Lee Soon-ji found more joy in solving arithmetic problems as a brief amusement while studying for the civil service exam in his hometown than in memorizing Confucian scriptures.

His talent was a source of serious concern for his parents.

"Dear husband, how about we have Soon-ji take on some interviews?"

"Interviews? Oh dear! Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that! Even if he passes the interviews, he will only end up in a minor position! We have our family’s reputation to consider!"

"Even with the minor and major exams, to rise above the rank of a regular official, doesn’t our family need a strong background? Do we have that kind of power?"

"Cough!"

"And do you really think our Soon-ji has that kind of capability?"

"Cough, cough! That may be true, but..."

Lee Soon-ji's father trailed off.

He understood his son's academic abilities to some extent.

While Confucian studies were essential for the gentry's rise to fame, practical studies were unique.

The issue lay in Lee Soon-ji's character.

He loved to laugh and was smooth-tongued, but he also possessed a sharp tongue that could silence others or turn them into enemies with just a few words.

The greatest concern for his father was that sharp tongue. 'Even if he achieves great success, he will stir up trouble with that tongue...'

In the end, Lee Soon-ji's parents reached a temporary agreement.

"The minor exam is coming up soon, so let’s decide after we see the results."

When Lee Soon-ji returned after passing the minor exam, not only did he achieve success, but he also got a position directly under the Crown Prince.

His parents were in an uproar.

"Catch all the cows in the village! Slaughter the pigs, and the chickens too! Catch everything we can! Our family has had a great celebration! It’s a feast!"

"Yes!"

"Wait! Wait!"

Relatives and friends who had rushed over upon hearing the news of the celebration at Lee Soon-ji's house tried to stop his father as he went overboard.

"Are you going to catch cows and pigs and end up uprooting the pillars too? We know it’s a celebration, but this is too much!"

"Is this a normal celebration? Our son, our son! He’s gone directly under the Crown Prince! What does it matter if we uproot the pillars?"

"While it’s good that he’s gone under the Crown Prince, isn’t it just a minor position? And shouldn’t we also think about the living expenses for Soon-ji and his wife in the capital? It’s already a meager salary; do you want them to live in poverty?"

"Huh? That’s true."

Upon hearing his relative's advice, Lee Soon-ji's father regained his senses.

Thus, the scale of the feast was reduced compared to what was initially planned, but it was still quite a grand celebration.

Even the local governor, who oversaw the region, came to offer congratulations.

As Lee Soon-ji settled into the research institute, he showcased his talents.

He passed the basic practical studies in just ten days, the intermediate studies in one month, and the advanced studies overseen by the Huihui people in two months.

When the results of the new recruits' practical training were received, Hyang discussed them with Jeongcho and Jeonginji.

"I want to give Lee Soon-ji a rank of 5th grade."

"But he just passed the minor exam."

"We don’t mind, but others in the court may have something to say."

Jeongcho and Jeonginji expressed their concerns about Hyang's opinion, but Hyang shook his head.

"If he has the ability, he should be treated accordingly!"

"That is true, but..."

"If that’s the case, I have nothing more to say."

Agreeing with Hyang's argument, Jeongcho and Jeonginji nodded.

They too had received similar benefits.

During the last inspection, the two were recognized for their contributions and were promoted to 2nd grade Jeongheondae and 2nd grade Gajeongdae.

Although their ranks did not change, their titles were elevated.

Such benefits were not exclusive to them.

Among the officials at the research institute, those with lower ranks were promoted, and those above the regular officials received elevated titles.

These benefits also extended to the artisans who had worked alongside them.

Jang Yeong-sil was promoted from a minor position to a regular position.

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful!"

Upon hearing that his position had changed from a minor role to a regular one, Jang Yeong-sil shed tears of gratitude towards Sejong and Hyang.

It was a miraculous achievement to rise from a servant's status to a minor position, but changing from a position without a salary to one that actually provided a salary held a different significance.

