Chapter 68: People (1)
In the 7th year of King Sejong (1425, the Year of the Wood Snake), the civil service examination was conducted. Since it was not a regular examination year (years ending in the cyclical characters of 好卵午酉), it was a special examination targeting only the literary and military tracks.
Unlike the original history, this examination differed in many ways, and the reason was simple.
"We lack officials! (Not enough people to order around!)"
Both the civil and military officials found themselves in a situation requiring massive manpower as new positions and institutions were being created.
Accordingly, King Sejong issued a royal decree to the provincial governors who would conduct the preliminary examination:
- For the literary preliminary examination, do not conduct the Jinsa examination; conduct only the Saengwon examination.
- Increase the number of successful candidates by 50% over the combined total of the previous Jinsa and Saengwon examinations.
"Huh?"
The governors who received the royal decree tilted their heads in confusion, but following the royal command, they conducted the Saengwon examination and selected the successful candidates. Once the selection was complete, records containing the personal details of the preliminary examination passers were sent up to the capital.
"Your son has passed the examination!"
"Oh! This is the glory of our family! We must hold a celebration!"
With the expanded quota, celebrations for passing candidates were held in most counties across the country. Joseon's local administrative units totaled 162 at the gun (county) level. Previously, the number of candidates passing through the provincial examination was 140. As a result, approximately 50 counties on average failed to produce any successful candidates.
But this time, 220 candidates passed. As a result, only 11 counties across all Eight Provinces of Joseon failed to produce a successful candidate. The local scholars' associations in those counties were turned upside down.
'How exactly did they educate their children!'
"Disgrace, disgrace! Where in the world is there such shame!"
* * *
When March arrived, the preliminary examination passers came up to Hanyang to take the main examination.
Some brought servants loaded with rice and bundles of cloth, while scholars and commoners who carried their own luggage on their backs flocked to Hanyang to find lodging.
Those without relatives in Hanyang requested board and lodging from decent-looking houses or unpacked at temporary lodgings established by merchants.
Meanwhile, those with relatives who were doing well in Hanyang sought them out to solve their lodging problems.
"Has Uncle not returned from his office yet?"
"These days he is late every day."
"I see."
In a neat hanok in Bukchon, a representative noble residential area north of the bell pavilion, a young man who had come up from the countryside was conversing with an elderly lady. As they talked about their mindset toward the examination and various personal matters, a servant reported to the lady.
"The master has returned from his office!"
"Understood."
At the news that the master of the house had returned, the lady and the young man hurriedly rose from their seats.
That evening, the master of the house and the young man faced each other across a drinking table in the main hall of the sarangchae (men's quarters) and continued their conversation.
"So. Are you confident about the main examination?"
"I intend to do my utmost."
"That is the correct answer, I suppose. By the way, have you performed the Great Rite (marriage)?"
"Yes."
"Children?"
"I have two sons and one daughter."
At the young man's answer, the master muttered quietly.
"Fortunately, the family line won't be cut off. Whoever it is, they'll have someone to order around comfortably...."
"Pardon? I apologize, but I couldn't hear properly...."
"Ah! Just talking to myself, talking to myself!"
Waving his hand to cut off the conversation, the master changed the subject.
"As you know, the number of successful candidates increased in this preliminary examination. The main examination will also see a significant increase in passers."
"Is that so?"
Seeing the tension leave the young man's face, the master issued a warning.
"This is not something to be happy about. This means that now, passing the main examination is not the problem—what comes after is the problem."
"Ah...."
"My final advice to you is that you will want to submit your resignation at least twelve times a day. You must endure that to achieve success."
"I am prepared for the rites of advancement."
At the young man's answer, the master burst into a snort of laughter.
"Pfft! Rites of advancement? Will there be anyone bold enough to perform that? The moment you perform that, you'll taste hell while alive... Well! There's no point in me saying it, you wouldn't understand, so you'll know once you experience it."
"Pardon? Yes...."
Thinking the conversation had roughly concluded, the master rose from his seat.
"Your quarters should be ready. First, rest from your journey and settle your mind. And good luck."
"Thank you!"
* * *
Three days later, the main examination was conducted. Mats were laid out in the wide space spread before Geunjeongjeon Hall, past Geunjeongmun Gate, and after going through identity verification, the examinees entered one by one and took their seats.
"His Majesty the King approaches~!"
The seated examinees all rose from their seats and bowed their heads.
Presently, as King Sejong, the Crown Prince, and the great ministers entered and took their seats, the examinees performed a grand bow to Sejong. After Sejong returned the courtesy and stepped forward, the waiting eunuchs brought and set up the megaphones that Hyang had previously made.
