Chapter 153: Elements of Unrest. (2)
As soon as the 'Law Regarding the Treatment of Examination Graduates Who Have Not Entered Service'—a law that would come to be called the 'Yangban Law' among the common people—was promulgated, a massive storm swept through the Hyangban (local aristocrats) across all of Joseon.
"We must submit a petition immediately! This is an evil law among evil laws!"
"Indeed! Indeed!"
It was only natural that many Hyangban rebelled when the benefits they had taken for granted until now disappeared.
It went without saying that once again, petitions lined up and flooded into Gyeongbokgung Palace.
As these petitions poured in, Sejong publicly denounced their rebellion.
—What is the civil service examination! It is to select talents from among those who wish to enter service for the sake of the nation and its people!
—Red tags and white tags were distributed to graduates, and various benefits were granted because we wanted those who were insufficiently prepared to properly prepare before entering service, to make this Joseon even more prosperous!
—However, how many there are who exploit the nation's goodwill to focus only on their own enrichment!
—Therefore, the nation will show no further goodwill. We will treat only those who truly wish to work for the nation and those who have worked for it.
At Sejong's public declaration that 'If you do not enter service, there will be no benefits!' the Hyangban were furious.
"Is this what a nation is!"
"What are the ministers and high officials doing! If the King is going down the wrong path, shouldn't they stop him even at the cost of their lives!"
"After Lord Ryu Jeong-hyeon, only petty men remain in the court!"
Gathered at the Hyanggyo (local Confucian schools) under the pretext of 'sacrificial rites to the sages,' the Hyangban indiscriminately criticized Sejong and his ministers.
Meanwhile, those praising Ryu Jeong-hyeon and his supporters also began to surface.
However, no one openly resisted. They knew well that they had lost the moral high ground.
Because of this, seditious words began to circulate in dark corners.
"A monarch who commits tyranny is a sign of a falling nation! For this Joseon to survive, we must change the heavens!"
"We must restore the deceased King's legitimate eldest son who was pushed aside!"
"Come to think of it, the reason the deceased King's legitimate eldest son was pushed aside is also unclear! This is certainly a conspiracy!"
Such slander (false accusations fabricated to harm others) began to circulate little by little among the local Hyangban.
Of course, if this was caught by local officials or reported, there would be serious consequences.
That was why the speed at which such slander spread was extremely slow.
Not all local Hyangban were moving so seditiously.
"Exactly! This is how it should be! This is a proper law!"
Unexpectedly, there were also Hyangban who actively supported the law Sejong had promulgated.
Those expressing such support were Hyangban who were retired former bureaucrats.
Regardless of whether they were military or civil officials, they were expressing active support for Sejong's law.
The reason they supported Sejong's decision was because, to them, the Hyangban were eyesores.
"While some suffer to death serving in the court, others sit filling only their own bellies..."
"And yet they act so high and mighty..."
"What's wrong with being a military official!"
As mentioned before, those who had served as bureaucrats and returned faced considerable rejection in their hometowns' Yangban society.
Those who had been rejected in this way enthusiastically welcomed Sejong's law.
"Now people will know who the real Yangban are!"
* * *
Sejong's thoughts on the local Hyangban were simple.
'Enemies of royal authority.'
Therefore, Sejong aggressively announced reform policies and pressed the local Hyangban.
The momentum was so fierce that even Hyang, who viewed the local Hyangban negatively due to his 21st-century memories, felt a sense of crisis.
"This is dangerous."
Eventually, Hyang sought out Sejong.
"Let the scribes step out for a moment."
After sending the scribes out, Hyang ordered the eunuchs.
"The scribes will probably be clinging to the door. Send them far away."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And you all wait outside the door as well."
At Hyang's command, the Chief Eunuch immediately looked at Sejong. To the silent question the Chief Eunuch threw, Sejong answered.
"Do as the Crown Prince commands."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With only Sejong and Hyang remaining in Gangnyeongjeon, Hyang asked Sejong in a voice full of worry.
"Father. Is this not too radical?"
"Radical how?"
"The policies regarding the Hyangban."
At Hyang's point, Sejong smiled. However, there was no warmth in that smile.
"Crown Prince, I understand you have been reading many military strategy books lately."
"I do read them frequently out of interest."
To make the military officials understand tactics for using infantry and artillery more efficiently—or in other words, in a 21st-century manner—Hyang had pored over military strategy books.
At Hyang's answer, Sejong continued his questioning.
"Then, what did those strategy books say to do when pressing enemies? No. Do you know what Sun Tzu's Art of War says in the chapter on Military Combat?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang searched his memory for a moment and immediately answered.
"When moving troops, be swift like a fierce wind; when not advancing, be still like a forest; when striking to seize from the enemy, be fierce like spreading fire; when defending against enemy attacks, be immovable like a mountain. When hiding, be like stars hidden by black clouds, but once troops move, be swift like lightning."
"You know it well. Then, what phase do you think it is now?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang began to analyze the current situation. After analyzing the situation for a while, Hyang sighed.
"Whew... If we compare it to war, it is a situation where troops have been mobilized."
At Hyang's words, Sejong nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Correct. Looking at the current situation, the enemy is unprepared, and we have dealt a proper blow. Can we stop here? If we stop here, the enemy will regroup and counterattack."
"However, their power is not insignificant either."
To Hyang's rebuttal, Sejong made a counter-argument.
"That is precisely why we must not miss the opportunity. Do you think they will be reformed in this situation?"
"No, they will not."
"You saw correctly. If we stop now claiming to reform them, we would only commit the foolishness of Duke Song of Song."
