Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 168

Episode 168: Aftereffects and currency. (3)

After the uprising, there were people who paid no heed to the storms swirling around and focused only on their own work. On one side were those doing pioneering work in the north, and on the other were the Hojo.

All of Hojo’s officials, including Kim Jeom, were extremely venomous.

This was because currency was finally scheduled to be distributed in time for the harvest season.

* * *

As the expansion progressed, Joseon’s economy was gradually growing in size.

As the size of the economy grew, the government’s finances also grew. Although tax revenues increased, expenditures also continued to grow. Therefore, Hojo’s office was closed every day except for the Yuan Dan Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The reason Hojo’s officials had to work all night was to prevent leakage of revenue, suppress expenditures as much as possible, and generate funds to operate the currency.

After such a vicious struggle, when the year of Giyu, when he planned to use currency, Hojo was able to make his own preparations.

“If we hadn’t developed gold and silver mines, we wouldn’t have even dreamed of it. And Daenae Ouchi was also of great help…”

Kim Jeom muttered to himself as he looked at the report.

* * *

Existing trade with Japan was transit trade via Tsushima Island. Most of the Japanese living in the Waegwans established in Gyeongsang-do were from Tsushima Island.

However, as King Sejong proceeded with the construction of the palace in earnest, the composition of the Japanese living in Waegwan gradually began to change.

“The Japanese on Tsushima Island cannot be trusted!”

According to King Sejong’s decision, local government offices that managed Waegwan watched Waegwan with an eagle eye. If the Japanese living in Waegwan showed even the slightest flaw, Joseon officials used this as an excuse to immediately expel the Japanese in question and send them to Tsushima.

When the seats became empty, Joseon immediately filled them with Japanese sent from Ouchi and Gujujeoldosa.

This was beneficial to Ouchi, the Nine Judo Temple, and Joseon.

Ouchi and Gujujeoldosa were able to reduce costs by importing cultural relics from Joseon, which was an advanced country, without going through Tsushima Island, and were able to make a profit by selling them back to surrounding territories on behalf of Tsushima Island.

It was also beneficial to Joseon, but unlike Tsushima, which was only a small island, Ouchi and Gujujeoldosa were lords with large fiefdoms, so the amount of funds they could move was different. Additionally, unlike Tsushima, it was friendly to Joseon, making it easy to maintain friendly relations. In particular, in the case of Ouchi, they communicated well with Joseon because their ancestors were Baekje.

Thanks to this, Tsushima Island suffered the most damage. Ouchi and the Nine Judo Master had to be pushed out of the competition due to two competitors that were too much for Tsushima to deal with. And after the last conquest of Tsushima, Joseon was not very friendly to Tsushima.

‘The North’s Odori and the South’s Tsushima Island’

King Sejong and the government were already viewing these two as targets that needed to be erased.

As for Tsushima Island, it was caught in a limbo. Even if they wanted to use hard-line measures by mobilizing Japanese pirates like before, the military power of the Joseon army was not easy. In particular, as new fronts called Panokseon were supplied to the navy, the control of the sea between Joseon and Tsushima Island was gradually being transferred to Joseon.

In addition, Joseon used the Segyeonseon to tighten the leashes of Tsushima Islanders. Although there was agricultural land on Tsushima Island, it was not possible to supply enough food to Tsushima residents.

In the end, the Japanese in Tsushima Island had to bow down to Joseon’s will.

As the power in charge of trade between Japan and Joseon changed, the composition of the Japanese living in Waegwan changed significantly.

By the year of Giyu, the composition ratio of the Japanese living in Waegwan was 3.5 parts Ouchi: 3 parts Kuju Jeoldosa: 2 parts Tsushima Island, including the shogunate and other ten Japanese envoys (10 Japanese territories allowed to send envoys to Joseon). It was 1.5, a merchant from the Reaper.

As Ouchi and Gujujeoldosa became the center of trade, Joseon was able to solve the problems that had plagued it so far, which was that the import of copper and sulfur became smoother.

Joseon led to checks and competition between Ouchi, Gujujeoldosa, Tsushima Island and other powers, while Guri and Hwangui; The supply and demand problem was solved.

In addition, King Sejong was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief as he finally discovered copper and sulfur mines through consistent prospecting activities within Joseon.

