Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 69

Episode 69 People (2)

Five days after the end of the small and medium-sized examination, there was an announcement of the candidates who passed the exam. Near Gwanghwamun, past test takers gathered and waited for the results to come out.

“Have you got the list yet?”

“Get that head off!”

Amidst a slight commotion among the nervous test takers, the side door of Gwanghwamun opened and officials and courtiers came out.

When the officials came out of Gwanghwamun, the noise of the test takers subsided. The test takers only swallowed their saliva and rolled their eyes.

The official plastered the large bulletin board on one side of the wall next to Gwanghwamun and put up a poster.

“This is a list of those who passed the state examination!”

When the list of candidates who passed the exam was posted, test takers hurriedly ran to the bulletin board to check if their names were there.

“there is!”

“I have one too!”

“ha ha ha! “I’m passing the exam!”

There were people who cheered after seeing their names, but there were also people who expressed their anger at failing.

“You fell again!”

“What should I tell my parents…”

The courtiers appeared again and set up a small podium in front of the happy, angry, and sad people.

When the podium was created, an official wearing a dark blue uniform climbed up on the podium, held an object that looked like a funnel to his mouth, and shouted.

“Lee Soon-ji! There is this soonji! Sunji Lee from Yangseong, Gyeonggi-do (now Anseong, Gyeonggi-do)!”

At the official’s shout, one of the test takers, a young man who must have just turned twenty, ran forward.

“That’s me!”

“Are you Sunji Lee? From Yangyang, Gyeonggi-do?”

“you’re right.”

“What year were you born?”

“Eulyunyeon is coming.”

In response to Lee Sun-ji’s response, the official checked the records.

“Lee Soon-ji… Yang Yang… Eul Yu-nyeon… That’s right. “Stand next to me.”

“yes? yes.”

The official who placed Lee Sun-ji next to him called nine more people.

“Let’s see… one, two, three, you… ten… they’re all correct. “You guys follow me.”

“yes? yes.”

Surrounded by such doubts, Lee Sun-ji and the nine other people who passed the state exam followed the official and entered Gyeongbokgung Palace.

“What are those people? Look. Execution place. “Do you know anything?”

“I don’t know either.”

While the candidates were buzzing, an official wearing a blue uniform came up to the podium.

“quiet! quiet! “Quiet!”

At the official’s shout, the gathered test takers became quiet.

The official put an object similar to a courtesy funnel to his mouth and shouted.

“Those who passed the exam, please move to the right and go through the verification process! And for those who failed, try for the next opportunity!”

According to the official’s order, the candidates divided into two groups and moved. Those who passed the exam moved to a location on the right side of Gwanghwamun and began the verification process, while those who failed turned around in frustration.

* * *

Meanwhile, in the episode, the conversation between King Sejong and the ministers continued on the topic of this small treaty.

“How many people have passed the exam in this department?”

“A total of 185 people are coming.”

“185 people? Rather, the number of people passing the exam has decreased?”

Hwang Hee answered King Sejong’s question.

“Those who passed the test on the scriptures but failed the arithmetic test were all failed.”

“What are the criteria for incompetence in arithmetic?”

“These are the people who scored 20 points below the average.”

“Hmm… Isn’t it a bit of a waste since they are talented people who passed the civil service examination?”

In response to King Sejong’s question, Hwang Hee explained the reason.

“That is true, but it takes too much time and money to educate students from the basics of industry and academia and then put them into work.”

“is it? Okay. “These are talented people who have been carefully selected for national administration, so we must utilize them as best as possible.”

The ministers all bowed their heads at King Sejong’s request.

“I follow your orders!”

“Aside from the selection process, what will we do with those who have completed their training? “What is your rank?”

“Like the last Sungkyunkwan Confucian students, we plan to divide students into grades based on their grades in industry-academia classes and distribute them appropriately to group 6 after a three-month probationary period.”

“It’s okay. But what will we do if there are people who claim to go to Sungkyunkwan?”

“Even if you pass through Sungkyunkwan and Daegwa, unless you are a Jangwon, you start at the 9th grade. “If they have an idea, they will realize that it is much more advantageous than being at Sungkyunkwan.”

“Right.”

Sejong nodded at Hwang Hee’s answer.

