Chapter 76: Let's Earn Money! Let's Do Business! (2)
In the third month of King Sejong's seventh year (1425, Eulsa Year),
While preparing for the small examination, Kim Ta, the Chief of the Office of Special Inspection, submitted a memorial.
"The six-year term for county magistrates is unjust! It should be reduced back to three years!" (Note 1)
This memorial sparked a heated debate—more accurately, a plea from the ministers—between Sejong and his high officials.
* * *
At the founding of Joseon, the term for local magistrates was three years—more precisely, 30 months. Therefore, performance evaluations were conducted annually, and promotions, demotions, and dismissals were decided based on these evaluations.
However, when Sejong ascended the throne, the term for local magistrates changed.
This was not Sejong's unilateral decision.
The initial proposer was Ha Ryun.
"Local officials are outsiders who come to serve as the heads of their counties, so it takes time for them to understand the local conditions. The Ming Dynasty faced similar issues and resolved them by setting the term for local officials to six years. After observing this, it has proven to be very effective, so I believe we should adopt it."
Following Ha Ryun's proposal, Hyeo Jo, who became the Minister of Personnel, and Yeonguijeong Ryu Jeonghyeon actively supported it, leading Sejong to extend the term of local officials from three to six years.
To be precise, it was extended from 30 months to 60 months. Evaluations were conducted every 10 months, so the terms were effectively three and six years.
When the term for local officials was extended, they expressed significant dissatisfaction.
The dissatisfaction stemmed from promotion issues.
The lowest-ranking local official, the hyeongam, held a 6th junior rank, while the slightly larger region's head, the hyeongnyeong, held a 6th senior rank.
However, in Joseon's bureaucratic system, advancing to a higher rank required a considerable amount of time.
For example, in the large examination, the top scorer received a 6th junior rank, and those who passed with a Bing grade received a 9th senior rank. It took several years, sometimes over a decade, for a 9th senior rank to advance to a 6th junior rank.
Thus, requiring local officials to serve for six years was akin to telling them to give up on advancement.
"What the hell! Even if it's a 9th junior rank, I need to stay in Hanyang to pull strings!"
"Being a 7th senior rank in Hanyang is better than being a 6th junior rank in the countryside!"
Despite their complaints, the local officials still performed their duties diligently.
If they made mistakes in the evaluations, which occurred every 10 months, they could lose their positions.
As a result, after the six-year term was implemented, local administration ran smoothly, and the people's livelihoods stabilized.
Of course, there were also local officials who operated independently of these changes.
They were the governors, or Do-Gwanchalchulsa (都觀察黜陟使).
The rank of the governors, who were at the top of the local officials, was 2nd junior rank, and their term was one year.
Due to this situation, local officials began to lobby influential ministers with gifts to reduce their terms.
Perhaps due to these gifts, the ministers continued to argue that the six-year term was too long and should be reduced to three years.
"The six-year term away from home makes it difficult for local officials to support their elderly parents. This is filial impiety and goes against the teachings of the sages, so I believe it should be reduced to three years."
"Occasionally, local officials narrowly avoid dismissal. The people in their counties have submitted memorials stating that enduring six years is too arduous."
"Being away from home for six years makes it difficult to discipline and arrange marriages for their children. As the sages said, 'First, cultivate oneself and manage the family, then govern the state.' Six years is too long; please reduce it to three years."
Each time the ministers made these arguments, Sejong firmly rejected them.
"Supporting elderly parents is a good deed, but governing the people is also important. Rather, bring your parents to your post. The same applies to disciplining and arranging marriages for your children."
"What can be done in just three years? Even in the smallest county, the population exceeds several hundred, and it takes at least a year to understand their conditions. Frequent changes in leadership also lead to errors in the verification of granaries and other assets. I refuse!"
* * *
In this context, Kim Ta submitted another memorial.
Sejong glared at the ministers after reading the memorial.
"Didn't I keep saying that the term for local officials should be six years?"
In response to Sejong's question, Yeonguijeong Yi Jik stepped forward.
"The situation has changed."
"The situation has changed? Explain."
Following Sejong's order, Yi Jik explained the reasons.