“With this, you have crossed the hill that was bothering Joseon!”

* * *

Kim Jeom, who was examining the report, called Hojo’s officials.

“Everyone above me and below me should come to the conference room!”

At Kim Jeom’s call, mid-level executives up to the 4th rank of Jong and high-level executives up to the rank of Vice-President crowded into the conference room and took their seats.

When all the executives sat down, Kim checked the situation.

“Have you finished setting up the battlefield?”

“yes. “It was completed quickly thanks to the extra time we had in constructing the existing retail store.”

“What is the supply of brass and white coins to Kyocho?”

“We adjusted it based on last year’s tax revenue and then prepared by adding 20% of the margin.”

“is it?”

While listening to the executives’ answers, Kim looked through last year’s tax revenue records.

“Let’s see… last year’s tax revenue… let’s just look at what was collected from farmers…”

Kim Jeom searched for the items while humming as if singing a song, found the necessary parts, and recited the details.

“If we look at what was collected from farmers among the tax revenues last year… rice was 113,840 seok, whole rice was 70,013 seok, soybean was 36,650 seok, and cotton cloth was 20,000 seok. 1,750 pieces of cloth is 57,550 pieces (Note 1)… Is that right?”

In response to Kim’s question, the executives who were checking the records all nodded.

“you’re right.”

“You made preparations based on this, right?”

“you’re right.”

“Hmm… What about the transportation of currency?”

“We were transported with military escort, and now we are almost done except for Jeju Island and a few islands.”

“Thank goodness.”

Kim Jeom looked relieved as he received the reports from his subordinates.

Starting from the Goryeo Dynasty, successive Joseon kings attempted to distribute currency continuously but failed. And Sejong was trying again.

As we are starting later than initially expected, we have made every effort to ensure that we do not neglect any preparations and have strengthened our resolve for success.

While Kim Jeom was reviewing the preparedness, one of the officials asked Kim Jeom.

“What should we do about the tenants who were farming on land confiscated from Samnam Province?”

“This year, let’s follow the laws already announced. “As soon as this harvest is over, His Majesty the Lord will be sentenced.”

“All right.”

All the officials bowed their heads at Kim Jeom’s words.

“Another question? Or is there anything new to report?”

When the officials responded in silence, Kim Jeom stood up.

“Then go back and look at things. “If we do it right this time, next year will be easier.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

Kim Jeom, who returned to his office, muttered with an anxious face.

“What the crown prince said made me feel uneasy…”

* * *

The issue of disposal of real estate, including fields confiscated from noblemen who failed in the uprising, was a new topic.

“Wouldn’t it be right to hand it over to the state?”

Sejong and the other ministers nodded at Lee Jik’s words. In response to that reaction, Hyang asked a question.

“Does belonging to the state mean operating it as a palace?”

“Maybe that won’t happen?”

“Gungbangjeon is a duty-free area owned by the royal family, right? “Wouldn’t there be a problem with tax revenue?”

“ah!”

The ministers and King Sejong made expressions of regret at Hyang’s point.

In order to ensure the smooth operation of Gyeongjang, King Sejong had Gungbangjeon, excluding Naesusajeon, operated by the government, but this was a temporary measure.

During this process, King Sejong even promised in writing to his relatives in the royal family that he would return the stolen benefits when the time came.

Once the restoration was completed and Joseon’s economy grew further, it was certain that the royal relatives would demand that the promise be kept.

In the end, King Sejong and the ministers had to come together again.

As a result, the confiscated fields and real estate were made into state-owned land, that is, land owned by the country. Since it was a despotic monarchy system called ‘Joseon = King’, it was not a big problem, and since it was operated separately from the domestic sales dictionary and the palace palace, it would have little impact on tax revenue.

“Of course, the question is how much rent is received. “We need to think about this part as well.”

Sejong nodded at Kim Jeom’s words.

“yes. However, if there is a difference between Gungbangjeon and Gungbangjeon even though it is part of the same country, the dissatisfaction of the tenant farmers will increase and illegal activities will become rampant. “Let’s think about it.”

In this way, what was made after discussions between the ministers and King Sejong was a kind of compromise.

-The rent for those who rent government-owned farmland is the same as Gungbangjeon.

-Those who rent Gungbangjeon and state-owned land also pay taxes at the same rate as ordinary tenants.

