Chapter 137: Fishing. (2)
Upon King Sejong's royal command, Kim Jeom took Im Sun-uk and moved.
"Well then... let us have a discussion. Your Highness, please come along as well."
As Kim Jeom left his seat, anxious emotions began emanating from among the other ministers.
"Hmm? What is there to discuss?"
At Sejong's question, Heo Jo stepped forward to answer.
"Your Majesty! Having read the plan submitted by Im Sun-uk, this does not appear to be a matter for the Ministry of Taxation alone! Coordination among various ministries is necessary!"
"Hmm... Is that so?"
At Heo Jo's words, Sejong stroked his beard and questioned. In response to Sejong's inquiry, Heo Jo answered with an urgent voice.
"It is indeed, Your Majesty!"
"Hmm... That makes sense. Sang-seon, go and bring back the Crown Prince, the Minister of Taxation, and Im Sun-uk."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A short while later, accompanied by the court attendant, Hyang, Kim Jeom, and Im Sun-uk returned to Geunjeongjeon Hall.
Seeing Hyang wearing a subtle smile as if understanding what was happening, Kim Jeom with an expression of having lost everything in the world, and Im Sun-uk with a bewildered look not knowing what was going on, Sejong smiled faintly and commanded the attendant.
"It seems this will be quite a long discussion, so bring chairs. Ah, desks as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Thus, chairs and a large desk were placed in the center of Geunjeongjeon, and the ministers and Hyang sat in a circle. The highest seat was left empty on the grounds that sitting there would block King Sejong's gaze from his throne, and Im Sun-uk sat in the direction directly facing Sejong.
"Crown Prince, you shall lead the proceedings."
"Yes, Father."
Following Sejong's command, as Hyang took charge of the proceedings, Heo Jo spoke first.
"First, as you are a licentiate graduate, may I address you as Scholar Im?"
"Yes."
Once the matter of address was resolved, Heo Jo immediately proceeded to his questions.
"Do you see sufficient possibility in rickshaws and carriages?"
"If we look only at Hanseong first, it is sufficiently possible."
"Your reasoning?"
"After the great fire, the main roads connecting east and west, north and south of Hanseong have been paved with concrete. This means that even when rain or snow falls, the roads will not turn into mire, so wheeled vehicles can be sufficiently used."
"I see...."
At Sun-uk's answer, as Heo Jo nodded, the Minister of Justice stepped forward.
"However, are not many roads in Hanseong still made of dirt?"
"That part must also be paved within a short period. The people of Hanseong are already experiencing the convenience of concrete roads."
"However...."
Before the Minister of Justice could say anything, Sun-uk continued.
"Of course, paving roads requires much expenditure. However, looking at Hanseong alone, without proper stable occupations, the number of people selling daily labor is increasing day by day. Paving roads means providing stable occupations for these people."
When the issue of stable occupations was mentioned, the ministers nodded. After wetting his throat briefly, Sun-uk continued.
"Furthermore, if more people gain experience through this process, road paving can proceed nationwide, and if industries related to such construction grow, the people who are overly concentrated in agriculture can be drawn out."
At Sun-uk's words, the gazes of Sejong and all the ministers turned to Hyang.
Receiving this silent question, Hyang shook his head back and forth. It meant he had not informed him beforehand.
Seeing this silent answer, the eyes of Sejong and the ministers began to shine even brighter.
'A talent!'
'A talent! One that can be used immediately at that!'
'Must catch him! No matter what happens, must catch him for my ministry!'
While harboring such desires, the ministers proceeded with something that wasn't quite verification, yet was verification in its own way.
"Scholar Im argued for selling twenty rickshaws immediately. What is the basis for this?"
At Kim Jeom's question, Im Sun-uk answered with a slightly embarrassed face.
"That is due to the limit of wealth I possess."
"If there were no limits on wealth?"
"Then, I would start with one hundred. I would establish stations operating twenty-five rickshaws each centered on the Bell Pavilion in Bukchon, Namdaemun, and Seodaemun. And among the twenty-five rickshaws stationed at each station, twenty would operate daily while five would rest."
"Hmm...."
"That makes sense."
