Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 24
[ Episode 24 Gapjin Gyeongjang (甲辰更張) (2) ]
Episode 24 Gapjin Gyeongjang (2)
“And if there is something a little unusual, there were many merchants looking for paper from our Joseon Dynasty.”
“Our Joseon paper?”
“yes. It is said that compared to the paper made in the Ming Dynasty, the quality of our Joseon paper is excellent and many people look for it. It is said that many people in the great kingdom have been looking for it since the reign of King Jeonjo, calling it ‘Haedongji (海東紙)’ or ‘Goryeoji (高麗紙)’.”
In response to Judge Hojo’s answer, King Sejong stroked his beard.
“Hmm… I think it would be a good idea to issue an order to the George Seo to increase the supply.”
As soon as Sejong finished speaking, Hyang opened her mouth.
“device! “I have a request to make to your Majesty the Lord!”
“Speak.”
“Please destroy the George Book!”
Hyang exploded the bomb thrown by Judge Hojo.
Pyeonjeon momentarily froze at Hyang’s petition to abolish Jojiseo.
This was because both King Sejong and the ministers momentarily failed to understand Hyang’s words.
“Abolish George Washington? “In this situation where there are so many people looking for paper?”
“It doesn’t seem to be consistent with what Your Majesty the Crown Prince usually claims?”
“This is an opportunity for new profits. why?”
After a while, King Sejong and the ministers all criticized. This was because the remark was different from the usual scent. But Hyang was already preparing a counterargument.
“Demolishing the Book of George is consistent with what Xiao Tzu has always argued.”
“Congruent? “Please explain.”
“yes.”
Hyang explained to King Sejong and the ministers why Jojiseo should be destroyed.
-There are six types of paper currently being made at Jojiseo. However, there were more types of paper distributed in the previous dynasty and the quality was also better.
-What the above means is that the situation is getting worse as time goes by. (Note 1)
– If that happens, merchants in Ming countries will eventually stop wanting paper, which will result in the loss of an important market.
“Hmm… Crown Prince, I understand what you are saying. If the quality of paper were as poor as you said, merchants from famous countries would not buy paper. but! I don’t understand why that is a reason to abolish the Book of George. “Isn’t the issue of paper quality something that can be resolved by carefully supervising the paper makers?”
Sejong, who was listening to Hyang’s explanation, interrupted. Hyang immediately responded to Sejong’s point.
“There is a saying going around like this. ‘You can lead a cow to water, but it is the cow’s heart that drinks the water.’ “No matter how strictly we supervise, if the craftsmen’s motivation is low, will it work?”
“The craftsmen’s motivation is at its lowest?”
“Yes, Abama. “You know very well that I visited government offices where craftsmen, including the military inspector general, were located.”
“I know.”
Sejong nodded to Hyang’s question.
“And every time, I had a headache because of the things you did.”
The ministers unconsciously nodded at King Sejong’s point, and Hyang smiled bitterly at that sight.
“I don’t remember doing that many things, but whatever!”
Hyang explained why the craftsmen belonging to the government were unmotivated.
“The bonus they received was poor. The salary they received was barely enough for their families to survive. Thanks to this, many of them took on side jobs or quit their jobs.”
“What do you do when you quit your job?”
“There were people who rented rice paddies or fields to sharecrop or work as laborers, and there were also people who worked in upper workshops. In a situation like this, will it work properly even if you supervise it? “The volume is increasing and management is becoming more difficult, but the bonus received does not change, so the number of people who quit will only increase.”
Sejong’s face became serious at Hyang’s words. Meanwhile, Yeonguijeong, who was listening to Hyang’s explanation, began a counterargument.
“Those who belong to the military command or other royal workshops are ranked 9th grade and receive the corresponding bonus. However, among officials of the same rank, there are very few who resign. This means that the low salary cannot be an excuse to defend the craftsmen’s negligence.”
