Chapter 64: Variables (3)
After Jo Mun-dan departed for Beijing, King Sejong's royal decree was delivered to Sungkyunkwan.
"...Therefore, We encourage the students studying at Sungkyunkwan to follow Our command."
The Jisa who had read the royal decree looked at the Confucian students.
"What is your reason for studying at this Sungkyunkwan? Is it not to enter government service and bring prosperity to this Joseon? A good opportunity has come, so do not delay your entry into service."
Having finished his words, the Jisa left Myeongnyundang.
Once the Jisa departed, the students remaining in their seats began to whisper among themselves.
"Brother Yi, what are you thinking?"
"Brother Kim, what about you?"
"I intend to enter government service. It has already been five years since I stayed at Sungkyunkwan, and I have no confidence in next year's civil service examination, so I cannot miss this opportunity."
"The same goes for me. I worry about my parents' hardships, and this seems like a good opportunity."
While a considerable number of students staying at Sungkyunkwan decided to enter government service, there were also quite a few who did not.
"Even if we enter government service now, it will merely be a minor post of junior 9th rank. Why bother entering service? It's foolishness."
"You're right. If one is born as a man and dreams of entering government service, one should at least start at junior 6th rank, shouldn't they?"
"Hahaha!"
Looking at the system of Joseon at that time, the quota for those selected through the major civil service examination was 33 people. Among them, the top-ranking Jangwon graduate started at junior 6th rank. The rest were divided into Gap, Eul, and Byeong ranks according to their grades. According to that classification, the lowest 23 Byeong rank graduates started at junior 9th rank. The lowest junior 9th rank was for those who entered through special examinations or simple qualifications.
In other words, those chattering like that were aiming for the Jangwon top graduate position. However, among those making such a fuss, there were very few who actually possessed that level of ability. Most were sons of wealthy families.
What was important to them was the title of Sungkyunkwan student. With just that, they could maintain the status of yangban for at least three generations and receive tax exemption benefits.
The Minister of Taxation, having organized the list of Sungkyunkwan students who volunteered for government service, immediately passed the list to the State Councilors.
"How many are there in total?"
"143 people."
"Hmm..."
At the Minister of Taxation's answer, the State Councilors' expressions became complicated.
"It seems they did fairly well..."
"But I don't know why this feels so uneasy."
"I agree."
The number of students currently enrolled at Sungkyunkwan was 200. Among them, 143 applying was quite a large number. However, both the Minister of Taxation who prepared the list and the State Councilors who checked it felt an itch at the back of their heads.
Eventually, Chief State Councilor Yi Jik picked up the list.
"Regardless, those who stepped forward within the appointed period are all here, so let us report to His Majesty."
"We should do that."
* * *
"Tsk!"
King Sejong's first reaction upon checking the list submitted by the State Councilors was clicking his tongue.
"143 people? I thought Sungkyunkwan's quota was 200, so the rest didn't apply?"
"That is correct."
"Why?"
At King Sejong's question, the Minister of Taxation answered.
"They say the reason for staying at Sungkyunkwan is to aim for the major civil service examination..."
Before the Minister of Taxation could finish speaking, King Sejong clicked his tongue. Immediately, the Minister of Taxation prostrated himself.
"I am terrified!"
"What is there for you to be terrified about? It is just that the Sungkyunkwan students, who should be the talents to lead the court in the future, are not to my liking. To have such narrow vision. Tsk!"
When King Sejong clicked his tongue, Hwang Hee interjected. Regardless of the matter, as King Sejong said, the Sungkyunkwan students were the future of the court.
"They are still inexperienced..."
"What nonsense is that! The width and narrowness of vision is not a matter of experience but a matter of quality! Does the Minister intend to fill the court with such people!"
At King Sejong's rebuke, Hwang Hee had to lie flat on the ground.
"I am terrified! Please forgive my mistake!"
"Why is Your Majesty like this? Tsk!"
"I am terrified!"
At King Sejong's words, Hwang Hee had to bow his head even deeper.
King Sejong, who had been glaring at such Hwang Hee, threw a question at the Minister of Taxation.
"Leaving Sungkyunkwan aside... how will we proceed with future matters?"
"First, the Sungkyunkwan students will learn mathematics and commerce. The period is set at about three months."
