Chapter 8

< Chapter 8: Germination (發芽)... Carcinogenesis (發癌)? (1) >

Chapter 8: Germination (發芽)... Carcinogenesis (發癌)? (1)

On October 27, 1421, the third year of King Sejong's reign, Hyang was appointed as the Crown Prince. Finally, he was officially recognized as the next successor, moving from being a mere prince to the heir apparent.

No one else would know, but on the night the appointment ceremony ended, Hyang clenched his fist and rejoiced alone.

"Finally, the time has come!"

* * *

"Let's see... The policies our king has implemented so far..."

Leaning back in his chair, Hyang, who had set aside the classics spread out on his desk, reviewed in his mind the policies King Sejong had implemented.

"In the first year of his reign, the chaos caused by the treason of Gang Sang-in led to a partial cabinet reshuffle, but not much else happened..."

After that, Sejong steadily implemented his policies.

He exempted farmers in Gangwon Province from taxes due to famine, met directly with local officials dispatched to the regions, expanded the Jiphyeonjeon (Hall of Worthies), and introduced the Four Books (論語, 孟子, 大學, 中庸) as part of the military examination. Later, there was the expedition to Daima Island.

Among Sejong's policies, what caught Hyang's attention was the one related to salt.

While rejecting the salt makers' petition to lower the salt tax, he implemented a policy to expand public salt production.

"Monopoly on salt... It does make money."

Sejong was as concerned with national stability as he was with enriching the country and strengthening its military. The most important aspect of enriching the country and strengthening the military was securing the budget. The monopoly on salt was for this purpose.

To solve the national budget problem, Sejong sent a national letter to Ming, proposing to exclude gold and silver vessels from the tribute list.

However, Hyang did not give it a very good evaluation.

"Excluding gold and silver products from the tribute list is fine, but the problem is that the envoys take that much in return. How to handle this part..."

In addition to this, there were many other issues Hyang thought needed addressing. But what concerned him the most were the land issues and the wheat trade.

"If the land ownership limit law is problematic due to opposition from large landowners and high-ranking officials, the tax system needs to be changed. And for the wheat trade... We need to change the part where trade and commerce are looked down upon..."

Thinking of various minor improvements and their solutions, Hyang sighed deeply.

"There can be many solutions, but the biggest constraint is one... The Joseon government has no money. Or rather, no gold."

The final solution Hyang thought of was 'gold.'

- To improve the land and tax systems most effectively, currency circulation is essential. However, currency circulation has consistently failed. Sejong will likely try again soon, but historically, it will fail.

- The reason for the continuous failure of currency circulation is that the government could not guarantee the existence of currency as a new means of wealth.

- The means of wealth for wealthy local landowners and high-ranking officials are mostly physical goods like grain and cloth. However, grain and cloth have a short lifespan. Therefore, the wealthy convert their acquired wealth into gold and silver to preserve it for the long term.

- To absorb the wealth accumulated by the wealthy, aggressive tax and land policies are needed.

- However, implementing such aggressive policies will invite opposition from the wealthy.

- To suppress this opposition, the central government, specifically the king, must have a strong military force.

- But having a strong military force means needing a corresponding budget. How to solve this part?

Continuing to think deeply, Hyang had a resigned expression.

"No matter how many times I revise my plans, if I can't solve the money problem, I'll just be going in circles. The only way to break this vicious cycle is through the king's decisiveness. Fortunately, King Sejong is capable. My role is... to be a seasoning for him?"

Hyang nodded in agreement with his conclusion.

"Although I am now the Crown Prince, I am only eight years old, so I am still weak. The best thing to do is to throw out some bait as I pass by. And the start of that is..."

Hyang looked at the brush in the brush holder on one side of his desk.

"That's the start."

* * *

- On December 10, the third year of Sejong's reign, the Crown Prince presented a gold pen (金筆) and it was praised by the king for its convenience in quick writing. The Crown Prince requested that it be used by officials and secretaries who needed quick writing, and the king approved.

Mid-November. Hyang visited the Military Equipment Bureau (軍器監). Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had arrived, Jeong, the highest-ranking official responsible for the bureau's operations, hurried out.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince!"

"Thank you for your hard work."

Hyang's praise made Jeong bow even deeper.

"I would like to take a look around for a bit. Is that alright?"

"It would be an honor!"

As Hyang was about to move with the guidance of Jeong Ichangho, the head of the Military Equipment Bureau, the craftsmen of the bureau, who had heard of the Crown Prince's visit, rushed out to greet him.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince!"

"Truly, you have worked hard. Thanks to people like you, our Joseon's defense is strong. I am very grateful."

The craftsmen, who were prostrating themselves, were moved by the Crown Prince's praise and responded.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince, we don't know what to do with such praise!"

"Truly, it is an honor!"

The craftsmen, deeply moved by the praise from their high-ranking visitor, led the way, showing Hyang around the bureau.

Hyang had several reasons for visiting the Military Equipment Bureau, but the biggest reason was that it was where weapons were made.

'Weapons, gunpowder... I will have to come here often in the future, so I need to lay the groundwork now. I would like to have Jang Yeong-sil, but he belongs to the Office of Royal Attire (尙衣院) and has the backing of Jeong Cho and the king...'

Putting aside his regret over Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang toured the bureau and then got to the main point.

"Who here is the best at working with gold and iron?"

"Gold and iron?"

"Yes. I need something made."

"Someone skilled with iron and gold..."

In response to the Crown Prince's question, Jeong Ichangho recalled the craftsmen. After a moment, he thought of one.

