Cancer?
"There is a difference between acting knowingly and acting unknowingly. The ministers who are currently making and implementing policies are likely well aware of why these policies were created. However, in just a generation or two, most will not understand why they are being implemented, and will simply follow them out of 'tradition.' Is that not so?"
"Damn tradition! Bureaucracy! It's so tiresome!" The reason Hyang suffered from depression in the 21st century was precisely because of that tradition, bureaucracy, and desk-bound administration.
However, the ministers were not easily swayed.
"That may be true. But a well-crafted policy will operate without issue whether it is a hundred years or a thousand years later."
"They say ten years can change mountains and rivers. There is also the saying that the mulberry fields become the sea. The world keeps changing, yet the same policy continues for a hundred or a thousand years? That would mean not a well-crafted policy, but that the entire nation has come to a standstill. If the world is changing and one remains stagnant, that is akin to regression."
"The changes of the times are fleeting. If one merely follows the trends, they will lack depth and eventually forget the very fundamentals. In that sense, a policy that flows like a weed in the current is less ideal than one that remains true to its original intent."
Hyang's voice rose in response to the Left Prime Minister's answer, which was faithful to the principles of Confucianism.
"The changes of the times are not fleeting; it is people who cannot keep up with the flow. If we consider this, what is the reason for changing many of the laws and systems from the previous dynasty? These laws and systems have been passed down for hundreds, even thousands of years since the Three Han period."
"That is..."
"Let us take war as an example. According to the Left Prime Minister's words, we would still be determining the outcomes of battles through single combat between generals. But what is the reality? Various military branches move as one, and new weapons like gunpowder are being used. Therefore, the Left Prime Minister's words are not 'the virtue of staying true to one's original intent,' but rather the folly of a frog at the bottom of a well."
"Your Highness! Is that not too harsh a statement?"
As the Left Prime Minister raised his voice in response to Hyang's criticism, King Sejong interjected.
"Enough! There is nothing wrong with the Crown Prince's words! Just as mountains and rivers change over time, so do people and customs. Thus, I believe it is right to discuss measures accordingly! Crown Prince! Speak of your measures!"
With King Sejong's firm support, the ministers fell silent.
Meanwhile, empowered by the King's backing, Hyang spoke of the measures he had in mind.
"All six ministries that govern the state must keep records. Whether it is a policy that is implemented or one that is rejected or postponed, everything must be documented. This should be done monthly at the shortest, and yearly at the longest. The reasons for creating each policy, the results if implemented, and the reasons for rejection or postponement must all be recorded and preserved."
The Left Prime Minister immediately challenged Hyang's proposal.
"Everything is already being recorded in the records of the historians and the Royal Secretariat. This would be redundant."
"The records of the historians and the annals cannot even be viewed by the king. And while everything is recorded in the Royal Secretariat, it is not categorized at all, is it? Just wait ten years. It will take days to find records related to policies. However, if the policies of each ministry were categorized and preserved separately, how much time could be saved?"
"Your Highness's opinion is correct."
"I too believe that Your Highness's opinion is right."
Hyang's explanation garnered unanimous support from the ministers of the six ministries.
With most ministers in agreement, King Sejong nodded.
"Since ancient times, it has been said that one learns from the past to know the new. However, people are finite beings, and as time passes, they return to dust. It is inevitable that future generations will encounter situations where they wish to know the reasons but cannot. Therefore, it is only natural for us, the predecessors, to work hard so that future generations do not lose their way and can find the right path. Each minister of the ministries shall accept the Crown Prince's proposal and ensure that records are created, shared, and carefully preserved."
"We shall obey your command."
"Now, and..."
"Your Majesty, I have another petition."
Thinking that Hyang's petition had concluded and wanting to bring up another matter, King Sejong paused.
After looking at Hyang's face for a moment, he smiled slightly and granted permission.
"Speak, then."
"I realized while discussing the supplement to the Compendium of Local Medicines that there are many farmers in our Joseon who have surpassed the age of sixty, and even seventy."
"That is likely true."
"We must seek them out and ask them about farming, and record their knowledge."
At Hyang's suggestion, King Sejong stroked his beard and muttered, "To ask about farming and record it? Hmm..."
As he pondered, a smile brightened King Sejong's face.
"Of course! They must have gained much experience over the years! Many must know the secrets to abundant harvests! Just like how the blacksmith knew the secrets of forging!"
Hyang nodded vigorously at King Sejong's words.
"Yes, it is not just the secrets of farming. They would also know the signs of natural disasters like droughts! While each sign may seem small on its own, if we gather these signs and create a casebook..."
"We could prepare in advance!"
King Sejong clapped his knees as Hyang spoke the words he was about to say.
Hyang bowed his head in response to King Sejong's words.
"Indeed. Floods can be mitigated by maintaining and dredging reservoirs, but droughts can cause great damage if we do not prepare in advance."
"Your words are correct! The Minister of the Interior shall command the Astronomical Bureau to organize the data as soon as it comes in and create a book!"
"We shall obey your command."
"There is more. During the spring famine, as well as after droughts or floods, epidemics are sure to follow. However, if we can learn the signs in advance..."