"Three months... It is September now, so we will start the monopoly business starting next year?"
"That is correct. During that time, we will secure sugar inventory and build the buildings where the monopoly bureaus will be housed."
At the Minister of Taxation's answer, King Sejong nodded.
"That is appropriate. Then how will personnel be arranged?"
"First, we will place an Inspector (junior 3rd rank) in the Eight Provinces, and place Secretaries and Magistrates (senior 4th rank) in prefectures, large district prefectures, and counties. Finally, we will place Assistant Secretaries in district prefectures and military prefectures."
"Hmm..."
At the Minister of Taxation's explanation, King Sejong stroked his beard and assessed the situation.
"The ranks are lower than the provincial governors and local magistrates."
"We took into consideration the morale issues of local magistrates."
"I see..."
At the Minister of Taxation's answer, King Sejong nodded.
By arranging personnel with ranks lower than local magistrates starting with provincial governors, they avoided stimulating the pride of local magistrates. However, the ranks were not so low that local magistrates would look down on them either. And since it was an institution directly connected to the court, local magistrates would not be able to treat them carelessly.
As a result, the court in Hanyang gained another means to oversee local officials.
'It will become difficult for local officials to sleep comfortably.'
However, King Sejong continued his barrage of questions at the Minister of Taxation.
"It is a good method, but aren't there insufficient personnel of those ranks to send them like that?"
"That is correct. Therefore, we will select officials with good performance reviews and first grant them acting ranks. Then, based on one year of service results, we will convert those acting ranks to substantive ranks, or decide on promotion or demotion."
"It was a minimum of one year of service when assigned to a monopoly bureau, correct?"
"That is correct. We plan not to assign anyone to one place for more than two years, no matter how long they serve."
What the monopoly bureaus would monopolize were salt and sugar. Since these were items that would be almost essential to the people's diet, enormous wealth would certainly pass through, and considering future additions, it was essential to continuously rotate officials to prevent corruption.
"Then the Sungkyunkwan students will fill the vacancies left by officials going out?"
"First, we will fill the positions by promoting existing officials. The method is the same as for officials going out to monopoly bureaus in the provinces. We will give acting ranks to Sungkyunkwan students based on their grades during the education period and assign them duties."
"What rank do you intend to give the Sungkyunkwan students?"
"Starting from senior 9th rank up to senior 6th rank."
"Senior 6th rank..."
King Sejong assessed once more.
The starting point for the top Jangwon graduate of the existing major civil service examination was junior 6th rank. However, though it was an acting rank, this was senior 6th rank, one grade higher. While the plan was to gradually increase officials, the standards for the promotion process were also expected to become increasingly demanding.
King Sejong, who had been assessing possibilities based on the personnel plan presented by the Ministry of Taxation and future plans, looked at the Minister of Taxation.
"Everyone will work desperately."
"That is the purpose."
Having heard the Minister of Taxation's answer, King Sejong reached a conclusion.
"Good! Proceed according to the Minister of Taxation's plan!"
"I shall obey the command!"
"However! Though they are acting ranks, pay their stipends according to their ranks! If the work is difficult, at least the pay should be good."
"I will bear this deeply in mind!"
Later, when Hyang heard of this plan, he muttered with a bitter expression. "Whether in the 21st century or Joseon, interns are desperate."
And those who had decided to remain at Sungkyunkwan had to beat the ground in regret.
"Senior 6th rank!"
* * *
Meanwhile, with the large-scale entry of new personnel into the Ministry of Taxation, there was quite an uproar. The reason for the uproar was the 'Myeonsillye' (hazing ritual for new officials).
With a large-scale influx of newcomers from Sungkyunkwan and existing officials being promoted, the superiors did not stay still.
Setting up lavish drinking tables to entertain them was basic, and when all sorts of bizarre things happened, the Office of the Inspector General submitted a memorial about this.
"Such outrageous acts!"
King Sejong, who received the memorial, burst into anger.
The abuses of Myeonsillye were famous from ancient times, and the kings of Joseon had for generations tried to eliminate this evil custom.
King Sejong himself had punished officials who performed Myeonsillye just the previous year, the Gyemyo year (1423).
"It was just last year that We issued a decree prohibiting Myeonsillye! To see such outrageous fellows! Minister of Taxation! What exactly have you done?"