Looking at Sejong’s reaction, Hwang Hee continued her explanation.

“In addition, Sungkyunkwan plans to expel all of its students at this time because its future work will change.”

Sejong burst into laughter at Hwang Hee’s words.

“Heh! “If you try to take it easy, you’ll end up like a dog chasing a chicken.”

* * *

Similar stories also emerged when explaining the situation to test takers.

“… So, you will be put to work after completing the course.”

As soon as the official’s explanation was over, one of the test takers raised his hand.

“Sosaeng is aiming for Daegwa! “Isn’t it possible to enter Sungkyunkwan?”

The official who was asked the question gave a short answer.

“No. Sungkyunkwan’s work has changed starting this year. Sungkyunkwan will only conduct ceremonies for the Temple of Literature and educate candidates who will be appointed as high-ranking officials. Oh, and speaking of which… the qualifications for taking the major exam will also change. To put it simply, if you want to become a party official, you have to become an official.”

The official gave a simple explanation, but the reality was not simple at all.

In order to become a high-ranking government official or higher, one had to take another appointment examination. And in order to take the appointment exam, you had to prove your ability at work.

However, the reason why the official did not explain this in detail was simple.

‘The one with the yellow buds should be pulled out in the first place!’

Those in front of him now and those who would continue to come in the future were his subordinates and potential competitors. Even when competing, in order to be comfortable right now, I had to pick guys I could beat.

After the official’s explanation was over, the person who had taken the civil service exam raised his hand again.

“Can’t I just go back to school, study, and then take the university entrance exam?”

At those words, the official who was explaining the story screamed.

“You stupid bastard! Did you hear or eat what I explained so far? What did I say? Didn’t you say that Daegwa’s personality has changed? What kind of explanation did you get and now you’re talking nonsense! “You’re expelled!”

“If you’re expelled….”

“It’s called a failure! “You stupid bastard!”

The person who had passed the exam in question screamed at the official’s words.

“But this guy! “Know who I am!”

“Who are you?”

“The person who served as the former Minister of Confucius is my great-uncle, and the person who currently serves as the second lieutenant of the royal family is my cousin!”

The official snorted at his words.

“joy! “In the end, you are nothing and nothing.”

“what!”

The person who was suddenly treated as trash got angry, but the official gave an order to the official next to him.

“Please go to Saheonbu and bring the Song family. “If you ask who sent it, you will know that it was General Kang of the Joseon Dynasty who sent it.”

At General Kang’s words, the official who was present nodded and stood up. The official got up from his seat, glared at the person who had passed the exam, and went outside.

Meanwhile, the test taker who was boasting about his backside turned pale as soon as the word ‘Saheonbu’ came out.

Seeing the person who had passed the state exam like that, General Kang raised his voice.

“Where is this thing showing off its behind! You bastard! Do you think I can expel you at will? It’s all a joke! okay? My successor is His Majesty the Lord! “Where is this rotten guy showing off his behind!”

In the end, the test taker who caused the uproar was expelled and failed.

“Forgive me just once!”

The person who had passed the exam and was expelled asked for forgiveness as he was dragged away, but the officials remained steadfast. After a brief commotion, General Kang warned the frozen test takers.

“Even during the industrial-academia training and training period, if you have behavioral problems, are unable to keep up with your tasks, or cause trouble, you will be expelled immediately. Don’t forget this. Do you understand?”

“ancient!”

Those who passed the exam answered loudly.

Meanwhile, the Saheonbu immediately wrote an appeal and submitted it to King Sejong. King Sejong, who received the appeal, immediately ordered punishment.

“The reason that a person who had just passed the national entrance exam was so arrogant was because I firmly believed in what he said. “When Gwain reads the appeal, he is reminded of what happened with Ryu Jeong-hyeon in the past and feels truly devastated.”

“Here comes the Emperor!”

At King Sejong’s words, all the ministers bowed their heads. King Sejong’s words continued over the heads of those ministers.

“If you commit evil against a government official, I think you will know without even looking at the evil that those behind him have committed. The Yeonguijeong orders the Uigeumbu to investigate the relatives mentioned by this person and determine the crime committed.”

“I follow your orders!”

