Chapter 11

< Chapter 11: Germination... or Cancer? (4) >

Chapter 11: Germination... or Cancer? (4)

Xiang began by reciting a well-known phrase—the luck letter—and then earnestly explained to Sejong the usefulness of Arabic numerals.

Sejong listened to Xiang’s presentation with a serious face, stroking his beard as he fell into thought.

After a moment of silent contemplation, Sejong reached a conclusion.

"It's a good suggestion, but I don't think it's right for me to make this decision alone. When the morning council begins tomorrow, come back and explain it again."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Having finished his task, Xiang bowed to Sejong and stepped back.

As Xiang took a few steps backward, Sejong spoke up.

"Xiang."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I am truly proud of your intelligence. However, you are still young. For now, focus on your physical and mental growth rather than getting involved in state affairs."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xiang's face brightened at Sejong's praise, and he bowed deeply. Watching Xiang leave with a smile, Sejong smiled.

"You finally look like a child of your age."

Still smiling, Sejong examined some documents and clicked his tongue.

"Tsk! I forgot to ask about this matter."

* * *

The next day, as the morning council began, Sejong called Xiang as promised. Xiang, who was attending the council, explained the benefits of Arabic numerals to the ministers.

"…Therefore, I believe that using these numerals, which the scholars call 'Arabic numerals,' is much more useful."

After finishing his explanation, Xiang bowed to Sejong and sat down to one side.

Once Xiang's explanation was over, Sejong looked around at the ministers.

"What do you think of the Crown Prince's proposal?"

The first to respond to Sejong's question was Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance.

"In my opinion, it is very useful for expressing numbers."

"I, Minister of Personnel Heo Ji, also think it is very useful."

The Minister of Finance, who had the most frequent need to use numbers, supported the idea, followed by the Minister of Personnel, who also used numbers frequently.

With the support of the two ministers from the departments most closely related to numbers, Sejong reached a conclusion.

"Let's conduct a one-month trial using these numerals in the two departments. If the results are good, we will implement them nationwide."

"Understood, Your Majesty!"

With the matter of numbers decided, Sejong moved on to the next agenda.

"This next agenda requires the Crown Prince's input and judgment. Crown Prince."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty has sent a decree."

Caught off guard by this unexpected news, Xiang looked puzzled.

"Really?"

Seeing the Crown Prince's expression, Sejong explained the situation.

- The Crown Prince's gold pens were so well-made that Sejong ordered the Office of Military Supplies to create gold pens to present to the Emperor. The Emperor, upon receiving the gold pens adorned with silver threads and featuring two intricately crafted dragons, expressed great satisfaction.

Pleased with the gold pens, the Emperor sent a decree through the Korean envoy who had come to celebrate his birthday.

- To offer 10,000 gold pens as tribute.

- Knowing that Korea's resources were limited, he requested 1,000 pens of the same quality as those already presented and 9,000 of slightly lower quality.

Sejong and the court were plunged into a dilemma upon receiving the Emperor's decree.

There were four grades of gold pens sold with the state's approval. The top grade, used by the royal family, was the highest quality, made of pure gold with silver threads. The next three grades were made of gold, silver, and copper, respectively.

Although the Emperor said that lower grades were acceptable, he would likely only be satisfied with the first grade.

* * *

"10,000 pens... the budget will be..."

Caught off guard by the sudden request, Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance, clutched his aching forehead and muttered.

"Why did the Crown Prince make such an item... No, why did His Majesty present it, and why did he boast about his child to such an extent..."

"Minister!"

"Ah!"

Warned by the vice-minister standing beside him, Kim Jeom quickly shut his mouth and looked around. Fortunately, he was in the office of the Ministry of Finance, and only the vice-minister was present.

"Phew~."

Sighing in relief, Kim Jeom warned the vice-minister.

"Let's pretend you didn't hear that."

* * *

Hearing this, Xiang fell into thought. He nodded his head, calculating various possibilities, and then looked at Sejong.

"Your Majesty, what about doing business?"

"Business?"

"Business! How can you suggest such a thing!"

