Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 191
Episode 191: Teacher (3)
Meanwhile, there was constant controversy regarding the Social Democratic Institute.
After the controversy over the qualification standards for children entering the academy was settled by Sejong, the debate arose over a different issue.
The problem arose with the title ‘teacher.’
-Teachers, especially the word ‘master’, should not be used carelessly. Why is there a saying, ‘the military and the father are all in one’? This means that the teacher’s grace is great and his existence is high! Why is existence high? That’s because he is very knowledgeable and teaches precious children! But how can we attach the noble word ‘sa’ to those who teach children, even girls, who cannot even understand the fundamentals?
When appeals like this were filed, the ministers became furious and filed a complaint with King Sejong.
“Please punish those who post such obscene comments immediately!”
The reason the ministers were upset was because their grandchildren or great-grandchildren were joining the newly established Social Democratic Institute.
As Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s group of extreme conservatives was purged and the reform of the Joseon Dynasty took place, the consciousness of the ministers changed considerably as they faced the reality and future tasks of Joseon. Therefore, when King Sejong spoke of the establishment of the Social Democratic Institute, he did not oppose it. In addition, as befits the term ‘four people,’ he insisted that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren also join the party.
Even they couldn’t bear to be included as ‘those who don’t even know the basics’.
King Sejong sighed at the opposition of his ministers.
“Whoa~. How long has it been since you last saw blood, so you want to see blood again? “Am I a bloodthirsty monster?”
The ministers immediately bowed their heads at King Sejong’s words.
“Please forgive the gods for their disloyalty!”
“The thoughts of the gods were short!”
“It’s okay. “Because it is worthy of the Lord to say so.”
“I am devastated!”
King Sejong, who had overlooked the mistakes of his ministers, looked at the appeals with a pitiful expression and continued.
“These people are not evil-minded, but foolish. These are poor people who have compressed all their standards of life into a small framework and cannot escape it. “Hmm…”
Sejong paused, thought for a moment and continued speaking.
“People like this don’t like to suffer even the slightest loss. Listen to the sutras. “Please legislate and clearly document that the criteria for admission to the middle school and military academy to be established following the Social Democratic Academy are limited to those who have completed the Social Democratic Academy.”
“I follow your orders!”
“In addition, please legislate that royal children also begin their learning at social democratic schools.”
“yes? Your Majesty… that is….”
As his subjects looked perplexed, King Sejong spoke firmly.
“The royal family and the people are like fish and water. Just as a fish cannot survive without water, a royal family cannot exist without the people! “You must be able to see how the people live and understand their difficulties from a young age, so that you can be respected as a member of the royal family!”
Although King Sejo’s words were unconventional, they were reasonable and the ministers had no choice but to accept them.
“I follow your orders!”
In this way, what had been just a ‘they said they would do it’ word was turned into a solid law and made into a document.
King Sejong’s response did not end here. Not long after the appeals were posted, King Sejong’s reply was posted on posters installed in government offices across the country.
-There are many people who are opposed to the idea that those who will discipline children in social democratic schools are called teachers. However, these are just the remarks of short-thinking people like Jeong Jeo-jiwa (a frog in a well).
They say that the noble word ‘Sa’ can be given to those who only teach basic studies to children, but these are the people who are worthy of the word ‘Sa’.
As I have said several times, the Social Democratic Institute is not a place that only teaches academics. It is a place that teaches children how to behave and have the right attitude and live a good life, and these are the people who do that. So, is there anyone better suited to the word ‘sa’ than these people?
King Sejong’s reply was a direct criticism of the noblemen who used the word ‘teacher’ in their mouths.
In response to these criticisms, the noblemen had no choice but to keep quiet.
After the suppression of the last Giyu Rebellion, King Sejong’s royal power was at its peak.
Of course, ‘the moon also waxes and wanes.’ Or, as the saying goes, ‘No matter how high the power is, it cannot last more than 10 years.’ ‘There are no red flowers for ten days.’ There may be times when that power decreases, but in the current situation, that time is not possible. I couldn’t figure it out.
This was because most of the people, except for a few extremely conservative noblemen, supported King Sejong at an almost ‘religious level’.
at last. It has become a situation where conservative noblemen only vent their anger in places where they gather among themselves.
“What the hell! These days, the teachings of saints cannot be found in this land of Joseon!”
“That’s right!”
“Stop it! “Forever!”
Other noblemen and people who saw such a reactionary reaction of the noblemen scoffed.
“joy! So what do you do? “Are you going to rebel again?”
“If you were that dissatisfied, you should have been there when something happened last year! Be it porridge or rice! At times like that, I just stare at them like I’m dead… Tsk! Don’t go anywhere and call me a nobleman! “I’m ordering you to disgrace the noblemen!”
The reason why the reactionary noblemen were criticized was simple. This was because they did not truly oppose it based on Confucian reasons.
They were criticized because they simply wanted to return to the state they were in before King Sejong began the renovation.
Not long after King Sejong’s reply was posted, the government’s official proclamation was posted on the poster board.
-The method of appointing officials will also change in line with the changes in the newly reorganized government. This part will be announced again later.
