Chapter 143: The Struggle. (2)
The proposals that had been divided into passed and failed at Hyang's research institute and Jiphyeonjeon went up to the Seungjeongwon for secondary processing.
"This is quite interesting?"
"What's interesting?"
The secretaries showed the Chief Secretary the classification results from Jiphyeonjeon and the research institute.
"The evaluations of proposals regarding 'joint production and equal distribution' are in opposition. Jiphyeonjeon has many passes, but the research institute mostly rejected them."
At the secretaries' report, the Chief Secretary stroked his beard with a troubled face.
"This is problematic. If left alone, issues could arise."
Sensing a crisis, the Chief Secretary immediately reported to Sejong. Sejong, receiving the Chief Secretary's report, also had a perplexed expression.
"That the evaluation standards are so different... It is this king's failure for not considering this beforehand. Sang-seon! Immediately summon the Crown Prince and the Chief Scholar!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
* * *
Thus, Hyang and the Chief Scholar - Byeon Gye-ryang, who had resigned due to illness with Ha Yeon appointed in his place - had to engage in a fierce debate before Sejong and the ministers.
"If the people can obtain income equally without discrimination, there will be no distinction between rich and poor, nor between the four classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants!"
To the Chief Scholar's argument, Hyang countered.
"That is merely an ideal."
"Even if it is an ideal, if we strive for it, won't the world gradually become better?"
"Your Excellency, 'joint production and equal distribution' sounds good in words. However, joint production means joint labor, and there are many types of labor. There is agriculture, there is fishing, and even the actions of historians sitting there writing the Sacho can be called labor. Then how would you assign the same value to such diverse types of labor?"
"Well..."
"And the same applies to equal distribution. No matter how equally you divide, depending on each person's circumstances, others' portions always appear larger."
After the continued debate, Sejong and the ministers sided with Hyang.
"'Communist Equal Distribution Theory' is idealistic but not realistic. Therefore, Chief Scholar, re-examine the results."
At Sejong's command, the Chief Scholar bowed his head with a sour expression.
"I shall obey the command."
Seeing this, Hyang muttered internally.
'I've seen how that theory with the word "communist" attached ends...'
* * *
Thus, after evaluating the proposals gathered over 100 days - precisely 110 days - 15 people came to throw their hats into the ring for government positions.
The ministers waged a desperate struggle over these 15 selected people.
No, to be precise, the ministers competed over 14 people.
The remaining one was someone Jo Mal-saeng had strongly advocated for. The person in question was one who had argued for the 'Iron and Blood Theory.'
"This person is absolutely necessary for the Ministry of Military!"
At Jo Mal-saeng's assertion, not only Sejong but even Hyang and the ministers had to wear troubled expressions.
"Iron and blood... Isn't that too extreme?"
While Sejong and the ministers were questioning the radical nature of the theory, Hyang was worried about a different aspect.
'If that goes slightly wrong, it could lead to militarism or military-first politics...'
However, to unconditionally oppose it when Joseon currently absolutely needed to strengthen its national defense - that was why Hyang had to wear a troubled expression.
'This is truly troubling...'
Eventually, at Jo Mal-saeng's strong insistence, Sejong issued a royal command.
"Summon the one who made this proposal immediately! I will decide the course of action after questioning directly!"
* * *
Thus, the one who had made the problematic claim was summoned to the court.
"I greet His Majesty the King!"
The burly, hairy Jang Han in a durumagi immediately prostrated himself upon seeing Sejong and shouted booming.
At this sight, Sejong replied with a small smile.
"Good to meet you. Just from your voice, you seem like general material."
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude!"
The owner of the voice that rang through Geunjeongjeon was a scholar named Jang Hang-seon who came from Cheolsan-gun in Pyeongan-do.
Like Im Sun-uk, Jang Hang-seon had also been blocked by the prohibition on Northwesterners entering government service and had to live in the countryside despite passing the civil service examination.
The difference from Im Sun-uk was that being close to the border, conflicts with the Jurchens were frequent.
"So that is why you argued for the Iron and Blood Theory?"
At Sejong's question, Jang Hang-seon answered immediately.
"That is correct! Those Jurchen bastards will never attack if we are strong! Therefore, our defense must be strong!"
At Jang Hang-seon's words, Hyang interjected.
"Father. I..."
"I permit it."
