< Chapter 42: Laughing and Crying Over Fandom (7) >
Chapter 42: Laughing and Crying Over Fandom (7)
"Candy, as I mentioned before, is something that brings joy to the mouth and prevents food from spoiling. It also has the utility of quickly restoring one's energy when it is depleted. However, if you eat too much, the side effects are not trivial. First, it can damage your teeth. And it can also make you gain weight."
"Ahem!"
At Hyang's words, Sejong let out a false cough. He had been gaining belly fat again lately. Regardless, Hyang continued.
"And the biggest side effect is that it can cause diabetes. Didn't the royal physician diagnose His Majesty with signs of diabetes not long ago?"
"Ah! Ahem! I understand. I will maintain moderation."
Even as Sejong waved the white flag, Hyang did not stop.
"Upon hearing that His Majesty had signs of diabetes, I couldn't sleep. So, I looked through medical texts. If diabetes worsens, it can lead to eye diseases and blindness. If that happens, His Majesty won't be able to read, which he enjoys so much..."
"Moderation, I said!"
Despite Sejong's irritation, Hyang continued.
"The biggest problem is that it can cause impotence!"
"Impotence?"
In response to Sejong's question, Hyang silently turned his gaze to Sejong's lower body.
Following Hyang's gaze, Sejong quietly moved the sugar packet to the side.
Seeing this, Hyang moved on to his conclusion.
"Candy is hard to give up because of its sweetness."
"That's true."
"Medical texts also point out this issue, stating that the best way to treat diabetes is to reduce candy consumption as much as possible and to exercise more."
"Exercise more?"
"Yes. First, you should do long jump rope and take long walks, and you need to build muscle.
"Build muscle."
"It is written in the medical texts that 'bones are like the pillars of a house, and muscles are like the walls. Just as a sturdy pillar cannot protect against cold and heat if the walls are thin, weak muscles cannot protect against illness.'"
"Build muscle. I understand. I will do so."
"Your benevolence is boundless. The issue of muscle strength is something the royal guards are well aware of."
"I understand."
Thus, Hyang's 'Sejong's Longevity Project' was reinforced. Hyang's ultimate goal was simple.
"If losing weight is too difficult, let's make him a healthy pig!"
* * *
As the smallpox vaccination was implemented nationwide, the vacant positions in the government began to be filled, and the pace of government affairs gradually picked up.
Just as the nationwide smallpox vaccination was nearing completion, a new topic of debate began in the court. The topic was 'cattle.'
The nationwide smallpox vaccination required a large number of infected cattle, which was resolved by the landowners voluntarily (or so it seemed) presenting their cattle.
"Thus, the number of cattle presented is 1,153. We need to consider how to handle these cattle."
"1,153 is quite a large number. Hmm..."
After a moment of contemplation, Sejong gave an order to Sangseon.
"Summon the Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A short while later, Hyang, who had been called, entered the main hall.
"Father, did you call for me?"
After Hyang bowed and took his seat, Sejong got to the point.
"Such is the situation. Crown Prince, what would you do with these cattle?"
After a moment of thought, Hyang asked the Minister of Household Affairs.
"What is the ratio of males to females among these cattle?"
In response to the Crown Prince's question, the Minister of Household Affairs checked the book he had brought and answered.
"If we pair them, there are 470 pairs."
"470 pairs, that's 940... So, there are 213 left."
"That's correct."
"Hmm..."
After a brief calculation, Hyang soon reached a conclusion.
"Father, how about we establish ranches across the eight provinces of Joseon to raise cattle and pigs?"
"Raise cattle and pigs?"
"Yes. We can divide our country into north and south, and east and west, and establish two ranches in each region, making a total of eight. Including Nabeul Island, we can have nine ranches. We can allocate 50 pairs to each ranch to raise cattle. After 2-3 years, each ranch should be able to raise over 100 cattle, right?"
"Right?"
"Then, how much utility would that bring?"
Hyang explained the reasons for establishing the ranches.
- Although the smallpox vaccination was implemented nationwide, there are still people who are too young or live in remote areas who have not received the vaccination. We need to prepare infected cattle annually for these people. The ranches will raise calves for this purpose.
- By raising cattle and pigs in large numbers at the ranches, we can supply meat to the people. Although the slaughter of cattle has been prohibited for agricultural purposes, this law is almost a dead letter.
While explaining this, Hyang added:
"The important point here is that many people are already accustomed to breaking the cattle ban. The cattle ban is also a law of the state. If breaking such laws becomes a daily occurrence, the people will take the state's laws lightly and may eventually commit more serious crimes."
Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyang's words. Hyang continued.
- By raising cattle and pigs in large numbers, we can effectively integrate the nomadic people into Joseon society. By managing and operating the ranches, and assigning the butchery to each county, we can solve the issue of providing a stable livelihood. This way, the court can gain a legitimate reason to handle the nomadic people.
