Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 219
Episode 219: People who change. (2)
The paving of roads in local cities, which began in this way and continued steadily, experienced a major change in the year of Gyeongsul (1430), the 12th year of King Sejong’s reign.
Construction of a land road network connecting Hanseong and the entire country had begun. The first step was to build a major road extending from Hanseong to the north, south, east and west.
Through the construction of this major road, large regional cities began to be connected.
In this process, an unexpected region emerged as a transportation center: Wonsan.
Until then, Wonsan, which was a small village under Deokwon-bu (府), was called Uiju (宜州), a title during the Goryeo Dynasty, and was renamed Wonsanmok (牧), which was raised five levels to Wonsanmok (牧).
“Has the adjustment gone crazy?”
“Where is Wonsan?”
“Why Wonsan? “Is there any gold buried there?”
The people were all curious about the reason for Wonsan’s sudden elevation.
But soon the people – especially the merchants – learned why.
While Gangneung, which has long been the largest city on the east coast, had to cross the Taebaek Mountains, Wonsan was relatively easy to get to. In addition, the port built in Wonsan attracted the attention of merchants.
“It is a port of heaven’s blessing!”
Thanks to the natural breakwater of the Wonsan Peninsula, the port built in Wonsan was a safe port even in storms.
The merchants moved immediately after confirming that the road and sea route that would connect them with the newly developed northeastern region, as well as the roads and sea routes that would extend to the virgin lands to the east, started from Wonsan.
“You have to go first and get a seat!”
In this way, Gangneung and Wonsan continued to compete fiercely for the position of the central city of the east coast region.
* * *
This busy situation in Joseon was not good for everyone.
August of the year of Gyeongsul. All of the gisaengs in Hanseong filed an appeal jointly (writing down the names of two or more people in one place).
“Is there such a thing as this? “I can’t believe lowly gisaengs are filing an appeal!”
The officials who received the appeal made an uproar, calling it rude, but King Sejong reacted differently.
“Gisaengs are also citizens of Joseon, so they can file an appeal if necessary. So, bring it with you.”
“majesty. Here comes the writings of lowly courtesans. “It will only stain your eyes.”
The ministers tried to stop him, but King Sejong did not give up his will.
“Do they not know their situation? Still, isn’t the fact that a complaint was filed because something was so unfair? “Bring it.”
At King Sejong’s insistence, Do Seung-ji submitted an appeal for the gisaeng’s lifespan to King Sejong.
After receiving the appeal, King Sejong immediately opened the scroll.
“Your handwriting is truly beautiful and elegant. “I don’t know which gisaeng it is, but it was written really well.”
King Sejong, who was impressed by the handwriting of the appeal, soon began to carefully examine its contents.
The content of the text, excluding the formal greeting and words praising the king, was a complaint that it was difficult to make a living these days.
-Nowadays, government officials do not visit Gibang often.
Lowly gisaengs like us entertain the main cast with the songs and dances we have learned since we were young gisaengs, and make a living from the wealth gained through our hard work. However, now the number of people visiting gisaeng has decreased, and those who come only focus on getting drunk quickly, making it difficult for our gisaeng to make a living.
When I asked the officials who came as guests the reason, they said it was because they had a lot of work to do and had few days off.
I heard that the king, being a saint, wants all his people to live in peace, so he is always thinking of good ways. Even though we are lowly gisaeng, we are the people of Joseon. Please solve our difficulties by increasing the number of days off for officials.
“Hmm…”
After reading the gisaeng’s appeal for life extension, King Sejong stroked his beard and was lost in thought. After contemplating for a moment, King Sejong presented his appeal to the Merchant Marine.
“Merchant Marine, please read loudly so everyone can hear.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
When the reading of the merchant ship was over, King Sejong asked the ministers:
“What do you think?”
“….”
The ministers could not immediately answer King Sejong’s question. This was because the number of times they went to the gibang decreased because they were also tired.
In the end, the ministers had no choice but to give a general answer.
“This is the narrow opinion of courtesans. “Please don’t worry.”
King Sejong looked unfazed by the ministers’ answers.
