< Chapter 33: Gapchin Reforms (11) >
Chapter 33: Gapchin Reforms (11)
As soon as a report arrived that smallpox had broken out in Geumcheon, right next to Hanyang, the court moved quickly.
"Prohibit crossing the river at all ferry crossings except Mapo Ferry and Noryangjin."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Mobilize the soldiers of the Twelve Offices defending Hanyang to block entry into Geumcheon County from other regions. The only area with permitted entry and exit to and from Geumcheon County shall be Hanyang."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Following Sejong's orders, the soldiers defending Hanyang blocked the main access routes leading to Geumcheon County. They didn't just block land routes. The Han River, as well as surrounding major rivers and ports, were also closed to ship traffic.
The only ones permitted to enter and exit were soldiers and officials who had received the cowpox vaccination.
Sejong issued orders to them.
"It is certain that blocking the transportation routes will cause food shortages in Hanyang and Geumcheon County. I hereby issue a special command for the soldiers and officials to manage the supply of rice from the grain storehouses established in Bupyeong Dohobu."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The grain storehouse in Bupyeong was a newly established facility not long ago. Following Sejong's order, which accepted Hyang's proposal, the Ministry of Taxation imported large quantities of grain from Ming. However, the volume was far greater than expected.
"It is said that last autumn, there was a great harvest in the Jiangnan region of Ming. Accordingly, grain prices fell significantly, allowing us to procure a larger quantity than anticipated."
At the Ministry of Taxation Minister's explanation, Sejong wore an ambiguous expression.
"Should I call this fortunate, or should I say I'm envious? Truly ambiguous feelings arise."
"I felt the same way, Your Majesty."
"In any case, thanks to the grain obtained through the Winter Solstice Envoy and New Year's Envoy missions, we have enough to withstand any typical spring shortage. That is fortunate."
"It is all thanks to Your Majesty's wise foresight."
At the Minister of Taxation's praise, Sejong gave an embarrassed smile.
"What foresight? It's simply because the Crown Prince is brilliant."
At Sejong's words, Hyang, who was sitting beside him, expressed his humility.
"What have I done? They say even if there are three mal of jewels, they must be strung together to become treasures. If Your Majesty had not made the decision, how could this have been possible?"
"The Crown Prince's words are truly correct!"
As soon as Hyang's words ended, the ministers of the Six Ministries answered in unison.
While the ministers of the Six Ministries and Hyang were raising their voices to honor Sejong's virtue, the Chief State Councillor, Left State Councillor, Right State Councillor, Great Censor, and Chief Inspector could only move their lips soundlessly.
After the recent clash between the King and the Chief State Councillor, the State Councillors, Great Censor, and Chief Inspector had clearly been pushed out of the mainstream. As their marginalization became clearly visible, the ministers of the Six Ministries who had been allied with them—most notably the Minister of Rites—moved en masse to the Crown Prince's faction. The result was today's scene.
Lightly raising his hand to stop the ministers' praise, Sejong summarized the situation.
"We have deployed soldiers to block people from other regions from entering Geumcheon County and Hanyang, and we have resolved the food shortage problem through the grain storehouse in Bupyeong Dohobu. What remains is the medical issue... Minister of Personnel, how are things progressing?"
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Personnel bowed his head and answered immediately.
"We are preparing to dispatch the physicians and female physicians of the Royal Medical Office, as well as doctors belonging to the Hyemin Bureau, Jesaeng Institute, and the East-West Great Mercy Institute to Geumcheon County."
"Complete the preparations as quickly as possible to treat the ailing people. Also, although smallpox is circulating in Geumcheon County, there must still be those who have not yet contracted it. How about administering cowpox vaccinations?"
"An excellent foresight. We will prepare to implement it accordingly."
"Good work."
Sejong, who had been nodding at the Minister of Personnel's answer, turned to look at Hyang.
"Is there anything you would like to add?"
