Black Corporation: Joseon

Hyang returned to Geunjeongjeon Palace and began to explain to Sejong and the ministers.

Just like salt, sugar and pepper must also be monopolized by the state.

The need for a monopoly on sugar is especially strong because of its addictive nature.

If it were to be entrusted to the private sector, sugar is the most likely to lead to a monopoly or collusion. No, a monopoly or collusion will inevitably occur. This is because sugar is not produced in our Joseon.

If a monopoly or collusion occurs, all of this will become a burden on the people. And the people’s grievances will be directed towards the court and the king.

However, if the state monopolizes it, it can receive a reasonable tax, fill the national treasury, and stabilize prices.

While listening to Hyang’s explanation, the Minister of Personnel asked a question, “If there is such a risk, wouldn’t it be better not to import it? We have been managing without sugar so far. We already have sweeteners like malt syrup and honey, don’t we?”

In response to the Minister’s question, Hyang asked back, “Honey is hard to come by, and malt syrup… when we don’t even have enough rice and barley to eat, is that possible?”

“…I see.”

At Hyang’s counter-question, the Minister had to step back.

In reality, it took 2kg of white rice to produce 1kg of malt syrup. Yeot 1(a traditional Korean sweet similar to toffee) required even more grains.

Hyang, who didn’t know this fact even in the 21st century, learned about it at the market. With Sejong’s permission to explore the market, Hyang saw a yeot vendor and started haggling. However, hearing the price of the yeot, Hyang was surprised.

“This is pricey, more than I thought?”

Despite wearing a traditional overcoat (dopo) and a traditional hat (gat), the young Hyang, who is still young, started questioning the price, and the yeot vendor smiled and answered, “Ah! It seems like the young master don’t know the market well! Do you know how much barley or rice it takes to make this yeot?”

And then, the yeot vendor thoroughly explained to Hyang how yeot is made. After hearing the yeot vendor’s explanation, Hyang nodded his head, “I see. I understand well. Then give me some of this hard yeot.”

“Yes, sir.”

After Hyang who finished the deal left, the yeot vendor tilted his head. “Is he a young master I’m seeing for the first time? Is there a new nobleman who moved to Hanyang these days?”

◈◈◈

After hearing Hyang’s explanation, Sejong and the ministers shared their opinions.

“Certainly, if we import sugar, it can replace malt syrup and yeot, thereby reducing the waste of rice and barley.”

“I disagree. Sugar is not a product of our Joseon, so our wealth will drain out to foreign lands. However, malt syrup and yeot are made from precious rice and barley, but they come from our land. This can prevent wealth from going out.”

“I disagree with that opinion. Even now, those who can get sugar can get sugar. However, if we compare the purchase price of the sugar that the Crown Prince purchased, we have to buy it at least dozens of times more expensive. Moreover, since it is a prohibited import item, it is certain to give bribes every time it crosses the border, and this will lead to corruption. Rather, it would be better for the country to monopolize it to reduce corruption and stabilize prices.”

The ministers, divided into pros and cons, argued fiercely. The argument of the opposition was, ‘Why spend money and import when there are alternatives?’, while the proponents argued, ‘Anyway, those who have it are eating it somehow. It is more profitable to bring it in openly!’

As the two sides were in a deadlock, Hyang asked a question, “Has anyone here ever tasted sugar?”

At Hyang’s question, the ministers’ gaze scattered here and there.

“I once did a long time ago…”

“When I passed the civil service exam…”

“Regrettably, I never have…”

At the ministers’ answers, Hyang’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘These gentlemen who only know how to pass gas (lies)!’

Hyang, who was thinking such, turned to look at Sejong and realized, ‘Now that I think about it, I’ve never tasted sugar since I entered the palace!’

Not only when he was still the Crown Prince, but also since coming to the palace, Hyang never tasted the unique sweetness of sugar.

Having realized this fact, Hyang murmured without realizing, “Our Joseon is truly obscure and backward…”

“Cough!”

“Hmm!”

At Hyang’s mutterings, the ministers and Sejong coughed awkwardly, their faces turning red.

“Cough! Crown Prince, our Joseon is frugal, not backward.”

Although Sejong spoke up, Hyang’s face was full of disbelief. Seeing this, Sejong yelled in annoyance, “You brat! Believe me, will you!”

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, what you said is incorrect.”

“That’s right, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

As soon as Sejong finished speaking, the ministers unanimously agreed, supporting his statement. At this, Hyang replied with a slightly sour tone, “So you say.”

“You brat!”

“I trust in my father’s words. And I have a request for my father.”

“What is it?”

“Since we’ve received sugar, how about distributing it as a reward to the ministers and palace staff?”

“Distribute it as a reward?”

At Hyang’s words, the ministers’ eyes began to sparkle. Just like the eyes of children looking at their father who brought home chicken, Hyang glanced at the twinkling eyes of the ministers, court officials, and palace staff, and explained his reasoning:

“They have been taking care of state affairs and the palace with all their heart and effort. It would be nice to acknowledge their hard work and share a little.”

“Hmm…” Sejong, who had been pondering Hyang’s words for a moment, nodded. “That’s a good idea. So how would you like to distribute it?”

“Depending on their rank, how about distributing from 1 doe (1.8L) to 1 hop (0.18L)?”

Sejong, who had been calculating for a moment, nodded at Hyang’s words.

“That seems fair. Let the Minister of Taxation do so.”

“Your grace is boundless!”

No sooner had the Minister of Taxation’s praise ended, the ministers, as well as the palace staff, shouted in unison.

“Your grace is boundless!”

That day, when the work was over, not only the ministers but also the palace staff, palace ladies, and the soldiers guarding the palace received sugar as a reward.

