As soon as the report of smallpox breaking out in Geumcheon, right next to Hanseong, reached the court, swift actions were taken.
"Prohibit crossing the river at all ferry points except Mapo and Noryangjin."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Mobilize the soldiers from the Twelve Guards defending Hanseong to block any entry into Geumcheon County from other regions. The only area that can access Geumcheon County must be limited to Hanseong."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Following Sejong's orders, the soldiers stationed to defend Hanseong blocked the main routes leading to Geumcheon County.
They did not only block the land routes.
They also prevented ships from entering the Han River and the surrounding major rivers and ports.
The only ones allowed to enter were soldiers and officials who had received the smallpox vaccination.
Sejong issued a command to them.
"By blocking the transportation routes, it is certain that there will be a shortage of food in Hanseong and Geumcheon County. I issue a special order for the soldiers and officials to manage the supply of rice from the granary established in Bupyeong."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The granary in Bupyeong had been newly established not long ago.
Following Sejong's acceptance of a proposal from the region, the Ministry of Taxation had brought in a large quantity of grain from Ming.
However, the amount was much more than expected.
"It is said that last autumn, there was a great harvest in the southern region of Ming. As a result, the grain prices dropped significantly, allowing us to acquire more than anticipated."
Sejong's expression became ambiguous at the explanation from the Minister of Taxation.
"Should I be glad or envious? Truly, it is a perplexing feeling."
"I feel the same way."
"Anyway, the amount of grain obtained through the envoys of the Winter Solstice and the New Year celebrations should be enough to endure the spring famine."
"All thanks to Your Majesty's keen insight."
At the praise from the Minister of Taxation, Sejong gave a shy smile.
"What keen insight? It is because the Crown Prince is clever."
Upon hearing Sejong's words, Hyang, who was sitting next to him, expressed humility.
"Is there anything I have done? Even if one has three pearls, they must be strung together to be considered a treasure. If it were not for Your Majesty's decision, how could this have been possible?"
"Your Highness's words are indeed correct!"
As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the ministers of the Six Ministries responded in unison.
While the ministers of the Six Ministries and Hyang raised their voices to honor Sejong, the Prime Ministers and the Chief State Councilors merely moved their lips.
After the recent clash between the King and the Prime Minister, the Prime Ministers and the Chief State Councilors had clearly been pushed out of the mainstream.
Their marginalization was evident, and many of the ministers from the Six Ministries, notably the Minister of Rites, had shifted their allegiance to the Crown Prince.
As a result, the scene today unfolded.
Sejong lightly raised his hand to stop the ministers' praises and organized the situation.
"We have deployed soldiers to block the entry of citizens from other regions into Geumcheon County and Hanseong, and we have addressed the food shortage issue through the granary in Bupyeong. The remaining issue is medical care... Minister of Personnel, how is it progressing?"
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Personnel bowed his head and answered promptly.
"We are preparing to dispatch doctors and nurses from the Royal Medical Office, as well as those from the Hyemin Bureau, the Jeisaengwon, and the East-West Great Compassion Institute to Geumcheon County."
"Make sure to finish preparations as quickly as possible so that we can treat the sick citizens. And although smallpox is spreading in Geumcheon County, there may still be those who have not contracted it. How about vaccinating them?"
"That is an excellent insight. I will prepare to implement it as suggested."
"Thank you for your hard work."
As Sejong nodded at the Minister of Personnel's response, he turned to Hyang.
"Do you have anything to add?"
"How about recruiting citizens residing in Hanseong to assist the doctors and nurses going to Geumcheon County? The families of those infected with smallpox in Geumcheon County must focus on caring for their patients, and they may need to be isolated as they could also be infected. The doctors and nurses will be busy treating the patients.
If we mobilize citizens who have not contracted smallpox, it could lead to a larger outbreak. Therefore, we should find workers among the citizens of Hanseong who are willing to work for a daily wage and send them to Geumcheon County. This way, they can assist the doctors and nurses and prepare food for the patients and their families."
"But that could also spread smallpox to the residents of Hanseong?"
When the Vice Prime Minister, who had been silent, interjected, Hyang chuckled softly and replied.
"Have you forgotten? All the residents of Hanseong have been vaccinated."
"Vaccination is effective..."
The Vice Prime Minister, who was about to refute Hyang's statement, quickly stopped speaking.
Seeing this, Hyang seized the opportunity.
"I understand what you want to say, but I have no doubt about the efficacy of the vaccination."
Hyang then advised Sejong.
"Your Majesty, as your subject, I humbly request that if the citizens of Hanseong hesitate, send me! I will take the lead in treating the sick citizens!"
At Hyang's words, the court historian muttered softly.
"Again..."
Similar reactions were not limited to the historian.
The ministers, as well as Sejong, showed similar responses.
Sejong, glaring at Hyang, reached a conclusion.
"Proclaim to the citizens of Hanseong to find workers."
"I will carry out your command."
"What do you think is an appropriate daily wage?"
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Taxation pondered for a moment before answering.
"According to our previous investigation, the average household in Hanseong consists of five members. Considering this and the difficulty of the work, a daily wage of five hobs should be appropriate."
Sejong nodded as he stroked his beard, calculating.
"Five hobs... Then let us set the daily wage at that amount and gather the people."
"I will carry out your command."
As soon as Sejong's order was given, the court moved swiftly.
The balance of power had completely shifted to Sejong, due to the threat posed by the smallpox epidemic.
The soldiers, having received their orders, began to block the paths leading into Geumcheon County and Hanseong.
Those who were stopped from entering Hanseong from the provinces protested vigorously, but with a single word from the soldiers, they turned back.
