As autumn deepened, the calculation of taxes collected from across the nation began, followed by the settlement of the royal court's income and expenditures.
"Hmm... We narrowly averted a crisis."
"That's right, Your Majesty."
In response to Sejong's assessment, all the ministers nodded in agreement.
* * *
Since the start of the land survey, the Joseon court's expenditures had steadily increased. The number of officials and professional soldiers had gradually but steadily grown, and there were large-scale expenditures on mines and ironworks.
The problem was that the rate of increase in the most important source of revenue, tax collection, was lagging behind the rate of expenditure.
Of course, tax revenue had continued to increase compared to the year of the land survey's inception, Gyeongja (1431), but the increase in expenditures always remained a few steps ahead.
To solve this problem, Sejong had to implement bold policies one after another.
First, he began to continuously reclaim the lands granted to officials, including the gongsinjeon (meritorious service lands).
"From now on, I will reclaim all the rights to collect rent from officials. However, in exchange for reclaiming these rights, I will increase the amount of physical salary paid monthly."
Following Sejong's decision, the gongsinjeon and other farmlands granted to meritorious officials and ministers began to be reclaimed one by one. The only exception was the royal family.
In return, Sejong, as promised, increased the amount of salary paid to his officials.
As mentioned before, at the founding of Joseon, the salaries paid to the royal family and officials were significantly reduced.
For the royal family, it was reduced to 1/6, and for officials, it was reduced to 1/4, which was the situation in the early Joseon period.
In this context, Sejong increased the salaries based on the following criteria:
- For lower-ranking officials, the salary would be increased to half of what it was in Goryeo, and for higher-ranking officials, it would be increased to one-third.
- In exchange for abolishing hereditary lands such as sujinjeon and hyeolyangjeon, a monthly salary equivalent to that of a first-rank official would be provided, but this would be limited to a period of 10 years.
Through these criteria, Sejong reclaimed the land back to the king.
* * *
Later, historians would evaluate this period as Sejong's first crisis. If there had been resistance during the process of reclaiming the economic base of the meritorious officials, Sejong could have been ousted from the throne.
However, this crisis could be overcome by three factors.
First, the purge of senior ministers, including Ryu Jeonghyeon.
This was a conflict between Sejong and the senior ministers, ostensibly over the smallpox vaccination, but in reality, it was a clash between Sejong, who sought to strengthen royal authority, and the senior ministers, who wanted to share power equally with the king.
Even later historians would consider Sejong's immediate nationwide implementation of the smallpox vaccination—when the effectiveness of the vaccine had not yet been fully proven—extremely risky, so the senior ministers' resistance was inevitable.
However, the effectiveness of the smallpox vaccination was proven through an outbreak in the vicinity of Hanyang, and the senior ministers were ousted from power by Sejong.
Following the purge of the Min family of Queen Wonkyung during the reign of Taejong and the purge of the Shim On faction immediately after Sejong ascended the throne, this was the third purge of senior ministers, which significantly reduced the influence of the senior ministers who had enjoyed power since the founding of Joseon.
As a result, the forces that could unite to oust Sejong lost their focal point, which was the first factor that allowed Sejong to overcome the crisis.
The second factor was the crown prince.
Sejong's eldest son, Hyang, was appointed as the crown prince and simultaneously produced various cultural artifacts and technologies, including the gold pen.
The crown prince not only developed these but also showed exceptional talent in commercialization, which expanded Joseon's trade and increased tax revenue.
Ultimately, the officials in the court, assured of their economic security, actively cooperated with Sejong's policies.
The military also had the same confidence and adopted a similar stance, allowing Sejong to secure a solid military force.
The third factor was "punishment."
This punishment, known as "document organization punishment," was the most non-violent yet, paradoxically, the most cruel.
However, this punishment had an unexpected effect that no one had anticipated.
Among the punishments imposed on the Joseon ruling class, the most common was exile.
Despite appearing to be expelled from the power group alongside the king, exile allowed the exiled person to maintain their influence if they were determined and security was maintained appropriately.
In some cases, it even allowed them to strengthen their influence.