“It seems okay. But let’s think a little further. “I feel uneasy about something.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The ministers accepted King Sejong’s order, which felt vaguely uneasy, without saying anything. The ministers did not have much time to spare.

If we waited any longer, the rice fields filled with rice would rot. The harvest had to be harvested as quickly as possible and taxes had to be collected so that the people and officials could easily plan the next year’s budget.

“Captain Hopan.”

“Yes sir.”

Kim Jeom, who finished the meeting and was leaving Geunjeongjeon, stopped when he heard incense.

“Chief Inspector Abama told me to think about it, but it’s likely that it will be passed according to the original plan, right?”

“Maybe so. “Why are you doing this?”

Kim Jeom answered Hyang’s question with an expression that asked why he was asking.

At Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang smiled vaguely and waved his hand.

“Oh, it’s nothing. “I just feel like I missed something.”

“It’s probably because it was a hastily created response to a big problem that suddenly occurred.”

“is that so?”

Hyang, still smiling vaguely, asked briefly and continued.

“I think you’ll be very busy next year. “I’ll send you some medicine later.”

“yes?”

“Okay then…”

After saying meaningful words, Hyang turned around.

* * *

What made Kim Jeom uneasy was Hyang’s last words.

“Why are you suddenly taking out the medicine? “I know very well that the word you should never say on Yukjo Street these days is ‘healing medicine.’”

Although Kim’s eyes were examining the documents, anxiety was growing in Kim Jeom’s mind.

The two father and son of Geunjeongjeon and Donggungjeon were always one step ahead. In the case of the chief mourner, it was often predictable to a certain degree, but in the case of the crown prince, it was impossible to guess.

In addition, the crown prince has developed one more bad habit these days. Even if a problem was found in a newly implemented policy, it was never mentioned in advance unless it was a matter that the country’s survival was at stake. He vaguely mentioned it to his ministers, quietly prepared a plan, and submitted it to King Sejong when something happened.

If that happens, the next thing was a bright dream.

“How do you guys work! Tsk! With people like this…”

It was the daily routine of the ministers to listen to the shouting and clicking their tongues and come out.

Because of this, Kim Jeom was worried about the growing sense of anxiety.

* * *

“Teacher Samcheonpo’s Samcheonpo is helpful here again.”

Hyang, who returned to the East Palace after giving Kim Jeom a sneaky warning, opened an empty book and muttered.

Teacher Samcheonpo, who was teaching a class about the process of decline of Joseon’s farmers in the 21st century, got sidetracked again.

Compared to the peasants of Korea or the East, there are serfs in the West, right?

But the Black Death greatly changed the status of these serfs. As people died in droves due to the Black Death, there were no more people to farm.

Although they are commonly called serfs, they were in a kind of contractual relationship with their lord. Therefore, if the terms of the contract were not met, we could move to another territory.

This is where a huge variable, the prevalence of the Black Death, emerged. Before the Black Death, ‘migration’ was only a possibility, but after the Black Death, it became a ‘real situation’. The lords who were short of laborers for farming began to scout out serfs from neighboring fiefdoms with better conditions. And conditions also improved for the protection of the serfs on their estates.

The moment I heard about the land confiscated from Geunjeongjeon and the measures taken, the words of Teacher Samcheonpo came to mind.

“The farmland nearby is empty for lower ground? Who can stay still? Even if it’s me, I pack my bags and move. Right now, lawsuits, petitions, and appeals will be lined up starting next year.”

While anticipating the fallout from the bill proposed by King Sejong and his ministers, the Hyang never said anything.

“There’s no need for me to step forward, right? Only by training through trial and error can more and more useful people emerge. “I’m not burying it because I’m lazy.”

It was a scent that gave oneself forgiveness.

——

Note 1) Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture, financial edition.

The recorded figures are tax revenues from the 25th year of King Yeongjo (1749).

The decision to use this period as the standard is based on the theory that, looking at the economic history of Joseon, it peaked during the reign of King Sejong, hit rock bottom during the Imran and War, and recovered to the level of the reign of King Sejong during the reign of King Jeongjo.

Additionally, the figures for cotton cloth and cloth were converted arbitrarily by me. The reason is that the production of cotton cloth was less in the early Joseon Dynasty compared to the later period, and instead, the production of linen was large.