Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 30
[ Episode 30 Gapjin Sutra (8) ]
Episode 30 Gapjin Sutra (8)
From the next day, appeals began to flood in to King Sejong again. There were many who agreed with the crown prince’s opinion, but the forces of those who opposed it, led by Yeonguijeong and Daesagan, were also formidable.
-The Crown Prince’s opinion may seem good at first glance, but it is a truly dangerous idea. According to the Crown Prince’s opinion, if the goal is good, there is no need to consider whether the means are right or wrong. This is a very dangerous idea. As the purpose is just, the means must also be just.
In this way, the Dae Confucian school, which agrees with the ‘many-ware theory’ advocated by Hyang, and the Soyu school, which agrees with the ‘one-ware theory’ of orthodox Neo-Confucian scholars who claim that only Neo-Confucianism is correct, the Soyu school (小) A fierce debate began between Confucianism and Confucianism.
The debate that began in this way intensified at the same time as the implementation of the ‘Gyeongjang (更張)’ decided by King Sejong, and in addition, countless appeals, resignations, and dismissals continued throughout the 6th year of King Sejong’s reign. And this became the beginning of a fierce battle in which the educated class of Joseon was divided into two, called the Gapjin argument.
* * *
The story of Hyang’s announcement of political views and the debate between Hyang and conservative officials that arose in the aftermath immediately spread to those living in Hanseong, causing a chain reaction.
The victims of that chain reaction were the children of prominent families.
“It is certain that by the time our grandson enters the military service, the crown prince will have inherited the throne or will be in real power. Looking at the crown prince’s personality, he would not be able to take on a high position simply by faithfully learning the classics. Therefore, from now on, make sure to faithfully learn not only the classics but also the hundreds of disciples.”
“Yes, father.”
“It’s the same for you too. Where did the crown prince’s passion come from? “For the continuation of your family, you must also use your strength.”
“… Yes, father.”
The households of ministers and noblemen who observed the flow of affairs and sought to prosper their families began to study not only Neo-Confucianism but also the 100 schools of disciples.
Meanwhile, the families of the anti-seja faction were not just idle.
“We cannot ignore the fact that the chief minister and the crown prince are going down the wrong path! In order to bring the chief minister and crown prince back to the right path, a thorough argument is the only answer! You must thoroughly delve into the hundreds of disciples and find out the loopholes!”
“Yes, father.”
“Why is my grandson silent? The Crown Prince is the same age as you, so around the time you go out to government, it will be the time for the Crown Prince to come to the forefront. If you don’t work hard from now on, you will bring disgrace to our family!”
“So-sun (小孫) is still trying hard….”
“Is this person who is trying so hard finally grasping the Analects of Confucius? Abby! “Bring the whip right now!”
“father. Calm down your anger…”
“I told you to hurry and bring it!”
Thanks to a munchkin named Hyang, the calves of boys from noble families in the capital city were never healthy.
* * *
At around the same time, Hyang was reviewing the past essays.
“I feel relieved because I said whatever I wanted to say. And it was nice to feel like my Abama was on my side too…”
Hyang trailed off with a tired look on his face. According to reports from internal officials belonging to the East Palace, there were a series of appeals from ministers who favored Hyang’s views and those who opposed them. The amount was so great that many of the monks in Seungjeongwon were collapsing from overwork, and King Sejong had to give them special fish meals and tonics.
Hyang, who was thinking about a blank piece of paper in front of her, burst into laughter.
“Is it fortunate that I was reincarnated in the early Joseon Dynasty? If he had been reincarnated in the late Joseon Dynasty and made a fuss like this, he would have immediately heard the sound of ‘a rebellious enemy,’ and the deposed crown prince would have been put in a state of shame if he did something wrong with the basics. Anyway, am I glad that there are ministers supporting me this time?”
Hyang paused for a moment, tapping his fingers on the west bank and looking in the direction of Geunjeongjeon.
