Chapter 168: Aftermath and Currency. (3)
Even in the midst of various storms swirling after the uprising, there were those who paid no heed and focused solely on their own affairs. One group was those carrying out reclamation work in the North, and the other was the Ministry of Taxation.
The officials of the Ministry of Taxation, including Kim Jeom, were all extremely tense.
This was because currency was finally scheduled to be distributed in time for the harvest season.
* * *
As the economic reforms progressed, Joseon's economy was gradually growing in scale.
As the economy grew, the government's finances also expanded. Tax revenue increased, but expenditures also continued to grow. Accordingly, the Ministry of Taxation's offices were a city that never slept every day except for New Year's Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The reason the Ministry of Taxation officials had to work through the night like this was to prevent leakage of tax revenue, suppress expenditures as much as possible, and create funds to operate the currency.
After such desperate struggles, when the Giyu Year arrived—the planned year for putting currency into circulation—the Ministry of Taxation was able to make its own preparations.
"If we hadn't developed the gold and silver mines, we couldn't have even dreamed of this. And the Ouchi clan was also a big help...."
While examining the reports, Kim Jeom muttered to himself.
* * *
Existing trade with Japan had been intermediary trade through Tsushima. Most of the Japanese residing in the Waegwans established in Gyeongsang Province were Japanese from Tsushima.
However, as King Sejong began pushing the economic reforms in earnest, the composition of Japanese residing in the Waegwans slowly began to change.
"Those Tsushima Jap bastards can't be trusted!"
Following King Sejong's decision, local government offices managing the Waegwans scrutinized them with hawk eyes. If the Japanese residing in the Waegwans showed even the slightest flaw, Joseon officials used this as a pretext to immediately expel the relevant Japanese and send them back to Tsushima.
When positions became vacant like this, Joseon immediately filled them with Japanese sent by the Ouchi clan and the Kyushu Tandai.
This was beneficial for the Ouchi clan, the Kyushu Tandai, and Joseon alike.
The Ouchi clan and Kyushu Tandai could reduce costs by importing culture and goods from Joseon, an advanced nation, without going through Tsushima, and could profit by reselling to surrounding territories in place of Tsushima.
It was also beneficial for Joseon. Unlike Tsushima, which was merely a small island, the Ouchi clan and Kyushu Tandai were lords with large territories, so the scale of funds they could move was different. Moreover, unlike Tsushima, they were friendly to Joseon, making it convenient to maintain friendly relations. In particular, the Ouchi clan, claiming their ancestors were from Baekje, communicated well with Joseon.
Thanks to this, Tsushima suffered the greatest losses. With two competitors—the Ouchi clan and Kyushu Tandai—who were overwhelming opponents for Tsushima intervening, they were pushed out of competition. And after the recent Tsushima Expedition, Joseon was not very friendly toward Tsushima.
'Udori in the North, Tsushima in the South.'
King Sejong and the court already viewed these two as targets to be erased.
For Tsushima, they were in a checkmate position. Even if they wanted to use hardline measures by mobilizing wako pirates as before, Joseon's military power was formidable. In particular, as new warships called Panokseon were supplied to the navy, maritime control between Joseon and Tsushima was gradually shifting to Joseon.
Furthermore, Joseon was gripping the throats of Tsushima residents using the Segyeon-seon (grain supply ships). Although Tsushima had farmland, it was because they couldn't supply enough food to Tsushima residents.
Ultimately, the Japanese of Tsushima had to watch Joseon's expressions and lie prostrate.
With such changes in the forces responsible for trade between Japan and Joseon, the composition of Japanese residing in the Waegwans changed significantly.
By the time the Giyu Year arrived, the composition ratio of Japanese residing in the Waegwans was Ouchi clan 3.5: Kyushu Tandai 3: Tsushima 2: merchants from the ten Japanese domains permitted to send envoys to Joseon 1.5.
With the Ouchi clan and Kyushu Tandai becoming the center of trade, Joseon was able to resolve problems that had been difficulties until then, which was that the import of copper and sulfur had become smooth.
Joseon resolved the supply and demand problems of copper and sulfur by inducing checks and competition among the Ouchi clan, Kyushu Tandai, Tsushima, and other forces.
