"It means using merchants and artisans to strengthen the economic and national power of this Joseon. It means expanding the size of Joseon."
Hyang drew three squares of the same size as the first square he drew and then divided them into sections.
"Their wealth is based on agriculture. By fostering commerce and industry, expanding trade to boost economic power, and increasing the number of independent farmers through territorial expansion, they will become relatively weaker. As you can see from this diagram, they initially held three-quarters of Joseon and controlled it, but by expanding, they will only hold one-sixteenth. They will weaken from 75% to less than 25%, which means they will become more than one-third weaker. We can use this weakness to tax them. If we do, they will have no choice but to follow the trend."
Hyang's words made Sejong clap his knees.
"Ah, I see! There is such a strategy!"
Sejong, who was delighted by Hyang's answer, soon pointed out a problem.
"However, even if we foster merchants and artisans, the yangban will still be the main consumers. Ordinary people do not have enough wealth. Is it possible to expand as you say?"
"Your Majesty, look at the bigger picture."
"Look at the bigger picture? Hmm... Ah! You mean trade!"
'As expected!'
Hyang nodded, impressed by Sejong's understanding.
"Yes, we will expand through trade."
"Indeed, trade will allow us to transcend the limits of land and expand. If the yangban remain preoccupied with land, they will not be able to keep up with the speed of expansion. The yield from farmland has its limits."
"Yes."
When Hyang agreed, Sejong immediately pointed out a problem.
"However, expanding commerce and industry requires seed money. Most of the wealth that can serve as seed money is in the hands of the yangban. If the yangban invest their wealth in commerce and industry, their power might grow contrary to your expectations."
Sejong's point made Hyang nod.
"Yes, seed money is needed to expand commerce and industry, and seed money is also needed for trade. If the government does nothing, the yangban will become the financiers and monopolize the profits. To prevent this, the government, or more precisely, the court, must become the financier."
"The court must become the financier?"
In response to Sejong's question, Hyang explained the concept of a bank, specifically a state-owned bank. Sejong, who listened to the explanation, was impressed.
"Ah, I see! If we do that, merchants and artisans who need seed money will be able to borrow it at low interest, and the court will be able to control the flow of wealth!"
"If the court firmly grasps control, it can create a new market called the investment market."
"Investment market? A market where seed money is treated as a commodity and traded. Hmm..."
Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought. After a moment, he spoke.
"If we move as you say, we will need a lot of officials. Won't this benefit the yangban?"
"Instead of those who have studied Confucianism, we will need experts in these fields. In other words, the number of officials entering through the miscellaneous examination will increase significantly."
"That's also a problem. There are many officials who, upon entering office, immediately become corrupt."
"There is a saying: 'If you want power, give up wealth; if you want wealth, give up power.' However, the current salary is not enough to maintain a living. We need to make the salary realistic and impose constraints."
Hyang explained the concept of a pension and how to use it as a constraint, then continued.
"Currently, in principle, anyone can take the civil service examination, but in reality, most candidates are yangban. Ordinary people do not have the leisure to study. Therefore, we can select talented individuals from those with at least a basic education, educate them, and use them."
"Do you mean to educate all the people?"
"I believe that at least those of the yangin class should have the opportunity to receive basic education. If the people are educated, they can avoid injustice and seek redress from the state when wronged."
Sejong fell silent at Hyang's words. After a long moment of contemplation, he spoke.
"There are two crucial issues. One is the budget, and the other is... the writing system. The budget can be solved by developing mines and reforming the tax system, but the writing system is a difficult problem."
"Your Majesty can certainly solve it."
"Are you putting too much faith in this father?"
"No!"
Hyang's firm belief made Sejong smile.
"I must not be a disgraceful father."
* * *
While Sejong and Hyang were discussing future plans, some of the censors from the Office of Censors were gathered in a brothel in Namcun, discussing matters. Unlike the harmonious atmosphere between Sejong and Hyang, the censors' mood was one of intense indignation.
"To imprison the officials, this cannot be allowed!"
"You're right!"
"The law is breaking down, the law is!"
The drunk censors, without exception, raised their voices in anger. Among them, one person was particularly vocal.
"The root of all this evil is the Crown Prince! A mere child of ten is trying to influence state affairs! This is unacceptable!"
"Listen, Gocheong!"
"The Crown Prince must be replaced..."
"Listen, Gocheong!"
A colleague tried to stop him, but Gocheong was defiant.
"Why! What did I say wrong? It's true that the Crown Prince's interference has distorted the law!"
"Even so, he is the heir to the throne. As the former chief censor said, such words should not be spoken lightly!"
"What humiliation is the former chief censor enduring now!"
"This can be addressed through a petition! Don't you know the saying, 'Words are the gate of disaster'? If you alone suffer, it's one thing, but do you want to bring disaster to your family and school?"
"The duty of a censor is to speak the truth, what's the problem with that?"
"The timing and place are the issues!"
Gocheong had to remain silent at his colleague's advice. However, unable to calm his anger, he drained his cup of wine repeatedly.
As time passed and the atmosphere grew tense, Gocheong, with bloodshot eyes, grabbed the shoulder of the courtesan sitting next to him and propositioned her.
"You, girl, how about we share a night of passion tonight?"
"You've had too much wine. When the wine is too strong, let's share a night of passion another time."
The courtesan, with a smile, politely refused. Gocheong's face turned fierce.
"You, girl! Where do you get off being so lowly! If I say so, it will happen!"
The courtesan's smile vanished at Gocheong's abusive words. She stood up straight and confronted him.
"Being a courtesan, lower than the four classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, and a beast in human skin, how can a noble yangban share a night of passion with a beast? Ah! Do you have some unusual taste?"
"You, girl!"
The courtesan's words made Gocheong leap to his feet, his face turning from red to pale. She had just called him a pervert who engages in bestiality.
The once lively drinking party, filled with music and laughter, fell silent instantly, and a colleague stood up to calm Gocheong.
"Listen, Gocheong."
"You, girl! Do you want to die!"
"Are you boasting your power to a mere courtesan? Your words are those of a noble yangban, but your actions are those of a despicable person. Try to kill me if you can."
"You, girl!"
Bang!
Just as Gocheong, unable to contain his anger, was about to throw a punch, the door burst open.
Standing in the doorway was a tall, muscular man, holding a long bamboo staff and crossing his arms.
Intimidated by the man's presence, Gocheong stepped back. The man glared at Gocheong and spoke.
"You are drunk. Why don't you go home now?"
"That's a good idea! Listen, Gocheong. Let's go home."
A colleague tried to mediate, but Gocheong was at a loss. He wanted to beat up the insolent courtesan right away, but the presence of the tall man prevented him from doing so. Seeing this, the colleague roughly pulled Gocheong's arm.
"Listen, Gocheong! You've had too much to drink! Let's go home!"
Thus, the censors left the drinking party. As Gocheong was dragged out, the courtesan's voice followed.
"Congratulations. Your name will soon be known throughout Seoul."
"You, girl!"
"Come on, come on! Let's go!"
Gocheong roared, but his colleague forcibly dragged him out of the brothel. Of course, he was in for a severe scolding.
As the courtesan had predicted, Gocheong's reputation spread throughout Seoul in no time. When the rumor that "a censor from the Office of Censors caused a disturbance in a brothel" spread, the high officials of the court began to investigate the incident.
As the investigation began, the censors started to protest.
"This is a tyrannical act to suppress the Office of Censors and block free speech!"
"This is a violation of precedent!"
High officials and even the king would argue fiercely if they believed the censors were in the wrong. In exchange