"Minister of the Office of Censors, be quiet. Crown Prince, continue."

As soon as Xiang mentioned 'business,' the Chief Censor, Sung Yeom, erupted in opposition. However, his attempt was halted by Sejong. Following Sejong's order, Xiang continued.

"Since the Ming Emperor has sent a decree demanding gold pens as tribute, it indicates that there is considerable demand for them in the Ming Dynasty. Consider the vast territory of the Ming Dynasty and the number of people living there. Even just the number of scholars is several times greater than in our Korea. If we contact the merchant guilds that make gold pens, they can produce more than the required amount for tribute."

Hearing Xiang's suggestion, Sejong and the ministers did some mental calculations. They quickly reached a conclusion.

'This could be profitable!'

Seeing the reactions of Sejong and the ministers, Xiang continued his explanation.

"Additionally, we should send merchants with the envoy. Not in the usual secretive manner, but officially."

- Each merchant will contribute 200 kilograms of rice. The court will ensure their safety and accommodation until they reach Beijing.

- The court will rent buildings around the Korean envoy's official residence, the Huadong Hall, to support the merchants' business activities.

- Merchants will pay 20% of their profits to the court. For high-value items like ginseng, they will pay 40%.

- Officials and their attendants in the envoy can entrust items for sale to the merchants, who will pay the same percentage of profits to the court.

- The Ministry of Finance will record the items and quantities to be sold by the merchants and the envoy before departure. They will also send officials with the envoy to keep detailed records of sales.

"…I believe this plan would be beneficial."

"Hmm…"

After Xiang finished his explanation, Sejong and the ministers began to review it. As they considered the pros and cons of Xiang's plan, Sung Yeom spoke up.

"Your Excellency, I believe the Crown Prince's plan should not be adopted."

"Why not?"

"The Crown Prince's plan will certainly bring in a lot of wealth. However, as ancient records show, an influx of wealth can lead to extravagance in the royal court and among the people, ultimately resulting in oppressive taxation and tyranny."

"Your Excellency, I agree with the Chief Censor. A true king and his people should live frugally, finding joy in poverty and virtue, spreading a beautiful fragrance throughout the world, and earning the admiration of other nations."

"Your Excellency, I concur with the previous two. How can we include lowly merchants in an envoy to the Emperor of the superior nation? This would tarnish our nation's dignity. While I acknowledge the Crown Prince's intelligence, he still lacks understanding of state affairs and diplomacy. He should focus more on his studies and learn about true statecraft and diplomacy."

In other words, 'How can a young man who doesn't understand state affairs and diplomacy meddle in such matters?' Xiang's eyebrows shot up at the comments from the Chief Censor, Chief Secretary, and Minister of Rites.

"Phew~."

Taking a deep breath to calm his rising anger, Xiang turned to Sejong.

"Your Majesty, may I respond?"

"Permission granted."

Sejong's voice was not in the best mood. With Sejong's permission, Xiang began his rebuttal.

"Chief Censor, you said that an influx of wealth would lead to extravagance and tyranny?"

"That is correct. As ancient records show..."

"In those records, the extravagance was funded by squeezing the people. Am I suggesting we squeeze the people? No, we are bringing in wealth from outside."

"It might work once, but there's no guarantee it will continue. It might sell well the first time due to novelty, but not the second. If that happens, the burden will fall on the people."

"Are you only thinking about today, Chief Censor?"

The young and brash Xiang's question made Sung Yeom look displeased.

"What do you mean by that!"

"Is the only item merchants will sell gold pens? There are many other items! And how can you be so sure that gold pens will only sell once?"

"Who among us, or the ministers, uses gold pens? They might be novel at first, but they can't match the elegance and quality of traditional brushes. They are mere toys for children!"

Hearing Sung Yeom's words, Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance, who had been sitting quietly, interjected.

"Chief Censor, you are mistaken. Do you know how many gold pens are consumed each month? 60 of the first grade, and 400 of silver and copper combined, just in the government. In the private sector, over 1,000 are sold each month, with more than 60