Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 176
Episode 176: The end of Gyeongjang. (1)
At the end of the year of Giyu
, King Sejong gave an order to the ministers gathered in Geunjeongjeon.
“Prepare to start the Hopae technique as planned in the scriptures.”
“I follow your orders!”
The ministers responded with one voice to King Sejong’s command.
King Sejong was not the first to use the Hopae method. It was attempted once during the reign of King Taejong, but it resulted in various side effects, so the conclusion was abandoned.
The reason why the Protectorate Act failed during the reign of King Taejong was because the Protectorate was not just a means of proving one’s identity but also became a shackle that bound the people.
Because agriculture was the center of the economy, the people did not have freedom of residence, and the Hopae became a device to prevent the people from leaving their hometown without permission.
Thanks to the Hopae, it became easier for Joseon to collect taxes or levy taxes, but on the contrary, the suffering of merchants and the lower class of people worsened.
Therefore, it became common for many people to forge military plaques as low-income citizens who did not have to fulfill their duties, especially national defense duties.
For that reason, the Hopae method attempted during the reign of King Taejong was forgotten.
However, King Sejong was once again challenging the Hopae method.
‘This time is different! this time!’
King Sejong was reflecting on the failures of the reign of King Taejong and burning his fighting spirit.
* * *
As King Sejong’s command was issued, carts and craftsmen carrying tools and materials to make hopae moved throughout the country.
“I would like to deploy craftsmen and equipment to every village, but the situation is not conducive.”
The ministers bowed their heads at King Sejong’s words.
“That’s right.”
“Where would you like to start?”
In response to King Sejong’s question, the ministers began a war of words, talking about the optimal area they thought was the best.
After a calm war of words, unlike in the past, it was concluded that the production and distribution of Hopae would be carried out on a pilot basis in Hanseong and then begin in the Samnam region.
“Why?”
In response to King Sejong’s question, Yeonguijeong Lee Jik explained the reason.
“Because of the disloyalty that occurred in the fall, many state-owned fields were created in the Samnam region. “If we want to use these lands without missing a generation next year, we need to find people to rent out, but if the issuance of family cards is delayed and the family register is delayed, there is a high risk of losing money.”
Sejong nodded at Lee Jik’s explanation.
“The opinions of the officers are reasonable. Then, let’s start distributing Hopae from the Samnam region.”
“I follow your orders!”
In this way, the spread of hopae began in the Samnam region.
On the day when the craftsmen and officials were to depart, King Sejong gathered the officials and craftsmen in charge of the work to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
As there was not enough space, a tent was set up in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon and several large braziers were installed to prepare a banquet table in the warm space.
The craftsmen and officials sitting in front of the banquet table with a sumptuous feast looked at the table with stiff faces.
“There was a saying, ‘The day you get a good fish meal?’, right?”
“This job certainly isn’t easy.”
“Your Majesty, please come!”
The officials and craftsmen who had been complaining over the banquet table got up from their seats at the sight of the merchant ship.
“I see you, Your Majesty!”
King Sejong, who sat down while receiving bows from craftsmen and officials, gave an order.
“Everyone, please take your seats comfortably.”
As the officials and craftsmen sat down, King Sejong began his sermon.
“What you will do this time is very important. This is because you have to be on time to move the mayor’s policies, starting with road construction, in time. So I sincerely hope that you all do your best.”
The officials and artisans responded loudly to King Sejong’s request.
“I will reform my bones!”
“Well, it’s going to be a busy day starting tomorrow, so I hope you enjoy today. Hello! Let the wind chime sound!”
While the musicians played music, the officials and artisans began to enjoy drinks and food.
The next day, the production of Hopae began in all areas of Hanseong.
It was the beginning of a long journey that was expected to take about 5 months if things went smoothly and about 7 months if something happened.
* * *
Naturally, incense was involved in the process of making and distributing Hopae.
Hyang, who went to see Hojo, sat down with Kim Jeom and started talking.
“Captain Hopan.”
“yes. “Your Majesty the Crown Prince.”
“In the process of making the horpae. Don’t you think it’s a big waste of time to make things in the order they arrive?”
“What do you mean by that?”
When Kim Jeom asked again with an expression that he couldn’t understand, Hyang gave a simple example and talked about the problem he thought of.
“If the first person to come was born in Gapja, the next person was born in Byeongsul, and the person who came after that was born in Eulchuk, wouldn’t it be a hassle for those who get the Hopae?”
Kim Jeom nodded at Hyang’s point.
“ah! That’s true!”
“So… how about a little trick?”
“What if it’s a trick?”
“On the first day, only those who start with A and B of the ten kan (十干) will come, and on the next day, it will be the second day, and so on. And we look at the family register in advance and look at the year in which the most people were born and adjust the period.”
Hyang suggested to Kim Jeom to apply a method frequently used in the 21st century.
Kim Jeom’s face brightened after hearing Hyang’s suggestion.
“What a brilliant idea! That way, craftsmen will have to use less hands and errors will also be reduced! I tell you to apply it right away! Thank you so much!”
“Nothing much to say…”
It was a humility with an expression that said it was no big deal.
* * *
In this way, after one improvement, the procedure for producing hopae was established.
“Today, all adult men and women born in years starting with A and Eul should come to Bangcheong and receive a Hopae! Anyone who does not receive one will be fined!”