“Vaccinia vaccination will begin soon. “If good results come out of the cowpox vaccination, the scales will tip towards me…” Hyang, who was
speechless, turned his gaze to the ceiling and sighed.
“Ha~. “Is it true, human affairs, great heavenly destiny?”
* * *
6 years of King Sejong. The first three days of the first month of Gapjin year.
“Start!”
“yes!”
As soon as the order from the Minister of Justice was given, many doctors and doctors who were waiting, officials who would conduct censuses at the same time, and soldiers who would guard them in case of an unexpected situation came out of the palace gate and formed pairs in all directions. scattered.
“It’s a fate!”
‘It’s a mystery!’ heard outside the private gate. At the shout, the entire family in the thatched hut came out and knelt down. The official who saw the family kneeling with puzzled expressions as to what was happening explained the reason.
“By order of His Majesty the Lord, we will be inoculating to prevent smallpox, so everyone, stand in line! Men should go in front of the medical center over here, and all women should go in front of the medical center over there and line up!”
“yes? “Do you want to prevent smallpox?”
“Don’t you say so? Hurry up and get in line. ah! Have you ever had smallpox before?”
“There is none.”
“Then get in line!”
“But I don’t have any rice or cotton cloth to pay the bill.”
The official responded immediately to the head of the household.
“It’s free.”
“Is this true?”
“Yes you bastard! How dare you doubt the Eomyeong!”
In response to the official’s scolding, the head of the family bowed down with his head touching the ground and gestured to his family.
“No! Stand in line! hurry!”
Following the orders of the head of the household, the family members lined up, divided into men and women.
“Have you ever had smallpox before?”
“There is none.”
“What about the other family members?”
“None of us have ever had smallpox.”
“Right. “Then take off your jacket.”
That’s how the vaccination proceeded. The men were in the yard, and the women were behind a folding screen on one side, taking off their jackets and inoculating their shoulders with cowpox. The official standing next to him opened a tablet and recorded personal information.
“By the king’s order, I will receive an acupuncture treatment that can prevent smallpox! “It’s free too!”
As the rumor about the cowpox vaccination spread, there was a great commotion in Hanseong.
“When are you coming to my house?”
“I told you to prepare in advance because your fever will rise and your shoulders will get blisters for the next five to ten days, right? “Don’t pop the blisters?”
In houses where there were no people suffering from smallpox, adults were standing outside the door waiting for medical staff to arrive at any time, while those who had already been vaccinated were moving around to prepare cold water and clean towels.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
“No.”
“There’s nothing special about what I’ve prepared, but please at least have a quick bite to eat.”
Those who visited the homes of noblemen or wealthy people received generous treatment after being vaccinated. As well-prepared food and drinks were served, those who were served smiled and enjoyed the meal.
“Here, take a drink.”
When the owner of the house held out a glass of wine, the official in charge of leading the place politely bowed and opened his mouth.
“Thank you for your kindness, but I am currently carrying out official duties, so I cannot drink alcohol.”
“Oh my…”
It wasn’t just the wealthy who served alcohol and food to medical staff. Even in a neighborhood where many poor people gathered, grain and food were collected and served to medical staff on a regular basis.
“You guys won’t have anything to eat, will you be okay?”
“If you don’t have enough to eat, you can eat sparingly, but isn’t that what smallpox is? “It’s a cheap price to pay for your life.”
“Huh…”
The officials sighed after hearing the people’s answers. Most of the young officials who had just entered the civil service were heartbroken by the people’s words and pounded their hearts.
“This is it! “What is wrong with the crown prince’s words?”
* * *
Not all residents of Hanseong welcomed cowpox vaccination. A considerable number of lawmakers jointly filed an appeal.
“… If you look at examples from ancient times, there has never been a case where human illness and animal illness were the same. So what is the bizarre method of treating smallpox in humans using cow pus? How is this any different from bringing in a shaman who believes in a god with great power and performing a ritual? “Eight!”
