Chapter 103: Hwang Hui, Overlapping Crisis! (1)
After seeing off the tribal leaders who had received generous gifts beyond the promised salt, Sejong turned to look at his subjects.
"With this, we can catch our breath. Now, let's pick up the pace! Chief State Councillor."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"You have been appointed as Administrative Officer, so immediately proceed with finalizing the personnel selection. I would like to see results within three days. Given the abilities I heard about from His Late Majesty, this should be possible, should it not?"
At Sejong's words, Hwang Hui's face went pale.
That vicious king was already scheming to send him to the Record Office!
"Why? Not confident? Then, someone else could..."
"I will definitely finish it within three days!"
"I'll be expecting it."
Hwang Hui returned alone to the State Council building and began rummaging through the recommendation documents.
While going through the recommendation documents, Hwang Hui ground his teeth.
"It's me, Hwang Hui! Hwang Hui! The one whom King Taejong cherished was me, Hwang Hui!"
Although he had been exiled for a time due to the issue of Crown Prince Yangnyeong's deposition, he was someone Sejong trusted so much that he immediately lifted the exile and called him to court as soon as he inherited the throne.
"I will make him realize why King Taejong acknowledged me! I will definitely make him understand why I am Hwang Hui!"
Thus, Hwang Hui, who had been grinding his teeth, rummaged through the recommendation documents this way and that.
"First, remove those who were put in through personal connections! Must select from those chosen on merit! Need to find people who work well but hate moving around!"
After searching through what appeared to be hundreds of recommendation documents, Hwang Hui first selected one person from the Ministry of Personnel.
"This fellow should be sufficient! Ministry of Personnel Director Kim Jong-seo!"
The evaluation of Kim Jong-seo by his superiors and colleagues was as follows:
'A cow that hates leaving its stable.'
'A guy who thinks anywhere outside Hanyang is hell.'
'A fellow who works well but loves Hanyang too much.'
Kim Jong-seo loved Hanyang far too much.
He was someone who, after passing the civil service examination as the youngest successful candidate (13th place) in the 5th year of King Taejong's reign (1405), had walked the orthodox path of a civil official.
As his rank rose, he took on various duties while rotating through internal and external positions, and not once did he receive a poor evaluation.
Everyone who knew Kim Jong-seo therefore added these words after the earlier evaluation:
"He likes Hanyang too much, but at least 10 years from now he'll be in a Minister's position, and after that, he'll rise to Chief Councillor."
However, as indicated by the nickname above, Kim Jong-seo loved Hanyang far too much.
His family seat was Suncheon in Jeolla Province, and having spent his childhood in Chungju and Suncheon, Kim Jong-seo liked the splendor of the great city called Hanyang.
There was even talk in some quarters that the reason he worked so diligently and meticulously when assigned duties as a local official was because he wanted to return to Hanyang quickly, and because he never wanted to go out again.
Even in the history before Hyang's intervention, when the 'Coup of the Scholars' occurred and the situation in Liaodong became chaotic, Kim Jong-seo was the one who, even after being dispatched as Pacification Commissioner of Pyeongan Province, would send petitions containing words about wanting to return to Hanyang whenever he had the chance.
"This fellow will work himself to death just to return quickly to Hanyang, which he loves so much! This fellow is perfect for controlling in the middle!"
Having chosen Kim Jong-seo, Hwang Hui selected officials with similar inclinations.
Having selected those he thought were optimal, Hwang Hui called the clerks and summoned those he had chosen.
"...and so, you will go north with me. If you do it properly, a path to promotion will open before your eyes. First, most are Director-rank officials of the junior 5th rank, like Director Kim Jong-seo. But the moment you belong to the pioneer administrative unit, your rank rises by one grade. Then you'll be at least a junior 5th rank Steward, right?"
"That is correct!"
"If you work hard in the north for about 5 years and return, His Majesty will grant you at least junior 4th rank, and if you do well, senior 4th rank. That means promoting at least 2 ranks from now. Do you think that would be possible within 5 years even if you work yourself to death here in Hanyang?"
"...."
"Probably difficult, wouldn't it?"
At Hwang Hui's question, those gathered nodded their heads without realizing it. Except for one person.
"I think it would be possible for me."
It was Kim Jong-seo.
At Kim Jong-seo's words, Hwang Hui shouted in anger.
