Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 68
Episode 68: People (1)
7th year of King Sejong’s reign (1425, Eulsa Year). The past was carried out. Since it was not a year ending in 好 卵 午. 酉, it was a separate poem targeting only civil affairs and military affairs.
Unlike the original history, this past was different in many ways, and the reason was simple.
“There are not enough officials! (There are not enough people to run!)” As
new positions and systems were created for both the professional and non-professional classes, a large amount of manpower was needed.
Accordingly, King Sejong issued an order to the observers who would conduct the first poem.
-In the case of the first civil service examination, Jinsa-gwa shall not be administered and only Saengwon-gwa shall be administered.
-For the number of successful applicants, add 50% to the combined number of successful applicants from the existing Jinsasi and Saengwonsi exams.
“Huh?”
The observers tilted their heads as they received the teaching paper containing the name, but according to the name, they took a saengwonsi test and selected the successful candidates. As soon as the selection was completed, a record containing the personal information of those who passed the initial exam was sent to the capital.
“Soja passed the state exam!”
“Oh! This is the honor of the family! We should have a party!”
As the number of successful applicants increased compared to before, parties were held in many towns across the country to celebrate the passing of the state exam. There are a total of 162 local administrative agencies in Joseon, including at the county level. Previously, the number of successful candidates produced through local examinations was 140. As a result, on average, about 50 towns failed to produce successful applicants.
However, this time, 220 people passed the exam. As a result, there were only 11 towns in all 8 provinces of Joseon that did not have successful applicants. The balm houses in that town were turned upside down.
‘What on earth did you do with your children’s education? “
“Shame, shame, shame, where in the world is there such a shame!”
*
…
_ .
Those who had no relatives in Hanseong requested lodging in houses that seemed decent or unpacked at temporary lodging establishments created by their superiors.
Meanwhile, those who had wealthy relatives in Hanseong found lodgings with their relatives.
“Uncle, not yet. Didn’t you withdraw? ”
“You’re late every day these days.”
“I see.”
In a neat hanok in Bukchon, a representative noble residence north of Jonggak, a young man from the provinces was having a conversation with an older woman. They had thoughts about the past and various personal matters. As the conversation continued, the slave said to his wife,
“Your Majesty has withdrawn! ”
“I understand.”
Hearing that the landlord had moved out, the wife and the young man quickly got up from their seats.
That day, the landlord and the young man met over a drink in Sarangjae’s main hall and continued their conversation.
“Okay. Are you confident about your double vision? ”
“I plan to do my best.”
“I guess that’s the truth. So, did you have a grand wedding? ”
“yes.”
“What about your children?”
“I have two sons and a daughter.”
In response to the young man’s answer, the landlord muttered softly.
“Luckily, the line won’t be cut off. I don’t know who it is, but I can operate comfortably…”
“Yes? I’m sorry, but I couldn’t hear you properly….”
“Ah! Talk to yourself, talk to yourself! ”
The landlord waved his hand and changed the topic.
“As you know, the number of successful applicants has increased in this initial exam. The number of people who pass double vision exams will increase significantly.”
“Is that so? ”
The landlord, seeing the young man’s face relax, warned him,
“This is not something you should like. Now, it’s not the passing of the box exam that’s the problem, but what happens after that.”
“Ah…”
“If I were to give you my last piece of advice, you’d probably feel like filing for resignation twelve times a day. You have to endure that. You will be able to achieve success.”
“I am prepared for Myeonsinrye.”
The landlord burst out laughing at the young man’s answer.
“Put! Myeonsinrye? Is there a great squire who would do it? As soon as he does it, he will live and experience hell… What! Even if I tell you, you won’t know, so you will know when you experience it.”
“Yes? Yes….”
Thinking that the conversation was roughly over, the landlord got up and left.
“Your seat will be ready. First, relax and clear your mind. And good luck.”
“Thank you!”
* * *
Three days later, double vision began to develop. After passing Geunjeongmun, a seat was spread out in the wide space in front of Geunjeongjeon, and I was seated. Candidates who went through the verification process came in one by one and took their seats.
“Your Majesty, please come!” ”
All the candidates sitting in their seats got up from their seats and bowed their heads.
Soon, King Sejong and the ministers of the Hyang came in and took their seats, and the candidates bowed deeply to King Sejong. When King Sejong responded in return and stepped forward, the waiting eunuchs used the loudspeakers that the Hyang had made in the past. was brought and installed.
Standing in front of the loudspeaker, King Sejong gave words of encouragement to the candidates:
“… Therefore, what our Joseon Dynasty needs most in order to expand its grandeur is talented people. Gwain earnestly hopes that you will become such talented people.”
