After the mourning delegation left for Beijing, an imperial edict from King Sejong was delivered to Sungkyunkwan.
"…Therefore, I urge the students studying at Sungkyunkwan to follow my command."
The official who read the imperial edict looked at the students.
"What is the reason you study here at Sungkyunkwan? Isn't it to serve and prosper this Joseon? A good opportunity has come, so do not delay in serving."
After finishing his speech, the official left the Myeongnyundang.
As soon as the official left, the students who remained began to discuss among themselves.
"Brother, what do you plan to do?"
"Kim, what about you?"
"I plan to serve. I've been here for five years, and I'm not confident about the exam next year, so I can't miss this opportunity."
"I feel the same. Considering my parents' hard work, this seems like a good opportunity."
Among the students staying at Sungkyunkwan, a considerable number decided to serve, but there were also many who did not.
"If we serve now, we'll only get a low-ranking position of 9th rank. Why should we serve? It's foolish."
"You're right. If we were born to serve, we should at least start at 6th rank, right?"
"Hahaha!"
At the time, the quota for those selected through the major examination was 33. The top scorer, the Jangwon, started at 6th rank. The rest were divided into grades based on their scores, with the lowest 23 in the Bing grade starting at 9th rank. The lowest 9th rank was for those who entered through miscellaneous or reporting exams.
In other words, those who were talking like this aimed to be the top scorer. However, among those who talked so much, very few actually had the ability. Most were the children of wealthy families.
For them, the important thing was the Sungkyunkwan student status. With that alone, they could maintain a yangban position for at least three generations and enjoy tax exemptions.
The Minister of Personnel, who compiled the list of Sungkyunkwan students who volunteered to serve, immediately handed it to the prime ministers.
"How many are there?"
"143."
"Hmm…."
The prime ministers' expressions became complicated upon hearing the Minister of Personnel's answer.
"It seems they did a good job…."
"But why do I feel uneasy?"
"I agree."
The number of students at Sungkyunkwan was 200, and 143 had volunteered, which was quite a large number. However, both the Minister of Personnel who compiled the list and the prime ministers who reviewed it felt uneasy.
In the end, Prime Minister Yi Jik took the list.
"Anyway, these are all the ones who stepped forward within the set period. Let's report to His Majesty."
"That's what we should do."
* * *
"Tsk!"
Sejong's first reaction upon reviewing the list submitted by the prime ministers was to click his tongue.
"143? I thought the quota for Sungkyunkwan was 200. Did the rest not volunteer?"
"That's correct."
"Why?"
In response to Sejong's question, the Minister of Personnel answered.
"Because their reason for staying at Sungkyunkwan is to aim for the major examination…."
Before the Minister of Personnel finished, Sejong clicked his tongue. The Minister of Personnel immediately bowed his head.
"Your Majesty, I am ashamed!"
"Why should you be ashamed? It's just that I'm not satisfied with the Sungkyunkwan students, who are supposed to be the talents responsible for the future of the court. How can they be so narrow-minded? Tsk!"
As Sejong clicked his tongue, Hwang Hee interjected. Regardless of the situation, Sejong was right; the Sungkyunkwan students were the future of the court.
"Perhaps they lack experience…."
"What nonsense! The breadth of one's vision is not a matter of experience but of ability! Do you plan to fill the court with such people?"
Sejong's rebuke made Hwang Hee prostrate himself.
"Your Majesty, I am ashamed! Please forgive my mistake!"
"Why are you acting like this? Tsk!"
"Your Majesty, I am ashamed!"
Sejong's words made Hwang Hee bow his head even lower.
Staring at Hwang Hee, Sejong then asked the Minister of Personnel.
"Leaving Sungkyunkwan aside… What do you plan to do next?"
"First, the Sungkyunkwan students will study mathematics and commerce. The period is set for about three months."
"Three months… Since it's September now, are you planning to start the monopoly business next year?"
"That's correct. During this time, we will secure sugar stock and build the buildings for the monopoly offices."
Sejong nodded at the Minister of Personnel's answer.
