Cancer? (6)
From the moment she began to speak and read, Hyang displayed an extraordinary demeanor.
Since then, she served tea with utmost respect to the King Sejong and his wife.
So impeccable was her etiquette that the royal couple began to worry.
"This child, even though we are her parents, it feels as if she is treating us like strangers," the King remarked.
"I feel the same way. It seems she has drawn an invisible line and is very keen on keeping it. Is her intelligence too much?"
The only person with whom this child, who built such walls, was close to was Princess Jeongso.
"My sister has an incredible charm..."
Hyang couldn't help but smile at the thought of her sister.
Princess Jeongso, the eldest daughter of the royal couple, was bright and clever, adored by all members of the royal family, starting from King Taejong.
In modern terms, she was the 'it girl' of the court.
After enjoying tea with Queen Sohyeon, she left, and Sejong turned to his attendant.
"Step outside for a moment. I wish to be alone."
"…Yes."
Once the attendant left, Sejong muttered softly to himself, "Should I let them leave on their own, or should I push them out? No... Should I end this gracefully, or should I see blood?"
His voice, low yet filled with a chilling intensity, echoed in the empty hall.
"The current court is filled only with my father's ministers. I need my own ministers, those who will heed only my words..."
When the edict from Emperor Yongle arrived and Sejong made his decision, the Ministry of Revenue began preparing for the production of gold filigree to present to the emperor.
However, a serious problem arose during the preparation process: the current production capacity of the merchant guild responsible for supplying the gold filigree was insufficient to meet the deadline before the envoy's departure.
Due to reports indicating that the production schedule itself might become an issue, Sejong summoned his ministers and Hyang.
Upon hearing the situation, Hyang looked at Sejong.
"Father, I believe we need to understand the details better. What do you think about calling in the merchants?"
"That is not permissible! How can we invite lowly merchants to a meeting where such important national affairs are being decided?"
As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the Chief State Councillor shouted in objection.
Sejong glared at the Chief State Councillor.
"Then do you have an answer?"
"..."
"Your job is to offer counsel, and while I do not disregard your counsel, I hope you understand the importance of timing."
"I am deeply sorry."
Sejong silenced the Chief State Councillor and issued a command.
"Bring in the merchants."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A short while later, the merchant, summoned by the order, prostrated himself before Sejong.
"A humble trader stands before the heavenly sovereign."
"The Crown Prince has a question he wishes to ask. Answer honestly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"The Crown Prince asks: How is gold filigree made? Is it the responsibility of one person from start to finish?"
"Yes, that is correct, Your Highness."
"Is that so?"
After a moment of thought, Hyang looked at Sejong.
"If we gather the artisans from the guild and discuss it, we might find an answer."
"Is that so? Then we should call for the artisans."
As soon as Sejong's words left his mouth, the Chief State Councillor interjected.
"Your Majesty! That is unacceptable! It is already inappropriate to summon merchants, but to bring artisans into the sacred palace is absolutely out of the question! Please reconsider!"
In response to the Chief State Councillor's counsel, Sejong answered firmly.
"If it concerns the interests of the state, can we not even call for a single grain of rice? Chief State Councillor, silence your mouth!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Silence! If you do not, I will have no choice but to reconsider your loyalty!"
With Sejong's sharp words, the Chief State Councillor fell silent.
The atmosphere in the court froze, and the merchant remained prostrated, merely breathing.
"Merchant, go immediately and bring the artisans."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Having tasted the tense atmosphere, the merchant quickly returned with the artisans.
"Wow! In this era known for its slowness, they really moved fast! It seems they act quickly in times of crisis!"
Hyang, who had been frustrated by the sluggishness of people in this era, felt satisfied with the merchant's swift actions.
What Hyang taught the artisans was the very basic concept of 'division of labor' and rolling.
"What do you think?"
At Hyang's question, the leader of the artisans stroked his chin and replied.
"I believe it has sufficient practical value. It may take time to get used to, but once accustomed, we could produce even more than now."
Upon hearing the leader's response, Hyang turned to Sejong.
"Father, the leader believes it is possible."
"Is that so? I hope you all bring good news."
"We will heed the King's command!"
At Sejong's command, all the artisans bowed deeply in response.
Five days later, the merchant returned to the Ministry of Revenue with the artisans' response.
"They say they can meet the deadline."
"Is that so? What about the quality?"
"They also assure us of the quality."
"Well done!"
After praising the merchant, the Minister of Revenue rushed to Sejong.
Upon hearing the report, Sejong's and the ministers' faces brightened.
As Sejong tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought, he looked at Hyang.
"Dividing the work to increase efficiency... How did you come up with such a brilliant idea?"
"Previously, I had the chance to observe the kitchen, where the skilled cooks and maidservants divided their tasks under the command of the head cook. That memory inspired my thoughts."
"You are truly an extraordinary child!"
Sejong was greatly impressed by Hyang's answer.
"Finding a brilliant method in what others overlook is no ordinary feat! What do you all think?"
"Truly remarkable!"
Most of the ministers nodded in agreement, praising Sejong's child.
However, there are always those who cannot discern the right time and place.
"While it is commendable to celebrate the Crown Prince's brilliance, I believe it is a problem that he focuses solely on trivial matters. It would be more appropriate to use that brilliance to learn and understand the teachings of the sages."
