Chapter 141: The Running Crown Prince, I am the King, The Tumbling Ministers. (3)
As soon as Hyang's words came out that he would create a cafeteria and eat there together with the people from the research institute, court ladies, and eunuchs, the censors rose up in protest.
"This goes against propriety! Where has it ever been heard that a Crown Prince of a nation dines together with servants?"
To the censors' words, which did not deviate even an inch from Sejong's expectations, Hyang answered exactly as he had told Sejong he would.
- First, there is the issue of hygiene. Even if separate dishes are used, hygiene problems could arise.
- Second, while we dine together, it is not sharing the same table—only the location is the same. The usage times for myself, research institute staff, court ladies and eunuchs, and the royal guards are separately designated.
- Finally, though this is my personal opinion, those who work in the palace are also people who have received official ranks. How can they be treated like beggars?
At Hyang's explanation, the censors looked at Sejong. Sejong, receiving the censors' gaze, defended Hyang.
"I also believe the Crown Prince's opinion has merit. Looking back, when superiors skip meals, it is commonplace for subordinates to skip meals as well. Furthermore, with the custom of passing down the royal table, meal times increase—is this not wasteful? I will not speak further on the hygiene issue, as it is a problem already pointed out by various medical texts and physicians."
With even Sejong defending Hyang, the censors' voices began to lose their force. However, they continued to press the issue of propriety.
"But if we look at it from the perspective of propriety..."
When the censors kept pressing with propriety, Sejong added to his words.
"What is the beginning of Toeseon (Retiring the Table)—that is, the passing down of the royal table? It is the king sharing the precious food he eats with his subjects. This is the king showing through action the favor and trust he can display to his subjects. Could we not say that the cafeteria the Crown Prince has created is not simply eating together, but a Toeseon in a larger sense?"
At Sejong's logic, the censors had to fall silent. They had been outmatched in reasoning.
On the day when Hyang's Donggungjeon Grand Cafeteria was completed and began operations for the first time, Sejong left Geunjeongjeon and headed to Donggungjeon.
"Welcome, Your Majesty."
As Hyang, who had been waiting in advance, bowed at the waist to greet Sejong, the Crown Princess, Yangje (良娣), and Yangwon (良媛)—titles for the Crown Prince's consorts—along with Jeong Cho and other research institute personnel, as well as eunuchs and court ladies, all prostrated themselves and bowed in unison. The royal guards protecting Donggungjeon from the surroundings performed precise military salutes instead.
"We greet His Majesty the King!"
"Loyalty!"
"Your efforts are appreciated."
At Sejong's return greeting, those who had paid their respects straightened their postures.
After encouraging those working at Donggungjeon, especially those at the research institute, Sejong turned to look at Hyang.
"Let us take a look at this cafeteria of yours."
"Yes, Royal Father."
Guided by Hyang, Sejong toured the cafeteria.
Looking around here and there at the communal cafeteria, which was structured by expanding Donggungjeon's small kitchen and connecting it to the cafeteria space, Sejong posed a question to Hyang.
"You have divided the cafeteria into several sections?"
"Yes, Royal Father. Even if we say we dine together, it is a burden for lower-ranking individuals to eat with higher-ranking ones."
"Is that so?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang answered firmly.
"It is."
At Hyang's answer, among those following behind, the lower-ranking officials all nodded their heads in unison.
'Eat with that monster? I'd rather take poison and be done with it!'
'As if getting cursed at during work hours isn't enough, now I'm supposed to get cursed at instead of eating during meal time?'
"But if you eat together and converse, wouldn't bonds deepen and you could also discuss work matters?"
"Meal time is rest time. One must rest to some degree for efficiency to increase."
"That is true as well."
At Hyang's answer, Sejong nodded and accepted it. When Sejong made no further mention of it, the lower-ranking officials unknowingly let out small sighs of relief.
"Phew~."
Meanwhile, Hyang explained the sections to Sejong.
"This section is where I, Minister Jeong Cho, and other officials of Tangsang rank and above dine."
"It is neat and clean."
Touching the tables and chairs gleaming with oil finish and nodding, Sejong, guided by Hyang, moved to the next section.
Continuing to inspect the sections where mid and lower-ranking officials dined together, and where eunuchs and court ladies dined, Sejong continued to ask Hyang questions.
"You have separated the court ladies' section?"
"Yes, according to propriety..."
"You did well, very well... but isn't the space too narrow?"
"We will divide the personnel, set rotation orders, and have them take turns dining."
"Hmm... so what are the meal times?"
"One sijin starting from O-si (11 AM to 1 PM)."
"That is acceptable. Come to think of it... it is almost O-si now, isn't it?"
Glancing at the clock on the wall, Sejong turned to look at Hyang.
"Since I am here, I should have lunch before going."
"Please do so."
Hyang answered readily. At that moment, the faces of Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji standing behind turned pale.
'Damn it!'
After washing his hands at a washbasin prepared to one side, Sejong, guided by Hyang, picked up a food tray and moved along the serving line, filling his rice and side dishes.
Each time Sejong stood before them, the chefs and court ladies bowed deeply, prompting Sejong to speak with a smile.
"During meal times, do not observe excessive formalities. You have come to eat, not to receive bows."
"We are overwhelmed by your grace!"
Thus receiving rice, soup, and side dishes, Sejong found it interesting.
"This is amusing. One can receive more side dishes as desired, or less. If done properly, waste can be reduced."
"That is correct. But, Royal Father. Please add more buru (lettuce)."
"Crown Prince..."
"It is for Your Majesty's health. You must eat your vegetables well to prevent..."
"Add more! Pile it on generously!"
Cutting off Hyang's words, Sejong commanded the chef in a voice full of irritation. Looking at the lettuce piled high on his food tray, Sejong glared at Hyang.
