Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 64

Episode 64 Variables (3)

After the condolence group departed for Beijing, King Sejong’s message was delivered to Sungkyunkwan.

“… Therefore, I recommend that students studying at Sungkyunkwan follow the instructions of the master.”

After reading the instructions, the governor looked at the Confucian students.

“What is the reason you are studying at Sungkyunkwan?” is it? Isn’t this the goal of promoting Joseon by entering the military service? A good opportunity has come, so don’t put off going to work.”

After finishing what he had to say, the governor left Myeongnyundang. As

soon as the governor left, the remaining members began to talk loudly.

“What do you plan to do, Lee? ”

“Hyung Kim, what about you? ”

“I plan to go to work. It’s already been 5 years since I stayed at Sungkyunkwan, and I’m not confident about what’s next next year, so I can’t miss this opportunity.” ”

Me too. I think this will be a good opportunity for my parents, who are going through a hard time.”

Many of the students staying at Sungkyunkwan decided to enter the civil service, but there were quite a few who did not.

“If I tried to enter the civil service now, it would be unsatisfactory for the 9th grade, so why bother to enter the civil service? one? That’s stupid.”

“You’re right. If you were born as a boy and dreamed of entering the civil service, shouldn’t you start with the 6th grade? ”

“ha ha ha! ”

Looking at the Joseon system at the time, the number of people selected through the Daegwa was 33. Among them, the person who passed the Jangwon examination started as Jong 6th rank. The rest were divided into Gap-eul-byeong and their rank was determined according to their grades. Accordingly, the 23 people who passed the lowest military service exam started out as Jeong 9th rank. The lowest class 9th rank were those who entered through miscellaneous courses or reporting.

In other words, those who are making such a fuss now are aiming to pass the civil service exam. However, among those who are making such a fuss, only that much is actually the case. There were only a few people who had the skills. Most of them were children of wealthy families. What

was important to them was the sign that they were Sungkyunkwan Confucian students. With that alone, they could maintain the position of nobility for at least three generations and receive tax exemption benefits. Hojopanseo ,

who compiled a list of Sungkyunkwan students who volunteered to run for public office, immediately handed the list to the officials.

“How many people are there in total? ”

“143 people.”

“Hmm…”

The expressions of the officials became complicated at Judge Hojo’s answer.

“I think we made a good save…” “But I don’t know why I feel so uncomfortable.”

” I agree.”

The number of students attending Sungkyunkwan was 200. Among them, 143 applied, which was quite a large number. However, both the Hojopanseo who wrote the list and the political officials who checked the list were itching in the back of their heads.

In the end, the transfer of the Younguijeong was the result . “Anyway ,

these are the people who came forward within the designated date, so let’s report it to the chief minister.”

“That’s right.”

* * *

“Tsk!”

King Sejong’s first reaction after checking the list submitted by the officials was to click his tongue.

“143 people? I know that Sungkyunkwan’s capacity is 200, but you didn’t apply for the rest?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

Judge Hojo answered King Sejong’s question.

“The reason I’m staying at Sungkyunkwan is because I’m aiming to become a great scholar…”

King Sejong clicked his tongue before Judge Hojo could finish his sentence. As soon as he did that, Judge Hojo immediately bowed his head.

“I’m coming to you! ”

“Is there anything you can do that will make you angry?” I just don’t like the members of Sungkyunkwan, who are supposed to be the talented people who will be responsible for the government in the future. It’s because my field of vision is so narrow. Tsk! ”

When King Sejong clicked his tongue, Hwang Hee intervened. Whatever the matter, just as King Sejong said, the members of Sungkyunkwan were the future of the royal court.

“They still have very little experience…”

“What nonsense! The breadth and narrowness of your perspective is not a matter of experience, but a matter of qualifications! Is Gyeong-eun planning to fill the royal court with such people? ”

Hwang Hee had to bow down to King Sejong’s criticism.

“Here comes Hwang-gong! God forgive my mistakes! ”

“Why is Abama like that? Tsk! ”

“Here comes the Emperor! ”

Hwang Hee had to bow her head even more at Sejong’s words.

Sejong, who was glaring at Hwang Hee, asked Judge Hojo a question.

“Sungkyunkwan aside… what will we do in the future? ”

“First of all, Sungkyunkwan students will learn industry and commerce. The period is set to be about three months.”

