Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 166
Episode 166: Aftereffects and currency. (1)
The families that participated in the uprising according to King Sejong’s orders were devastated.
Because all the adult men who were the center of the family and family participated in the uprising, it was not uncommon for a boy who had just turned 15 to become the least successful adult.
But that was the beginning of tragedy.
Those who participated in the uprising were beheaded regardless of their age. In particular, those who killed their relatives who refused to participate in the uprising were executed enumerated.
That wasn’t the end of the situation. According to the ‘Joseon Gyeonggukjeon’ and its revised ‘Economic Land Battle’, among the children of those who participated in the uprising, all sons over the age of 15, the age for ceremonial ceremonies, were executed by hanging.
The fact that those who participated in the uprising moved by family caused even greater anger.
According to the law, the scope of association included the third-degree relatives of the person involved. And those caught by association were to be sentenced to exile.
Of course, the scope could be further expanded depending on the intentions of those in power.
However, in this uprising in which all members of the family participated, there were no people who would be sentenced to exile.
In the end, the local community in the Samnam region suffered fatal damage due to this uprising.
If we look at the proportion of noblemen who were exterminated due to their involvement in this uprising, it was 40% in Chungcheong Province, 30% in Gyeongsang Province, and 30% in Jeolla Province. However, looking at the economic aspect, about 50% of farmland in Chungcheong-do, 60% in Gyeongsang-do, and 60% in Jeolla-do were in the hands of King Sejong.
“Is this why they had to start an uprising?…”
King Sejong, who looked at the report posted by Hojo, was so shocked that he could not speak properly.
Almost half of Joseon’s important granary areas, excluding Gyeonggi-do, were in their hands.
That wasn’t the only content contained in the report from Hojo. King Sejong’s expression became extremely fierce as he looked at the latter part of the thick book.
“Is this really true?”
Kim Jeom immediately answered King Sejong’s question.
“Here comes the truth.”
“Tear it to death!”
Sejong expressed his anger as it was.
The second half of the report was about property seized from families who participated in the uprising. Even though real estate such as farmland and forests were excluded, the total amount of seized property was equivalent to 15 years of tax revenue of the government. Simply put, it meant that the government would be able to run the government without receiving taxes for the next 15 years.
“These damn squires…”
Sejong’s cheeks flushed as he spoke through gritted teeth.
“majesty! “Please calm down the situation!”
“Please calm my heart!”
As the ministers urged them to calm down, starting with the transfer, King Sejong took a deep breath and calmed down his anger.
King Sejong took a deep breath, calmed his anger to some extent, and opened his mouth while looking at the ministers.
“From the end of the previous king’s reign until the first five years of my reign, we had to hold a ritual for rain every year. Every year, appeals poured in from all over the country about people who died of starvation, and local officials continued to file appeals asking for a solution to the problem.”
“That’s right.”
“It was such a situation, but to be so rich… Do you think this could have been done in a legitimate way?”
“….”
The ministers remained silent in response to King Sejong’s question. This is because there were quite a few things that were holding them back. This was because a significant portion of the ‘gifts’ that officials had to give out due to the Kim Do-yeon incident in the past came from people who had been treated in such a way.
As the ministers remained silent, King Sejong looked at the report again. King Sejong, who was staring at the report through the paper, called a merchant ship.
“Tell the crown prince and Jiphyeonjeon Daejehak to come immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After a while, King Sejong gave a brief order to Daejehak and Hyang, who had been called.
“It is inevitable that those who directly participated in the plot will be put to death. However, think about how to use those who have been reduced to slaves and report back. “For all this time, we have been treated favorably by the main forest, so we will have to pay the price.”
“I follow your orders.”
Daejehak and Hyang bowed their heads politely and answered.
The answer that came out of Jiphyeonjeon and the research institute was ‘30 years of mine labor.’
* * *
“Labor is the only answer.”
