Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 129

129Hwabi (婢, female servant)

‘I will think deeply.’ Although he said this, King Sejong’s heart was determined to accept Hyang’s suggestion.

Finally, the next day, King Sejong called for Hyang.

“Explain your plan to me and the officials in more detail.”

“Yes Abama.”

In response to King Sejong’s order, Hyang began to give a more detailed explanation to King Sejong and the ministers.

– First, appropriate areas will be set in the 8 provinces of Joseon and sample construction will begin.

Sejong, who had expressed doubt about Hyang’s words for a moment, immediately nodded.

“Sample construction? Ah… right. I am also choosing a town to run as a pilot before reorganizing local administrative agencies. “Is it the same thing as that?”

“That’s right. “We need to check to some extent how much construction costs will cost depending on the constraints, such as whether it is a flat or mountainous area, where gravel and sand can be easily obtained or far away, and whether it is a general road or a bridge, in order to prevent merchants from making profit.”

The ministers nodded at Hyang’s explanation. Kim Jeom, who was listening to the explanation, asked a question.

“This is not a construction project meant to provide relief, so we have to pay wages to those who work. Should we leave it up to the top to set the standards for payment of wages?”

Hyang paused for a moment at Kim Jeom’s words and then answered.

“I was planning to explain that part later, but since you asked, I’ll tell you what I think. By my standards, if working people work half a day (one hour), they can get enough money for one meal, and if they work one day (12 hours), a family of four can live for one day. “This can be considered a minimum standard.”

Kim Jeom, who had been calculating various things in response to Hyang’s answer, nodded.

“It seems reasonable.”

“Let me add one condition to that.”

When King Sejong intervened, the gaze of the ministers and local government turned to him.

“I will listen.”

“It’s a condition, but it’s not something grand. “I think it would be a good idea to add a condition that the person in charge of the job must provide low and medium items free of charge.”

“There will be strong opposition from those at the top who say the number of people is decreasing.”

Sejong’s expression became sharp at Kim Jeom’s words.

“Is it okay for those at the top to pursue profit, but those working at the bottom shouldn’t pursue profit?”

“That’s not it…”

“If I have to be satisfied with just filling my stomach every day, why do I have to live in a remote village? Even now, if you go to the author’s office, there are many people who work as day laborers every day. Aren’t they also suggesting that they wear a suit so that they can save up their wealth and pursue a better life? “If you only raise merchants, what’s the difference between raising locals?”

At King Sejong’s words, Kim Jeom immediately fell to the ground.

“God forgive my indiscretion!”

“Stand up. And when you speak, think a little more before doing it.”

“I will keep this in mind.”

Kim Jeom responded by bowing his head and let out a small sigh.

‘Whoa~. It was breathtaking.’

As they experienced various events in the meantime, the ministers acquired the skill of understanding crises through the tone of voice King Sejong spoke to them.

1. Usually, if there is nothing special going on, use Hao.

2. When a minister or crown prince makes a great contribution, respect their age and use an honorific.

3. If you do not properly understand what you mean or are opposed to everything, use Hara font.

4. If the situation becomes more unpleasant, you hold your tongue and use blunt and violent language.

5. If the situation goes beyond that, the Uigeumbu will be dispatched.

According to the above conditions, Kim Jeom narrowly avoided a crisis.

‘I really can’t even do this!’

Grumbling inwardly, Kim Jeom listened to Hyang’s words.

Hyang continued his explanation in an atmosphere that had become cold due to what had just happened.

“I think Abamama’s idea is the most correct regarding the wages of those working at the bottom.

Then, we can move on to the next step and find a company in charge of construction for every province in Joseon, but each province must sign a contract with at least three companies.”

“If there are more than three, do you mean there are at least three?”

Hyang nodded to Kim Jeom’s question. Then Jo Mal-saeng, who was listening to the story, intervened.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to manage the fewer people at the top in charge?”

Just as Hyang was about to open his mouth to Jo Mal-saeng’s question, Dae Heon answered.

“It’s because of the problem of monopoly. In the military, the simpler the chain of command, the more efficient it is, but in the private sector, if a monopoly occurs, only the number of people who lose money increases. That is why the sages told us to be careful about commerce.”

