Black Corporation: Joseon

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I’m gonna start dividing long chapters into two parts. They’ve been getting way too long, most of them are over 3k words! Also, if you’re digging my translation, please consider subscribing to this novel’s translation. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

“And if there’s something a bit unusual, there were many merchants looking for our Joseon paper.”

“Our Joseon paper?”

“Yes. Compared to the paper made in Ming, our Joseon paper is of superior quality, so many people were looking for it. In the great nation, since the previous dynasty, it has been called ‘Hae-dong-paper or ‘Goryeo-paper’ and many people sought after it.”

King Sejong stroked his beard at Minister of Taxation’s response.

“Hmm… It would be good to issue an order to increase the production at the Papermaking Bureau.”

As soon as King Sejong’s words fell, Hyang opened his mouth, “Your Majesty! Please hear my request!”

“Speak.”

“Please reform and abolish the Papermaking Bureau!”

Hyang burst the bomb thrown by the Minister of Taxation.

At Hyang’s request to reform and abolish the Papermaking Bureau, the atmosphere froze for a moment. King Sejong and the ministers all failed to understand Hyang’s words momentarily.

“Abolish the Papermaking Bureau? In this situation, where many people from Ming are looking for paper?”

“It doesn’t seem to be consistent with the prince’s usual claims.”

“It’s an opportunity to gain new benefits. Why?”

Shortly after, King Sejong and the ministers all presented their criticisms one after another. It was a different statement from the usual Hyang. However, Hyang had already prepared his rebuttal.

“Reforming and abolishing the Papermaking Bureau is consistent with what I have been advocating.”

“Consistent? Explain.”

“Yes.”

Hyang explained the reason for abolishing the Papermaking Bureau to Sejong and the ministers. The paper currently produced at the Papermaking Bureau is of six types. However, the types of paper circulated in the previous dynasty were more, and the quality was even better.

What this means is that the situation is getting worse as time goes by. (Note 1)[1]

If so, eventually, the merchants of Ming will no longer want paper, and this will result in losing an important market.

“Hmm… Prince, I understand what you’re saying. If the quality of the paper deteriorates as you say, the merchants of Ming will not buy the paper. But! I don’t understand why that’s a reason to abolish the Papermaking Bureau. Isn’t it a matter of supervising the papermakers well?” King Sejong, who had been listening to Hyang’s explanation, interrupted him.

Hyang immediately responded to Sejong’s criticism, “Among the words circulating among the common people, there is a saying, ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.’ No matter how strictly you supervise, will it work properly if the artisans’ motivation is at rock bottom?”

“The artisans’ motivation is at rock bottom?”

“That’s right, Your Majesty. You know that I have been visiting offices with artisans, including the Military Arsenal[2], right?”

“I know.”

At Hyang’s question, Sejong nodded. “And every time, my head ached because of the troubles you created, Crown Prince.”

At Sejong’s remark, the ministers nodded unknowingly, and Hyang gave a bitter smile.

‘I don’t remember causing that much trouble, but let’s set that aside!’

Hyang explained why the artisans in the offices lacked motivation. “Their salaries were miserable. The salaries they received were barely enough for their families to survive. As a result, many of them had side jobs or quit their work.”

“What do they do when they quit their jobs?”

” Some became tenant farmers who leased fields or worked as peddlers, and some even worked in private workshops in the market. With the situation like this, would supervision be effective? Supplies are increasing and management is becoming more complicated, but the salary remains the same, which will only lead to more people quitting.”

Sejong’s face grew serious at Hyang’s words. Meanwhile, the Chief State Councilor, who had been listening to Hyang’s explanation, raised a counterargument, “Those who belong to the military workshop or other royal workshops receive a 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’ laziness.”

Hearing the Chief State Councilor Minister’s rebuttal, Hyang exposed the officials’ disgrace by revealing, “Don’t you know that those officials receive a lot of benefits behind the scenes? Even at your house, Chief State Councilor, I’m sure you know that people come with gifts, creating a market-like atmosphere at your door.”

