Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 843

843. The Daily Life of the Empire (2)

Not all ambitious imperial citizens were solely focused on the challenge records. There were also those who delved into the legal codes, aiming to become Oeji Busa (外知部士) of the Simpanwon—modern-day lawyers or legal professionals.

What’s interesting was the change in nomenclature [the system of naming things].

Since the Goryeo Dynasty, ordinary people found it difficult to write petitions to file lawsuits with the government. There were those who wrote petitions on behalf of these people or provided legal advice to those involved in lawsuits, and they were called Oeji Bu. Most of these Oeji Bu were low-ranking officials or commoners from local government offices.

However, as the Simpanwon [the Empire’s court system] was formally launched during the final stages of the Gyeongjang [a period of reforms], and the Oeji Bu, who were once quasi-legal professionals, were required to have formal qualifications, the situation changed.

In particular, it was crucial that those who accumulated experience for a certain period and recorded a certain percentage of win rates were given the qualification to challenge for the position of middle-ranking judge in the Simpanwon.

As the system was established, those who passed the legal examination had two paths.

They could pass the legal examination and start as a low-ranking judge or prosecutor, working their way up, or they could work as Oeji Bu, meet the qualifications, and rise to a higher position.

In this process, a significant number of people chose to start as Oeji Bu.

“It’s more lucrative than working as a judge or prosecutor, and it’s certain to take less time to move up to a mid-level judge!”

With this calculation, more people chose the path of Oeji Bu.

However, their mistake was not knowing who Sejong and Hyang were.

Sejong and Hyang, who had already anticipated this, had already set restrictions.

-When additionally appointing mid-level judges or filling vacancies, those from Oeji Bu cannot exceed 25%.

-When evaluating those from Oeji Bu, preference is given to those who have handled criminal lawsuits that discuss crimes rather than lawsuits between citizens.

These clauses clearly demonstrated Sejong’s philosophy of ‘There is no easy path, and those with ability are given preference.’

Nevertheless, a considerable number of people chose to become Oeji Bu.

As the number of Oeji Bu from Sadaebu [the aristocratic scholarly class] increased, the name of Oeji Bu changed.

“They are from Sadaebu! And they deal with the law!”

For this reason, the character ‘士’ (sa), meaning ‘scholar,’ was added to the end, becoming ‘Oeji Busa,’ and among themselves, these Oeji Busa called each other ‘Yulsa (律士),’ meaning ‘legal scholar.’

* * *

However, not all Sadaebu in the empire—whether from Bonji, Bukji, or other regions—welcomed this change.

“Those who call themselves Junja [virtuous persons] or Sadaebu are only attached to Mulgwa! (物科) [practical studies, like engineering or economics]”

Conservative Sadaebu and intellectuals collectively referred to these fields, which were not traditional Gyeonghak [Confucian studies], as ‘Mulgwa,’ looking down on them.

However, even among those with these conservative thoughts, there were those who harbored dreams of making a name for themselves.

The field they challenged was Ihak (理學) [Neo-Confucianism, focusing on metaphysics and moral philosophy].

To be precise, it was a researcher position at the Ihak Research Institute.

In conservative Sadaebu families, the title of ‘Researcher at the Ihak Research Institute’ was considered far higher than most government positions.

It was literally ‘the glory of the family.’

However, working at the Ihak Research Institute meant that fierce debates and arguments were daily occurrences, and survival required a constant game of reading the room.

The Ihak Research Institute was a place where various theories emerged, debates and arguments took place, and factions were divided, with rumors overflowing, to the point where the term ‘Baekgajaengmyeong (百家爭鳴) [a hundred schools of thought contend]’—seemed fitting. [This refers to a period of intellectual flourishing and debate.]

To survive in such a place, one had to belong to a decent faction or present an original theory that everyone would evaluate as ‘worth exploring.’

