Black Corporation: Joseon

In March of the 7th year of King Sejong’s reign (1425, in the year of the Rooster), Kim Ta of the Office of Inspector General submitted a petition amid the busy preparations for the upcoming imperial examinations.

“The six-year term for local governors is unjust! It must be returned to three years!” (Note 1)

This petition sparked a heated debate – or more precisely, pleadings from officials – between King Sejong and the ministers.

* * *

At the founding of Joseon, the term for local governors was three years – or more accurately, 30 months. As such, performance evaluations took place every year, determining promotions, demotions, and dismissals.

However, changes came about to these terms with the ascension of King Sejong.

This wasn’t a unilateral decision by Sejong.

The original proponent was Ha Ryun.

“Local governors are outsiders coming to lead the village, thus it takes time to understand the unique circumstances of the village. The Ming Dynasty faced a similar issue and solved it by setting the governor’s term to six years. Having observed this over time, it’s proven very effective, and I believe it should be implemented here.”

With Ha Ryun’s proposal and the strong support of the former Minister of Personnel, Minister of Taxation, and previous Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyun, Sejong extended the term for local governors to six years.

To be precise, the term wasn’t extended from three to six years, but rather from 30 to 60 months. Because evaluations of the local governor’s performance occurred every 10 months, including the evaluation period made the term three years, which was then extended to six years.

With the increase in their term, the local governors, the affected parties, expressed considerable dissatisfaction.

Their discontent stemmed from issues of promotion.

The lowest-ranking local governor, the county magistrate, was a sixth-rank post, and for a slightly larger area, the prefecture magistrate held a sixth-rank position.

However, rising to a higher rank in Joseon’s bureaucratic system required a considerable amount of time.

Taking the civil service examination as an example, the successful candidate was given a sixth-rank position and those who passed at a lower level received a ninth-rank post. To rise from the ninth to the sixth rank took several years at best, and more than a decade at worst.

So, working in the provinces for six years was equivalent to stagnation in their careers.

“This damned thing! Even if I hold a ninth-rank position, shouldn’t I have a shot in Hanyang!”

“They say it’s better to be a seventh-rank official in Hanyang than a sixth-rank in the countryside!”

Despite the grumbling of local officials, they faithfully carried out their duties.

A misstep in the performance evaluation held every 10 months could cost them their meager position.

As a result, local administration improved significantly after the implementation of the six-year system, and the livelihoods of the people stabilized.

Of course, there were some local officials whose work proceeded regardless of these issues.

They were the inspectors, who held the highest rank among local officials, a second-rank post, and their term was one year.

Under such circumstances, local officials lobbied influential ministers for a reduction in their terms.

Whether it was due to these gifts, ministers continued to argue that six years was too long and that it should be reduced to three.

“If local governers serve for six years, it poses problems for taking care of their parents in their hometown. This is unfilial, against the teachings of the sages, so I think it should be reduced to three years.”

“Occasionally there are local governers who narrowly avoid dismissal. The commoners in the provinces where these governers serve have expressed great difficulty in enduring six years.”

“Being away from home for six years poses significant issues for disciplining children and arranging marriages. After all, it is said that ‘the family is the basis for governing the nation.’ Six years is too long, please reduce it to three.”

Each time his ministers spoke in this way, King Sejong firmly expressed his refusal.

“Caring for parents is good, but governing the people is also an important task. Rather, bring your parents to your posting. The same goes for the discipline and marriage of children.”

“What can be accomplished in three years? Even the smallest village has hundreds of residents, just understanding their conditions would take at least a year. Also, frequent turnover of local officials leads to discrepancies in inventory audits. This will not be allowed!”

* * *

In such a situation, Kim Ta submitted another petition.

Upon reading the petition, King Sejong looked at the ministers.

“I seem to recall repeatedly saying that the term for local governors would be six years?”

In response to Sejong’s question, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik stepped forward to speak.

“The situation has changed, Your Majesty.”

“Changed how? Explain.”

At Sejong’s command, Lee Jik explained the reasons.

“Last year, we started implementing the land and population survey, but the majority of local governers still do not fully understand the process. As time goes on, the survey will continue to grow in scale. If the local governers, who are the most grassroots level of the court and closest to the people, cannot do their jobs properly, it will become a significant obstacle. Therefore, if we return the term for local governers to three years and continuously rotate the officials between the center and the localities, we can proceed more smoothly with the land and population survey.”

“But if the governor is replaced so often, it results in the problem of discrepancies in asset inspections, including those from trading posts. How will this be resolved?”

