< Episode 11: Sprouting... Carcinogenesis? (4) >
Starting with a familiar phrase—the letter of fortune—Hyang enthusiastically explained the usefulness of Arabic numerals to Sejong.
Sejong, listening to Hyang's presentation(?) with a serious expression, stroked his beard and fell into deep thought.
After continuing his thoughts in silence, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"It seems like a good proposal, but I do not think it right for me alone to make this decision. When tomorrow's assembly begins, come and explain it again."
"Yes, Father."
Having finished his business, Hyang bowed to Sejong and withdrew from his seat.
Watching Hyang quietly stepping backward, Sejong spoke.
"Hyang."
"Yes, Father."
"Your cleverness is truly something to be proud of. However, you are still young. Rather than concerning yourself with state affairs now, you should focus on the growth of your body and mind."
"Yes, Father."
At Sejong's praise, Hyang's face brightened as he bowed his head. Watching Hyang's retreating figure as he disappeared in high spirits, Sejong smiled.
"Now he finally looks like a child of that age."
Still smiling, Sejong examined the documents and clicked his tongue.
"Tsk! I forgot to ask about that matter."
* * *
The next day when the assembly began, Sejong called for Hyang as promised. Hyang, attending the assembly, explained Arabic numerals to the ministers.
"...Therefore, I believe it would be much more useful to express numbers using these 'Heavenly Script Numerals' that the Ming call 'Arabic numerals.'"
After finishing his explanation, Hyang bowed to Sejong and withdrew to sit on one side.
When Hyang's explanation ended, Sejong looked around at the ministers.
"What do you think of the Crown Prince's proposal?"
The first to answer Sejong's question was Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom.
"Your subject thinks it would be very useful for expressing numbers."
"Your subject, Minister of Personnel Heo Ji, also thinks it would be very useful."
The Minister of Taxation, who had the most occasion to use numbers, voiced approval, followed by the Minister of Personnel, who had the next most use for them.
With the ministers of the two departments most closely connected to numbers expressing approval, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"Then let the two departments experiment with the use of these Heavenly Script Numerals for one month. If the results are good, we shall implement this nationwide."
"We shall obey your command!"
With the matter of numbers decided, Sejong moved on to the next agenda item.
"This next matter is something the Crown Prince should hear and judge together. Crown Prince."
"Yes, Father."
"The Emperor of Ming has sent an imperial letter."
At these unexpected words, Hyang's expression went blank.
"Pardon?"
Seeing the Crown Prince's face, Sejong explained the full circumstances.
-Sejong, very pleased with the gold pen Hyang had created, ordered the Military Supplies Directorate to manufacture gold pens to present to the Emperor. When Emperor Yongle received the gold pen decorated with silver inlay on the gold tip, with two dragons beautifully lacquered in yellow on the barrel, he expressed great satisfaction.
Very pleased with the gold pen, Emperor Yongle sent an imperial letter through the Korean envoy who had come to congratulate the Emperor on his birthday.
-Tribute 10,000 gold pen tips.
-Knowing that Joseon's products are insufficient, present 1,000 tips of the same quality as those already presented, and 9,000 tips of slightly lower quality.
Sejong and the court, having received Emperor Yongle's official document, fell into worry.
The gold pens sold with state permission were divided into 4 grades. Special grade was for royal use, made of pure gold with silver inlay, the highest quality. The next grades from 1 to 3 were made with gold, silver, and bronze tips respectively.
Though Emperor Yongle said lower grades would be acceptable, he would only be satisfied with at least 1st grade.
* * *
"10,000 tips means the budget will..."
At Ming's sudden demand, Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom grabbed his throbbing forehead and muttered.
"Why did the Crown Prince create such a thing... No, why did His Majesty present it, there are limits to showing off one's child..."
"Minister!"
"Gah!"
When the deputy minister next to him warned him, Kim Jeom hurriedly closed his mouth and looked around. Fortunately, he was currently in the Taxation Ministry's office, and only the deputy minister was present nearby.
