Chapter 26

< Chapter 26: Gapsin Jeongchang (4) >

Chapter 26: Gapsin Jeongchang (4)

Although Hyang cursed at the scale being larger than expected, she had to accept the reality.

Hyang, who had been staring at the papers where she had written down what she thought was important, recalling the lessons and assignments from the 21st century, soon nodded her head vigorously.

"Alright! I'll show the people of this era... no, the taste of capitalism and modern administrative organizations!"

The next day, as soon as it was light, Hyang moved busily. She went to the Dohwawon (Bureau of Painting) to order the production of a hanging scroll and to the Gunjigam (Bureau of Military Equipment) to order the production of a loudspeaker.

The blueprint Hyang handed over made the head blacksmith scratch his head.

"It looks just like a funnel."

"Something like that. Will it take a long time to complete?"

"I'll have it ready by evening."

"I leave it to you."

After finishing the physical preparations for the presentation, Hyang diligently searched through the classics and Western books.

"Reforming 21st-century systems into 14th and 15th-century Eastern and Western forms, and washing the sources with Confucian classics... "

While roughly organizing how she would structure her presentation, Hyang circled the word 'small government.'

"If there's a Q&A session, controversy will likely arise from this part, and if there isn't, this is where the petitions will flood in. Honestly speaking... "

Hyang trailed off, leaning back in her chair and stretching.

"Ugh!"

"Your Majesty! What is it?"

"Nothing."

Startled by the strange cry she let out while stretching, Hyang sent the eunuch back out and whispered to herself.

"Damn! The Crown Prince is good in every way except for this. There's no private life, no private life... "

Muttering, Hyang tapped the circled 'small government' with her finger and continued.

"In the 21st century, what was called 'small government' is essentially a 'huge government' to these people."

Tapping the problematic word with her finger and pondering, Hyang came to a conclusion.

"Still, there's no choice. I have to point out this issue. Otherwise, everything will remain unchanged, and it will revert to the Korea I know."

With her resolve firm, Hyang began to organize her presentation.

"Let's put the military-related issues at the end. If we discuss them all at once, they'll definitely be overshadowed... "

While putting the military issues at the end, Hyang looked at the map hanging in her study.

"Anyway, a huge event will happen next year..."

* * *

Five days later, eunuchs rushed to the Six Ministries to convey Sejong's order.

"Everyone of the rank of Chamsang (Participating Official) and above must attend?"

"Yes."

"Wow~. Just... "

The Prime Minister barely held back the words "just a nine-year-old" and nodded.

"Understood. I'll make the necessary arrangements."

"Furthermore, His Majesty said that it might take quite a long time, so everyone except the Dangsang (High Officials) should bring their own chairs."

"Bring their own chairs?"

"Yes."

"Understood."

After the eunuch bowed and left, the Prime Minister clicked his tongue.

"Tsk! What is this world coming to!"

He clicked his tongue, but an imperial order was an imperial order. Moreover, it was a command that made sense given the situation, as the discussion with the king could be lengthy. Chairs were prepared in the Jeongjeon (Main Hall) for such occasions, but only enough for the Dangsang. Therefore, the Dangha (Lower Officials) had to bring their own chairs.

However, the Prime Minister's tongue-clicking was not because of this.

"What exactly does he plan to do by putting a nine-year-old in front... The king should do it himself... Ah!"

The Prime Minister stopped clicking his tongue. The eunuch delivering Sejong's order was still moving busily through the corridors of the State Council, and it wouldn't be good for his words to be overheard.

* * *

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Geunjeongjeon (Diligence and Government Hall)

Buzzing.

Following Sejong's summons, officials of the rank of Chamsang and above gathered in Geunjeongjeon.

"O~ Cha-hyeong! It's been a while!"

"Park-hyeong, is that you? It's been a long time! When did you come back from the provinces?"

Those who had rarely met due to working in different ministries or being appointed to local positions greeted each other with joy.

On the other hand, those who had worked in the Six Ministries and built close relationships sat quietly in their chairs, chatting.

"Wasn't it said that the Crown Prince would present his views?"

"Yes. What a waste of time... "

"Shh! There are many listeners."

"Go ahead. Among those gathered here, eight or nine out of ten probably feel the same way as I do."

"Shh! Be quiet!"

"Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!"

Warned by the person sitting next to him, the official who made the problematic statement continued to cough awkwardly.

A short while later, the eunuch announced Sejong's arrival.

"His Majesty~. Please enter~."

At the eunuch's call, the officials who were seated all stood up and bowed. Sejong, receiving the officials' bows, ascended to the throne and sat down.

"Everyone, please be seated."

"As you command."

Following Sejong's order, the officials all sat down and looked at him.

"During this time, the Crown Prince has put forward many opinions, which you all know well. The ingenuity and outstanding utility of these opinions are also well known. However, these opinions are like branches growing from a single trunk. Without a proper understanding of the root, it is impossible to make a proper judgment, which is self-evident. Therefore, I have ordered the Crown Prince to present his views today. The reason I have summoned all of you is because the Crown Prince is still young. Although his excellence is well known, he is still young and could go down the wrong path. Therefore, I hope that those gathered here will listen well and guide him so that he does not stray onto the wrong path."

"As you command!"

In response to Sejong's speech, the ministers all bowed and answered in unison.

A short while later, Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon. The eunuchs who accompanied her hung the hanging scroll on a temporary stand and attached the loudspeaker to a metal rod, securing it.

After all preparations were complete, Hyang, who ascended the stand, made a deep bow to Sejong, who was seated on the throne.