"How about recruiting among the people residing in Hanyang those who would go to Geumcheon County to assist the work of the physicians and female physicians? Among the people living in Geumcheon County, the families of smallpox patients must devote themselves to nursing the patients, and furthermore, since they may have been infected with smallpox, they must be isolated. Additionally, the physicians and female physicians will be busy just treating patients. However, if we mobilize people who have not contracted smallpox, it could cause the disease to spread even more widely. Therefore, we should find among the people residing in Hanyang those who will work for daily wages and send them to Geumcheon County. Those sent will assist the work of the physicians and female physicians, and prepare food for the patients and their families."
"But could not smallpox then spread to the residents of Hanyang as well?"
When the Right State Councillor, who had been sitting quietly, raised an objection, Hyang gave a small snort and answered.
"Have you forgotten? That all residents of Hanyang have received the cowpox vaccination."
"The efficacy of cowpox..."
The Right State Councillor, who was about to raise an objection to Hyang's words, hurriedly stopped speaking. At this sight, Hyang immediately interjected.
"I understand what you wish to say, but I do not doubt the efficacy of cowpox in the slightest."
Having silenced the Right State Councillor, Hyang made his recommendation to Sejong.
"Father, as Your Majesty's subject, I make this petition. If the people of Hanyang hesitate, then send me! I will take the lead in treating the sick people!"
At Hyang's words, the historian who was recording muttered quietly.
"Again..."
Similar reactions were not limited to the historian. The ministers, and even Sejong, showed similar reactions. Sejong, who had been glaring at Hyang, reached a conclusion.
"Issue a proclamation to the people of Hanyang to recruit workers."
"I obey your command."
"What do you think would be an appropriate amount for the daily wages?"
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Taxation searched his memory for a moment and answered.
"According to the previous investigation, for the people living in Hanyang, the average number of members per household was five. Considering this and that it will be dangerous work, about five hop per day would seem appropriate."
At the Minister of Taxation's answer, Sejong stroked his beard while calculating, then nodded.
"Five hop... Then we shall pay the daily wages at that rate and gather the people."
"I obey your command."
* * *
As soon as Sejong's command was issued, the court moved quickly. The scales of power had completely tipped in Sejong's favor, and this was due to the danger of the infectious disease, smallpox.
The soldiers who received the orders began blocking the entrances to Geumcheon County and Hanyang. Those who tried to enter Hanyang from the provinces but were blocked protested intensely, but they immediately turned back at the soldiers' single statement.
"Smallpox is spreading."
"Oh my goodness!"
They didn't just block land routes. The Han River, as well as surrounding rivers like the Imjin River, had their ferry crossings blocked.
Having blocked smallpox from spreading out of Geumcheon County, the court began full-scale treatment.
Near Yeongdeungpo. A considerable number of personnel entered the village.
"Is this the place?"
"Yes, sir."
At the local official's answer, the official from the Ministry of Personnel who was leading the physicians and female physicians gave orders to the soldiers.
"Set up tents for the physicians and female physicians to use beside that well over there, and set up tents to house patients in that open area over there, at a distance from the well. Once the tents are erected, immediately gather the patients!"
"Yes, sir!"
Following the official's command, the soldiers who had come along began erecting large tents beside the well and in the open area. Once the tents were set up, the soldiers began unloading beds from carts and moving them into the tents. Before long, beds to lay patients on were prepared.
While the soldiers busily moved tents and other equipment, the physicians and female physicians began preparing for treatment.
"Search all the surrounding houses and bring all the patients."
"Yes, Lord Jubu."
"And prepare to brew the medicinal decoctions. The most needed medicine is the Minor Bupleurum Decoction for reducing fever, so brew that first."
"Yes, Lord Jubu."
The desperate struggle against smallpox that took place throughout Geumcheon County was organized into daily reports and submitted to the court. Each time reports came up, Sejong and the ministers checked the progress with grave expressions.
Around the time half a month had passed, increasingly hopeful reports began to come from Geumcheon County.
"Those confirmed to have contracted smallpox have not increased for three days!"
"Oh!"
"Indeed!"
At the Minister of Personnel's report, Sejong clenched his fist, and the ministers exclaimed in admiration. The Minister of Personnel continued his report.
"Among those who received the cowpox vaccination completed ten days ago, only five developed smallpox. It has been confirmed that these five had already contracted smallpox before receiving the vaccination."
"Is that so! Then what about those who went down from Hanyang?"
"Not a single one has contracted smallpox!"