"Since the implementation of the equal-field system last year, the majority of local officials still do not fully understand it. As the system grows, if local officials do not handle it properly, it will face significant obstacles. Therefore, reducing their term to three years and continuously rotating officials between the central and local governments will make the implementation of the equal-field system smoother."
"However, frequent changes in leadership will lead to errors in the verification of granaries and other assets. How will you solve this?"
Without hesitation, Yi Jik pointed out the solution.
"Special sales offices have already been established at the county level. While their primary function is the exclusive sale of salt and sugar, they also verify and manage the land and population of the county and surrounding areas, so there should be no major issues. If problems arise from the local officials, the Ministry of Household can intervene."
"Doesn't the Ministry of Household also rotate its officials annually?"
"However, the officials dispatched by the Ministry of Household are specialists trained in mathematics. They handle their duties only when the sales offices are open, so the margin of error is minimal."
"Hmm…."
Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought upon hearing Yi Jik's explanation.
Seeing that Sejong's reaction was not negative, Yi Jik continued to persuade him.
"Consider what happened last year with the Ministry of Household. How much trouble did we face due to the lack of proper verification of the household registry and land?"
Recalling the famous incident of the Ministry of Household's self-inflicted problems, Sejong nodded.
'Almost there!'
Confirming Sejong's reaction, Yi Jik pressed his advantage.
"When the equal-field system reaches its final stage, the management of taxes and military affairs will be transferred to officials directly dispatched by the Ministry of Household and the Ministry of War. At that point, there will be no need for local officials to serve for six years."
"Hmm…."
Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought again.
The high and low officials gathered in the hall swallowed their saliva as they watched Sejong.
After much deliberation, Sejong nodded and spoke.
"Your argument has merit. Let's consider it."
In response to Sejong's decision, Yi Jik immediately bowed deeply and replied.
"Your grace is boundless! Long live the Emperor!"
At Yi Jik's cry, the other ministers also bowed deeply and shouted.
"Your grace is boundless! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor for ten thousand years!"
The historian recorded the entire scene.
-... Thus, the Emperor decided to consider the matter, and the high and low officials expressed their gratitude by shouting "Long live the Emperor."
The historian comments:
The ministers must have been under a lot of pressure.
That day, the faces of the ministers leaving the hall were unusually flushed.
As they passed through the Geungjeong Gate, the Yeonguijeong turned to the other officials.
"Today is not a day to let pass! I'll treat you, let's go!"
"The senior minister has worked hard; we should treat him! We will serve you!"
* * *
Meanwhile, Sejong, who remained alone in the hall, chuckled.
"Hehe!"
"Your Majesty, what is it?"
In response to the question from the attendant standing behind him, Sejong waved his hand.
"Nothing. Nothing at all."
Although he concluded it that way, Sejon knew the ministers' feelings.
'We can't be the only ones to suffer! If we must suffer, let's all suffer together!'
While chuckling, Sejong organized his thoughts and muttered to himself.
"Anyway, having more capable people is always better. It should be fine."
The next day, in a meeting with all the high and low officials, Sejong made his decision.
"I will accept your suggestions regarding the term of local officials. Set an appropriate implementation date."
"Your grace is boundless!"
"Your grace is boundless!"
* * *
As the spring famine period approached and the weather began to warm up.
Thanks to the preparations made last year, Joseon managed to get through the spring famine without major issues.
During the spring famine, the entire country worked on repairing and maintaining the irrigation systems and reservoirs that were still under construction, and dredging rivers.
Residents of Hanyang and nearby areas were mobilized to dredge the Han River.
Although it was a challenging task, the residents were willing to participate because they were paid by the state.
Meanwhile, the court continued to implement the cowpox vaccination program, which, due to the nationwide effort last year, proceeded more smoothly and quickly than expected.
On the other hand, Hyang was preparing to release the inventions he and his researchers had developed.
"Your Highness, are you checking the inventory?"
Hyang, who was inspecting the items stacked in the warehouse of Area 51, nodded in response to Icheon's question.
"Are you planning to release them now?"
"Yes, it's time to release them. This will help alleviate the Emperor's concerns."
Hyang's response made Icheon nod.
"Yes, that's true."