“Captain Daesaheon’s point is accurate. If each province selects only one top, the top will ultimately control everything. “All the money that goes into construction comes from the people’s tax money, so it cannot be wasted carelessly.”

“If that’s the case, we’ll have to call the top of another province… Ah, it’s probably a matter of efficiency.”

Heo Jo, who was about to point out something, realized the problem in the middle of speaking and closed his mouth.

Hyang continued speaking.

“The government’s job is to prevent monopolies and collusion and encourage competition. Once we build up our skills in this way, we select companies with excellent skills and put them in charge of developing the frontier areas in the northeast. “By then, you will have sufficient experience and skills, so trial and error will be reduced.”

“okay.”

After some time and a rough explanation, the fragrance began to be organized.

“Now, let me summarize the construction I mentioned this time and the proposals from the last battlefield as follows.”

– The number of people dying from diseases has decreased through the cultivation of herbs for cowpox inoculation and the active distribution of relief rice.

– Irrigation work carried out as compensation for rice relief and the expansion of flood control facilities through this led to an increase in agricultural productivity and reduced the number of people who died of starvation.

– The population continues to increase as deaths from disease and starvation decrease.

– Even in situations where the existing direct seeding method was used, the manpower used was excessive. As transplanting methods began to spread in earnest, the problem of manpower overload became even greater.

– Although the rice transplanting method increased production slightly, the number of people consuming it increased even more, so not only self-employed farmers but also tenant farmers had no choice but to go into debt.

– To solve this problem, establish a battlefield and break the link between Toho and smallholder farmers.

– Starting with road expansion, large-scale construction projects will be carried out to extract surplus manpower from rural areas.

“… That is all.”

After finishing all her remarks, Hyang politely bowed.

The ministers who were listening to Hyang’s words, worrying about missing even a single word, closed their mouths and fell into the harbinger.

This was the same for Sejong.

After a long period of silence, Sejong opened his mouth.

“I will ask the officials.”

“I will listen carefully.”

“Do you remember the ‘National Land Development Plan’ submitted by the Crown Prince a while ago?”

“I remember.”

The ministers responded unanimously. This is because many aspects of the stadium that is currently underway have been coordinated and are being coordinated according to the contents of the plan.

“What do you think will happen if we combine it with the agenda the Crown Prince just mentioned?”

Yeonguijeong Lee Jik stepped forward and answered King Sejong’s question.

“I think it is appropriate to accept it because it is consistent with the final purpose of the comprehensive national development plan.”

“Are there people who are against it?”

“….”

When the ministers responded in silence, King Sejong made a decision.

“Then, actively accept the agenda presented by the Crown Prince and create and submit an action plan for it.”

“I follow your orders!”

The ministers answered with one voice.

“The fate of Joseon depends on every word of the plan the officials draw up, so please do your best.”

The ministers responded to King Sejong’s request by bowing in unison.

“I will keep in mind each and every moment and renew myself!”

This was the sincerity of the ministers.

This was the only reason why the ministers held on to their positions despite complaining about the constant overwork every day, saying they would resign if they were bored, and being embarrassed by policies that seemed to go against the Neo-Confucian views they had learned and believed in.

‘If this is done properly, a Joseon will be born that is completely different from the Joseon we knew and pursued, but a much better one! I want to be recorded as having been part of that process!’

* * *

Five days after King Sejong and the ministers decided to unite and carry out the battlefield and construction projects,

“Your Majesty. “Your Majesty’s call comes.”

Late in the evening, Hyang, who was organizing documents and preparing to have a good time with the second concubine – Hyang had written a sleeping schedule and was sleeping with the three of them regularly – tilted his head at the words of the eunuch.

“this time?”

“yes.”

“I understand. Please guide me.”

Guided by the eunuch, the incense arrived at Gangnyeongjeon, located behind Geunjeongjeon.

“majesty. “The Crown Prince has arrived.”

“Come on in.”

“Yes, please eat.”

Hyang entered Gangnyeongjeon, King Sejong’s private office and bedroom, and found Heo Jo in addition to King Sejong.

“Did you call me Abama?”

“Okay, sit there.”

“yes.”