"Hey! You're coming with me even if you die! Thinking of slipping away somewhere!"
"...."
At Hwang Hui's rebuke, Kim Jong-seo closed his mouth with an expression full of dissatisfaction.
Hwang Hui, who had glared at such a Kim Jong-seo, continued explaining to the others.
"And there is one most important point. According to the plan currently in place, the area to be acquired this time is about one and a half times the size of Hamgil Province."
"That's wide..."
"Haah..."
The officials dragged along by Hwang Hui's words all sighed.
"You fellows who know only one thing and not two. How many Jurchens do you think will be in that vast land?"
"Huh?"
When the officials' ears perked up at Hwang Hui's words, Kim Jong-seo interjected.
"But won't relocation of people (min) follow as surely as anything? Then the workload won't be small, will it? Just in Hanyang..."
"I told you, you're coming with me even if you die!"
"Sir..."
"Thinking of submitting a resignation? Just try submitting it! I'll report to His Majesty and bury you in the Record Office!"
"...."
At Hwang Hui's warning, Kim Jong-seo's mouth closed again.
Having silenced Kim Jong-seo's mouth, Hwang Hui continued speaking.
"As this fellow says, there will certainly be a relocation policy, so the work won't be small. But think carefully. The pioneer land is wide, but will it be as wide as the Eight Provinces of Joseon? Would you rather work while being crushed by work coming from the Eight Provinces of Joseon here in Hanyang, or handle work from just one province even if it's a bit wider?"
At Hwang Hui's words, everyone except Kim Jong-seo answered in unison.
"We will go north!"
"But I..."
"I'm telling you, you're going north with me even if you die!"
At Hwang Hui's shouting, Kim Jong-seo had a tearful face.
Having received answers from the first batch of selected personnel agreeing to join him, Hwang Hui moved to the next step.
"Now, you can't handle all the work from beginning to end yourselves, can you? Then you need to select people to work under you. How many would be good? Of course, there's a saying 'the more the better,' but if there are too many, it definitely won't be approved, so let's pick an appropriate number."
At Hwang Hui's command, the officials began calculating in their heads what an appropriate number would be.
Right then, Kim Jong-seo spoke up.
"For the Ministry of Personnel, 5 people as junior 6th rank Magistrates or Inspectors to manage villages formed in the pioneer areas, 10 people to assist them, and 5 people to analyze administrative issues arising from the pioneer areas. A total of 20 people.
Ah! For preventing diseases or epidemics, especially smallpox, about 20 medical officers will also be needed. Among them, there should be about five female physicians.
For the Ministry of Military Affairs, since most duties will be handled by the military command advancing into the pioneer areas, about 6 people will suffice, and the Ministry of Works about 8 people. The Ministry of Justice, since security issues will mostly be handled by the military command, about 6 people would be appropriate."
Hwang Hui looked at Kim Jong-seo with an absurd expression as he began pouring out words in an instant.
Whether knowing Hwang Hui's gaze or not, Kim Jong-seo continued his explanation.
"For the Ministry of Rites, expecting possible encounters with the Ming Kingdom, about 4 people including interpreters would be appropriate.
The biggest problem is the Ministry of Taxation. Not only organizing the household registers of those who will come through relocation, but also resolving land disputes between Jurchens and migrants while creating new land registers.
To promote relocation, tax exemption policies will continue for a while, but problems of fiscal expenditure such as construction of various facilities must also be resolved, so 48 people would be best, but given the current situation of the court, that would be impossible.
So 30 people would be the best option, and with about 24 people, it would last at least 5 years."
At Kim Jong-seo's answer that poured out smoothly in an instant, everyone including Hwang Hui could only blink their eyes.
The first to come to his senses was Hwang Hui.
'As expected! Necessity is the mother of invention! He processes things quickly because he wants to return to Hanyang as soon as possible! I chose well!'
The officials who came to their senses next examined Kim Jong-seo's plan.
Since they were all people who had their abilities recognized in their own ways, they nodded immediately.
"Director Kim Jong-seo's opinion seems best."
"Good? Then, first bring recommendation documents by selecting candidates at 1.5 times that number. If you want to be comfortable, you need to choose properly. I'll give you one day. Move quickly!"
"Yes, sir!"
At Hwang Hui's words, the officials scattered in a hurry. Watching the backs of the officials disappearing toward the Six Ministries, Hwang Hui muttered to himself.
