1) In actual history, the memorial was submitted in June.