"Appropriate. Then, how will you assign the personnel?"
"First, we will assign Jipui (3rd rank) to the eight provinces, and Sain and Jangnyeong (4th rank) to the prefectures and metropolitan prefectures. Finally, we will assign Jorang to the counties and military prefectures."
"Hmm…."
Sejong stroked his beard as he considered the Minister of Personnel's explanation.
"The ranks are lower than those of the provincial governors and local officials."
"We considered the morale of the local officials."
"I see…."
Sejong nodded at the Minister of Personnel's answer.
By assigning people with lower ranks than the provincial governors and local officials, they avoided provoking the local officials' pride. However, the ranks were not so low that the local officials would look down on them. Since the agency was directly connected to the court, the local officials would not dare to treat them lightly.
Ultimately, this provided another means for the court in Hanyang to monitor local officials.
'The local officials will have a hard time, while I will have it easy.'
However, Sejong continued to question the Minister of Personnel.
"It's a good method, but isn't there a shortage of people at those ranks to send?"
"That's correct. Therefore, we will select officials with good performance evaluations and temporarily assign them a provisional rank. After one year, we will either confirm their provisional rank, promote them, or demote them based on their performance."
"Will they be assigned to the monopoly offices for at least one year?"
"That's correct. We plan not to assign anyone to the same place for more than two years, no matter how long they serve."
The monopoly offices would handle salt and sugar, which were almost essential for people's daily lives, so a significant amount of wealth would flow through them. Considering future additions, it was essential to rotate the officials to prevent corruption.
"Then, will the vacancies left by the officials be filled by the Sungkyunkwan students?"
"We will primarily promote existing officials to fill the vacancies. The method will be the same as for the officials going to the monopoly offices in the outer regions. We will assign provisional ranks to the Sungkyunkwan students based on their performance during the training period."
"What ranks do you plan to give the Sungkyunkwan students?"
"From 9th rank to 6th rank."
"6th rank…."
Sejong considered it again.
The starting point for the top scorer in the major examination was 6th rank. However, although it was a provisional rank, it was one grade higher than that. While they planned to gradually increase the number of officials, the criteria for promotion would also become stricter.
Sejong, considering the personnel plan and future plans presented by the Ministry of Personnel, looked at the Minister of Personnel.
"They will all work desperately."
"That's the goal."
Hearing the Minister of Personnel's answer, Sejong made a decision.
"Good! Proceed according to the Minister of Personnel's plan!"
"Your command is received!"
"However, even though they are provisional ranks, pay them according to their ranks! If the work is difficult, they should at least be well-paid."
"I will remember this!"
Later, when Xiang heard about this plan, he muttered with a bitter smile. "Whether in the 21st century or Joseon, interns will work desperately."
And those who decided to stay at Sungkyunkwan had to regret their decision.
"6th rank!"
* * *
Meanwhile, a commotion broke out in the Ministry of Personnel as a large number of new recruits entered. The reason for the commotion was the 'Myeonshinrye' (welcoming ceremony for new officials).
With a large number of new recruits entering from Sungkyunkwan and existing officials being promoted, the senior officials did not sit idly by.
They set up grand feasts and all sorts of bizarre events, leading the Office of Censors to submit a petition.
"How outrageous!"
Sejong, upon reading the petition, burst into anger.
The horrors of the Myeonshinrye were well-known, and Joseon kings had long tried to eliminate this bad custom.
Sejong himself had punished officials who performed the Myeonshinrye just the previous year, in Gyeemoo (1423).
"I issued an order to ban the Myeonshinrye last year! How can such outrageous people exist! Minister of Personnel! What have you done?"
Sejong's roar made the Minister of Personnel prostrate himself on the ground.
"Please kill me!"
"What have the prime ministers done?"
Sejong's rebuke made the prime ministers prostrate themselves on the ground.
"Please kill me!"
"What have you done about the outrageous people who performed the Myeonshinrye?"
"First, we placed them under house arrest…."
"Shangsun! Bring the Chief of the Office of Special Inspection immediately!"