32
When the ministers, having heard the news, rushed into the State Council, the Prime Minister was just finishing the drafting of a memorial.
"Your Excellency! A memorial? What nonsense is this!"
"To present a memorial in such a situation, even if one were to prostrate oneself in apology, is utterly insane!"
The gathered ministers lined up to criticize him, but the Prime Minister's expression remained calm.
"This is a memorial that must be submitted. If we think not just of the present but of the future of Joseon, we must address this matter and seek the will of His Majesty."
"Your Excellency! Have you truly lost your senses?"
The Minister of Finance shouted angrily, and the Prime Minister raised his voice in response.
"Has His Majesty forgotten how heavy the responsibility of governing the nation is? Have you all forgotten why ministers exist?"
"Your Excellency!" Other ministers tried to intervene, but the Prime Minister, holding the memorial, entered the Royal Secretariat and presented the document.
"This is a memorial. Please submit it to His Majesty."
"Understood."
Seeing the reluctant expressions and voices of the royal secretaries, the Prime Minister added, "Do not make such faces. This is all for the future of Joseon and for His Majesty."
With a stiff expression, the royal secretary received the memorial.
"I will submit it to His Majesty."
"This is the memorial from the Prime Minister."
"Leave it here."
The memorial from the Prime Minister was placed on the desk of King Sejong after passing through the royal secretary.
Silently staring at the rolled-up memorial, King Sejong began to read it.
"I, Prime Minister Ryu Jeong-hyeon, bow deeply and present this memorial to His Majesty. In essence, governing a nation is..."
The contents of the memorial written by Ryu Jeong-hyeon were as follows:
- Governing a nation means managing the state.
Therefore, making and implementing policies lightly is absolutely unacceptable.
It is a well-known fact, even to a child, that one must avoid the folly of changing decisions hastily and frequently.
This is a matter that concerns the trust of the people in the state and its policies.
- However, regarding the nationwide implementation of the smallpox vaccination, it has become a matter of authority through His Majesty's unilateral decision.
This is not right.
- Initially, the plan was to vaccinate the residents of Hanyang first, confirm its effectiveness, and then implement it nationwide, which His Majesty also agreed to.
However, overturning the initial plan based solely on a few individuals' claims for rapid nationwide expansion is nothing but a hasty change.
- His Majesty has criticized the majority of the scholars based on the reports from a few prominent individuals and merchants, which is not correct.
The effectiveness of the smallpox vaccination has not yet been proven.
Most scholars are waiting until its effectiveness is confirmed.
Of course, there are some who refuse their duties out of selfishness, but they are a very small minority.
After all, those who study the classics and follow the teachings of sages are the true scholars.
- Governing a nation, that is, making and implementing policies, should only be done through the consultation of the monarch and the ministers.
Why is it necessary to have ministers in governing the state? Because it is not easy for a monarch to see widely and make judgments alone.
The monarch and ministers must examine various aspects and come to a consensus for the policies to move in the right direction.
If everything is decided and executed solely by the monarch's will, what need is there for the court, and what need is there for ministers? Only eunuchs to handle the documents would suffice.
This is neither the way of a king nor the way of a tyrant; it is simply dictatorship.
- Furthermore, it is not right for the monarch to make authority a common practice for the sake of the nation's future.
I firmly believe that His Majesty possesses the qualities of a true leader and will not stray from the righteous path.
Moreover, I have less concern for the Crown Prince, who also possesses great qualities, but what will happen afterward? If a tyrant like Jie or Zhou ascends the throne and abuses authority under the guise of custom, what will become of Joseon's fate? To prevent such a situation, the consultation between the monarch and ministers must be strictly adhered to, and the policies decided through that consultation must be prepared and executed with great care.
- Our Joseon has only just passed thirty years since its founding.
To use a metaphor, we are still laying the foundation.
Strengthening the consistency of governance and policy execution is the way to avoid a fragile structure and ensure the everlasting prosperity of Joseon.
The previous dynasty fell into ruin because it neglected this.
- In conclusion, the nationwide implementation of the smallpox vaccination through authority should be halted.
As initially decided, we should first confirm its effectiveness before deciding on nationwide implementation.
"… If it is indeed effective, I, Ryu Jeong-hyeon, will gladly offer all my possessions."
After reading the entire memorial, King Sejong set it down and ground his teeth.
"What a cunning individual!"
Gripping the desk tightly, King Sejong, suppressing his rising anger, commanded the royal secretary.
"What are those arrogant ministers doing right now?"
"They are currently prostrating themselves in apology in front of the Hall of Worthies."
"Tell them to come to the main hall immediately! Not a single one should be left out!"
"Understood!"
Receiving the command through the royal secretary, the ministers hurriedly entered the main hall.
Starting with the Prime Minister, as the ministers took their places, King Sejong handed the problematic memorial to the royal secretary.
"Read it aloud so that all the ministers can hear."
"Yes."
At King Sejong's command, the royal secretary read the Prime Minister's memorial loudly.
As the content progressed, the faces of the ministers, which had been stiff from the beginning, grew even more rigid.
Although it was written in polite language, it was essentially accusing King Sejong's decision-making of being dictatorial.
Moreover, the final sentence, which stated he would gladly offer his possessions, could be interpreted in an entirely opposite manner.
- They said to get vaccinated, but will it really work? If it does, I will give all my wealth!
After finishing the reading, the royal secretary quietly rolled up the scroll and placed it back on King Sejong's desk.
During this time, the main hall was as quiet as a grave.
The court historian and the royal secretary also stopped writing, merely swallowing their saliva.
It was King Sejong who broke the silence.
"When I first learned about the smallpox vaccination, I immediately thought of implementing it nationwide. However, there was the Vice Prime Minister's warning that it was too hasty, and I too found his words reasonable and accepted them. I will ask you all. What authority have I exercised?"
