"As I mentioned before, candy brings joy to the mouth and prevents food from spoiling. When one's energy is depleted, consuming a proper amount can quickly replenish it. However, if eaten excessively, the side effects can be quite serious. First, it can damage the teeth. And it can make a person gain weight."
"Ahem!" Sejong coughed lightly at Hyang's words, as he had recently noticed his belly starting to bulge again.
Regardless, Hyang continued speaking.
"Moreover, the biggest side effect is that it can lead to diabetes. Not long ago, didn't the royal physician diagnose that there were signs of diabetes in Father?"
"Ahem! I understand. I will maintain moderation."
Sejong waved a white flag, but Hyang did not stop.
"Your Highness, upon hearing that there were signs of diabetes in Father, I could not sleep. Therefore, I searched through medical texts. If diabetes worsens, it can lead to eye diseases and even blindness, and if that happens, Father will no longer be able to enjoy reading..."
"I said I will maintain moderation!" Sejong expressed his annoyance, but Hyang continued.
"An even bigger problem is that it can lead to impotence!"
"Impotence?" At Sejong's question, Hyang silently directed his gaze toward Sejong's lower body.
Following Hyang's gaze, Sejong discreetly pushed the sugar bowl aside.
Seeing this, Hyang reached his conclusion.
"Candy is hard to quit because of its sweetness."
"That's true."
"Medical texts also pointed out that the best way to treat diabetes is to reduce candy intake as much as possible and to move the body."
"Move the body?"
"Yes. First, besides jumping rope, you should take long walks and increase your strength."
"Increase my strength."
"The texts say, 'Bones are like the pillars of a house, and muscles are like the walls. Even if the pillars are strong, if the walls are thin, they cannot withstand the cold and heat. Similarly, if the muscles are weak, they cannot fend off illness.'"
"Increase my strength. Understood. I will do so."
"Your Highness is most gracious. The issue of strength is well understood by the Royal Guard."
"I understand."
Thus, Hyang's 'Sejong's Longevity Project' was reinforced.
Hyang's ultimate goal was simple.
"If losing weight is too much to ask, let's make him a healthy pig!"
As the vacant positions were filled, the affairs of the court began to pick up speed.
Just as the nationwide vaccination of cowpox was nearing completion, a new topic of debate arose in the court.
The topic was 'cows.'
As the nationwide vaccination of cowpox progressed, a large number of cows infected with cowpox were required, which was resolved by the landlords across the nation voluntarily (?) donating their cows.
"In this way, the number of cows donated has reached 1,153. We need to think about how to handle these cows."
"1,153 is quite a lot. Hmm..."
After pondering for a moment, Sejong gave an order to the Minister of Agriculture.
"Call the Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A short while later, Hyang entered the main hall after being summoned.
"Father, did you call for me?" After bowing, Hyang took his seat, and Sejong got to the point.
"This is the situation. Crown Prince, what would you do with these cows?"
After a moment of thought at Sejong's question, Hyang asked the Minister of Agriculture, "What is the ratio of males to females among those cows?"
In response to the Crown Prince's question, the Minister of Agriculture searched through the book he had brought and answered, "If paired, there are 470 pairs."
"470 pairs means 940 cows... so there are 213 left."
"That's correct."
"Hmm..."
After a moment of calculation, Hyang soon reached a conclusion.
"Father, how about creating livestock farms across the eight provinces of Joseon to raise cows and pigs?"
"Raising cows and pigs?"
"Yes. We can divide the entire territory of Joseon into north and south, and east and west, establishing two farms in each area, totaling eight livestock farms, including Neobeol Island, making it nine farms. Each farm would be assigned 50 pairs to raise cows. After at least 2-3 years, each farm would have over 100 cows."
"That seems likely."
"Then think of how much benefit that would bring!" Hyang explained the reasons for establishing livestock farms.
- Although the nationwide cowpox vaccination was carried out, there are still those who are too young or live in remote areas and have not been vaccinated.
We need to prepare cows for them every year.
For this, we will raise calves in the livestock farms.
- After raising cows and pigs in large quantities at the farms, we can supply meat to the people.
Especially for cows, they are essential for farming, and thus their slaughter has been prohibited, but this has become almost meaningless.
While explaining this part, Hyang added, "The important point here is that many people are accustomed to violating the Cow Prohibition Law. The Cow Prohibition Law is also a law of the land. If violating such laws becomes commonplace, the people will take the laws of the land lightly, and eventually, they will also take greater and more serious crimes lightly and act upon them."
At Hyang's words, Sejong and the ministers nodded in agreement.
Hyang continued.
- By supplying cows and pigs in large quantities, we can firmly absorb the Hwachuk into the people of Joseon.
The operation and management of the livestock farms, along with the local governments handling the slaughtering, will solve the issue of stable livelihoods.
In this way, the court will gain justification for dealing with the Hwachuk.
"Will the Hwachuk really comply?" In response to the question from Prime Minister Maeng Saseong, Hyang answered firmly.
"Those with sense will comply. Isn't there the example of Woo Suedol, the chief of Neobeol Island?"
"Ah..."
At Hyang's words, the ministers nodded.
As the nationwide cowpox vaccination was implemented, Sejong recognized the contributions of Suedol and granted him a surname.
"I bestow upon you the surname Woo. The reason I give you the surname 'Woo' is not because you are foolish. It is because, like the story of 'The Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains,' I appreciate your steadfastness in preserving your skills. I hope you continue to diligently fulfill your duties."
Sejong personally summoned him to Gyeongbokgung Palace to bestow the surname and even explained the reason, causing Suedol to be unable to contain his joy and burst into tears.
