Black Corporation: Joseon

As soon as a report came in that smallpox had broken out in Geumcheon District, across of the central of Hanyang, the court moved quickly.

Prohibit ferry crossings at all docks except Mapo Port1 and Noryangjin Port2

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Mobilize the soldiers of the 12 agencies protecting the center of Hanyang to prevent people from entering Geumcheon District from other regions. Access to and from Geumcheon District should only be allowed through northern Hanyang.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Following King Sejong’s command, the soldiers defending the center of Hanyang blocked the main entrances leading to the Geumcheon district. Not only were roads blocked, but the Han River and its surrounding waterways and estuaries were also closed off to ships. The only people allowed to enter were military personnel and officials who had received the smallpox vaccination.

King Sejong gave them a command:

“It’s certain that food supplies in Hanyang and Geumcheon district will be insufficient due to the blockage of transportation routes. I give you a special mission: military personnel and officials should manage rice supplies from the granary at Bupyeong Prefecture3.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The granary in Bupyeong was a newly established facility. At King Sejong’s command, based on Hyang’s suggestion, the Minister of Taxation imported a large amount of grain from Ming. However, the volume was much larger than expected.

“Last fall, a great harvest occurred in the south of Ming, causing grain prices to drop significantly, so we were able to acquire more than we anticipated.”

Upon hearing the explanation from the Minister of Taxation, King Sejong showed an ambiguous expression.

“Should I be glad or envious? It’s truly a mixed feeling.”

“I had the same thoughts, Your Majesty.”

“Anyway, the amount of grain we obtained through the Winter Solstice envoy and the New Year’s envoy should be enough to endure a temporary food shortage. It is fortunate.”

“Indeed, it is thanks to Your Majesty’s wise foresight.”

At the Minister of Taxation’s praise, Sejong showed a modest smile.

“It’s not my foresight; it’s because the Crown Prince is smart.”

King Sejong’s remark prompted Hyang, who was sitting next to him, to express his modesty. “What did I do, Father? It is said that even a pearl needs to be strung to become a treasure. If you hadn’t made the decision, how could this have been possible?”

“You are absolutely right, Crown Prince!”

As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the ministers of the Six Ministries unanimously responded.

While the ministers and the Crown Prince were praising Sejong, the senior officials, including the Chief State Councilor and the Inspector General, were barely opening their mouths.

Ever since the recent confrontation between the king and the Chief State Councilor, these officials had been pushed away from the majority. The ministers who were with them, including the Minister of Rites, had moved to the Crown Prince’s faction. As a result, today’s situation unfolded.

King Sejong raised his hand lightly to stop the ministers’ praises and summarized the situation.

“We have deployed soldiers to prevent people from entering to and fro upper Hanyang and Geumcheon district from other regions. We have also addressed the food shortage issue by utilizing the granary in Bupyeong prefecture. The remaining issue is medical treatment… Minister of Personnel, how are the preparations going?”

At King Sejong’s question, the Minister of Personnel responded immediately while scratching his head, “We are preparing to dispatch doctors and nurses from the Royal Clinic, ‘Bureau of State Welfare’, ‘Royal Dispensary’, and ‘Great Compassionate Temple of East and West’4 to Geumcheon.”

“Finish the preparations as soon as possible so that the sick people can receive treatment. Also, how about vaccinating those who have not yet contracted smallpox in Geumcheon with cowpox?”

“Your Majesty’s foresight is excellent. We will prepare to execute as instructed.”

“Great.”

As the Minister of Personnel responded, King Sejong nodded and turned to the Crown Prince.

“Do you have anything to add?”

“How about recruiting people from Hanyang to help the doctors and nurses in Geumcheon? Among the residents of Geumcheon, the families of smallpox patients must be occupied with taking care of the sick, and they should be isolated as they may have contracted smallpox as well. Moreover, the doctors and nurses will be busy treating patients. If we mobilize the uninfected residents, it may lead to the further spread of smallpox. Instead, we could find people from Hanyang to work for daily wages and send them to Geumcheon. They can assist the doctors and nurses and prepare food for the patients and their families.”

“But the smallpox could also spread among the residents of Hanyang, couldn’t it?”

As the Chief State Councilor raised an objection, the Crown Prince chuckled and replied, “Did you forget? All the residents of Hanyang have already been vaccinated with cowpox.”

“The cowpox vaccine’s effectiveness…” the Right State Councilor, who had been about to argue against Hyang’s words, suddenly stopped speaking.

Hyang seized the opportunity to chime in, “I understand what you are trying to say, but I have no doubt in the efficacy of vaccination.” Hyang, who silenced the Right State Councilor, made a sincere appeal to King Sejong, “Your Majesty, as a servant of Your Majesty, I request this. If the people of Hanyang hesitate, please send me! I will take the lead in treating the sick!”