Jang Yeong-sil was not the only one whose fortunes had changed.

The artisans from the military supply office, including Go Yajang, also experienced changes in their ranks and departments.

They moved directly under the research institute.

During this transition, responsible artisans like Go Yajang were promoted from minor roles to regular positions.

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful!"

"I will dedicate my life to serve!"

Hearing that their ranks had risen, the artisans, like Jang Yeong-sil, shed tears of gratitude.

In a Joseon society where class discrimination existed, they had been treated worse than farmers, yet now they could hear themselves being called 'noble.'

What moved them even more was that the newly elevated ranks were personally bestowed by Sejong.

This was Hyang's work.

"How about if Your Majesty personally congratulates them?"

"Me?"

"If Your Majesty personally congratulates them, they will have hope and will be absolutely loyal to you."

Upon hearing Hyang's words, Sejong fell into thought.

Hyang's suggestion was quite good.

Between the common people at the same level as them and himself stood the gentry.

For a king like Sejong, the gentry were a 'double-edged sword.' They were a strong support for the king, but at the same time, they bound the king's hands and feet.

After a moment of contemplation, Sejong reached a conclusion.

"Your words are correct!"

Thus, Sejong personally summoned Jang Yeong-sil and the artisans, handed them their official titles, and encouraged them.

"The reason I am giving you these titles is to praise the achievements you have built up until now, as well as to warn you. Rising in rank means that your responsibilities have also increased. Do not forget this and do your best."

"Your Majesty's decree, we will remember it deeply!"

"I will dedicate my life to serve!"

As Sejong listened to the artisans' tearful responses, he saw Hyang's face filled with pride.

Watching that scene, Sejong added a remark.

"I may call you all now, but I hope for the day when you and the Crown Prince will be addressed as 'Your Excellency' instead of 'you.' Can I expect that?"

"We will risk our lives to meet Your Majesty's expectations! We will never disappoint you! Long live His Majesty!"

"Long live!"

At that moment, a nearly 'religious' support for Sejong and Hyang was born.

With such a precedent, Jeongcho and Jeonginji showed no resistance to Hyang's words and immediately agreed.

When the two agreed, Hyang promptly requested Sejong's approval.

"5th grade? Isn’t that too high?"

"In the case of the recent Sungkyunkwan students and the current minor exam passers, they start at 6th grade. So..."

"That’s why I’m saying this. Even the best among them start at 6th grade, so isn’t 5th grade too much?"

"It’s because he has the ability."

Hyang's words prompted Sejong to firmly reject the idea.

"If that ability is merely based on educational results, I cannot accept it. If you want to give him that rank, bring me proof of his results. The highest rank I can grant now is 6th grade."

"However, Your Majesty..."

As Hyang tried to argue, Sejong raised his hand to stop him.

"Crown Prince, I know you are smart and handle matters well. And I know you value rewards and punishments. However, the foundation of all that is 'fairness' and 'justice.' This Lee Soon-ji may indeed be a talent, or rather, he is. But if I grant him 5th grade just because you requested it, will those in other departments accept it? They will think it’s because he entered your research institute, not because of his talent. Therefore, I can only grant him 6th grade. Do you understand what I mean?"

Nodding at Sejong's words, Hyang replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will follow Your Majesty's wishes."

"Thank you."

Thus, Lee Soon-ji began at the rank of 6th grade.

"Oh no, this is impossible!"

"I'm dying, I’m dying!"

"This place is hell!"

As Lee Soon-ji and the other new passers settled into the research institute, they began to wail.

The practical studies that started right after entering were tough, but the actual work was even harder.

As the new researchers moaned, the senior researchers spoke up.

"Is it hard? Can’t you handle it? Then go tell the Crown Prince and switch positions. We only want those among you who want to come here. We’d rather endure a little more hardship than deal with those who are forced to work."

