Chapter 138: Fishing. (3)
At the sudden command to enter government service, Im Sun-uk desperately made excuses.
"Though it is an honor to be commanded to enter service, would someone of my humble standing be qualified?"
At those words, Heo Jo stepped forward.
"Is it not true that you are a successful examination candidate?"
"However..."
When Im Sun-uk hesitated, Kim Jeom gently persuaded him.
"Scholar Im, why did you take the civil service examination? Was it not because of the dream of rising clouds—to enter service and become a renowned minister of this nation? Though various circumstances may have forced you to abandon that ambition. But now, an opportunity to unfold that dream once more has arrived."
"However..."
When Im Sun-uk still couldn't make up his mind, the Chief Inspector stepped forward.
"Scholar Im! Taking the examination and entering service is what any scholar of Joseon must do! How can you hesitate! That very appearance is disloyalty!"
"Oh dear..."
When even the word 'disloyalty' came out, Im Sun-uk's face crumpled and he unconsciously let out a groan.
Seeing this, Kim Jeom explained the situation at court.
"This may sound like a bolt from the blue to Scholar Im, but the current situation at court is not good. There are no people at court."
"Hasn't the gate to the civil service examination been wide open for several years now?"
At Im Sun-uk's protest, Kim Jeom sighed.
"Huu~. That is true. However, most of those who entered that way are still in minor positions. Furthermore, problems have arisen as the reforms progress."
"What kind of problems?"
"There is no one who moves proactively. We must also reflect on this. But right now, officials are too busy just trying to keep up with the reforms that His Majesty is pushing forward."
Kim Jeom explained the current situation at court.
As Sejong began the reforms, the number of officials started to be rapidly filled.
There were two methods of filling these positions. In the central government, people were recruited through the civil service examination, and in the provinces, clerks of government offices were converted to formal officials.
Converting clerks to formal officials was a double-edged sword for them.
While it meant giving them salaries along with opportunities for promotion, at the same time, they became subject to the strict application of the avoidance system (Sangpije).
As a result, clerks had to either leave their clerk positions or leave their hometowns to move to other regions.
While officials in both central and local governments were filled on a large scale in this way, problems continued to arise one after another.
The first problem was that those who newly entered official positions through the examination and the clerks who became formal officials were not properly adapting to the reforms.
Both the successful candidates and the former clerks were struggling in the process of learning arithmetic, which had become a basic competency for officials.
Of course, there was a positive function in that one could screen for those with visible futures during this process, but the problem was that their numbers were small.
Explaining this part, Kim Jeom added.
"Of course, starting this year, we'll be able to secure more talent as opportunities for entering service are given to the northwestern regions and secondary sons."
"Forgive me, but it seems the court has made a mistake in that regard."
At Im Sun-uk's point that 'the court made a mistake,' not only the court ministers but also Sejong and Hyang's gazes focused.
Whether knowing this situation or not, Im Sun-uk explained what the problem was.
"That clerks have become formal officials is a fact known to all who should know. However... those taking the civil service examination are still preparing for it centered on the classics and poetry composition."
Explaining the situation of those preparing for the examination, Im Sun-uk continued.
"Of course, there will be some who know the importance of arithmetic and prepare for it because they have relatives who are current officials. But how many would have current officials as relatives? You must accurately inform them in advance whether the items evaluated in the examination are memorization of classics, poetry composition, or arithmetic. Only then can they avoid doing double work."
Im Sun-uk continued to explain what the court had missed.
"The same goes for informing about acceptance and rejection. I have watched the secondary examinations held in Hanyang several times, and they only informed whether candidates passed or failed. You should put in a little effort to inform those who failed why and where they fell short. Only then will those who wish to enter service prepare properly, and the outstanding ones can be more clearly distinguished."
"Aah~"
At Im Sun-uk's points, Sejong and the ministers all nodded.
However, the one who received the greatest shock was Hyang.
'To forget this! Reflect! Reflect!'
Sejong looked at Im Sun-uk with pleased eyes.
"Truly a talent! One essential to the court!"
"Your Majesty, but I..."