“Your Highness! Your grace is boundless!”

“Your grace is boundless!”

“May Your Highness live a thousand years!”

“Live a thousand years!”

“Long live the Crown Prince!”

Everyone who received the sugar exclaimed in unison in gratitude, ‘Long live the Crown Prince!’ The court ladies and soldiers in the East Palace bowed their heads in thanks every time they saw Hyang.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, we are immensely humbled by your kind gift of sugar!”

“We’re humbled!”

“That’s enough, enough. Make your families happy with it.”

◈◈◈

Following Hyang’s words, the family heads who received the sugar returned home with renewed vigor in their steps.

“Please take this.”

“What is it?”

“It’s sugar.”

“Oh my! How can we accept such a valuable gift?”

“His Majesty, the Crown Prince, praised you for your good work!”

“Oh my! Such an honor! I was just thinking about taking a bath today!”

“Hmph! But… I’m a bit tired today…”

While every household that received sugar was having their own joyous time, Hyang was conversing with Sejong. Side note, these deep night conversations that had become almost a daily occurrence were the last hurdle for the officials to overcome.

“Are you not concerned about giving away such precious sugar?”

“I’m not. It was a necessary step to monopolize the sugar trade.”

“A necessary step?” Sejong, who had been mulling over Hyang’s words, looked at Hyang sharply. “You cunning fellow! Was it a bribe?”

To Sejong’s remark, Hyang replied with a smile.

◈◈◈

Whether the bribe worked or not, before long, the officials approved the monopoly of the sugar trade.

“Then, as soon as the construction of the Joseon office in Shandong is completed, import sugar. But don’t forget to establish the monopoly bureau before that.”

“We obey your command!”

In the midst of tirelessly overseeing political affairs, the vacant seats were filled. The positions of the Left and Right State Councilors were filled by the famous Maeng Sa-seong and Hwang Hui, who rose to high ranks about 2 years earlier than in the original history.

Hyang, upon hearing the news, muttered quietly, “Are Sejong’s Avengers finally emerging?”

At the gathering where the new officers filled the vacant seats and paid their respects, Sejong warned his ministers. “You all know why the previous occupants of your positions had to step down. Keep that in mind as you serve in state affairs, and help this Joseon thrive.”

“We will engrave it in our bones and hearts!”

Meanwhile, Hyang was deep in thought about a new problem. “I’ve always been curious about something. Is our King Sejong’s talent pool small, or are talents scarce in this era?”

Hyang, lost in thought, came to a conclusion.

“No matter how I see it, King Sejong’s talent pool seems very narrow. The evidence is clear in the consorts…”

Hyang had evidence to support her conclusion. And that evidence was King Sejong’s consorts. Specifically,

Consort Shin of Kim clan: Originally a maid in the palace of Queen Soheon, she was granted favor and became a royal consort.

Consort Hye of Yang clan: A nanny who looked after the sickly Hyang when she was young, she also gained favor and became a royal consort.

Many other consorts had similar paths to become royal consorts. Seeing this, Hyang shook her head and muttered, “Does he favor these women because he sees them often, or does he choose according to his preference and then place them by parachute drop?”

Upon further observation, Hyang came to a new conclusion. “Whether it’s about consorts or appointments… this man is a procrastinator!”

From Hyang’s perspective, if King Sejong had lived in the 21st century, he would have been the perfect ‘introverted loner’ or ‘professional procrastinator’.

Unlike his grandfather Taejo or Yi Seong-gye, his father Yi Bang-won, and his other brothers who enjoyed vigorous sports like polo or hunting, the only sport King Sejong enjoyed was chuiwan (a game similar to golf).

“Golf can be quite a workout, but it’s incomparable to polo or hunting.”

What Sejong loved most was reading, pondering, and especially studying policies for the future of Joseon. Moreover, the personnel selection process in Joseon was quite exhausting.

“You! Become my Minister!”

“Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!”

(This part is in English in the raws)

Such situations never happened. Whether due to old age or disease, or events like purges, if a position became vacant, the king would command his officials, “Recommend suitable successors.”

“As you command!”

When suitable candidates were selected, the auditors clung to them. Auditors from the Office of Censors and the Office of Inspectors scrutinized everything from the candidates’ work records to their reputations and presented the results to the king.

“This candidate can’t do it for this reason, and that candidate can’t do it for that reason…”

This process was tiring not only for the candidates but also for the king.

“So, was our King Sejong tired of this, and that’s why he overused Hwang Hui?”

Hyang tilted her head. In actual history, Hwang Hui was a great talent but also the main character of various scandals. Naturally, there were continuous impeachments from auditors, but Sejong did not let go of Hwang Hui until the end.

In the end, Hyang concluded,

-Sejong’s insistence on Hwang Hui was due to his competence, but it was also because the personnel selection process that had to be faced after dismissing him was bothersome!

◈◈◈

After Hyang imported a large amount of sugar, its consumption in the palace continued on a large scale. Starting from Sejong, the royal family began to add sugar to the tea they drank or served, and sugar started being used as a sweetener in food.

Particularly, the food that became sweet and salty from the sugar incited Sejong’s taste buds. Anticipating this, Hyang ordered that almost no sugar should be added to Sejong’s meals, but Sejong enjoyed sugar in various ways.

“Has this gentleman forgotten the saying ‘moderation’?”

Hyang, witnessing Sejong’s love for sugar, once again rolled up his sleeves. “Your Majesty. I heard you have been eating a lot of sugar recently.”

“I don’t think I’ve eaten that much? I just add a bit to my tea.”

‘What about the rice cake and that sugar cube placed next to the teacup!’

“Huh…”

Hyang, after a deep breath, began to press Sejong.

 

Footnotes

Something like a hard sugar candy[↩]