Since the latter was not possible for just anyone, most researchers had to join a faction that suited their tastes and participate in a war that was not a war.

What’s interesting is that even in a situation where there were so many factions and so many theories, there were no people who advocated for ‘Gongsanbunkyun (共産分均) [communal distribution].’

No, the correct answer was that they existed but were immediately expelled.

When a theory based on ‘Gongsanbunkyun’ emerged, the senior members of the research institute and the researchers from bureaucratic backgrounds would raise the issues that Sejong and Hyang had thrown out in the past—with plenty of MSG added [exaggerated for effect].

-The people have more than one or two types of work to make a living, so how do we determine the value of these jobs? Are we going to say they are all the same?

-The same goes for Bunkyun. Is dividing equally the right answer? If those who work hard and those who are lazy receive the same, is this fair?

The answers given by those who advocated for ‘Gongsanbunkyun’ to these questions were mostly full of loopholes.

“Is this all you have to say? And you call yourself a researcher at the Ihak Research Institute!”

In the end, they could not overcome the persistent attacks that took place regardless of faction and were expelled and disappeared.

In this fierce competition for survival, the results coming out of the Ihak Research Institute became increasingly diverse and sophisticated.

* * *

The changes in the empire were not only in terms of academics and technology.

There were also significant and minor changes in aspects closely related to the daily lives of the people.

The most representative part was entertainment.

The most representative of these was the Sadangpae (社堂牌) [traveling troupes of female entertainers].

Before the start of the Gyeongjang, Sadangpae rarely crossed the borders of the province where they were first created.

In simple terms, the Sadangpae of Gyeonggi Province could not leave Gyeonggi Province, and the Sadangpae of Chungcheong Province could not leave Chungcheong Province.

However, with the creation of comprehensive entertainment venues and the laying of railroads, the situation changed. They were able to travel not only throughout Bonji [the main territory] on iron horses [trains] but also to foreign lands such as Bukji [Northern territory] and Daeseol [Great Snow territory].

However, the one who made the biggest contribution was Anpyeong.

Anpyeong, who wore the hat of ‘Yuhungcheongjang (遊興廳長) [Director of the Entertainment Bureau]’—was literally in a ‘fish meets water’ situation [perfectly suited to his role].

Anpyeong searched for all the Sadangpae that existed in Joseon at the time and made them belong to the Yuhungcheong.

As they became affiliated with the Yuhungcheong, many things changed for the Sadangpae.

Although it wasn’t much, they received a basic monthly salary, which stabilized their lives. However, it was literally the minimum, so the Sadangpae shared the profits from performances held at comprehensive entertainment venues. And this was the Sadangpae’s true source of income.

In addition, performing at comprehensive entertainment venues allowed them to perform more safely than before.

However, there were not only good things.

Touring comprehensive entertainment venues across the country meant that they would inevitably be compared to the Sadangpae that were active in the region.

If their level was even slightly lower, they would have to endure all sorts of jeers.

It wasn’t just the general public who visited the entertainment venues who judged their skills.

Once a year, all the Sadangpae gathered in Seoul to compete in their skills.

Depending on the results of the competition, the Sadangpae received grades of Gap (甲) [A], Eul (乙) [B], and Byeong (丙) [C]. And the distribution rate of the Sadangpae’s performance revenue varied depending on this grade.

Therefore, the Sadangpae did their best in this competition. It was not only an economic issue but also a matter of honor.

What’s interesting was the location where the competition took place.

The competition was held at Ttukseom Comprehensive Entertainment Venue, the largest comprehensive entertainment venue in Seoul, and it was crowded with spectators who flocked from Seoul as well as other regions to see it.

“You’d be a fool to miss this!”

All sorts of merchants flocked to avoid missing this opportunity, and lodging facilities raised their room rates.

Of course, the entertainment venues were the same.

“Hey, it seems like the admission fee has gone up?”

Each time they received such a question, the person in charge answered with a nonchalant face.