At Im Sun-uk's explanation, the ministers and Sejong nodded. Bukchon was where high-ranking ministers mainly lived. The areas near Namdaemun and Seodaemun had many low-ranking officials living there as well, but they were also gateways where yangban coming up from the provinces mainly entered. And the Bell Pavilion was a place where people crowded to handle business at government offices and nearby large merchant companies.
Unlike the ministers who were nodding, Hyang tilted his head.
"Speaking of establishing stations means keeping rickshaws waiting there, but wouldn't traveling through the streets of Hanseong attract more customers?"
Thinking of '21st century taxis,' Hyang posed the question, and Im Sun-uk explained the reason why that couldn't be done.
"If they wander around like that, the possibility of falling victim to crimes increases. Not waiting at stations and wandering around means continuously carrying wages on one's person."
"I see. I had forgotten that."
At Im Sun-uk's explanation, Hyang nodded.
'It's not like GTA Hanseong or anything....'
While efforts were being made to strengthen public security, Hyang grumbled inwardly at the situation in Hanseong, no, in Joseon, where public security was still unstable in various corners.
Im Sun-uk continued his explanation.
"The stations where rickshaws will be stationed perform the following tasks:
First, they receive fares in advance from those who will ride rickshaws to reduce the potential for disturbance and guarantee the safety of those driving the rickshaws.
Second, they manage the shifts and rotations of rickshaw drivers.
Third, they maintain the rickshaws."
Im Sun-uk concluded his presentation by explaining the standards for fees to be received while using rickshaws.
"Herewith, I conclude my proposal regarding the operation of rickshaws."
"You have worked hard."
"You have worked hard. Then... let us now discuss the carriages."
"Pardon?"
Im Sun-uk, whose energy was drained from explaining rickshaw operations, had his eyes grow round at Kim Jeom's words about discussing 'carriages.'
"Can we not do this after resting for a moment?"
At Im Sun-uk's startled appearance, Kim Jeom chuckled and explained.
"There are many tasks piled up that need to be handled besides your agenda."
"I see...."
At Kim Jeom's words, as Im Sun-uk answered weakly, Hyang interjected from beside him.
"Still, having understood the necessity and advantages of operation through the rickshaws, the parts that need to be confirmed for the carriage section will be reduced. Will it not be somewhat easier? What do you all think?"
"That would be the case."
"Hoo~."
As the things to explain greatly decreased, Im Sun-uk unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
At Im Sun-uk's appearance, Hyang smiled and spoke to him.
"Release your tension. If you are so tense, you will tire easily. There is much work to do ahead."
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude."
At Hyang's advice, Im Sun-uk bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.
'But why does this feel so unsettling?'
Suppressing the ominous feeling that was slowly rising, Im Sun-uk sat in the chair and prepared for the next agenda item.
* * *
The discussion about carriages proceeded easily as Hyang had expected.
"Examining the size of Hanseong, the length of the fortress walls surrounding Hanseong exceeds 40 ri (approximately 16km). Looking at the interior, from Heunginjimun Gate to Donuimun Gate is a little over 10 ri (approximately 4km), and from Gwanghwamun Gate to Sungnyemun Gate falls a little short of 5 ri (approximately 2km)."
Having explained the area of Hanyang, Im Sun-uk immediately added to his words.
"It is a very large city. Of course, compared to great cities like Beijing, it may be lacking, but I believe its cleanliness can be guaranteed."
At Im Sun-uk's words, the ministers who were nodding turned their gazes to Hyang.
The size of Hanseong had already been decided during the process of moving the capital, but the matter of cleanliness was something Hyang had handled for the most part. Receiving the ministers' gazes, Hyang answered with an awkward smile.
"They say misfortune may be a blessing in disguise. We benefited somewhat from that fire."
* * *
During the restoration process of the great fire that had turned nearly half of Hanseong into ashes, what Hyang had focused on most was road paving and sewage treatment.
"This is the opportunity! It's SimCity!"
During the reconstruction process, Hyang installed sewage facilities by recalling books from the Eastern Roman Empire he had obtained and memories of the 21st century.
