Chapter 24

< Chapter 24: Gapsin Jeongchang (1604 Reform) (2) >

Chapter 24: Gapsin Jeongchang (1604 Reform) (2)

"There was also something a bit unusual: many merchants were looking for paper from our Joseon."

"Paper from our Joseon?"

"Yes. They said that the quality of our Joseon's paper is superior compared to those made in Ming, and many people are seeking it. In the former dynasty, it was known as 'Haedongji' (Paper from the Sea East) or 'Goryeoji' (Paper from Goryeo), and many people sought it."

At the response of the Minister of the Interior, Sejong stroked his beard.

"Hmm... I think it would be good to issue an order to increase the production at the Papermaking Office."

No sooner had Sejong spoken than Hyang opened his mouth.

"Your Majesty! I have a request to make!"

"Speak."

"Please abolish the Papermaking Office!"

Hyang detonated the bomb that the Minister of the Interior had thrown.

The court hall froze momentarily at Hyang's request to abolish the Papermaking Office.

Sejong and the ministers were momentarily unable to understand Hyang's words.

"Abolish the Papermaking Office? In a situation where many people in Ming are looking for paper?"

"It doesn't seem to align with what the Crown Prince usually advocates?"

"This is an opportunity to gain new benefits. Why?"

A moment later, Sejong and the ministers all began to criticize him. It was because his statement was different from his usual stance. However, Hyang was already prepared to counter.

"Abolishing the Papermaking Office aligns with what I have always advocated."

"It aligns? Explain."

"Yes."

Hyang explained to Sejong and the ministers why the Papermaking Office should be abolished.

- The Papermaking Office currently produces six types of paper. However, during the former dynasty, there were more types, and the quality was even better.

- This means that the situation is getting worse over time. (Note 1)

- If this continues, eventually the merchants from Ming will no longer want our paper, and we will lose an important market.

"Hmm... Crown Prince, I understand what you are saying. If the quality of the paper declines, the merchants from Ming will not buy it. But! I don't understand why this means we should abolish the Papermaking Office. Can't the quality be maintained by better supervision of the papermakers?"

Hyang, who had been listening to Sejong's interruption, immediately responded.

"There is a saying in the market: 'You can lead a cow to water, but you can't make it drink.' No matter how strictly we supervise, if the artisans have no motivation, how can things improve?"

"The artisans have no motivation?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. You know that I have been visiting various offices, including the Military Equipment Bureau, where artisans work, right?"

"I do."

Sejong nodded in response to Hyang's question.

"And each time, I was troubled by the things the Crown Prince has done."

At Sejong's criticism, the ministers unconsciously nodded, and Hyang smiled bitterly.

"I don't recall causing so many problems, but let's move on!"

Hyang then explained why the artisans under the government lacked motivation.

"Their salaries were pitiful. With the salaries they receive, their families can barely survive. As a result, many of them are doing side jobs or quitting their work."

"What do you mean by quitting their work?"

"Some are leasing fields to become tenant farmers or doing manual labor, while others are joining commercial workshops. With such a situation, how can strict supervision make things better? Production is increasing, management is becoming more difficult, but their salaries remain unchanged, so more people will quit."

Sejong's face turned serious at Hyang's words. On the other hand, the Prime Minister, who had been listening to Hyang's explanation, began to counter.

"The people in the Military Equipment Bureau and other royal workshops receive the rank of 9th grade and the corresponding salary. However, among the officials of the same rank, very few resign. This means that the low salary cannot be an excuse for the artisans' lack of diligence."

In response to the Prime Minister's words, Hyang revealed the officials' shortcomings.

"Don't you know that these officials receive a lot of gifts behind the scenes? At your house, the front door is always crowded with people bringing gifts, don't you think?"

"That's just a gift!"

"Who said that?"

Hyang, who had silenced the Prime Minister, continued to look at Sejong.

"Given this situation, who among the royal and government artisans will do their best? Even worse, they don't want to pass their skills to their children. They say it's better to be tenant farmers than to starve for life with their inherited skills. With such a situation, how many of the skills accumulated over the long years have been lost? And how can those with talent develop their skills?"

"The Crown Prince is right."

As Sejong agreed, the Prime Minister immediately countered.

"But what was the reason King Taejong established the Papermaking Office? Because the paper collected as tribute for Jowha (paper money) was of inconsistent quality, and it had to be sorted one by one, causing many problems. If we abolish the Papermaking Office, we will have to face the same problems as during King Taejong's time. Please understand this!"

"Please understand this!"

Following the Prime Minister's lead, the ministers echoed in unison.

"What should we do?"

Sejong, with a troubled expression, subtly signaled to Hyang.

'This guy! He clearly knows the answer!'

"Ahem~."

Hyang, who let out a small sigh, spoke.

"Why do we need to collect paper as tribute?"

"Excuse me?"

"Have you forgotten the example of the gold pen? We should write down the exact specifications and quality standards for the paper needed by the government, and then contract with the merchant who offers the lowest price among those who meet these standards."

"If we do that, the expenditure will... "

"Is paper only needed by the royal family and the government? If there is a guarantee of 'royal supply' like the gold pen, it will sell well in the market, which is as clear as daylight! The government can collect taxes on their profits, earning several times more than the expenditure."

