28
The next day, as expected by Sejong and Hyang, petitions began to flood in from the morning.
"Truly diligent," the Left Minister grumbled as he looked at the ever-growing pile of scrolls.
The other ministers nodded in agreement.
"I thought we would at least have two days..."
"Did they stay up all night? Their energy is impressive. I am afraid to even cross the threshold of the inner quarters."
While the ministers grumbled over the petitions, the Chief Minister stepped forward.
"Will complaining reduce the workload? Let’s start sorting them."
"Sorting, you say?"
"You saw them yesterday, didn’t you? There are those who criticize the Crown Prince and those who support him. So, we can classify them into two groups."
"But there might be those who fall in between, right?"
"Would those in between write petitions?"
"Ah..."
The ministers nodded subconsciously at the Chief Minister's words.
Though they did not voice it, some of them were among those who fell in between.
And none of the ministers had written a petition themselves.
Anyway, by the time the morning assembly began in the Hall of Convenience and half a day had passed, trays piled high with sorted petitions were brought to Sejong.
"Quite a lot," Sejong remarked as he looked at the scrolls stacked before him, turning to the ministers.
"Truly diligent," he added, and the ministers bowed their heads silently at his pointed remark.
"Let’s see what they say."
Sejong untied the strings binding the scrolls and began to read their contents.
As the scrolls piled up after he finished reading each one, Sejong's expression grew increasingly grim.
Finally, he irritably set down a scroll and commanded the attendant,
"Go fetch the Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A moment later, Hyang entered the hall, following the attendant.
"Did you call for me?"
"Yes, sit there."
As Hyang respectfully took his seat, Sejong began to sift through the petitions.
After a while, holding one scroll in his hand, Sejong spoke.
"Crown Prince, it seems many still do not fully understand what you said yesterday. Please explain it to them once more."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Read the petition aloud."
"Your Majesty!" The Prime Minister was taken aback by Sejong's command.
However, Sejong continued,
"Isn't it better for the person involved to read it directly to avoid misunderstandings? Read it!"
Under Sejong's order, the Prime Minister began to read the petition he had written.
"I, Prime Minister Ryu Jeong-hyeon, bow deeply and take up my brush. To begin..."
"Skip the flowery language and read the main text!"
At Sejong's rough command, the Prime Minister paused for a moment before continuing to read the petition.
"The Crown Prince's views seem correct at first glance, but they contain much foolishness. The first foolishness is that our Joseon has established Confucianism as its national philosophy. However, the Crown Prince follows the legalist school of thought. Generally, the laws of legalism are harsh, which inevitably leads the people into suffering and harms the state and the rulers themselves. This is evidenced by the example of Shang Yang's downfall during the Warring States period and the fall of Qin."
"The second foolishness is the proposal to abolish the restrictions on the lowborn. These restrictions were established by our late King Taejong, so how can they be abolished carelessly? That would be an act of filial impiety. Furthermore, if the lowborn are allowed to serve freely, as seen in the previous dynasty, they will meddle in state affairs for personal gain. Thus, this would be an unjust act."
"The third foolishness is the increase in the number of officials. As the number of officials increases, the burden on the people also grows. Why do you think the saying 'harsh governance is more fearsome than a tiger' came about? The court only needs to set the big picture; local matters can be handled by the magistrates and the local gentry working together."
With these three points, the Prime Minister's petition came to an end.
Hyang, who had been quietly listening, looked at Sejong.
"May I respond?"
"Go ahead."
With Sejong's permission, Hyang began to refute the Prime Minister's points.
"Prime Minister, you say that Confucianism is the national philosophy of Joseon, but the true national philosophy is the benevolent governance and people-centered rule advocated by the sages. Confucianism is merely a tool to implement that philosophy."
"Crown Prince!" The Prime Minister attempted to interject, but Hyang continued.
"Confucianism is just one branch of the broader tree of Confucian thought. To insist solely on Confucianism is a narrow-minded view, is it not? Let me put it this way: once a dish is prepared, it must be served in a bowl.
One cannot simply throw it on the ground because there is no bowl, can they? If we consider the benevolent governance as the dish, then ideology, systems, and laws are the bowls. Is there a need to distinguish between Confucianism and legalism in realizing benevolent governance?
In the far west, there are countries of the Western Yi, and among the rulers governing those countries, one taught his heir to the throne, 'Act like a bee searching for the sweetest flower among those blooming in the fields.' I believe this is the most fundamental attitude a ruler should have."
As Hyang finished his response, the Prime Minister fell silent, trying to find a counterargument.
However, Hyang did not give him a chance.
"And you say it is wrong to abolish the restrictions on the lowborn, claiming it would be an act of filial impiety against King Taejong. However, it is well known that the restrictions on the lowborn have many issues. If we leave them unaddressed, the problems will only grow, and the voices of discontent will rise.
Ultimately, all that discontent will be directed at King Taejong, who established the restrictions. As a descendant, is there anything more unfilial than making one's ancestor hear such grievances? And you mentioned that the lowborn meddled in state affairs in the previous dynasty, but were those who meddled only the lowborn?
Did not the powerful families, regardless of their status, also muddy the waters of governance? To blame only the lowborn for that is not fair."