"Hoo~."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Kim Jeom warned the deputy minister.
"Please pretend you didn't hear that."
* * *
Hearing this situation, Hyang fell into thought. Alone, nodding his head while making various calculations, Hyang looked at Sejong.
"Father. How about doing business?"
"Business?"
"Business! How could you say such a thing!"
"Chief Inspector, quiet down. Crown Prince, continue speaking."
As soon as Hyang mentioned 'business,' Chief Inspector Seong Eom of the Office of the Inspector General tried to object as if having a seizure. But his attempt was blocked by Sejong's hand. At Sejong's command, Hyang opened his mouth to continue.
"If Ming sent an imperial letter demanding gold pens as tribute, this means there is considerable demand in Ming as well. Consider Ming's vast territory and the number of people living there. No, just counting the number of literati alone, how many times more are there compared to our Joseon? If we contact the merchant guilds that make gold pens, they can produce more beyond the tribute amount."
At Hyang's question, Sejong and the ministers calculated in their heads. And the conclusion was immediately reached.
'We can make a profit!'
Seeing the reaction of Sejong and the ministers, Hyang continued his explanation.
"Furthermore, have merchants accompany the diplomatic mission. Not the current arrangement where a few secretly accompany on their own, but officially."
-Merchants accompanying the trading guild pay 2 seok of white rice per person (approximately 320kg). The court guarantees lodging, meals, and safety until they reach Beijing.
-The court rents buildings around Huitong Pavilion, the exclusive residence for Korean envoys in Beijing, to support the merchants' commercial activities.
-Merchants pay 20% of their sales revenue to the court. However, for high-value items such as ginseng, they pay 40% of profits.
-If officials belonging to the diplomatic mission and their attendants have goods to sell, they consign them to merchants. Profits are also paid to the court at the same rate as merchants.
-The Ministry of Taxation accurately records the list and quantity of goods that merchants and the diplomatic mission intend to sell before departure. Also, officials from the Ministry of Taxation accompany the diplomatic mission to clearly record sales conditions.
"...I think it would be good to proceed as above."
"Hmm..."
After Hyang's explanation ended, Sejong and the ministers began their review. While examining the pros and cons of the plan Hyang had presented, Seong Eom spoke.
"Your subject, the Chief Inspector, thinks the Crown Prince's plan must absolutely not be adopted."
"Why is that?"
"The Crown Prince's proposal would certainly bring in much wealth. However, as appears in old records, if much wealth comes in, not only the royal family but even the people will become tainted by luxury, and this will lead to tyranny imposing heavy taxes on the people."
"Your subject, the Chief Censor, agrees with the Chief Inspector's opinion. I believe that for the monarch and people to both be poor and content, taking pleasure in simple living and building virtue to spread a beautiful fragrance throughout the world, so that other nations admire us—that is true royal governance."
"Your subject, the Minister of Rites, agrees with the preceding two opinions. How could we insert lowly merchants into a diplomatic mission going to meet the Emperor of the superior nation? This tarnishes our Joseon's dignity. We acknowledge the Crown Prince's cleverness, but it seems he does not yet understand state affairs and diplomacy well. He should focus more on his studies and learn what state affairs and diplomacy based on the kingly way are."
Simply put, they were saying 'What does a young brat know about state affairs and diplomacy to meddle in it?' At the remarks of the Chief Censor, Chief Inspector, and Minister of Rites, Hyang's eyebrows shot upward.
"Hoo~."
Taking a small breath to calm his rising anger, Hyang looked back at Sejong.
"Father. May I give my answer?"
"I permit it."
Sejong too seemed to be in a bad mood, his voice not sounding good. Having received Sejong's permission, Hyang began his rebuttal.
"I ask the Chief Inspector. Did you say that if wealth comes in, the royal family will become tainted by luxury, and this leads to tyranny?"
"That is correct. Looking at old records..."
"In those old records, they squeezed the people's blood and sweat to obtain that luxury. Did I say we should squeeze the people's blood and sweat? Isn't it bringing it in from outside?"
