# Chapter 176: The Latter Half of Gyeongjang (1)
End of the Giyu Year,
Sejong commanded the ministers gathered in Gyeongjeon Hall.
"Prepare to implement the Hopae Law as planned in Gyeongjang."
"We obey your command!"
At Sejong's command, the ministers answered in one voice.
The Hopae Law was not Sejong's first attempt. During Taejong's reign, it had been tried once but produced various side effects, ultimately becoming a dead law.
The reason the Hopae Law failed during Taejong's period was that hopae did not simply end at proving one's identity but became shackles binding the people.
Since agriculture was the center of the economy, people had no freedom to relocate, and hopae became a device preventing people from arbitrarily leaving their hometowns.
Thanks to hopae, Joseon found it easier to collect taxes and impose corvée labor, but conversely, the suffering of merchants and lower-class yangmin deepened.
Therefore, many people increasingly forged hopae to assume the status of cheonmin, who did not bear obligations—especially military service.
For such reasons, the Hopae Law attempted during Taejong's reign had become a dead letter.
However, Sejong was challenging the Hopae Law once again.
'This time is different! This time!'
Sejong burned with determination as he mulled over the failure of Taejong's era.
* * *
As Sejong's command fell, carts loaded with tools and materials for making hopae, along with craftsmen, moved out across the country.
"If it were up to me, I would like to station craftsmen and equipment in every village and town, but circumstances do not allow it."
At Sejong's words, the ministers bowed their heads.
"That is so, Your Majesty."
"Then, where would be best to start?"
At Sejong's question, the ministers began to debate, each speaking of the optimal region they had in mind.
Unlike before, after a calm debate, it was concluded that hopae production and distribution would be implemented first as a pilot in Hanseong, then starting from the Samnam region.
"Why is that?"
At Sejong's question, Chief State Councillor Yi Jik explained the reason.
"Due to those disloyal acts this autumn, many state-owned farmlands have been created in the Samnam region. To utilize these lands without missing the farming season next year, we must secure tenants to lease them to, but if hopae issuance is delayed and household registration is delayed, there is a great risk of missing the timing."
At Yi Jik's explanation, Sejong nodded.
"Your opinions are reasonable. Then let us begin distributing hopae starting from the Samnam region."
"We obey your command!"
Thus, hopae distribution began starting from the Samnam region.
On the day the craftsmen and officials departed, Sejong summoned the officials and craftsmen in charge of the work to Gyeongbok Palace.
With not enough seats, tents were set up in the front courtyard of Gyeongjeon Hall, several large braziers were brought in to warm the space, and a feast was prepared.
The craftsmen and officials seated before the feast table laden with sumptuous food looked at the table with stiff faces.
"'The day you receive food from the Ministry of Taxation?' wasn't that the saying?"
"This work must indeed not be easy."
"His Majesty the King arrives!"
At the Sangseon's sharp announcement, the officials and craftsmen grumbling before the feast quickly rose from their seats.
"We greet His Majesty the King!"
Accepting the bows of the craftsmen and officials, Sejong took his seat and gave his command.
"All of you, sit comfortably."
When the officials and craftsmen took their seats, Sejong began his address.
"What you are to do this time is very important work. Only if you keep to the schedule can the policies of Gyeongjang, starting with the road construction, proceed on time. Therefore, I sincerely hope that you will do your utmost."
At Sejong's words, the officials and craftsmen answered in loud voices.
"We will crush our bones and shatter our bodies in service!"
"Then, as busy days await you starting tomorrow, I hope you enjoy this gathering today. Attendants! Play the music!"
As musicians played, the officials and craftsmen began to enjoy the wine and food.
The next day, hopae production began in all districts of Hanseong.
It was the beginning of a long journey expected to take about 5 months if things proceeded smoothly, or about 7 months if any problems arose along the way.
* * *
Naturally, Hyang became involved in the process of hopae production and distribution.
Visiting the Ministry of Taxation, Hyang sat Kim Jeom down and began to speak.
"Minister of Taxation."
"Yes, Crown Prince Highness."
"During the process of making hopae, doesn't it seem to you that making them in the order of arrival is a great waste of time?"
"What do you mean by that?"
When Kim Jeom asked back with a puzzled expression, Hyang explained the problem he had thought of with a simple example.
"If the first person to arrive was born in the Gapin year, the next in the Byeongsul year, and the next in the Eulchuk year, wouldn't it be troublesome for those stamping the hopae?"
At Hyang's point, Kim Jeom nodded.
"Ah! That is true!"
"So I was thinking... what if we employ a small trick?"
"A trick?"
"On the first day, have only those whose years begin with the Heavenly Stems Gap and Eul come, and on the next day Byeong and Jeong, in this manner. And also, examine the household registers in advance to see which years have the most people born and adjust the periods accordingly."
Hyang proposed to Kim Jeom the application of a method frequently used in the 21st century.
Upon hearing Hyang's proposal, Kim Jeom's face brightened.
"Truly a brilliant idea! If we do so, the craftsmen will use less effort and errors will decrease! I will order it applied immediately! Thank you truly!"
"It is nothing..."
Hyang feigned modesty with an expression saying it was nothing special.
* * *
Thus, having undergone one improvement, the procedure for hopae production was established.