"…."
"Have I exercised authority before and after this? I have consulted with you all on every matter and chosen the options that everyone deemed right. Is this also exercising authority?"
"…."
"The Prime Minister sees exercising authority as a crime, but authority is one of the tools of governance that a monarch possesses. In governing a nation, there are times when swift decisions are necessary. However, if a situation requires quick decisions but remains stagnant, then the monarch will inevitably have to exercise authority. A monarch who waits for ministers to reach a conclusion and misses the timing is indeed an incompetent monarch! The establishment of a custom where authority becomes commonplace, whose responsibility is that? The monarch's or the ministers'?"
"…."
As King Sejong's reprimands continued, the ministers' heads sank lower and lower.
"The Prime Minister's memorial becomes more cunning the more one reads it. The sentences are beautiful, but they are filled with foul stench. Most scholars know shame and righteousness? Then why are the scholars rewarded when they open the granaries to relieve the people during a drought? If they follow the teachings of sages and know shame and righteousness, shouldn't they naturally help the people? Yet, since they do not, others reward them as an example, right? Why is there a discrepancy between what the Prime Minister says and reality?"
"…."
"Prime Minister! Answer me!"
At King Sejong's command, the Prime Minister bowed his head.
"… I am deeply sorry."
"What about those scholars who, during the outbreaks of smallpox, used their wealth to procure medicine for their neighbors, or even called shamans to perform rituals, hoping for miraculous powers? What about those scholars who, like this time, used their wealth to buy cattle and present them? Are they acting hastily due to their shallow cultivation?"
"… I am deeply sorry. However, in the case of smallpox, its effectiveness has not been definitively proven…"
"What about the shepherds of Neobeol Island? They have been vaccinated for generations and have avoided smallpox. Isn't that sufficient proof?"
"I must reiterate, the number of shepherds is too small!"
"Enough!" King Sejong, who had been gripping the inkstone on the desk, relaxed his grip.
"Very well. Then let me ask just one thing. If smallpox were to break out in Gangwon Province, what would you do? Would you wait until it spreads to Hanyang? Even if many people die or become deformed in the meantime?"
"…."
"Is it worth the sacrifice to not vaccinate, even when there is a way to prevent smallpox, simply because its effectiveness has not been sufficiently proven? Is it worth it to abandon authority and act solely according to the ministers' consensus, knowing the sacrifices that will occur?"
"While it is painful to see sacrifices occur, establishing the principles of governance is even more valuable. It is indeed tragic for the people suffering from smallpox, but victims of smallpox have existed since ancient times. If we are to properly establish the laws of Joseon from the beginning, I believe we can endure such sacrifices!"
"Hah!"
The Prime Minister's response drew sighs from the other ministers.
Even they saw the Prime Minister's answer as stubbornness.
King Sejong clenched his teeth at the Prime Minister's words.
"Very well! I will ensure that its effectiveness is proven! From today, if any reports of smallpox outbreaks come from anywhere in the eight provinces of Joseon, I will personally move all 103,328 residents of Hanyang, starting with myself, to the outbreak site! Among those moved, I will investigate those who contract smallpox to confirm its effectiveness!"
At King Sejong's bombshell statement, all the ministers rose in protest.
"Your Majesty! Please reconsider!"
"Please reconsider! This is impossible!"
"Moving 100,000 people is an unfeasible task!"
All the ministers opposed King Sejong's decision.
However, his resolve was firm.
"Silence! If you follow your wishes, we must wait until smallpox breaks out in Hanyang or elsewhere! In the meantime, who will bear the resentment of the people who suffer losses? And moving 100,000 is impossible? Then how do armies move? This is nothing but an excuse!"
After pausing for a moment to catch his breath, King Sejong glared at the Prime Minister and concluded, "This is to firmly establish the principles of governance to maintain the harmony between the monarch and ministers, so I will not accept any objections! And listen well, Prime Minister! If its effectiveness is confirmed, I will hold you accountable for your crimes!"
With that, King Sejong stormed out.
The court historian recorded everything without omission.
The Prime Minister's memorial only worsened the situation, akin to adding fuel to the fire.
After finishing the record, the historian added, "In implementing the way of the king, the harmony between the monarch and ministers is essential. However, harmony is merely a tool, not the goal. Today's memorial and statements from the Prime Minister can be said to be a reversal of priorities. It pains my heart to see the downfall of such a distinguished elder."
Hyang, having heard of the clash between King Sejong and the ministers, clicked his tongue.
"It has turned into a complete game of chicken. Politics may be about principles, but this has gone too far!"
As he lamented the situation heading towards chaos, Hyang's expression suddenly hardened.
"Is there going to be a rebellion that has never been seen in history?"
With a serious face, Hyang crossed his arms and fell into thought.
After calculating in his mind for a while, he reached a conclusion.
"Perhaps I should start preparing just in case."
That night, King Sejong visited Hyang's room.
"You must have heard about today's events, Crown Prince?"
"Yes."
"Do you think I was too much?"
"I find the Prime Minister's stubbornness frustrating. While principles are important, practicality is also essential."
At Hyang's response, King Sejong smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Crown Prince, I feel reassured with you around."
"You flatter me."
"Hah~."
King Sejong sighed deeply.
"Now that it has come to this, I find myself hoping for an outbreak of smallpox nearby."
"You will surely achieve a good outcome."
Five days later, urgent news reached the court.
"Smallpox has broken out!"
"Where?"
"In the Yeongdeungpo area of Geumcheon County!"
Upon hearing the outbreak location, King Sejong and the ministers showed expressions of relief.
They had all been exhausted by the stress of walking on thin ice.
"This is rather good. Very good."
< 32화 갑진경장(甲辰更張) (10) > End