Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 11 — Sprout…. Sprout of Cancer? (4)

Starting from the word—chain letter—that he had heard somewhere, Hyang diligently explained to King Sejong about the usefulness of Arabic numerals.

King Sejong listened to Hyang’s presentation with a serious face before stroking his beard and falling into deep thoughts.

After continuing his thoughts in silence, King Sejong finally drew his conclusion.

“I think this is a good opinion, but I don’t think it is right for me to conclude this alone. When the morning meeting starts tomorrow, come again and explain about this.” 

“Yes, Father.”

Hyang politely left King Sejong after he finished his business.

King Sejong, who was quietly watching Hyang walking back, suddenly opened his mouth.

“Hyang.”

“I’m really proud of your intelligence. But, you’re still young. For now, focus on your physical and mental growth rather than on the national affairs.”

“Yes, Father.”

Hyang’s face reddened at King Sejong’s praise. Then he lowered his head. King Sejong smiled while looking at Hyang’s back, who left with a happy feeling. 

“Now he looks like a kid his age.” 

King Sejong was looking at the documents without erasing his fatherly smile before suddenly clicking his tongue. 

“Tsk! I forgot to ask him about this.”

* * *

The next day, when the morning meeting started, King Sejong summoned Hyang like he had promised. Hyang, who joined the morning meeting, explained the Arabic numerals to the high-ranking officials.

“…. Therefore, I think it is much more useful to express numbers using these Hindu numbers, which are called by west people ‘Arabic numerals’.”

After finishing his explanation, Hyang bowed politely to King Sejong then stepped back to sit down aside.

When Hyang’s presentation ended, King Sejong asked the high-ranking officials.

“What do you think of the Crown Prince’s proposal?”

The first one to answer King Sejong’s question was the Minister of Taxation, Kim Jeom. 

“I think it is quite useful for expressing numbers.”

“I, Minister of Personnel, Heo Ji also think that this is quite useful.”

The Minister of Taxation who worked the most with numbers agreed, and the Minister of Personnel who worked the most with numbers next also agreed. 

As the ministers from the two departments most closely related with numbers agreed in favor, King Sejong concluded. 

“Then, with the two departments as the center, try to use these numbers for a month. If the results are good, it should be implemented nationwide.”

“We accept your order!”

When the agenda about numbers was decided, King Sejong moved to the next agenda.

“I think I had to hear this one with the Crown Prince to decide. Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Father.”

“The Emperor of Ming sent a Royal letter.”

Hyang let out a blank expression at the unexpected words.

“Pardon?”

King Sejong explained the full stories of the incident after looking at the Crown Prince’s face. 

[King Sejong, who was very delighted with the golden brush made by the Crown Prince, ordered the arsenal bureau to make a golden brush to be presented to the Emperor. The golden nib was inlaid with silver and in the shaft, two dragons were lacquered with yellow dye. Emperor Yongle, who received such a splendid golden brush, expressed his satisfaction.]

Emperor Yongle really liked the golden brush that he sent a royal letter through Joseon’s envoys, who were sent to congratulate the Emperor’s birthday.

[Tribute 10,000 pieces of the golden brush.

Because I know that Joseon’s products are scarce, tribute a thousand pieces of the same quality that had been presented and nine thousand pieces with a slightly lower quality.]

King Sejong and the retainers agonized over the official letter from Emperor Yongle.

There were four grades of the golden brush that were sold with the court's approval. The special grade was for the royal family, and it was a high-end product with pure gold that was inlaid with silver, and the next grades 1 to 3 were made of gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.

Emperor Yongle said it was okay even if the grade was lower, but he would only be satisfied if it was at least grade 1. 

* * *

“If it’s 10,000 pieces, the budget….”

The Minister of Taxation, Kim Jeom, held his twitching head while muttering at the unexpected request of Ming. 

“The reason the Crown Prince made such a precious item…. I mean, why did His Majesty the King present that? There is a limit to bragging about your child ….”

“My Lord!”

“Gasp!”

When the Vice-minister beside him warned, Kim Jeom hurriedly closed his mouth and took a look at his surroundings. Fortunately, he was in the Ministry of Taxation’s office and there was only the vice-minister around. 

“Huff~.”

