< Episode 28: Gapjin Gyeongjang (甲辰更張) (6) >
Episode 28: Gapjin Gyeongjang (甲辰更張) (6)
The next day, as Sejong and Hyang had expected, memorials began pouring in from the morning.
"Truly diligent, aren't they."
As the pile of memorials grew higher and higher, the Left Royal Secretary grumbled, and the other Royal Secretaries nodded in agreement.
"I thought we'd have at least two days..."
"Did they stay up all night? Truly full of energy. I'm afraid to even cross the threshold to the inner quarters."
While the Royal Secretaries were complaining while looking at the memorials, the Chief Royal Secretary stepped forward.
"Does grumbling make the work decrease? Hurry up and sort them."
"Sort them, you say?"
"We saw it yesterday, don't you know? There are those criticizing the Crown Prince, and those supporting him. So we just need to sort them into two categories."
"Won't there be those in the middle as well?"
"Would those in the middle write memorials?"
"Ah..."
At the Chief Royal Secretary's words, the Royal Secretaries nodded without realizing it. Though unspoken, they themselves were among those in the middle. And among the Royal Secretaries, none had written a memorial.
* * *
In any case, by the time the morning assembly had begun in the Pyeonjeon and half a day had passed, trays piled high with the sorted memorials were presented to Sejong.
"Truly many."
Looking at the memorials piled high before him, Sejong turned to look at his ministers and made a remark.
"Truly diligent, all of them."
At Sejong's pointed remark, the ministers bowed their heads silently.
"Let us see, in any case."
Untying the strings binding the memorial scrolls, Sejong read their contents. As the read scrolls piled up, Sejong's expression grew increasingly grim. Finally, Sejong irritably set down a scroll and commanded the Sangseon.
"Go bring the Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A moment later, Hyang entered the Pyeonjeon following behind the Sangseon.
"Did you summon me?"
"Yes, sit there."
When Hyang paid his respects politely, Sejong began shuffling through the memorial scrolls. A moment later, holding one scroll in his hand, Sejong spoke.
"Crown Prince, it seems there are still many who have not properly understood what you said yesterday. Explain it to them once more. Chief State Councillor!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your memorial. Read it properly before the Crown Prince."
"Your Majesty!"
At Sejong's command, the Chief State Councillor was startled. But Sejong continued speaking.
"The person involved should read it directly so there are no misunderstandings, shouldn't he? Read it!"
At Sejong's command, the Chief State Councillor began reading his own memorial.
"Your subject, Chief State Councillor Ryu Jeong-hyeon, respectfully bows my head to the ground and takes up my brush. Generally..."
"Put aside the flowery language and read only the main text!"
At Sejong's rough command, the Chief State Councillor paused for a moment before continuing to read the memorial.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's views appear correct at first glance, but they contain many follies. Speaking of the first folly, our Joseon has established Neo-Confucianism as the national policy. However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is following the scholarly tradition of the Legalist school. Generally, Legalist law is harsh and cruel, which will inevitably plunge the people into suffering and bring harm to the state and the rulers themselves. This is proven by the example of Shang Yang's 'making laws that brought about his own ruin' during the Warring States period and the fall of the Qin dynasty.
Speaking of the second folly, it is the proposal to abolish the restriction on Seo-eol. The restriction on Seo-eol was established by the late King Taejong. How can it be abolished so recklessly? This is an unfilial act. Furthermore, if Seo-eol are allowed to freely enter government service, they will privately monopolize state affairs as seen in the previous dynasty. Therefore, this would be an unjust act.
The third folly is increasing the number of officials. As the number of officials increases, so does the burden on the people. Why do you think the ancient story 'harsh government is more fearsome than a tiger' came about? It is sufficient for the court to establish only the general framework. The affairs of the countryside can be handled by the local magistrates and the scholar-officials of the local Yuhyangso working together."
The memorial ended with pointing out these three problems. Hyang, who had been quietly listening, looked at Sejong.
"May I give my answer?"
"I permit it."
