< Chapter 42: Laughing at Obsession, Crying at Obsession. (7) >
Chapter 42: Laughing at Obsession, Crying at Obsession. (7)
"As I mentioned before, candy pleases the mouth and prevents food from spoiling. And when one's energy is depleted, consuming an appropriate amount quickly replenishes one's vitality. However, eating too much brings no small side effects. First, it damages the teeth. And it makes people fat."
"Cough!"
At Hyang's words, Sejong let out a dry cough. This was because his belly fat had been emerging again lately. Regardless, Hyang continued speaking.
"And the greatest side effect is that it brings about diabetes. Did the royal physician not diagnose signs of diabetes in Your Majesty not long ago?"
"Hmm! Cough! I understand. I shall practice moderation."
Sejong waved the white flag, but Hyang did not stop.
"This humble son could not sleep after hearing that Your Majesty showed signs of diabetes. So, I searched through medical texts. When diabetes worsens, eye diseases occur leading to blindness, and if this happens, Father will no longer be able to enjoy the reading you so love..."
"I said I'll practice moderation!"
Sejong expressed his irritation, but Hyang continued speaking.
"An even greater problem is that you will become unable to rise!"
"Unable to rise?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang silently turned his gaze to Sejong's lower body.
Following the direction of Hyang's gaze, Sejong quietly pushed the sugar dish aside.
Seeing this, Hyang moved to his conclusion.
"Candy is difficult to give up due to its sweetness."
"That is true."
"The medical texts also pointed this out, but they stated that the best answer for treating diabetes is to reduce candy intake as much as possible, and moving the body is the only answer."
"Move the body?"
"Yes. First, in addition to jumping rope, take long walks and increase muscle strength."
"Increase muscle strength."
"The medical texts state: 'Bones are like the pillars of a house, and muscles are like its walls. Just as thin walls cannot block against cold and heat even if the pillars are strong, weak muscle strength cannot block against disease.'"
"Increase muscle strength. I understand. I shall do so."
"Your grace is boundless. The matter of muscle strength is something the Royal Guard will know well."
"I understand."
Thus, Hyang's 'Sejong's Health and Longevity Project' was reinforced. Hyang's final goal was simple.
"If losing weight is impossible, then let's make him a healthy pig!"
* * *
As the positions that had become vacant were filled, the work of the court began to gradually pick up speed.
Just as the nationwide smallpox vaccination was nearing completion, the court began to engage in heated debate over a new topic. The topic was 'cattle.'
As the nationwide smallpox vaccination progressed, a large number of smallpox-infected cattle were required, and this was resolved by landowners across the country voluntarily(?) offering up their cattle.
"The number of cattle received as tribute in this manner is 1,153 head. We need to consider how to handle these cattle."
"1,153 head is indeed many. Hmm..."
After pondering for a moment, Sejong gave an order to Sang-seon.
"Call the Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Shortly after, Hyang, who had been summoned, entered the main hall.
"Your Majesty, did you call for me?"
After Hyang paid his respects and took his place, Sejong got to the main point.
"...This is the situation. Crown Prince, how would you handle these cattle?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang thought for a moment before asking the Minister of Taxation.
"What is the ratio of males to females among those cattle?"
At the Crown Prince's question, the Minister of Taxation searched through the book he had brought and answered.
"If paired as male and female, there are 470 pairs."
"470 pairs means 940 head... so the remaining ones are 213 head."
"That is correct."
"Hmm..."
After calculating for a moment, Hyang soon reached a conclusion.
"Your Majesty. How about creating livestock farms across the Eight Provinces of Joseon to raise cattle and pigs?"
"Raise cattle and pigs?"
"Yes. Divide our Joseon into south and north, and east and west, establishing two locations each, for a total of 8 livestock farms, and including Neobeol Island, create 9 livestock farms. Then assign 50 pairs to each farm to raise cattle. In at least 2-3 years, each farm will be raising over 100 head of cattle, will it not?"
"That would be the case."
"Then how much benefit would that bring?"
Hyang explained the reasons why livestock farms were necessary.
