There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 197

< The Legend of Exams (3) >

Fortunately, Eo Byeon-gap managed to achieve the top score.

Unlike him, who shed tears of relief while clutching his passing certificate, the expressions of others weren’t quite as joyful.

“Why am I stuck at the very bottom of the Byeong Division…”

“I don’t understand it at all! I clearly explained the distinctions between superiors and inferiors in great detail!”

They would have returned to their hometowns boasting about passing the higher civil service exam, certificate in hand, but upon arriving in Hanyang, their complaints began.

Most secretly hoped to pass, even if it meant being last, but as the saying goes, things change after one visits the privy [toilet].

In any case, the exam was over, and now the successful candidates’ attention shifted elsewhere.

“By the way, when do we receive our official appointments?”

Passing the civil service exam didn’t automatically make one an official.

Around the late Joseon period, when the bureaucracy became severely overcrowded, many individuals passed the exam only to wait years for a government position.

However, now, in the early days of the nation, the territory had greatly expanded, and numerous national projects were underway, creating a genuine demand for more personnel.

“But I heard that starting with our class, we won’t be appointed immediately. We’ll have to enter a training institute and receive further education.”

“Training institute?”

“Ah, I heard that even current officials from the Six Ministries are taking turns learning things at a place called the training institute.”

The successful candidates, many of whom came from prestigious Hanyang families with connections to officials, had already heard of the training institute.

News traveled fast among them.

“All exam passers will undergo practical training at this institute, and the department they’re assigned to will depend on their evaluation here.”

“Ugh, I barely passed the exam with every ounce of effort, and now you’re saying there’s competition even after getting in?”

Just like in modern times, certain departments in Joseon were naturally more desirable.

The most popular was undoubtedly the Ministry of Personnel (Ijo) [responsible for appointments and promotions].

From the Minister of Personnel downwards, it was the head of the Six Ministries, and since they controlled personnel management, aspiring to the Ministry of Personnel was the surest path to success.

Almost everyone who took the exam aimed for success, so they subtly glared at each other, a competitive fire burning within.

‘I don’t know how difficult the training institute will be, but I’ll definitely overcome it and get ahead of the others.’

Everyone thought so, but that resolve didn’t last long.

===

The successful candidates, transported to Yeouido by boat, were all housed in the training institute building on one side of the island.

Until then, they hadn’t understood why the senior officials’ faces were full of smiles, but they soon found out.

“The goal of this training is to enable you to handle work at the level of current employees as soon as you’re placed in the field. Don’t even think about leaving the training institute if you don’t meet this standard!”

Seeing the seniors smiling as they delivered this threat, the successful candidates’ faces began to pale.

But the seniors’ threats weren’t empty words.

From that moment on, a relentless wave of education crashed over them.

To pass the evaluation, they had to absorb knowledge they’d never encountered before.

“How am I supposed to organize all these documents?”

“Just grit your teeth and do it. If you have to, you will. I’ll explain it now. This is called a table, and this is a chart…”

The 33 successful candidates diligently cultivated basic information processing skills.

“Now, the Ministry of Justice is currently discussing the practical application of the Great Ming Code [legal code of the Ming Dynasty], and how to adapt the law to suit the specific conditions of Joseon…”

“Are you guys slacking off? The Ministry of Public Works needs people to work directly in the field.”

Conversations with current employees,

“From now on, I will present the plan to expand the Gwangtong Bridge in Gapjo [year].”

“The core problem is that the Gwangtong Bridge is built of earth and collapses during heavy rains. A simple expansion will only increase traffic during normal times and won’t address the issue of heavy rain, right?”

Policy planning and presentation, discussion, and subsequent peer evaluation.

They couldn’t even relax when they slept.

“Are you still studying?”

His classmate asked Eo Byeon-gap, who was studying by lamplight.

“I’m not yet familiar with calculations using the Cheonchuksu [an abacus-like calculating tool]. I think I’ll get a bad grade if I get a mountain science evaluation. I have to do it even if I have to squeeze out time.”

“You’re working hard, as expected of the top scorer. I’m going to sleep first, so don’t stay up too late.”

The classmate said as he climbed the ladder to the upper bunk.

The concept of a bed had existed in Joseon for a long time.

Until the Goryeo Dynasty [918-1392], it was common for the upper class to sleep on beds.

However, the beds they were sleeping on were not luxurious beds like those used by Goryeo nobles at all.

“I’m getting used to this bed after living here for so long, damn it.”

There were two iron bunk beds in the room.

At first, the successful candidates were speechless at this impersonal bed, which lacked the antique charm of the beds used by high-ranking officials and only prioritized spatial efficiency, but eventually they adapted.

Perhaps it was fortunate that at least the mattress was thickly padded.

Eo Byeon-gap sighed as he looked at his sleeping classmate.

‘Do I really have to keep doing this?’

===

During the four months of training, education to cultivate patriotism was also conducted from time to time for the successful candidates.

“Our Joseon has been the land of civilization where Gija [legendary founder of Gojoseon] was enfeoffed since ancient times~ When I went abroad, people from other countries also admired Joseon~”

“Goryeoyang [Goryeo style], which was popular even in the Yuan Dynasty! Our Confucian scholars are recognized even in the Ming Dynasty!”

“Even if the Ming Dynasty is a bigger country than us, there’s no reason to envy them at all. If you look at it one by one, we are much better.”

In addition, efforts to promote the achievements of various projects that were in full swing were also underway.

‘I need to fully instill professional pride in them here.’

Thus, on the last day of the training institute.

After finishing dinner, the successful candidates were ordered to gather and lined up to go outside the training institute in an orderly manner.

“What is this?”

