In the seventh year of King Sejong (1425, Year of the Wood Snake), the civil service examination was held. Since it was not a year ending in the sexagenary cycle characters (好, 卵, 午. 酉), it was a special examination limited to the literary and military examinations.
This examination was different from the original history in many ways, and the reason was simple.
"There are not enough officials! (There are not enough people to use!)"
Both the literary and military examinations required a large number of personnel due to the introduction of new positions and systems. In response, King Sejong issued an imperial edict to the provincial governors conducting the preliminary examination.
- For the literary examination, do not hold the Jin-sa examination; only hold the Saeng-won examination.
- The number of successful candidates should be 50% more than the combined number of successful candidates from the previous Jin-sa and Saeng-won examinations.
"Hmm?"
The governors, holding the imperial edict, tilted their heads in confusion but followed the edict and conducted the Saeng-won examination to select the successful candidates. Once the selection was complete, the records of the successful candidates were immediately sent to the capital.
"I have passed the preliminary examination!"
"Oh! This is a glory to the family! We must celebrate!"
Due to the expanded number of successful candidates, celebrations for those who passed the preliminary examination were held in most towns across the country. Joseon had 162 local administrative units at the county level. In the past, the number of successful candidates through the local examination was 140, meaning that on average, about 50 towns did not produce any successful candidates.
However, this time, 220 candidates passed. As a result, only 11 towns across the eight provinces of Joseon did not produce any successful candidates, causing the local officials in those towns to be in an uproar.
'How did they educate their children!'
"Disgrace, disgrace, where in the world is there such disgrace!"
* * *
In March, the candidates who passed the preliminary examination came to Hanyang to take the re-examination. Carrying rice and bolts of cloth, and accompanied by slaves, or carrying their own luggage, the scholars and commoners flocked to Hanyang to find places to stay.
Those without relatives in Hanyang either requested lodging from decent-looking houses or unpacked their bags at temporary accommodations set up by officials.
On the other hand, those with well-connected relatives in Hanyang found lodging with their relatives.
"Has Uncle not finished his duties yet?"
"Recently, he has been very late every day."
"I see."
In a neat hanok in Bukchon, a representative residential area for yangban north of Jongno, a young man from the provinces was having a conversation with an elderly lady. As they talked about his mindset for the examination and various trivial matters, a slave informed the lady.
"Sir has finished his duties!"
"I understand."
Upon hearing that the head of the household had finished his duties, the lady and the young man quickly got up from their seats.
That day, in the main hall of the Sarangjae, the head of the household and the young man faced each other over a drinking table and continued their conversation.
"So, do you have confidence in the re-examination?"
"I will do my best."
"That is the right attitude. So, have you held the grand ceremony (大禮, marriage ceremony)?"
"Yes."
"Do you have children?"
"I have two sons and one daughter."
The head of the household muttered to himself upon hearing the young man's answer.
"Fortunately, the lineage will not be broken. Whoever they are, I can use them easily…."
"Pardon? I am sorry, but I did not hear that clearly…."
"Ah! It was just a mutter, a mutter!"
The head of the household, waving his hand to cut off the conversation, changed the topic.
"As you know, the number of successful candidates in this preliminary examination has increased. The number of successful candidates in the re-examination will also increase significantly."
"Is that so?"
Seeing the young man's face relax, the head of the household warned him.
"This is not something to be happy about. The problem is not just passing the re-examination but what comes after."
"Ah…."
"Let me give you one last piece of advice. You will feel like submitting a resignation letter twelve times a day. You must endure to succeed."
"I am prepared for the court etiquette."
The head of the household chuckled at the young man's answer.
"Heh! Court etiquette? Do you think there are any officials brave enough to perform it? They will taste hell on earth the moment they do it… Well! You won't understand until you experience it."
"Pardon? Yes…."
Thinking the conversation was over, the head of the household got up from his seat.
"The room should be ready. First, rest and compose yourself. And good luck."
"Thank you!"
* * *
Four days later, the re-examination began. The seats were laid out in the spacious area in front of Geunjeongjeon, and the candidates, after being verified, entered one by one and took their seats.
"His Majesty is here~!"
The candidates, who were seated, all stood up and bowed their heads.
Soon, King Sejong and the high officials entered and took their seats, and the candidates bowed deeply to King Sejong. After returning the bow, King Sejon stepped forward, and the eunuchs brought out the amplification device that Hyang had created and set it up.
Standing in front of the amplification device, King Sejong encouraged the candidates.
"… Therefore, the most important thing for our Joseon to flourish is talent. I earnestly hope that you are such talents."
"We will do our best to serve!"
After King Sejong's encouragement, warnings against cheating followed, and then the instructions for the examination process were given.
"… Therefore, the candidates will take two examinations. The first will be on the classics, and the second will be on mathematics."
"Mathematics?"
"Why mathematics?"
The addition of an unexpected subject made the candidates tilt their heads in confusion and murmur among themselves.
"Silence! All of this is being implemented to select talent, based on the opinions of His Majesty and the high officials, so do not doubt it! If you cannot dispel your doubts, leave the examination hall immediately!"
The examiner's stern command quickly silenced the murmurs.
"Then, let the examination begin!"
Thus, the first examination, testing the candidates' understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics, ended, and the second examination on mathematics began.
The second examination was unique from the start, as the officials distributed printed examination papers to the candidates one by one.
"Do not forget to write your name and rank at the top! Then, begin!"
* * *
As the examination ended, the candidates gradually left the hall. From that moment, a war among the officials began.
"Let's see…."
"Huh? Is it possible to interpret it this way?"
The officials grading the first examination, which tested the candidates' understanding of the classics, had a somewhat relaxed atmosphere, while those grading the mathematics examination had a tense and fierce atmosphere.