Standing before the megaphone, Sejong offered words of encouragement to the examinees.
"...Therefore, for our Joseon to unfold its grand ambitions, the most essential thing is talent. I earnestly hope that you will be such talent."
"We will devote our entire being!"
After Sejong's encouraging words concluded, warnings against cheating followed. Finally, guidance about the examination procedure was given.
"...Accordingly, examinees will take the test in two stages. The first concerns the classics, and the second concerns arithmetic."
"Arithmetic?"
"Why arithmetic?"
With the addition of an unexpected subject, the examinees tilted their heads and buzzed with murmurs.
"Quiet! All of this is being implemented by gathering the opinions of His Majesty and the great ministers to select talent, so do not doubt! If you cannot cast away your suspicions, leave the examination hall immediately!"
At the chief examiner's shout, the murmuring died down in an instant.
"Then, let the examination begin!"
Thus, the first examination testing understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics ended, followed by the second examination on arithmetic.
The second examination was unusual from the start, with court officials personally distributing examination papers printed with the questions to each examinee.
"Do not forget to write your administrative division and name at the top! Then begin!"
* * *
After the examination ended, examinees left the examination hall one by one. And from that moment, the ministers' war began.
"Let's see...."
"Hmm? Can this be interpreted this way?"
While the officials in charge of grading the first examination testing understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics had a somewhat relaxed atmosphere, the side grading arithmetic abilities had a fierce atmosphere.
There, officials from the Six Ministries of the court and officials belonging to the research institute gathered, engaging in fierce psychological warfare as they graded the examination papers.
"Let's see, the scores...."
"Hey! Why are you taking that paper! Already trying to stash it away!"
"Observe proper conduct! Proper conduct!"
If they had knives in their hands, four or five would have died by now—it was that fierce an atmosphere.
* * *
The beginning of the matter was during the exchange of opinions about this special examination.
"Your son has a request for His Majesty."
"A request?"
The moment Hyang brought up the word 'request,' the chief ministers and great ministers tensed up immediately.
"Speak."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Please add just one examination subject to this small examination main test."
At Hyang's request, Sejong stroked his beard and expressed his puzzlement.
"You want to add an examination subject? What subject do you wish to include?"
"Arithmetic."
"Arithmetic?"
"Yes, there is a shortage of officials at the research institute. Therefore, I wish to recruit those skilled in arithmetic from among the small examination main test candidates."
"Why specifically from the small examination?"
"Those taking the major examination have already been filtered once, so they are talents even more necessary to Your Majesty."
"Hmm...."
At Hyang's words, Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought. A positive feeling hovered around Sejong's expression as he pondered silently.
"Your Majesty! The Ministry of Taxation also needs people skilled in arithmetic!"
Seizing the opportunity, the Minister of Taxation stepped forward to demand personnel replenishment. At the Minister of Taxation's demand, Sejong expressed doubt.
"Did the Ministry of Taxation not replenish personnel recently?"
"Your Majesty! With that number, it is barely 'peeing on frozen feet'! Not only personnel for the monopoly offices to be established nationwide, but also to investigate price trends, it is woefully insufficient!"
"Is that so? Hmm...."
"Your Majesty! The Ministry of Works also needs personnel!"
"The Ministry of Military is in the same situation!"
"The Ministry of Punishment also lacks personnel..."
"The Ministry of Personnel too..."
The Minister of Taxation's petition broke the dam. Just as the Ministry of Rites was about to open its mouth, Hwang Hee interjected.
"Why exactly do you need so many personnel?"
"For the Ministry of Works, the situation is such that officials are working through the night just from organizing the status of new construction and repairs of levees, weirs, and bridges throughout the country! On top of that, to conduct research on the 'Comprehensive National Land Development Plan,' we need people skilled in arithmetic!"
"The Ministry of Military is the same! To organize the weaponry and military registers of each garrison, we need people skilled not only in composition but also in arithmetic!"
"The Ministry of Punishment is likewise! To investigate and organize the number and types of crimes occurring throughout Joseon, we need people skilled in arithmetic!"
Each ministry's minister earnestly claimed why additional manpower was needed.
"This is... everyone has valid points...."
With a troubled expression, Sejong looked at the chief ministers.
"Is our Joseon really this short of people?"
In response to Sejong's question, Hwang Hee answered the reason.
"It is not that people are lacking, but that the budget is lacking."
At Hwang Hee's answer, Sejong unconsciously let out a curse.
