Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 21
[Episode 21 Germination…Carcinogenesis? (14) ]
Episode 21 Germination… Carcinogenesis? (14)
“There is a difference between knowing and doing and not knowing. The ministers who are currently making and implementing policies will know very well why the policies were made, but even after just one or two generations, most will not know why they are being implemented and will only do it because it is a ‘custom.’ “Wouldn’t you?”
‘Damn customs! Bureaucracy! ‘I’m sick of it!’
The reason Hyang suffered from depression in the 21st century was because of his customs and bureaucratic desk administration.
However, the opposition from the ministers was also formidable.
“It could be so. However, a properly created policy will operate without problems whether 100 or 1,000 years pass.”
“It is said that rivers and mountains change in 10 years. There is also a saying, ‘Sangjeonbyeokhae (桑田碧海)’. The world is constantly changing, but the same policies continue for 100 or 1,000 years? That is not to say that it is a well-designed policy, but that the entire country has come to a standstill. “The world is changing, but if you stand still, it is the same as regression.”
“Changes in trends are fleeting. If you only follow the changes of the times, you will lose depth and even forget your fundamentals. If you look at it that way, it is more ideal to have a policy that is consistent from the beginning rather than a policy that flows like Bupyeong Elementary with the flow.”
The voice of the village rose in response to the Left Councilor’s answer, which was faithful to Neo-Confucian concepts.
“It’s not that changes in the times are fleeting, but that people can’t keep up with the flow. If we look at it that way, what is the reason for changing the many laws and systems of the previous ancestors? “It is a law and system that has been passed down for hundreds of years at the shortest and thousands of years since the Samhan Dynasty.”
“That is…”
“Let’s take war as an example. According to what the Left Councilor said, the outcome of a war will still be determined by short-term skirmishes between generals. But what about it? Several military branches move as one body and new weapons such as artillery pieces are being used. Therefore, the words of Old Master Jwauijeong are not ‘the virtue of consistency in all things,’ but only ‘the virtue of being consistent with all things.’”
“Your Majesty! “Aren’t those words too harsh?”
As the voices of the left council members grew louder in response to Hyang’s criticism, King Sejong intervened.
“stop! There is nothing wrong with what the Crown Prince said! Just as mountains and streams change over time, people and customs also change. Therefore, I think it is right to discuss measures accordingly! Let’s count! “Tell me what to do!”
When King Sejong came out in support of Hyang, the ministers remained silent. Meanwhile, Hyang, who had King Sejong’s firm support on his back, talked about the measures he had come up with.
“All six dynasties that run state affairs must keep records. Everything must be recorded, whether it is a policy that is implemented or a policy that is subject to a moratorium on rejection. It can be as short as a month or as long as a year. “If each policy is put into practice for the reason it was created, and if it is decided to be rejected or postponed as a result of implementation, the reason for the decision to be rejected or postponed is recorded and kept.”
The Left Councilor immediately listened to Hyang’s words.
“Everything is already recorded in the officer’s diary or the expeditionary diary. This results in unnecessary duplication of work.”
“Even the King cannot see the Four Seasons or the Annals. And although everything is recorded in the Seungjeongwon diary, it is not categorized at all? Just look at it 10 years later. You could spend days just looking for records about the policy. However, how much time could be saved if the policies implemented by each of the six dynasties were classified and preserved separately?”
“Your Majesty’s opinion is correct.”
“I also believe that His Majesty the Crown Prince’s opinion is correct.”
After hearing Hyang’s explanation, all the ministers of the Six Dynasties agreed. When most of the ministers agreed, King Sejong also nodded.
“Since ancient times, it has been called Ongojishin (溫故知新). However, humans are finite beings, and as time goes by, they return to dust, so it is inevitable that future generations will not know the origin even if they want to know it. Therefore, it is natural for us, the previous generations, to work hard so that future generations will not go astray and find the right course. “The ministers of each group must accept the crown prince’s proposal, prepare records, divide them, and store them carefully.”
