As soon as the report came in that smallpox had broken out in Geumcheon, right next to Seoul, the court moved swiftly.
"Prohibit crossing the river at all ferry points except Mapo and Noryangjin."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Deploy the soldiers from the 12 military units defending Seoul to block entry into Geumcheon from other regions. Access to Geumcheon should be limited to Seoul only."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Following Sejong's orders, the soldiers defending Seoul blocked the main entry points to Geumcheon. They didn't just block the land routes; they also stopped boats from entering the Han River and other major streams and ports in the area.
Only those who had been vaccinated were allowed to enter.
Sejong gave them further instructions.
"Due to the blockage of transportation routes, it's certain that food supplies in Seoul and Geumcheon will be insufficient. I hereby issue a special order: soldiers and officials should manage the supply of rice from the granary in Bupyeong."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The granary in Bupyeong was a newly established facility. Following Sejong's order, which was based on Hyang's suggestion, the Ministry of Grain had imported a large amount of grain from Ming. However, the quantity was much more than expected.
"Last autumn, there was a great harvest in Jiangnan, Ming. Therefore, the price of grain dropped significantly, allowing us to acquire a much larger quantity than expected."
Sejong had a mixed expression on his face after hearing the Minister of Grain's explanation.
"Should I feel fortunate or envious? It's a truly ambiguous feeling."
"I feel the same way, Your Majesty."
"Nevertheless, the amount of grain we obtained through the winter solstice envoy and the New Year's envoy is sufficient to get us through the spring famine. That's fortunate."
"Indeed, it is due to Your Majesty's wise foresight."
Sejong smiled awkwardly at the Minister of Grain's praise.
"Wise foresight? It's because the Crown Prince is smart."
Sejong turned to Hyang, who was sitting beside him.
"Is there anything to add?"
"Would it be a good idea to recruit people from Seoul to assist the doctors and nurses in Geumcheon? The families of patients in Geumcheon will be busy caring for their sick and need to be isolated. The doctors and nurses will be very busy treating patients. If we mobilize people who haven't had smallpox, it could cause the disease to spread further. Therefore, we should recruit people from Seoul who are willing to work for a daily wage and send them to Geumcheon to assist the doctors and nurses and prepare food for the patients and their families."
"But what if the disease spreads to the residents of Seoul?"
As the Right Prime Minister, who had been sitting silently, interjected, Hyang gave a small snort and replied.
"Have you forgotten? All the residents of Seoul have been vaccinated."
"Vaccination is effe... "
The Right Prime Minister stopped himself abruptly. Hyang immediately seized the opportunity.
"I understand what you want to say, but I have no doubt about the effectiveness of the vaccine."
Hyang then turned to Sejong.
"Your Majesty, as your subject, I request that if the people of Seoul hesitate, send me! I will take the lead in treating the sick."
The recorder, who had been taking notes, muttered softly.
"Again..."
The reaction was not limited to the recorder. The ministers and even Sejong himself showed similar reactions. Sejong, who had been glaring at Hyang, finally made a decision.
"Announce a proclamation to recruit workers from the people of Seoul."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What do you think would be an appropriate daily wage?"
The Minister of Grain, who had received the question, paused to recall the data before answering.
"According to our last survey, the average household in Seoul has five members. Considering the difficulty of the task, a daily wage of five hop seems appropriate."
Sejong, who had been stroking his beard and calculating, nodded.
"Five hop... then let's set the daily wage at that and start recruiting people."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
* * *
As soon as Sejong's order was issued, the court moved quickly. The balance of power had shifted completely to Sejong, and the danger of the smallpox epidemic was a significant factor.
Soldiers began blocking the routes leading into Geumcheon and Seoul. People trying to enter Seoul from other regions protested vehemently but turned back at the soldiers' warning.
"There's smallpox here."
"Oh my!"
Not only were the land routes blocked, but the ferry points on the Han River and other surrounding rivers were also closed.
With the routes out of Geumcheon blocked, the court began the treatment process in earnest.
Near Yeongdeungpo, a large number of people entered the village.
"Is this the place?"
"Yes."
Following the local official's answer, the official from the Ministry of Personnel, who had led the doctors and nurses, gave orders to the soldiers.
"Set up tents for the doctors and nurses near the well, and set up tents for the patients at a distance from the well. Once the tents are set up, gather the patients immediately!"
"Yes!"
The soldiers, following the official's orders, began setting up large tents near the well and in the open field. As the tents were set up, the soldiers started moving the beds from the carts into the tents. Soon, the beds for the patients were ready.