"This is ridiculous...."
Meanwhile, the ministers were fiercely debating among themselves.
"The Ministry of Taxation already had personnel replenished! Hey, one should have a conscience!"
"The Ministry of Military and Ministry of Punishment already have many people, why do they keep saying they're short!"
"What good is having many people! Most of them are illiterate! Do you think fellows who only know how to swing swords can do paperwork! By the way, why does the Ministry of Rites need people! Why does the Ministry of Rites do arithmetic!"
The ministers of the Six Ministries exchanged heated arguments.
"Your parents must be like you, Minister...."
"Ugh!"
As the argument went too far, finally reaching the point of personal insults inquiring after each other's parents, Sejong shouted to end the debate.
Seeing the ministers who fell silent in an instant, Sejong clicked his tongue.
"Tsk! You all do well~. Truly, you all do well~"
"We are mortified!"
At Sejong's words, all the ministers prostrated themselves deeply. Looking at that sight, Sejong glared at Hyang.
"Anyway, you fellow..."
Suddenly caught in the crossfire, Hyang also had to bow his head like the ministers.
"We are mortified!"
"Enough! How many do you need?"
"At least twenty...."
"Can't you replenish through recruitment?"
"There is a difference in the caliber of talent...."
At Hyang's answer, Sejong clicked his tongue.
It was because he understood what 'there is a difference in caliber' meant. At the very least, those taking the small examination meant they were somewhat intelligent.
"In any case, it is certain that people are lacking. However, there is the budget problem...."
As he organized the situation, Sejong asked the ministers.
"How long did you say we have to wait to mine gold and silver from the gold and silver mines found by the Resource Bureau?"
"It is said to take at least half a year, Your Majesty. However, to obtain proper results through refining, it will take at least one year at the earliest."
"Hmm...."
Hearing the answer, Sejong began calculating internally.
'With the taxes collected from the merchants... and the profits coming in from the monopoly offices... hmm...."
After adding and subtracting for a while, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"Crown Prince, you said you need twenty?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. At least twenty...."
"Reduce it to ten."
"...I obey your command."
Starting with Hyang, Sejong began adjusting personnel.
"I will increase the number of successful candidates in this small examination. And as per the Crown Prince's petition, the arithmetic examination will also be conducted. Ministers, coordinate the people needed for each ministry and report to me. Just now, I reduced the Crown Prince's request by half. You too should not think only of filling your own greed, but achieve harmony through compromise."
"We obey your command!"
* * *
And that result was the fierce battle of wits taking place now.
"Grading is complete."
"Let's see. They're arranged in order of scores, correct?"
"That is correct."
At the grading official's answer, Jeong Cho silently selected ten sheets from the very top and rose from his seat. Right at that moment, the Vice Minister of Taxation grabbed his sleeve.
"Wait!"
"What is it?"
"Minister, you have no sense of fair conduct! What are you trying to do by taking only the smartest ones! This gentleman... Minister, you have no conscience either!"
"The research institute needs people skilled in arithmetic."
"That applies to all of us!"
"That is correct! Minister Jeong, seeing you now, you truly are a wicked person!"
The examination room was instantly filled with voices denouncing Jeong Cho. However, Jeong Cho did not back down.
"It is the Crown Prince's command."
Even though Jeong Cho invoked the Crown Prince's name, the other officials did not back down either. Their representative was the Vice Minister of Taxation.
"Have you forgotten His Majesty's command! He said not to fill only your own greed! Where do you think you are doing something irreverent!"
"That is right!"
"Abandon your greed."
"Tsk!"
Jeong Cho clicked his tongue. Those gathered here were all of vice minister rank. Their experience, age—none of them were people Jeong Cho could push around as he pleased.
Ultimately, Jeong Cho presented an alternative.
"I will take five from the top, and five from the average scores. I too must follow the Crown Prince's command, must I not?"
At Jeong Cho's words, the vice ministers who had been groaning presented a compromise.
"Four from the top. How about taking one each from among the top ten?"
After pondering for a while at the Minister of Taxation's compromise, Jeong Cho nodded.
"Let us do that."
* * *
Coming outside, Jeong Cho let out a sigh.
"Whew~. His Highness was right."
Before coming here, Hyang had called Jeong Cho and presented a plan.
"It would be good to take all ten with the best scores, but that would be impossible."
"That is correct."
"So, I have been thinking...."
The plan Hyang presented was 'grab what's available at the start.' Naturally, resistance would arise, and from that point, it was 'Plan B'—gradually conceding while still making a show of it, securing as much talent as possible.