“If you look at the appeal, it was said that he does not go to the gym because he has a lot of work and few days off. “As far as I know, officials have quite a few days off, right?”
“….”
At Sejong’s point, the ministers fell silent again.
* * *
In reality, the number of holidays guaranteed to Joseon officials was not small.
Most basically, I did not work on the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 23rd of every month. It was similar to the six-day workweek system in 20th century Korea.
Additionally, they rested on days corresponding to the 24 solar terms. (Note 1)
The same was true for holidays. There were 7 days off on Lunar New Year’s Day, 3 days off on Daeboreum, Dano on the 3rd day, and one day off on Chuseok on the 3rd day. (Note 2)
In addition, each government agency had other holidays determined according to internal regulations. For example, in the case of Sungkyunkwan, the 8th and 23rd of every month were closed days. (Note 3) Those working at the Hyangdo Research Institute were given one day off every 10 days.
If you combine these cases, you will often end up taking a few days off at a time.
Therefore, in the new year, Seoungwan was crowded with officials. This was to calculate the holidays created by combining statutory holidays and seasonal holidays.
* * *
Because King Sejong knew this well, he expressed doubts about the lack of holidays.
“Are we really short of holidays? Or are we forcibly reducing the holidays we should be enjoying?”
In response to King Sejong’s question, Yeonguijeong Lee Jik took up the mantle.
“We have not reduced any holidays.”
“So you’re saying there aren’t enough holidays? As far as I know, holidays were the same during the reigns of previous kings, but no such statement was made.”
“Your Majesty’s words are correct. “The reason why this happened is…”
Lee Jik paused for a moment, took a deep breath, closed his eyes tightly, and continued speaking.
“The officials have too much work to do!”
‘Are you a scribe or a recorder? ‘Let it happen!’
Ijik answered with a feeling of desperation. Sejong asked with a puzzled expression.
“a lot of works?”
“a lot!”
“Even though the number of officials has increased so much?”
“Every time there is an increase in management, two or three more jobs are added!”
“Hmm…”
Sejong stroked his beard upon hearing Lee Jik’s report.
“Do you mean we need to increase the number of government officials?”
“That’s right! This is absolutely necessary for the smooth progress of the intestines!”
“I think I’ve already stretched it enough? Considering the increase in local officials….”
“We need to increase it by at least 30% more!”
“Then the budget…”
When Sejong mentioned the budget, Kim Jeom came forward.
“Of course, it is true that there is no room in the budget! However, Joseon’s national wealth is increasing, so if we can continue this, we will be able to handle the increase in the number of officials!”
“Isn’t that easy?”
In response to Sejong’s criticism, this time he made a false statement.
“Increasing the number of officials means giving opportunities to those who have been discriminated against. “What could be better than this, since it opens the door wide to those who were banned from entering the civil service because they were from the western part of the country and who were banned from entering the civil service because they were from the northwest?”
“That’s not true.”
When Heo Jo, who was in charge of personnel management of the royal court, stepped forward, King Sejong took a step back. Seeing this, I was furious.
“We, your subjects, will do our best to ensure that Joseon becomes wealthy and has a strong military, as your Majesty wishes. However, there are limits to the limited number of people. So, we definitely need to increase the number of people. majesty! The gods will do their best to rule over the lesser subjects below and assist you above! So, please allow us to supplement our staff!”
“Please grant me permission!”
All the subjects gathered at Geunjeongjeon, regardless of rank, prostrated themselves on the floor and asked for more officials.
Sejong responded to that in a serious voice.
“The will of the sutras is firm, so I will believe them. However, there are financial limitations, so please expand it step by step.”
“I am devastated!”
“Please convey my message to the gisaeng who raised the cow. “If I just wait a few more years, good days will come.”
“I follow your orders!”
“And since the number of people will continue to increase, there is no need to increase holidays, right?”
“yes? Yes….”
The ministers who paused for a moment at King Sejong’s words soon responded by bowing their heads. After hearing the answer, Sejong organized the matter with a brighter voice.
“ruler! Well then, let’s handle this matter like that! What’s next on the agenda?”
“Next…”
The officer who recorded all of this added:
-… So, the Minister decided to increase manpower, but decided to maintain the existing practice for holidays.
