Chapter 142: The Struggle. (1)
With the arrival of April, the previously scheduled edicts were promulgated.
The first to be promulgated concerned Jangni (usury).
- It is forbidden for interest on lent property to exceed the principal.
- Monthly interest is also forbidden to exceed three pun per unit of principal.
When this interest limitation law was announced, there was no small amount of opposition. However, the court pushed forward, stating:
- Even in the Great Ming Code, monthly interest must not exceed three pun, and no matter how long the borrowing period, the total interest cannot exceed the principal.
Those who opposed this continued to resist, saying:
"Joseon is Joseon, and Ming is Ming! This is what the court has always said!"
To this, the court retorted:
"Before you claimed we should follow the Great Ming Code, and now you say Joseon and Ming are different? It has not even the value of a single examination!"
Having rebutted the opponents' arguments, the court went so far as to commence the revision of the Sok Yukjeon (Supplementary Six Codes).
* * *
Not long after the promulgation of the 'Interest Limitation Law,' the court announced a new edict.
- From this year onward, the civil service examination will be limited to the preliminary examination and main examination conducted annually.
- The civil service preliminary examination will be held on the fifth day of May each year, and the main examination on June 20th, one month and fifteen days later.
- The examinations for the preliminary and main examinations consist of treatises and arithmetic. Failing either of the two subjects results in failure.
- For the military examination, it will be conducted on October 1st each year.
- For the military examination, in addition to the existing martial arts test, the Four Books and Three Classics and military strategy will be added.
- The military examination will continue for the next five years, after which it will be replaced by the entrance examination for the Military Academy.
"What is this Military Academy?"
As an unfamiliar word suddenly appeared, the attention of those preparing for the military examination focused intently.
- The Military Academy is an institution for training officers who will operate Joseon's land and naval forces.
- The age for applying for admission to the Military Academy is between 15 and 20.
When it was announced that there was an age limit for the Military Academy, which would be equivalent to a military academy in the 21st century, those whose age was a concern had no choice but to tense up.
"There are only five years of opportunity left! We have no choice but to work ourselves to death!"
An entrance exam hell just as fierce as that for those preparing for the civil service examination unfolded for military examination aspirants as well.
* * *
With the 'Interest Limitation Law' and the revision of the examination system, Joseon's hyangban (local aristocrats) were stirred up.
"Finally, it has begun."
Those who had been carefully observing the reforms being conducted by the court wore expressions that said, 'What was bound to come has finally come.'
"The good times are all gone, I suppose."
"Indeed. Next will probably be reforming us hyangban."
"Reforming us... The tax exemption benefits will be the first to go."
"Likely so."
Having anticipated the court's next moves, the hyangban pondered deeply to find a countermeasure. However, they found it difficult to discover a clear solution.
"There is no justification to oppose the justification the court puts forward."
While the hyangban were contemplating countermeasures, the court promulgated a new decree.
This decree accelerated the division among the hyangban.
* * *
In mid-May, after the preliminary examinations concluded throughout Joseon, the court distributed King Sejong's royal edict across the country.
- It has already been eleven years since We ascended to the throne, and during that time, We have made many efforts for the peace of this Joseon.
However, in that process, We have keenly felt the shortage of talent.
While the court's ministers are supporting Us with their brilliance and long experience, their numbers are too few.
Recently, We have widened the path for recruitment, but it takes a long time for those who have entered in this way to gain experience.
Therefore, We intend to follow the old story of 'Xian Cong Wei Shi' (Starting with Guo Wei first).
Just as King Min of Qi was able to seek talents from all under heaven by honoring Yan's chancellor Guo Wei, so shall We.
Many will already know the news that Seonwon Im Sun-uk from Uiju has received the rank of 참의 and entered official service.
(Hereinafter omitted)
The edict promulgated by Sejong shook the hyangban.
"This is an opportunity! Now the King is walking the path of despotism! This is the chance to stop it!"
"No, this is the King's trap! At times like this, we must unite and resist the King's tyranny!"
The local hyangban were divided into two large groups and argued heatedly. However, gradually, more people began to follow Sejong's edict.
Because they too had dreams of rising to prominence and making a name for themselves.
