Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 356

Episode 356: People are the problem. In many ways. (2)

Nongsajikseol was not only a must-read book in the rural areas of Joseon.

Upon hearing the rumor, messengers from various territories of the Japanese kingdom rushed to Joseon.

In the situation of the Japanese country, which had not significantly moved away from the agricultural technology introduced from the Korean Peninsula during the Three Kingdoms period, Nongsajikseol, which Joseon began to spread, was a textbook on advanced farming methods that must be introduced.

* * *

Hyang continued speaking by giving an example of agricultural directness.

“I don’t think it’s true that there are no people in Joseon. It’s not that there are no people, it’s just that very few people have learned to read. ah! Let me explain this again: There are many people who can read the sentence. If there are even people who can read letters, even if only slightly, we can guarantee that there are very few people in Joseon who do not know letters. The problem is…” “The

problem is that there are only a very limited number of people who can write sentences. Phew~.”

Sejong, who stopped Hyang’s words and settled the situation, let out a long sigh.

* * *

As King Sejong and Hyang said, there were very few people living in Joseon who were unable to read (read and understand the meaning of text).

As I mentioned before, even the so-called ‘dumb’ farmers could read several hundred Chinese characters that were essential for daily life.

This was to read the notices and various proclamations posted on the walls of government offices, check the contents of bond certificates used when borrowing property, and at least write one’s name on them.

The problem was writing. Among those who can read, the number of those who can at least write sentences with their fingers has decreased significantly. If the scope was reduced to those who knew how to write sentences according to grammar and etiquette, it would be drastically reduced to a very small number of noblemen.

* * *

“Whew~. Under these circumstances, is it really possible to truly know the public sentiment of the people? “No, even if it comes later, will you be able to find the right talent?”

Sejong’s complaints were answered by Hyang.

“In the next two to three years, there will be people who have received education at social democratic schools, so won’t the thirst be quenched to some extent?”

However, Sejong’s face did not brighten much.

“It seems like it will only make you thirstier rather than quench your thirst. The letters are the problem. The letters…. Instead of helping talented people clearly express their intentions, they actually become a hindrance….” ‘

Ah! Accurate situation awareness! Let’s just add a little more MSG here!’

Shouting Jihwaja in her mind, Hyang proposed to King Sejong.

“Then wouldn’t it be okay if we created our own Korean writing system? “It is not something you need to know Chinese characters like Idu to use, but it is a character that can be used easily even if you don’t know Chinese characters.”

‘Anyway, history is taking a new path! Don’t make it later, make it now! If you make it now while you’re at your best, I’ll have less trouble later!’

Sejong shook his head slightly, not knowing whether he knew what Hyang was feeling or not.

“We create our own letters… The meaning is really good. “But it’s not easy.”

“The brilliant mind of Jiphyeonjeon…”

Hyang, who had been mentioning ‘Jiphyeonjeon’, quickly closed his mouth. When the word Jiphyeonjeon came out, King Sejong’s face became fierce.

“Don’t even mention those stubborn people!”

* * *

As King Sejong progressed and Hyang established the research institute, the nature of Jiphyeonjeon also changed significantly.

Jiphyeonjeon, which was initially in charge of the king’s advisory and academic research, changed its character into a professional policy research institute as the administration progressed.

The job was limited to analyzing policies proposed by the king and ministers and coming up with improvement plans or planning appropriate policies based on data from each ministry.

However, as things progressed like this, resistance from Jiphyeonjeon bachelors began to emerge.

“It is true that the physics research conducted in Area 51 and the research institute is important! However, it is also important to study and study the writings of sages to uncover morality!”

“Most of the policies currently implemented by the government deviate from the Confucian academic tradition! We must immediately abolish these policies and preserve the Confucian academic tradition! “Actual facts are important, but being good at math is even more important!”

The scholars of Jiphyeonjeon, who had been scratching King Sejong’s mind by insisting on the restoration of the old times, went one step further.

“For the people to be comfortable, food, clothing and shelter must be stable! In order to do that, we must equalize the commonwealth!”

Once again, the argument for the communist distribution theory emerged, and King Sejong pointed out the fact to the scholars of Jiphyeonjeon.

“It had already been decided that the communist distribution was empty because it did not match reality. But why are you insisting on communist distribution again?”

“Practical difficulties naturally arise in the process of turning theory into reality! If you keep doing it, even if it means making sacrifices, you will eventually get it right! “If you are afraid of sacrifice, something bad will happen!”

King Sejong was greatly angered by the words of the Jiphyeonjeon scholars.

“The saying not to be afraid of sacrifice is nothing more than an empty theory! “Look at reality and speak!”

King Sejong, who was greatly angered, made a large-scale personnel change in the year of the New Year (1431, the 13th year of King Sejong’s reign) and put the scholars of Jiphyeonjeon into practical positions.

However, Jiphyeonjeon scholars strongly opposed King Sejong’s decision.

“This is a tyranny that blocks speech!”

Among the Jiphyeonjeon scholars who protested, most of them resigned their posts.

“This is a big deal!”

“Yes!”

Surprised by the mass resignation of Jiphyeonjeon scholars, the ministers busily went back and forth between King Sejong and the scholars and tried to calm the situation.