According to the Uigeumbu’s investigation, the person who had previously served as a member of the Ministry of Public Works had all his public records collected, and the person who had worked in the Ministry of Public Works was demoted to volunteer status and then sentenced to ‘document purification.’

* * *

While this was happening outside, Sunji Lee and his party were also in confusion.

“Where are the students going now?”

After passing through the gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace and continuing toward the deeper part of the palace, Yi Sun-ji asked a question to the official walking ahead in a voice full of fear. The official who was walking ahead of Lee Sun-ji’s question gave a short answer.

“It’s Donggungjeon.”

“Hi!”

As soon as they heard the word ‘East Palace,’ Lee Sun-ji and the other people who passed the state exam were shocked. They were heading to the place where the next heir to the throne was.

The official who was ahead of him smiled as he saw Lee Sun-ji and his group tense up.

“Relax. “If anyone sees you, they’ll think you’re entering a hogul.”

“yes! yes!”

Looking at the faces of Lee Sun-ji and his companions who were still unable to relax, the official turned his back and muttered softly.

“Would it be better to be a hogul?”

* * *

“Come on. Welcome. “He says he is Jeong Cho, who holds the position of deputy director of the research institute.”

It was Jeongcho who welcomed Lee Soon-ji and his party. First of all, Jeongcho delivered an apology.

“Originally, His Majesty the Crown Prince would have welcomed you, but now that Area 51 is busy, he has decided to welcome you. “I’m sorry.”

“Oh no.”

As Jeong Cho bowed his head, Lee Sun-ji and his party urgently bowed their heads.

“Now, please sit down first.”

When Jeong Cho offered them a seat, Lee Soon-ji and his party sat down on the chairs.

Jeong Cho smiled bitterly as he looked at the faces of Lee Soon-ji and his companions, who were sitting on chairs in a frozen position and looking only at him.

‘When I think about the hardships these friends have gone through, I feel sorry for them all.’

“Hmm. greatness!”

After clearing his expression with a light cough, Jeong Cho got to the point.

“I will tell you what you will do next. First of all, is there anyone who knows Cheonchuksu?”

In response to Jeongcho’s question, Lee Sun-ji quickly raised her hand.

“Hoo? “I understand that Cheonchuksu hasn’t spread much yet. How did you know?”

“I saw it used by a shopkeeper who often visits my home.”

“is it? As for the others… you’re on your own. “Then… what is your name?”

“My name is Sunji Lee, who came from Yangseong.”

“Yes, this member will learn Cheonchuksu with other members as a way of reviewing.”

“All right.”

“Once Cheonchuksu’s studies are over, you will learn industry and academia. And…”

Jeongcho told us what we need to learn and do in the future. After completing the explanation, Jeongcho concluded as follows.

“First, you will be given a month and a half to go back to your hometown and inform them that you passed the exam, take care of your household, and return to Hanseong. I hope to see you then. “The Crown Prince has high expectations, and I also have high expectations from you all.”

“I will do my best!”

* * *

After a month and 15 days, Sunji Lee and the other students all went to work at the research institute.

“nice to meet you!”

The scent warmly welcomed the new employees. This was because while the existing people had been attracted through evaluations around the complex, the 10 people in front of them had been secured through direct evaluations.

“I believe you will achieve great things!”

All the new researchers responded with loud voices to Hyang’s words, which were full of expectation and trust.

“I will give you my name!”

And it took less than fifteen days for the shouts to turn into cries.

“I’m dying…”

“Brother Song, did you work overtime yesterday too?”

“I haven’t been able to go home for five days already. “I’m worried that I’ll end up being naive like this.”

During a short break, new researchers gathered in the break room massaged their necks and shoulders and complained about the hardships of their work.

“At least the green bonus is good….”

“It is said that those assigned to Group 6 are still dying because they are doing on-the-job training. “They say they are dying because they are evaluated every day.”

“This is it… Are we the lucky ones or are they the lucky ones?…” Lee

Soon-ji was passing in front of the people who were talking about other people who had passed the state exam and were suffering endlessly as probationary officials after receiving a temporary rank.

Lee Soon-ji’s face was full of vitality as she walked with books in her arms.

All the new researchers who saw this complained.

“This student has met his true calling.”

“That’s right.”