Chapter 27

< Chapter 27: Gapsin Jeongchang (5) >

Chapter 27: Gapsin Jeongchang (5)

While Sejong and Hyang were enjoying the afternoon, the officials, both high and low, were so busy that they forgot about the afternoon tea.

“Writing tools! Writing tools!”

The officials who returned to their respective offices hurriedly dipped their brushes in ink and began writing on paper.

“What did he say again?”

“Damn! There’s too much to write!”

Those who had underestimated Hyang’s speech, thinking it would be easy for a nine-year-old, were now racking their brains to recall and transcribe what Hyang had said.

While the officials of the Six Ministries (Yukjo) were struggling with their papers, there were some who were surprisingly relaxed. Among those who were relaxed were the military officials (Mugun).

“Hey, Seong, do you understand what the Crown Prince said?”

“If I understood, would I still be a Bijeolgyowon (a low-ranking military officer)?”

“Haha! That’s true.”

Those who were smiling bitterly were those who had risen through the military examinations. Although Sejong had added the classics to the military examinations as soon as he ascended the throne, many of them were still closer to unruly men in official robes.

Another group was the officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs (Hojo). Thanks to bringing their writing tools from the beginning, the officials from Hojo could take notes whenever necessary. As a result, when it was time for a break, the officials from Hojo could enjoy their afternoon tea with ease.

* * *

Hyang’s presentation, which lasted longer than expected, finally ended as the evening approached.

After finishing the presentation, Hyang looked at Sejong and the ministers.

“Do you have any questions?”

“...”

None of the ministers responded immediately to Hyang’s question. After waiting for a moment, Hyang concluded.

“Then, I will end my policy statement here.”

Hyang bowed respectfully to Sejong, who was seated above the Tang family.

“Good job. Let’s have dinner together in a while.”

“Yes, Father.”

Sejong, who looked at Hyang with a proud expression, turned to the ministers.

“That’s all for today. Thank you for your hard work.”

At Sejong’s announcement of the end, the officials all stood up from their chairs and bowed respectfully.

As Sejong and Hyang left the Gyeongjeongjeon, the ministers also began to leave.

The faces of the officials leaving the Gyeongjeongjeon, starting with the high-ranking officials (Dangsangwan), were unusually serious. The only difference was that the high-ranking officials (Dangsangwan) only carried their writing tools, while the lower-ranking officials (Danghagwan) and above also carried their chairs in the other hand.

“Prime Minister, what do you think?”

“What do I think? I’m freezing!”

The Left Prime Minister responded irritably to the Right Prime Minister’s question.

“We must write a memorial immediately! The Crown Prince’s ‘Hongik Ingan’ (Benefiting All People) is just a fancy phrase, but it disregards traditional values! Not only that, but in setting laws, he follows the teachings of the Legalists (Fajia) rather than the teachings of the Confucians (Rujia), which is truly lamentable!”

The Right Prime Minister, who shouted angrily, walked towards the government building.

Similar reactions were also coming from the censors (Jangan) of the Office of Censors (Siganwon).

“We must write a memorial immediately!”

“Agreed!”

“The Crown Prince’s words may seem correct at first glance, but he is following the tyranny of the Legalists! This is like following the oppression of Qin Shi Huang, and we must stop it!”

Amidst the various opposing voices, the intensity of the statements increased.

“If necessary, we must even consider replacing the Crown Prince!”

“Hey! Isn’t that going too far?”

“What’s too far? Wasn’t the current king originally not the Crown Prince?”

“Shh!”

A colleague who covered the mouth of the censor who made the controversial statement looked around and warned.

“Hey! Be careful what you say! Do you have some kind of iron armor around your neck?”

“Why? What did I say that was wrong? A mere nine-year-old is saying something ridiculous! We must impeach the guests of the Crown Prince’s Lecture Hall (Sejaesangwon) for not teaching him properly, and also point out the king’s mistake! Discipline must be strict, and by only praising him, such a disastrous situation has occurred!”