“I will do my best!”
After Sejong’s encouraging speech, a warning against cheating followed. Lastly, guidance on the application process followed.
“… Therefore, candidates will be tested twice. The first will be on the scriptures and the second will be on arithmetic.”
“Arithmetic?”
“Why arithmetic?”
As unexpected subjects were added, test takers tilted their heads and muttered.
“Quiet! All of this is done by gathering the opinions of His Majesty the Prime Minister and the ministers in order to select talented people, so don’t doubt it! If you can’t get rid of your doubts, leave the exam hall right away!”
The murmurs quickly died down at the examiner’s words.
“Then the test begins!”
So, after the first test testing the understanding of the Four Books and Pentateuch, the second test, a test on arithmetic, was conducted.
The second test was unusual from the beginning, as government officials distributed test sheets with printed questions to each test taker.
“Don’t forget to write your name and name at the top! Then let’s get started! “
* * *
After the exam, the candidates left the department hall one by one. And from then on, a war broke out among the subjects.
“Let’s see…. ”
“huh? Can this be interpreted like this? ”
While the officials in charge of grading the first test, which measures the ability to understand the Four Books and Five Classics, were in a somewhat relaxed mood, the atmosphere in the one grading the arithmetic ability was a tense atmosphere.
There, officials from the 6th Department of the Imperial Court and officials from the research institute gathered and engaged in a bloody battle. We got into a fight and graded the test paper.
“Let’s see what the score is…”
“Hey! Why are you taking that test paper away? You’re already stealing
it!” “Protect your uniform! Your uniform!”
If there is a knife in your hand, It was a bloody atmosphere where if you had been there, you would have been dead for four days already.
* * *
The work started with an exchange of opinions about the upcoming special poem.
“I have a request for you, Abama Ma.”
“Cheong?”
As soon as Hyang uttered the word ‘cheong,’ the officials and ministers became very nervous.
“Tell me.”
“Yes, Abama. Please increase the number of exam subjects for this round of small and medium-sized double vision exams.”
In response to Hyang’s request, King Sejong stroked his beard and expressed his doubts.
“Please increase the exam subjects? What subjects do you want to take? ”
“Here comes arithmetic.”
“Arithmetic? ”
“Yes, there are not enough officials at the research institute. That’s why I want to hire those who are good at arithmetic among the Sogwa double vision candidates.”
“Why Sogwana? ”
“This is because those who are staring at the Daegwa are talented people who have been passed over once, so they are the talents that Abama needs even more.”
“Hmm…”
Sejong stroked his beard and was lost in thought at Hyang’s words. Sejong’s expression was silently contemplating. There was a positive feeling in the air.
“Your Highness! Hojo also needs people who are good at arithmetic! ”
Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Judge Hojo came forward and requested additional manpower. Sejong expressed doubts about Judge Hojo’s request.
“Didn’t Hojo add staff some time ago? ”
“majesty! With that number of people, we can barely pee on frozen feet! Not only is there not enough staff to spread out across the country, but it is also not enough to even conduct a local survey on price trends! ”
“Is that so? Hmm….”
“Your Highness! We also need cooperation! ”
“The same goes for Byeongjo! ”
“Hyeongjo also needs personnel…”
“Ijo too…”
Judge Hojo’s petition broke the dam. The moment Yejo was about to open his mouth, Hwang Hee intervened.
“Why on earth do you need so many people? ? ”
“In the case of air conditioning, officials work all night long just to organize the status of new construction and repairs of embankments and beam bridges across the country! In order to conduct research on the ‘Comprehensive National Development Plan’, people who are good at arithmetic are needed! ”
“The same goes for Byeongjo! In order to organize each branch’s weapons and military records, people who are good at writing and arithmetic are needed! ”
“The same goes for Hyeongjo! We need people who are good at arithmetic to investigate and organize the number and types of crimes occurring throughout Joseon! ”
The judges of each group desperately argued why additional manpower was needed.
“This is it… everyone has a point…”
King Sejong, who was muttering with an embarrassed expression, looked back at the officials.
” Is there such a shortage of people in our Joseon Dynasty? ”
In response to King Sejong’s question, Hwang Hee answered the reason.
“It is not that we are short of people, but that we are short of budget.”
In response to Hwang Hee’s answer, King Sejong swore without realizing it.
“Damn you…”
Meanwhile, the board They were arguing fiercely with each other.
