There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 284

From early morning, high-ranking officials, from ministers and vice-ministers down to the lowest clerks, were all gathered.

It was the first time so many officials had assembled in one place since the King’s enthronement.

Moreover, it was for the King’s direct major announcement, so the civil and military officials were shivering in the morning cold, waiting and wondering what was going on.

“What’s going on?”

“How would I know?”

They knew something unusual was happening.

Wasn’t the King known for shaking things up since his days as Crown Prince?

If such a person was making a ‘major announcement’ that he usually didn’t, what on earth was going to happen?

However, only a few who had been informed beforehand looked around with tense faces.

“His Majesty the King is here!”

As Chief Eunuch No-boon’s magnificent cry echoed, even the chief ministers of the court and retired elder statesmen straightened up instantly.

Who would dare not straighten their posture before the current King, for safety’s sake?

Even the King, whose expression usually held a playful air, looked as serious as he could be today.

His face was solemn, as if he were performing a sacred ritual.

“Are all the courtiers gathered?”

“Yes, we have assembled without exception to receive the royal command,” Chief State Councilor Shim-on said, stepping forward.

“Hmm.”

As the King nodded, Royal Secretary Maeng Sa-seong brought the royal edict in a silk box.

He took it out and unfolded it with a rustle.

“The King proclaims. Since ancient times, jade must be cut to become a vessel, and people must learn to know the way (玉不琢不成器 人不學不知道) [a classical proverb emphasizing the importance of education]. Alas! Our enlightened ancestors intended to teach the people and awaken them to proper customs.”

The royal edict, which the King began to read himself, initially started with the importance of enlightening the people, as usual.

This much was fine since it was the usual talk.

His Majesty the King liked to utilize his subjects, and since it was a major announcement, he would probably declare something like a ‘government official-led learning assistance week’.

However, the King’s next words completely deviated from their expectations.

“However, since the language of this nation is different from that of China, and the letters do not match each other, there are many people who, due to this reason, cannot express their intentions even if they wish to do so…”

“?”

Wasn’t it time for the usual instruction to encourage the local magistrates to promote learning and for scholars to strive to achieve great scholarship?

But when the King suddenly mentioned the letters and raised the issue of accessibility for the people, the eyes of the officials widened.

However, before they could grasp the King’s intention,

“I have taken pity on this and have newly created twenty-eight letters, hoping that all people can easily learn them and use them comfortably every day!”

A bombshell was dropped.

“The Royal Secretary shall receive the royal command!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Show today’s edict to the civil and military officials!”

Maeng Sa-seong hesitantly accepted the edict at the King’s insistence, then turned around and unfolded it with a flourish.

“······!”

The officials, who had only been bewildered by the sudden announcement, belatedly felt a sense of reality as they saw the edict being lowered.

On the lowered edict, there were not familiar Chinese characters, but letters they were seeing for the first time.

Then, what the King had just read must have been those letters.

“The governors of the eight provinces (方伯) [regional administrators] and the military commissioners of the Northern Frontier must also receive this edict and clearly understand my intention. The Royal Secretariat shall copy the edict and send it to the magistrates of the eight provinces and the Northern Frontier!”

At those words, the officials came to their senses.

‘This is not just a letter created for the people!’

What is a royal edict?

A letter that the King gives to his subjects.

To write such a thing not in Chinese characters but in new letters, and to send it to the magistrates again.

Of course, the same content would be written in Chinese characters and sent, but this was no different from declaring that the new letters would be the national script (國字) [national writing system] from now on.

No matter how solemn the atmosphere of this place was, and how high the King’s authority soared, this was a story that could not be without opposition.

It’s not that the officials gathered here were stubborn old men or staunch believers in China to the core.

To put it in perspective, they felt like they were watching the president announce that he would introduce an OS he made himself to computers in government offices nationwide.

However, before the backlash could erupt, a thunderous sound came from one side first.

– Tu-ta-ta-tak!

“What is this?”

People’s gazes turned to the direction of the sound all at once.

There, guards dressed in rough clothes were relentlessly pounding on typewriters.

===

Originally, I don’t know if any official events were held after creating Hangeul in history.

If they did, there would have been some guys who ruined the atmosphere at the event.

But fortunately, perhaps because they were rushing around, there were no guys who broke the mood by saying, ‘Stop talking nonsense! What do you mean creating letters!’

‘My subjects are all kind.’

They were just spaced out from hearing the sudden story.

What brought their minds back even a little was the typewriter making a loud noise over there.

The guards were pounding on the typewriter as if it were thundering, and paper was being pulled out.

From my perspective as a modern person, it was slow enough to make me yawn, but it would feel incomparably fast to the people of this era.

In particular, the dull noise and the sense of impact that the guards showed as they pressed down gave a feeling like watching a percussion performance.

Especially, Min In-saeng’s pupils, who was hiding behind the pillar, were shaking as if an earthquake had occurred.

“I-It can’t be…”

Ah, this guy was a fast writer, befitting a 15th-century paparazzi.

But he wouldn’t be able to match the typewriter. It would be faster to write in Hangeul than in Chinese characters anyway.

“Hoo.”

Stopping his thick fingers, the guard raised his hand.

“Gyeongsang Province! Typing complete!”

“Gangwon Province is also complete!”

“Jeolla Province is also complete.”

The ones who were grumbling discontentedly shut their mouths when they saw the edict that had just been printed.

