With the death of Hong Hee-je, the situation between Joseon and Ming became uncertain, and the event inviting the tribal leaders of the Yain Yeojin, scheduled for the autumn of the year Eulsa, had no choice but to be postponed.
"How unfortunate. Truly unfortunate. Tsk!"
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
Sejong could not hide his disappointment as he smacked his lips, and the ministers nodded in agreement, sharing the same sentiment.
"Then, we shall have to invite the Jurchens next year. For now, let us handle other matters."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I had instructed you to look into the rice transplanting method. What are the results?"
Over the course of two years, a nationwide irrigation project was carried out, significantly reducing concerns about floods and droughts.
Gaining confidence from this, Sejong ordered the research on the rice transplanting method to begin.
"It is said that the abundant rice production in Ming is due not only to the climate but also greatly aided by the transplanting method. Since rice is our staple, we must study this method as well."
"Understood!"
Following Sejong's command, rice farming using the transplanting method began publicly in the Hasamdo region, where it had previously been practiced secretly.
Officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture were dispatched to the selected areas to conduct thorough investigations.
When Sejong inquired about the results of the investigation, Heo Jo, the Minister of Internal Affairs, promptly replied.
"In terms of yield, the lowest increase compared to direct seeding was 15%, while the highest was 25%. On average, the yield increased by approximately 19.8%."
"Is that considered a lot?"
In response to Sejong's question, Hwang Hee answered.
"Compared to the rumors, it is not much."
"What is the reason?"
"It requires sufficient fertilizer and sturdy farming tools, and above all, there must be high-yield varieties available."
Sejong stroked his beard thoughtfully at Hwang Hee's answer.
"Then we must obtain seeds from Ming?"
"There are issues with Ming's rice as well."
"What kind of issues?"
"It lacks the stickiness compared to our Joseon rice. Therefore, there have been instances where Ming rice distributed as relief or wages was exchanged for Joseon rice, with the common exchange rate being three measures of Ming rice for two measures of Joseon rice."
Upon hearing Hwang Hee's response, Sejong's expression turned troubled.
"I thought that by simply improving irrigation facilities, we could solve the issues with the transplanting method, but it seems that is not the case."
"However, once the necessary infrastructure is secured and the seed issue is resolved, it is indeed a very good method."
"Is that so? In what way?"
"It can reduce the number of people engaged in farming."
"Oh?"
Sejong showed keen interest in Hwang Hee's words.
The most significant aspect of the ongoing reforms was the strengthening of the capabilities of commerce and industry.
Strengthening commerce and industry and promoting urbanization based on this was a major focus.
For Sejong, urbanization was important for various reasons.
As commerce and industry developed, people would gather in the centers of commerce, leading to the formation of cities.
Once cities were established, the currency economy, which had been a priority for past kings, could quickly take root.
Moreover, as people gathered in cities, landlords would lose their power, thereby strengthening royal authority.
Strengthening Joseon's capabilities while reinforcing royal power was the essence of Sejong's reforms.
Of course, the scholars analyzing Sejong's reform policies pointed out a problem to him.
"Urbanization may strengthen royal authority, but it could also become the greatest threat to it."
"I understand. If the livelihoods of those gathered in the cities are threatened, royal authority will be in danger."
"Exactly."
The scholar nodded, his face filled with concern.
'The French Revolution also happened in Paris! The birth of communism was due to the poverty of workers!'
Seeing the worried expression on the scholar's face, Sejong smiled.
"How long do you think it would take for the livelihoods of those gathered in the cities to be threatened?"
"Uh? Well..."
"Before urbanization reaches that point, how many people would actually leave their fields and farms behind?"
"... Not many."
"Then, who will be the first to flock to this newly started urbanization?"
"Displaced people, I suppose."
Nodding at the scholar's answer, Sejong said, "That's right. There are still many displaced people wandering in our Joseon. Urbanization is necessary to settle them."
The scholar nodded in agreement.
'Tsk.
This is different from what I learned; the purpose and process of industrialization are different...'
The industrial revolution that Sejong was promoting through reforms was different from what the scholar had learned in textbooks.
The Western industrial revolution was a revolutionary development of technology and systems driven by commercial capital seeking to amass more wealth.
However, Sejong's reforms were similar to the economic development plans pursued by the military dictatorship in South Korea.
Given the situation, Sejong showed interest in Hwang Hee's words.
"You can reduce the number of people engaged in farming? How?"
"The key to the transplanting method is the planting of seedlings. The number of times we need to weed while planting seedlings in flooded fields will be greatly reduced."
"Hmm... That makes sense."
At that time, most Joseon farmers used the direct seeding method, which involved scattering seeds in flooded fields.
This method required a lot of labor, as farmers had to continuously weed and manage the fields from the time the seeds began to sprout.
"Reducing labor..."
As Sejong showed interest, Hwang Hee provided a real-life example.
"There is an elderly couple in Gyeongsang-do whose sons were all killed by Japanese pirates, and they were living with their two grandsons. This couple was farming using the transplanting method, and aside from planting and harvesting, they managed a plot of land of about 1 gyeol (approximately 2750 to 11000 pyeong) by themselves."
"What did they do during planting and harvesting?"
"They borrowed servants from a nearby landlord to help with planting and harvesting and paid them wages."
"Oh? They say old ginger is spicier... Indeed, the old saying holds true."
"Indeed. If we utilize community labor and mutual aid, the majority of the people will no longer need to be tied to farming as they are now."
"That is indeed the case!" Sejong clapped his knees in delight at Hwang Hee's words.
However, as soon as Hwang Hee finished speaking, the Minister of Justice raised an objection.
"Your Majesty! While community labor and mutual aid may be solutions, they can also lead to other problems!"