“Your Highness, there are still young people coming. I did this because I couldn’t overcome the energy of youth, so I will reflect on it soon. Please give me a moment.”

“Hey guys! Why are you so hasty! “Wouldn’t it be good to refine your theories while seeing practical work?”

Although the ministers were busy coming and going, King Sejong and the scholars of Jiphyeonjeon were drawing parallel paths.

“Blood spirit? What they have done is to intimidate me, relying only on their petty knowledge!”

“joy! “I cannot ignore such tyranny!”

“Watch your mouth! “Have you forgotten what kind of bloodline your Majesty the Lord has?”

In the end, King Sejong approved all the resignation letters submitted by the bachelors. And then he made a statement.

“Those who resigned this time will not be able to run for office again and are prohibited from filing an appeal for the rest of their lives! This measure also applies to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren!”

If the laws related to the nobility, which became stricter through the Gyeongjang and Giyu rebellions, were applied, they would not be called the nobility for at least another 100 years.

After going through all this turmoil, Jiphyeonjeon fully established itself as a ‘policy research institute.’ The law was even changed to require that those who belong to Jiphyeonjeon are not selected from among those who have passed the Daegwa exam and are excellent, but only those who have worked in the field for at least 10 years.

And another aftereffect was the wave of divorce in the families of bachelors.

* * *

Hyang, who felt that King Sejong’s judgment had become harsh due to the Jiphyeonjeon issue, quickly took action to extinguish the situation.

“yes. Even without that stubbornness, there are many talented people in the court. So, if Abamama makes up her mind, she will find great talent.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong looked at Hyang.

“I heard that scholars from the western region are having a lot of trouble with documentation. “Is that why?”

In response to Sejong’s question, Hyang smiled bitterly and nodded slightly.

* * *

The rapid emergence of Hunminjeongeum was also what Hyang wanted. In the beginning, it was simply because it was cumbersome to write documents in Chinese characters. But now it was for the sake of virtue.

“Shit! “Is translating documents the only thing you do from the time you come to work until you leave work?”

Hyang’s daily routine these days was to look at the mountain of Latin documents piled up in his office in Area 51 and translate them.

“Hangul is absolutely necessary for a peaceful and virtuous life!”

* * *

Seeing that scent, Sejong smiled and continued speaking.

“Right. Since they have now become citizens of Joseon, their grievances should also be resolved. Hmm…. But even if there are a lot of talented people in the court, they can’t be removed easily because they are doing more than one job in the court now. Creating letters is not something that can be done by one or two people, so it is impossible for me to do it alone. “Can you help me?”

“yes?”

“Wasn’t your outstanding appearance already famous from a young age? I think we will get good results if you help us. How do you feel? “Would you like to help this father?”

In the end, Hyang had to nod his head to the order disguised as a request from King Sejong.

“I will do my best if even my weak abilities can be of help.”

King Sejong was greatly pleased with Hyang’s answer.

“Thank you! thank you!”

After finishing the private conversation between father and son, Hyang muttered quietly as he came out.

“No matter how much I think about it, it feels like I was caught. Of course… I heard the theory that the royal family was mobilized… but no matter what, I have the feeling that they were caught.”

Hyang, who was groaning as he could not erase the feeling that he had been caught, soon came to a conclusion.

“Shit! It’s already happened like this! “Your name will be engraved in history!”

Meanwhile, inside Gangnyeongjeon, King Sejong looked towards the direction of Donggungjeon with a happy face.

“I finally caught a big catch. Let’s see… the parts that have been organized and studied so far…”

* * *

However, as Hyang and Sejong had worried, Joseon was now entering a period of stagnation.

Not only the government but also the common people were busy, the size of the economy was growing day by day, and the people’s pockets were becoming more and more comfortable, but the period of stagnation was stagnation.

Coordination was busy, but just maintaining and improving existing policies was a daunting task. Among the 10 new policies or systems implemented, 2 to 3 were the best.

This was the same for the people. Everyone working in the rapidly growing commercial and industrial fields was screaming the same thing.

“There is no one to work!”

* * *

Since this was an issue that could not be avoided, King Sejong and the ministers put their heads together.

“What exactly is the population of Joseon now?”

Secretary General Heo Jo immediately answered King Sejong’s question.

“According to last year’s census, there were over 7.5 million people.”

“Does this include slaves?”

“yes.”

In response to Heo Jo, King Sejong stroked his beard.

“Then the actual number of Yang people is about 6.8 million?”

“That’s right.”

Because taxes were levied on slaves, sanobi was gradually decreasing. Among the remaining 700,000 slaves, most were government slaves and most of them were sentenced to hard labor in mines for committing serious crimes.

“6.8 million is not a small number, so why…”

Heo Jo immediately responded to Lee Maeng-gyun’s point.

“Of that population, 800,000 are noble Jurchen people, and almost 1.8 million are children under the age of 7.”

“Ah…”

“Oh my…”

Heojo’s answer made all the ministers lose their appetite.

The survival rate of children increased significantly as smallpox was suppressed through cowpox vaccination and various sanitary policies were semi-compulsorily implemented.

Thanks to this, Joseon’s population increased significantly, but this was just a numbers game.

Even though the population increased until those children grew up and took on the role of one person, there was no increase.

Rather, the burden on adults was increasing due to the rapidly increasing number of children.