“Three months… Since it is September, will the resale business start next year? ”

“That’s right. In the meantime, we will secure a stock of candy and build a building where the monopoly will be located.”

Sejong nodded to Judge Hojo’s answer.

“That’s appropriate. So how do we allocate personnel? ”

“First of all, we will place house doctors (3rd rank) in the 8th province, and Sain and Jangryeong (4th rank) will be placed on the heads of the wealth and major dohobu. Lastly, we will assign a lieutenant to the Dohobu and the military.”

“Hmm….”

King Sejong stroked his beard and assessed the explanation of the Hojopanseo.

“The rank is lower than that of provincial governors, including governors.”

” “We have taken into account the morale issues of local leaders.”

“I see…”

King Sejong nodded at Judge Hojo’s answer.

Starting with governors, they were placed as people of lower rank than local leaders, thus avoiding irritating the pride of local leaders. However, this did not mean that his rank was so low that local leaders looked down on him. And since it was an institution directly connected to the government, local leaders would not be able to treat it carelessly.

As a result, the Hanseong government had another means of inspecting local officials.

‘It will be difficult for local officials to sleep comfortably.’

However, Sejong continued to barrage questions to Judge Hojo.

“It’s a good method, but wouldn’t there be a shortage of people in that grade to send them that way?”

“That’s right. So, we will select officials with good performance evaluations and first give them a false grade. And that false grade will be 1. “After looking at the results of your work over the past year, we will decide whether to change you to a genuine position, promote you, or demote you.”

“If I were assigned to a sales office, would I have worked for at least one year?”

“Yes, I am. No matter how long I work, I do not plan to be assigned to one place for more than two years.”

Salt and candy were sold at the monopoly. As these were almost essential items in the people’s diet, it was certain that a great deal of wealth would be exchanged, and considering additional matters to come in the future, it was essential to prevent corruption by continuously rotating officials.

“So, will Sungkyunkwan’s students fill the vacancies left by those officials?”

“First of all, existing officials will be promoted to fill them. The method is the same as for officials who go to foreign monopoly offices. Sungkyunkwan’s students will “Based on your grades during the training period, you will be given a false grade and assigned work.”

“How many pieces do you plan to give to Sungkyunkwan students?”

“It starts from the 9th grade and goes up to the 6th grade.”

“It’s the 6th grade…”

King Sejong tried to estimate it again.

Previously, the point at which those who had passed the Daegwa Jangwon Examination began their official service was the Jong 6 rank. However, although it was a fake grade, it was a genuine 6th grade, one grade higher than that. It was planned to gradually increase the number of officials in the future, but even with that increase, the standards for the promotion process were also scheduled to become increasingly strict.

Sejong, who was predicting possibilities based on the personnel plan and future plans presented by Hojo, looked at the Hojo board.

“Everyone will work desperately.”

“That’s the purpose.”

After hearing Judge Hojo’s answer, King Sejong came to a conclusion.

“Good! Follow the plan of the Hojo magistrate!”

“I obey your orders!”

“Only! Even though it is a false grade, pay the green salary according to the grade! If the work is difficult, you should at least pay the green salary well.”

“I will keep this in mind!”

Hyang muttered with a bitter expression upon hearing this plan later. “Whether it’s the 21st century or Joseon, interns must be desperate.”

And those who decided to stay at Sungkyunkwan had to hit the ground running and regret it.

“Jeong 6th Rank! ”

* * *

Meanwhile, a large-scale influx of new students into Hojo caused an uproar. The reason for the uproar was the ‘myeonsinrye (免新禮)’.

A large number of new students came from Sungkyunkwan and the existing As officials were being promoted, their superiors did not sit still. It was

basic to prepare and serve grandiose drinks, but when all kinds of strange things happened, the Saheonbu filed an appeal.

“Such indecency!” ”

Upon hearing the appeal, King Sejong burst into anger.

The horrors of Myeonsinrye have been famous since ancient times, and the kings of Joseon have tried to eliminate this evil practice for generations.

Sejong himself had punished officials who had practiced Myeonsinrye in the year before, in Gyemyo (1423). There was an enemy:

“It was just last year that the governor issued an order banning the wedding ceremony! Have you seen these cheeky writers? Hopan! What on earth did Kyung do? ”

In response to King Sejong’s shouting, the governor of Hojo crashed to the ground.