While the soldiers were busy setting up the tents and other equipment, the doctors and nurses began preparing for treatment.
"Search all the nearby houses and bring all the patients here."
"Yes, Sir."
"Also, prepare the decoctions. The most needed is Xiaoshihoutang, which is used to reduce fever. Start boiling it first."
"Yes, Sir."
The battle against smallpox in Geumcheon was reported daily to the court. Sejong and the ministers reviewed the reports with serious expressions each time they were submitted.
Around the middle of the month, more hopeful reports began to come in from Geumcheon.
"The number of confirmed smallpox cases has not increased for four days!"
"Oh!"
"Really!"
At the report from the Minister of Personnel, Sejong clenched his fist, and the ministers exclaimed in amazement. The Minister of Personnel continued.
"Among those vaccinated ten days ago, only five have developed smallpox, and they were already infected before the vaccination."
"Is that so! Then what about those sent from Seoul?"
"Not a single one has been infected with smallpox!"
"Phew~."
Sejong let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair. His face was full of relief, while the face of the Left Prime Minister was darkening. Sejong turned to the Minister of Personnel.
"When can we confirm that smallpox has completely disappeared in Geumcheon?"
"Since the last patient was four days ago, it will take at least another two weeks..."
"Then the doctors and nurses sent to Geumcheon will stay there until then?"
"No, Your Majesty. As the number of patients is decreasing, we plan to withdraw half of them in five days."
"Is that so?"
Sejong stroked his beard and thought for a moment before issuing an order.
"Once the doctors and nurses who went on this mission return, give them a five-day vacation. After the vacation, prepare for the nationwide implementation of the vaccination. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Also, reward the doctors, nurses, officials, and soldiers involved in this mission with one to ten seom of rice, depending on their rank. They have worked hard for the country and the people, so it is only right to reward them."
"Your Majesty?"
Sejong's bold order made the ministers' eyes widen. At that moment, Hyang, seizing the opportunity, spoke up.
"Your Majesty's decision is truly just! It is unfair to expect people to do their duty without proper rewards. This is an extraordinary situation, not a routine one, so it is only right to reward them!"
"Loyalty and filial piety are not commodities to be traded!"
Hyang's words made the Left Prime Minister shout. Hyang's voice grew louder in response.
"To ensure that loyalty and filial piety are not seen as commodities, the state must provide clear and reliable rewards! The belief that the state will take care of you and your family even if you die or become disabled! The belief that your parents will not abandon you no matter how difficult it is! How can anyone uphold loyalty and filial piety when parents abandon their children during famine, and soldiers are expected to die or be injured in battle without question?"
The hall fell silent at Hyang's words. Hyang continued loudly.
"Without such beliefs, who would practice loyalty and filial piety? It would be better to show kindness like Wu Qi, who sucked the pus from a soldier's wound! If we take such things for granted, the state and society will surely decline. Reflect on the history of China and our own history here in Korea!"
"..."
The ministers remained silent after Hyang's speech. They wanted to argue but had no valid counterarguments. Since the founding of Joseon, there had been several severe famines. Each time, there were many orphans, and the reports describing their plight were numerous. The same applied to the military. Many soldiers would self-harm to avoid conscription or desert to become refugees.
Finally, Sejon made a decision.
"Loyalty and filial piety are essential virtues that the people should uphold. However, the state and parents must also have the right mindset in dealing with the people and their children. I think it is appropriate to reward those who handled the smallpox outbreak in Geumcheon as originally planned. Are there any objections?"
All the ministers bowed their heads in response to Sejong's question.
"We accept Your Majesty's order."
The recorder, who had documented all of this, added the following at the end.
-Consider righteousness before loyalty and filial piety. The Crown Prince's words may seem unorthodox, but given the current reality, they require deep reflection.
After confirming the reward proposal, Sejong looked at the Left Prime Minister. Seated on the throne above, Sejong muttered to himself.
'Such a pitiful old man...'
"Left Prime Minister, is there anything left to settle between us?"
Sejong's question made the Left Prime Minister, who had been bowing his head, close his eyes tightly.
'Here it comes!'
The Left Prime Minister immediately prostrated himself on the floor and raised his voice.
"Your humble servant, Left Prime Minister Ryu Jeonghyeon, with only the loyalty to the country in mind..."
"Enough."
Sejong interrupted Ryu Jeonghyeon and spoke with determination.