At King Sejong's shouting, the Minister of Taxation stuck completely to the ground.
"Please kill me!"
"What have the State Councilors done!"
At King Sejong's rebuke, the State Councilors also had to stick to the ground.
"Please kill us!"
"What happened to those outrageous fellows who performed Myeonsillye!"
"First, they are under house arrest..."
"Chief State Councilor! Call for the Uigeumbu Jinmu immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
By the angry King Sejong's order, all the officials who had performed Myeonsillye were imprisoned in the Uigeumbu jail.
Having received the report, King Sejong ground his teeth while glaring at the ministers.
"The King's command must be kept no matter what happens, that is the proper way... Do you ministers take Us lightly?"
"Please kill us!"
"If you ministers did not take Us lightly, why did such a thing happen!"
"Please kill us!"
The ministers had to stick to the ground following the State Councilors and the Minister of Taxation. Over the heads of such ministers flowed King Sejong's angry voice.
"Is 'please kill me' the only thing you know how to say? Shall We really do so?"
"We are terrified!"
After a while, the Uigeumbu Jinmu who had been summoned entered the private audience chamber. King Sejong immediately gave an order to the Uigeumbu Jinmu.
"Immediately arrest the Ministry of Taxation officials under house arrest and imprison them!"
"I shall obey the command!"
Following the angry King Sejong's command, 23 officials were imprisoned in the Uigeumbu jail. Having received the report, King Sejong ground his teeth and muttered.
"How should We punish these damned fellows..."
Hyang, who had run to the private audience chamber upon hearing the news, smiled bitterly at King Sejong's appearance. It was because memories of the 21st century had come to mind.
The freshman welcome party that took place after entering university in the 21st century was a memory Hyang absolutely wanted to forget.
The villains called seniors had fed him 'sabalju' mixed with all sorts of bizarre filth, or made him drink alcohol until he nearly died.
'This damned evil custom...'
Hyang, who was smiling bitterly while recalling the nightmare of the 21st century, spoke to King Sejong.
"Father. It seems the officials of the Ministry of Taxation have enough leisure to perform Myeonsillye."
At Hyang's words, King Sejong's expression changed wickedly.
"Is that so. And yet they asked to increase personnel because they didn't have enough people?"
At King Sejong's words, the Minister of Taxation shouted with a pale face.
"Absolutely not! We truly lack personnel!"
"When they have enough leisure to perform Myeonsillye?"
"That is a matter of a small number of officials who forgot their duty and committed such acts!"
The Minister of Taxation made desperate excuses. Looking at such a Minister of Taxation, Hyang spoke to King Sejong.
"Father. Listening to the Minister's words, it seems those who disobeyed Your Majesty's command this time are quite capable."
"Hmm? Why?"
"Minister, and all other officials are crying out that they need people because there is too much work. In such a situation, performing Myeonsillye means they had time left over after finishing their work, does it not?"
"Ah! Is that so! Looking at it that way, they were quite capable talents!"
"Indeed."
Listening to the conversation between Hyang and King Sejong, the ministers felt an inexplicable anxiety slowly rising.
While the ministers were trembling with anxiety, Hyang presented a method to utilize them.
"The organization of the household registry data and land register copies investigated during the smallpox vaccination has not yet been completed. Since those currently imprisoned are capable enough to finish their work and have time left to perform hazing rituals, how about assigning this work to them?"
"That is right!"
At Hyang's words, King Sejong slapped his knee.
"Truly an excellent plan! Minister! How long did you say it would take to organize the household registry data and land register copies?"
"It will take another 5 years..."
"Immediately put those who participated in this incident into the organization work! The period is 1 year! If they do not finish within that time, they will be immediately sentenced to exile! The exile period will be proportional to the amount they fail to complete! If 10% remains, 1 year of exile; if 50% remains, 5 years of exile! Do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes, yes!"
At King Sejong's words, the Minister of Taxation answered while sweating cold sweat. Looking at such a Minister of Taxation, King Sejong continued.
"During the organization work, pay only 20% of their stipends. There is no need for their families to suffer. Do you understand well?"
"I have understood sufficiently!"
"Then execute it immediately!"
"Yes! I shall obey the command!"
Thus, among Joseon Dynasty officials, the saying spread that 'document organization punishment is more fearsome than execution or exile.'