Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 131

Episode 131: Change. (1)

The ministers, who thought for a moment about what Hyang’s words meant, soon began to open their mouths one by one.

“It’s property… Are you saying we want to tax it based on whether the slave owns it or not?”

“If you impose a tax… there will be a lot of resistance, but if you implement it, it will be a good move.”

“The problem is resistance.”

“God also thinks the plan the crown prince has come up with is innovative, but I think resistance is the problem.”

The reactions of the ministers were very similar.

‘I think it’s a good idea, but I’m worried about tax resistance.’

The city’s response to the ministers’ answers was simple.

“If they resist, just crush them.”

“yes?”

The ministers asked briefly with expressions of bewilderment at the extreme hard-line policy of the township. The look on the faces of the ministers asked a question.

“In the first place. In principle, who owns this land of Joseon? “In principle.”

Maeng Sa-seong thought for a moment about Hyang’s question and then answered.

“In principle, it belongs to His Majesty the Lord. “In principle, yes.”

“you’re right. Therefore, since we are borrowing Abamama’s land, we are paying a lease. “You can see it that way, right?”

‘Is the public land concept a big deal?’

Maeng Sa-seong nodded at Hyang’s point.

“In principle, you can see it that way. It seems that the crown prince is advocating the idea of a royal land. But…”

Hyang interrupted Maeng Sa-seong’s words.

“but! That’s it, but this is the problem! Although it is Abamama’s land! I acknowledge that the land has been owned for generations. If you have passed the civil service exam in the past, it is natural to go straight for a government job. but! “I said I would pursue my career by furthering my studies, so I will give you a tax exemption.”

Hyang took a moment to catch his breath and continued speaking.

“I built my wealth through so many ‘buts.’ This is shameless! But resisting? “Where are these shameless bastards?”

At Hyang’s shout, Lee Jik and Maeng Sa-seong had a small conversation.

“The Crown Prince went on a rampage again.”

“But in principle it is correct. In principle…”

“That’s the problem.”

While Lee Jik and Maeng Sa-seong were having a small conversation, Hyang continued talking.

“That is why Soja asks Abama. “If those Toho consider their slaves as property, then tax them accordingly!”

Hyang explained the tax system he had in mind.

-The people of Joseon pay the most basic taxes once a year. The name of the tax is ‘property income tax’.

-This property income tax determines the amount you have to pay by adding the income earned from working for a year and the assets you own.

-What goes into property is the land you own and the house you own. These include livestock raised by slaves.

-Tax rates apply at a progressive rate.

– Slaves set the progressive rate particularly high.

“If we do this, Toho will have no choice but to reduce the number of slaves. As the number of slaves decreases, they have no choice but to rent out farmland, which is their main source of income. Otherwise, we will have to hire wage workers.”

“Hmm…”

The ministers shook their heads at Hyang’s explanation.

Although the wealth that large local landowners gained through sharecropping was considerable, the most important source of income was the profits from the fields they cultivated directly using slaves. Most of the land farmed by tenant farmers was originally owned by tenant farmers who were self-employed.

If a high progressive tax rate was applied to the slaves they owned as suggested by the village, local feudal lords would have no choice but to reduce the number of slaves.

“The problem is resistance from local residents. Most of those large landowners are registered in Hyangan.”

Hyang responded firmly to Maeng Sa-seong’s point.

“If scented eyes are the problem, just get rid of scented eyes.”

“omg!”

The ministers were astonished at Hyang’s firm answer. But Hyang looked rather strange.

“Why are you so surprised? “Wasn’t the yuhyangso already destroyed during the reign of King Taejong?”

“That’s true, but…”

The ministers responded to Hyang’s point with a shocked expression.

* * *

Retired dignitaries from the royal court tried to distinguish themselves from the locals in their hometowns. In order to take the lead in rural society, an organization centered around them was needed.

In this way, the balm was created.

However, Yuhyangso continued to quarrel with the local government. The biggest reason for this was that the members of the yuhyangso were of higher rank than the local officials, so it was common for them to despise the local officials.