'Now he permits before I even finish speaking. Is it automatic?'
Muttering quietly, Hyang posed a question to Jang Hang-seon.
"Scholar Jang said defense must be strong to be safe, but how strong do you think it should be?"
At Hyang's question, Jang Hang-seon's answer immediately popped out.
"The stronger the better! But even that must be kept within proper bounds!"
At Jang Hang-seon's statement, Sejong and the ministers' eyes began to shine.
"Keep within proper bounds?"
"That is correct! Defense is raised to protect the people. If it eats up the people, that is not right!"
At Jang Hang-seon's answer, Hyang looked back at Sejong. Sejong unconsciously clenched his fist and shouted.
"Approved!"
Thus, Jang Hang-seon was dragged into the Ministry of Military.
Later, exhausted from overtime work, Jang Hang-seon would greatly regret it.
"I just quietly obeyed..."
* * *
While the court was busily operating in this way, one assignment was completed in District 51.
"Father. Do you remember the command you gave me before?"
"A command I gave you? Let me see..."
Sejong, who was recalling his memories for a moment, looked at Hyang.
"There are not many commands I've given you that haven't been answered yet. But seeing your face... is it the Hangsan problem?"
"Yes, Father."
Hyang answered with a bright smile.
Previously, when mentioning the 'Nobi Jongmo Law,' Sejong had commanded him to find a plan to take responsibility for the livelihood of female servants who had given birth to free men's children but were cast out due to being illegitimate.
At Hyang's answer, Sejong's face brightened.
"Is that so? Did you find it?"
"Yes, Father."
"Good, what is it?"
"A loom."
At Hyang's answer, Sejong seemed disappointed for a moment but soon changed his expression.
"Judging by your usual behavior, it wouldn't be a simple loom. What is it?"
"A loom that weaves cloth automatically."
"Hmm?"
* * *
Ultimately, unable to overcome his curiosity, Sejong led the ministers to District 51.
At Sejong's procession leaving the palace for the first time in a while, the people going to and fro on the road all prostrated themselves and shouted.
"We greet His Majesty the King!"
"We greet His Majesty!"
"Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years!"
Amidst the continuous shouts of 'ten thousand years' from all directions, Sejong, seated in his palanquin, examined the people with a pleased expression.
After examining the people's faces, Sejong spoke to Hyang and the ministers following him.
"The people's complexions look good."
"It is all thanks to Your Majesty's grace."
At the Prime Minister's words, Sejong replied with a small smile.
"How could it be my merit alone? It is thanks to your assistance."
While exchanging such pleasantries, Sejong's procession arrived at District 51.
The personnel of District 51, who had been waiting in advance, all paid their respects upon seeing Sejong.
"We greet His Majesty the King!"
"Rise."
"You have all worked hard. Rise and stand."
Sejong, who responded with a gentle voice, looked back at Hyang.
"Good. Then let us see that loom."
"Yes, Father. Please come this way."
Guided by Hyang, Sejong moved to where the looms were located.
"Is that the loom?"
"That is correct. First, we connected three units for the demonstration."
"I see."
Where Sejong's gaze was directed, three looms stood in a line.
"The shape is somewhat unfamiliar to call it a loom."
"Yes, as we installed devices to transmit power, the overall shape changed."
"Hmm..."
Sejong carefully examined the structure of the looms.
Above the looms' heads, a large pole passed through, and in the middle of those poles, large circular discs were attached.
And between those discs and the looms, thick leather straps were connected. At the very end of the pole, a large gear was attached, and perpendicular to that gear, a similar-sized gear lay horizontally.
Finally, to the shaft connected to the horizontally lying gear's axis, an ox was tied.
"Hmm..."
After examining the loom's structure for a while, Sejong looked back at Hyang.
"Does that ox move this loom?"
"Basically, yes. Currently it is an animal-power type using oxen, horses, or donkeys, but later when the steam engine is completed, that can be replaced."
"Wouldn't it be good to utilize water mills or water wheels too?"
Sejong, who instantly understood the driving principle, said in a regretful voice.
"That is true, but aren't there many places where water volume is always insufficient, making utilization very low?"
"That is regrettable. That steam engine is still a distant story."
"I will consider installing some in places with abundant water volume."
"Good. Anyway... I want to see it in motion."
"Yes."