At King Sejong’s question, Lee Jik pointed it out immediately without hesitation.

“Trading posts of the Bureau of Salt Tax have already been established down to the military unit level. Although their main business is the trading of salt and sugar, another part is to inspect and manage the lands and people of the army, and even surrounding counties, so there is no significant problem. Even if problems arise on the governor’s side, they can be blocked by the Bureau.”

“Isn’t personnel from the Bureau also replaced every year?”

“But those dispatched by the Bureau are those who have professionally learned economics, and there is no to little discrepancy as they take care of their tasks outside of standing and selling salt and candy.”

“Hmm….”

Listening to Lee Jik’s explanation, King Sejong stroked his beard, lost in thought.

Seeing King Sejong’s not-so-negative reaction, Lee Jik continued to persuade him.

“Please think about what happened last year at the Bureau. How much trouble did we get into because we failed to properly understand the family registry and land?”

Reminded of the famous incident known as ‘the Bureau’s self-congratulatory event’, King Sejong nodded.

‘We’re almost there!’

Having confirmed King Sejong’s reaction, Lee Jik began to reinforce his point.

“When the reform reaches its final phase, tax and military affairs will be handed over to the managers dispatched directly by the Bureaus of Salt Tax and Military. In this way, local governors do not need to be tied up for 6 years.”

“Hmm….”

Listening to Lee Jik’s explanation, King Sejong stroked his beard, lost in thought. The ministers gathered in the assembly swallowed nervously, watching King Sejong deep in thought.

After contemplating for a while, King Sejong nodded and opened his mouth.

“It seems that the Minister has a point. Let’s consider it.”

At King Sejong’s decision, Lee Jik immediately bowed in deep respect and replied, “Your Majesty’s benevolence is boundless! Long live the King!”

At Lee Jik’s shout, the other ministers also bowed deeply and shouted.

“Your Majesty’s benevolence is boundless! Long live the King! Long live, long live!”

Every detail of this spectacle was dutifully recorded by the scribe.

‘… Thus, the King decided to consider it, and all the ministers were moved by the grace and shouted “Long live the King”.’

The scribe then chuckled, internally, ‘The fellow ministers must have been tired.’

That day, the faces of the ministers leaving the assembly were unusually flushed.

After passing through Geunjeongmun Gate, the Chief State Councillor looked back at the officials.

“We can’t just let a day like today pass! I’ll pay for the drinks, let’s go!”

“You have worked hard, your Excellency! Therefore, it should be our treat! We will take care of it!”

* * *

Meanwhile, King Sejong, who was left alone in the assembly, chuckled and burst into laughter.

“Heh!”

“Your Majesty, what is it?”

At the question from the calm and modest royal secretary, King Sejong waved his hand.

“It’s nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

Even though he concluded this way, King Sejong knew the ministers’ feelings.

‘We can’t be the only ones to die! If we’re going to die, let’s all die together!’

While chuckling and sorting out his thoughts, King Sejong muttered to himself quietly, “Anyway, the more people who are savvy, the better, so it should be fine.”

The next day, King Sejong made a decision at the meeting where all the ministers had gathered.

“I will accept the ministers’ opinions regarding the local governors. Determine an appropriate implementation date.”

“Your Majesty’s benevolence is boundless!”

“Your Majesty’s benevolence is boundless!”

* * *

As the past ended and the weather began to grow warmer. 

Just like the previous year, Joseon, having prepared in advance, was able to pass through the season of Chun-gung (spring famine) without major chaos.

During the spring famine, throughout all of Joseon, ditches and reservoirs that still hadn’t been completely repaired were tended to, and rivers were dredged. 

Residents in and around Hanyang were mobilized to dredge the Han River.

It was quite a strenuous task, but since the country was paying wages, the residents were even willing to volunteer for the dredging work.

Busy with such activities, the royal court continued to implement smallpox vaccination as they did last year.

Thanks to the nationwide vaccination carried out last year, the second round of smallpox vaccination ended faster and smoother than expected.

Meanwhile, Hyang was getting ready to release one by one, the things he and his researchers had developed.

“Your Highness. Are you checking the inventory?”

In the warehouse of Area 51, Hyang, who was looking at the goods piled up, nodded at the question from Lee Chun, who had followed him.

“Are you thinking of releasing them now?”

“Yes, it’s about time to release them. This should alleviate some of Father’s concerns.”

At Hyang’s words, Lee Chun nodded.

“That’s correct.”

With Lee Chun’s agreement, Hyang solidified his resolve.

“I should contact Minister of Taxation soon.”