"Smallpox is spreading."
"Oh my!"
They did not only block the land routes.
The ferry points along the Han River and nearby rivers, such as the Imjin River, were also closed off.
The court, having successfully contained the spread of smallpox from Geumcheon County, began earnest treatment efforts.
Near Yeongdeungpo, a considerable number of personnel entered the village.
"Is this the place?"
"Yes."
At the response from the local official, the official from the Ministry of Personnel, who had brought the doctors and nurses, commanded the soldiers.
"Set up tents for the doctors and nurses next to that well, and prepare a separate tent for the patients at a distance from the well. Once the tents are set up, gather the patients immediately!"
"Yes!"
Following the official's command, the soldiers began erecting large tents next to the well and in the open space.
Once the tents were up, the soldiers started moving beds from the carts into the tents.
Before long, the beds for the patients were ready.
While the soldiers busily moved the tents and other equipment, the doctors and nurses began preparing for treatment.
"Search all the nearby houses and bring all the patients here."
"Yes, Elder Jubu."
"And prepare the herbal medicine as well. We need to prioritize making the Soshiho Decoction, which is essential for reducing fever."
"Yes, Elder Jubu."
The ongoing battle against smallpox in Geumcheon County was reported daily to the court.
Sejong and the ministers reviewed the reports with serious expressions each time they arrived.
Around the fifteenth day, hopeful reports began to come in from Geumcheon County.
"The number of confirmed smallpox cases has not increased for three days!"
"Oh!"
"That's right!"
At the report from the Minister of Personnel, Sejong clenched his fist, and the ministers gasped in admiration.
The Minister of Personnel continued his report.
"Among those who received the vaccination ten days ago, only five have contracted smallpox, and they were confirmed to have already been infected before receiving the vaccination."
"Is that so! Then what about those who went down from Hanseong?"
"Not a single one has contracted smallpox!"
"Hoo~."
At the Minister of Personnel's response, Sejong let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair.
While Sejong's face was filled with joy, the Prime Minister's face was dark and grim.
Seeing the Prime Minister's expression, Sejong turned to the Minister of Personnel.
"When can we confirm that smallpox has completely disappeared from Geumcheon County?"
"The last patient was three days ago, so it should take at least fifteen days..."
"Then will the doctors and nurses dispatched to Geumcheon County remain there until then?"
In response to Sejong's question, the Minister of Personnel answered immediately.
"No. As the number of patients is decreasing, we plan to withdraw about half of them in five days."
"Is that so?"
After pondering for a moment at the Minister of Personnel's response while stroking his beard, Sejong issued a command.
"When the doctors and nurses who went out for the smallpox treatment return, grant them five days of leave, and after the leave, prepare for the nationwide implementation of vaccination."
"I will carry out your command."
"And for those doctors, nurses, officials, and soldiers involved in this effort, reward them with one seong of white rice for each rank they hold. They have worked hard for the country and the people, so it is only right to reward them."
"Yes?"
At Sejong's unexpected command, the ministers' eyes widened.
Just then, Hyang seized the moment to interject.
"That is indeed a rightful decision! It is unjust to take for granted the rewards for those who serve the nation. This is an extraordinary situation, not an ordinary one, so it is only natural to grant rewards!"
"Loyalty and filial piety are not for sale!"
The Prime Minister shouted angrily at Hyang's words.
In response, Hyang's voice grew louder.
"In order for loyalty and filial piety not to be for sale, there must be a firm trust in rewards! The belief that even if I die or become disabled, the country will take care of me and my family! The belief that no matter how difficult it is, my parents will not abandon me! There are many parents who take it for granted that their children will die or be injured in battle and abandon them when famine strikes. Who will uphold loyalty and filial piety under such circumstances?"
The court fell silent at Hyang's words.
Hyang continued to speak loudly.
"I say again, without such trust, who will practice loyalty and filial piety? It would be better to act with the kindness of Wu Qi, who sucks the pus from a sore! If we take for granted what should not be taken for granted, the nation and society will perish! Reflect on the history of the Central Plains and our history in Haedong!"
"…."
The ministers remained silent at Hyang's words.
They wanted to argue back, but they had no suitable counterarguments.
Since the founding of Joseon, there had been several severe famines.
Each time, orphans overflowed, and there were many poignant reports about it.
The military was no different.
Even when conscripted, there were many who harmed themselves to avoid service or fled to become refugees.
In the end, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"It is true that loyalty and filial piety are mindsets that the people should fundamentally possess. However, the state and parents must also have the right mindset when dealing with the people and their children. I believe it is best to reward those who handled the smallpox situation in Geumcheon County as originally proposed. Is there any opposition?"
At Sejong's question, all the ministers bowed their heads.
"We will carry out Your Majesty's command."
The historian who recorded all these events added the following at the end:
"Consider trust before loyalty and filial piety. The Crown Prince's words may seem like a deviation from the right path. However, given the current reality, it is something to ponder deeply."
After finalizing the proposal for rewards, Sejong looked at the Prime Minister.
Sitting above the Prime Minister, Sejong gazed down at him and muttered to himself, 'Such a pitiful old man...'
"Prime Minister, is there anything left for us to settle?"
At Sejong's question, the Prime Minister, who had been bowing his head, squeezed his eyes shut. 'Here it comes!'
The Prime Minister immediately prostrated himself on the floor and raised his voice.
"I, Prime Minister Ryu Jeong-hyeon, in pure loyalty to the country..."
"Enough."
Sejong interrupted Ryu Jeong-hyeon's words and revealed what he had been contemplating.