Additionally, as copper and sulfur mines were finally discovered through continuous mining exploration within Joseon, King Sejong was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
"With this, we've overcome one of the mountain passes that was tormenting Joseon!"
* * *
While examining the reports, Kim Jeom called the officials of the Ministry of Taxation.
"All section chiefs and above, come to the conference room immediately!"
At Kim Jeom's summons, mid-level officials up to junior fourth rank and high-level officials up to deputy ministers flocked to the conference room and took their seats.
Once the officials were all seated, Kim Jeom checked the situation.
"Is the installation of the exchange offices finished?"
"Yes. Thanks to building with extra space when constructing the existing monopoly offices, it was finished quickly."
"What about the supply of paper currency, brass coins, and white copper coins?"
"We prepared them based on last year's tax revenue and then added a 20% margin."
"Is that so?"
Listening to the officials' answers, Kim Jeom searched through last year's tax revenue records.
"Let's see... last year's tax revenue... if we look only at what was collected from farmers...."
Humming as if singing a song, Kim Jeom found the items and recited the details of the necessary parts.
"Looking at last year's tax revenue, what was collected from farmers... rice was 113,840 seok, field rice was 70,013 seok, soybeans were 36,650 seok, cotton cloth was 28,750 pil, hemp cloth was 57,550 pil... is that correct?"
At Kim Jeom's question, the officials who were checking the records all nodded.
"It is correct."
"You've prepared based on this, right?"
"That is correct."
"Hmm... what about the transportation of the currency?"
"We transported it under military escort, and now it's almost finished except for Jeju Island and a few other islands."
"That's fortunate."
Receiving reports from his subordinate officials, Kim Jeom wore a relieved expression.
From the Goryeo era, successive Joseon kings had attempted but failed at currency circulation. And now, King Sejong was attempting it once again.
Since they were starting later than the initially expected period, they took extra care to ensure no negligence in preparation and renewed their determination for success.
While Kim Jeom was reviewing the preparation status, one official asked him.
"What should we do about the tenants who were farming on the confiscated lands in the Three Southern Provinces?"
"Proceed according to the already announced law for this year. As soon as this harvest ends, His Majesty's decision will be handed down."
"Understood."
At Kim Jeom's words, the officials all bowed their heads.
"Any other questions? Or any new matters to report?"
When the officials answered with silence, Kim Jeom rose from his seat.
"Then, go back to your work. If we do this properly, next year will be easier."
"We will keep that in mind!"
Returning to his office, Kim Jeom muttered with an uneasy face.
"What the Crown Prince said somehow makes me uneasy...."
* * *
The issue of disposing of real estate, including farmland confiscated from the yangban who failed in their uprising, was a new topic of discussion.
"Wouldn't transferring it to state ownership be the correct answer?"
At Yi Jik's words, King Sejong and the other ministers nodded. At that reaction, Hyang raised a question.
"Does transferring it to state ownership mean operating it as Gungbangjeon (royal household lands)?"
"Probably so, wouldn't it?"
"Gungbangjeon are tax-exempt lands owned by the royal household. Won't there be problems with tax revenue?"
"Ah!"
At Hyang's pointed remark, the ministers and King Sejong realized their mistake.
For the smooth progress of the economic reforms, King Sejong had made the court operate Gungbangjeon except for Naesusajeon, but this was a temporary measure.
In this process, King Sejong had even promised in writing to the royal relatives that when the time came, he would return the lost benefits.
When the economic reforms were completed and Joseon's economy grew larger, it was certain that the royal relatives would demand that the promise be kept.
Ultimately, King Sejong and the ministers had to put their heads together again.
The result was that the confiscated farmlands and real estate were made into state-owned land, that is, land owned by the nation. Since Joseon was a pre-modern monarchic system based on 'Joseon = King,' this wouldn't be a major problem, and operating separately from Naesusajeon and Gungbangjeon would have little effect on tax revenue.
"Of course, the question is how much rent to collect. We'll need to contemplate this part as well."
At Kim Jeom's words, King Sejong nodded.
"That's right. However, if there's a difference from Gungbangjeon despite being the same national land, the resentment of the tenant people will grow, and illegal activities will prevail. Let's contemplate this."
