After the Jowoon-dan departed for Beijing, Sejong's royal decree was conveyed to the Sungkyunkwan.
"Therefore, I urge the students studying at Sungkyunkwan to follow my command."
The official who read the decree looked at the students.
"Isn't the reason you study here to serve and uplift this Joseon? A good opportunity has come, so do not delay your service."
Once the official finished speaking, he exited the Myeongnyundang.
As he left, the remaining students began to murmur among themselves.
"Lee-hyung, what are you thinking?" "Kim-hyung, what about you?" "I plan to serve. It has already been five years since I stayed at Sungkyunkwan, and I have no confidence for the upcoming state examination next year, so I cannot let this opportunity slip away."
"I feel the same. I am concerned about my parents' hardships, and this seems like a good chance."
Among the students at Sungkyunkwan, many decided to pursue service, but there were also quite a few who did not.
"Even if I serve now, I would only start at the lowest rank, the 9th grade. Why bother? It would be foolish."
"You are right. If a man is born to dream of serving, shouldn't he at least start at the 6th grade?" "Hahaha!"
At that time, the quota for those selected through the state examination in Joseon was 33 people.
Among them, the top scorer began at the 6th grade.
The rest were categorized into grades based on their scores, with the lowest 23 starting at the 9th grade.
The lowest 9th grade was for those who entered through minor positions or other means.
In other words, those who were chatting like this aimed to be top scorers.
However, among those chatting, very few actually had the skills to achieve that.
Most were the children of wealthy families.
What mattered to them was the title of Sungkyunkwan student.
Just having that title allowed them to maintain their noble status for at least three generations and enjoy tax exemptions.
The Minister of Personnel compiled a list of the Sungkyunkwan students who volunteered for service and handed it to the ministers.
"How many are there?" "143." "Hmm..."
The response from the Minister of Personnel left the ministers with complex expressions.
"It seems like a decent number..."
"But why do I feel so uneasy about this?" "I feel the same."
There were 200 students studying at Sungkyunkwan, so 143 volunteering was quite a significant number.
However, both the Minister of Personnel who compiled the list and the ministers who reviewed it felt a nagging discomfort.
Eventually, the Prime Minister Lee Jik took the list and said, "In any case, let us report this to His Majesty within the set deadline."
"That would be best."
"Tsk!" Sejong's first reaction upon reviewing the list submitted by the ministers was to click his tongue.
"143? I know the quota for Sungkyunkwan is 200. Did the others not volunteer?" "That is correct."
"Why?" The Minister of Personnel replied, "The reason they remain at Sungkyunkwan is to aim for the state examination..."
Before the Minister of Personnel could finish, Sejong clicked his tongue again.
Immediately, the Minister of Personnel bowed his head.
"I am deeply sorry!" "What is there to be sorry about? It is simply that the students of Sungkyunkwan, who are to be responsible for the court in the future, do not have a broad perspective. Tsk!" As Sejong clicked his tongue, Hwang Hee interjected.
Regardless of the situation, the students of Sungkyunkwan were the future of the court.
"They are still inexperienced..."
"What nonsense is that! The breadth of one's perspective is not a matter of experience but of innate quality! Are you planning to fill the court with such people?" Under Sejong's reprimand, Hwang Hee had to bow down.
"I am deeply sorry! Please forgive my mistake!" "Why does His Majesty say such things? Tsk!" "I am deeply sorry!"
As Sejong spoke, he glared at Hwang Hee and then turned to the Minister of Personnel.
"Setting aside Sungkyunkwan, what will we do moving forward?" "First, the students of Sungkyunkwan will learn mathematics and commerce. The duration is set for about three months."
"Three months? Since it is September now, will the monopoly business start next year?" "Yes, during this time, we will secure stockpiles of sugar and build the buildings for the monopoly office."
Sejong nodded at the Minister of Personnel's response.
"That sounds reasonable. Then how will the personnel be allocated?" "First, we will assign the Jangui (3rd grade) to the eight provinces, and the Sa-in and Jangnyeong (4th grade) to the Bu and Daedoho. Finally, we will assign the Jang to the Doho and Gun."
"Hmm..."
As the Minister of Personnel explained, Sejong stroked his beard, contemplating.
"They are of a lower rank than the provincial governors, including the inspectors."
"That was to consider the morale of the provincial governors."
"I see..."
Sejong nodded at the Minister of Personnel's answer.
By starting with inspectors and assigning those of lower ranks than provincial governors, he avoided provoking their pride.
However, the ranks were not so low that the provincial governors could look down on them.
And since they were directly connected to the court, the provincial governors would not dare to treat them lightly.
As a result, the court in Hanyang gained another means to oversee the local officials. 'It will be difficult for the local officials to rest easy.' However, Sejong continued to bombard the Minister of Personnel with questions.
"It is a good method, but won't there be a shortage of personnel for that rank?" "Yes, that is correct. Therefore, we will select officials with good performance evaluations and appoint them to temporary ranks. Then, based on their performance over the year, we will either promote them to permanent ranks or demote them."
"Isn't the minimum service at the monopoly office one year?" "That is correct. No matter how long they serve, we do not plan to assign them to one place for more than two years."
The monopoly office would deal with salt and sugar, which were essential to the people's diet, ensuring that significant wealth would flow through it.
Considering future additions, it was essential to keep rotating officials to prevent corruption.
"Then will the vacancies left by these officials be filled by the students of Sungkyunkwan?" "Initially, we will promote existing officials to fill those positions. The method will be the same as for officials going to the monopoly office. The students of Sungkyunkwan will be assigned temporary ranks based on their performance during the training period."
"What ranks do you plan to assign to the students of Sungkyunkwan?" "They will start from the 9th grade and go up to the 6th grade."
"The 6th grade..."