Kim Jeom let out a breath of relief, then warned the Vice Minister.

“Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

* * *

Hyang lost in thought after hearing about such a situation. He calculated over various things while slowly nodding his head alone before looking at King Sejong. 

“Dear Father, why don’t you run a business?”

“A business?”

“Business! Why such a thing!”

“Inspector General, be quiet. Crown Prince, you can continue.”

As soon as Hyang let out the word ‘business’, Inspector General of Saheonbu(1), Seong Eom, quickly tried to oppose it. However, his attempt was blocked by King Sejong. Hyang then continued his speech on King Sejong’s order.

“If Ming sent a letter and ordered us to include the golden brush in the tributary, it means the golden brush is quite liked in Ming. Let’s think about the grand territory of Ming and their population. No, just look at the numbers of people related to literature, how many times is it compared to Joseon? If we contact the guild in charge of manufacturing the golden brush, we will be able to make more in addition to the amount asked.”

King Sejong and high-ranking officials tried to calculate inside their heads at Hyang’s question. Then they quickly made a conclusion. 

‘We can make a profit!’

Hyang saw the response from King Sejong and the officials, then continued his explanation.

“Then, we will order the merchants to accompany the envoys to Ming. They will go officially, not in secrecy like what a few of them did until now.”

• Merchants accompanying the envoys pay two seok (about 320 kg) of polished rice per person. The court guarantees their accommodation and safety until they arrive in Beijing.
• The court supports the commercial activities of merchants by renting a building near the Hoedonggwan, a residence dedicated to the envoys of Joseon in Beijing.
• Merchants pay 20 percent of their profits from the sale to the court. However, they should pay 40 percent of their profits from expensive goods such as ginseng.
• If the officials belonging to the envoys and their attendances have something to sell, they entrust it to the merchants. The profits gained are also paid to the court at the same rate as merchants.
• The Ministry of Taxation accurately records the list of items and quantities of goods that will be sold by merchants and envoys before their departure. In addition, officials from the Ministry of Taxation are accompanying the envoys to accurately record the sales status.

“… I think it would be good to do it like this.”

“Hmm….”

Hyang’s explanation ended, and then King Sejong and the retainers reviewed it. While they were examining the pros and cons of the plan that Hyang had said, Seong Eom suddenly talked.

“I, Inspector General, think that we should not run the plan made by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Why do you think so?”

“The Crown Prince’s plan will surely bring us great fortune. However, as what already happened in the past, if we gain a lot of fortune, not only the royal family but also the people will drown in luxury, and this will lead to tyranny where people will be imbued with heavy taxes.”

“I, Chief Censor, agree with the Inspector General’s opinion. Both the monarch and the people should be poor but honest and content with the poverty(2) while they accumulate virtue and spread a beautiful fragrance to the world so that the other countries admire them. I think this is the true meaning of political virtue.(3)”

“I, Minister of Rites, agree with the previous two opinions. How could the lowly merchants participate in the trip to meet the Emperor of a great nation? This is something that defiles Joseon’s dignity. I know that Your Royal Highness is smart, but it seems like you don’t really understand national affairs and diplomacy. It is better for you to work harder in your study and learn about national affairs and diplomacy from a king’s viewpoint.” 

In short, it was ‘what does a young kid know about national affairs and diplomacy that he dares to intervene?’. Hyang's eyebrow raised at the remarks of the Inspector General, Chief Censor, and Minister of Rites.

“Huff~.”

Hyang breathed out while soothing down his anger, then looked at King Sejong.

“Dear Father, can you let this son answer that?”

“You can.”

King Sejong’s voice didn’t sound good as if he was also offended. With King Sejong’s permission, Hyang began to refute.

“I ask the Inspector General. Did you say that if we gain fortune, the royal family will drown in luxury and this will lead to tyranny?”

“That’s right. If we look at what had happened in the past….”

“If we look at that example, people had to squeeze out their sweat and blood to gain that luxury. Are you saying that I am squeezing people’s sweat and blood now? Do I not bring that fortune from outside?” 

“Maybe you can bring the fortune from outside once. However, isn’t there no guarantee that it will continue like that? It may sell well because it's the first time, but we can't guarantee the next one. If it becomes like that, the one to bear the burden will be the people.” 

“Are you living only for today, Inspector General?” 