Encouraged by Icheon's agreement, Hyang made up his mind.
"I should contact Hoban soon."
However, an external event forced Hyang to pause his plans.
The Hongxi Emperor of the Ming Dynasty had died.
The news that the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty had died put the Joseon court on high alert.
"At that time, the predictions of the fortune-tellers and the royal physicians were correct."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In response to Sejong's comment, Yi Jik immediately replied.
"Prepare a condolence envoy and a mourning hall."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Also, do you have any information about the new crown prince who will become the emperor?"
Sejong's question was quickly answered by Hwang Hee.
"There are rumors that the late emperor favored him greatly."
"Is that so? What is his personal character like?"
"There are rumors that he is well-versed in both civil and military affairs. That's why the late emperor favored him so much."
Hwang Hee's response was smooth, having prepared thoroughly after the incident last year.
"Hmm… Do you think the new emperor will focus on external affairs like his predecessor?"
"He is very cautious. However, there are rumors, though difficult to speak of, that he is plotting something."
"Rumors? What kind of rumors?"
Intrigued by the mention of "difficult to speak of rumors," Sejong showed interest.
"There are rumors that the ambition of Prince Han (漢王) Zhu Gaoxu is very strong."
"Hmm? Is the source reliable?"
"These rumors are circulating among the merchants in Beijing."
"Hmm…."
Sejong stroked his beard, organizing his thoughts, and then issued an order.
"Select an appropriate merchant guild and send them to the Ministry of Household to relay my command to the merchants and officials staying there. Tell them to gather all information about the new crown prince and Prince Han."
"Understood, Your Majesty!"
"Also, send a messenger to the border to strengthen the defenses. If the Ming Dynasty falls into chaos, the Jurchens will cause trouble."
After giving these orders to Hwang Hee, Sejong sighed.
"Phew~. Just when I was trying to get some work done, something happens."
* * *
"Ah! That China is no help at all!"
"Your Highness!"
When Hyang grumbled, the attendant following him was alarmed.
"I didn't say anything. I didn't! Got it?"
The attendant, responding to Hyang's warning, made a pained expression and nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"In this palace, there is no such thing as private life. No private life…."
Hyang, having silenced the attendant, grumbled as he moved to the research facility next to the Donggung.
"His Highness the Crown Prince…."
"Shh! Everyone is busy, so be quiet."
"Yes."
Hyang, who had stopped the attendant from coughing, quietly walked down the corridor.
Just as he arrived at the room with the train model, Hyang frowned.
"Ha~. Ha~. Amazing! The best!"
Hearing the excited moans from inside, which could easily be misunderstood, Hyang asked the attendant standing in front of him.
"Yunja?"
"Yes, Prince Yun."
Hyang sighed at the attendant's response.
"That's a severe case…."
Hyang suppressed the words he wanted to say.
'Even in the 21st century, I wasn't that bad at his age!'
* * *
After the death of the Hongxi Emperor, the Joseon court could not relax due to the information coming from the Ming Dynasty.
Upon hearing of the emperor's death, the crown prince, who was staying in Nanjing, immediately set out for Beijing.
Prince Han Zhu Gaoxu, who had been plotting to seize the throne, attempted an assassination but failed. Zhu Zhanji arrived in Beijing and ascended to the throne.
Afterward, the newly enthroned Zhu Zhanji, like his father, bestowed many favors to win over Zhu Gaoxu.
However, according to the information gathered by the officials and merchants staying in the Ministry of Household, Zhu Gaoxu was still waiting for an opportunity.
Unable to relax due to the ongoing threats, Sejong complained to the ministers.
"If he's going to rebel, he should do it now. Why is he waiting and causing everyone stress…."
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
The ministers nodded in agreement with Sejong's words.
The crisis of external threats, while the equal-field system was still being implemented, had doubled their workload.
"Phew~."
Sejong, after a long sigh, looked at the ministers.
"Alright! Let's get to work! Work! When your head hurts, the best thing to do is work! Let's work!"
The ministers, in response to Sejong's words, silently screamed.
'When your head hurts, the best thing to do is rest, isn't it?'
----
Note 1: In actual history, the memorial was submitted in June.