“I follow your orders.”
“Now and…”
“Abama, I have another petition.”
King Sejong, who thought the Hyang’s petition was over and was about to put another item on the agenda, stopped talking. Sejong, who looked at Hyang’s face for a moment, gave permission with a small smile.
“Tell me something.”
“I came to this realization while speaking about the expansion of the local herbal medicine production group. If you look at the entire Joseon Dynasty, there will be quite a few farmers who are not only Yi Sun (60 years old) but also Gohi (70 years old).”
“I guess so.”
“We need to find them, ask them about farming, and keep records.”
In response to Hyang’s suggestion, King Sejong stroked his beard and muttered.
“Ask and record about farming? “Hmm…”
Sejong’s face brightened as he thought for a moment while snorting.
“I see! They must have experienced as much as the years they have lived! There must be many people who know the secret to a good harvest! “It’s as if Soedoli knew the secret art of Uduchim!”
Hyang nodded loudly at Sejong’s words.
“Yes, it is not just a secret to farming. They would even know the signs of natural disasters like drought! They may be small signs when viewed individually, but if you collect them and create a casebook…”
“You can prepare in advance!”
Sejong slapped his knee and told Hyang in advance what he was going to say. Hyang bowed her head and responded to Sejong’s words.
“That’s right. “Water disasters such as floods can be reduced by repairing dams and reservoirs and dredging them, but droughts can cause great damage if you do not know in advance and prepare for them.”
“You are right! “I will order the inspector general to compile the information and make a book as soon as it is uploaded!”
“I follow your orders.”
“There is another one. Infectious diseases always occur not only during the spring hunger period but also after droughts or floods. But if you know the sign in advance…”
Sejong cut Hyang off by hitting his knee.
“I guess we can prepare medicine in advance! indeed!”
‘As expected, Sejong! The head spin is real! But please turn on your blinkers and come in! And pat your knees gently! ‘It’s bruising!’
Hyang, who slightly clicked his tongue with a mixture of half admiration and half annoyance, nodded.
“That’s right. If Hyeminguk (惠民局), Jesaengwon (濟生院), and East and West Daebiwon (東西大悲院) can prepare in advance, and even local government offices can prepare in advance, the number of people suffering from illness can be reduced. can be greatly reduced.”
“What the Crown Prince said is right! “Please make sure that this decision is also put into practice!”
“I follow your orders!”
There were no ministers who expressed opposition to King Sejong’s orders. In an agriculturalist country, there was nothing more important than a good harvest, and making the people free from the pain of disease was also important from a Neo-Confucian perspective.
Sejong was in a very good mood. The petitions presented by Crown Prince Hyang were worth thousands of gold. In addition, the ministers who had been opposed to the matter every time the Crown Prince put forward a proposal, this time were responding without any objections. Sejong looked at the fragrance with a bright face.
“Do you have another petition?”
As soon as Sejong finished speaking, Hyang’s mouth opened.
“yes. Even if you look at our Joseon Dynasty as well as the previous Joseon Dynasty, there is no proper geography. It is said that the number of products produced in Joseon is small, but this is small compared to the Ming, and it is by no means small in absolute terms. Therefore, we need to properly examine Joseon’s river area and create a geography map.”
“It’s a shame… It’s a job that requires a lot of public effort.”
“That’s right.”
Hyang nodded to the point made by King Sejong and the ministers.
“of course. However, if we create a proper geographical map, we can reduce the hardships of the people.”
“Reducing the hardships of the people through geography? Crown Prince, please tell me in more detail.”
“yes. If you create an accurate geographic map, you can accurately know the products produced in towns across the country, which can reduce the burden of paying public taxes. “The people suffering greatly from tribute has been the biggest problem since the previous ancestors, and in order to solve this problem, we must first accurately understand the products produced in each town.”
