While Sejong and Hyang were enjoying their leisurely afternoon, the ministers were busy, forgetting even the time of day.
"Writing tools! Writing tools!" The officials hurried back to their offices, dipping their gold brushes into ink and starting to write on paper.
"What did he say?" "Damn it! There’s too much to write!" Those who had thought lightly of the nine-year-old's presentation were now rummaging through their memories to jot down what Hyang had said.
While the officials from the State Council and the Six Ministries were wrestling with their papers, there were surprisingly some who remained relaxed.
Among those who were at ease were the military officials.
"Hey, Captain of the Guard. Do you understand what the Crown Prince said?" "If I understood that, would I still be stuck as a Captain of the Guard?" "Heh! That’s true."
Those who exchanged wry smiles were those who had risen through the military examinations.
As soon as Sejong ascended to the throne, he included the study of classics in the military exams, but many still resembled ruffians in official robes.
Another group consisted of officials from the Ministry of Revenue.
Thanks to having brought their writing tools from the very beginning, the officials from the Ministry of Revenue could summarize key points whenever necessary.
As a result, when it was time for a break, they could leisurely enjoy their afternoon.
Hyang's presentation, longer than expected, concluded around sunset.
After finishing, Hyang looked at Sejong and the ministers.
"Do you have any questions?" "..."
No minister opened their mouth in response to Hyang's question.
After waiting for a moment without anyone speaking up, Hyang concluded, "Then I will end my presentation of my political views here."
After finishing his words, Hyang respectfully bowed to Sejong, who was above him.
"You did well. Let’s have dinner together shortly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Sejong, unable to hide his proud expression as he looked at Hyang, turned to the ministers.
"Let’s end it here for today. Thank you for your hard work."
At Sejong's words signaling the end, all the ministers rose from their seats and bowed respectfully.
As Sejong and Hyang left the Hall of Worthies, the ministers began to exit as well.
Starting with the high-ranking officials, the faces of those leaving the Hall were more serious than ever.
The only difference was that the high-ranking officials held only their writing tools, while the lower officials, from the lower ranks to the upper ranks, were also carrying their chairs in their other hands.
"Prime Minister, what do you think?" "What do you think? It’s infuriating!" The Prime Minister responded irritably to the Left Prime Minister's question.
"We must write a petition immediately! The Crown Prince wrapped his words in the flashy phrase 'to benefit the people,' but he is disregarding the values of tradition! Not only that, but he is trying to follow the teachings of Legalism instead of Confucianism when establishing laws, which is simply lamentable!" The Prime Minister, shouting loudly, began to walk towards the State Council building.
Similar reactions were coming from the officials of the Office of Special Advisors.
"We must write a petition immediately!" "That's right!" "The Crown Prince's words may seem correct at first glance, but they follow the tyranny of Legalism! This is akin to following the oppression of Qin Shi Huang, and it must be stopped!" As various opposing voices erupted chaotically, the intensity of the remarks grew stronger.
"If necessary, we should consider replacing the Crown Prince!" "Hey! Isn’t that going too far?" "What’s too far? The current monarch was not originally the Crown Prince either!" "Shh!" A colleague who made the controversial remark warned him after looking around.
"Be careful with your words! Do you think you have iron armor around your neck?"
"Why? Did I say something wrong? A mere nine-year-old is saying things that are out of line! This should be a reprimand for the guests of the Crown Prince's Academy who have not taught him properly, and it must also be pointed out that the monarch is at fault! Education must be strict, yet they only praise him for doing well, leading to such a disastrous situation!" "Then you could just say that education needs to be strengthened, but replacing the Crown Prince..."
"Look at the current situation! Even if we try to correct it, it has already gone too far! For the sake of royal governance, replacing him would be better!" "Goodness! Your voice is too loud!" A colleague warned the loud advisor while looking around.
However, the young advisors from the Office of Special Advisors and the Office of Censors pretended not to notice.
Yet, the advisor who was giving the warning knew well.
Even if they pretended to agree now, when a crisis arose, there would be many who would step forward to report it.
Meanwhile, in contrast to those raising their voices, there were also quite a few ministers who actively supported the Crown Prince's opinions.
"Ah! It feels refreshing after a long time!" "I agree! After hearing nothing but empty talk, it feels like my ears are being cleansed by hearing something realistic. Hahaha!" "Loyalty and filial piety are important, but to uphold them, we must first protect the trust between the state and the people! Wow, that was a great saying!" "Did you see the expression on His Majesty's face? He looked like he would adopt the policy immediately."
"The Crown Prince is so outstanding, and His Majesty is wise, so this is a great blessing for our Joseon!" The ministers praising Hyang and Sejong were mostly practical officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel.
For these officials, who were struggling with securing budgets and various administrative issues, the measures pointed out by Hyang and Sejong's favorable response were like a refreshing cool drink that relieved their pent-up frustrations.
As the ministers showed favorable reactions towards Hyang and Sejong, they could hear the voices of the advisors from the Office of Special Advisors and the Office of Censors.
"Those scoundrels!" "Hey! Calm down a bit!" Hearing the remarks of the advisors, the officials from the Ministry of Personnel cursed without exception.
