< Chapter 30: Gapseong Gyeongjang (30th Chapter of the Gapseong Reforms) (8) >
Starting from the next day, petitions to Sejong began to flood in again. While many people supported the Crown Prince's opinion, the opposition, led by the Prime Minister and the Chief Censor, was not to be underestimated.
"The Crown Prince's opinion may seem good at first glance, but it is truly a dangerous idea. If we follow the Crown Prince's opinion, it would mean that as long as the goal is good, the means do not matter. This is a very dangerous notion. The means must be as just as the goal."
Thus, a fierce debate began between the major Confucian scholars who agreed with Hyang's 'Theory of Multiple Instruments (多器論, Daki-ron)' and the minor Confucian scholars who adhered to the 'Theory of One Instrument (一器論, Ilgi-ron)' and believed that only Neo-Confucianism was correct.
This debate intensified as Sejong decided to implement the 'Reforms (更張, Gyeongjang)' and continued throughout the year of Gapseong in the sixth year of Sejong's reign. Petitions, resignations, and dismissals were so numerous that they were hard to count. This became the beginning of the division among the literati of Joseon, known as the Gapseong Debate (甲辰論爭, Gapseong Nonjaeng).
* * *
The story of the debate between the conservative officials and Hyang soon spread to the people of Hanyang, causing a chain reaction.
The victims of this chain reaction were the children of noble families.
"Our grandson will soon enter government service. By then, the Crown Prince will either have ascended the throne or will have seized real power. Given the Crown Prince's disposition, merely studying the classics diligently will not be enough to take on important roles. Therefore, from now on, he must also study the various schools of thought thoroughly."
"Yes, Father."
"The same goes for you. Where do you think the Crown Prince's character comes from? For the survival of our family, you must also put in the effort."
"…Yes, Father."
As they observed the flow of events and plotted the prosperity of their families, the officials and the gentry began to study not only Neo-Confucianism but also the various schools of thought.
Meanwhile, the families of the anti-Crown Prince faction were not idle.
"We cannot stand by and watch the King and the Crown Prince go down the wrong path! The only answer is to thoroughly refute them! We must delve deeply into the various schools of thought to find their weaknesses!"
"Yes, Father."
"Why is our grandson silent? The Crown Prince is the same age as him. When our grandson enters government service, the Crown Prince will be at the forefront. If he does not start now, he will disgrace our family!"
"Grandson, I am already working hard…"
"Is this what you call working hard, holding onto the Analects of Confucius at this late stage! Father! Bring the cane immediately!"
"Father. Calm your anger and…"
"Bring it now!"
Thanks to Hyang, the calves of the boys from the gentry families in the capital never had a chance to heal.
* * *
In early January of the sixth year of Sejong, Gapseong year.
"Begin!"
"Yes!"
At the order of the Minister of Personnel, many medical officials and female physicians, along with officials conducting the census and soldiers guarding them, left the palace gates and dispersed in pairs in all directions.
"By royal command!"
Hearing the cry of "By royal command!" outside the gate, the family in the thatched cottage rushed out and knelt down, their faces puzzled. An official explained the situation to them.
"By the order of His Majesty, we will administer a vaccination to prevent smallpox. Everyone, please line up! Men, come to this medical official. Women, line up with the female physicians over there!"
"Really? Prevent smallpox?"
"Yes, that's right. Hurry up and line up. Ah! Have you ever had smallpox before?"
"No, I haven't."
"Then line up!"
"But, we don't have any rice or cloth to pay for it."
The head of the household answered, and the official immediately replied.
"It's free."
"Really?"
"Yes, you fool! How dare you doubt the royal command!"
The head of the household bowed deeply and gestured to his family.
"No, no! Hurry up and line up! Quickly!"
Following the head of the household's order, the family lined up, men and women separately.
"Have you ever had smallpox before?"
"No, I haven't."
"Any other family members?"
"No, none of us have had smallpox."
"I see. Then, please take off your jackets."
Thus, the vaccinations began. Men were vaccinated in the courtyard, and women behind a screen set up on one side, taking off their jackets and having the vaccine administered to their shoulders. The official standing beside them recorded their details on a board.
"By the King's command, we are administering a vaccine to prevent smallpox! And it's free!"
Rumors about the smallpox vaccination spread, causing a stir in Hanyang.
"When will they come to our house?"
"They said that for the next five to ten days, you will have a fever and blisters on your shoulder. Be prepared for that. Don't pop the blisters."
In households where no one had had smallpox, adults waited anxiously at the door, wondering when the medical team would arrive. In households that had already received the vaccination, people bustled about preparing cold water and clean towels.
"Thank you for your hard work!"