“That’s true, but…”
King Sejong trailed off, and Minister Hojo, who was present, spoke in place of Minister Hojo, who had left on his envoy.
“God also agrees that what the Crown Prince said is right and must be done. However, the airspace required is not easy.”
In response to the Hojo Champan’s point, Hyang pointed out what the ministers had forgotten.
“Of course it is. However, there is a nationwide movement to mediate the Hyangyakjesaengseongbang and record the knowledge of farmers. Since the central government is dispatching personnel across the country anyway, all we have to do is entrust one more task.”
‘Is 1+1 a big deal?’
“ah!”
At Hyang’s point, not only King Sejong but also the ministers simultaneously exclaimed in exclamation.
“The gods had no idea!”
“I didn’t even think about it!”
“You can drastically reduce your budget!”
Teacher Samcheonpo’s words rang in Hyang’s mind as he clicked his tongue while looking at King Sejong and the ministers.
‘Not all people of the past are retarded and not all modern people are geniuses! It’s just that people in the past had a small influx of information, and modern people, who absolutely have a lot of information, have a wider perspective! Shall we give an example? It was only after the mid-1990s that multitasking, now a basic of basics, became commonplace! Until then, even the great computers could only do one task at a time and people were satisfied with that!’
As King Sejong and his ministers underwent a kind of great awakening, Hyang’s petition immediately became official policy.
And from that day on, the famous ‘Yukjo Street of the Night City’ began.
* * *
That night.
“Officers, do not follow.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“It is a private conversation between father and son.”
When Sejong spoke firmly, the officer stepped back. King Sejong, leaving the officer behind, led his officials and headed to the East Palace.
“You’re still awake.”
As King Sejong spoke while looking at the brightly lit rooms of the East Palace, the merchant ship following him spoke.
“I heard that the earliest he goes to sleep is between the 2nd and 3rd am (11pm and 1am), and he often stays up until the 4th (1am to 3am).”
“You’re still just a child. How can you push yourself so hard?”
Unable to hide his concern about the scent, Sejong continued walking.
“Your Majesty, please come!”
The Nae-gwan, who was sitting outside the Hyang’s room, saw King Sejong’s appearance, spoke to the Hyang, and immediately opened the door to the room.
Hyang, who had stood up and stepped to the side as soon as the eunuch said, bowed down as soon as King Sejong entered.
“What are you doing at this late hour?”
“I was getting some fresh air when I heard the light on. “What were you doing up until this hour?”
“I was reading a book for a moment.”
“okay? “Let’s sit down first.”
King Sejong, who was sitting in his seat, his eyes lit up as he looked at the book opened in the west bank.
“Is this a book by Seo Yi? “What is the book about?”
“It is a book titled ‘A Note on Alchemy.’ As the title suggests, it is a critical book on alchemy.”
“What is alchemy?”
“This is a study on how to make gold by adding various things to metals such as lead and iron.”
Sejong’s eyes sparkled at Hyang’s words.
“Is that possible?”
“According to the article written by the author, it is said that even though they have been researching for hundreds of years, they have not been able to find an answer. If you look at the introduction written by the author, ‘Pension is impossible. However, studying this further and creating an alloy that is helpful in daily life is true alchemy.’ “It says.”
“’Creating alloys that are helpful in daily life is true alchemy.’ “La…”
Sejong, who was savoring Hyang’s words, briefly concluded.
“You are a wise man.”
“Soja thinks so too.”
Sejong, who smiled at the sight of such a scent, took the open book of alchemy in his hand and began to read.
“I have a translation. Would you like to look at it together?”
“No, I’m just looking at it because I’m curious about what Seo-yi’s letters are like.”
However, King Sejong did not put down the book in his hand even after a long time had passed. When Sejong and Seonhyang’s back was starting to feel stiff, Sejong, who had put down his book, opened his mouth.
[Episode 21 Germination…Carcinogenesis?(14)] End
ⓒ Gukbbong
========================================== ============