"And if there is something a bit unusual, it is that there are many merchants looking for our Joseon paper."
"Our Joseon paper?"
"Yes. Compared to the papers made in Ming, our Joseon papers are of excellent quality, and many seek them. Since the previous dynasty, they have been known as 'Haedongji' or 'Goryeo paper.'"
At the response of the Minister of Finance, Sejong stroked his beard.
"Hmm... It would be good to issue an order to the Paper Bureau to increase production."
As soon as Sejong's words fell, Hyang opened his mouth.
"Your Majesty! I have a request to make!"
"Speak."
"Please abolish the Paper Bureau!"
Hyang's request to abolish the Paper Bureau was like a bomb thrown by the Minister of Finance.
The court momentarily froze.
Sejong and the ministers all failed to understand Hyang's words at that moment.
"To abolish the Paper Bureau? In this situation where many merchants are seeking paper from Ming?"
"It seems to contradict what the Crown Prince usually advocates?"
"This is an opportunity to gain new profits. Why?"
After a brief moment, Sejong and the ministers all began to criticize.
It was because Hyang's statement was different from his usual stance.
However, Hyang was already prepared with a counterargument.
"Abolishing the Paper Bureau aligns with what I have always argued."
"Aligns? Explain."
"Yes."
Hyang explained to Sejong and the ministers why the Paper Bureau should be abolished.
- The Paper Bureau currently produces six types of paper.
However, the types of paper circulated during the previous dynasty were more numerous and of higher quality.
- This means that as time goes on, the situation is getting worse.
- If this continues, the merchants from Ming will eventually stop wanting our paper, resulting in a significant loss of market.
"Hmm... Crown Prince, I understand what you are saying. If the quality of paper decreases, the merchants from Ming will not buy it. But! I do not understand why that is a reason to abolish the Paper Bureau. The issue of paper quality can be resolved by properly supervising the artisans, can't it?"
Sejong interrupted as he listened to Hyang's explanation.
Hyang immediately responded to Sejong's point.
"There is a saying in the marketplace: 'You can lead a cow to water, but you cannot make it drink.' No matter how strictly you supervise, if the artisans' motivation is low, will it work properly?"
"The artisans' motivation is low?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. You are aware that I have visited the various offices where artisans work, including the Military Equipment Bureau, right?"
"I know."
Sejong nodded at Hyang's question.
"And every time, Crown Prince, you have caused me headaches with the matters you created."
At Sejong's remark, the ministers nodded unconsciously, and Hyang smiled bitterly at their response.
"I do not recall creating that many issues, but anyway!" Hyang explained why the artisans affiliated with the government lacked motivation.
"Their salaries are pitiful. With the salaries they receive, their families can barely survive. As a result, many of them are taking on side jobs or quitting their work."
"If they quit, what will they do?"
"Some rent fields to farm or work as laborers, while others enter private workshops. Given this situation, how can supervision be effective? The production increases, management becomes more complicated, yet their salaries remain unchanged, so the number of those leaving will only increase."
Sejong's face grew serious at Hyang's words.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, who was listening to Hyang's explanation, began to counter.
"Those in the Military Equipment Bureau and other royal workshops receive a salary corresponding to the 9th rank. Yet, among officials of the same rank, very few resign. Thus, the low salary cannot be an excuse for the artisans' negligence."
In response to the Prime Minister's words, Hyang revealed the officials' hidden truths.
"Those officials are well aware that they receive much more behind the scenes, right? You must not be unaware of the gifts that arrive at your door every morning, Prime Minister?"
"Those are just gifts!"
"Who said anything about that?"
Hyang silenced the Prime Minister and continued speaking to Sejong.
"Given the situation, who among the artisans belonging to the royal court and government will give their best to their work? What is worse is that they do not even want to pass their skills on to their children. They believe it is better to be a tenant farmer than to pass on their skills and live a life of hardship. Given this situation, how many skills accumulated over the years have been lost? Furthermore, those with skills do not cultivate them, so how can they develop?"
"The Crown Prince's words are correct."
As Sejong agreed, the Prime Minister immediately countered.
"But what was the reason for the establishment of the Paper Bureau by King Taejong? It was because the paper needed for making currency was received as tribute, and the quality was inconsistent, causing significant inconvenience in sorting through it all. If we abolish the Paper Bureau, we will have to endure the same inconveniences as during King Taejong's reign. Please consider this!"
"Please consider this!"
Following the Prime Minister's lead, the other ministers chimed in.
"What shall we do?" Sejong, with a troubled expression, subtly gestured to Hyang.
'This fellow! He clearly knows the answer!'
"Ahh~."
Hyang sighed softly and spoke.
"Why must we receive tribute?"
"Excuse me?"
"Have you forgotten the example of gold pens? We can write down the specifications and quality standards for the paper needed by the government, and then contract with the merchant that offers the lowest price among those who pass the inspection."
"If we do that, the expenses..."
"Is paper only needed by the royal court and government? If there is a guarantee of 'royal supply' like the gold pens, it will sell well in the market! The court can collect taxes on the profits they make, gaining several times the income compared to the expenses incurred."
"...."
At Hyang's words, the Prime Minister and the other ministers fell silent.
