Five days after the end of the civil service examination, the results were announced.
Near Gwanghwamun, the candidates who had taken the exam gathered, waiting for the results to be posted.
"Is the list not up yet?"
"Hey, clear the way!"
Amidst the nervous candidates, a light commotion arose, and then the side gate of Gwanghwamun opened, revealing officials and palace attendants.
As the officials emerged, the noise among the candidates quieted down.
They swallowed nervously, their eyes darting around.
An official pasted a notice on a large bulletin board set up against the city wall beside Gwanghwamun.
"This is the list of successful candidates!"
As the list was unveiled, the candidates rushed forward to check if their names were on it.
"I found it!"
"I’m on it too!"
"Hahaha! I passed!"
While some cheered upon finding their names, others expressed their frustration at failing.
"How could I fail again!"
"What will I tell my parents...?"
As joy, anger, and sadness filled the air, the palace attendants reappeared and set up a small platform.
Once the platform was ready, an official dressed in deep blue robes stepped up and shouted into a funnel-like object.
"Lee Soon-ji! Lee Soon-ji from Yangseong, Gyeonggi-do!"
At the official's call, a young man, barely twenty, rushed forward.
"That's me!"
"Are you Lee Soon-ji? From Yangseong?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"What year were you born?"
"In the Year of Eul-yu."
The official checked the records.
"Lee Soon-ji... Yangseong... Year of Eul-yu... That's correct. Stand over here."
"Yes? Yes."
After placing Lee Soon-ji aside, the official called out nine more names.
"Let’s see... one, two, three, four... ten... all correct. You all follow me."
"Yes? Yes."
Confused, Lee Soon-ji and the nine successful candidates followed the official into Gyeongbokgung Palace.
"Who are those people? Hey, Hyungjang, do you know anything?"
"I don’t know either."
As the candidates murmured among themselves, an official in blue robes stepped onto the platform.
"Quiet! Quiet! Quiet!"
At the official's shout, the gathered candidates fell silent.
"The successful candidates, move to the right for verification! And those who failed, aim for the next opportunity!"
Following the official's command, the candidates split into two groups.
The successful candidates moved to the right side of Gwanghwamun for the verification process, while the unsuccessful ones turned away in despair.
Meanwhile, in the main hall, a discussion was ongoing among King Sejong and the ministers regarding the recent civil service examination.
"How many successful candidates were there this time?"
"A total of 185."
"185? That's fewer than before?"
In response to Sejong's question, Minister Hwang Hee replied.
"Those who passed the exam on the classics did well, but those who failed the arithmetic exam were all disqualified."
"What was the standard for failing in arithmetic?"
"Those who scored 20 points below average."
"Hmm... They are talented individuals who passed the preliminary exam; isn't it a shame?"
Hwang Hee explained the reasoning behind it.
"That may be true, but educating them from the basics in arithmetic to deploy them in work takes too much time and resources."
"Is that so? I understand. Since they are carefully selected talents for the state, we must utilize them as best as we can."
At Sejong's request, the ministers bowed their heads in agreement.
"We will follow your orders!"
"Setting aside the selection process, what will happen to those who have completed their education? What about their ranks?"
"We plan to categorize them based on their academic performance in the studies, similar to the previous students of Sungkyunkwan, and after a three-month probation period, they will be appropriately distributed among the six divisions."
"That sounds good. But what if some insist on going to Sungkyunkwan?"
"Even if they claim to go through Sungkyunkwan to take the higher examination, they will start from the ninth rank unless they achieve the top score. If they have any sense, they will realize it is much more advantageous to be here than at Sungkyunkwan."
"I see."
Sejong nodded at Hwang Hee's response.
Observing Sejong's reaction, Hwang Hee continued his explanation.
"Moreover, since the role of Sungkyunkwan will change in the future, we plan to send all students out this time."
At Hwang Hee's words, Sejong chuckled.
"Hah! They will end up like a dog chasing a chicken."
Similar discussions arose in the place explaining the situation to the successful candidates.
"... So, after you complete this process, you will be deployed to work."
As the official finished explaining, one of the successful candidates raised his hand eagerly.
"I am aiming for the higher examination! Is there no way to enter Sungkyunkwan?"
The official answered briefly.
"No. Sungkyunkwan's role has changed this year. It will only conduct rituals for the Confucian temple and educate candidates for high-ranking positions. Oh, and speaking of which... the eligibility for the higher examination will also change. To put it simply, if you want to become a high-ranking official, you must first become an official."
Though the official's explanation was brief, the reality was far from simple.
To become a high-ranking official, one would have to take another civil service exam, and to take that exam, one must prove their abilities in the field.
However, the official did not elaborate on this for a simple reason.
"Those with potential must be weeded out from the start!"
The individuals before him and those who would continue to come were both his subordinates and potential competitors.
While competition was inevitable, for immediate convenience, he needed to select those with promise.
After the official finished explaining, the successful candidate raised his hand again.
"Couldn’t I just go back home, study, and then challenge the higher examination?"
At this, the official shouted angrily.
"You foolish person! Did you even listen to what I said? Didn’t I say the nature of the higher examination has changed? What are you talking about now? You, get out!"
"Get out?"
"Disqualified! You foolish child!"
At the official's words, the candidate who had caused the commotion shouted back.
"But do you know who I am?"
"Who are you?"
"I am the grandnephew of a former official and my cousin is currently a left minister in the Ministry of Justice!"
At his words, the official scoffed.
"Hmph! In the end, you are nothing but a nobody."
"What did you say!"