-Those who can take the new appointment exam are limited to those who have completed the Social Ministries Institute course and subsequent courses.
Simply put, the idea was to block the path of those who did not attend the Social Democratic Institute from running for public office. This was the same thing as saying that they would block conservative noblemen from entering politics.
“How is this any different from the tyranny of a girl lord?”
The conservative nobles were angry again, but that was the end of it.
Meanwhile, Hyang, who observed the court’s meeting or heard about the public’s reaction through internal officials, shook his head.
“Conservatism is as necessary as progress. But these people are not conservatives, they are conservatives.”
In this way, King Sejong solved the problem of social democratic schools and teachers.
“I will criticize you for being radical and dictatorial, but I hope you understand that this is the only way to do it. In particular, I would like to make a sincere request to Daesaheon and Daesagan.”
The ministers responded in unison to King Sejong’s words.
“No. “It was a natural punishment!”
Daesaheon and Daesagan, who were finally nominated, clearly expressed their support for King Sejong.
“It is about educating the people. This was something that the old sage had dreamed of. “To oppose this is to go against the will of the saint.”
“Their claims only focus on the extremities and fail to understand the fundamentals, so there is nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you.”
King Sejong was truly grateful for the reply between Daesaheon and Daesa. The fact that Daesaheon and Daesagan supported him meant that the officials supported him. It was said that those who were most resistant to it supported it.
* * *
While this was happening in the royal court, a war of words was also taking place at Changdeokgung Palace.
Those who passed the first written test and the second interview were learning the curriculum while staying at Changdeokgung Palace.
However, because the social democratic school’s educational curriculum had never existed before, it was a first for the officials of the Rites.
Therefore, most of the process was being established one by one through discussions between rites, officials, and candidates.
In this process, the teaching aids made by Hyang received rave reviews from test takers.
Candidates who saw the thousand-character word cards created by Hyang to educate Jinpyeong and Anpyeong – who received the title of Bonggun (封君) as they entered the year of Gyeongsul – all praised them highly.
“What a useful teaching aid! If we use this well, children will be able to learn the thousand characters more easily.”
“That’s right. But who created this diocese?”
The official of Rites answered the candidate’s question with a proud face.
“You are the Crown Prince. “It was made when he was 8 years old when he was crowned crown prince, to teach his younger brothers, the Grand Princes.”
“omg!”
The candidates looked astonished at the official’s answer. Looking at the faces of the test takers who were filled with surprise and disbelief, the official spoke with a solemn expression.
“Don’t be suspicious. Because there are more than one person who has seen this. “The rumor that the Crown Prince’s wisdom does not belong to Inse (人世) is not a rumor but a reality.”
“Oh my god…”
Most of the test takers were unable to close their mouths. However, a small number of applicants whose relatives were government officials nodded their heads.
This was because I had seen and heard about the genius of King Sejong and his relatives who were suffering from overwork due to the work carried out based on that genius.
There were more than one person who chose to become a teacher rather than a manager because they saw their relatives like that.
However, even those people had an ominous feeling when they saw the teaching aid made by incense.
‘Isn’t it true that teachers also suffer from overwork?’
* * *
Through these discussions, the method of educating children became systematized.
It was natural for men and women of various ages from all over the country to gather for discussion and clash of opinions, resulting in a war of words.
Most wars of words resulted in an agreement right away, but for some, it took quite a bit of time and energy to find an agreement.
One of the issues that led to such a fierce war of words was ‘corporal punishment.’
“It has been said since ancient times, ‘The more precious a child is, the more the beating should be spared.’ “Teachers are not just imparting knowledge; they are disciplining children on behalf of their parents, so they should not spare the beating!”
“That’s right!”
“It’s not right! “I’m not saying we shouldn’t use canes at all, but indiscriminate corporal punishment is just as bad as not using it at all!”
“you’re right! As children grow up, they become bigger and stronger, but parents age as time goes by! Then what happens? Your kids won’t be afraid of the cane! “Worst outcome!”
“I agree! The more you get beaten, the more you get used to it! Once you get used to it, you won’t be afraid of the hawk! When you are not afraid of the rod, you will not be afraid of making mistakes. Then you will not be afraid of breaking the law! “You don’t get hit often!”
The candidates were divided into two groups based on their lived environments and experiences and engaged in a fierce debate.
In the end, it was Mrs. Jo, one of the eldest members, who put an end to this situation. Mrs. Jo, who came from Jeolla-do, spoke her thoughts in a calm voice.
“I have lived a little longer than you, so let me say a few words based on that experience. “Would you please listen?”
“I will listen.”
When Mrs. Jo, who was the eldest and received the title of filial wife and virtuous woman, opened her mouth, not only the candidates but also the officials of the royal court fell silent and listened.
“As I have lived for a long time, I have been able to see the children of Dongri grow up and become adults. As some people mentioned earlier, I saw children from families who did not spare the beating. When the children of such families grew up, they were largely divided into two groups. Because they are not afraid of punishment, they become troublemakers in the neighborhood who cause all kinds of trouble, or they become intimidated by everything and become like a cow horse, doing what they are told without thinking. Do you think these people will be helpful to the country?”
Mrs. Jo’s words were quiet but heavy.