Returning to Geunjeongjeon, Hyang began to explain to Sejong and the ministers.
"Just like the monopoly on salt, sugar and pepper must also be monopolized by the state."
"The need for a monopoly on sugar is even stronger, as it is highly addictive."
"If we leave it to private merchants, the likelihood of monopoly or collusion is highest with sugar. No, it will definitely lead to monopoly or collusion, as sugar is not produced in our Joseon."
"If a monopoly or collusion occurs, all of this will fall back on the people. And the people's grievances will be directed at the court and the king."
"However, if the state monopolizes it, we can fill the national treasury with reasonable profits and stabilize prices."
The Minister of Personnel, who was listening to Hyang's explanation, posed a question.
"If there are such risks, wouldn't it be better not to import it at all? After all, we have managed well without candy until now. We already have sweeteners like rice syrup and honey, don't we?"
In response to the Minister's question, Hyang countered with another question.
"Honey is hard to obtain, and as for rice syrup... do we even have enough rice and barley to eat right now?"
"…That is true."
Faced with Hyang's rebuttal, the Minister of Personnel had to take a step back.
In reality, to obtain 1 kg of rice syrup, 2 kg of white rice was needed.
Candy required even more grains than rice syrup.
Hyang, who had not known this fact even in the 21st century, learned it at the market.
Having received permission from Sejong, Hyang went to the market to take a look and began to haggle with the candy seller.
However, upon hearing the price of the candy, Hyang was taken aback.
"Goodness, the price of candy is more expensive than I thought?"
Though dressed in a robe and wearing a hat, the still-young Hyang questioned the price, and the candy seller responded with a smile.
"Ah! It seems the young lady does not know much about the world yet! Do you know how much barley or rice is needed to make this candy?"
The candy seller then proceeded to explain the process of making candy to Hyang in detail.
Listening to the candy seller's explanation, Hyang nodded.
"I see. I understand now. Then, I would like to buy this candy."
"Yes!"
After settling the payment, as Hyang disappeared, the candy seller tilted his head in confusion.
"I’ve never seen this young lady before. Is there a new noble who has moved to Hanyang recently?"
After Hyang's explanation, Sejong and the ministers exchanged opinions.
"Indeed, if we bring in candy, it can replace rice syrup and candy, thus reducing the waste of rice and barley."
"I oppose this. Candy is not produced in our Joseon, so our wealth will flow out to foreign lands. However, while rice syrup and candy are made from precious rice and barley, they are produced in our land, which prevents our wealth from leaving."
"I disagree with that opinion. Those who can obtain candy can still get it. However, compared to the price of candy that the Crown Prince has obtained, they would have to pay at least dozens of times more to buy it. Furthermore, since it is a prohibited import, it is certain that bribes will be paid at the borders, which will lead to corruption. It would be better for the state to monopolize it, reducing corruption and stabilizing prices."
The ministers were divided into supporters and opponents, engaging in a heated debate.
Those opposing argued, "Why spend money on imports when there are substitutes?" while supporters argued, "Those who have it will find a way to get it anyway. It would be more beneficial to bring it in openly!"
As both sides' arguments clashed, Hyang posed a question.
"Has anyone here ever tasted candy?"
At Hyang's question, the ministers' gazes scattered in different directions.
"I had it once a long time ago..."
"When I passed the state examination..."
"I apologize, but I have never had it."
Hyang was taken aback by the ministers' responses.
'These nobles who claim to be so knowledgeable!'
Thinking this, Hyang turned to Sejong and realized, 'Come to think of it, I haven't tasted sugar since entering the palace!'
During the time when Chungnyeong was a great prince, and even after entering the palace, Hyang had never experienced the unique sweetness of sugar.
Realizing this fact, Hyang muttered unconsciously, "Our Joseon is truly remote..."
"Ahem!"
"Hmph!"
Hearing Hyang's mutter, the ministers and Sejong flushed and cleared their throats.
"Ahem! Crown Prince, our Joseon is frugal, not remote."
Sejong stepped forward to speak, but Hyang's face was filled with disbelief.
Seeing this, Sejong shouted angrily.
"You brat! Just believe me, will you?"
"Your Highness, what you say is certainly true."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As soon as Sejong's words fell, the ministers supported him in unison, declaring that his words were correct.
Hyang responded in a somewhat indifferent tone.
"That may be so."
"You brat!"
"I, your humble servant, believe in Father. By the way, I have a request for Father."
"What is it?"
"Since sugar has arrived, how about distributing it as a reward to the ministers and those working in the palace?"
"Distribute it as a reward?"
At Hyang's words, the ministers' eyes began to sparkle.
Hyang glanced around at the ministers, court officials, and inner palace servants, whose eyes shone like children looking at a chicken their father brought home, and explained the reason.
"They have worked hard to manage the state and take care of the palace. It would be good to acknowledge their efforts and share a little."
"Hmm..."
Sejong nodded after pondering for a moment at Hyang's words.
"That is a good point. Then how should we distribute it?"
"How about distributing it from 1 de (1.8L) to 1 hob (0.18L) according to rank?"
Sejong, who was calculating for a moment, nodded.
"That sounds appropriate. The Minister of Finance shall carry it out."
"Thank you very much!"
As soon as the Minister of Finance's proclamation ended, not only the ministers but also the inner palace servants all shouted in unison.
"Thank you very much!"
That day, as the work concluded, the ministers, inner palace servants, court ladies, and even the soldiers guarding the palace received sugar as a reward.
"Your Majesty! Thank you very much!"