King Sejong, who became angry while reading the appeal, suddenly threw the appeal and shouted at the ministers.
“Do these guys know what they are talking about? A doctor’s main job is to save people’s lives and keep them disease-free. To achieve this, doctors must constantly study the disease, practice new techniques, find medicinal ingredients, and devise prescriptions. What are they doing? Sea monster? A shaman who believes in a god with superpowers? Can these people really be called lawmakers? merchant ship! “Tell Hanseongbu Panyun immediately and tell him to arrest these bastards!”
“yeah!”
By order of the enraged King Sejong, all the lawmakers who filed appeals for life extension had to be imprisoned.
“It’s unfair!”
“It’s unfair!”
The imprisoned lawmakers complained of injustice, but King Sejong did not forgive them.
“Punish all criminals 20 lashes!”
All of the lawmakers who appealed for life extension under King Sejong’s order could only be released after receiving 20 lashes each.
While the commotion was going on, cowpox vaccination and household surveys for residents of Hanseong were completed.
“… After adding them all up, it was confirmed that there were a total of 103,328 people living inside the four main gates of the capital, including the common people and the common people.”
“Good job.”
While King Sejong, who had received the report from Judge Lee and Judge Hojo, was praising him, Do Seung-ji came in with a tray full of appeals.
“The crown prince has been quiet for the past few days. What kind of complaint is this again?”
“The appeal is not about lowering the tax base, but about cowpox vaccination. “We are receiving appeals requesting that they be vaccinated against cowpox in their villages as well.”
“okay?”
At Do Seung-ji’s words, King Sejong quickly untied the string that bound the scroll. King Sejong sighed involuntarily as he read the contents of the appeal.
“Huh~.”
The content of the appeals written by officials and lawmakers from various regions of Joseon’s eight provinces was heartbreaking.
-Protecting the people from smallpox must be done quickly.
-There are already several successful cases, so there is no reason to experiment again. This only wastes time.
-It is a matter of giving hope to the people, even if it is only a thin thread, so it must proceed without delay.
-If it is because there is a shortage of cows, I will use my wealth to rescue all the cows within a hundred miles in all directions and compensate them. There is no wealth more precious than a human life.
“Ministers should also read it.”
“yes.”
According to King Sejong’s order, the ministers took turns reading the appeals.
“What do you think I should do?”
It was a question with a clear answer, but no minister answered right away. Even Judges Lee Jo and Judge Hojo, who were known to be pro-crown princes, only paid attention.
Sejong was angry, but he could understand. The number of appeals submitted was only a small portion compared to the number of nobles residing throughout the eight provinces of Joseon. Considering the cost of vaccinia vaccination and the tasks to be performed at the same time, it was certain that there would be significant resistance. And such resistance could lead to resistance to royal authority and was highly likely to lead to the impeachment of ministers as scapegoats.
“Seja…”
King Sejong, who was about to call out, immediately stopped speaking. If it were the nature of the county, it would be no question and would immediately move forward with nationwide vaccination. However, if resistance to cowpox vaccination turned into a political movement, it could be a huge stain on the township.
In the end, King Sejong had no choice but to take a step back.
“Let’s take some more time to think about this.”
“… Yes, Your Highness.”
It was an uncomfortable conclusion for both King Sejong and his subjects.
* * *
While King Sejong and his subjects were contemplating a clear answer regarding the nationwide implementation of cowpox vaccination, there were people talking cautiously at the large platform in Unjong-ga.
“… So what about Sejajeoha?”
“He filed an appeal insisting on immediate implementation, but it is said that it was not accepted.”
“You must be very heartbroken.”
“I heard that you are writing appeals every day.”
“Huh~.”
The old man who was sitting at the head of the table listening to the report sighed and became lost in thought. After much deliberation, the old man finally made a decision.
“I guess I need to save some money.”
[Episode 30 Gapjin Gyeongjang (8)] End
ⓒ Gukbbong
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