“That’s just a gift!”

“Who said otherwise?”

Hyang, who had silenced the Prime Minister, continued speaking while looking at King Sejong, “Under these circumstances, who among the artisans belonging to the royal family and the government would do their best in their work? What’s worse is that they don’t even want to pass on their skills to their children. They say that it’s better to be a tenant farmer than to live off the skills they inherited. How many of the techniques accumulated over a long period of time have disappeared under such circumstances? Also, how can progress be made when those with talent do not cultivate their skills?”

“The Crown Prince is right.”

As King Sejong agreed, the Chief State Councilor immediately raised a counterargument, “But what was the reason that King Taejong created the paper supply system? It was because the quality of paper collected as a tribute was not uniform, causing a great inconvenience of having to sort through it again. If the paper supply system is abolished, we will have to suffer the same damage as in King Taejong’s time. Please reconsider!”

“Please reconsider!”

Following the Chief State Councilor’s lead, the other ministers joined in the chorus.

“What should we do?” King Sejong, making a troubled expression, glanced at Hyang.

‘This brat! He must have already known the answer!’

“Sigh,” Hyang sighed and opened his mouth, “Why do we have to give out tributes?”

“Excuse me?”

“Have you forgotten the example of the gold brush? All we have to do is clearly specify the standards for paper quality and specifications required by the government, and then sign a contract with the cheapest supplier among those who meet the criteria.”

“But if we do that, the expenses…”

“Is paper a commodity that only the royal family and the government need? It’s clear as day that ‘royal supply’ will sell well in the market, just like the gold brush! The government can collect taxes on the profits they make and earn multiple times more income compared to the expenses.”

“…”

At Hyang’s words, the mouths of the Chief State Councilor and other ministers became tight-lipped. This was because there was already a precedent with the gold brush. Hyang then went in for the kill.

“Didn’t the Ming merchants ask us for paper recently? If our Joseon merchants can continuously produce high-quality paper through competition, they can make a lot of money in the big market of Ming, which means our government can also secure more revenue.”

The debate had ended, but there was no one among the ministers to raise any objections. After a brief silence, the Minister of Personnel spoke up, “In my humble opinion, the Crown Prince’s suggestion seems to be quite reasonable.”

“Minister of Personnel!”

The Chief State Councilor glared at the Minister of Personnel, but the latter continued undeterred, “Whether it is to provide relief to the people, maintain the government organization, ensure public order, or protect our borders, all of these require funding. It has been nearly 30 years since our Joseon dynasty was founded, and there has never been a clear solution to this issue. Instead, as time goes on, the difficulties only seem to be intensifying. If we have a solution, why wouldn’t we make use of it?”

Upon hearing the Minister of Personnel’s words, the Minister of Rites snapped back, “Minister of Personnel, watch your words! If all people were to realize the Way of the Sages and become virtuous, the country would be at peace, and even the barbarians from the border regions and Japanese pirates would be moved by our virtue and become peaceful. Therefore, our responsibility as ministers is to first think of how to enlighten the people and turn them into virtuous individuals! Your Majesty! The Crown Prince’s suggestion may seem right at a glance, but in reality, it is nothing more than a temporary solution that only addresses superficial wounds! For true peace and prosperity, we must first consider the enlightenment of the people!”

At the Minister of Rites’ statement, the Minister of Justice retorted, “Your Majesty! While the Minister of Rites’ words may seem right at a glance, they are nothing more than empty talk on paper! How could starving people who have collapsed from hunger understand the teachings of the sages? Enlightenment is important, but the people’s livelihood is even more crucial!”

‘Huh? Didn’t I say that before?’ Muttering to himself, the Crown Prince observed the heated debate among the ministers with great interest. ‘I need popcorn!’

As the ministers engaged in their heated argument, the Crown Prince sneakily glanced at King Sejong. King Sejong had a calm expression on his face with his mouth closed, but his eyes were smiling.