In response to the shouts of the police, the men and women from each house in Hanseong came out and headed to the auditorium.
Before I knew it, a long line had formed in the room.
While the police and military officers were holding sticks and manning the lines, inside the auditorium, officials holding family registers and craftsmen were checking family registers and making tablets.
“Tell me your name, date of birth, place of birth, and residence.”
The person who came to receive the tablet immediately responded to the official’s words.
“My number is Changdong 134, my name is Pansul Han, and my year of birth is Gapsul. My birthplace is Gyeonggi-do.”
In response to Pansul’s answer, the official who looked through the family register confirmed the facts and nodded.
“That’s right.”
After confirming the facts, the official wrote the date of birth, place of birth, and name on a piece of paper with gold pen and handed it to the father-in-law sitting behind him.
“You just have to wait next to me and receive the trophy.”
“Yes, Nari.”
At the official’s command, Pansul moved to the waiting line created next to him.
As soon as the decision was completed, the official raised his voice.
“next!”
* * *
After identity verification was completed, the production of the seal was a Ford-style assembly process.
The craftsman who received the paper with the personal information on it combined the letters accordingly and placed them in the frame.
Once the frame was completed, the craftsman placed a thin iron plate on top and turned the large pulley attached to the printing press.
As the pulley rotated, a heavy chunk of iron pressed against the iron plate, and the personal image of the owner of the hopae was imprinted on the plate made of soft pig iron.
The craftsman turned the pulley again and raised the iron bar, took out the iron plate and checked whether it was stamped properly.
After confirming that it was stamped correctly, the craftsman handed the iron plate to the craftsman sitting next to him.
The second craftsman, who was handed the iron plate with the personal image stamped on it, placed it in a thin iron frame and then covered it with another iron frame.
The iron frame on top had an open hole in the middle, and glass was inserted into the open space.
After fitting the two iron frames together, the craftsman inserted screws into the holes drilled at the four corners and turned them. As the screw was tightened, the two iron frames were tightly interlocked.
After confirming that the two iron frames were properly joined, the craftsman handed the iron mold over to the next craftsman.
The craftsman who sat last checked the joint state, poured molten lead into the largest screw hole among the screw holes at the four corners, waited for it to cool, and stamped it.
After completing the sealing work, the craftsman handed the tablet to the official waiting next to him.
The official who received the tablet called the name written on the tablet loudly.
“Born in Gapsul year! “Where is Hanpansul?”
“yes! “It’s here!”
When Han Pan-sul, who had been waiting, came forward, the official marked the list and handed him a trophy.
“Stay safe. “If you lose or damage it and need to have it reissued, you have to pay 300 won.”
“Egg money! “It’s expensive!”
“So, take care of yourself.”
At the official’s words, Pansul pointed to the glass in the middle.
“Is there a piece of glass stuck in the middle like this?”
The official added an explanation to Pansul’s words.
“Do you see the wire mesh embedded in the glass?”
At the official’s words, Pansul looked at the tablet again. Clearly, there was a coarsely woven wire mesh inside the glass. The official continued his explanation.
“They say the wire mesh makes the glass stronger.”
“Ah…”
“And don’t even think about using it carelessly as it is a fighting card that proves your identity. “If a bad guy steals your card and uses it for bad things, you could end up in trouble.”
“yep! “I’ll keep that in mind!”
Pansul, who came out of the auditorium, made a strange expression as he looked at the tablet in his hand.
“It’s really strange. “What is this? Do you think I’ve done something?”
The royal tablet made of expensive glass seemed to give Pansul an inexplicable sense of dignity.
Pansul muttered as he looked around at the horde.
“I don’t know who came up with it, but it is truly a mysterious object….” *
* *
The design of the seal was, as expected, Hyang’s work.
“Simply carving wood takes a long time and supply of materials is also a problem…”
It was clear that if wood was used as the main material like the old hopae, there would be many problems with storage.
“What would be better….”
While I was thinking about finding the right answer, Hyang, who was returning a military courtesy from a passing soldier, snapped his fingers.
“That’s it!”
What the scent reminded me of was the dog tag worn around my neck during military service in the 21st century.
Based on the design of the dog tag, the scent has undergone some improvements.
Instead of rubber, it was wrapped with iron and glass was inserted to give it a more luxurious feel.
Finally, after fastening it with screws, covering it with lead, and stamping it with a government seal to prevent counterfeiting, Hyang submitted the prototype to King Sejong.
“Feel so good! “Let’s do it this way!”
Sejong, who saw the prototype of the scent, made the purchase on the spot.
* * *
Hopae were made and distributed step by step, starting from King Sejong.
Reports were posted every day that the distribution of tablets, which started from the third son to the end of Hanseong, was going smoothly, and King Sejong praised Hyang.
“Your contribution is truly great!”
“I just got lucky!”
Hyang, who returned to the Eastern Palace receiving King Sejong’s praise, stopped by the research institute and muttered to herself as she looked at the various objects on display at the research institute.
“You really made a lot. The problem is…”
Hyang continued, looking at the empty space in the cabinet.
“There is a lot more to be created in the future. “Do you know that later… after a few hundred years, historians will study Abamama and my reign and start criticizing me?”
Hyang, who was imagining events in the distant future, sighed and burst into laughter.
“What do you need to know?”