King Sejong interrupted, clapping his knees again.
"We could prepare the medicinal herbs in advance! Indeed!"
'Indeed, King Sejong! Your mind works wonders! But please, turn on your signals when you come in! And be gentle when you clap your knees! They are getting bruised!'
With a mix of admiration and irritation, Hyang clicked his tongue and nodded.
"That is correct. If the Bureau of Beneficence, the Medical Office, and the Eastern and Western Hospitals can prepare in advance, and if local magistrates can also prepare ahead of time, we can greatly reduce the number of people suffering from illness."
"The Crown Prince's words are correct! The Minister of the Interior shall also implement this!"
"We shall obey your command!"
There were no ministers opposing King Sejong's orders.
In a nation that prioritized agriculture, nothing was more important than abundant harvests, and relieving the people from the suffering of disease was also a significant matter from a Confucian perspective.
King Sejong was in high spirits.
The petitions presented by Crown Prince Hyang were worth their weight in gold.
Moreover, the ministers, who usually opposed every proposal the Crown Prince made, were this time responding without any significant objections.
King Sejong looked at Hyang with a bright expression.
"Do you have another petition?"
Before King Sejong's words could finish, Hyang's mouth opened.
"Yes. There is no proper geographical record in our Joseon, nor in the previous dynasty. While it may seem that our Joseon has few resources, this is only in comparison to Ming; in absolute terms, it is certainly not small. Therefore, we must properly examine Joseon's territory and create a geographical record."
"A geographical record... That would require a lot of public work."
"Indeed."
Hyang nodded at King Sejong and the ministers' remarks.
"Of course. However, if we create a proper geographical record, we can reduce the hardships of the people."
"Reduce the hardships of the people with a geographical record? Crown Prince, please elaborate."
"Yes. If we create an accurate geographical record, we can know the resources produced in each region, which will reduce the burden of tribute. The suffering of the people due to tribute has been the biggest problem since the previous dynasty, and to solve this, we must first accurately understand the resources produced in each region."
"That may be true, but..."
King Sejong trailed off, and the Vice Minister of the Interior, who was attending in place of the Minister of the Interior who had gone on a mission, spoke up.
"I also agree with the Crown Prince's words and believe it should be done. However, the public work involved is considerable."
In response to the Vice Minister's remark, Hyang pointed out something the ministers had overlooked.
"Of course, that is true. However, we are already mobilizing nationwide to compile the Compendium of Local Medicines and to gather the knowledge of farmers. Since we are dispatching personnel from the central government to the provinces, we can assign this task as well."
'Isn't 1+1 a simple matter!'
"Ah!"
At Hyang's point, both King Sejong and the ministers exclaimed in unison.
"We did not think of that!"
"I too had not considered it!"
"We can significantly reduce the budget!"
As King Sejong and the ministers experienced a kind of awakening, Hyang's petition quickly became an official policy.
And from that day on, the famous 'Six Ministries Street of the Nightless City' began.
That night.
"The historians should not follow."
"However, Your Majesty..."
"This is a private conversation between father and son."
When King Sejong spoke firmly, the historian stepped back.
After sending the historian away, King Sejong led the inner court officials to the East Palace.
"You are still awake."
As King Sejong spoke while looking at the brightly lit room of the East Palace, the attendant following him replied.
"I have heard that the latest time you sleep is between the second watch (9 PM to 11 PM) and the third watch (11 PM to 1 AM), and that you often stay awake until the fourth watch (1 AM to 3 AM)."
"Still a child, yet why do you push yourself so hard?"
Unable to hide his concern for Hyang, King Sejong continued walking.
"Your Majesty!"
Upon seeing King Sejong, the inner court official standing outside Hyang's room announced and opened the door.
As soon as the official announced, Hyang, who had been standing aside, bowed as King Sejong entered.
"What brings you here at this late hour?"
"I happened to pass by and saw the light on. What about you? Why are you still awake at this hour?"
"I was just reading a book."
"Oh? Really? Then sit down."
As King Sejong sat in Hyang's seat, he looked at the book spread out on the desk with shining eyes.
"This is a book from the Western barbarians, is it not? What is it about?"
"It is a book titled 'A Brief Study on Alchemy.' As the title suggests, it is a critical work on alchemy."
"What is alchemy?"
"It is the study of how to create gold by adding various substances to metals like lead or iron."
At Hyang's words, King Sejong's eyes sparkled.
"Is that possible?"
"According to the author, the Westerners have researched it for hundreds of years but have not found an answer. In the preface, the author states, 'Alchemy is impossible. However, conducting further research to create alloys that benefit daily life is the true essence of alchemy.'"
"'Creating alloys that benefit daily life is the true essence of alchemy'...," King Sejong pondered Hyang's words and concluded shortly.
"Wise indeed."
"I also think so."
With a smile at Hyang's demeanor, King Sejong picked up the alchemy book and began to read.
"I have a translation; would you like to see it?"
"No, I am merely curious about the script of the Westerners."
However, even after a long time, King Sejong did not put down the book in his hands.
As Hyang, who was standing, began to feel a bit stiff, King Sejong finally set the book down and spoke.