"Will they really agree to this?"
In response to Deputy Prime Minister Maengsa-seong's question, Hyang answered firmly.
"Anyone with a brain would agree. Isn't there the example of U Sae-dol, the head of the Nabeul Island ranch?"
"Ah..."
The ministers nodded at Hyang's words.
* * *
As the smallpox vaccination was implemented nationwide, Sejong recognized U Sae-dol's contributions by granting him a surname.
"I grant you the surname 'U.' I am not giving you this surname 'U' because you are foolish. I am giving it to you because, like the old man in the fable 'The Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains,' you have been steadfast in your duties. I hope you will continue to be steadfast in your responsibilities."
Unable to contain his joy, U Sae-dol burst into tears.
"Your Majesty! Your benevolence is boundless! Ah! Your Majesty! Long may you reign! Long may you reign! Long, long may you reign!"
After a tearful scene, when U Sae-dol's emotions had calmed down, Sejong asked a question.
"Is U Sambyeong of nomadic origin?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Nomadic people are known for their wandering ways. How did you settle down?"
"I heard that my grandfather decided to settle down. Since we had left our homeland and come to a new place, it was only natural to follow the laws of the new land... So, he found a place to live and started raising cattle."
"Your grandfather was indeed a wise man."
Sejong sighed and muttered.
"If all the nomadic people were like your grandfather, how much better it would be."
To the extent that Sejong felt regret, the nomadic people were a headache for Joseon. Despite having lived in Joseon for a considerable amount of time, they had not abandoned their nomadic customs and remained isolated from Joseon society. As a result, they roamed in groups, committing begging, robbery, arson, and murder.
* * *
After the matter of the nomadic people was decided, Hyang explained the final reason for establishing the ranches.
"Lastly, the reason we need ranches is for national defense."
"National defense?"
The sudden mention of 'national defense' perked up Sejong and the ministers' ears.
"Yes, for national defense. First, the grain for the soldiers. In the medical texts I reviewed, there is a passage that says, 'Grain provides immediate energy, but it is quickly depleted. It is like straw that catches fire easily and burns quickly but soon dies out. Meat, on the other hand, is like firewood. It takes time to catch fire, but it burns for a long time, providing a similar effect.'"
Hyang took a breath and looked at Sejong and the ministers before continuing.
"Compared to the Ming Dynasty, our Joseon people are known for their large appetites. When our army moves, the largest volume of supplies is the grain for the soldiers. This is because they get their energy from grains, and their meat consumption is low. Therefore, we need to provide preserved foods like beef jerky or salted pork to the army."
"Hmm..."
Sejong and the ministers stroked their beards and hummed in response to Hyang's words. Though they did not speak, their expressions said, 'Hmm? That sounds plausible.'
Seeing their expressions, Hyang delivered the final blow.
"Moreover, the most important thing is that we can collect manure from cattle and pigs to create fertilizer fields. Currently, the amount of manure collected from households to create fertilizer fields is insufficient. This is because farmers use it to fertilize their fields. This has always led to conflicts between farmers and officials. However, if we operate ranches and collect manure from cattle and pigs, we can create large fertilizer fields without burdening the people."
"Is that so!"
"Brilliant idea!"
Sejong and the ministers, especially the Minister of War, were greatly pleased by Hyang's words. However, the Minister of Household Affairs, who had been doing some calculations, raised an objection.
"The Crown Prince's idea is brilliant, but there is a problem. The issue of feed. Cattle can survive on grass, but pigs are a problem. Pigs eat a lot but yield little meat. Moreover, they spoil quickly in the summer, making them less useful, regardless of taste."
Hyang nodded in agreement to the Minister of Household Affairs' words.
"True. But, Minister, have you been to the Ming Dynasty as an envoy?"
"Yes."
"What about the pigs in the Ming Dynasty? Have you seen them?"
"I saw them a few times while looking for books to present to the Crown Prince. Hmm... To exaggerate a bit, they were as big as houses."
"Then, why don't we import boars from the Ming Dynasty?"
"But won't they eat even more because of their size?"
The discussion between Hyang and the Minister of Household Affairs became increasingly in-depth, and Sejong and the ministers listened with great interest.
"Why don't we plant soybean fields next to the ranches to grow soybeans? Soybeans grow well with sufficient water, and ranches also require a lot of water."
"But that would mean we need additional land beyond the land used for the ranches."
Hyang immediately offered a solution.
"In that case, we can negotiate with the local landowners to borrow the land."
"Will the landowners easily agree? The land is already scarce for growing rice and barley."
"We can borrow land that has been depleted of nutrients. It is said that planting soybeans can restore the soil's fertility."
The Minister of Household Affairs quickly did some calculations in response to Hyang's words. After finishing, he nodded.
"It seems feasible."
< Chapter 42: Laughing and Crying Over Fandom (7) > End