However, Hyang had to temporarily halt his plan due to an incident that happened outside.

The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty had died.

The news of the death of the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty put the royal court on emergency.

“That time, the fortune teller and the physician were right.”

“That’s correct, Your Majesty.”

At King Sejong’s words, Lee Jik immediately replied.

“Prepare a delegation for the mourning visit and get the mourning tribute ready.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And, do you have any information about their crown prince who will become the new emperor?”

Before King Sejong’s words even finished, Hwang Hui stepped forward to answer.

“There is a rumor that the previous emperor adored him greatly.”

“How so? What kind of personality does he have personally?”

“There are rumors that he is accomplished in both civil and military affairs. That’s why the previous emperor adored him so much.”

Hwang Hui who answered King Sejong’s questions did not hesitate.

Having been heavily embarrassed last year, it was a moment where his thorough preparation shone.

“Hmm… So, do you think the crown prince, who will be the new emperor, will lean heavily on foreign policy like the previous emperor?”

“He is said to be very prudent. And… this may be a difficult thing to say, but there is a rumor we’ve heard through our spies.”

“A rumor? What is it?”

At the words ‘difficult thing to say’, King Sejong showed interest.

“There’s a rumor that Grand Prince Han has great ambition.”

“Oh? Is the source reliable?”

Upon Sejong’s inquiry, Hwang Hui promptly responded, “It is said to be a rumor slowly spreading among the merchants in Beijing.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong, who had been stroking his beard and organizing his thoughts at Hwang Hui’s response, gave an order.

“Choose a suitable ambassador and send him to interact with the merchants and officials staying in Beijing. Have them gather all available information about the new Crown Prince and Grand Prince Han without any omission.”

“We will heed your command!”

“And send a messenger to the border to strengthen our defenses. If the Ming Empire falls into chaos, the Jurchens will also start causing trouble.”

Sejong, who had given orders to Hwang Hui, sighed.

“Sigh~ This is inevitable… When you try to get something done, issues arise.”

* * *

“Ah, it’s so frustrating! That damn Ming isn’t helping at all!”

“Your Highness!”

Surprised by Hyang’s grumbling, the following inner palace servant became startled.

“I didn’t say anything. Nothing at all! Understand?”

At Hyang’s warning, the servant made a gloomy face and nodded.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“There is no privacy in this damn palace. No privacy…”

Hyang, who silenced the servant, grumbled and moved towards the research lab next to the Eastern Palace.

“Crown Prince, Your Highness…”

“Shh! Everyone’s busy, so stay quiet.”

“Yes.”

Hyang, who had silenced the about-to-chatter servant, quietly walked down the corridor.

Upon arriving in front of the room with a model train, Hyang made a face.

“Haah~. Haah~. Awesome! The best!”

Hearing the excited moans and comments from inside that could easily be misunderstood by anyone listening, Hyang asked the servant standing in front of him.

“Is that Yoo?”

“Yes, it’s Prince Yoo.”

At the servant’s response, Hyang sighed.

“He is severely addicted…”

Hyang swallowed the words that were about to follow.

‘Even I, from the 21st century, wasn’t that bad at his age!’

* * *

After the newly throned Emperor’s death, the Joseon court could not relax due to the information coming from the Ming Empire.

Upon hearing news of the emperor’s death, the Crown Prince who was staying in Nanjing immediately set off for Beijing.

Grand Prince Han, or Zhu Gaoxu¹, who had dreamed of usurping the throne, attempted an assassination midway, but Zhu Zhanji, who safely overcame the crisis, arrived in Beijing and ascended to the throne.

Afterwards, the newly crowned Emperor Zhu Zhanji, like his father, was bestowing many gifts in an attempt to win over Grand Prince Han.

However, according to the information obtained by officials and merchants staying in Beijing, Grand Prince Han was eagerly awaiting an opportunity.

Unable to relax due to the ongoing crisis, Sejong complained to the ministers.

“If he’s going to revolt, he should do it already. Why is he bothering to be cautious… It’s tiresome…”

“That’s exactly right.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers nodded their heads.

Their workload had tripled due to the external threat crisis during the ongoing situation, which was why the ministers were tense.

“Sigh~.”

Sejong, who had sighed deeply, looked at the ministers.

“Let’s get to work! Work! When your head hurts, work is the best! Let’s work!”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers screamed a silent scream.

‘Shouldn’t rest be best when your head hurts!’

—-

Note 1) In actual history, the imperial decree came in June.

1. Zhu Zhanji or Emperor Xuande’s uncle[↩]