Upon hearing the senior researcher’s words, the new researchers immediately fell silent.

The work at the institute was hell, but the outside world was hell too.

Escaping this hell meant resigning, but with the newly changed system, if they quit, they would just become commoners.

Even if they tried to take the civil service exam again, they would have to start from the beginning in the same hell.

As the new researchers felt disheartened, the senior researchers subtly offered a carrot.

"Don’t just think about how hard it is; try to find fulfillment in your work. If you do well, not only the Crown Prince but also His Majesty will reward you greatly. And you’ll find this work enjoyable as you go along."

The senior researchers had reached a level of 'enjoying the pain' in just a year.

No, they had become enthusiasts after traveling around the country and conducting various experiments in the 51 districts.

While the other newcomers were going through their trials, Lee Soon-ji found joy in every day.

Thanks to the outstanding talent he displayed in practical studies, Lee Soon-ji was able to be deployed to actual work in less than four months.

However, with such remarkable talent, it was only natural that envy began to arise among others.

Moreover, Lee Soon-ji was the youngest among those who entered together.

He also received the highest rank.

Eventually, they began to call him a 'freak.'

"Hey, freak!"

"Where are you going, freak?"

Every time they called him a freak, Lee Soon-ji responded with laughter.

"Hahaha! What’s wrong with that?"

However, as he sensed that their envy had crossed a line, Lee Soon-ji began to retaliate.

Receiving the highest rank of 'Jwarang' among the newcomers, he wielded another talent that only his family knew about—his 'sharp tongue.'

When researchers brought their assignments for review, it was Lee Soon-ji's job to check them.

"Here are the results. Please review them."

Receiving the results, Lee Soon-ji snorted and began to check the calculations.

"Let’s see. Hmm... Huh? This calculation is wrong."

"What? Where?"

"This part here. How could you get something so simple wrong? Were you thinking about the courtesans from your favorite tavern while calculating?"

"Ugh..."

From that moment on, Lee Soon-ji's sharp tongue began to rain down on the researchers.

"Haha... How could you get something so easy wrong? You need to retake the practical studies."

"Oh dear... Isn’t this just basic addition? Getting addition wrong? If mental math is hard, then use formulas!"

"You’re going to use a formula for this? Is there even enough paper left?"

"Getting this wrong? You should count on your fingers and toes! If you can’t even get basic single-digit addition and subtraction right, what are you doing?"

"Is that thing on your neck just for decoration, or is it there to make you think?"

"Is your skull three times thicker than others? Otherwise... if you had a brain the same size as others, you could solve this... It’s impossible to get something this easy wrong! Unless you have a brain much smaller than others!"

"Do you use your strength well at night? If you keep working like this, promotions will be out of reach, but if you use your strength well at night, you might avoid being beaten!"

...

"Ugh!"

"Ah! That guy!"

Researchers who were thoroughly scolded by Lee Soon-ji left the institute and, as soon as they stepped out the gate, vented their frustrations at the moon.

Lee Soon-ji's notorious reputation reached the ears of higher-ups like Jeonginji and Jeongcho.

"This Jwarang seems to be quite harsh on his subordinates."

In response to Jeongcho's remark, Jeonginji immediately replied, "That’s true. However, it’s also true that the results are coming out better because of it."

"Sometimes, one must be a bit harsh to manage subordinates, so let’s leave it for now."

At this suggestion from Lee Cheon, Jeongcho and Jeonginji nodded.

"That’s right."

In truth, although the three did not voice it, they all shared similar thoughts. 'It may be presumptuous, but this Jwarang might just get along well with His Majesty and the Crown Prince.

Neither of them has a particularly good temperament.'

The truth was that the three of them were not known for their good temperaments among their subordinates either.

Instead, they often heard whispers about Lee Soon-ji being favored by Jeonginji and Jeongcho.

"They stick together!"

"Do you have to be grumpy to receive a good rank?"