The officials of the institute who heard King Sejong’s order from Hyang immediately mentioned ‘labor’. In response to the officials’ answers, Hyang nodded and added.
“I think that’s the answer, but it’s not the right answer. The problem is where and how to place labor. Even in the eyes of other people, ‘They are now paying for their sins.’ It must be clear that this is the case. People who do the same work should not be treated similarly. Lastly, it must not be easy to escape.”
“Ah…”
All the officials cocked their heads at the condition set forth by the incense.
In the midst of contemplation, Jeong In-ji made a suggestion.
“Why don’t we put money into the road construction we’re going to do now?”
Jeong Cho raised a counterargument to Jeong In-ji’s words.
“Hasn’t it already been decided to entrust road construction to the upper management?”
“That’s true. But according to the current plan, there are very few straight roads. Because of the mountains and rivers.”
“That’s right.”
Jeong In-ji took the map, spread it out on the desk, and continued explaining by tracing it with her finger.
“The idea is to put this road into the process of straightening it. The goal is not to drill a tunnel into the mountain and find only the narrowest river, but to build a bridge at the point closest to the straight line. Naturally, it will be a highly difficult and expensive project. “Convicts are being deployed to carry out the construction in those areas.”
“Hmm….”
“I think it’s okay….”
At Jeong In-ji’s words, the officials at the institute all looked like they thought it was plausible.
But Hyang, the most senior person, shook his head.
“Not possible.”
“Why?”
When Jeong In-ji asked the reason, Hyang explained the reason.
“First, the places where road construction takes place are where the people live. “There is a high risk of him escaping.”
“If a separate accommodation facility is built in an area
where difficult construction is taking place…” “No matter how many accommodation facilities are built, the road construction site is just a mountain or two away from the village. In addition, dangerous tools such as pickaxes, axes and shovels are scattered around the construction site. If done incorrectly, casualties may occur in nearby villages.”
“But…”
“Secondly, entrusting road construction to the top has the purpose of diverting funds, gathering people, expanding the operation of currency, and increasing the size of Joseon’s economy. Putting a large number of criminals there? “We may fall short of our projected goals.”
“Ah…”
As Hyang’s explanation continued, Jeong In-ji’s head gradually lowered. Hyang, who was looking at Jeong In-ji like that, looked back at the other officials.
“Finally, we build a bridge and drill a tunnel. This is a highly difficult construction project. “If such construction is carried out, workers will gain experience and become skilled technicians.”
After pausing for a moment to catch his breath, Hyang pointed out an important problem.
“But are criminals who have committed crimes, including treason, taught such important skills? Do you think it makes sense? If you were an ordinary sinner, you would learn skills for rehabilitation so you would never commit a crime again, but isn’t that true for weightlifters? “
When Hyang pointed out a political issue, Jeong In-ji waved the white flag.
“My thoughts were a bit short.”
“The idea was good, but you didn’t think about the political issues. “Let’s think a little more.”
“yes.”
Thanks to this, the local and research institute officials brought various reports, maps, etc. from Hojo and Lee Jo, put their heads together, and pondered over and over again.
What caused the local government and officials to worry was the problem of ‘Shinryang Yeokcheon (身良役賤)’.
“It would be perfect to use as a mine laborer or as a ship’s soldier…”
“The number of people willing to do this is decreasing, so how are we going to supply and demand manpower in the future?”
“Ugh….”
Then one day, Lee Cheon came to Hyang, who was doing office work in Area 51.
“Did you hear the news of the downgrade?”
“What news?”
When Hyang expressed his doubts, Lee Cheon smiled slightly and continued.
“An official report will be coming to the government soon, but a large iron ore has been discovered in the newly developed area.”
Hyang’s eyes sparkled at Lee Cheon’s words.
“Are you talking about iron ore? Where are you?”
In response to Hyang’s question, Lee Cheon took a map off the wall, spread it out on the table, and pointed at one place with his hand.
“Here it is.”