Thus, after King Sejong and the ministers put their heads together and discussed, what was created was a kind of compromise.
- The rent for those renting state-owned farmland is the same as Gungbangjeon.
- Those who rent Gungbangjeon and state-owned land also pay taxes at the same tax rate as ordinary tenants.
"It seems acceptable. But let's contemplate a little more. Something feels uneasy."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The ministers accepted King Sejong's command, who vaguely felt anxiety, without any particular objection. The ministers didn't have much time.
If they delayed any longer, the rice filling the fields would rot. They had to harvest and collect taxes as quickly as possible so that the people would be comfortable, and the officials could comfortably plan next year's budget.
"Minister of Taxation."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Thus, as Kim Jeom was leaving Geunjeongjeon after ending the meeting, he stopped at Hyang's call.
"Minister, although His Majesty said to contemplate, it will likely be handled according to the original plan, right?"
"Probably so. Why do you ask?"
At Hyang's question, Kim Jeom answered with an expression asking why he was inquiring.
At Kim Jeom's words, Hyang waved his hand with an ambiguous smile.
"Ah, it's nothing. I just felt like I missed something."
"It's probably because it's a countermeasure hastily created for a suddenly occurring major incident."
"Is that so?"
Still wearing an ambiguous smile, Hyang asked briefly and continued speaking.
"You seem like you'll be very busy next year. I'll send you some restorative medicine later."
"Pardon?"
"Well then...."
With those meaningful words, Hyang turned away.
* * *
The reason Kim Jeom was uneasy was because of Hyang's final words.
"Why bring up restorative medicine suddenly? These days, the Crown Prince well knows that 'restorative medicine' is something that must never be mentioned in the Six Ministries district."
Though his eyes were examining documents, anxiety was growing in Kim Jeom's heart.
Those two father and son in Geunjeongjeon and Donggungjeon were always one step ahead. In the King's case, he could often be predicted to some extent, but in the Crown Prince's case, he couldn't be grasped at all.
Furthermore, the Crown Prince had recently developed one more mischievous habit. Even if he discovered problems in newly implemented policies, unless it was a matter concerning the nation's survival, he absolutely didn't mention it in advance. He would vaguely hint to the ministers, quietly prepare countermeasures, and then submit them to King Sejong when the incident just erupted.
If that happened, the next event was clear.
"What are you ministers doing! Tsk! With people like these...."
Being shouted at and hearing tongue-clicking sounds until they were sick of it was the daily routine for the ministers.
Therefore, Kim Jeom was worrying about the increasingly encroaching anxiety.
* * *
"Teacher Samcheonpo's Samcheonpo is helpful here again."
After giving a subtle warning to Kim Jeom and returning to Donggungjeon, Hyang muttered while opening a blank book.
In the 21st century, Teacher Samcheonpo, who was teaching about the process of Joseon farmers' downfall, went off on another tangent again.
Joseon, or rather, comparing to tenant farmers in the East, the West had serfs, right?
But the Black Death greatly changed the status of these serfs. With the Black Death epidemic, people died in droves, so there was no one to farm.
Though commonly called serfs, they had a kind of contractual relationship with lords. Therefore, if the contract conditions didn't match, they could move to other territories.
Here, the huge variable of the Black Death epidemic appeared. Before the Black Death epidemic, that 'migration' was merely in the realm of possibility, but after the Black Death spread, it became an 'actual situation.' Lords who immediately lacked hands to farm began scouting serfs from neighboring territories by offering better conditions. And to keep their own serfs, conditions similarly improved.
The moment he heard about the confiscated lands and countermeasures in Geunjeongjeon, Hyang recalled Teacher Samcheonpo's words.
"There's empty farmland nearby offering lower rent? Who would stay still? Even I would pack my bundle and move. Starting next year, lawsuits, petitions, and memorials will line up."
Predicting the aftermath that the bill proposed by King Sejong and the ministers would cause, Hyang absolutely didn't speak up.
"There's no need for me to step forward for everything. It's by going through such trial and error that increasingly more useful people emerge. It's not that I'm burying it because it's troublesome."
It was Hyang giving himself an indulgence.