Hyang, who was looking through related records, burst into laughter when he saw this record.

“Even in the Joseon Dynasty, the problem was, ‘During my time…’?”

As the ruptures became more severe, the balm was eventually abolished.

* * *

“We have destroyed the Yuhyangso, so will the Hyangan be a problem?”

“Well… that’s right.”

When the scent mentioned balm, the ministers took a step back.

As the ministers took a step back, the village took a step forward.

“Hyangsan is also a problem. What is scented eyes? “Isn’t it a record of the families of noblemen in the region?”

“That’s right.”

“Isn’t it a problem? I said it before, and I’ve said it many times before that. “If you have passed the minor and major exams, it is right for you to enter the civil service and serve the country, but is it right for someone who follows the way of a sage to stay in his hometown and only make profits?”

“That’s not true…”

Since there was nothing wrong with Hyang’s point, the ministers had no choice but to retreat again. Every time the ministers retreated, Hyang continued to pressure them.

“When the first 30-year tax exemption was given, those who were shameless had to do their best to study and run for office. However, ‘learning is still incomplete.’ There are only two types of people who stay in rural areas for long periods of time with the excuse of: One is a person who is truly stupid and has no academic talent, and the other is a cunning little person who uses this as an excuse to fill his own stomach. “Both of them are not needed in this Joseon.”

Maeng Sa-seong responded to Hyang’s words as if muttering.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“Therefore, it is the right idea to give the benefits given to slaves and others to those who really need it.”

Heo Jo opened his mouth at Hyang’s words.

“Who really need it?”

“These are the families of those who worked for the country but died or became disabled before reaching retirement age. “The government must take care of their children at least until they become adults and make their own decisions.”

“I see…”

Heo Jo nodded at Hyang’s words.

After Heo Jo agreed and the situation was somewhat resolved, Hyang settled the situation.

“To sum up, reducing the number of slaves should not end with simply reducing the number of slaves, but should go in the direction of reducing the power itself held by local feudal lords.”

The ministers nodded at Hyang’s last words. The ministers present here were subjects above the rank of party superior. Looking back on the hardships it took to get to that position, it was natural that those who easily enjoyed favor and prosperity in the provinces were not looked upon favorably.

“As for the related policy…”

“Wait a minute…”

When Hyang tried to explain the linked policy for this, Sejong raised his hand to stop Hyang from speaking.

“Crown, listen.”

“Yes Abama.”

“I like your opinion, but we need to discuss it. So, let’s leave it at that for today.”

“I follow your orders.”

“And…”

Sejong paused for a moment and looked at the scent with slightly worried eyes.

“I know to some extent what you felt while looking at the records at the Archives, but don’t forget that the local feudal lords are also the people of our Joseon Dynasty.”

“… I will keep this in mind.”

“Well done then. “Go and rest today.”

“yes.”

Hyang politely bowed his head in response to King Sejong’s command and left Gangnyeongjeon.

As Hyang left Gangnyeongjeon, King Sejong sighed.

“Whoa~. “What do you think of the crown prince’s opinion?”

Ijik answered Sejong’s question.

“It was extreme, but it wasn’t wrong.”

“is it? “What are the thoughts of Left Councilor and Yi Fan?”

To the question posed to Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo, the representative conciliators of the government, Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo gathered their thoughts for a moment and then answered.

“It is true that the number of slaves has increased rapidly due to frequent harvest shortages over the past few years. However, it is also true that as the number of concubines decreased due to the Slave Domination Act, the number of new slaves born decreased sharply. But overall, it is true that the number of slaves has increased, so coordination is necessary.”

Following Maeng Sa-seong’s answer, Heo Jo continued.

“It is true that local feudal lords took advantage of frequent poor harvests to expand their territory. It is also true that the power of local feudal lords exceeds the authority of chief ministers and the government, so it is clear that measures are needed.”

As Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo appeared to support Hyang’s proposal, King Sejong stroked their beards.

“I also think the crown prince’s opinion makes sense. But the problem is the opposition from local residents.”