When Im Sun-uk tried to slip away at Sejong's words, Kim Jeom interjected again.
"The problem of low-ranking officials can be solved that way, but the middle and high-ranking officials are the problem."
"Pardon?"
"The provinces haven't changed much yet, but the central court is changing greatly. First, what's most visible is that the number of officials has greatly increased, as I just mentioned. When new bureaucrats increase like this, naturally the number of middle-ranking officials to command them should also increase. Isn't that so?"
"That is correct."
Drawn in by Kim Jeom's eloquent speech, Im Sun-uk unconsciously found himself pulled into the conversation.
"With middle-ranking officials increasing so rapidly, there are problems. Perhaps due to lack of experience, there are issues with work distribution, and also problems with managing work progress."
"That part can only be answered by time alone. Or, the highest-ranking officials could handle it decisively..."
Im Sun-uk, who was speaking, hurriedly closed his mouth. The people he was pointing out were the ministers standing right in front of him. Going further, he had even implicated the king sitting above them.
'I'm dead!'
Realizing his mistake, Im Sun-uk began to break out in cold sweat with a pale face.
However, neither Sejong nor the ministers blamed him. Rather, Kim Jeom nodded and chimed in.
"Your words are correct! That's the problem! To be honest, right now His Majesty and the Crown Prince are personally leading the reforms, and we are too busy just trying to keep up. That's why we need people like you!"
"It seems you're seeing too much in me..."
"Let me speak honestly. It's true we don't know the extent of your capacity. It could be that we're seeing you too greatly, as you say. But it's certain that you possess what we lack."
At Kim Jeom's words, Im Sun-uk rather became curious.
'What exactly do they see in me?'
Ultimately, Im Sun-uk asked Kim Jeom.
"What did you see in me?"
"The eye to see. The eye that sees what we couldn't see."
Kim Jeom explained honestly to Im Sun-uk.
-Though I keep saying this, with the capabilities of the current ministers and high officials, they don't have the mental bandwidth to even execute the policies that His Majesty and the Crown Prince are putting forward.
This is partly a matter of capability, but the excessive workload also plays a large part.
"Ahem! Ahem!"
At Kim Jeom's statement, Sejong coughed with a slightly uncomfortable expression, but Kim Jeom continued speaking without minding.
'If you don't like it, just dismiss me!'
-As a result, the overall atmosphere of the court is flowing in a passive direction. From the ministers above to the lowliest clerks below, all officials are in a situation where they only carry out orders given to them.
-This may not be a big problem right now, but it will become a major problem in the future. Because there are too few who can confirm whether the direction is going properly.
"There are a few suitable people. Huang and his faction... But the problem is they're all busy in the north right now."
Not missing the opportunity, Kim Jeom took a jab at Hwang Hee and presented the conclusion to Im Sun-uk.
"That's why the court needs people who can confirm whether the direction is going properly."
"Are not His Majesty and the Crown Prince already present? I'm not sure if I would have such capability."
Though Im Sun-uk continued to press, his momentum had weakened considerably compared to before. At Im Sun-uk's words worrying about his own capability, Sejong interjected.
"Because there is sufficient capability, the ministers have stepped forward. Therefore, I hope Scholar Im will enter service and assist me."
When Sejong humbled himself using 'Gwa-in' to refer to himself, Im Sun-uk fell into contemplation.
'It's not that I didn't have dreams of rising clouds...'
For 20 years, feeling that the dream of rising clouds was not meant for him, Im Sun-uk couldn't help but contemplate as he felt that dream growing again.
Meanwhile, the ministers whispered among themselves with faces mixed with various emotions.
"Heheh... How long has it been since His Majesty called himself 'Gwa-in'..."
"Indeed..."
Until the purge of the elder ministers symbolized by Ryu Jeong-hyeon, Sejong had 'Gwa-in' constantly in his mouth. However, after the purge of the elder ministers who pressured royal authority, there were almost no instances of Sejong bringing up the word 'Gwa-in.'
After contemplating for a while, Im Sun-uk opened his mouth.