“Hojo has already not been fully staffed! That person must have a conscience! ”
“There are already a lot of people for Byeongjo and Hyeongjo, so why are you saying there aren’t enough people! ”
“What do you do when there are a lot of people! Among them, the majority are illiterate! People who only know how to cut a knife think they know how to do paperwork! Come to think of it, why does Yejo need people? Why do you do arithmetic in etiquette? ”
The judges of Group 6 started a war of words, using harsh words with each other.
“The vice-chancellor’s parents are like the vice-chancellor….”
“Go! ”
As the war of words went too far and eventually reached the point of personal slander inquiring about the other person’s parents’ well-being, King Sejong ended the argument by shouting.
Seeing the ministers who quickly became quiet, King Sejong clicked his tongue.
“Tsk! Well done~. “You guys are really good~.”
“Your Majesty!”
At King Sejong’s words, all the ministers bowed down and bowed their heads. Sejong, who was watching this, glared at Hyang.
“Anyway, you son of a bitch…”
Hyang, who suddenly got hit by a stray bullet, had to bow his head like the other ministers.
“Here comes the Emperor!”
“That’s it! How many people do you need?”
“At least twenty…”
“Can’t we recruit through reporting?”
“Because there are different levels of talent…”
Hyang’s answer Sejong clicked his tongue.
“It was because I understood the saying, ‘There is a difference in the level.’ Because it meant that if you can at least pass the exam, you are smart to some extent.” “
Anyway, it is a clear fact that there is a shortage of people. However, there is a budget problem…”
King Sejong, who was sorting out the situation, asked the ministers,
“How long did the National Resources Agency say we would have to wait to mine gold and silver from the gold and silver mines discovered? ”
“They say it should last at least half a year. However, it will take at most a year to get the right result after refining.”
“Hmm….”
After hearing the answer, Sejong began to calculate in his mind.
‘If it’s the taxes collected from the superiors… and the letters coming from the monopoly… Hmm…’
Sejong, who had been adding and subtracting for a while, came to a conclusion.
“Seja, did you say you need 20?”
“Yes, Abama. It needs to be at least 20…”
“Reduce it to ten.”
“…I follow your orders.”
Sejong began to adjust personnel, starting with the fragrance.
“We will increase the number of successful applicants for this small group. And, as requested by the Crown Prince, we will also take an arithmetic test. The Lords will coordinate the necessary people for each group and report to the Lord. The Lord has just reduced the Crown Prince’s request by half. The Lords will also do their own thing. “I hope to achieve reconciliation through concessions rather than just thinking about satisfying my greed.”
“I obey your orders! “
* * *
And the result was the bloody battle of wits that is taking place now.
“The selection process is over.”
“Let’s see. It’s sorted by grade, right? ”
“That’s right.”
In response to the judge’s answer, Zheng Chu wordlessly selected ten cards from the top and stood up. At that very moment, Hojo Champan grabbed his sleeve.
“Wait a minute! ”
“Why are you doing that? ”
“The captain has no intention of meeting anyone! What are we going to do if we take only the smartest guys with us? This guy… the captain has no conscience! ”
“The lab needs someone who is good at arithmetic.”
“That’s the same for all of us! ”
“That’s right! Now that I’ve seen Captain Jeong, I see that he’s a really horrible person! ”
The examination hall was instantly filled with voices criticizing Jeong Cho. But Jeong Cho did not back down.
“It is an order from the crown prince.”
Jeong Cho named the crown prince, but other officials did not back down either. The representative was Hojo Champan. “
You have forgotten His Majesty the Lord’s orders! He told me not to satisfy my own greed! Where are you doing something blasphemous? ”
“Move! ”
“Give up your greed.”
“Tsk! ”
Zheng Chu clicked his tongue. All of the people gathered here were of the true judge rank. Neither their experience nor their age were people that Zheng Chu could freely push around.
In the end, Zheng Chu proposed the next best solution.
“I will take five from the five average points above. Shouldn’t I also follow His Majesty’s orders? ”
The panelists, who were grumbling at the beginning of the new year, came up with a compromise.
“Four from the top. Shouldn’t we take one out of the top ten? ”
Jeong Cho, who had been pondering the compromise plan of the Hojo panel for a while, nodded.
“Let’s do it.”
* * *
Jeong Cho, who came out, sighed.
“Whew~. What you said was correct.”
Before coming here, the village summoned Jeong Cho and came up with a plan.
“It would be nice to recruit all 10 people with the best grades, but that would be impossible.”
“That’s right.”
“So, I thought about it…”
The plan that the government came up with was to ‘just stick to it at the beginning.’ Of course, there would be a backlash, and from then on, the plan was to secure as many talents as possible while making concessions by reducing the price little by little. )’.