Chapter 69: People (2)
Five days after the small civil service examination concluded, the list of successful candidates was announced. Near Gwanghwamun, candidates who had taken the exam gathered to wait for the results.
"Hasn't the list been posted yet?"
"Hey, move your head aside!"
Amidst the light commotion among the tense candidates, the side gate of Gwanghwamun opened and officials along with palace servants came out.
When the officials emerged from Gwanghwamun, the candidates' commotion subsided. The candidates just swallowed dryly, only their eyes darting about.
An official applied paste to a large bulletin board built into one section of the city wall beside Gwanghwamun, then posted the notice.
"This is the list of successful candidates!"
Once the list was posted, the candidates rushed clumsily to the bulletin board to check if their names were there.
"I'm on it!"
"Me too!"
"Hahaha! I passed!"
Some confirmed their names and rejoiced, while others vented their frustration at failing.
"To fail again!"
"What should I tell my parents..."
Before those who were rejoicing, angry, or sorrowful, palace servants appeared again and set up a small platform.
Once the platform was built, an official wearing a deep blue official robe climbed onto it, put a funnel-shaped object to his mouth, and shouted.
"Yi Sun-ji! Is Yi Sun-ji here! Yi Sun-ji from Yangseong, Gyeonggi Province (present-day Anseong, Gyeonggi Province)!"
At the official's call, a young man who looked barely twenty years old rushed forward from among the candidates.
"That's me!"
"Are you Yi Sun-ji? From Yangseong, Gyeonggi Province?"
"That is correct."
"Year of birth?"
"The Year of Eul-yu."
At Yi Sun-ji's answer, the official checked his records.
"Yi Sun-ji... Yangseong... Year of Eul-yu... It matches. Stand over here to the side."
"Pardon? Yes."
After setting Yi Sun-ji aside, the official called nine more people.
"Let me see... one, two, three, four... ten... they all match. You lot, follow me."
"Pardon? Yes."
Thus, shrouded in mystery, Yi Sun-ji and nine other successful candidates followed the official into Gyeongbokgung Palace.
"Who are those people? Hey there. Brother, do you know anything about this?"
"I don't know either."
While the candidates were buzzing with questions, an official wearing a blue official robe climbed onto the platform.
"Quiet! Quiet! Be quiet!"
At the official's shout, the gathered candidates fell silent.
The official put the funnel-like object to his mouth and shouted.
"Successful candidates, move to the right for verification! And those who failed, prepare for the next opportunity!"
Following the official's command, the candidates divided into two groups and moved. The successful candidates moved to a location on the right side of Gwanghwamun to undergo verification, while those who failed turned away in tears.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the royal study, a conversation between King Sejong and his ministers continued with this small civil service examination as the topic.
"How many successful candidates are there from this small civil service examination?"
"A total of 185, Your Majesty."
"185? The number of successful candidates has decreased, hasn't it?"
At King Sejong's question, Hwang Hui answered.
"While they passed the examination on the classics, those who failed the arithmetic examination were all rejected."
"What is the standard for failing arithmetic?"
"Those who scored 20 points below the average, Your Majesty."
"Hmm... they are talents who passed the preliminary examination, isn't it a bit wasteful?"
At King Sejong's question, Hwang Hui explained the reason.
"That is true, but it takes too much time and cost to educate them in mathematics from the basics before putting them to work."
"Is that so? I understand. Since they are talents carefully selected for state affairs, we must utilize them as best as we can."
At King Sejong's instruction, the ministers all bowed their heads.
"We shall obey your command!"
"Setting aside the selection process, what will happen to those who complete their education? What about their ranks?"
"Just like the Sungkyunkwan students last time, we plan to divide them into grades according to their mathematics class performance, and after a three-month probationary period, distribute them appropriately among the Six Ministries."
"That sounds good. But what if some insist on going to Sungkyunkwan?"
"Even if they pass through Sungkyunkwan and then pass the major examination, unless they are the top scholar, they start from the 9th rank junior. If they have any sense, they will know it is far more advantageous than staying at Sungkyunkwan."
"I see."
At Hwang Hui's answer, King Sejong nodded.
Seeing King Sejong's reaction, Hwang Hui continued his explanation.
"Furthermore, since Sungkyunkwan's role will change going forward, we plan to send all the students out this time."