"Oh! Your Majesty, I am most grateful! Sob! Your Majesty! Long live! Long live! Long live!"
After a tearful celebration, when Suedol's emotions calmed down, Sejong asked, "Is Woo Suedol from the Hwachuk?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I heard that the Hwachuk are nomadic by nature, so how did you settle down?"
"I heard that my grandfather did so. He left his hometown and came to a foreign land, believing it was only right to follow the laws of the land... So, while searching for a place to live, he began livestock farming."
"Your grandfather was indeed wise."
Sejong murmured, licking his lips.
"How wonderful it would be if all the Hwachuk were like your grandfather."
Sejong lamented, as the Hwachuk had become a headache for Joseon.
Even though a considerable amount of time had passed since they entered Joseon, they had not abandoned the customs of their nomadic days and had become estranged from Joseon society.
As a result, they roamed in groups, committing acts of begging, robbery, arson, and murder.
Using the example of Suedol, Hyang proposed a rather extreme policy.
"By entrusting them with the operation of livestock and slaughtering, we can organize their household registrations, collect taxes, and impose military service. This way, they will surely settle down as the people of Joseon. However, if they refuse even after such policies are implemented, we must eradicate them completely."
At Hyang's statement, Sejong and the ministers grew serious.
"Isn't 'eradication' too extreme?"
"Even considering benevolence and righteousness, it seems excessive."
However, Hyang's response was cold.
"These people have been living here for hundreds to tens of years, yet they look down upon the laws and customs of this land. A firm response is necessary!"
The background for Hyang's argument stemmed from the constant petitions regarding the crimes committed by the Hwachuk and the refugee issues he had experienced in the 21st century.
While Sejong and the ministers were deep in thought over Hyang's statement, the Minister of Justice spoke up.
"I believe the Crown Prince's opinion is valid. Looking at the petitions coming to the Ministry of Justice, at least half of the perpetrators of heinous crimes such as murder and robbery across the nation are Hwachuk. If we do not resolve this, public sentiment will be disturbed."
"That may be true..."
"Look at the Huihui (Muslims). Although they have foreign religions and customs, they faithfully follow the laws of Joseon, don't they?"
With the Minister of Justice agreeing with Hyang, Sejong and the ministers fell into deeper contemplation.
After much deliberation, Sejong made a decision.
"To be honest, a resolution regarding the Hwachuk was necessary. Let us take this opportunity to organize it."
"I will obey your command!"
Thus, a hardline policy regarding the Hwachuk was decided.
Once the matter concerning the Hwachuk was settled, Hyang presented the final reason for needing livestock farms.
"Lastly, the reason we need livestock farms is for national defense."
"National defense?" The sudden mention of 'national defense' perked the ears of Sejong and the ministers.
"Yes, for national defense. First and foremost, it is for the food supply for soldiers. Upon examining the medical texts I obtained, I found this passage: 'Grains provide immediate energy but are quickly depleted. They are like straw that catches fire easily and burns quickly but extinguishes just as fast. Meat, on the other hand, is like firewood; it takes time to ignite but burns for a long time.'"
Taking a breath, Hyang looked at Sejong and the ministers before continuing, "When comparing Ming and our Joseon, it is clear that our people consume a lot. When our army moves, the bulk of what they carry is grain for the soldiers. This is due to the low intake of meat and the reliance on grains for energy. Therefore, we must produce jerky from beef or pork and create preserved foods to supply to the army."
"Hmm..."
Sejong and the ministers stroked their beards, making sounds of contemplation.
Though they did not speak, their expressions conveyed, 'Hmm? That sounds reasonable.'
Seeing their expressions, Hyang delivered the final blow.
"And the most important thing is that we can collect manure from the cows and pigs to create fertilizer. Currently, in Joseon, even if we gather dung, urine, and dirt from the kitchen to make fertilizer, the amount is insufficient. This is because these are used for fertilizing the fields. For this reason, there have always been conflicts between farmers and officials over fertilization. However, if we operate livestock farms and collect the manure from the cows and pigs, we can create a large amount of fertilizer without burdening the people."
"Indeed!"
"That's a brilliant idea!"
At Hyang's words, Sejong and the ministers, especially the Minister of Military Affairs, expressed great delight.
However, after a moment of calculation, the Minister of Agriculture raised a counterargument.
"Your Highness's idea is brilliant, but there is a problem. It concerns feed. Cows only eat grass, so it's not a big issue, but pigs are a problem. Pigs eat a lot but yield little meat. And in summer, they spoil quickly, making them less useful. Taste aside, of course."
Acknowledging the Minister of Agriculture's words, Hyang nodded readily.
"I agree. But, Minister of Agriculture, you have been to Ming as an envoy, correct?"
"Yes."
"What about Ming's pigs? Have you seen them?"
"I have seen them a few times while procuring books for Your Highness. Hmm... if I exaggerate a bit, they were as big as a house."
"Then we can bring back breeding pigs from Ming, can't we?"
"But the bigger they are, the more they eat, right?"
The discussion between Hyang and the Minister of Agriculture deepened, and Sejong and the ministers listened with keen interest.
"That issue can be resolved by planting soybean fields next to the livestock farms to grow soybeans. Soybeans grow well with just enough water. The livestock farms also require a lot of water."
"However, that would require additional land besides the land used for livestock."
To this, Hyang immediately proposed a solution.
"In that case, we can discuss renting land from the nearby landlords."
"Would the landlords easily agree? The farmland is already insufficient for planting rice and barley."
"We can rent land that has been depleted of its fertility. I have heard that planting soybeans can restore the soil's fertility."
After calculating diligently, the Minister of Agriculture nodded.
"It seems quite feasible."