Thanks to this, from cities like Hanseong to mountain villages in Jirisan and Taebaeksan, from wealthy landowners in silk clothes to poor scholars studying by day and reading by night, all took up their brushes.
* * *
Although Sejong had set the deadline generously at 100 days, not even fifteen days had passed before numerous proposals rushed into the court from all over Joseon.
Seeing the proposals coming in loaded on carts, the Chief State Councillor and State Councillors appealed their difficulties to Sejong.
"Hmm... I see. But examining these is certainly a necessary task..."
At Sejong's words, the ministers stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, the education of those who passed the main examination is still ongoing, and we are severely short-handed. Perhaps we could temporarily put this aside and handle other matters first..."
At the ministers' words, Sejong pointed out the reality.
"Even now, so many are pouring in. Won't it become even more difficult the more we delay?"
"That is true, but..."
The ministers trailed off.
Even in their eyes, the volume of incoming proposals was increasing. According to reports from those in charge of receiving them, there were quite a few cases where the same person had submitted multiple proposals. Ultimately, when the 100 days passed and the deadline ended—considering Joseon's poor transportation, it would take another fifteen days—the quantity would surely exceed imagination.
"The conclusion is that we need to screen them once as soon as they come in for things to proceed smoothly..."
While pondering to find a clear answer, Maeng Sa-seong offered a solution.
"How about selecting personnel from Jiphyeonjeon and the research institutes?"
"Jiphyeonjeon and the research institutes?"
Hearing Maeng Sa-seong's proposal, Sejong stroked his beard and calculated.
As the reforms progressed, Jiphyeonjeon had established itself as a policy research institution directly under the king. The scholars belonging to Jiphyeonjeon, like the officials belonging to Hyang's research institutes, were not holding concurrent positions.
Thanks to this, the 'Sahgadosseo' (Royal Grant of Leave for Study) that had appeared in the history before Hyang's intervention did not emerge.
"Hmm... Jiphyeonjeon and the research institutes..."
Sejong, who had been muttering to himself and pondering, finally made a decision.
"Good! Let us do that! Sangseon! Go fetch the Chief Scholar and the Crown Prince!"
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
* * *
"...And so, we have been tasked with initially examining these proposals."
"I see..."
At Hyang's explanation, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji nodded with expressions as if chewing something bitter.
'We're already busy enough to die!'
'Do the ministers think we're just playing around!'
Looking at the faces of Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji who were suppressing their complaints internally, Hyang continued speaking.
"We also have much work to do, but if this is necessary for the future of the country, it cannot be helped. First, among the tasks currently being carried out, what things can be postponed a bit?"
At Hyang's question, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji searched through the records.
Having selected tasks that could be postponed without major impact, the three soon called the persons in charge and explained the situation.
"Now! It will be a bit of a headache, but let's process them quickly! I will participate as well."
"We will also participate together."
With the Crown Prince Hyang personally stepping forward, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji had no choice but to join, willingly or not.
Seeing the carts filled with proposals coming in, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji made tearful faces.
'No wonder! My dream last night was so unsettling!'
'No wonder! I wanted to go to Area 51! I envy Lord Yi Cheon!'
* * *
Evaluating the proposals submitted from all over Joseon was a task that consumed a great deal of mental energy.
"Phew~. The work itself is simple, but it consumes a lot of mental energy."
As Hyang grumbled with a long sigh, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji, along with the officials from the research institute, nodded with hollow eyes.
The work itself was simple.
- First, record who the sender is.
- Open the sealed envelope and check the contents.
- Evaluate the contents and divide them into pass (通) and fail (不通).
- Send the proposals divided into pass and fail to the Royal Secretariat.
- At the Royal Secretariat, process the proposals evaluated as pass so that Sejong can read them.
It might seem like a truly simple task, but enormous mental energy was consumed in the process of evaluating the contents.
"There are many with big heads, but few with brains... Many dreamers, but few thinkers... Are there really so few talents in this Joseon?"
At Hyang's complaint, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji nodded unconsciously.
That was because there were so many proposals close to mere fantasy.
"Phew~."
Hyang, who had let out a long sigh, picked up the next envelope.
Having mechanically recorded the sender, Hyang broke the seal and examined the contents.