‘That man is enjoying himself!’

The ministers’ debate intensified. As they cited real-life situations and passages from the classics, their fierce back-and-forth continued. The scribes and secretaries hurriedly recorded the proceedings with their brushes.

“Enough.”

As the debate among the ministers escalated to the point of personal attacks, King Sejong raised his hand to stop them. Watching the ministers catch their breath from the intense debate, King Sejong made his decision.

“I have listened carefully to your opinions. Educating the people is indeed important and must be done. However, addressing the people’s livelihood is also a critical task that must be resolved. Various measures are needed for this, so I ask you all to investigate further.”

“We accept Your Majesty’s command.”

“As for the matter of the Papermaking Bureau, I believe the Crown Prince’s proposal is correct. However, abolishing it immediately seems too hasty. Investigate how to resolve this issue and report back within three days.”

“We accept Your Majesty’s command.”

After giving orders to the ministers, King Sejong turned to the Crown Prince. “Listen, my son.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I am well aware of your concern for the prosperity of the nation and the well-being of the people. As the Crown Prince, this is something you must naturally do, so I will neither criticize nor praise you.”

“Your Majesty is too kind.”

At King Sejong’s evaluation, the Crown Prince bowed his head. ‘Did I not just get scolded?’

The conversation between Hyang and King Sejong continued, unlike the relief on Hyang’s face.

“However, it is clear that the great confusion that follows whenever you express your opinion is a problem. This is because not only the officials here but also the ministers, do not know what criteria you use to express your opinions. Hence, you should explain your political views on national affairs.”

“Yes?”

“Your Highness, it is not unknown to the officials and ministers that your intellect is excellent, and your thoughts are deep. However, your age is still immature, so it is possible to believe that you perceive your own misguided thoughts are correct. As a father, it is also my responsibility to know this beforehand and correct it.”

“Yes…”

At King Sejong’s words, Hyang bowed his head quietly.

“Do you need time to prepare?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang thought for a moment and then replied, “Please give me five days.”

“Alright.”

The end of the meeting was marked by King Sejong’s decision that the Crown Prince would announce his political views in five days.

The ministers leaving the meeting were visibly divided into three factions. The first faction was the group of three high-ranking officials spearheaded by the Chief State Councilor, and those who followed them.

“We must prepare thoroughly for the next five days.”

“Preparation?” At the question of the follower, the Chief State Councilor replied.

“We need to review not only the classics but also the policies that have been in place so far.”

“Do we have to prepare that much for a 9-year-old child?”

At the question, the Chief State Councilor’s face turned fierce in an instant. “What do you think we have been subjected to by that 9-year-old so far?”

“Well…”

“Huh! Don’t you know who’s behind the Crown Prince! It may be the Crown Prince’s mouth speaking, but it is reasonable to think that the thoughts come from the King. Think about what has happened so far! Among the things the Crown Prince insisted on doing, was there anything the King opposed?”

“There was none.”

“As you said, the Crown Prince is only nine years old. Of course, his accumulated knowledge is commendable. However, political views cannot be achieved with knowledge alone. Experience is necessary, and only time can provide that. When the Crown Prince first started the work, I thought it was because he was a genius. But has the Crown Prince only done it once or twice? No matter how genius he is, that’s impossible. It’s only possible to think that the King is behind him.”

At the Chief State Councilor’s conclusion, everyone around nodded their heads.

“So, everyone, prepare thoroughly! How did we establish this Joseon?! Are we going to just watch the evil habits of the previous dynasty revive again!”

“We understand. Your Excellency.”

Footnotes

[1] Note 1) Korean Cultural Encyclopedia – “Jojiseo” entry.

[2] I think in a previous translation made by the TL before, the TL called this a ‘Weapons Office or Bureau’ or something. But, I believe the correct term is Military Arsenal, where the artisans handle everything related to weapons making and steel/iron.