The ministers could not immediately open their mouths in response to King Sejong’s criticism. This was because a momentary mistake in speech could result in a mistake or leave a big blemish.

While the ministers were carefully organizing their thoughts, Kim Jeom spoke first.

“If we look at the budget part, it is true that Toho is abusing tax exemptions and causing problems in the revenue sector. This is definitely shameless and disloyal.”

“Does Hopan actively accept the crown prince’s proposal?”

“That is Hojo’s position.”

“What will we do if local local governments show resistance with force?”

Jo Mal-saeng responded to King Sejong’s question.

“Thanks to the smooth development of the north, we have room to operate our troops.”

King Sejong was pleased with Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, but carefully checked the reality.

“Does that mean that suppression is possible even if there is a backlash using force?”

“Most of the troops waiting in the northern region are cavalry. “I think it is possible to suppress it.”

“Hmm…”

As King Sejong was lost in thought at Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, Kim Jeom came out again.

“Just as Your Majesty conducts experiments by selecting samples while reforming central and local administration, please use the same method for tax reform. In this way, even if unscrupulous people resort to force and commit disloyal acts in the area where the experiment was conducted, it will be possible to sufficiently suppress them and serve as a sufficient example for other regions.”

“Example… example…”

King Sejong, who was mulling over the word ‘example’, looked back at his ministers.

“One punishment is a hundred punishments… Hopan’s opinion is correct. Lords, devise policies based on the opinions of the crown prince and Hopan.”

“I follow your orders!”

In this way, the implementation of the most cruel policy pursued by King Sejong was decided.

The officer who recorded this entire situation added:

-So, according to the decision of the council, the ministers devised policies regarding slaves and landowners.

The officer discusses.

It is true that local feudal lords abused the goodwill. However, the government’s decision is extremely strong, and opposition from Tohos can be expected.

It looks like a bloody wind will blow again.

* * *

The next day, King Sejong, who called incense, gave an order.

“The Crown Prince should announce a proposal that is connected to the policy mentioned yesterday.”

“Yes Abama.”

In response to Sejong’s command, Hyang calmed her voice and spoke of precautions first.

-All of these policies are linked to measures against battlefields, construction, and slaves.

-Therefore, each individual policy needs to be carefully considered, but it must also be reviewed and coordinated as a whole.

“I understood the precautions well. “Then tell me what policy you had in mind.”

“Yes Abama.”

At King Sejong’s command, Hyang quenched his throat and began to explain.

-First of all, restrictions should be placed on the interest rates on loans made by Tohos.

“I’ve thought about that too. “I plan to prohibit receiving more interest than the principal amount.”

“It seems appropriate.”

Hyang responded to Sejong’s words and continued speaking.

-In addition to limiting the percentage of rent paid by tenant farmers, payment for seeds and fertilizers is prohibited.

-Horses brought in through the Hohoe people, especially large horses, were raised in large quantities to grow land transportation.

-Use the land transportation developed in this way to strengthen logistics mobility capabilities and facilitate the migration of people.

“To put it simply, we want to use the station to operate the stagecoach.”

“stagecoach?”

-Afterwards, identification equipment of the same standard made by the country will be supplied to all citizens who have become adults.

– Manage family registers accurately while accurately checking the movement status of people while making it mandatory to report the move-out and move-in of people migrating.

-We also secure battlefield operational capabilities by strengthening the management of family registers.

As Hyang continued speaking, Heo Jo and Kim Jeom’s faces began to turn white.

After that, Hyang’s suggestions continued for a long time.

“… That is all.”

“Whoa~.”

As soon as the explanation of the scent was finished, all the ministers, starting with King Sejong, sighed, and the officers and judges massaged their sore wrists.

King Sejong, who reflected on Hyang’s words for a moment, gave an order to the officer.

“Officer, listen.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“What the crown prince said just now is so extensive that even the ministers will have missed many parts. So please summarize only those parts and convey them to the ministers.”

“I follow your orders.”

To King Sejong’s order, the officers and state officers responded with tears in their eyes.