"Perhaps once it can come in from outside like that. But isn't there no guarantee it will continue to come in? At first it might sell well out of novelty, but the next time cannot be guaranteed. If that happens, the people will have to bear that burden."
"Does the Chief Inspector live only for today?"
At the outrageously impudent question from the blue-eyed young Hyang, Chief Inspector Seong Eom made an expression of disbelief.
"What is the meaning of—!"
"Are gold pens the only thing merchants have to sell? There are many other goods! And how can you be so certain gold pens will only sell once?"
"Where among me or the ministers is anyone who uses gold pens? At first one might obtain one out of novelty, but it is an object that cannot match the dignity and elegance of a brush! Gold pens are like children's toys!"
At Seong Eom's words, Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom, who had been sitting quietly, interjected.
"The Chief Inspector's words are wrong. Do you know how many gold pens are consumed in a month currently? 60 first-grade tips per month, and silver and bronze tips combined consume 400 tips per month, and these are only the figures consumed by the government. In the private sector, over 1,000 tips are sold per month. And over 600 of those are first-grade gold tips."
At Kim Jeom's supplementary explanation, Seong Eom's eyes grew as wide as they could.
"In one month?"
"In one month."
At Kim Jeom's answer, Seong Eom muttered without realizing it.
"Good heavens... how can such a frivolous object..."
Hearing Seong Eom's words, Hyang quickly interjected.
"I apologize. A young brat made it, so it's frivolous."
"Gah!"
Realizing he had made a slip of the tongue, Seong Eom immediately bowed his head toward Sejong.
"Your Majesty! Please forgive my careless words!"
"I forgive you."
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude!"
While Seong Eom was wiping cold sweat inside, Hyang continued his offensive.
"The Chief Inspector and Chief Censor objected by citing the example of ivory chopsticks and jade cups, but if it is for the people, this trade mission is absolutely necessary. Attendant! Go to my room and bring a book. The title is 'Tianxia Dilizhi' (Geography of the World)."
"Yes, Your Highness."
After some time passed, the attendant returned panting and held out the book to Hyang.
Having found the desired section, Hyang held out the book to the attending attendant.
"Give it to Father."
"Yes, Your Highness."
When Sejong received the book and examined its contents, Hyang continued speaking.
"That book is one I obtained by asking envoys among various miscellaneous books I requested. As the title 'Tianxia Dilizhi' suggests, it records the geography and specialties of China and various nearby countries. According to that book, in Jiangnan of Ming, rice is harvested twice a year, and in Da Yue Guo (Great Viet) further south than Ming, it is harvested three times a year. Therefore, we must use the profits obtained by the trading guilds accompanying the mission to buy rice from Jiangnan or Da Yue and bring it back. And with the rice obtained that way, we must provide relief to the people suffering from hunger."
Getting thirsty from talking continuously, Hyang paused to swallow. Having moistened his dry mouth, Hyang continued his offensive.
"You said we should be pleased with poverty and simple living? Does it appear to you that the people are poor because they want to be poor? The people are currently in destitution. Simple living and contentment? In summer they die of drought, in winter they freeze to death, in spring they starve to death! In this situation, if the monarch builds virtue, who will praise that virtue? When the people are dying of hunger, is the nation's dignity the issue! I hear there is a saying in the marketplace. 'If a child goes hungry for three days, even a scholar will climb over a wall.' What parent would stand still when their child is collapsing from hunger! The king is the father of all the people! When the children are crying from hunger, shouldn't something be done!"
"My child, well said!"
At Sejong's sudden exclamation, the court froze.
Hyang and the ministers looked at Sejong with their mouths open, and even the scribes stopped recording and looked at Sejong.
Looking at Sejong, Hyang remembered his first birthday celebration. Recalling the situation where his older brother Yangnyeong had nearly come to blows during a debate, Hyang clicked his tongue inwardly.
'Tsk! He's been holding back that temper for quite a long time.'
< Episode 11: Sprouting... Carcinogenesis? (4) > End
ⓒ Gukbbong