In the third month of the seventh year of Sejong's reign (1425), while busy preparing for the civil service examination, Kim Ta-ga from the Office of Inspector General submitted a petition.

"The six-year term for local magistrates is unjust! It should be reverted back to three years!"

This petition sparked a debate between Sejong and his ministers—more precisely, it was the ministers pleading their case.

When the Joseon dynasty was founded, the term for local magistrates was three years—more accurately, 30 months.

Every year, there would be a performance evaluation, which determined promotions, demotions, and dismissals.

However, when Sejong ascended to the throne, changes were made to the term of local magistrates.

This was not solely Sejong's decision; the initial proposal came from Ha Ryun.

"Local officials come from outside and become the heads of their districts, so it takes time for them to understand the local circumstances. The Ming dynasty faced similar issues and decided to set the term for local officials at six years. After observing this, it has proven to be very effective, so it is right to adopt it here."

Following Ha Ryun's proposal, Heo Jo, who became the Minister of Personnel, and Ryu Jeong-hyeon, the Prime Minister, actively supported the idea, leading Sejong to extend the term for local officials to six years.

To be precise, it was not an extension from three years to six years, but rather from 30 months to 60 months.

Since evaluations were conducted every ten months, the terms became three and six years when including the evaluation periods.

As the term for local officials was extended, the officials themselves expressed immense dissatisfaction.

Their complaints stemmed from promotion issues.

The lowest-ranking local official, the Hyun-gam, held the sixth rank, while the slightly higher position of Hyun-ryeong held the fifth rank.

However, advancing to a higher rank in the Joseon bureaucratic system required a significant amount of time.

For instance, the top scorer in the state examination was given the sixth rank, while those who passed with a lower grade received the ninth rank.

It could take anywhere from a few years to over ten years for someone with the ninth rank to rise to the sixth.

Thus, being required to serve six years in the localities felt like being told to abandon any hopes of advancement.

"Damn it! Even if I’m a ninth rank, I have to endure in Hanyang to make connections!"

"They say a seventh rank in Hanyang is better than a sixth rank in the countryside!"

Despite their grumbling, the local officials still performed their duties diligently.

After all, failing the evaluations held every ten months could cost them their meager positions.

As a result, after implementing the six-year system, local administration ran quite smoothly, and the livelihoods of the people stabilized.

Of course, there were local officials who operated completely independently of this system.

They were the Observers, the highest-ranking local officials, who held the second rank and had a term of only one year.

Given this situation, local officials began to shower influential ministers with gifts, pleading for a reduction in their terms.

Whether due to these gifts or not, the ministers continued to argue that six years was too long and that it should be reduced to three years.

"If local officials are away for six years, it creates problems in caring for their elderly parents back home. This is unfilial, and it goes against what the sages have said, so I believe it should be reduced to three years."

"There are local officials who barely escape dismissal. The citizens of their districts find it too difficult to endure six years."

"Being away from home for six years makes it hard to educate and marry off their children. It has always been said, 'Cultivate oneself before governing the state.' Six years is too long; please reduce it to three."

Every time the ministers spoke like this, Sejong clearly expressed his refusal.

"Caring for one's parents is a good thing, but governing the people is also a serious matter. It would be better to bring your parents to your post. The same goes for educating and marrying off your children."

"What can be accomplished in three years? Even in a small district, there are hundreds of residents, and it would take at least a year just to understand their realities. Frequent changes in officials lead to issues in the management of the government’s granaries, don’t they? I refuse!"

In this situation, Kim Ta-ga submitted another petition.

After reading it, Sejong glared at the ministers.

"Didn’t I say that the term for local officials would be six years?"

In response to Sejong's question, Prime Minister Lee Jik stepped forward.

"The situation has changed."

"The situation has changed? Explain."

At Sejong's command, Lee Jik explained the reasons.

"Since last year, the new system has been implemented, but the majority of local officials still do not fully understand it. As time goes on, this new system will grow larger, and if the local officials, who are the lowest in the administration and closest to the people, cannot implement it properly, it will face significant obstacles. Therefore, if we revert the terms for local officials to three years and continue to rotate the central and local officials, we can proceed with the new system more smoothly."