Having received Sejong's permission, Hyang began to refute the Chief State Councillor's points.
"Chief State Councillor, you said that Neo-Confucianism is Joseon's national policy, but Joseon's national policy is the King's Way politics and people-centered governance advocated by the sages. Neo-Confucianism is merely a tool for carrying out the national policy."
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
The Chief State Councillor tried to immediately refute Hyang's words, but Hyang continued speaking.
"Neo-Confucianism is merely one branch of Confucianism. To insist only on Neo-Confucianism, which is like a single branch extending from the great tree of Confucianism—is that not a narrow-minded way of thinking? I will say it again: our Joseon's national policy is the King's Way politics spoken of by the ancient sages, and Neo-Confucianism is a tool for that purpose. Shall I give you an example? If a dish is prepared, it must be placed in a vessel. If there is no vessel, you cannot simply spill it on the ground, can you? If King's Way politics is the dish, then ideology, systems, and laws are the vessel. Is there any need to distinguish between Neo-Confucianism and Legalism in realizing King's Way politics in reality? Far to the west, there are nations of the barbarians, and among the monarchs who rule those nations, one taught the prince who would succeed to the throne as follows:
'Behave like a bee that finds the flower with the sweetest nectar among the flowers blooming in the field.'
I believe this is the most fundamental attitude a ruler should have."
At Hyang's answer, the Chief State Councillor fell silent and racked his brain to find logic for a rebuttal. But Hyang gave him no opening.
"And you said that abolishing the restriction on Seo-eol is not right, calling it an unfilial act that disobeys King Taejong's command. But listen. That the restriction on Seo-eol has many problems is already a well-known fact. If this is not fixed and left as is, the problems will only grow, and grievances will rise. If this happens, all those grievances will be directed toward King Taejong who ordered the restriction—is there any act more unfilial than making one's ancestor hear such grievances as a descendant? And you said that in the previous dynasty, Seo-eol monopolized state affairs, but were Seo-eol the only ones who monopolized state affairs at that time? Did not those from powerful noble families make state affairs corrupt regardless of the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate birth? To place all the blame only on Seo-eol is not a fair judgment. Finally, were Seo-eol born wanting to be Seo-eol? If blame is to be placed, should it not be on those who sowed the seed?"
Pausing briefly, Hyang glared at the ministers gathered in the Pyeonjeon.
"If we examine the law, a magistrate who arbitrarily sleeps with a government courtesan becomes subject to impeachment, and ministers who come to court are also to be impeached if they keep concubines. Yet among the ministers present here, who has not kept a concubine? Is it the way of the sadaebu to bury their own sins while only discriminating against Seo-eol?"
"Ahem! Ahem!"
"Cough!"
At Hyang's rebuke, the ministers gathered in the Pyeonjeon, regardless of rank, all made uncomfortable coughing sounds.
The Chief State Councillor tried to continue speaking with a flushed face, but Hyang gave him no opening until the end.
"Finally, you cited the ancient story of 'harsh government is more fearsome than a tiger,' but to the people of Joseon today, is it the court's officials who are more fearsome than tigers? Or is it the local Confucian scholars that the Chief State Councillor praised so highly? Since I have sat beside my father and watched him handle state affairs, I have heard countless reports of powerless people starving to death and becoming refugees from every corner of the Eight Provinces of Joseon. But! I have not heard many reports of local Confucian scholars starving to death or stepping forward to open their storehouses and relieve the suffering people. Chief State Councillor, do you think those who cannot even relieve their neighbors in their own district will handle affairs fairly?"
"That, that is an extremely small portion..."
"If you add a small portion to another small portion, and keep adding small portions, it becomes the whole!"
At Hyang's outcry, the Chief State Councillor fell silent. Hyang continued to press the Chief State Councillor.
"Who are those who take advantage of their neighbors' difficulties to make them take on high-interest loans several times the principal, eventually forcing them to sell themselves or become refugees, and then swallow up the land left without an owner? They are the local Confucian scholars the Chief State Councillor spoke of! Chief State Councillor! I ask you! Who are truly more fearsome than tigers to the powerless people? Are they the court's officials, or the local Confucian scholars?"