The officer discusses.
Jo Sammosa (朝三暮四).
* * *
In the end, staffing was decided. However, because it was decided to implement it over time, government officials had to continue working overtime.
Late one night in August. Bright light was still shining from the windows of government offices on Yukjo Street.
“What time is it now?”
One of the Hojo officials who was wrestling with numbers with an abacus and a mountain branch raised his head and opened his mouth. Starting with him, the officials straightened their backs one by one and began to open their mouths.
“It’s already past hash class (10pm)…”
“Already? “Time flies.”
“That’s right. There are still a lot of things that need to be done…”
A growling sound came from the stomachs of the officials who were grumbling as they looked at the amount of work that still remained.
“How long has it been since I had dinner?…”
“It’s been quite a while. “Anyway, I’m definitely hungry.”
“The restaurant was closed, and when we went outside, the castle gate was closed and there was a curfew…”
While everyone was grumbling about their empty stomachs, one of the officials took out a basket wrapped in cloth. The official frowned as he untied the knot of the wrapping cloth and opened the lid of the basket.
“As expected, the meal was restful! “Holy shit!”
When the official noticed that the rice he had bought was spoiled and complained, the colleague next to him said something.
“Isn’t it even weirder if rice stays healthy in this heat?”
“That’s true, but…”
In the end, to soothe their tired bodies from working overtime and to forget their hunger, the officials began chatting.
We chatted about various things, but hunger made us focus our conversation on food.
“Ha~. “Myongwolgwan’s stew soup is perfect for times like these.”
“Myongwolgwan’s soup? “Is it that delicious?”
The protagonist, who mentioned Myongwolgwan in response to a colleague’s question, nodded.
“The beef bones are well marinated, then cold cuts and noodles are added and topped with green onions! “That white soup is exquisite!”
“gulp!”
The officials who were listening to the explanation swallowed their saliva at the same time. Whether they knew this or not, the conversation continued on the topic of soup.
“A drink with that soup is the best! Cheongju (cheongju) and takju (takju) are good in hot soup! Kyaaa!”
“stop! “I’m so hungry!”
In response to his colleague’s sharp reaction, the person who said soup immediately raised his hand.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
The situation came to an end, but soon they began to open their mouths one by one.
“Anyway, I’m really hungry.”
“I made a mistake by forgetting to buy something to eat before curfew while working.”
* * *
As the officials of the Yukjo government office worked overtime every day, a new scene was created in Yukjo Street.
A group of merchants appeared at the same time as the officials were leaving. Merchants sold taffy and rice cakes to officials who were left working overtime. Since a curfew was imposed as soon as the city walls were closed, it was a daily routine for officials who had to work overtime to purchase late-night snacks from merchants.
However, like today, those who missed the time due to a lot of work had to drink water or tea to fill their hungry stomachs.
* * *
One of the officials who was grumbling and clutching his hungry stomach said something unexpected.
“Shall we order and eat?”
“You order and eat?”
“Can’t we just send someone to Myongwolgwan and ask them to bring soup?”
“It’s a curfew.”
“You just need to make a pass.”
“ah!”
Officials who found a gap immediately put it into action.
After issuing a night pass and checking the number of people who would eat the night snack, he sent a servant to Myongwolgwan.
“This is Won…”
The female gisaeng of Myeongwolgwan looked embarrassed after hearing the message from the servant who came in a huff from Yukjo Street. But Haengsu Gisaeng soon made a decision.
“What can’t we do in a recession like now? “Wait a moment!”
It was the moment when Joseon’s first food delivery service was born.
* * *
Note 1) Korea Institute for the Promotion of Korean Studies.
http://story.ugyo.net/front/sub01/sub0103.do?chkId=S_KSH_0021
Note 2) Wikipedia.
https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%8C%80%ED%95%9C%EB%AF%BC%EA%B5%AD%EC%9D%98_%EA%B3%B5%ED %9C%B4%EC%9D%BC
Note 3) Naver Blog.
https://m.blog.naver.com/PostView.nhn?blogId=kstudy0700&logNo=220695565729&proxyReferer=https:%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F