"Your humble servant, thanks to Your Majesty's grace, has been given this opportunity, for which I am truly grateful."

"Very well, do your best."

"Yes."

Hyang bowed again in response to Sejong's words, then stood up and looked at the gathered ministers.

Taking a deep breath, Hyang lightly bowed and spoke into the loudspeaker.

"Thanks to His Majesty's invaluable opportunity, I have the chance to meet all of you. It's a pleasure."

"Long live the Crown Prince!"

After exchanging greetings with the ministers, Hyang finally began her presentation.

"First, let me state the conclusion: my view is 'Hongik Ingan (Benefiting All Mankind).' Yes, as you all know, this was the national philosophy established by Hwanung when he founded ancient Korea. And this 'Hongik Ingan' is also connected to the 'Wangdo Jeongchi (Righteous Government)' and 'Minbon (People-Oriented Governance)' advocated by the sages."

Hyang's words made the Prime Minister and the officials from the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspector General nod uncomfortably. The beginning was not easy to criticize.

However, the smooth start was soon turning into a radical proposal.

- To realize 'Hongik Ingan' and 'Wangdo Jeongchi,' the first step is to ensure the peace and stability of the people. For the people to be at peace, their 'Hangsan (Permanent Livelihood)' must be secured first.

- However, in our Joseon, the land is scarce, the terrain is rugged, and people are overly concentrated in narrow plains, making it difficult to secure the people's Hangsan.

- To solve this, we must not view agriculture alone as the means of securing Hangsan; commerce and industry must also be considered as tools for Hangsan.

- By promoting commerce and industry, we can obtain what we lack from outside, thereby alleviating the people's poverty.

- To achieve this, the court must significantly reform its current system. Instead of the simple Six Ministries system, it should be divided into three major branches: legislative, judicial, and administrative, with specialized departments and positions under each to ensure expertise.

- The local governance system also needs reform. It is an excessive burden to have a single magistrate handle judicial, administrative, tax, and military duties. These responsibilities should be divided and managed by different officials.

- The Hyangni (Village Officials) system must be abolished. Since Hyangni work without pay, they inevitably become corrupt. Therefore, the Hyangni system should be abolished, and paid officials should take over the duties.

- To rescue the impoverished people, the court must act proactively. For this, the Jo-yong-jo (Tax and Labor Service System) must be reformed.

(Excerpt)

- To implement all the above reforms, the court's finances must be robust and substantial. To secure finances, tax reform is essential, and gold and silver mines must be developed and their resources invested in the treasury.

- The most important step in tax reform is to unify the tax system. Currently, in our Joseon, there are many unnecessary miscellaneous taxes in addition to the basic land tax. These miscellaneous taxes are often the root of corruption.

- Equally important to unifying the tax system is fair tax collection. The best strategy is to simultaneously reform the land system and the tax collection system.

- The most fundamental principle in reforming the land system is to remember that the land of this Joseon belongs to the ruler. Moreover, the principle of 'Gyeongja Yuteon (The Cultivator Owns the Land)' must not be forgotten. However, if this is impossible, reforming the tax collection system is the best option.

- The most important aspect of reforming the tax collection system is fairness. Fair tax collection means that those who earn more should pay more, and those who earn less should pay less. Therefore, a progressive tax rate should be applied.

(Excerpt)

- Through an expanded administrative organization, the state must be managed, and the finances secured through tax reform and industrial promotion must be used to actively address poverty. This poverty relief should not be mere charity but should provide hope for the poor to escape poverty.

- For the people to escape poverty, they must have ambition. To achieve this, the court must provide all necessary conveniences to encourage the people's active participation. The most basic measure is to educate all people to ensure they have at least a minimum level of knowledge.

- The most important aspect in this educational process is to instill the belief that there is no hierarchy among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Without such hierarchy, the people will utilize their innate talents and abilities, leading to the prosperity of our Joseon.

(Excerpt)

* * *

As the presentation grew longer, a half-hour break was taken. During the break, Sejong and Hyang had a light meal together.

"Truly remarkable. How did you think of so much?"

In response to Sejong's question, Hyang answered calmly.

"I studied the classics of the ancient sages, historical books, and the writings of Western scholars."

"Is that so? Your efforts are truly visible."

"Your praise is too kind."

Sejong continued to praise Hyang, impressed by her humility.

"To be honest, many of your views are things I hadn't considered. Since the founding of our Joseon, many systems have been established, but even more have simply been inherited from the past. One could say this is the preservation of good customs, but it could also be seen as laziness."

"I believe that if all the systems and laws were good, the previous dynasties would not have fallen and new countries would not have emerged."

Sejong sighed deeply at Hyang's cold response.

"Ha~. That is true."

After finishing the light meal, Hyang earnestly advised Sejong.

"Your Majesty. As it is written in the religious texts of the Westerners, 'New wine must be put into new wineskins.' It has been 30 years since the previous dynasty fell and our Joseon was established. This can be considered a long time, or a short time. However, the people's poverty remains unchanged, so reform must be carried out. Sam-bong (Yi Hwang) proposed reforms, but his reforms were for the benefit of a few. Reforms for the greatest happiness of the greatest number are necessary."

Sejong, struck by Hyang's words, slapped his knee in admiration.

"Your words are indeed right!"

The historian, who was recording the conversation, wrote at the end:

-The Crown Prince's words are radical and progressive. However, the phrase 'greatest happiness of the greatest number' should not be taken lightly. Is it not the essence of the righteous government that the ancient sages advocated and that the scholars dreamed of?

< Chapter 26: Gapsin Jeongchang (4) > End

ⓒ National Pride

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