"Other problems?"
"Please consider why community labor and mutual aid were restricted."
"Oh..."
At the Minister of Justice's words, Sejong's expression darkened.
Community labor and mutual aid were means to strengthen rural communities.
The problem was that the bonds created through these means were often exploited by local gentry and powerful families to reinforce their own power.
Even without that, the peasant uprisings that occurred at the end of the previous dynasty were mostly led by farmers who had gathered through community labor.
Therefore, while local officials could mobilize the people, they were preventing the formation of such informal organizations as community labor and mutual aid.
Ironically, while the central government restricted community labor and mutual aid, local gentry advocated for the creation of "hyangyak," which incorporated Confucian ideals.
Although these local gentry's claims diminished during the political turmoil involving Jo Gwang-jo, ultimately, when the Sarim faction took power, hyangyak spread nationwide.
In the end, Sejong had no choice but to reach an ambiguous conclusion.
"There is still insufficient evidence that the yield has definitely increased with the transplanting method, and we have yet to find a solution to the labor mobilization issue, so let us conduct further research."
"Understood."
"Let us take a short break."
Declaring a recess, Sejong stepped outside and let out a long sigh.
"Ha~. Truly, nothing is easy..."
"Your Majesty!"
Sejong, who had been frowning over the unresolved issues, turned with a smile at the energetic voice of the scholar.
"What is it?"
In response to Sejong's question, the scholar beamed and exclaimed, "I have created a threshing machine!"
"A threshing machine?"
"Yes!"
Sejong's curiosity was piqued at the scholar's proud response.
"Very well. Let us take a look."
"I have placed it in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon!"
"Really? Sangseon, summon the ministers."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A short while later, Sejong and the ministers gathered in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon.
"Is this the threshing machine made by the Crown Prince?"
"Yes!"
Hearing the scholar's answer, Sejong looked at the threshing machine before him.
It resembled a wooden frame with two legs broken off, with thin iron rods closely spaced apart.
Sejong commented on the threshing machine he saw.
"It looks like a comb with legs attached."
"That was the idea behind its creation!"
The scholar replied with a voice full of pride.
Moving between the palace and District 51, the scholar had been able to consistently observe the farmers in Hanseong.
"If I could just make a tractor, it would be a huge success!"
Watching the farmers working purely with animal and human power, the scholar licked his lips lightly.
However, he did not pursue further advancements.
There were many other things to create.
The idea for the threshing machine came to the scholar while observing the harvest and threshing in the autumn.
"This is the second time I've seen it this year... Truly a symbol of inefficiency."
To thresh, the farmers would spread mats in the yard and place stones or wooden sticks, striking the rice straw with all their might.
Observing this scene, the scholar deemed it the epitome of inefficiency.
Striking with stones and wood, gathering the scattered grains, and separating the mixed grains from dirt and stones were all inefficient.
"There must be a way to improve this..."
In search of a solution to the inefficient threshing process, the scholar pondered.
However, he struggled to find an answer.
The harvesting he had seen in the 21st century was done in one go with a combine harvester.
While contemplating the answer, the scholar found the solution after washing his hair and combing it.
Seeing the comb in the hand of a palace maid, he clapped his hands.
"This is it!"
What was created through this process was the object now before Sejong.
The scholar was filled with pride for having made the threshing machine.
'Until now, I had only recreated what others had made, but this is my original creation!'
However, the threshing machine created by the scholar was essentially a tool used since the mid to late Joseon period.
Despite being a genius, the scholar was ignorant in this area.
Testing the scholar's threshing machine showed it to be far more efficient than the existing methods.
Encouraged by the results, Sejong issued a command to the ministers.
"Draw up detailed plans for this threshing machine and disseminate them throughout the nation!"
"Understood!"
Once again, cavalrymen rode out across the country.
Farmers who made threshing machines based on the scholar's designs all cheered.
"This is truly convenient!"
"Hey! Smash that wooden stick! I might as well use it for firewood!"
"But who made this?"
Curious about the incredibly useful tool, the farmers began to murmur among themselves.
"It was made by the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing the answer, the farmers began to chatter.
"How did he come up with this idea?"
"Indeed. The seeds must be different..."
"No matter how different the seeds are! How can someone’s child make something like this while my son just breaks jars! You brat! You better watch out today!"
In the 8th year of Sejong's reign (1426, Year of Byeong-O), in February, Sejong held a martial arts competition and hunting event in Hoengseong, Gangwon-do.
This was a grand event where not only existing military officials but also renowned martial artists from across the country gathered in Gangwon-do, as good performance could lead to special recruitment into the military.
As a butterfly effect, the bandits based in Gangwon-do began to feel the pressure.
- Those who have merits in subduing bandits will receive bonus points.
Due to Sejong's announcement, the martial artists moving to participate in the competition did not move alone but formed groups, attacking the bandits' hideouts.
While the notorious bandits in the high mountains of Gangwon-do were suffering, the date for Sejong's departure was approaching.
"This weather is not looking good; perhaps we should not go..."
"You must go!"
"It has already been decreed, and many are in motion! We cannot let those who left home with dreams of success fall into despair!"
"Please consider this!"
As Sejong hesitated, the ministers all urged him to depart in unison.
Following the ministers, the scholar also pleaded with Sejong.
"I believe you must move, as you have already issued a decree."
"Ugh..."
Letting out a groan, Sejong ultimately had to move.
"Alright. Let’s go! Go!"
"The grace of Your Majesty is boundless!"
At Sejong's decision, all the ministers exclaimed, "The grace of Your Majesty is boundless!" Seeing the ministers' expressions, Sejong warned them.
"I will check on your duties upon my return!"