When Sejong mentioned 'Song Xiang's benevolence' and answered firmly, Hyang had no choice but to lower his head.
"I will follow Father's will. I was only worried that those cornered might commit outrageous acts."
"That is also a good thing. For then we can eliminate future troubles."
"Yes."
Though he answered, at Hyang's expression unable to hide his worry, Sejong spoke.
"Crown Prince, if our Joseon royal family is to continue for a thousand years, what should the King do?"
"..."
At Sejong's question, Hyang could not answer immediately.
It was because too many theories came to mind at once.
At Hyang's appearance unable to answer properly and floundering, Sejong smiled.
"You rascal... Can you not answer because you don't know?"
"No, Father. Too many thoughts came to mind..."
"Sometimes when I see you like this, I feel that 'too much is as bad as too little' is not a wrong saying."
"I am ashamed."
"Ashamed of what... In my thinking, there are two methods. One is for the King to do everything, and the other is for the King to do nothing."
'Absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy?'
At Sejong's words, Hyang immediately answered.
"There is also a method of appropriately sharing power with the subjects."
At Hyang's words, Sejong shook his head and denied it.
"A republic sounds good, but it is the worst of worst strategies. Power and wealth—the more one has, the more one wants to have.
If we recklessly implement a republic, the King and subjects will fight, subjects and subjects will fight, the King and people will fight, and subjects and people will fight. The result will be nothing but national ruin."
"However, the two methods Your Majesty mentioned are also difficult to implement."
At Hyang's point, Sejong nodded.
"You are right. The first method—if the King is incompetent or a tyrant like King Jie of Xia—the nation immediately heads toward ruin. The second can be seen by looking at nations that collapsed due to the machinations of eunuchs or subjects. To prevent this, there is only one method."
When Sejong stopped speaking, Hyang immediately asked.
"What is that method?"
At Hyang's question, Sejong answered firmly.
"The people must awaken. Awakened people must watch that the King and subjects do not go down the wrong path."
At Sejong's words, Hyang's eyes widened.
'Oh my! Is he suddenly changing from an absolute monarch to an enlightened monarch?'
At Hyang's expression, Sejong smiled slightly and continued speaking.
"And this was also in the policy proposal you mentioned before, was it not?"
"Yes."
"What I am doing now is removing the obstacles blocking between the King and the people."
"Obstacles, you say?"
"If they are literati who have learned the way of sages, it is their duty to educate and enlighten the people. However, instead of educating the people, they are exploiting them. Such people are mere husks and obstacles. We will remove these husks and enlighten the people."
Sejong, who had been explaining what he was trying to do now, looked at Hyang.
"To enlighten more people, we will need to create a script, for the current Chinese characters will only bring about the monopoly of knowledge."
"That is true."
At Sejong's point, Hyang nodded strongly.
"Now, the night has grown late. Let us rest a bit for today."
"Yes. Please retire to sleep, Father."
* * *
After leaving Gangnyeongjeon, Hyang looked back at the palace and murmured quietly.
"Listening to Father's words, it seems he is fully determined... I hope things don't become too big."
Unable to hide his worry at Sejong's firm stance toward the Hyangban, Hyang let out a long sigh.
"Whew... I suppose I just have to hope it flows well."
Returning to Donggungjeon, Hyang continued to organize his thoughts.
"Still, one positive thing is that Father continues to have the will to create a script. Considering the materials I purchased through proxy before, there must have been considerable progress... After this matter is properly settled, I can subtly guide things."
At the same time, Sejong, who had changed into sleeping clothes, looked in the direction of Donggungjeon and murmured.
"Judging by the reaction when I broached the subject earlier, that fellow seems to have given some thought to script creation as well. Once this matter is settled and there's more leeway with the research institute and District 51's work, I should bring him in to work. If I give a little help when he gets stuck, it will be finished quickly."
The phrase 'same bed, different dreams' fit the father and son exquisitely well.
* * *
While the local Hyangban were in uproar, dark currents (unseen seditious movements) were also flowing in Hanseong.
"L-Leader."
"What is it?"
The leader of the Geomgye (Sword Guild) in Dadong turned his head when his subordinate entered and spoke.
"Why? Is something going on?"
At the leader's question, the guild member cautiously opened his mouth.
"Lately, strange fellows seem to be entering Hanseong."
"Strange fellows?"
"Yes, no matter how I look at them, they seem like fellows who eat the same rice as we do... but they don't appear to belong to Bukchon or Unjongga."
"Hmm?"
At the guild member's words, the leader's expression became serious.
If the guild member said 'same rice,' this meant they were either private soldiers or members of a Sword Guild like themselves.
The problem was that they were not faces the subordinate recognized.
The leader of the Sword Guild was well aware that the atmosphere outside Hanseong was not ordinary these days.
"This gives me an uneasy feeling..."
After thinking deeply, the leader rose from his seat.
"I will go to Bukchon and Unjongga for a while, so you gather the men and see if there are any more such fellows."
"Yes. And if we find them, should we also find out where they're moving?"
"Yes."
* * *
At a gisaeng house in Bukchon. The leaders of the Sword Guilds who held sway over Hanseong's nights were gathered in one place.
"...So I told the men to find them and tail them."
At the Dadong leader's words, the Unjongga leader took over.
"Our men reported something similar too. They say fellows with suspicious scents are appearing one by one at the Unjongga inns."
"Hmm..."
At the words of the Dadong and Unjongga leaders, the Bukchon leader stroked his chin with a serious expression.
"Certainly, the current state of affairs is somewhat problematic."
Sensing the gravity of the situation, the Bukchon leader looked at the other leaders.
"Let us report to His Majesty."