"Following the royal command given by His Majesty is the duty of one who has become a subject. However, I operate a trading company. Though they say I can hand it over to my child, if done poorly, it could tarnish His Majesty's pure reputation."
At Im Sun-uk's point, Kim Jeom interjected.
"Does your trading company sell monopoly goods from the Ministry of Taxation?"
"No."
"Or do you engage in construction?"
"No."
"Then what's the problem?"
"However... for a mere merchant to become a minister of the court will give rise to bad rumors."
Seeing Im Sun-uk hesitate, Sejong asked.
"Do you lack confidence in restraining yourself from what you're worried about?"
"No!"
"Then there's no problem. Why do you think the Chief Inspector and Chief Censor exist?"
"..."
At Sejong's words, Im Sun-uk closed his mouth again.
After contemplating for a while, Im Sun-uk rose from his seat and made a deep bow to Sejong.
"I, Im Sun-uk, accept Your Majesty's command! I am overwhelmingly grateful for giving this foolish one such a great opportunity!"
When Im Sun-uk accepted Sejong's proposal, Sejong showed exceptional courtesy. Coming down from the royal seat and walking before Im Sun-uk, Sejong commanded.
"Scholar Im, rise."
When Im Sun-uk rose from his seat, Sejong lightly patted his shoulder.
"I ask for your good efforts ahead."
"I will devote my body and soul, sob!"
It was Im Sun-uk, moved to tears at the fact that Sejong personally patted his shoulder to encourage him.
Thus, someone who did not appear in history before Hyang's intervention rose to the forefront of history.
* * *
"Then, report for duty starting in five days. During that time, the ministers and I will decide where you will work."
"Your Majesty. This is a truly presumptuous request, but please grant me fifteen days."
"Fifteen days? Why?"
When Sejong asked the reason, Im Sun-uk calmly explained.
"As Your Majesty said, organizing the trading company can be mostly completed in about five days. However, I do not know well about the reforms the court has been pursuing until now. Of course, I've observed much from the outside, but I don't know the inside, so I need time to grasp this."
"I see. Indeed!"
At Im Sun-uk's explanation, Sejong liked Im Sun-uk even more.
"Then, I will give you fifteen days as you wish. However, since key records regarding the reforms are state secrets, they cannot be taken outside. Chief State Councilor, listen."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Sejong gave an order to the Chief State Councilor.
"I order you to issue a pass for access to the Records Office to Scholar Im here."
"I receive your command."
At Sejong's favor, Im Sun-uk bowed again and cried out.
"I am overwhelmingly grateful!"
* * *
Sejong, who had taken quite a liking to Im Sun-uk, accompanied him to the entrance of Geunjeongjeon Hall to see him off.
Thanks to this, it was a small scene that Im Sun-uk, moved to tears, cried his eyes out.
Having seen Im Sun-uk off like that, Sejong ascended to the royal seat again.
"Now then, where would it be good for Scholar Im to work with whom?"
Sejong, who had caught Im Sun-uk, asked while rubbing his hands together lightly with great satisfaction.
Flutter! Flutter!
As soon as Sejong's words fell, the sleeves of official robes fluttered as the Prime Minister and ministers raised their hands.
"Hoh? Let's hear the Prime Minister's reason first."
At the command of Sejong, who was slightly surprised by the unexpected situation, Prime Minister Ijik opened his mouth.
"Scholar Im's greatest strength is his eye for seeing, so he is most suitable for the State Council. The State Council's work involves coordinating matters that come up from each ministry in advance, so Scholar Im's insight would shine most brightly there."
"That sounds plausible."
As Sejong nodded, Heo Jo urgently shouted.
"Your Majesty! Scholar Im's ability is perfectly suited for the Ministry of Personnel. The Ministry of Personnel's work involves managing administration throughout all of Joseon. With Scholar Im's insight and experience operating a trading company, he would be fully capable of handling this!"
"Your Majesty! Considering Scholar Im's experience operating a trading company, he is immediately needed at the Ministry of Taxation! Balancing the national finances is more important than anything else!"
Starting with Heo Jo and Kim Jeom, all the ministers of each ministry cried out that they needed Scholar Im.