"One day to bring candidates, one day to examine them and form the personnel, then it's finished in two days. If that happens, even His Majesty won't have anything to say."
Just as Hwang Hui was nodding with satisfaction at his own conclusion, the door burst open and Maeng Sa-seong ran in.
"Wait, Lord Hwang! How can this be!"
"What do you mean?"
At Hwang Hui's counter-question, Maeng Sa-seong shouted.
"Bribing His Majesty! Does that make sense!"
"It's not a bribe! I showed my determination! But more importantly, how did you find out?"
"I found the historian who recorded yesterday's sacho... no! That's not the problem right now! If even you slip away, what am I supposed to do! Before long, the Chief State Councillor is leaving as an envoy by royal command! Then I'm the only one left among the Councillors!"
"The Chief State Councillor will return soon, and my vacancy will be filled immediately, so what's there to worry about?"
"This man, really!"
Maeng Sa-seong was angry to the point of grabbing collars, but Hwang Hui did not back down.
"I'm sorry for you, Lord. But I too am desperate! I, whose abilities have been recognized since the time of King Taejong, do you know what words I hear most from His Majesty now! I will have my abilities recognized through this opportunity! Otherwise, my life will be denied!"
"Well..."
At Hwang Hui's words, Maeng Sa-seong sat in the chair with a hollow expression. He too understood Hwang Hui's feelings to some extent.
Eventually, after some time passed, Maeng Sa-seong had to accept reality.
"Please take care of yourself."
"Thank you."
Two days later, Hwang Hui submitted a list of officials who would go together to Sejong.
"Not bad. Proceed."
"Yes."
"And, take care of yourself. If I lose you, I will be greatly distressed."
At Sejong's words, Hwang Hui deeply bowed his waist.
"Your grace is boundless!"
"Ah! I forgot. Until departure, the administrative unit members going north this time should learn mounted musket shooting at the Military Training Ground."
"Musket?"
At Hwang Hui's question, Sejong explained the reason.
"The cunning of the Jurchens is famous, is it not? Just in case, shouldn't we make minimum preparations for self-protection? This is all being done for the safety of you and the members."
'No, if the situation is such that even civil officials must carry muskets, isn't that the end!'
Hwang Hui barely suppressed what he wanted to argue like above and bowed his waist.
"I am truly grateful for His Majesty's gracious heart in worrying about us subjects!"
Thus, Hwang Hui and the officials had to learn how to handle mounted muskets, shooting methods, and maintenance at the Military Training Ground until two days before departure.
* * *
As the winter solstice arrived, soldiers to pioneer the Jurchen region gathered in Hanyang and held a departure ceremony.
At the departure ceremony, Sejong reminded the soldiers of the importance of this matter.
"I am well aware that moving in winter is no easy task! However, this work is a centennial plan for our Joseon! Do not forget that the future of our Joseon rests on your shoulders! Then, I pray for your military exploits!"
At Sejong's speech, the soldiers raised both arms and shouted long life.
"Long live His Majesty! Long live! Long live!"
The soldiers who finished the departure ceremony passed through Heunginjimun and headed north.
* * *
The pioneering of the Duman River region proceeded somewhat smoothly. Most of the Jurchen tribal leaders kept the promises made last time and submitted obediently.
Occasionally, tribes that broke their promises and resisted with force emerged, but such tribes were annihilated by the overwhelming firepower of the Joseon army.
While the Joseon army in the front was steadily expanding their territory, in the rear, the bureaucrats led by Hwang Hui were quickly adjusting administrative districts.
They distributed farmland to the submitted Jurchens and farmers who came up through relocation, assigned administrative districts, and appointed local officials.
"It would be best to appoint those we brought to important points, and appoint tribal leaders as local magistrates in other areas."
At Kim Jong-seo's proposal, Hwang Hui nodded.
"That would be the best option."
"So, here and here, and here, first appoint our local officials, and in other areas... and as local officials..."
Hwang Hui continuously nodded with satisfaction at the sight of Kim Jong-seo who had already grasped and was reporting on the areas that dispatched Joseon local officials would directly govern and the suitable local officials for those areas.
'As expected, he processes things definitely because he wants to return to Hanyang as soon as possible! I chose well!'
Just as things were proceeding smoothly, a major accident broke out in Hanyang.