“What are they all doing?”

Only firewood piled up in the dark yard was burning.

Then the servants handed them each a candle.

The bewildered successful candidates were even more puzzled when they saw the person who appeared.

“Se, Crown Prince!”

Since they had already seen the Crown Prince’s face at the civil service examination hall, they couldn’t help but be shocked to see him in the light.

The Crown Prince took a step forward and said.

“Did everyone receive a good education?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The successful candidates said hastily.

But the Crown Prince shook his hand and said.

“Hey, I heard there were a lot of complaints that it was hard? Who created something like a training institute?”

“Ho, How could that be?”

When the successful candidates answered nervously, the Crown Prince smiled.

“Really? Then we should continue it next time.”

‘That’s right.’

‘Please do.’

Since they were almost finished with the training anyway, it was an expression of the sentiment that they couldn’t be the only ones to suffer.

“The reason I called you here today is to congratulate you on completing the training and to prepare a small entertainment in the sense of encouraging you in the future.”

Just in time, the faint moonlight began to be covered by clouds.

“······.”

As only the firewood crackled in the black darkness, the air became strange.

The Crown Prince’s low voice was heard through the darkness.

“Now it’s getting dark around us. I can’t see my face, nor can I see my friends’ faces.”

The atmosphere was rapidly subdued by the Crown Prince’s tone.

“Slowly recall your parents, relatives, and friends in your hometown.”

“What have I been doing so far? What am I doing now?”

“Have you been living for yourself rather than for others, making excuses that you are still under your parents’ care and acting spoiled?”

“Heeheeheuk······.”

Tears burst out from the mouth of Eo Byeon-gap, who was a filial son.

As Eo Byeon-gap, the top scorer, burst into tears, those sitting next to him were also shaken.

“Heugeugeuk······.”

The hardships and sorrows that had accumulated during the training began to erupt with one trivial trigger.

However, this strange atmosphere, with only firewood burning in the darkness, made that emotion directed towards themselves rather than the Crown Prince and the training institute.

The selfish experiences that everyone has were coming to mind one by one.

“But you have more days to live than the days you have lived.”

The Crown Prince said, holding his mouth to the copper megaphone.

“What will I do in the future? How will I live in the future? How will I speak in the future? What can I do for this world? I hope you will make a resolution.”

“Heukheukheuk······.”

Listening to the Crown Prince’s words, a hot filial piety, or patriotism, or altruism welled up in their hearts.

‘Yes, why did I prepare for the exam so hard? Wasn’t it a determination to do something for this country?’

‘My mom in my hometown must be living only looking at me now.’

‘Even if the salary is low and I suffer from overwork, I have to work hard.’

Seeing the solemn emotions on their faces, the Crown Prince smiled mischievously.

“From now on, I will light the candles one by one. When you light the candles, you will die. The me who was spoiled until yesterday dies, and I am reborn as me who is loyal to the country and sacrifices myself for the public as a pillar of this country, Joseon.”

“Heukheukheuk······.”

“Mom······.”

Seeing the successful candidates handing out candles, asking to light them, the Crown Prince smiled.

===

When they finished the training institute and came out, what awaited them were those who were eagerly looking for an opportunity to snatch up new recruits due to the increased workload.

“Come on, new recruits from the Ministry of Rites!”

“I’m going to the Ministry of Rites.”

“You seemed to be suited for the Ministry of Public Works in the training institute?”

“My knowledge of etiquette must have been highly evaluated.”

“Bullshit.”

The officials of the remaining departments except for the Ministry of Personnel left in turn.

What remained were only those with particularly good grades.

They were waiting for their turn with pounding hearts.

‘Ministry of Personnel? Is it the Ministry of Personnel?’

‘It must be the Ministry of Personnel. Everyone who would apply for the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Taxation has left.’

But their misunderstanding was wrong.

A man with a tired face walked over from one side and said.

“You guys, are you this year’s Gap Division [top division] students?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“You are going to the East Palace [residence of the Crown Prince].”

“Pardon?”

Eo Byeon-gap and the others asked with their mouths wide open.

Not the Ministry of Personnel, but the East Palace.

Then Lee Suk-beon waved his hand as if he was annoyed.

“Do I have to say something like this twice?”

“Bu, But······.”

Lee Suk-beon urged them, who naturally thought they would go to the Ministry of Personnel, a plum position.

“Don’t you know that the East Palace is a much stronger line than that Ministry of Personnel? If you took the exam for success, you will have more opportunities to succeed if you stick by His Highness. Especially if there is a lot of work, you will gain a lot of merit, right?”

Well, that’s true.

If it is the Crown Prince, isn’t he the person who will succeed to the throne?

The work in the East Palace is so diverse, and there was a rumor that the Crown Prince was a bit strange and difficult to serve, but what couldn’t they do, who had endured the exam and the training institute?

‘In the Ministry of Personnel, I have to look after the superiors in a row, but in the East Palace, I only have to serve His Highness?’

‘Rather, success and work may be easier in the East Palace.’

Seeing them hesitating, Lee Suk-beon threatened them.

“If you close your eyes and roll for a few years, your future will be smooth, so what are you hesitating about? If you don’t want to go to the East Palace, just quit. I will report to His Highness that you all abandoned your positions and went back to your hometowns.”

“Ah, no!”

“I will work hard!”

Eo Byeon-gap and the other officials answered and hurriedly left.

Lee Suk-beon clicked his tongue, looking at their running backs.

“Foolish guys, they’re so excited to be dragged into the gulag just because I wagged my tongue a little.”

Lee Suk-beon shook his head and said.

“Work hard. I would just go back to my hometown if I were you.”

< The Legend of Exams (3) > End