At Hyang’s words, the record-keeping officer muttered under his breath, “Once again…”

It was not just the officer who had a similar reaction. From the ministers to King Sejong himself, they all had a similar response. King Sejong, who had been glaring at Hyang, made his decision, “Announce my decree to Hanyang’s people to gather workers.”

“Your command is received.”

“How much should the daily wage be?”

At King Sejong’s question, the Minister of Taxation paused to recall his memory and answered, “According to the last survey, the average household in Hanyang had five members. Considering this, and since the work will be difficult, I think it would be appropriate to give them five hobs (홉)5 per day.”

King Sejong nodded his head as he stroked his beard and calculated, listening to the Minister of Taxation’s response.

“Five hobs… then let’s pay that as the daily wage and gather people.”

“Your command is received.”

As soon as King Sejong’s order was given, the royal court moved quickly. The balance of power had shifted completely to King Sejong, and they needed to act fast due to the risk of an epidemic called cowpox.

The soldiers who received the order began to block the roads leading to the Geumcheon district and upper Hanyang. Those who were stopped from entering Hanyang from other regions protested fiercely, but the soldiers’ words immediately turned them back.

“Cowpox is spreading.”

“Oh my goodness!”

It was not just the land routes that were blocked. The ports along the Han River and other nearby rivers like the Imjin River6 were also closed off. The royal court, having blocked the spread of cowpox from Geumcheon district, began to focus on treatment in earnest.

In the vicinity of Yeongdeungpo district, a considerable number of people entered the village.

“Is this the place?”

“Yes.”

At the response from the village official, the royal officer leading the doctors and nurses from the Ministry of Personnel ordered the soldiers.

“Set up tents for the doctors and nurses next to the well, and set up tents for patients at a distance from the well. As soon as the tents are set up, gather the patients!”

“Yes, sir!”

Following the officer’s orders, the soldiers began setting up large tents next to the well and in the open area. As the tents were erected, the soldiers moved beds from the carts into the tents. It didn’t take long for the beds to be prepared for the patients.

While the soldiers were busy moving tents and other equipment, the doctors and nurses began preparing for treatment.

“Search every house in the vicinity and bring all the patients.”

“Yes, Joo Bu elder.”

“Also, prepare the herbal medicines, starting with Sosihotang7, which is most needed to reduce fever.”

“Yes, Joo Bu elder.”

◈◈◈

The battles with smallpox that took place throughout the Geumcheon district were reported daily and brought to the royal court. King Sejong and his ministers would check the progress with serious expressions whenever the reports came in.

From about two weeks in, increasingly hopeful reports started to come in from the Geumcheon district.

“The number of confirmed smallpox cases has not increased for three days!”

“Oh!”

“Is that right!”

At the report of the Minister of Personnel, King Sejong clenched his fist, and the ministers exclaimed in admiration.

The Minister of Personnel continued with the report, “Of those who received the cowpox vaccination ten days ago, only five have developed smallpox, and it was confirmed that they were already infected with smallpox before receiving the cowpox vaccination.”

“Is that so? What about those who came from Hanyang?”

“Not a single person has been infected with smallpox!”

King Sejong heaved a long sigh at the Minister of Personnel’s response and leaned back on the armrest of his chair. While King Sejong’s face was full of relief, the Chief State Councilor’s face was turning dark.

King Sejong glanced at the Minister of Personnel, “When can we confirm that smallpox has been completely eradicated from Geumcheon district?”

“Since the last patient was three days ago, at least two more weeks should pass…”

“Then, are the dispatched doctors and nurses staying there until then?”

At his question, the Minister of Personnel immediately replied, “No, Your Majesty. Since the number of patients is decreasing, we plan to withdraw about half of them in five days.”

“Is that so?”

After stroking his beard and thinking for a moment, he issued an order, “When the doctors and nurses who were dispatched for smallpox treatment return, give them a five-day vacation, and as soon as the vacation is over, prepare for a nationwide vaccination campaign.”

“We accept your command.”

“Also, give the doctors, nurses, officials, and soldiers involved in this event a reward according to their rank, from a sack of white rice to a horse. They have worked hard for the country and the people, so they should be rewarded, shouldn’t they?”

“Really?”

At King Sejong’s unconventional order, the ministers’ eyes widened. At that moment, Hyang took the opportunity to intervene.

“It’s a truly wise decision, Your Majesty! It’s unfair to give them only as much as they deserve. In an extraordinary situation, it is only natural to give rewards!”

“Loyalty and filial piety should not be subjects of trade!” the Chief State Councilor shouted angrily at Hyang’s words.