In the words of Yeonguijeong, the incense revealed the secrets of the officials.
“Don’t you know very well that those officials receive a lot from behind? “You wouldn’t know that the door to the Prime Minister’s house is swarmed with people bringing gifts every day, right?”
“It’s just a gift!”
“Who said what?”
Hyang, who covered Yeonguijeong’s mouth, looked at King Sejong and continued speaking.
“Under these circumstances, who among the artisans belonging to the royal family and government will do their best in their work? What’s worse is that they don’t want to pass their talents on to their children. They say that it is better to become a tenant farmer than to inherit one’s talent and go hungry for the rest of one’s life. Given this situation, how many of the technologies built up over the past long period of time have disappeared? Also, can those who have talents develop if they do not develop their talents?”
“What the Crown Prince said is correct.”
When King Sejong agreed, Yeonguijeong immediately refuted.
“But what was the reason why King Taejong created Jojiseo? This is because the paper needed to make coins was received as a donation, but the quality was not uniform, so it was a serious disadvantage to have to sort it out one by one. However, if you overthrow Jojiseo, you will have to suffer the same evils from the reign of King Taejong once again. “Please contact us!”
“Please inform me!”
The Yeonguijeong’s first song was followed by the ministers’ chorus.
“What should I do with this?”
With a troubled expression, Sejong glanced at Hyang.
‘This guy! ‘I definitely know the answer!’
“Huh~.”
Hyang sighed softly and opened his mouth.
“Why should I receive tribute?”
“yes?”
“Have you forgotten the example of the gold pen? “All you have to do is write down the exact paper specifications and quality standards required by the government, and then sign a contract with the company that paid the lowest price among those that passed the requirements.”
“Then the expenses….”
“Is paper an item needed only for the royal family and coffins? If there is a guarantee that it is ‘delivered to the royal family’ like a gold pen, it will sell well in the market. “Coordination can collect taxes on the profits they earn and multiply their income compared to the amount spent on expenses.”
“….”
At Hyang’s words, the mouths of the ministers, including Yeonguijeong, became murmured. This was because there was already a precedent for using a golden pen. Hyang was confirmed dead.
“This time, hundreds of merchants asked you to get paper, right? “If our Joseon merchants can continue to produce high-quality paper through competition, they will be able to make a lot of money in the big market of that famous country, and then our government will also be able to secure more income.”
Although Hyang finished speaking, there were no ministers who offered a counterargument. After a moment of silence, Judge Hojo opened his mouth.
“In God’s opinion, I think His Majesty the Crown Prince’s opinion is extremely valid.”
“Hopan!”
Yeonguijeong glared at Judge Hojo, but Judge Hojo didn’t care and continued talking.
“Rescuing the people, maintaining government organizations, maintaining public order, and protecting the border all cost money. Although 30 years have passed since the founding of our country, there has been no clear answer in this area. On the contrary, difficulties are only increasing as each year passes, so if there is a solution to solve this problem, why not use it?”
Daeheon shouted at the words of the Hojopanseo.
“Hopan, refrain from speaking! If all the people realize the path of sage and become gentlemen, the country will be at peace, and even scholars and pirates in the border areas will be influenced by the virtue. There will be peace. Therefore, it is the duty of ministers to first think about how to educate the people and turn them into noblemen! majesty! What the Crown Prince has just said seems right at first glance, but it is nothing more than a stopgap measure that only treats superficial wounds! Truly, for the sake of national peace, we must first think about educating the people!”
Judge Lee Jo refuted Daesaheon’s remarks.
“majesty! The words of the Great Book seem to be correct at first glance, but they are nothing more than empty talk! If you teach the words of a saint to people who are starving, how will they understand? “Education is important, but the welfare of the people is even more important!”
‘uh? ‘Is that what I said before?’
Muttering to himself, Hyang watched the war of words between the ministers with interest.
‘popcorn! ‘I need popcorn!’