"They say even a dog isn't bothered when eating."
"Is that not because dogs don't nag? As I have told you before."
"In any case, if words cannot be left unspoken..."
Sejong, grumbling at Hyang's interference, brightened when he saw the iron griddle at the end of the serving line.
On the iron griddle, delicious-looking pork belly was being grilled with a sizzling sound.
"Oh~. Grilled jeoyuk (pork)?"
"Yes."
"Pork has its own fine flavor. Fill it up generously."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Having filled his brass tray with rice, vegetables, and grilled pork belly, Sejong took a seat at a table to one side with Hyang.
"The fat and meat are layered like this—it is truly peculiar. What do you call it?"
"It is called samcheung-jeoyuk (three-layer pork)."
Hyang taught Sejong how to eat pork belly wrapped in lettuce.
At Hyang's explanation, Sejong showed interest and made a wrap.
"Is it already the season for buru to appear?"
"We grew it experimentally in a greenhouse made of glass. The yield is good."
"I see. Well then... In the markets, they say 'autumn buru is eaten behind closed doors,' it is such a delicacy. I am curious about early buru."
Stacking several lettuce leaves to make a large wrap, placing grilled pork belly and thinly sliced garlic pieces on top, then scooping ssamjang with his chopsticks and placing that as well, Sejong rolled it round and put it in his mouth.
Seeing the enormous wrap entering Sejong's mouth, Hyang's jaw dropped.
'No! Are you performing a punishment like those comedians on eating shows! Is that really one bite!'
Having chewed and swallowed the incredibly large wrap in just a few bites, Sejong made a new wrap while exclaiming in admiration.
"It is truly delicious!"
* * *
After enjoying lunch at the cafeteria and even having coffee in Hyang's room at Donggungjeon, Sejong returned to Geunjeongjeon with unhurried steps.
"His Majesty the King approaches~."
At the Sangseon's call, the ministers waiting inside Geunjeongjeon all checked their postures and bowed at the waist.
"I apologize for making you wait."
At Sejong's words as he ascended to the throne after receiving their respects, Yi Jik shook his head.
"Not at all, Your Majesty. How was the lunch you partook of at Donggungjeon?"
"The flavor was truly fine. If you ministers have time, you should also visit and..."
Sejong, who had been happily sharing his impressions, suddenly stopped speaking and fell into thought.
"Your Majesty?"
Worried by Sejong's sudden silence, Yi Jik cautiously called out. At Yi Jik's call, Sejong raised his hand and spoke.
"Please wait a moment."
At Sejong's words, the ministers looked at him with faces full of anxiety.
'What is he plotting again!'
'Why is it that whenever His Majesty and the Crown Prince are together!'
The ministers were screaming silently with terrified faces.
Whether knowing or not knowing of such circumstances, Sejong, who had been thinking deeply for a while, opened his mouth.
"I must install cafeterias like the one at Donggungjeon at Geunjeongjeon and the Six Ministries as well."
"Pardon?"
"Is not government work something that consumes tremendous mental energy? While it is in accordance with propriety for me to eat lunch, the ministers and officials of the Six Ministries do not, so the problem is great. When mental energy is excessively consumed, physical stamina also declines quickly. If we create cafeterias like the one at Donggungjeon and have them eat lunch, would we not be able to replenish their stamina?"
At Sejong's words, the ministers calculated carefully. Even now, at midday, officials who could not endure hunger were quietly going out to buy meals nearby or having their servants bring lunch from home.
'This is not a losing proposition.'
Thinking it was not a loss, the ministers approved Sejong's proposal.
"Please do as you wish!"
Thus, cafeterias were created at Geunjeongjeon and the Six Ministries.
With the creation of cafeterias, most officials' reactions were favorable. However, a few wore bitter expressions.
"My friend, is something wrong? You're just sitting there counting rice grains."
At his colleague's question, the official who had been picking at his food answered.
"I feel like I'm eating fodder given to an ox before plowing a field."
"Even if you put it that way..."
* * *
Late one night, as March was giving way to April.
"I cannot sleep well. Sangseon, let us take a walk."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Before going to bed after finishing work, Sejong quietly left Gangnyeongjeon and began walking.
Touring here and there within Gyeongbokgung Palace, Sejong's footsteps headed toward the gate tower of Gwanghwamun. Ascending the gate tower and looking at the night view of Hanseong, Sejong's eyes turned toward where the Six Ministries were located.
"The lights are still on."
"They say many officials are working late these days."
"Is that so?"
Hearing the Sangseon's answer, Sejong moved his feet.
The next morning.
As soon as the morning assembly began, Sejong spoke of the sight he had seen yesterday and asked the Chief State Councillor.
"Are there many officials who work that late?"
"There are not a few, Your Majesty."
"Hmm~. Then they must be tired, but do the officials have places to sleep?"
"Each government office has rooms for night duty, but their number is not sufficient."
"Hmm... This is a problem. To work so hard and not even be able to rest properly..."
As Sejong wore an agonized expression, the ministers prayed fervently in their hearts.
'That is why, please reduce the work!'
'If you just reduce the work, it will be fine!'
"Hmm... What shall be done..."
After contemplating briefly, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"Build buildings to be used as night duty rooms at each government office. In the night duty rooms, place two-tier bunks so that as many officials as possible can rest comfortably. Install washrooms so they can wash simply."
"...We receive your command."
The ministers answered with choking voices.
The officials who heard Sejong's royal command were the same.
"They make us eat at the government offices, and now are they saying we shouldn't even go home!"
"My children don't even recognize their father's face!"
"I should write a resignation letter immediately..."
Though they spoke of writing resignation letters, the officials could not write them.
Because the moment they wrote a resignation letter and left the official path, everything from their pension to many future benefits would disappear.