Sejong contemplated again.
The starting point for the top scorers of the state examination was the 6th grade.
However, even if it was a temporary rank, it was still one grade higher than the starting point.
Although the number of officials was expected to gradually increase, the standards for promotion would also become stricter.
Looking at the Minister of Personnel based on the personnel plan and future plans, Sejong concluded, "Everyone will work desperately."
"That is the goal."
Hearing the Minister of Personnel's response, Sejong made a decision.
"Good! Proceed according to the Minister of Personnel's plan!" "I will obey!" "However! Even if it is a temporary rank, pay the salary according to the rank! If the work is hard, at least the salary should be good."
"I will remember this!"
Later, when the local officials heard of this plan, they muttered with bitter expressions, "Whether in the 21st century or Joseon, interns will be desperate."
Meanwhile, those who decided to stay at Sungkyunkwan regretted their choice, lamenting, "The 6th grade!"
Meanwhile, a great commotion arose in the Ministry of Personnel as a large number of new recruits entered.
The reason for the uproar was the 'Exemption from New Rituals.' With a large influx of new recruits from Sungkyunkwan and existing officials being promoted, the higher-ups were not sitting idly by.
As extravagant banquets were held and all sorts of bizarre events unfolded, the Office of Inspector General submitted a petition.
"This is outrageous!" Upon receiving the petition, Sejong erupted in anger.
The horrors of the exemption from new rituals had been famous since ancient times, and the kings of Joseon had strived to eliminate this evil custom for generations.
Sejong himself had punished officials who had participated in the exemption from new rituals just the previous year.
"I issued a decree prohibiting the exemption from new rituals just last year! Have you seen such audacious individuals? Minister of Personnel! What on earth have you done?" Under Sejong's scolding, the Minister of Personnel fell flat on the ground.
"Please kill me!" "What have the ministers done?" Under Sejong's reprimand, the ministers also had to prostrate themselves.
"Please kill me!"
"What happened to those audacious individuals who participated in the exemption from new rituals?" "First, they are under house arrest..."
"Bring the Inspector General immediately!" "Yes, Your Majesty!" In Sejong's fury, all officials who had participated in the exemption from new rituals were imprisoned in the Inspector General's prison.
Upon receiving the report, Sejong glared at the officials, grinding his teeth.
"The king's commands must be obeyed at all costs... Do you see me as a fool?" "Please kill me!"
"If you do not see me as a fool, then how did this happen?" "Please kill me!" The ministers, following the ministers and the Minister of Personnel, had to prostrate themselves on the ground.
Over the heads of such ministers, Sejong's angry voice echoed.
"Is that all you can say, to ask for death? Do you truly wish for that?" "I am deeply sorry!"
A moment later, the summoned Inspector General entered the court.
Sejong immediately issued an order to the Inspector General.
"Immediately arrest the officials of the Ministry of Personnel who are under house arrest!" "I will obey!" Following Sejong's furious command, 23 officials were imprisoned in the Inspector General's prison.
As Sejong received the report, he muttered while grinding his teeth, "How should I deal with these damned fellows..."
Hyang, who had heard the rumors and rushed to the court, smiled bitterly at Sejong's appearance.
This was because memories of the 21st century came flooding back.
The welcome party for new students after entering university in the 21st century was a memory Hyang desperately wanted to forget.
The seniors, who were like villains, forced them to drink 'sabalju,' a concoction of all sorts of bizarre substances, or made them drink until they nearly passed out.
"This damned evil custom..."
Remembering the nightmare of the 21st century, Hyang spoke to Sejong.
"Your Majesty, it seems the officials of the Ministry of Personnel have the leisure to perform exemption from new rituals."
At Hyang's words, Sejong's expression turned sinister.
"Is that so? And yet they asked for more personnel, claiming they were short-staffed?"
At Sejong's words, the Minister of Personnel turned pale and shouted, "Absolutely not! We are truly short-staffed!" "But they have the leisure to perform exemption from new rituals?" "That was the act of a few officials who forgot their duties!" The Minister of Personnel desperately tried to explain.
Watching the Minister of Personnel, Hyang spoke to Sejong.
"Your Majesty, hearing the Minister of Personnel's words, it seems that those who defied Your Majesty's orders this time are quite capable."
"Hmm? Why is that?"
"The Minister of Personnel, along with other officials, is clamoring that they need more people due to the heavy workload. In such a situation, to perform exemption from new rituals means they had time left after finishing their own work, does it not?" "Ah! I see! In that case, they must be quite capable individuals!" "Indeed."
As Hyang and Sejong exchanged words, an unknown sense of unease began to creep up among the ministers.
While the ministers trembled with anxiety, Hyang proposed a way to utilize them.
"The organization of the household registration data and land registry documents from the recent vaccination is still incomplete. The ones currently imprisoned are capable enough to perform exemption from new rituals after finishing their work, so how about assigning this task to them?" "That sounds good!" Sejong exclaimed, slapping his knee.
"That is indeed a brilliant idea! Minister of Personnel! How long did you say it would take to organize the household registration data and land registry documents?" "It will take at least another five years..."
"Immediately assign those involved in this incident to the organization work! The deadline is one year! If they do not finish within that time, they will be exiled! The duration of the exile will be proportional to the amount they failed to complete! If 10% is left, it will be one year; if 50% is left, it will be five years! Do you understand what I mean?" "Yes, yes!" The Minister of Personnel replied, sweating profusely.
Watching the Minister of Personnel, Sejong continued, "While they are working on the organization, deduct 20% from their salaries. There is no need for their families to suffer as well. Do you understand?" "I fully understand!" "Then execute it immediately!" "Yes! I will obey!"
Thus, among the officials of the Joseon Dynasty, the saying "The scariest punishment is document organization rather than execution or exile" began to circulate.