"Haaa..."
At the Minister of Personnel's answer, Sejong let out a long breath and leaned back against the back of his chair. While Sejong's face, leaning back, was full of joy, the Chief State Councillor's face was turning deathly pale. Looking at the Chief State Councillor's face, Sejong turned to the Minister of Personnel.
"When will it be possible to confirm that smallpox has completely disappeared from Geumcheon County?"
"The last patient was three days ago, so it will take at least another half month..."
"Then will the physicians and female physicians dispatched to Geumcheon County remain there until then?"
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Personnel answered immediately.
"No, Your Majesty. The number of patients is decreasing, so we plan to withdraw about half of them in five days."
"Is that so?"
At the Minister of Personnel's answer, Sejong stroked his beard and thought for a moment before issuing an order.
"When the physicians and female physicians who went out for this smallpox treatment return, give them five days of leave, and when the leave ends, immediately order them to prepare for nationwide implementation of cowpox vaccination."
"I obey your command."
"Also, award the physicians, female physicians, officials, and soldiers mobilized for this work with polished rice ranging from one seom to one mal, according to their rank. They worked hard for the country and the people, so shouldn't we naturally give them rewards?"
"Pardon?"
At Sejong's extraordinary order, the ministers' eyes widened wide. Just then, Hyang interjected without missing a beat.
"Truly an excellent decision! There is nothing more unjust than treating as理所当然 something that is done simply because one receives the nation's stipend. Since this is an extraordinary matter, not an ordinary one, it is only right to give rewards!"
"Loyalty and filial piety are not subjects of transaction!"
At Hyang's words, the Chief State Councillor shouted in anger. At this, Hyang's voice also grew louder.
"For loyalty and filial piety not to be subjects of transaction, there must be even more firmly established trust in compensation! The belief that even if I die or become disabled, the country will take care of me and my family! The belief that no matter how difficult things are, my parents will not abandon me! Who will maintain loyalty and filial piety when going to the battlefield to die or be injured is taken for granted, and when in famine years, parents who abandon their children are not one or two!"
At Hyang's words, the main hall fell silent. Hyang continued speaking in a raised voice.
"I say again, without such trust, who will practice loyalty and filial piety? It would be better to practice Wu Qi's benevolence of sucking pus from boils! If we take for granted what should not be taken for granted, the state and society will perish! Reflect on the history of the Central Plains and our history of Haidong!"
"..."
At Hyang's words, the ministers fell silent. They wanted to raise counterarguments, but there were no suitable rebuttals. Since the founding of Joseon, there had been several quite severe famines. Each time, orphans overflowed, and there were not a few reports with heart-wrenching content announcing this. The military was the same. When soldiers were conscripted, not a few people injured themselves to avoid service or fled midway to become refugees.
Ultimately, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"It is correct that loyalty and filial piety are basic mindsets that the people should possess. However, it is also something that must absolutely be done for the state and parents to have the correct mindset in dealing with the people and their children. I believe it would be good to proceed with the rewarding of those responsible for handling this smallpox in Geumcheon County according to the original plan. Is there any objection?"
At Sejong's question, all the ministers bowed their heads.
"We obey Your Majesty's command."
The historian who recorded all these events added the following at the end:
-Before loyalty and filial piety, consider trust. This statement from the Crown Prince may appear to be a heterodox path. However, looking at today's reality, it warrants deep consideration.
After finalizing the matter of rewards, Sejong looked at the Chief State Councillor. Sejong, seated on the throne placed atop the raised platform, looking down at the Chief State Councillor, muttered inwardly.
'To think such a wretched old man...'
"Chief State Councillor, don't we have some accounting left to do between us?"
At Sejong's question, the Chief State Councillor, who had been bowing his head, squeezed his eyes shut.
'It has come!'
The Chief State Councillor immediately prostrated himself on the floor and raised his voice.
"Your subject, Chief State Councillor Ryu Jeong-hyeon, acted solely from a loyal heart for the country..."
"Enough."
Cutting off Ryu Jeong-hyeon's words, Sejong released the words he had been resolved to speak.
< Chapter 33: Gapchin Reforms (11) > End
ⓒ Gukppong