At Hwang Hui's words, King Sejong chuckled.
"Hah! They thought they were leaving easily, but they'll end up like a dog that chased a chicken."
* * *
Similar talk emerged at the location where the situation was being explained to the successful candidates.
"...and so, after completing that process, you will be put to work."
As soon as the official's explanation ended, one of the successful candidates raised his hand high.
"I am aiming for the major examination! Is it not possible for me to enter Sungkyunkwan?"
The official who received the question answered briefly.
"It is not possible. Starting this year, Sungkyunkwan's role has changed. Sungkyunkwan will only conduct rituals for the Confucian shrine and educate candidates for appointment as high-ranking officials. Ah, and since the topic has come up... the eligibility for the major examination will also change. Simply put, if you want to become a tangsanggwan, you must become a government official."
Though the official explained simply, the reality was far from simple.
To become a high-ranking official of tangsanggwan rank or above, one had to take another appointment examination. And to take that appointment examination, one had to prove one's ability through work.
However, the reason the official did not explain this in detail was simple.
'Those with poor prospects should be weeded out from the start!'
The people before him now and those who would continue to come in the future were both his subordinates and potential competitors. Even if they would compete later, to make things easier for himself now, he had to select only those with promise.
When the official's explanation ended, the same successful candidate raised his hand high again.
"Can't I just return to my hometown, study, and then challenge the major examination?"
At those words, the explaining official shouted in anger.
"You foolish fellow! Did you hear what I just explained, or did you eat it? What did I say? Didn't I say the nature of the major examination has changed? How did you listen to my explanation to spout such nonsense now! You, expelled!"
"Expelled, you say..."
"I mean you've failed! You stupid fool!"
At the official's words, the problematic successful candidate shouted in anger.
"How dare you! Do you know who I am!"
"Who are you!"
"The one who served as the former Vice Minister of Works is my grand-uncle, and the one currently serving as a Junior Officer in the Ministry of Justice is my cousin!"
At his words, the official scoffed.
"Hmph! In other words, you're saying you're nothing but a worthless wretch."
"What!"
The one suddenly treated as a wretch flew into a rage, but the official issued a command to another official beside him.
"Go to the Office of the Inspector General and bring Inspector Song. If anyone asks who sent you, say Chief Official Kang of the Ministry of Personnel sent you, and they'll understand."
At Chief Official Kang's words, the official who had been sitting with them nodded and rose from his seat. The official who stood up glared at the problematic successful candidate and went outside.
Meanwhile, the successful candidate who had been boasting about his connections turned pale the moment the word 'Office of the Inspector General' came up.
Seeing that successful candidate, Chief Official Kang raised his voice.
"Where does this wretch think he's showing off his connections! You wretch! Do you think I'm expelling you at my own discretion? This is all by royal command! Do you understand? My backing is His Majesty the King! You rotten bastard, showing off your connections here!"
Ultimately, the successful candidate who caused the disturbance was expelled and simultaneously declared failed.
"Please forgive me just this once!"
The expelled successful candidate begged for forgiveness even as he was dragged away, but the officials remained unmoved. After the brief commotion passed, Chief Official Kang warned the frozen successful candidates.
"During the mathematics education period and practical training period as well, if there are problems with your conduct, if you cannot keep up with your duties, or if you cause any trouble, you will be immediately expelled. Do not forget this. Understood?"
"Yes!"
The successful candidates answered in loud voices.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Inspector General immediately wrote a memorial and submitted it to King Sejong. Upon receiving the memorial, King Sejong immediately ordered punishment.
"That one who just passed the licentiate examination acted so arrogantly because he firmly trusted in the connections he spoke of. After reading this memorial, I was reminded of Ryu Jeong-hyeon's case from before, and my heart is truly dismayed."
"We are mortified, Your Majesty!"
At King Sejong's words, all the ministers bowed their heads. Above the heads of such ministers, King Sejong's words continued.
"If he was audacious enough to act so wickedly toward a court official, I believe I can guess what kind of wickedness those connections of his committed without even seeing it. Chief State Councillor, order the State Tribunal to investigate the relatives this man mentioned and identify their other crimes."
"We shall obey your command!"