At the Chief State Councillor's remark, Sejong's expression darkened.
"You should immediately visit a physician to have your eyes examined. How can you not see properly? Did the Crown Prince focus only on trivial matters? Is it trivial to ponder deeply on situations that ordinary people overlook? Is it trivial to consider solutions to the people's hardships? Did not the sages of old also contemplate for the peace of the nation and clarify the principles? Why do you view things so narrowly?"
At Sejong's reprimand, the Chief State Councillor hurriedly tried to explain.
"I did not mean that..."
"What do you mean? Are you implying that, as the Crown Prince said earlier, neither the former kings nor I have any legitimacy, and thus you continue to speak such nonsense?"
"I have never harbored such wicked and disloyal thoughts!"
"Is that truly the case?"
"Please reconsider!"
After a tumultuous session, the court meeting concluded.
As the meeting drew to a close, the historian noted the following in the records:
- While the Chief State Councillor's remarks were indeed narrow-minded, the pressure from the sovereign cannot be deemed correct either.
It is human nature to wish to boast about one's exceptional offspring, but using authority to pressure those who do not respond is unbecoming of a ruler.
Ignoring the historian's critical remarks, Sejong directed the ministers to proceed with their tasks.
Naturally, Hyang often had to respond to Sejong's summons as a seasoning to the discussions.
Whenever Sejong called for Hyang, it was when he needed to discuss something.
Hyang, upon being summoned, did her utmost to provide answers.
And the answers she gave satisfied Sejong.
After completing one quest, Hyang returned to her room, always grumbling.
"No matter how I look at it, it feels like I've dug my own grave. I just wanted to stand out a little earlier..."
While Sejong felt satisfied, Hyang regretted it, and the ministers looked up to the heavens, sighing.
"Oh! I want to resign!"
"Why are those two so troublesome!"
Some of the more extreme ones sought a place where no one was around, biting their sleeves and silently shouting.
"Both father and child!"
Every time Hyang provided an answer that pleased Sejong, the ministers found their tasks multiplying.
After explaining the concept of 'division of labor' and returning, Hyang let out a small sigh.
"Ha~. That was close."
The best solution to resolve the merchant guild's scheduling issue was indeed 'division of labor.' While the merchant was bringing the artisans, Hyang worked hard to think.
- It is certain that I must be prepared to explain the reasoning behind the idea of division of labor.
However, saying 'I learned it in my past life' is something I could never utter.
- I must find the most suitable example of division of labor.
In searching for the most appropriate example, the concept of 'division of labor in the kitchen' came to mind.
"That was a close success."
As she evaluated herself, Hyang smacked her lips.
"Come to think of it... there was no concept of division of labor until this time..."
As thoughts of 'division of labor' crossed her mind, she recalled the voice of Teacher Samcheonpo.
- Even before Adam Smith spoke of 'division of labor,' it must have occurred naturally.
However, the formal application of division of labor in industry likely began with the connection of 'absolute monarchy' and 'mercantilism.'
"Absolute monarchy..."
Hyang focused on the term absolute monarchy.
Teacher Samcheonpo had connected absolute monarchy with Joseon, saying:
"What about Joseon? Although it is nominally an absolute monarchy, a closer look at history reveals it as a power struggle between a monarch who desires absolute power and ministers who dream of a republic."
After that, he warned not to be too fond of the idea of a republic.
The republic we know is only complete when the word 'democracy' is added before it.
The republic that Joseon’s ministers desired was one where the monarch was weak and the ministers were strong.
Reflecting on her past life, Hyang felt her head spin.
"To ensure my comfort now and in the future, what should I do?"
After much contemplation, Hyang finally reached a conclusion.
"Rome was not built in a day, right? I should take it step by step. First, I should start with what my father desires strongly... the strengthening of royal authority."
Hyang gazed toward the main hall.
"The king's authority must extend firmly to the closed societies of the provinces. To achieve this, what is needed is... capital."
With the plan to strengthen royal authority through the accumulation of capital in mind, Hyang approached Sejong.
"Father, regarding the upcoming envoy and trade, I believe there is something the envoy must absolutely accomplish."
"Speak."
"The envoy must secure a monopoly on the gold filigree that our Joseon sells to Ming."
"Must secure a monopoly?"
"Yes, first, we must have the emperor recognize our merchant guild's monopoly on the gold filigree sold to Ming. Just looking at the emperor's request for gold filigree shows that the demand is very high. Ming is a nation several times larger than our Joseon. Therefore, the demand for gold filigree must also be several times greater, as I have mentioned before."
"Indeed."
"However, there must be merchants in Ming as well. Would these merchants simply let it pass? There will surely be those who replicate and sell the gold filigree. We must prevent this."
After a moment of thought, Sejong nodded at Hyang's insight.
"The Crown Prince's opinion is valid."
"However, if we are not careful, it may cause trouble for His Majesty..."
As the Minister of Rites was about to voice a counterargument, Sejong interrupted.
"Are you a minister of Joseon or a minister of Ming?"
"I am deeply sorry!"
At Sejong's remark, the Minister of Rites prostrated himself.
Casting a glance at the Minister of Rites, Hyang continued.
The second point was a massive bomb that would shake the court.