Some impatient ones rolled up their sleeves, ready to grab each other, while nearby colleagues held them back and dissuaded them.
The commotion caused the officials from the Office of Censors and the Office of Special Advisors to stop in their tracks, and both sides glared at each other.
"Those hypocrites clinging to power!" "Those hypocrites who only talk!" The officials, who were insulting each other as hypocrites, soon spat on the ground and turned their backs.
"Cough! Ptooey! Talking to such hypocrites will only dirty our ears!" "Cough! Ptooey! Who said that! Ptooey!" Turning their backs, the officials shouted to their colleagues.
"Write a petition! A petition is the only answer!" "That's right!" Thus, the 'debate on political views' that left behind the rumor of 'raising the price of paper in Hanyang' began.
While such a commotion was happening among the officials, Sejong and Hyang were enjoying their dinner together in harmony.
"Your presentation today was very good."
"Thank you."
"Although it was just a nine-year-old's political view, I found many things I missed. There are many policies I want to adopt and implement right away."
"Thank you. However, to be honest, if you were to implement them right away, they would be impractical policies."
At Hyang's remark, Sejong nodded and spoke.
"Is it because of the budget?" "Yes. To be honest... it’s a bit extreme, but I think it would be better to postpone the circulation of coins planned for next year."
"Is it about the issue of payment guarantees you mentioned earlier?" "Yes."
"For that issue, can’t we start with just the secured finances?" At Sejong's question, Hyang put down his spoon and spoke.
"If that happens, all the coins issued will end up in the coffers of the local gentry and be buried, while the people who actually need them will continue to trade with rice and cloth."
"The issued coins will go into the coffers of the local gentry? Why is that?" "It's simple. No matter how well rice and cloth are stored, it’s hard to keep them for more than five years. But coins are different, aren’t they? They take up less space."
Sejong nodded with his arms crossed.
"Hmm... I see. Then how should we solve this?" At Sejong's question, Hyang looked at the historians and annotators sitting beside him, leaned towards Sejong, and whispered softly.
"If it were up to me, I would take about ten years, or at least five years, to prepare thoroughly and then strike all at once. Like waging a war, no, it is war."
As Hyang leaned in, Sejong also leaned in and asked in a small voice.
"War?" At Sejong's question, Hyang answered in an even smaller voice.
"It is war. A war to determine whether the entity that moves Joseon will be the state or the local gentry that has been entrenched since the ancient Three Han period. Only by winning this war can Joseon truly establish itself as the nation of the great father!" "I see."
Crash! Bang! Hearing Hyang's answer, Sejong nodded, but suddenly a loud noise made him sit up and look towards the source of the sound.
The noise came from where the historians and annotators were.
As the father and son were talking in low voices, the historians and annotators, trying to lean in to hear, caused a commotion as they fell over.
"Goodness... if you’re tired, you should switch with someone else, not make a scene!" At Sejong's reprimand, the historians and annotators immediately bowed their heads.
"We are deeply sorry!" "I apologize, but could you tell us what the two of you were discussing? We need to record it..."
"It was a private conversation between father and son. Do not concern yourselves." "... Yes."
Although they said that, the historians added the following sentence. - The historian states: In discussing the policies of a nation, there should be no concealment.
However, today, the monarch and the Crown Prince are discussing the important matter of currency management with much concealment, which is not right.
After that small commotion passed, a messenger came in to convey the ministers' reactions.
Upon hearing the messenger's words, Sejong seemed to lose his appetite and put down his spoon.
"Thank you for your hard work. Did the Crown Prince eat well?" "Yes."
At Hyang's answer, Sejong pushed the dishes forward.
"Then clear the table. And bring the tea set."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The palace attendants came in to clear the table for Sejong and Hyang, and then they sat facing each other with tea cups between them.
"Petitions will start pouring in from tomorrow."
"The Chief State Councilor will have a tough time."
"We should send some royal food to the State Council."
"That is a wise decision."
The father and son, who had already expressed their condolences in advance for the flood of petitions and the troubles that would arise for the officials of the State Council, continued their conversation.
"Your Majesty, could you tell me how the vaccination for cowpox among the residents of Hanyang is progressing?" "The palace has already completed all vaccinations, and preparations for the residents of Hanyang are also finished. Since the first day of the new year is in three days, we will start vaccinations from the third day of the first month."
"I only hope that many will be freed from smallpox through the vaccinations."
"I feel the same way, Crown Prince. If we can prevent smallpox, you will achieve great merit."
"What great thing have I done? Everything is Your Majesty's decision. I will gain no credit."
"You rascal."
At Hyang's answer, Sejong looked at him with admiration.
'If the cowpox vaccination brings the results I hope for, no one will be able to stop you.
No, even if someone tries to stop you, I will sweep them away! That is how I and Joseon will rise greatly!' Firmly resolving in his heart, Sejong looked at Hyang. 'Crown Prince! You will be my best sword! Let us be the cornerstone for the rise of Joseon together!' In that moment, Hyang felt an inexplicable chill enveloping his body. 'What is this? This strange feeling?'
< Chapter 27: The Change of Jiachen (5) > End