- Although smallpox vaccination was implemented nationwide, there are those who were too young or lived in too remote areas to receive the vaccination. For these people, cattle infected with smallpox must be prepared every year. To this end, calves will be born and raised at the livestock farms.
- After the livestock farms begin mass-raising cattle and pigs, meat will be supplied to the people. In particular, cattle have been banned from slaughter because they are essential beasts for farming, but this is virtually in name only.
While explaining this part, Hyang added words.
"The important point here is that many people have become accustomed to violating the Cattle Slaughter Ban. The Cattle Slaughter Ban is also the law of the land. If violating such a law becomes daily life, the people will treat the nation's laws lightly, and eventually, they will treat and commit even greater and more serious crimes lightly."
At Hyang's words, Sejong and the ministers nodded. Hyang continued speaking.
- By mass-supplying cattle and pigs, the Hwacheok can be definitively absorbed as Joseon's people. By having them handle the operation and management of livestock farms, and slaughterhouse duties in each district, the problem of stable livelihood is solved. In this way, the court gains justification for handling the Hwacheok.
"Would the Hwacheok agree to this?"
At Chief State Councillor Maeng Sa-seong's question, Hyang answered firmly.
"Anyone with a head would agree. Is there not the example of U Soe-dol, the Neobeol Island Head of Livestock?"
"Ah..."
At Hyang's words, the ministers nodded.
* * *
While implementing smallpox vaccination nationwide, Sejong recognized Soe-dol's merits and bestowed a surname upon him.
"I bestow upon you the surname U. I give you this surname 'U' not because you are foolish, but because I highly value that you have faithfully protected your skills like the Foolish Old Man in the ancient story of 'The Foolish Old Man Moves the Mountain.' I hope you will continue to faithfully keep your duty in the future."
When Sejong personally summoned him to Gyeongbok Palace, bestowed a surname, and even explained the reason, Soe-dol, unable to contain his joy, wailed loudly.
"Oh, waaah! Surname, your grace is boundless! Sob! Waaah! His Majesty the King! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand ten thousand years!"
After a tearful ceremony and when Soe-dol's emotions had settled, Sejong asked a question.
"Chief U, are you of Hwacheok origin?"
"I am."
"I heard that it is the custom of the Hwacheok to wander. How did you come to settle?"
"I heard my grandfather did so. He said that having left his hometown for another place, following the laws of the new land was the natural order... So while seeking a place to make a living, he came to raise livestock."
"Your grandfather was truly a wise man."
Sejong smacked his lips and murmured.
"How good it would be if all the other Hwacheok were like your grandfather."
As much as Sejong regretted it, the Hwacheok were a nuisance to Joseon. Despite having been in Joseon for quite a long time, they were beings who had not abandoned their nomadic customs and had become detached from Joseon society. As a result, they wandered in groups committing begging, robbery, arson, and murder.
* * *
Citing the example of U Soe-dol, the policy Hyang put forward was quite extreme.
"We entrust them with the operation of livestock farming and slaughter, organize their household registers, impose taxes, and assign military service. In this way, they will definitively settle as people of this Joseon. However, if they refuse even after implementing such policies, we must suppress and annihilate them to the end."
At Hyang's statement, Sejong and the ministers wore serious expressions.
"Isn't annihilation too excessive?"
"Even considering benevolence and righteousness, it seems too excessive."
However, Hyang's reaction was cold.
"These are people who have lived in this land for decades to hundreds of years, yet treat the laws and customs of this land lightly. Decisive action is necessary!"
The background for Hyang making such claims was the reality of Joseon where memoranda regarding crimes committed by Hwacheok were constantly being submitted, and the refugee problems experienced in the 21st century.
When Sejong and the ministers were troubled by Hyang's statement, the Minister of Justice spoke up.
"I believe the Crown Prince's opinion is appropriate. Looking at the memoranda submitted to the Ministry of Justice, at least half of the perpetrators of heinous crimes such as murder and robbery occurring nationwide are Hwacheok. If this is not resolved, the hearts of the people will be shaken."