He connected U-shaped conduits made of concrete not only to roads but also to newly created housing sites to discharge sewage. And not only domestic wastewater but, if possible, human waste from toilets as well was made to discharge through these sewer pipes.
"Must we really do this?"
At Hyang's supervision, which was so meticulous it was called excessive, the officials and people complained, but Hyang silenced them with a single statement.
"Do you wish to eat rice cooked with fecal water?"
"...."
Since it was already common sense in Joseon to build wells and toilets far apart, no one rebutted Hyang's words.
Looking at such officials and people, Hyang continued speaking.
"It is annoying and difficult now, but think of what comes later. People are already gathering in Hanseong. If we do not put our hands to it properly now, in less than ten years, all the people of Hanseong will be living with illnesses."
As the restoration conducted in this way neared completion, Hyang petitioned Sejong to promulgate the 'Law Regarding Road Use.'
The decree regarding 'the distinction between pedestrian walkways and roads for ox and horse carts, rules for the direction in which ox and horse carts travel, and the prohibition of indiscriminate urination or defecation on the streets' was promulgated, and not only the residents of Hanseong but also the people living in other cities all complained, but they had to follow it because Sejong pushed forward strongly.
It was a law called an 'evil law,' but before long, the people had no choice but to acknowledge that law.
Because even to their own eyes, the roads had become clean, and living had become more comfortable.
* * *
Im Sun-uk continued explaining about carriage operations.
"Since carriages can carry many people at once, they can be operated sufficiently even while receiving lower fares than rickshaws."
"That is true."
At Im Sun-uk's point, the ministers nodded.
Before anyone realized, a large banner with a map of Hanseong drawn on it was in place, and Im Sun-uk continued speaking while pointing to the east, west, south, and north of the map.
"Ten ri east to west, five ri north to south. It may seem like a short distance, but when one actually resolves to move, it is quite a long distance."
At Im Sun-uk's words, the Minister of Punishments nodded slowly.
"It would be somewhat difficult in summer or winter."
"There is the problem of seasons, but there is also the problem for those who must come to the central streets for business. There is much waste of time. However, if carriages are operated, the waste of time can be reduced."
"Hmm...."
At Im Sun-uk's words, the ministers nodded. Seeing that, Hyang's eyes sparkled.
'Hmm... perhaps... good! It's a test!'
Having made his decision, Hyang questioned Im Sun-uk.
"Scholar Im, more and more people are gathering in Hanseong now. What method do you think of to resolve this?"
At Hyang's question, Im Sun-uk thought for a moment then answered.
"The most basic solution is to make it so people have no reason to come to Hanseong. The reason people are flocking to Hanseong now is because they cannot make ends meet in the villages and cities where they lived."
"That is true...."
At Im Sun-uk's answer, everyone from Sejong downward nodded. After briefly wetting his throat, Im Sun-uk continued.
"Therefore, if all of Joseon is properly developed, people will have no reason to flock to Hanseong. Of course, this has a high possibility of becoming empty theorizing, but I believe we must still make efforts to realize it as much as possible."
"You said it is the most basic solution but empty theorizing, then what is a slightly more realistic method?"
At Hyang's following question, Im Sun-uk answered immediately.
"The Seongjeo-sipri (the ten ri at the base of the walls, villages surrounding Hanseong) must be developed. First, paved roads must be connected outside the Four Great Gates, and carriages must be extended to operate to those areas. Only then can we prevent the population from excessively flocking into Hanseong's interior. We must prevent population concentration to preemptively stop housing problems, stable occupation problems, and disease problems."
At Im Sun-uk's answer, Hyang clenched his fist and nodded largely to Sejong.
At Hyang's reaction, Sejong asked Im Sun-uk.
"What does Scholar Im's eldest son do now?"
"Pardon? He is currently learning the work of the merchant company."
"Is that so? How long has he been learning the work?"
"It has been five years."
"Then, it should be fine to hand over the merchant company?"
"Pardon?"
Looking at Im Sun-uk who had a bewildered expression from not properly understanding his words, Sejong spoke.
"Wind up the merchant company and come forth to court. About five days or so should be sufficient, no?"
"Pardon? Pardon? Pardoooon!"
At Sejong's bombshell declaration, Im Sun-uk was completely startled.