“As expected, they also realized the wonderful use of the typewriter.”

No-boon tilted his head and said to me, who was muttering 만족스럽게 [satisfactorily].

“Rather than that, it seems they shut their mouths after seeing the guards.”

What are you talking about? As if I would tell them to get rid of the guys who oppose me.

“Does it really look like that?”

“Yes.”

I looked at the guards once again.

– Tu-ta-ta-tak!

There, the guards who had not yet finished their work were pounding on the typewriter as if they were the enemies of their parents.

It was a bonus that their faces were distorted hideously as they concentrated.

‘No, even so.’

Do the subjects think that I’m trying to weed out the malcontents in this place?

No matter how much of an opposition party they are, who would massacre subjects in broad daylight?

…My father did.

‘It’s understandable to be misunderstood.’

That a person who loves peace like me is being misunderstood because of my father.

This is guilt by association, guilt by association.

I quickly gave a look to the chief ministers to break the slightly strange atmosphere.

Then, the three chief ministers, who had been waiting, stepped forward.

“His Majesty has created the nation’s letters, which is no different from the ancient story of Cangjie [mythical inventor of Chinese characters] appearing in this world!”

“In my opinion, it is extremely precise and easy to learn! Also, tens of thousands of characters can be printed from the seat with equipment, so how can it not be suitable for the national script of the new era!”

Since the three chief ministers, who are the center of the court, said so, could other people say anything different?

Following this, congratulations from Minister of Personnel Hwang-hee and many others continued.

‘This is it.’

It’s a headache if the King makes something new and they only oppose it, saying why is this necessary.

Since the subjects have all praised it in a row, there won’t be anyone who opposes abolishing it later.

At that time, Minister of Rites Heo-jo stepped forward and asked.

“Even trivial things like flying birds or roadside grass cannot be without names, so the national script created by Your Majesty cannot simply be called new letters. If Your Majesty has decided on a name, please instruct us.”

“The name of this letter is Hangeul.”

I was 고민 [agonizing] between Hunminjeongeum and Hangeul for the official name, but in the end, I chose the latter.

It was easier for me, a modern person, and there were also more practical problems.

‘The name Hunminjeongeum is 은근히 [subtly] long.’

I thought there was no difference between two letters or four letters, but since people even shorten mom’s card to mom card, people tend to look for the easier side.

‘In history, it was said that it was more often called Eonmun [vernacular script].’

I can’t let my… no, my younger brother’s invention be called Eonmun, a name without sincerity.

The name Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People (訓民正音) is good, but isn’t this more 직관적 [intuitive]?

The meaning itself is big letters, so it’s a name full of pride, and it also has the double meaning of being the letters of Han (韓) [Korea].

I’m planning to change the notation of Hanyang or Hangang to Han (韓) soon, so it’s perfect for matching.

Instead, Hunminjeongeum was scheduled to be used as the title of the textbook containing the creation process, principles, and explanations of Hangeul.

“The subjects in this place will have many questions about Hangeul.”

In fact, there will be many who want to refute rather than be curious.

“I will distribute Hunminjeongeum, so study it diligently, and if you still have any questions─”

I pointed to Do, who was standing next to me with his chest puffed out.

“Go and visit the creator, Grand Prince Chungnyeong.”

“Come anytime. I will teach you everything from A to Z to those who have questions,” Do said, pushing up his glasses with his finger.

It sounds like he’s saying he’ll crush anyone who comes with a debate.

“Anyone have any questions?”

I asked, but the audience was as silent as a mouse.

I nodded and opened my mouth.

“Well, then everyone go back to work, and take a copy of Hunminjeongeum placed at the entrance on the way out. That’s all.”

===

The high and low officials began to return to their offices, murmuring.

Some left without much thought, while others hurried out of the place with a chilling sensation in their necks.

Even in the midst of that, the Hunminjeongeum provided at the entrance was disappearing quickly.

“Aren’t you taking this?”

“Even if the people are illiterate, do we have to learn the new letters?”

“Judging by the looks of it, they will soon tell officials like us to use something called Hangeul. We have to learn it in advance.”

With the King’s 성정 [temperament], he will surely jump up and down saying, ‘I made something so easy, but you didn’t learn it because of your pride?’

Perhaps those who don’t know Hangeul will primarily fail in the personnel evaluation.

To survive in the 조정 [court], a fiercely competitive organization, you must not fall behind, even if you cannot get ahead of your competitors.

At his colleague’s words, the official picked it up with an unwilling look.

“Damn it, I wish it wasn’t difficult to learn.”

Is this what a 직장인 [office worker] feels like when they split their 휴식시간 [break time] after work to study languages?

“My nephew is preparing for the civil service exam, so I should give him one in case he needs it.”

Whether Hunminjeongeum was printed more than the number of officials, or many people didn’t take it, some seemed to be left over.

It was when the official reached out to Hunminjeongeum.

“I haven’t heard that there will be a big change in this civil service exam, so I guess it’ll be okay… Huh!”

A man with a zombie-like appearance bumped into his shoulder with his arms outstretched.

“Who is that person?”

Seeing him walking while dragging his feet, his colleague whispered.

“Isn’t that Min In-saeng?”

“It really is. He looked fine until just now, but why is he like that?”

Whether someone was whispering behind him or not, Min In-saeng walked weakly without any strength in his body.

End

ⓒ Pitkong