"That is..."
"Speak!"
At Hyang's pressure, the Chief State Councillor looked at Sejong. Sejong, receiving the Chief State Councillor's gaze, answered calmly.
"I, too, am curious about your answer. Chief State Councillor, answer."
With even Sejong stepping forward, the Chief State Councillor's face turned even redder.
"Why are you silent, Chief State Councillor?"
When Sejong pressed again, the Chief State Councillor gritted his teeth and answered.
"... The local... Confucian scholars."
"Exactly!"
At the Chief State Councillor's answer, Sejong slapped his knee and responded, and the ministers of the anti-Crown Prince faction, including the Chief State Councillor, squeezed their eyes shut.
'It's over!'
* * *
"Do you need further explanation, Chief State Councillor?"
At Hyang's question, the ministers remained silent. Seeing this, Sejong rummaged through the pile of memorials, pulled out another one, and held it out to Hyang.
"Those who submitted them are all different, but their contents are like copies of what one person wrote—truly ridiculous. But this one was written somewhat differently, so read it."
"Yes."
Taking the memorial, Hyang fully unrolled the scroll and began reading it carefully.
"Huu~."
After finishing reading the memorial, Hyang sighed and straightened his back, and Sejong spoke.
"It's a memorial submitted by the Saganwon. Shall I call the person who submitted it?"
"No need."
"Alright, what do you think?"
"'Sound consumption does not exist. If consumption is encouraged, a trend of extravagance will spread, and merchants, who are beings that covet profit, will further fuel this. Craftsmen too will only make luxury goods, and farmers too will stop farming and only watch for opportunities to make a quick fortune. Eventually, society will change from one that reveres virtue to one that reveres wealth. That is why the ancient sages established the discrimination among the four classes.'..."
Trailing off in thought, Hyang opened his mouth after a moment.
"At first glance it seems correct, but I believe the person who submitted this memorial should be punished."
"Why?"
"First, they claimed that the ancient sages established discrimination among the four classes, but in none of the classics I have read did any sage say to establish discrimination among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. When the sages mentioned the four classes, they meant 'all the people.' Yet this person is misleading with such words—this is truly a disloyal act that blinds my father's eyes and ears! I believe such a person must be strictly punished!"
When Hyang came forward demanding punishment, not only Sejong but also the eyes of the ministers in the Pyeonjeon grew wide. This was because, although Hyang had said many things and made many refutations, he had never once directly called for punishment.
"This person was concerned that a trend of extravagance would spread, but I would rather have extravagance. This is because taxes can be levied on luxury goods. But look at the sadaebu of Joseon today! They wear hemp clothes and boast of frugality, but in their storehouses, grain and cloth are rotting away. Does not wearing silk clothes mean one has virtue? Is wearing hemp clothes and reading only the classics while ignoring the cries of starving people during famine and the spring hardship period having virtue? The author of this memorial says that 'even if material goods are scarce, being content with one's lot and finding joy in poverty and the Way is the proper path.' I! Dares to say to my father! That is not being content with one's lot and finding joy in poverty and the Way—it is giving up on oneself! I earnestly request that this treacherous subject who pretends loyalty with clever words be immediately cast out!"
At Hyang's强硬 remarks, the Chief State Councillor, greatly shocked, urgently interjected.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! The one who submitted the memorial is a remonstrance official of the Saganwon. It is the duty of remonstrance officials to offer remonstrance. To punish them because their writing does not please you is blocking the path of speech!"
"What this person submitted is not remonstrance but treacherous words! Generally, our Joseon has already clearly stated in law that while there is a distinction between commoners and lowborn, there is no distinction among the four classes. By what right does this fellow divide and discriminate against the people into four classes? If the character of one who should speak correct words to the monarch is this treacherous, will correct words come forth? He must be punished immediately!"
< Episode 28: Gapjin Gyeongjang (甲辰更張) (6) > End
ⓒ Gukppong