"The reason problems arise in governing the nation is because class discrimination emerges and wealth gaps are created.
Only by resolving this can the nation operate soundly.
Nationalize all production facilities such as land, workshops, and merchant associations. Afterward, distribute food and materials differentially according to the number of family members?"
'Isn't this some crimson ideology ahead of its time?'
While Hyang was startled, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji showed interest.
"Oh? It's an interesting idea, isn't it?"
"Indeed?"
At Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji's reaction, Hyang pointed out the problems.
"At first glance, perhaps... but if you distribute differentially just based on the number of family members, will national governance function properly?"
"Huh? Ah..."
"If done wrong, we'll end up with people not working and just making children."
As Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji nodded, Hyang set aside the problematic proposal.
"Fail!"
After that, proposals with similar ideologies of 'communal production, equal distribution' continued to appear.
"Good heavens... The words 'communal production and equal distribution' sound nice, but who is going to distinguish the magnitude of labor..."
"You're right."
"The standard itself is too vague."
Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji, who had already processed several similar documents, also nodded at Hyang's complaint.
Ultimately, Hyang established a new standard.
"From now on, let's prioritize marking proposals that contain the phrase 'communal production and equal distribution' as fail."
"Yes."
"Understood."
"Puhaha! Pff!"
While Hyang, Jeong Cho, and Jeong In-ji were exchanging opinions with serious faces, laughter burst out from one side.
"Hm?"
At the sudden sound of laughter, the gazes of the three turned to where Yi Sun-ji was examining proposals with a stifled laugh.
"Pff! Fail!"
Seeing that, Jeong In-ji called Yi Sun-ji with a serious face.
"Jeongrang Yi Sun-ji. What is so funny?"
At Jeong In-ji's question, Yi Sun-ji scratched the back of his head and answered.
"These proposals are just so preposterous..."
At Yi Sun-ji's words, Jeong In-ji reproached him.
"Those who wrote these proposals may have written their lifelong beliefs. Isn't this viewing them too lightly?"
At Jeong In-ji's reproach, Yi Sun-ji answered with a grave expression.
"One could view it that way, but there are far too many writings full of only clever words hoping for some stroke of luck. I think it's my loss to examine even those seriously."
At Yi Sun-ji's answer, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji examined the documents in their hands.
"Certainly..."
Like Hyang's evaluation that 'they're all just dreamers,' there were too many writings filled with plausible words aiming for some unknown luck.
As Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji's momentum subsided, Yi Sun-ji continued speaking.
"To minimize mental exhaustion, I think we shouldn't be serious from the start."
At Yi Sun-ji's words, Hyang stepped forward in agreement.
"That's a good idea. Let's do that. There are many more things to examine ahead."
"Understood. That would certainly be better."
With even Hyang stepping forward like that, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji took a step back.
Through Hyang's decision, the people changed their attitude toward evaluation.
* * *
"Hm? Why is this so heavy?"
Hyang, holding a thick envelope, made an expression of surprise at the unexpected weight.
Having mechanically recorded the sender, Hyang opened the envelope to check the contents.
Thud!
The moment he tilted the envelope downward to take out the paper inside, something fell from the envelope.
"What is this? Hm? A knife?"
What fell from the envelope was a small dagger.
Hyang grasped the dagger's handle and carefully drew it. Seeing the blade sharpened blue, Hyang unconsciously muttered.
"What in the world..."
Seeing the dagger, Hyang took out the paper from the envelope and unfolded it.
"Layer upon layer of mountains. Is this a blood letter this time?"
As a dagger suddenly popped out, Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji came right over. With Yi Sun-ji also gathered around, Hyang read the contents of the blood letter.
"The nation's peace can only succeed when the nation's defenses are solid. What can make the nation's defenses solid is only iron and blood?"
'What is this, Bismarck?!'
Having confirmed the problematic contents, Hyang, Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, and Yi Sun-ji looked at each other's faces. After a long silence, Jeong Cho reached a conclusion.
"If it were me, I would mark it pass. Though brief and concise, a clear conviction about national defense is visible."
"I as well..."
"Me too..."
With Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, and even Yi Sun-ji deciding on pass, Hyang silently added the blood letter to the proposals marked as pass.