Lastly, Hyang added, "Did the lowborn choose to be born as such? If we must assign blame, should it not be to those who sowed the seeds?"
Pausing for a moment, Hyang glared at the ministers gathered in the hall.
"According to the law, a magistrate who sleeps with an official courtesan is subject to impeachment, and ministers who enter the palace while keeping concubines should also be impeached. Yet, among all the ministers present, who has not taken a concubine? Is it the duty of the gentry to bury their own sins while discriminating against the lowborn?"
"Cough! Cough!"
The ministers gathered in the hall, regardless of their rank, all cleared their throats uncomfortably at Hyang's accusations.
The Prime Minister, with a flushed face, tried to speak again, but Hyang did not give him a chance.
"Lastly, you quoted the saying 'harsh governance is more fearsome than a tiger,' but what is more fearsome to the people of Joseon today? The officials of the court or the local Confucian scholars you praised so highly?
Since I have sat beside my father and witnessed him handling state affairs, I have heard countless reports of powerless people starving to death across the eight provinces of Joseon, becoming refugees.
However!
I have not heard many reports of local Confucian scholars starving or stepping forward to open the granaries to relieve the people. Prime Minister, do you truly believe that those who do not even help their own neighbors will handle affairs fairly?"
"Well, that is just a small part of..."
"A small part added to a small part, and continually adding small parts makes a whole!"
At Hyang's outcry, the Prime Minister fell silent.
Hyang pressed on, "Who are the ones who take advantage of their neighbors' difficulties, forcing them into debts that multiply many times over, ultimately leading them to sell themselves or become refugees, swallowing up the land left behind? It is the local Confucian scholars you mentioned! Prime Minister! I ask you! Who are the ones that are more fearsome than tigers to the powerless people? The officials of the court or the local Confucian scholars?"
"That is..."
"Speak!"
Under Hyang's pressure, the Prime Minister looked at Sejong.
Receiving the Prime Minister's gaze, Sejong calmly replied,
"I too am curious about your answer. Prime Minister, please respond."
With Sejong stepping in, the Prime Minister's face turned even redder.
"Why are you silent, Prime Minister?"
As Sejong pressed again, the Prime Minister gritted his teeth and answered,
"...the local Confucian scholars."
"Exactly!"
At the Prime Minister's answer, Sejong clapped his knees and responded, while the opposing ministers, including the Prime Minister, shut their eyes tightly.
'It's over!'
"Do you need further explanation, Prime Minister?"
At Hyang's question, the ministers remained silent.
Observing their demeanor, Sejong rummaged through the pile of petitions and pulled out another one to hand to Hyang.
"The authors are all different, yet the content seems like it was copied by one person, which is truly amusing. However, this one is written differently, so read it."
"Yes."
Receiving the petition, Hyang unfurled the scroll and began to read it carefully.
"Haah~."
After finishing the petition, Hyang sighed and straightened his back as Sejong spoke.
"This petition came from the Office of Censors. Should I call the author?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"Then, what do you think?"
"‘There is no such thing as healthy consumption. Encouraging consumption will lead to a trend of extravagance, and those who seek profit, namely merchants, will exacerbate this. Artisans will only produce luxury goods, and farmers will neglect farming, only seeking opportunities for quick wealth. Ultimately, society will transform into one that values wealth over virtue. Thus, the sages of old established the distinctions between the four occupations.’"
Hesitating as he spoke, Hyang paused for a moment before continuing,
"At first glance, this seems correct, but I believe the author of this petition should be punished."
"Why is that?"
"First, while the author claims that the sages established distinctions between the four occupations, I have not read any scripture where the sages instructed to make such distinctions. When the sages mentioned the four occupations, they meant 'all the people.' However, to obfuscate this is truly an act of disloyalty that blinds the eyes and ears of His Majesty! Such a person must be dealt with severely!"
As Hyang called for punishment, both Sejong and the ministers in the hall were taken aback.
Although Hyang had spoken and debated many times, he had never directly called for punishment before.
"This person worried that a trend of extravagance would arise, but it would be better to have extravagance. We can impose taxes on luxury goods. But look at the gentry of Joseon today!
They wear hemp clothing and boast of their frugality, yet their granaries are rotting with grains and cloth. Is it virtuous not to wear silk clothing? Ignoring the cries of starving people during famines and only reading scriptures while dressed in hemp clothing is not virtue!
The author of this petition claims that 'even with few resources, being content and living simply is the way.' I dare to say to His Majesty! That is not contentment and simplicity, but self-abandonment!
I earnestly request that you immediately remove this cunning minister who disguises his treachery with sweet words!"
The Prime Minister, shocked by Hyang's strong statement, hurriedly interjected.
"Crown Prince! The author of this petition is a censor. It is the duty of a censor to offer advice. Punishing a censor for their words would be to block the avenue of speech!"
"But what this person has submitted is not advice but treachery! Our Joseon has already clearly stated in law that there is a distinction between the good and the lowborn, but no distinction between the four occupations. What qualification does this person have to divide and discriminate the people by their occupations? If one who should speak the truth has such a vile nature, can we expect any righteous words from them? They must be punished immediately!"