As Hyang sat down, Sejong opened his mouth.

“The reason I called the crown prince was because of the slave issue.”

When Sejong mentioned ‘slave’, Hyang’s face hardened.

‘What is to come has come!’

Sejong opened his mouth while looking at that scented face.

“From the previous ancestral rites, only same-color marriage (marriage between slaves) was permitted with respect to slaves, and Yangcheongyo marriage (marriage between a noble person and a natural person) was not permitted. However, as the number of people in Yangcheon increased, as was the case with people in the world, the ‘Law of the Son of Heaven’ was implemented.”

“Yes, I know from reading the records.”

When Hyang answered that he knew, King Sejong cleared his throat for a moment and then continued speaking.

“If you look at the state of Yangcheon marriage, there are overwhelmingly many cases where Yang men marry Cheon women. Accordingly, the previous king created a law of sub-fathering that determines whether a child will be good or not according to the father.”

“Yes, I know that too.”

“However, appeals are continuing due to the many negative side effects of this taxation law.”

Hyang immediately responded to Sejong’s words.

“The reason King Taejong created and implemented the Jongbu Act was because as the number of heavenly people increased and the number of noble people decreased, problems arose in national finances and national defense. Do those who oppose this taxation law think that their own small interests are more important than the safety of the country? “If you think that way, I think you should be severely punished.”

Heojo responded to Hyang’s strong statement.

“The problem is more complicated than you think.”

“It’s complicated?”

“yes.”

Heojo began to explain the problems that arose while implementing the Jongbu Act.

-The law of marriage literally determines whether a child born between a adoptive person and a heavenly person will be adopted or not according to the status of the father. The purpose of setting this is to increase the number of Yangin.

-As a result, the number of adoptees increased significantly, but the number of slaves absolutely decreased. This is where the complaints from slave owners erupted.

“Isn’t the original servant law created for the purpose of reducing the number of slaves? So, if it was executed properly, what’s the problem?”

When I asked a question with an expression on my face that said I couldn’t understand the scent, Heo Jo answered.

“In principle, yes. And if the decline in slaves was a natural decline, it could be simply ignored. However, a problem arose in terms of absolute decline, and problems also arose in local customs.”

“yes? why?”

“It was because of different customs in the Marriage Act. To be precise, is this the custom for cotton cloth?”

“yes?”

As Hyang continued to not understand, Sejong came forward and answered.

“In principle, when a concubine gives birth to a child of an adoptive wife, the concubine is immediately discharged from office. “That’s where the problem arose.”

“ah!”

From Sejong’s words, Hyang could immediately see the problem.

Female slaves could give birth to babies until their menstruation stopped. From the slave owner’s point of view, exempting such a female slave would mean that at least 10 slaves to be born in the future would disappear.

“understand. Haonde. What is the matter of customs?”

Heojo immediately answered Hyang’s question.

“There are frequent cases where she insists that she is the child of someone else, even though she has a male servant of the same color as her husband. Or, it is common for people to not know whose baby the new baby belongs to. In this case, the female slave who gave birth to the child unconditionally insists that the adoptive mother is the child’s father. “It’s because of the cotton cloth.” (Note 1)

“Huh…”

Sejong continued as Hyang sighed.

“Do you remember what you said before before you got the Crown Princess? ‘Siat makes even Buddha sit back.’ “That’s what I mean.”

“yes.”

“It’s the same thing. There are many cases where, even if a person is recognized as a child of an adoptive wife and becomes a refugee with the child, he or she cannot endure the evil of his or her original wife and becomes a refugee. “It’s sad.”

After hearing Sejong’s words, Hyang asked Sejong with a stern expression.

“Do you plan to abolish the Marriage Act?”

Sejong shook his head in response to Hyang’s question.

“I have no intention of doing that. That’s why I called you. “You have work to do.”

“Please order.”

“Find a way for the released female servants to make a living with their children!”

Hyang bowed her head and responded to King Sejong’s command.

“I follow your orders!”

Although she answered vigorously, Hyang was crying inside.

‘Shit! Also, the level of difficulty is the highest!’

* * *

Note 1) Annals of King Sejong read in one volume. Written by Park Young-gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House