Hyang, who was looking at the direction Lee Cheon pointed to, nodded.
“It looks okay. I’ll have to do a little more research. Thank you, General.”
“That’s too much praise. “I am also a subject of Joseon, so I just do my job.”
Following Hyang’s orders, the institute’s officials immediately rode north.
“What’s going on in Hanseong?”
“The crown prince sent me.”
The official who was on a business trip presented Hwang Hee with a letter of incense. After examining the contents of the letter, Hwang Hee called the secretary.
“Go…”
“I’m here!”
Hwang Hee frowned at the sound of Kim Jong-seo’s voice right next to her.
“If this bastard is Hanseong, he will go to great lengths…”
Hwang Hee, who was grumbling in a low voice, gave orders to Kim Jong Seo.
“We will hand over copies of materials related to Musan to them and, if necessary, conduct a field trip.”
“yes! Then follow me!”
Kim Jong-seo was so excited that he took the institute’s officials with him.
“Where is the most popular Giru in Hanseong these days? “Gisaeng…”
Hwang Hee frowned at Kim Jong-seo’s excited voice asking about Han-seong’s various aspects.
“That bastard’s love for Hanseong is always….”
* * *
After obtaining the data through such a process, the officials of the research institute and Hyang soon selected Musan as the best suitable location.
“It is surrounded on three sides by mountains and the Duman River, and the only exit is the road to Cheongjin. “It’s convenient for surveillance.”
“Because it is an open-pit mine, there is less burden on making women work. “It is also the best location to supply iron ore to the second steel mill scheduled to be built in the Cheongjin area.”
King Sejong made a decision based on reports from the local government and research institute officials.
“Send the sinners to Musan and make them do hard labor!”
* * *
The survivors of the families who revolted under the orders of King Sejong were downgraded to slaves and were taken to the iron mines in Musan and the coal mines discovered near Gyeongheung – called Aoji in the 21st century.
When King Sejong made his decision, those who had been confined in the prisons or barracks of each local government office began to head north. The number of those who began to move in this way reached nearly 110,000 – family members and slaves owned by the family.
In the process of moving north, many sacrifices occurred. There were countless people who tried to escape, but were discovered and died, or committed suicide because they were pessimistic about their situation. They could not overcome the mental shock and physical fatigue and died of exhaustion.
Those who died were roughly buried in a nearby hill.
“Move quickly!”
Those who remained had to walk steadily, shedding tears as the soldiers in charge of the escort shouted at them.
The spirits of those who survived were devastated by the misery of being forced into slavery overnight after enjoying a life worthy of a queen concubine, and the agony of having to bury and move their families without being able to hold a proper funeral.
* * *
In the distant future, progressive historians harshly criticized King Sejong, citing this incident and the ‘Hwacheok sweep’ that took place before it as examples.
“Sejong was a tyrant!”
This war of words between progressive historians and conservative historians who oppose them heated up the historical world.
* * *
The ‘Three Sons Uprising’ had a huge impact throughout Joseon society. In the aftermath of this uprising, the centralization of the government was further strengthened, and the local nobles became increasingly atrophied.
During this process, one place that suffered unexpected damage was local schools scattered throughout the country.
This was because King Sejong, who had received a report that Hyanggyo was where the uprising troops first began their plot and formed their party, ordered the abolition of Hyanggyo.
“The place that was created to hold ceremonies for the Temple of Literature and cultivate academic knowledge has become a hotbed of subversive people! Therefore, Hyanggyo is abolished! Sungkyunkwan is in charge of conducting ceremonies for old saints! Therefore, those who wish to hold a rite should come to Sungkyunkwan and hold a rite!”
In the past, as soon as this order was issued, not only ministers but also local nobles would have risen up. However, in a situation where King Sejong’s royal authority was absolute and justified, there were no large local nobles who would rebel.
Thus, before the end of the year of Giyu, Confucian schools throughout Joseon were demolished.