However, the document organization punishment completely blocked such opportunities. The convict had to move within the king's sight, and the physical and mental fatigue accumulated from organizing documents almost entirely prevented external activities.
* * *
"There was an unexpected large expenditure due to the Hanyang fire. However, fortunately, the harvest this year is good, and we have made significant profits from trade with Japan, so it seems we will have some leeway in setting next year's budget."
Upon hearing the report from the Minister of Finance, Sejong reviewed the reports again and looked at the prime ministers.
"This year, I would like to invite the tribal leaders of the Jurchens. What do you think?"
The prime ministers pondered for a moment. After a brief deliberation, Prime Minister Yi Jik spoke.
"Since the situation is good this year, it would be good to invite them, as we couldn't last year."
Following Prime Minister Yi Jik's words, Hwang Hee added:
"That's right. Given the suspicious movements in Jianzhou, I think we need to implement the eastern advance quickly."
Hwang Hee's words were followed by a firm stance from Maeng Sa-seong.
"Remember the event with the Otori tribe. They are people who benefit by moving between Joseon and Ming. This is the time to clearly distinguish friends from foes."
With the agreement of all the prime ministers, Sejong made his decision.
"Very well. Select envoys to send to the Jurchens. When would be a good date?"
In response to Sejong's question, Hwang Hee answered eagerly.
"The Frost's Descent (around October 24 in the Gregorian calendar) would be good."
"Frost's Descent... That sounds good."
With the date set, Sejong looked at the ministers.
"Starting from Frost's Descent this year, begin the 'Eastern Advance.'"
"Understood, Your Majesty!"
* * *
The 'Eastern Advance' was the largest part of the military strategy created by Sejong for Joseon's growth.
The 'Eastern Advance' originated from Lim Man-ju's southern advance.
With Lim Man-ju's southern advance, the Ming's influence over the Jurchen tribes strengthened, while Joseon's influence weakened, leading Sejong to fall into deep thought.
Seeing Sejong's contemplation, Hyang suggested establishing a specialized agency.
"Establish a specialized agency?"
"Yes, Father. You don't have to take responsibility for everything. Just as you discuss administrative matters with the ministers, it would be best to discuss military matters with military leaders."
"That sounds good, but the civil officials will oppose it."
"Just as the military should not interfere in civil affairs, the civil officials should not interfere in military matters."
Hyang's words made Sejong think for a moment before nodding.
"That sounds reasonable. If there is a Jiphyeonjeon for civil matters, there should be something similar for military matters."
Determined, Sejong moved quickly.
"It's too late to prepare after a war breaks out. I think it's necessary to have an agency that can monitor the situation in advance and study countermeasures. This is in line with the national strengthening policy promoted by the land survey."
Sejong declared the establishment of a new military organization and entered the organization with Hyang.
The result of this work was the 'Joseon Army General Staff Headquarters.'
The General Staff Headquarters gathered renowned generals like Choi Yun-deok and young talents like Yi Jeong-uk.
The first task given by Sejong to the General Staff Headquarters, composed of individuals known for their strategic thinking from the army and navy, was as follows:
"Based on the land survey policy currently being implemented by our Joseon, develop the most basic strategy related to our Joseon, the Jurchen region, Japan, and Ming."
"Phew~"
After confirming Sejong's order, Choi Yun-deok instructed the generals in the General Staff Headquarters.
"Do not plan to go home for a while."
"First, we need materials! Gather all the materials you can!"
Following Choi Yun-deok's order, the generals searched every archive in the palace and the six ministries. They collected any records that were even slightly related.
"Even if it's from the previous dynasty, gather everything!"
"Yes, sir!"
Following Choi Yun-deok's order, the military officials of the General Staff Headquarters searched through records from the Goryeo period to gather everything needed.
The materials collected by the military officials of the General Staff Headquarters were not limited to military matters.
"As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.' To understand our Joseon's capabilities, request materials from the Ministry of Finance!"
"Yes, sir!"
The military officials of the General Staff Headquarters requested copies of all materials related to the household register and economic aspects, including tax revenue, from the Ministry of Finance.