At Sejong's command, Hyang gave a hand signal. At Hyang's signal, several men and women came forward and politely paid their respects to Sejong.
"Good. Show us well."
At Sejong's command, the men headed to where the ox and pole were, and the women took their places in front of the looms. The women, sitting on bench-like structures made in front of the looms, gave a signal, and one man shook the ox's reins.
"Giddy up!"
Moo~
As the ox began to move, the wooden pole began to rotate, and the looms started to move.
Click-clack! Click-clack!
Along with unfamiliar noise, the loom bodies moved up and down, and accordingly, cloth began to be woven.
"Oh my..."
As Sejong exclaimed while watching the cotton cloth being woven, Hyang provided additional explanation.
"Since existing looms all had to be operated by human power, productivity was low and women had to work arduously. However, this automatic loom has high efficiency because livestock or steam engines replace the parts requiring the most strength."
"Is that so."
After showcasing the automatic loom and the spinning machine that also used animal power to spin thread, Hyang moved to the office and continued explaining to Sejong and the ministers.
"The advantage of this machine over ordinary looms is that the width of the cotton cloth or silk produced is much wider."
At Hyang's gesture, those waiting brought in cotton cloth and silk woven by machine, and cotton cloth and silk woven by traditional methods.
When the hand-woven cotton cloth was overlaid on the machine-woven cotton cloth, Sejong exclaimed in great admiration.
"It's at least three times wider!"
"That is correct. Therefore, its utility is also much higher."
"I see. Indeed."
In the case of cotton cloth woven on traditional looms, it was difficult to exceed a width of 1 ja (about 33cm). This was due to the physical limitations of the women operating the looms.
However, when weaving cloth by machine, that width limitation was greatly expanded.
Hyang continued to explain the advantages of machine-woven cotton cloth.
"Using this automatic loom, cotton cloth and silk with much wider widths can be woven more finely."
"Weave more finely?"
"At the same width, up to 20-seung was possible."
"Oh?"
At this time, the specification of cotton cloth received as tax was 5-seung cloth. Cotton cloth woven with 5 bundles of 80 warp threads each, meaning 400 warp threads, was called jeongpo and was used as currency substitute.
However, as the seung increased, the value of cotton cloth or silk rose sharply. More warp threads meant finer thread, and proportionally, the cloth was softer.
Therefore, royals and yangban used 12-seung or 15-seung cloth, either pre-ordered or imported from Ming, for their clothing.
* * *
After finishing the explanation of the automatic loom's advantages, Hyang explained its value as Hangsan.
"Although it is an automatic type using machines, the overall method is the same as existing looms. This is the first reason this becomes an implement for women who were freed from slavery but have no Hangsan."
"I see."
"Second, because it weaves densely, men with large and rough hands have difficulty handling problems that arise during the weaving process. However, women have small and quick hands, so they are rather advantageous."
When Hyang's explanation ended, Sejong wore a satisfied expression.
"You have worked hard. Then all that remains is for the country to build factories to set an example."
At Sejong's decision, Hyang made a suggestion.
"Father. How about entrusting this to private merchant groups?"
"Entrust to private merchant groups? Why?"
At Sejong's counter-question, Hyang explained the reason.
"Yes, until now the country has taken the lead in showing examples, and private merchant groups followed behind. However, doing so makes it difficult for private merchant groups to develop discernment."
'How long are we going to spoon-feed them?'
Hyang advocated 'strengthening self-reliance' of merchant groups to Sejong.
"They must develop the ability to judge value themselves and succeed in business for commerce to develop."
"Hmm..."
As Sejong pondered, Kim Jeom, who had been stamping his feet behind, quickly interjected.
"Your Majesty! I believe the method proposed by the Crown Prince is the best way to grow Joseon's commerce!"
He had realized that if this became a national project, their workload would increase.
"Is that so?"
"It is indeed!"
At Kim Jeom's strong advocacy to avoid overwork, Sejong, who had been contemplating for a moment, reached a conclusion.
"Let us consider it further. Crown Prince, you have created truly excellent results. You have worked hard."
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude."
* * *
After three days of fierce debate, it was decided to experimentally entrust the textile industry to the private sector.
When the court's decision was announced throughout the country via royal proclamation, merchant groups across the nation moved.
"This is an opportunity to rake in money!"
It was the beginning of a bidding war that would remain in history.