"However, if the changes in officials happen too frequently, it will lead to errors in the management of resources, including the grain loans. How will we resolve this?"

Sejong pointed out, and without hesitation, Lee Jik responded.

"The government has already established a monopoly office down to the county level. While the basic duties of the monopoly office involve salt and sugar, they also manage the land and population of the counties and surrounding areas, so there shouldn't be major issues. Even if problems arise on the local official's side, the government can intervene."

"But doesn’t the government also change officials every year?"

"However, those dispatched from the government are trained professionals, and they handle their duties only when the market for salt and sugar is open, so errors are minimal."

"Hmm..."

As Lee Jik explained, Sejong stroked his beard, lost in thought.

Seeing that Sejong's reaction was not negative, Lee Jik continued to persuade him.

"Think back to what happened in the government last year. How much trouble did we face due to not properly understanding the population and land?"

Recalling the incident known as "the government’s self-inflicted wound," Sejong nodded.

"We're almost there!"

Seeing Sejong's reaction, Lee Jik pressed on.

"When the new system reaches its final stage, tax and military duties will be handed over to officials dispatched directly from the government. At that point, local officials will not need to be tied down for six years."

"Hmm..."

As Lee Jik explained, Sejong stroked his beard again, deep in thought.

The ministers gathered in the hall watched Sejong's expression, swallowing their saliva nervously.

After a long period of contemplation, Sejong nodded and spoke.

"It seems that your opinion has merit, so let us consider it."

Upon Sejong's decision, Lee Jik immediately bowed deeply and replied.

"Your grace is boundless! Long live Your Majesty!"

At Lee Jik's exclamation, the other ministers also bowed deeply and shouted.

"Your grace is boundless! Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long live!"

The court historian recorded every detail of this scene.

-...

Thus, as the matter was decided for consideration, the ministers were moved by the grace and shouted long live.

The historian commented that the ministers seemed to have had a hard time.

That day, the faces of the ministers leaving the hall were particularly flushed.

As they passed through the Geunjeongmun gate, the Prime Minister looked back at the officials.

"On a day like today, we cannot let it pass by! I will treat you all, so let’s go!"

"You have worked hard, so we will pay!"

Meanwhile, Sejong, left alone in the hall, chuckled softly.

"Heh!"

"Your Majesty, what is it?"

At the question from the attendant standing nearby, Sejong waved his hand.

"Nothing, nothing."

Though he wrapped it up like that, Sejong understood the feelings of the ministers.

"We cannot be the only ones to suffer! If we are to suffer, let us all suffer together!"

Chuckling to himself while organizing his thoughts, Sejong muttered softly.

"After all, the more people who understand the work, the better, so it should be fine."

The next day, in a gathering of all the ministers, Sejong made his decision.

"I will accept the opinions regarding local officials. Set a suitable date for implementation."

"Your grace is boundless!"

As the civil service examination concluded and the weather began to warm, Joseon, having prepared in advance like the previous year, managed to pass through the spring famine without major turmoil.

During the spring famine, throughout Joseon, they worked on the dikes and reservoirs that were still not completed and dredged the rivers.

Residents from Hanyang and nearby areas were mobilized for the dredging of the Han River.

It was quite a laborious task, but since the government was paying, the residents even volunteered for the dredging work.

While they were busy, the government once again implemented the smallpox vaccination, following last year's nationwide campaign.

Thanks to the previous year's efforts, the second round of vaccinations was completed more quickly and smoothly than expected.

Meanwhile, Hyang was preparing to release the products developed by himself and his researchers one by one.

"Your Highness, are you checking the inventory?"

While inspecting the items stacked in the warehouse of District 51, Hyang nodded at Lee Cheon’s question.

"Are you planning to release them now?"

"Yes, it’s time to start releasing them. This will help alleviate some of my father’s worries."

At Hyang's words, Lee Cheon nodded.

"That’s right."

With Lee Cheon’s agreement, Hyang firmed his resolve.

"It’s time to contact Hopan."

However, an incident from outside forced Hyang to pause his plans.