“It’s not something you can see every day, is it? Of course, it’s expensive. If you don’t want to buy it, step aside.”

“Tsk….”

The citizens who entered in this way were important judging tools for the managers. The managers who judged the skills of the Sadangpae used the reactions of the audience as the most important measure.

As a side note, Anpyeong would stop what he was doing and take a seat at the entertainment venue whenever such a competition was held.

“Your Excellency….”

“This is also work. Judging their skills.”

“Director, there is already a person in charge of judging….”

“Is there anyone here who sees more accurately than me?”

No managers answered no to Anpyeong’s question. Because Anpyeong’s words were true.

* * *

Since he said he would become a Sadangpae when he was young, causing Sejong to grab the back of his neck, Anpyeong had no equal in the empire when it came to entertainment.

As he became the Director of the Entertainment Bureau, Anpyeong’s eyes became even sharper. This was because he had seen and judged the performances of the leading Sadangpae and Gisaeng [female entertainers] in the empire.

“I sit in the position of Director of the Entertainment Bureau, and those selected by the Entertainment Bureau perform for the royal court! How can I entrust this to others!”

With this justification, Anpyeong attended every competition without fail.

Naturally, there were rumors, and Hyang called Anpyeong.

“…So, this subject had to attend!”

After listening to Anpyeong’s words, Hyang stared at Anpyeong for a moment and said one word.

“Do you know the word ‘self-interest’?”

“Your Majesty! Self-interest is unfair!”

Anpyeong, who was appealing his innocence, looked around and reported to Hyang.

“Your Majesty, would you please dismiss the historians and scribes for a moment?”

“The historians and scribes should step out for a moment.”

At Hyang’s command, the historians and scribes stepped back, and Anpyeong revealed his true colors.

“Ah, Brother! Self-interest! What kind of rascal is spreading such words! Self-interest! It’s unfair! I was just doing it as a side job!”

“Side….”

At Anpyeong’s answer, Hyang put his hand on his forehead. Seeing Hyang like that, Anpyeong raised his voice and continued.

“Since we’re on the subject, let’s talk about it! Why are you only picking on me? Jinpyeong Hyung [older brother] is the president of the railroad construction company and lays railroads, isn’t that self-interest! And that’s not all! Big Brother is 51….”

“That’s enough.”

When Hyang raised his hand, Anpyeong closed his mouth. Looking at him, Hyang continued.

“If you say any more, I’ll throw you in the records office. Okay. Well, to be honest, you and I are both in the same boat, so let’s just say it’s a side job and move on. But be moderate. Be moderate.”

“I obey your command, Your Majesty!”

“You rascal… get out!”

At Hyang’s order to leave, Anpyeong quickly paid his respects and went outside. As soon as he stepped out the door, Anpyeong saw the historians and scribes hurriedly hiding something in their sleeves.

Seeing them, Anpyeong sighed lightly and made a pitiful expression.

“You guys are having a hard time too.”

However, Anpyeong had forgotten that Hyang was the first to be mentioned as a person with a strong grudge.

A few days later, Hyang called Anpyeong.

“I went out for a short incognito trip the other day.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“There is no novelty in the Sinjapga (新雜歌) [new miscellaneous songs].”

The Sinjapga that Hyang mentioned was an adult contemporary song that used to be sung in Gibang [entertainment houses]. It was named Sinjapga because it was a new type of Japga [miscellaneous song].

As Hyang mentioned Sinjapga, Anpyeong felt something ominous and asked in a slightly trembling voice.

“What do you mean by there is no novelty?”

“I think it’s a problem that there have been no changes other than the ones that came out when I was still the Crown Prince.”

“There are several other Sinjapga circulating besides that.”

“Isn’t it just the same melody with different lyrics? It’s not enough to say there are many.”

At Hyang’s words, Anpyeong had no choice but to bow his head. Because Hyang’s words were true.