Hyang, who was happily watching the exchange of words between ministers, glanced at Sejong.
Sejong kept his mouth shut and had a calm expression, but his eyes were smiling.
‘That guy! I’m enjoying it!’
The war of words among the ministers was becoming more and more intense. Using real-life situations and scripture passages as examples, the high-ranking officials argued fiercely, and the officials and Zhou Shu were busy recording the contents with their gold pens.
“stop.”
When the war of words between the ministers went beyond the point and seemed to be devolving into personal slander inquiring about the well-being of the other party’s parents, King Sejong raised his hand to stop it.
King Sejong came to a conclusion as he watched the ministers calming down their rough breathing while engaged in a war of words.
“I have listened carefully to the opinions of the officers. It is clear that the edification of the people is an important task and must be accomplished. But! Solving the people’s troubles is also a task that must be solved. For this purpose, various measures are needed, so the sutras should study them.”
“I follow your orders.”
“And regarding the issue of Jojiseo, I think the crown prince’s policy is the right one. But! “I think it would be too hasty to destroy Jojiseo right now, so find out how to resolve this and report back by three days.”
“I follow your orders.”
After giving orders to his ministers, King Sejong looked back.
“Crown, listen.”
“Yes Abama.”
“I know very well that you care about the prosperity of the country and the safety of the people. “This is something a crown prince should naturally do, so I will neither reprimand nor praise him.”
“I am devastated.”
Hyang bowed her head in response to Sejong’s evaluation.
‘How are you not scolded?’
Contrary to Hyang’s relief, Sejong’s words continued.
“However, it is clear that it is a problem that a big uproar arises every time your opinion comes out. This is because not only the governor but also the ministers here do not know what standards you use to express your opinions. Therefore, please explain your political views on state affairs.”
“yes?”
“Crown, it is not that your officials and ministers do not know that your knowledge is excellent and your thoughts are deep. However, since you are still in your infancy, you can believe that your wrong thoughts are correct. “It is also the responsibility of a father to know this in advance and correct it.”
“Yes…”
Hyang quietly lowered her head at Sejong’s words.
“Do you need time to prepare?”
Hyang thought about Sejong’s question for a moment and then answered.
“Give me five days.”
“Do it.”
The inquiry ended with King Sejong’s decision to announce his political views five days later.
The ministers coming out of Pyeonjeon were largely divided into three groups, although they were not visible to the eye.
The first group consisted of the three monks centered around Yeonguijeong and their followers.
“We must prepare thoroughly for five days.”
“Are you ready?”
Yeonguijeong immediately answered the question of the person following him.
“We need to reexamine not only the scriptures but also past policies.”
“He is only 9 years old. Do we need to prepare that much?”
Upon hearing the question, Yeonguijeong’s face instantly became fierce.
“How will you explain what happened to that 9-year-old?”
“That’s…”
“Huh! Don’t you know who is behind the crown prince? It may be the crown prince’s mouth that speaks, but it would be reasonable to say that the thoughts belong to the king. Think about what has happened so far! “Was there anything that the Crown Prince opposed among the things the Crown Prince insisted on doing?”
“There was none.”
“As you said, the crown prince is only nine years old. Of course, the accumulated knowledge is worthy of recognition. However, political views are not possible through knowledge alone. We need something called economy, and the only answer to that economy is time. When the crown prince first started doing things, I too thought it was because he was a genius. But did the crown prince do something once or twice? No matter how genius you are, that is impossible. “This is only possible if you think that there is a statue behind you.”
Everyone around them nodded at Yeonguijeong’s conclusion.
“So, everyone, make sure you get ready! How did we build this Joseon? Are we going to just watch the evil practices of the previous ancestors being revived again?”
“I understand, Captain.”
* * *
Note 1) Encyclopedia of Korean Culture – Jojiseo Entry
[Episode 24 Gapjingyeongjang (甲辰更張) (2)] End
ⓒ Gukppong
================================= ====================