“If so, we should strengthen the discipline, not replace the Crown Prince...”

“Look at the situation! Even if we try to correct it, it’s already too late! For the sake of righteous politics, we must replace him immediately!”

“Hey! Your voice is too loud!”

A colleague who warned the censor, whose voice was getting louder, looked around. However, the young censors and inspectors (Daegan) from the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspection were pretending not to notice.

However, the censor who gave the warning knew well. Even if they pretended not to notice now, when a crisis came, there would be many who would step forward to inform on them.

On the other hand, there were also many officials who actively supported the Crown Prince’s opinions.

“Phew! It’s been a long time since I felt so refreshed!”

“I agree! After always hearing unrealistic talk, it’s refreshing to hear something practical. Hahaha!”

“Loyalty and filial piety are important, but to protect them, we must first protect the trust between the state and the people! What a great saying!”

“Did you see the king’s expression? He looked like he was ready to adopt the policies immediately.”

“The Crown Prince is so outstanding, and the king is so wise, this is a great blessing for our Joseon!”

The officials who praised Hyang and Sejong were mostly practical officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs (Hojo) and the Ministry of Personnel (Ijo), among the Six Ministries (Yukjo). For the practical officials who had been struggling with budgeting and various administrative issues, Hyang’s points and related measures, as well as Sejong’s positive response, were like a refreshing cold drink that cleared their minds. As they showed positive reactions to Hyang and Sejong, the officials from the Six Ministries heard the voices of the censors and inspectors from the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspection.

“What a bunch of scoundrels!”

“Hey! Calm down!”

The officials from the Six Ministries, upon hearing the censors’ statements, all cursed. A few with quick tempers rolled up their sleeves and tried to grab them, but nearby colleagues stopped them. The commotion made the officials from the Office of Inspection and the Office of Censors stop and glare at each other.

“Power-hungry hypocrites!”

“Mouthy hypocrites!”

The officials, insulting each other as hypocrites and exchanging curses, soon spat on the ground and turned away.

“Cough! Spit! Let’s go! Talking to such hypocrites will only dirty our ears!”

“Cough! Spit! Who’s talking! Let’s go!”

The officials who turned away shouted to their colleagues.

“Let’s write a memorial! That’s the only solution!”

“Agreed!”

Thus, the “policy debate” that “raised the price of paper in Hanyang” as recorded in the unofficial history began.

* * *

Unaware of the commotion among the officials, Sejong and Hyang were enjoying their dinner together.

“Today’s presentation was excellent.”

“Thank you.”

“Even though it’s the policy of a mere nine-year-old, I missed a lot. There are many policies I want to adopt and implement immediately.”

“Thank you. However, to be honest, if implemented immediately, many of these policies would be impractical.”

Hyang’s comment made Sejong nod and respond.

“Because of the budget, right?”

“Yes. To be honest... though it is extreme, I think it would be better to postpone the circulation of copper coins, which you plan to implement next year.”

“Is it because of the issue of payment guarantees you mentioned earlier?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Can’t we start with the available finances?”

In response to Sejong’s question, Hyang put down his spoon and spoke.

“If we do that, all the issued copper coins will end up buried in the granaries of the local lords, and the common people who need them will continue to trade with rice and cloth.”

“The issued copper coins will end up in the granaries of the local lords? Why?”

“It’s simple. No matter how well rice and cloth are stored, they can’t last more than five years. But copper coins are different, aren’t they? They are also small in size.”

Sejong nodded, crossing his arms, in response to Hyang’s answer.

“Hmm... I see. Then, how can we solve this?”

In response to Sejong’s question, Hyang looked at the historians (Sagwan) and recorders (Juseo) sitting to one side, leaned towards Sejong, and whispered.

“I think we should spend at least ten years, or at least five years, preparing thoroughly and then implement it all at once. It will be like a war, no, it is a war.”

As Hyang leaned in, Sejong also leaned in and asked in a low voice.

“A war?”

In response to Sejong’s question, Hyang answered in an even