In return, Hyang’s voice grew louder, retorting, “For loyalty and filial piety not to be subjects of trade, there must be even more solid trust in compensation! The belief that even if I die or become disabled, the country will take care of me and my family! The belief that my parents won’t abandon me no matter how hard it is! However, with so many parents who abandon their children during famines or treat their deaths in battle as a matter of course, who will practice loyalty and filial piety!”

The hall fell silent at Hyang’s words. Hyang continued in a louder voice, “Let me say it again: who will practice loyalty and filial piety without such a belief? Instead, practicing Wu Qi’s benevolence8, which sucks pus from sores, is right! Treating what shouldn’t be treated as a matter of course is what destroys the country and society! Reflect on the history of the Central Plain and our history in the east!”

“···.”

In the face of Hyang’s words, the ministers maintained their silence. They wanted to argue, but there was no proper counterargument. There had been several severe famines since the founding of Joseon. Each time, orphans overflowed, and there was no shortage of heart-wrenching reports about the situation. The army was the same. Even when conscripting soldiers, many committed self-harm to avoid military service, or fled in the middle to become refugees.

In the end, King Sejong concluded, “Indeed, loyalty and filial piety are the basic attitudes that the people should have. However, the state and parents should also have the right attitude towards their subjects and children. I think it is best to proceed with rewarding those who were responsible for handling the incident in the Geumcheon district as originally planned. Is there any objection?”

Upon King Sejong’s question, the ministers all bowed their heads.

“We accept Your Majesty’s command.”

The scribes who recorded all this added the following at the end:

Prioritize faithfulness over loyalty and filial piety. The crown prince’s words may seem heretical. But considering the reality of the time, one must think deeply about it.

After confirming the reward proposal, King Sejong looked at the Chief State Councilor. Sitting on the throne above the platform, he looked down at the man and muttered in his heart, ‘Such a pitiful old man…’

“Chief State Councilor, do we not have any more accounts to settle?”

At King Sejong’s question, the Chief State Councilor, who had been bowing his head, closed his eyes tightly.

‘It has come!’

The Chief State Councilor immediately prostrated himself on the floor and raised his voice, “I, the Chief State Councilor, Ryu Jeong-hyeon, am only loyal to the country for the sake of the nation…”

“Enough,” King Sejong, who had stopped Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s words, let out his resolute words.

“···.”

Extra Info!

Here’s a map of today’s Seoul. Geumcheon district mentioned in this chapter is located in the south of current Seoul. In the chapter, whenever the characters mentioned Hanyang, they were actually referring to central Seoul or Hanyang, which is centered in the Jongno district, where the main palace is located.

Places mentioned:

Geumcheon (Cowpox outbreak)Mapo Port (Mapo district)Noryangjin Port (Dongjak district)Bupyeong Prefecture (A place where the granary is situated in Incheon)Yeungdongpo district (A place where the medical officers and some workers set up tents to treat patients from Geumcheon)

 

Footnotes

Located in Mapo District. Please refer to the extra info above.[↩]Located in Dongjak District. Please refer to the extra info above.[↩]Located in Incheon, and one of the 10 administrative divisions that comprise Incheon.[↩]

 

Bureau of State Welfare (惠民局) was a government agency established during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea with the aim of improving the lives of the common people. Its main role was to provide assistance to the poor and vulnerable, including the provision of food, clothing, and shelter. It also oversaw various welfare programs, including healthcare and disaster relief efforts.

Royal Dispensary (濟生院) was a medical institution established during the Joseon Dynasty. It provided medical treatment to the royal family and government officials, as well as to the general public. Its physicians were trained in both traditional and Western medicine and were known for their expertise in treating a wide range of illnesses.

Great Compassionate Temple of East and West or Dongseo Daebiwon (東西大悲院) was a Buddhist temple established during the Joseon Dynasty. It was known for its philanthropic activities, including providing shelter, food, and medical treatment to the poor and needy.[↩]

An old Korean unit of measurement, used during the Joseon Dynasty. 1 hob equals 100ml. I guess they’re referring to 5 small sacks of rice, with each sack equivalent to 100ml/100g.[↩]Upper of Incheon. Currently located in the crossings between North and South Korea.[↩]A traditional Korean herbal medicine used to reduce fever and treat various illnesses. It’s a mix of thorow wax, skullcap, ginseng, licorice, pinellia, ginger, jujube dates.[↩]연저지인 (吮疽之仁) – Benevolence that sucks pus from sores; refers to an anecdote about Wu Qi, who sucked pus from a soldier’s sore to save him from infection, demonstrating his commitment to caring for his soldiers.[↩]

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