"You're welcome."
"Although we don't have much, please have a snack before you leave."
Those who visited the homes of the gentry and the wealthy were treated with great respect after the vaccinations. When well-prepared food and drinks were served, the recipients smiled and enjoyed their meals.
"Here, have a drink."
As the host offered a drink, the official in charge of the team politely declined.
"Thank you for your kindness, but we are on official duty and cannot drink."
"Oh…"
The wealthy were not the only ones to treat the medical team with food and drinks. In neighborhoods with many poor residents, people pooled their resources to provide food and drinks for the medical team.
"You don't even have enough to eat. Is it really okay?"
"If we don't have enough, we can save and eat less, but this is not about that. It's worth it to save lives."
"Indeed…"
The officials sighed upon hearing the people's responses. Most of the young officials who had just entered government service were moved by the people's words and patted their chests.
"How can this be! What is wrong with the Crown Prince's words?"
* * *
Not all residents of Hanyang welcomed the smallpox vaccination. A significant number of physicians submitted a joint petition.
"…In general, throughout history, human diseases and animal diseases have never been the same. How can it be that using the pus from cows to treat human smallpox is a bizarre method? Is this any different from calling in shamans who believe in strange and chaotic forces to perform rituals? Bah!"
Sejong, angered by the petition, threw it down and shouted at the officials.
"Do these people know what they are talking about? A physician's duty is to save lives and prevent diseases. To do this, they must continuously research illnesses, refine new techniques, and find and prescribe medicines. What do you mean by 'bizarre'? Shamans who believe in strange and chaotic forces? Can these people truly be called physicians! Sangseon! Immediately order the Governor of Hanyang to arrest these people!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Enraged by Sejong's command, the physicians who submitted the joint petition were all imprisoned.
"Unjust!"
"Unjust!"
The imprisoned physicians protested their innocence, but Sejong did not forgive them.
"Have all the prisoners receive twenty strokes of the cane!"
Following Sejong's command, the physicians who submitted the joint petition were all released after receiving twenty strokes of the cane each.
Meanwhile, the vaccinations and the census in Hanyang were completed.
"…After tallying everything, it has been confirmed that there are 103,328 people, including commoners and low-class citizens, living inside the four main gates of the capital."
"Good work."
While Sejong was praising the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Revenue, the Chief Secretary entered with a tray full of petitions.
"The Crown Prince has been quiet for a few days. What are these petitions about?"
"These are not about the Crown Prince, but about the smallpox vaccination. They are petitions requesting that the vaccination be administered in their regions as well."
"Is that so?"
Sejong quickly untied the scrolls and began reading the contents of the petitions, unknowingly sighing.
"Indeed~."
The petitions from the local leaders and physicians of various regions of Joseon were heartfelt.
- Protecting the people from smallpox must be done swiftly.
- There are already several successful cases; there is no need to conduct more experiments. This would only waste time.
- Even if it is a thin thread of hope, it must be given to the people without delay.
- If the lack of cattle is the issue, we will pool our resources to purchase all the cattle within a hundred miles. Nothing is more precious than human life.
"Let the ministers read these as well."
"Yes."
Following Sejong's command, the ministers read the petitions in turn.
"What do you think should be done?"
Although the answer was clear, no minister responded immediately. Even the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Revenue, known to be pro-Crown Prince, only exchanged glances.
Sejong was angry but understood. The number of petitions was a small fraction compared to the total number of local leaders in Joseon. Considering the costs and the simultaneous tasks involved in the vaccination, significant resistance was expected. Such resistance could lead to political movements, which could in turn lead to impeachment of the ministers, threatening the royal authority.
"About the Crown Prince…"
Sejong stopped, thinking about Hyang's character. Hyang would likely insist on immediate nationwide vaccination without considering the details. However, if the resistance to the vaccination became a political movement, it could tarnish Hyang's reputation.
In the end, Sejong had to take a step back.
"Let's take more time to think about this."
"…Yes, Your Majesty."
It was an uncomfortable conclusion for both Sejong and his ministers.
* * *
While Sejong and his ministers were struggling to find a clear answer to the nationwide implementation of the smallpox vaccination, cautious discussions were also taking place in a large merchant house on Yunjong Street.
"…So, what about the Crown Prince?"
"He submitted a petition advocating for immediate implementation, but it was not accepted."
"He must be very disappointed."
"I heard he is writing petitions every day."
"Indeed~."
The elderly man sitting at the head of the table sighed and fell into deep thought. After much deliberation, he finally made a decision.
"We need to spend some money."
< Chapter 30: Gapseong Gyeongjang (30th Chapter of the Gapseong Reforms) (8) > End