At the young Hyang’s rude question, Head Inspector Seong Eom let out a baffled expression. 

“What do you mean by that!”

“Are the things sold by merchants only the golden brush? There are a lot of other things, too! And why are you sure that golden brush is only a one-time sale?” 

“Are there any of the high-ranking officials who use the golden brush? At first, we bought it because we were fascinated by it, but it was an item that can’t follow the grandeur and elegance of a wooden brush! The golden brush is no more than a children’s toy!”

Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation who kept quiet, intervened at Seong Eom’s words.

“You are wrong, Inspector General. Do you know how much the consumption of golden brush is in a month now? 60 pieces for grade 1, and the total for grades 2 and 3 is 400 pieces. This number is only in the court. The number of sales in public is more than 1000 pieces a month, with the grade 1 more than 600 pieces.”

Kim Jeom’s additional explanation made Seong Eom’s eyes widened.

“In a month?”

“In a month.”

Seong Eom unconsciously muttered at Kim Jeom’s answer.

“Huh…. How can such a frivolous thing….” 

Hyang immediately responded to Seong Eom’s words.

“I’m sorry. It is frivolous because it is made by a young kid.”

“Gasp!”

Seong Eom, who realized that he had made an improper remark, quickly bowed his head to King Sejong.

“Your Majesty! Please forgive my rudeness!” 

“I forgive you.”

“Thank you!”

While Seong Eom was wiping cold sweat inside, Hyang continued his attack.

“Inspector General and Chief Censor objected, using ‘sangjeo-okbae’(4) as an example, but this trip is necessary for the people. Eunuch! Bring a book from my room. The title is ‘Geography of The World’.”

“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

After a short time, the eunuch, who came back panting, held out a book to Hyang.

Hyang opened his desired part, then gave out the book to the eunuch. 

“Show that to my father.”

“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

King Sejong received the book and while he was looking at the contents of the book, Hyang continued his talk. 

“That book is one of the miscellaneous books I collected through the envoys. Like the title ‘Geography of The World’, it is a book that records the geography and regional products of China and nearby countries. According to that book, Gangnam in Ming harvests rice twice a year, and Daewol, which is farther south than Ming, harvests three times a year. Therefore, we have to buy rice from Gangnam or Daewol with the profit earned from the merchants who will join the trip. Then we relieve people from starvation with the rice we got.” 

Hyang, whose mouth was dried up from constant chatter, stopped talking for a moment and swallowed his saliva. After moistening his dried mouth, Hyang continued his offense.

“Did you say to be proud poverty and be content with that poverty? Do you see people as a proud poverty because they want that poverty? The people are now in extreme poverty. Being content with poverty? They are drought to death in summer, frozen to death in winter, and starved to death in spring! Under these circumstances, who will praise the monarch for his virtue? Are you saying the nation's dignity is at stake when the people are dying from hunger?! There is a saying, ‘if their child was starving for three days, even a noble would jump over the wall’. How can parents stay still when their child is hungry! A king is the father of all people! His children are crying from hunger, shouldn’t he do anything for them?”

“Wonderful talk, my boy!”

The court froze at King Sejong’s sudden shout. 

Hyang and the ministers looked at King Sejong with their mouths opened, and the historians stopped their records and looked at King Sejong.

Hyang, who was looking at King Sejong, suddenly remembered his first birthday party. He remembered the situation where Sejong and his brother, Yang-nyeong were in a heated discussion and was about to start a fight before clicking his tongue. 

‘Tsk! He really had endured that personality for a long time.’

T/N

(1)Saheonbu (사헌부/司憲府): Office of the Inspector General. You can check this link for more information.↻

(2) Poor but honest/proud poverty (청빈/淸貧): Pure in character and has no desire for wealth. 안빈낙도(安貧樂道): Being content amid poverty and taking pleasure in acting in an honest way. ↻

(3) Political virtue (왕도정치/王道政治): An old Chinese political idea that a virtuous person should rule a morally dark person.↻

(4) Sangjeo-okbae(象著玉杯): Chopsticks made of ivory and wine glasses made of jade. It means to be on the lookout for insignificant waste that can lead to luxury that ruins the country. Another meaning of this is greed begets greed (man's greed has no end).↻