Suddenly treated as a nobody, the candidate became furious, but the official ordered another official beside him.
"Go to the Board of Audit and bring someone from the Song family. Just say it was sent by Minister Kang of the Ministry of Personnel, and they will know."
The official accompanying him nodded and stood up.
As he left, he glared at the troublesome candidate.
Meanwhile, the candidate who had boasted about his connections turned pale at the mention of the Board of Audit.
Seeing the candidate's reaction, Minister Kang raised his voice.
"You, nobody, who do you think you are boasting about your connections! Do you think I can just expel you at will? It is all by royal decree! Do you understand? My backing is His Majesty the King! You scoundrel, where do you think you are boasting!"
In the end, the candidate who had caused the uproar was expelled and disqualified.
"Just one more chance!"
As he was dragged out, he pleaded for forgiveness, but the officials remained unmoved.
After a brief commotion, Minister Kang warned the frozen successful candidates.
"If there are issues with conduct during the period of study and practice, or if you fail to follow tasks or cause trouble, you will be expelled immediately. Do not forget this. Understood?"
"Yes!"
The successful candidates replied loudly.
Meanwhile, the Board of Audit quickly wrote a petition to Sejong.
Upon receiving the petition, Sejong immediately ordered punishment.
"The fact that someone who just passed the civil service examination acted so arrogantly shows he firmly believed in his connections. Reading the petition reminded me of the incident with Ryu Jeong-hyeon, and I feel truly disheartened."
"I am deeply sorry!"
At Sejong's words, the ministers bowed their heads.
Over their bowed heads, Sejong continued.
"If he can act so recklessly towards the officials of the court, I can only imagine the misdeeds of those connections. Prime Minister, order the Bureau of Justice to investigate the relatives he mentioned and uncover any additional crimes."
"I will follow your orders!"
As a result of the Bureau of Justice's investigation, the former official lost all his titles, and the one working in the Ministry of Justice was demoted to a servant and subjected to "document organization punishment."
While all this was happening outside, Lee Soon-ji and his companions were also in a state of confusion.
"Where are we going now?"
After passing through the gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace and heading deeper into the palace, Lee Soon-ji asked the official walking ahead with a voice full of fear.
The official walking ahead answered briefly.
"To the East Palace."
"Yikes!"
Hearing the term "East Palace," Lee Soon-ji and the successful candidates were taken aback.
They were heading to the place where the next heir to the throne resided.
Seeing the tension in Lee Soon-ji and his companions, the official chuckled.
"Relax. Anyone would think you are entering a tiger's den."
"Yes! Yes!"
As the official turned his back, he muttered softly while observing the still tense faces of Lee Soon-ji and his companions.
"Perhaps a tiger's den would be better?"
"Hurry up and come in. Welcome. I am Jeong Cho, the deputy director of the research institute."
The one who welcomed Lee Soon-ji and his companions was Jeong Cho.
He began with an apology.
"Normally, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would welcome you, but he is busy with matters in District 51, so I am here to greet you. I apologize for that."
"Oh, no."
As Jeong Cho bowed his head, Lee Soon-ji and his companions hurriedly bowed in return.
"Now, please take a seat."
As Jeong Cho invited them to sit, Lee Soon-ji and his companions quickly took their seats.
Observing the tense expressions of Lee Soon-ji and his companions as they sat, Jeong Cho smiled wryly.
"Thinking about the hardships these friends will face makes me feel sorry."
"Ahem. Ahem!"
Clearing his throat lightly to compose himself, Jeong Cho got to the main point.
"I will let you know what you will be doing from now on. First, does anyone know about Cheonchuksu?"
At Jeong Cho's question, Lee Soon-ji raised his hand eagerly.
"Oh? I thought Cheonchuksu was still not widely known; how do you know about it?"
"I saw it being used by a traveling merchant who frequently visits my hometown."
"I see. So, you are the only one who knows. Then, what is your name?"
"I am Lee Soon-ji from Yangseong."
"Alright, this student will review it along with the other students."
"Understood."
"Once you finish learning about Cheonchuksu, you will study arithmetic. And..."
Jeong Cho explained what they would learn and what they needed to do.
After finishing his explanation, Jeong Cho concluded.
"First, you will return to your hometown to inform them of your success and gather your belongings. You will have a month and a half to return to Hanyang. I hope to see you then. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has high expectations, and I also have great expectations for you."
"I will do my best!"
A month and a half later, Lee Soon-ji and the other students arrived at the research institute without fail.
"Nice to meet you!"
Hyang warmly welcomed the newcomers.
While the existing members had drawn in new recruits based on evaluations from the surroundings, the ten before them were secured through direct assessments.
"I believe you will accomplish great things!"
Filled with hope and trust, Hyang's words prompted the new researchers to respond loudly.
"I will dedicate my life!"
However, it took less than half a month for that cheer to turn into groans.
"Oh, I’m dying..."
"Song-hyung, did you work late again yesterday?"
"I haven't been home for five days already. I'm worried I might get a divorce."
During a brief break, the new researchers gathered in the lounge, massaging their necks and shoulders as they complained about the hardships of work.
"At least the salary is decent..."
"I heard those assigned to the sixth division are still struggling with practical training. They say they are evaluated every day and are exhausted."
"Are we the lucky ones, or are they?"
As they discussed the other successful candidates who were suffering as probationary officials, Lee Soon-ji passed by, holding a stack of books in his arms, his face brimming with vitality.
Seeing him, the new researchers sighed.
"This student has truly found his calling."
"Indeed."