"Thank you very much!"
"Your Majesty, long live!"
"Long live!"
Everyone who received sugar expressed their gratitude and shouted long live.
The inner palace servants and court ladies, along with the soldiers, bowed their heads and expressed their thanks every time they saw Hyang.
"Your Highness, thank you for giving us this precious candy!"
"We are grateful!"
"That's enough, that's enough. Just make your families happy with it."
As Hyang said, the heads of households who received sugar returned home with their shoulders held high.
"Here, take this."
"What is it?"
"It's candy."
"Oh my! How could I receive such a precious thing?"
"It was a gift from His Majesty for doing well!"
"Oh my! Is there such a gracious thing? No wonder I wanted to take a bath today!"
"Uh... Today, I'm a bit tired..."
While each household that received sugar enjoyed their own happy moments, Hyang was talking with Sejong.
As a side note, this late-night discussion had almost become a daily routine and had turned into the last barrier the court officials had to overcome.
"Isn't it a waste to distribute such precious candy?"
"It is not a waste. It was necessary for the monopoly on sugar."
"A necessary task?"
Sejong, pondering Hyang's words, glared at him.
"You scary brat! Was it a bait?"
In response to Sejong's words, Hyang smiled.
Whether the bait product was effective or not, it wasn't long before the ministers agreed to the monopoly on sugar.
"Then, as soon as the construction of the Joseon Pavilion in Shandong is completed, we can import sugar. And do not forget to finish establishing the monopoly office beforehand."
"I will obey!"
Thus, while diligently managing state affairs, the vacant positions were filled.
The Prime Minister was promoted, and the famous Myeong Sa-seong and Hwang Hee were appointed as the Left and Right Prime Ministers.
They were two individuals who rose to the position of Prime Minister about two years earlier than in actual history.
Upon hearing the news, Hyang muttered softly.
"Is Sejong's Avengers finally appearing?"
During the ceremony where the newly appointed officials greeted each other, Sejong warned the ministers.
"You all know well why the previous holders of these positions had to step down. Keep that in mind and work to prosper our Joseon."
"I will engrave it in my heart!"
Meanwhile, Hyang was falling into a new worry.
"I've been curious for a while. Is our King Sejong's talent pool small, or are talents rare in this era?"
After pondering deeply, Hyang reached a conclusion.
"No matter how I look at it, King Sejong's talent pool is too narrow. Just look at the concubines..."
Hyang's conclusion had grounds, and that ground was Sejong's concubines.
For example:
- Sin-bin Kim: A maid from the Naeja Office, she was a court lady of Queen Sohyeon before receiving favor.
- Hye-bin Yang: A former nurse of Hyang, who was sickly in her childhood.
She received favor while taking care of Hyang.
Other concubines also followed similar paths to gain favor and become concubines.
Observing this, Hyang tilted his head and muttered.
"Is this man drawn to them because he sees them often, or did he choose them according to his taste and then parachute them in?"
Continuing his observations, Hyang reached a new conclusion.
"Both with the concubines and the appointments... this man is a lazy person!"
In Hyang's view, if King Sejong existed in the 21st century, he would be perfectly suited to be a 'reclusive hermit' or a 'professional lazy person.'
While his grandfather, Taejo Lee Seong-gye, his father, Lee Bang-won, and his other brothers enjoyed vigorous sports like polo or hunting, Sejong preferred a sport that was more leisurely, like golf.
"Golf is quite a workout, but it can't compare to polo or hunting."
What Sejong loved most was reading and contemplation, especially studying policies for the future of Joseon.
Moreover, the personnel process in Joseon was quite exhausting.
"You! Become my Prime Minister!"
"Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!"
Such situations never occurred.
Due to various reasons like old age, illness, or purges like the one that just happened, when a position became vacant, the king would command his ministers as follows.
"Recommend suitable candidates."
"I will obey!"
Thus, when suitable candidates were selected, the officials would swarm in.
The officials from the Office of Censors and the Office of Special Advisors would thoroughly investigate the candidates' work records and evaluations from those around them, and they would present the results to the king.
"This person is not suitable for this reason, and that person is not suitable for that reason..."
Such processes were exhausting for both the candidates and the king.
"In the end, is this why our King Sejong kept working Huang Hee to the bone?"
Hyang tilted his head.
In actual history, Hwang Hee was renowned as a great statesman but was also famous for being the subject of various scandals.
Naturally, there were accusations from the officials, but Sejong never let go of Hwang Hee until the end.
Ultimately, Hyang concluded.
- Sejong's insistence on Hwang Hee was partly due to Hwang Hee's competence, but it was also because the personnel selection process he would have to undergo after dismissing Hwang Hee was too bothersome!
After Hyang brought in a large quantity of sugar, the palace began to consume sugar in bulk.
Starting with Sejong, the royal family began to add sugar to the tea they drank or served, and sugar started to be used as a sweetener in food.
Especially as sugar was added to previously salty dishes, the food became 'sweet and salty,' stimulating Sejong's taste buds.
Anticipating this, Hyang ordered that very little sugar be added to Sejong's meals, but Sejong enjoyed sugar through various means.
"This man, has he forgotten the meaning of moderation?"
Seeing Sejong's fondness for sugar, Hyang rolled up his sleeves again.
"Father, I've heard you've been eating a lot of candy lately."
"I don't think I've eaten that much? I just add a little to my tea."
'What about the rice cakes and sugar jar next to the teacup!'
"Hoo~."
Taking a deep breath, Hyang began to press Sejong.