"Today, all adult men and women born in years starting with Gap and Eul, come to the Bangcheong to receive your hopae! Those who do not receive it will be fined!"
At the officers' shouts, men and women meeting the criteria came out from every household in Hanseong and headed to the Bangcheong.
Before long, long lines had formed in the rooms.
While officers and the Royal Guard managed the lines with batons, inside the Bangcheong, officials with household registers and craftsmen verified the registers and made hopae.
"Household number, state your name, birth year, birthplace, and residence."
At the official's words, the person who came to receive hopae answered immediately.
"The household number is Changdong 134, my name is Han Pansul, and I was born in the Gapsul year. My birthplace is Gyeonggi Province."
At Pansul's answer, the official who searched through the household register confirmed the facts and nodded.
"That is correct."
The official who confirmed the facts wrote the birth year, month, birthplace, and name with a gold brush on paper and passed it to the craftsman sitting behind.
"You wait over there and receive your hopae when it's ready."
"Yes, sir."
At the official's command, Pansul moved to the waiting line made to the side.
Once Pansul's processing was complete, the official raised his voice.
"Next!"
* * *
Following the identity verification, hopae production was a Ford-style assembly line process.
The craftsman who received the paper with the personal information written on it combined corresponding type pieces and inserted them into a mold.
When the mold was complete, the craftsman placed a thin iron plate on top and turned the large pulley attached to the printing press.
As the pulley turned, a heavy iron mass pressed down on the iron plate, and the hopae owner's personal information was stamped onto the soft cast iron plate.
Turning the pulley again to raise the iron mass, the craftsman removed the iron plate and checked whether it was properly stamped.
Confirming it was properly stamped, the craftsman passed the iron plate to the craftsman next to him.
The second craftsman who received the iron plate with the personal information stamped on it placed it inside a thin iron frame and covered it with another iron frame.
The iron frame placed on top had a hole in the center, and glass was fitted into that hole.
Having aligned the two iron frames well, the craftsman inserted screws into the holes at the four corners and turned them. As the screws tightened, the two iron frames locked firmly together.
The craftsman who confirmed the two iron frames were properly combined passed the frame to the next craftsman.
The last craftsman in line checked the assembly state, then poured molten lead into the largest of the screw holes at the four corners, waited for it to cool, and stamped the official seal.
Having thus completed the sealing work, the craftsman handed the hopae to the waiting official.
The official who received the hopae loudly called out the name written on it.
"Born in the Gapsul year, Han Pansul! Where is Han Pansul!"
"Yes! I am here!"
When Han Pansul, who had been waiting, stepped forward, the official marked the register and handed over the hopae.
"Keep it safe. If you lose or damage it and need a reissue, you must pay 300 won."
"Oh my! That's expensive!"
"That's why I'm telling you to keep it safe."
At the official's words, Pansul pointed to the glass in the center.
"But there's glass embedded here in the center, you see?"
At Pansul's words, the official added an explanation.
"Do you see the wire mesh embedded in that glass?"
At the official's words, Pansul examined the hopae again. Indeed, inside the glass, there was a coarsely woven wire mesh. The official continued his explanation.
"They say that wire mesh makes the glass a bit stronger."
"Ah..."
"And since this is a hopae proving your identity, don't think of treating it carelessly. If some scoundrel steals your hopae and uses it for bad deeds, you could suffer harm."
"Yes! I will keep that in mind!"
Having left the Bangcheong, Pansul made a strange expression as he looked at the hopae in his hand.
"Truly mysterious. This thing... it feels like I've become someone, doesn't it?"
The hopae, which even used expensive glass, seemed to give Pansul some inexplicable sense of dignity.
Pansul examined the hopae this way and that, muttering.
"Whoever thought of it, it's truly a wondrous object..."
* * *
The hopae design was, of course, Hyang's work.
"Simply carving wood takes a long time, and sourcing materials is also a problem..."
If wood were used as the main material like the old hopae, there would certainly be many problems with storage.
"What would be good..."
While pondering to find the answer, Hyang, who was returning a soldier's salute as he passed by, snapped his fingers.
"That's it!"
What Hyang thought of was the dog tag he had worn around his neck when fulfilling his military service in the 21st century.
Based on the dog tag design, Hyang made some modifications.
Instead of rubber, he wrapped the edges with metal and inserted glass to give it a more premium feel.
Finally, adding the process of screwing it together, then sealing it with lead and stamping an official seal to prevent forgery, Hyang submitted the prototype to Sejong.
"Good! Let's do it this way!"
Upon seeing Hyang's prototype, Sejong approved it on the spot.
* * *
Hopae were produced and distributed in order, starting with Sejong.
With Hanseong complete, reports came up daily that hopae distribution starting from Samnam was proceeding smoothly, and Sejong praised Hyang.
"Your contribution is truly great!"
"It was merely good fortune, Your Majesty!"
Receiving Sejong's praise and returning to the Eastern Palace, Hyang stopped by the research institute and muttered to himself as he looked at the various artifacts displayed there.
"Truly many things have been made. The problem is..."
Looking at the empty spaces in the display cabinet, Hyang continued.
"Is that there are still many things to make in the future. Later... I wonder if historians a few hundred years from now will curse Father and my reign when they study them?"
Hyang, imagining the distant future, chuckled.
"Who cares?"