According to the State Tribunal's investigation, the one who had served as the former Vice Minister of Works had all his merit titles confiscated, and the one working at the Ministry of Justice was demoted to a servant and sentenced to 'document organization duty.'
* * *
While such events were occurring outside, Yi Sun-ji's group was also plunged into confusion.
"Where are we candidates going now?"
As they continued deeper into the palace after passing through the Gyeongbokgung gate, Yi Sun-ji asked the official walking ahead with a voice full of fear. At Yi Sun-ji's question, the official walking ahead answered briefly.
"To the Eastern Palace."
"Gasp!"
The moment they heard the words 'Eastern Palace,' Yi Sun-ji and the successful candidates were terrified. They were heading toward the place where the one who would inherit the next throne resided.
Seeing Yi Sun-ji's group tensely nervous, the official walking ahead chuckled.
"Relax. Anyone watching would think you're entering a tiger's den."
"Yes! Yes!"
While looking at the faces of Yi Sun-ji's group who still couldn't release their tension, the official who had turned his back muttered quietly.
"Then again, perhaps a tiger's den would be better?"
* * *
"Please come in. Welcome. I am Jeong Cho, serving as the deputy director of the research institute."
The one who welcomed Yi Sun-ji's group was Jeong Cho. Jeong Cho first offered words of apology.
"Normally, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would have welcomed you all, but as he is currently busy with matters in District 51, I have been tasked with welcoming you. I apologize."
"N-no, not at all."
When Jeong Cho bowed his head, Yi Sun-ji's group hurriedly bowed their heads as well.
"Now, please have a seat first."
When Jeong Cho offered them seats, Yi Sun-ji's group quickly sat down on the chairs.
Seeing the faces of Yi Sun-ji's group sitting stiffly frozen on their chairs and looking only at him, Jeong Cho gave a bitter smile.
'Considering the hardships these friends will go through, I'm starting to feel sorry for them.'
"Ahem. Ahem!"
Having organized his expression with a light cough, Jeong Cho got to the main point.
"I will tell you what you will be doing from now on. First, does anyone here know the Indian numerals?"
At Jeong Cho's question, Yi Sun-ji promptly raised his hand.
"Oh my? I thought Indian numerals haven't spread much yet, how did you come to know them?"
"I saw a traveling merchant who frequently visits my family's home using them."
"Is that so? As for the others... it seems you're the only one. Then, what is your name?"
"I am Yi Sun-ji from Yangseong."
"I see. Scholar Yi, as a means of review, you will learn the Indian numerals together with the other scholars."
"I understand."
"Once the learning of Indian numerals is complete, you will all learn mathematics. And..."
Jeong Cho informed them of what they would learn and do in the future. Having finished his explanation, Jeong Cho concluded as follows.
"First, you will be given a month and a half to return to your hometown, inform them of your success, settle your affairs, and return to Hanyang. I hope to welcome you gladly then. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has high expectations, and I too have high expectations for all of you."
"We will do our utmost!"
* * *
A month and a half later, Yi Sun-ji and the other scholars reported to the research institute without a single exception.
"It is good to meet you!"
Hyang welcomed the newcomers warmly. While the existing personnel had been drawn in merely by evaluations from those around them, these ten before his eyes were personnel secured through direct evaluation.
"I believe that you will accomplish great things!"
At Hyang's words filled with expectation and trust, the new researchers all answered in loud voices.
"We will devote our very lives!"
And it took less than half a month for that shout to turn into wailing.
"Oh my, I'm dying..."
"Scholar Song, did you work overtime again yesterday?"
"I haven't been able to go home for five days now. I'm worried I'll be kicked out of my own house."
During a brief break time, the new researchers gathered in the break room massaged their necks and shoulders while complaining about the hardships of their work.
"At least the salary comes out well..."
"I heard those assigned to the Six Ministries are still dying from practical training. They say they're being evaluated every day and barely surviving."
"Well now... I don't know if we're the lucky ones or they're the lucky ones..."
As they exchanged conversation with the other successful candidates who were suffering terribly as probationary officials with temporary ranks, Yi Sun-ji passed before their eyes.
Yi Sun-ji's face was full of vitality as he walked with his arms full of books tucked against his chest.
Seeing that sight, the new researchers all grumbled.
"Scholar Yi has truly found his calling."
"Indeed he has."