There, officials from the Six Ministries and the research institute gathered and engaged in a fierce battle of wills as they graded the examination papers.
"Let's see, the scores…."
"Hey! Why are you taking that examination paper! You're already trying to steal it!"
"Maintain decorum! Maintain decorum!"
The atmosphere was so intense that if they had knives in their hands, several people would have already died.
* * *
The issue began when opinions were exchanged about the special examination this time.
"I have a request to make to His Majesty."
"Request?"
As soon as Hyang mentioned the word 'request,' the prime ministers and high officials became tense.
"Speak."
"Your Majesty, please add one more subject to the re-examination for the upcoming minor examination."
Hyang's request made King Sejong stroke his beard in puzzlement.
"Add a subject? What subject do you want to add?"
"Mathematics."
"Mathematics?"
"Yes, the research institute lacks officials. Therefore, I would like to hire those who are proficient in mathematics among the candidates for the re-examination."
"Why the minor examination?"
"Those who take the major examination are already filtered talents, and they are more needed by Your Majesty."
"Hmm…."
Hyang's words made King Sejong stroke his beard and fall into thought. His expression, though silent, conveyed a positive feeling.
"Your Majesty! The Ministry of Revenue also needs people who are proficient in mathematics!"
Seizing the opportunity, the Minister of Revenue requested additional personnel. King Sejong raised an eyebrow at the Minister's request.
"Didn't the Ministry of Revenue recently increase its personnel?"
"Your Majesty! That was just a drop in the bucket! We need more people to manage the nationwide monopoly offices, investigate price trends, and conduct land surveys!"
"Is that so? Hmm…."
"Your Majesty! The Ministry of Rites also needs them!"
"The Ministry of War is the same!"
"The Ministry of Justice also needs more people!"
"The Ministry of Personnel as well…."
The ministers of each department all earnestly argued why they needed additional personnel.
"Well, well… Everyone has a valid point…."
King Sejong, muttering with a troubled expression, looked at the prime ministers.
"Is it really that our Joseon lacks people?"
In response to King Sejong's question, Hwang Hee explained the reason.
"It's not that we lack people, but that we lack the budget."
Hwang Hee's answer made King Sejong inadvertently swear.
"Damn it…."
Meanwhile, the ministers were engaged in a heated debate.
"The Ministry of Revenue has already increased its personnel! How can you have a conscience!"
"The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice already have many people, so why do you say you lack them!"
"So what if you have many people! Most of them are illiterate! Do you think those who can only wield swords can handle paperwork! By the way, why does the Ministry of Rites need people! Why do they need to do mathematics!"
The ministers of the Six Ministries continued their heated argument, using harsh words.
"Your Excellency's parents are like you…."
"Shut up!"
As the argument escalated to the point of personal attacks, King Sejong shouted to stop the debate.
Seeing the high officials instantly quiet down, King Sejong clicked his tongue.
"Tsk! You all do well~. Really, you all do well~."
"Your Majesty, we are ashamed!"
In response to King Sejong's words, the high officials all bowed deeply. Seeing this, King Sejong glared at Hyang.
"Anyway, you…."
Suddenly receiving the blame, Hyang, like the other officials, had to bow his head.
"Your Majesty, we are ashamed!"
"Enough! How many do you need?"
"At least twenty…."
"Reduce it to ten."
"…Understood."
King Sejong began adjusting the number of people, starting with Hyang.
"This time, the number of successful candidates in the minor examination will be increased. And, as requested by the Crown Prince, a mathematics examination will also be held. Gentlemen, please coordinate the number of people needed for each department and report to me. Just now, I reduced the Crown Prince's request by half. I hope you will also show restraint and reach a consensus through compromise."
"Understood!"
* * *
And the result was the fierce battle of wits that was now unfolding.
"The grading is complete."
"Let's see. Arranged by score, right?"
"Yes."
In response to the grader's answer, Jeongcho silently picked out the top ten sheets and got up from his seat. At that moment, the Deputy Minister of Revenue grabbed his sleeve.
"Wait!"
"Why?"
"You have no conscience! If you take all the best ones, what will we do! This gentleman… You have no conscience!"
"The research institute needs people proficient in mathematics."
"That's the same for all of us!"
"Right! Jeong Excellency, now I see what a despicable person you are!"
The examination hall was instantly filled with voices criticizing Jeongcho. However, Jeongcho did not back down.
"It is the Crown Prince's order."
Even though Jeongcho mentioned the Crown Prince's name, the other officials did not back down. The Deputy Minister of Revenue was the representative.
"Have you forgotten His Majesty's order! He said not to indulge in personal desires! What impertinent thing are you trying to do!"
"Let go!"
"Abandon your greed."
"Tsk!"
Jeongcho clicked his tongue. All the people gathered here were of the Deputy Minister rank. They were not people he could easily push around in terms of experience or age.
In the end, Jeongcho proposed a compromise.
"I will take five from the top and five from the average. I also have to follow the Crown Prince's order, don't I?"
The Deputy Ministers, who had been groaning, proposed a counteroffer.
"Four from the top. We should take one from the top ten, shouldn't we?"
After much deliberation, Jeongcho nodded to the Minister of Revenue's compromise.
"Agreed."
* * *
Jeongcho, stepping outside, sighed.
"Phew~. Your Highness was right."
Before coming here, Hyang had called Jeongcho and laid out a strategy.
"It would be good to bring all the top ten, but that is impossible."
"Yes."
"So, I thought…."
Hyang's strategy was to 'make a bold move at the beginning.' Naturally, there would be resistance, and from then on, he would gradually reduce the number, making a show of compromise while securing as much talent as possible. This was Strategy Yi (乙).