"There is someone suitable."

A moment later, a middle-aged craftsman entered Jeong's office at his call.

"Did you call for me?"

"Yes. Master Gong, the Crown Prince has a request."

Hearing that the Crown Prince, Hyang, had called for him, Master Gong bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince.

"This humble one greets Your Highness, Crown Prince."

"Don't say 'humble.' Why would the craftsman of the Military Equipment Bureau, which is responsible for our Joseon's defense, be humble?"

"Your, Your Highness, I am deeply honored!"

Moved by Hyang's praise, Master Gong prostrated himself.

"Please stand up. I have a favor to ask of you."

"Please give the order! I will make it with my life!"

'For a craftsman of the Military Equipment Bureau, his status shouldn't be low, but how much must he have suffered...'

Hyang smiled wryly at Master Gong's over-the-top reaction and pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve, extending it.

"Can you make this?"

"This is..."

"A replacement for the brush."

What Hyang handed over was a design for a pen nib.

Master Gong, who had been examining the design with a serious expression, spoke.

"The ink should flow as you write, but the problem is that it shouldn't flow all at once, nor should it not flow at all."

"Additionally, it shouldn't tear the paper if it gets caught on the fibers, so the tip of the nib needs to be smooth. And one more thing. This is the gap through which the ink flows. If it's too wide, it won't work, and if it's too narrow, it won't work either. How narrow can you make the gap, Master Gong?"

In response to Hyang's question, Master Gong thought for a moment before answering.

"If I do my best, I can make it as narrow as a dot (毛)."

"A dot?"

Hyang tilted his head, and Jeong Ichangho, standing beside him, explained.

"A dot in an inch (寸)."

Hearing this, Hyang did some mental calculations.

'An inch is about 3 cm, so a dot... 1/10,000? Is that possible? Roughly, 0.15 mm? Can this be done by hand?'

Surprised by the unexpected result, Hyang soon regained his composure and asked.

"You need to make not just one but dozens. And not over a few months, but as quickly as possible."

In response to Hyang's question, Master Gong did some calculations and then answered.

"Since it will be in contact with water, it should be made of gold or silver to prevent rust. If we make it by hammering thin plates, with a properly made mold, we can make twenty a day. The problem is the gap."

Hearing Master Gong's answer, Hyang did some quick calculations.

'About 0.5 mm, like a sharp pencil lead, should be fine.'

"The stroke should be slightly thicker than 1 li when writing."

"Then I will start with a gap of 1 li."

"When can I see the results?"

"Give me two days..."

"I'll give you four. Show me the best result you can."

"I accept your command, Your Highness."

"I trust you."

On the way back to the palace, accompanied by the officials of the Military Equipment Bureau, Hyang turned to the eunuch following him.

"Jo, Eunuch."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Do I have any personal funds?"

"I will check with the Inner Treasury, Your Highness."

Four days later, Hyang returned to the Military Equipment Bureau.

Master Gong handed Hyang a well-made wooden box containing five pen nibs.

"I made them in five different thicknesses. Please choose the one you like."

"Let me see."

Hyang wrote on some nearby scrap paper to compare them and chose the one he liked.

"Make 100 of these. But 10 of them should have..."

Carefully listening to Hyang's specifications, Master Gong immediately responded.

"Possible, Your Highness."

"Can you engrave apricot blossoms on the body of the gold pen?"

"Possible, Your Highness."

"How long will it take?"

"Ten days should be enough, Your Highness."

After thinking for a moment, Hyang made a decision.

"Add two more days. But there must not be a single defective product. Is that possible? I will present it to the king."

"I will make it without a single defect, Your Highness."

"Very well. I leave it to you. Oh, and keep this a secret until I present it to the king."

"As you wish, Your Highness."

After finishing his business, Hyang left the Military Equipment Bureau with a satisfied look. Jeong Ichangho, who had seen him off, turned to Master Gong.

"Truly, he is an extraordinary young man."

"Yes, I heard he is only eight years old this year, but from his words and actions, he seems like a mature adult."

"By the way, you have obtained something incredible."

Jeong Ichangho, looking at the paper in Master Gong's hand, could not hide his envy.

Just before leaving the Military Equipment Bureau, Hyang left a note of gratitude for Master Gong.

'Wishing you to be the first master craftsman of Joseon. Crown Prince, Hyang'

Master Gong, receiving the paper with his name and a handprint, was so moved that his body trembled.

"I will ask the carpenter So to make the most beautiful frame for this. This is a treasure for the family."

* * *

Half a month later, Hyang found Sejong, who was in the middle of a discussion with his ministers. Hyang presented the pen nibs and pen body to Sejong.

Listening to Hyang's explanation, Sejong tried writing with the pen and was very satisfied.

"This is truly a precious item! It's very convenient to write with, and most importantly, it's comfortable for the arm and wrist! The Crown Prince has made a very good item! The Crown Prince has done a very good thing! The historian, record this well today!"

"I don't know what to do with such praise."

Maintaining a humble posture, Hyang listened to Sejong's praise. Sejong, examining the beautifully decorated pen body and nib, noticed the flower pattern engraved on the nib.

"Is this an apricot blossom?"

"Yes. I thought it would be suitable as a symbol of the royal family."

"Good!"

Sejong wrote on the paper again and looked at Hyang.

"I will use this well."

"I am deeply honored. I have a request, Your Majesty."

< Chapter 8: Germination (發芽)... Carcinogenesis (發癌)? (1) > End

ⓒ National Pride

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