There was already a precedent with the gold pens.
Hyang pressed on for confirmation.
"This time, the merchants from Ming requested paper, right? If our Joseon merchants can continue to produce high-quality paper through competition, they can earn a lot of money in that large market of Ming, and then our court can secure even more income."
Although Hyang's words ended, no ministers raised counterarguments.
After a moment of silence, the Minister of Finance spoke.
"I believe the Crown Prince's opinion is extremely valid."
"Minister of Finance!" The Prime Minister glared at him, but the Minister of Finance continued without concern.
"Helping the people, maintaining the organization of the government, ensuring public order, and defending the borders all require money. It has been nearly 30 years since our Joseon was founded, yet there has been no clear solution in this regard. Rather, as time goes by, the difficulties only increase, so if there is a solution, why not use it?"
At the Minister of Finance's words, the Chief State Councilor shouted angrily.
"Minister of Finance, be cautious! If all the people understand the teachings of the sages and become virtuous, the nation will be peaceful, and even the barbarians and pirates will be influenced by that virtue and become peaceful. Therefore, it is the duty of the ministers to first think about how to educate the people to become virtuous! Your Majesty! What the Crown Prince has said may seem correct at first glance, but it is merely a temporary fix for a superficial wound! If we truly wish for national peace, we must first consider the education of the people!"
In response to the Chief State Councilor's statement, the Minister of Personnel countered.
"Your Majesty! The Chief State Councilor's words may seem correct at first glance, but this is nothing more than an empty theory! How can the starving people understand the teachings of the sages? While education is important, the people's livelihood is even more crucial!"
'Huh? That's what I said before!' Hyang thought to himself, watching the debate between the ministers with great interest.
'I need popcorn!'
As Hyang enjoyed the debate among the ministers, he glanced at Sejong.
Sejong kept his mouth shut and wore a calm expression, but his eyes were smiling.
'That fellow! He's enjoying this!'
The debate among the ministers grew more intense.
They passionately argued using examples from reality and classical texts, while the historians and scribes busily recorded the discussions.
"Enough."
Seeing that the debate among the ministers was about to escalate into personal attacks, Sejong raised his hand to stop it.
As he watched the ministers catch their breath after the heated debate, Sejong concluded.
"I have listened well to your opinions. The education of the people is indeed important and must be accomplished. However! Solving the people's livelihood is also an essential task that must be addressed. Various measures are needed for this, so you all should explore this matter thoroughly."
"We will obey your command."
"And regarding the Paper Bureau, I believe the Crown Prince's plan is correct. However! I think it is too hasty to abolish the Paper Bureau right now, so you must also explore how to resolve this matter and report back in three days."
"We will obey your command."
After giving orders to the ministers, Sejong turned to Hyang.
"Crown Prince, listen."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I know you are concerned about the prosperity of the nation and the peace of the people. This is something that a Crown Prince should naturally do, so I will neither scold nor praise you."
"Thank you very much."
Hyang bowed his head at Sejong's evaluation.
'Isn't it good not to be scolded?'
Contrary to Hyang's relief, Sejong continued speaking.
"However, it is indeed a problem that great disturbances arise every time your opinion is presented. This is because neither I nor the ministers know what standards you are using to present your opinions. Therefore, you must explain your views on state affairs."
"Excuse me?"
"Crown Prince, it is not unknown to me or the ministers that your knowledge is exceptional and your thoughts are profound. However, given your young age, it is possible to mistakenly believe that a wrong thought is correct. It is also my duty as a father to recognize this in advance and correct it."
"Yes..."
At Sejong's words, Hyang quietly lowered his head.
"Do you need time to prepare?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang thought for a moment and then answered.
"Please give me five days."
"Very well."
With Sejong's decision to have the Crown Prince present his views in five days, the court session came to an end.
As the ministers left the court, they were divided into three unseen factions.
The first faction consisted of the Prime Minister and the three chief ministers, along with their followers.
"We must prepare thoroughly for the next five days."
"Prepare?" The follower who followed asked immediately.
"We must review not only the classics but also the policies we have implemented so far."
"Is it necessary to prepare to that extent for a mere nine-year-old child?"
Upon hearing the question, the Prime Minister's face instantly darkened.
"What will you say about what has happened to us at the hands of that nine-year-old?"
"That is..."
"Hah! Do you not know who stands behind the Crown Prince? While the words may come from the Crown Prince's mouth, it is reasonable to believe that those thoughts belong to His Majesty. Think about the events that have occurred! Among the matters the Crown Prince insisted on, has His Majesty ever opposed?"
"No, he has not."
"Indeed, as you say, the Crown Prince is only nine years old. Of course, his accumulated knowledge is commendable. However, opinions cannot be formed solely based on knowledge. Experience is necessary, and that experience can only be gained through time. When the Crown Prince first took action, I also thought it was due to his genius. But how many times has the Crown Prince acted? No matter how genius he is, that is impossible. It can only be possible if His Majesty is behind him."
At the Prime Minister's conclusion, everyone around nodded in agreement.
"Therefore, let us all prepare thoroughly! How did we establish this Joseon? Will we just watch the bad habits of the previous dynasty revive again?"
"Understood, my lord."