"..."

Hyang's words left the Prime Minister and the other ministers speechless. This was because there was already a precedent with the gold pen. Hyang then moved to the final blow.

"This time, the merchants from Ming asked for paper. If our Joseon merchants can continue to produce high-quality paper through competition, they can earn a lot of money in the large market of Ming, and our government can also secure more income."

After Hyang finished speaking, no minister offered a counterargument. After a moment of silence, the Minister of the Interior spoke.

"In my opinion, the Crown Prince's suggestion is extremely reasonable."

"Minister of the Interior!"

The Prime Minister glared at the Minister of the Interior, but he continued.

"Both helping the people and maintaining the organization of the government, as well as maintaining law and order and defending the borders, require money. It has been 30 years since our Joseon was founded, and we have not had a clear solution in this area. As time passes, the difficulties only increase. If there is a way to solve this, why wouldn't we use it?"

The Chief Censor shouted in response to the Minister of the Interior's words.

"Minister of the Interior, be careful with your words! If all the people understand the way of the sages and become gentlemen, the country will be peaceful, and even the Tartars and Japanese pirates will be moved by this virtue and become peaceful. Therefore, the duty of the ministers is to first consider how to educate the people to become gentlemen! Your Majesty! The Crown Prince's words may seem correct at first glance, but they are merely a stopgap measure that only treats the surface wounds!"

The Minister of Personnel then countered the Chief Censor's statement.

"Your Majesty! The Chief Censor's words may seem correct, but they are merely theoretical! How can starving people understand the teachings of the sages? Cultivation is important, but the people's livelihood is even more important!"

'What? That's what I said before...'

Hyang, muttering to himself, watched the debate among the ministers with great interest.

'I need popcorn!'

Hyang, who was enjoying the debate, glanced at Sejong.

Sejong was silent with a calm expression, but his eyes were smiling.

'This guy! He's enjoying it!'

The debate among the ministers was intensifying. Using examples from reality and classical texts, the ministers engaged in heated debates, and the historians and secretaries were frantically recording the content.

"Enough."

Seeing the debate about to turn into personal attacks, Sejong raised his hand to stop it.

Watching the ministers who were trying to calm their rough breathing, Sejong made his decision.

"I have heard your opinions. Educating the people is indeed an important task that must be accomplished. However! Solving the people's livelihood is also a task that must be addressed. For this, various measures are needed, so you must thoroughly investigate this."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

"And, I think the Crown Prince's proposal regarding the Papermaking Office is correct. However! I think it is too hasty to abolish the Papermaking Office immediately. You must also thoroughly investigate how to solve this and report back in four days."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

After giving orders to the ministers, Sejong turned to Hyang.

"Crown Prince, listen."

"Yes, Father."

"I know you are concerned about enriching the country and ensuring the people's well-being. This is something a Crown Prince should naturally do, so I will neither criticize nor praise you."

"I am grateful, Your Majesty."

Hyang bowed his head in response to Sejong's evaluation.

'Not being scolded is a relief.'

Contrary to Hyang's relief, Sejong's words continued.

"However, every time your opinion is presented, it causes significant turmoil. This is because neither I nor the ministers here know the criteria you use to form your opinions. Therefore, you must explain your political views."

"Excuse me?"

"Crown Prince, we all know that you are well-educated and have deep thoughts. However, you are still young. You might believe a wrong idea is right. As a father, it is my duty to correct this in advance."

"Yes..."

Hyang quietly bowed his head in response to Sejong's words.

"Do you need time to prepare?"

After thinking for a moment, Hyang answered Sejong's question.

"Please give me five days."

"Very well."

With Sejong's decision to have the Crown Prince present his political views in five days, the court session ended.

The ministers leaving the hall were divided into three major groups, though it wasn't visible.

The first group was centered around the Prime Minister, the three chancellors, and those who followed them.

"We must prepare thoroughly over the next five days."

"Prepare?"

"Yes. We need to review the classics and the policies of the past."

"Is it really necessary to prepare so much for a mere 9-year-old child?"

The Prime Minister's face turned fierce instantly.

"How do you explain all the trouble we've had with that 9-year-old?"

"That's..."

"Ha! Do you not know who is behind the Crown Prince? The words may come from the Crown Prince's mouth, but the thoughts are likely those of the King. Think about all the things that have happened! Has the King ever opposed anything the Crown Prince has strongly advocated?"

"No, he hasn't."

"The Crown Prince is only 9 years old, as you say. Of course, his accumulated knowledge is commendable. However, political views are not just about knowledge. Experience is needed, and time is the only answer. When the Crown Prince first started causing trouble, I thought it was because of his genius. But has the Crown Prince only caused trouble once or twice? No matter how talented he is, it's impossible. It's only possible if the King is behind him."

Everyone around the Prime Minister nodded at his conclusion.

"Therefore, everyone must prepare thoroughly! How did we build this Joseon? Will we just watch as the bad habits of the former dynasty return?"

"Understood, Sir."

* * *

Note 1: Korea Cultural Encyclopedia - Papermaking Office entry

< Chapter 24: Gapsin Jeongchang (1604 Reform) (2) > End

ⓒ National Pride

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