"That is true, but..."
"Please look at the Huihui believers. Although they have foreign religion and customs, are they not faithfully following the laws of our Joseon?"
When even the Ministry of Justice sided with Hyang, Sejong and the ministers fell into even deeper worry. After repeated deliberation, Sejong made his decision.
"To be honest, the matter regarding the Hwacheok was something that required a decision. Let us resolve this at this opportunity."
"We receive your command!"
Thus, the hardline policy toward the Hwacheok was decided.
* * *
Once the matter regarding the Hwacheok was decided, Hyang spoke of the final reason why livestock farms were necessary.
"Lastly, livestock farms are necessary for national defense reasons."
"National defense?"
At the sudden mention of 'national defense,' Sejong and the ministers' ears perked up.
"Yes, national defense reasons. First, the rations for soldiers. Examining the medical texts I obtained, such a passage appeared: 'Grains quickly produce energy, but one quickly becomes hungry again. This is like straw that easily catches fire and burns quickly and strongly, but the fire soon dies out. Meat is like firewood; it takes time to catch fire, but produces the effect of burning for a long time.'"
After exhaling once, Hyang looked at Sejong and the ministers before continuing.
"Comparing Ming and our Joseon, it is clear that our Joseon's people eat large amounts. When our Joseon's army moves, what takes up the most volume is the grain for soldiers to eat. This is due to consuming little meat and obtaining energy to move from grains. Therefore, we must produce beef jerky or preserved salted foods and supply them to the military."
"Hmm..."
At Hyang's words, Sejong and the ministers made nasal sounds while stroking their beards. Though there were no words, their expressions all said 'Hmm? That sounds plausible?' Seeing such expressions, Hyang delivered the final blow.
"And most importantly, by collecting the manure from cattle and pigs, we can create gunpowder fields. Looking at our Joseon's current situation, the amount collected from human waste, urine, and hearth soil from households is small for creating gunpowder fields. This is because farmers use these for fertilizing their fields. For this reason, there have always been conflicts and disputes between farmers and the government. However, if we operate livestock farms and collect manure from cattle and pigs, we can greatly expand gunpowder fields without troubling the people."
"That is so!"
"It is an excellent plan!"
At Hyang's words, Sejong and the ministers, especially the Minister of War, were greatly pleased. However, after calculating for a moment, the Minister of Taxation raised an objection.
"Though the Crown Prince's plan is excellent, there is a problem. The problem of feed. For cattle, since they only eat grass, it is not a concern, but pigs are the problem. Pigs eat a lot but produce little meat. Also, in summer they spoil quickly, so they are of little use. Setting aside taste, that is."
At the Minister of Taxation's words, Hyang readily nodded.
"I acknowledge that. But, Minister of Taxation, you have been to Ming as an envoy, have you not?"
"That is correct."
"How are Ming's pigs? Have you seen them?"
"In the process of obtaining books to present to the Crown Prince, I have seen them a few times. Hmm... To exaggerate slightly, they were as big as houses."
"Then wouldn't it be fine to obtain breeding pigs from Ming?"
"But wouldn't they eat even more due to their large size?"
The discussion between Hyang and the Minister of Taxation grew increasingly deep, and Sejong and the ministers listened to the conversation with fascinated faces.
"That problem can be solved by creating soybean fields next to the livestock farms and growing soybeans. Soybeans grow well as long as they receive sufficient water, after all. Livestock farms also require much water."
"However, that would require additional land beyond the land to be used for livestock farming."
At those words, Hyang immediately presented an alternative.
"In that case, we can discuss with nearby landowners and borrow the land."
"Would landowners easily agree? When farmland for planting rice and barley is already insufficient."
"We should borrow land with depleted soil fertility. I heard that planting soybeans in fields restores soil fertility."
At Hyang's words, the Minister of Taxation busily calculated. Having finished his calculations, the Minister of Taxation nodded.
"It seems sufficiently possible."
< Chapter 42: Laughing at Obsession, Crying at Obsession. (7) > End
ⓒ Gukppong