The news of the death of the Ming Emperor Hongxi reached them.

"The new emperor of the Ming dynasty has died," the news sent the court into a state of emergency.

"Indeed, the words of the fortune-teller and the royal physician were correct."

"That is so," Lee Jik replied immediately to Sejong's statement.

"Prepare a condolence envoy and set up a condolence office."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And do we have any information about the new emperor, the crown prince?"

As soon as Sejong finished speaking, Hwang Hee stepped forward to answer.

"There are rumors that he was greatly favored by the late emperor."

"Is that so? What is his personal character?"

"There are rumors that he is well-versed in both civil and military affairs. That is why the late emperor favored him so much."

Hwang Hee answered Sejong's questions without hesitation.

Having faced a significant setback last year, he was now ready to shine with the preparations he had made during that time.

"Hmm... So, do you think the new crown prince will be as focused on foreign affairs as the late emperor?"

"He is said to be very cautious in that regard. And... there is a rumor that is hard to speak of, but it has come through the informants."

"A rumor? What is it?"

Sejong showed interest at the mention of a 'hard-to-speak rumor.'

"There are rumors that Han Wang has very ambitious plans."

"Oh? Is there a reliable source?"

In response to Sejong's question, Hwang Hee answered immediately.

"It is said to be a rumor circulating among merchants in Beijing."

"Hmm..."

As he stroked his beard while organizing his thoughts, Sejong issued a command.

"Select a suitable merchant group and send them to the informants to convey my orders to the merchants and officials staying there. Tell them to gather all information regarding the new crown prince and Han Wang."

"Understood!"

"And send a messenger to the borders to strengthen our defenses. If the Ming dynasty falls into chaos, the Jurchens will also cause trouble."

After giving orders to Hwang Hee, Sejong let out a sigh.

"Hoo~. Just when I was trying to get something done, trouble arises."

"Ah! Regardless, that China is no help!"

"Your Highness!"

As Hyang grumbled, the attendant following behind was taken aback.

"I didn’t say anything! Not a word! Do you understand?"

At Hyang's warning, the attendant nodded with a sad expression.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Regardless, there is no privacy in this palace. No privacy..."

As Hyang covered the attendant's mouth, he grumbled and walked toward the research institute next to the palace.

"Crown Prince..."

"Shh! Everyone is busy, so be quiet."

"Yes."

Blocking the mouth of the attendant who was about to speak, Hyang quietly walked down the corridor.

When they arrived in front of the room with the train model, Hyang's expression crinkled.

"Haah~. Haah~. So cool! The best!"

Hearing the excited sounds coming from inside, which could easily be misunderstood, Hyang turned to the attendant in front of him.

"Is it Yu?"

"Yes, it is Prince Yu."

At the attendant's answer, Hyang sighed.

"That one is seriously ill..."

Hyang held back the words that followed.

"When I was that age in the 21st century, I wasn't like that!"

After the death of Emperor Hongxi, the Joseon court could not afford to relax its tension with the information coming from the Ming dynasty.

Upon hearing the news of the emperor's death, the crown prince, who was staying in Nanjing, immediately set off for Beijing.

Although Han Wang Zhu Guohou attempted an assassination in the middle of his journey to seize the throne, Zhu Chenqi, who safely overcame the crisis, arrived in Beijing and ascended to the throne.

Afterward, the newly crowned emperor Zhu Chenqi, like his father, was bestowing many gifts to win over Zhu Guohou.

However, according to the information obtained by the officials and merchants staying in the informants, Zhu Guohou was watching for an opportunity.

Sejong, unable to ease his tension amid the ongoing crisis, complained to his ministers.

"If you are going to rebel, just do it outright. Why are you being so cautious... it’s exhausting..."

"Indeed," the ministers nodded in agreement with Sejong's words.

With the ongoing implementation of the new system and the looming external crisis, the workload for the ministers had doubled.

"Hoo~."

Sejong sighed deeply and looked at the ministers.

"Alright! Let’s get to work! When your head hurts, working is the best remedy! Let’s work!"

At Sejong's words, the ministers silently screamed.

"Isn't resting the best remedy when your head hurts!"