“Please kill me! ”

“What did the monks do! ”

The monks had to cling to the ground due to King Sejong’s criticism.

“Please kill me! ”

“What did those rude people who practiced Myeonsinrye do? ”

“First of all, stay at home…”

“Merchant! Call Uigeumbu Jinmu immediately! ”

“Yes, Your Highness! ”

By King Sejong, who was enraged, all the officials who had performed the Myeonsinrye were imprisoned in Uigeumbu Prison.

After receiving the report, King Sejong gritted his teeth and glared at the ministers.

“It is a law that the orders given by the king must be kept no matter what happens… The officials were like Gwain. “Does this look ridiculous?”

“Please kill me!”

“If the officials didn’t look at me with contempt, then why did this happen?”

“Please kill me!”

The ministers had to cry to the ground, following the officials and the Hojo magistrate. . King Sejong’s anger flowed over the heads of those ministers.

“The only thing the officers know to say is to ask for death? Surely they will do so!”

“Hwang-gong!”

After a while, Uigeumbu Jinmu, who had been called, entered the side. King Sejong immediately gave orders to Uigeumbu Jinmu.

“Immediately arrest and imprison the officials of Hojo, who are on probation at home!”

“I obey your order!”

According to the order of the enraged King Sejong, 23 officials were imprisoned in Uigeumbu. After receiving the report, Sejong gritted his teeth and muttered.

“How should I punish these damned servants…”

Hyang, who heard the rumor and rushed to the side, smiled bitterly at the sight of King Sejong. It was because memories of the 21st century came to mind.

The welcoming party for new students that took place after entering college in the 21st century was a memory that Hyang absolutely wanted to forget.

The villains named Seonbae would feed him ‘sabalju’ mixed with all sorts of bizarre filth, or drink him until he felt like he was almost dead.

‘This damned evil habit…’

Hyang, who was smiling bitterly as he recalled the nightmare of the 21st century, spoke to Sejong.

“Abama. I guess Hojo’s officials have enough time to pay a courtesy visit.”

Sejong’s expression turned evil at Hyang’s words.

“I see. But did you ask to increase the number of people because there are not enough people?”

Judge Hojo shouted with a white face at Sejong’s words.

“Absolutely not! We really don’t have enough people!”

“We have enough time to

hold a courtesy call?” “It’s something that a small number of officials did by forgetting their duties!”

Judge Hojo desperately made an excuse. Hyang said to King Sejong while looking at the Hojo report.

“Abamama. Listening to what Captain Hopan said, it seems that the ungodly people who disobeyed Abamama’s orders this time are quite capable.”

“Huh? Why?

” “Not only the Chief Judge, but also other officials have a lot of work to do, so they are crying out for more people. In such a situation, doesn’t the fact that they performed Myeonsinrye mean that they had time left after handling all their affairs? ”

“aha! I see! If you look at it that way, they were quite talented people! ”

“That’s right.”

Listening to the conversation between Hyang and King Sejong, an unknown sense of anxiety gradually began to creep into the ministers.

As the ministers were trembling with anxiety, Hyang came up with a way to take advantage of them.

“While administering the last cowpox vaccination . The compilation of the surveyed family register data and a copy of the land register has not yet been completed. Those who are currently in prison are competent enough to finish their work and still have time to hold a civil ceremony, so why not leave this work to them? ”

“Is that right! ”

King Sejong hit his knee at Hyang’s words.

“What a clear sight! Hopan! How long did you say it would take to compile the family register data and a copy of the land register? ”

“There are five more years left….”

“Put those who participated in this into action immediately! The period is 1 year! If you don’t finish it within that time, you will be immediately exiled! The length of their exile will be proportional to the amount they have not completed! If you have 10% left, you will be exiled for 1 year. If you have 50% left, you will be exiled for 5 years! Do you understand what I mean? ”

“Yes yes! “

At Sejong’s words, Judge Hojo responded with cold sweat. Looking at the Judge Hojo, Sejong continued,

“Please deduct 80% of their salary and pay them while the work is being done. There is no need for Gasol to suffer. Do you understand what I mean? ”

“I completely understand! ”

“Then do it now! ”

“yep! “I obey your orders!”

In this way, a saying began to circulate among officials during the Joseon Dynasty that ‘document organizing is scarier than execution and exile.’