"Cheong? Speak up."
With the king's permission, Hyang turned to the inner court official.
Another inner court official who had followed Hyang presented a slightly larger wooden box to the king with great respect.
"Hmm?" As Sejong opened the newly received wooden box, curiosity flickered in his eyes.
The box was filled with pen tips and pen holders.
However, the pen tips he received were made of gold with silver inlay, and the pen holder was also a splendid piece adorned with lacquer.
But what was before him now was simply made of gold, engraved with a plum blossom, and the pen holder was just a well-polished piece of wood.
"Please bestow these gold pens to the historians and officials."
"This?"
"Yes. The historians record the affairs of His Majesty and the ministers without a moment's rest. This is a task that requires great effort, so I thought it would be beneficial to provide them with some helpful tools."
After pondering Hyang's request for a moment, Sejong shared opinions with his ministers.
"I believe the Crown Prince's suggestion is truly commendable. What do you all think?"
The ministers who had tried the raised pen tips all agreed with Sejong's decision.
"I believe Your Majesty's intention is correct!"
"Even at such a young age, to think of your ministers in this way is indeed a beautiful sight!"
Following the ministers' approval, the historians, who would be the actual users, also expressed their satisfaction after trying them out.
Thus, the pen tips and pen holders were decided to be the official writing tools of the court and palace.
Returning to his room, Hyang smiled and muttered, "Now, what kind of butterfly effect will this bring?" As the gold pens were presented, the officials' favor towards Hyang began to rise.
Especially the young officials, including the historians, started to show extraordinary kindness towards him.
"Have you tried the gold pen made by the Crown Prince?"
"I have. It's very good!"
The ones who liked it the most were indeed the historians.
No matter how fine the brush, writing with the arm raised and the brush held upright according to traditional calligraphy was quite a hardship.
However, using the gold pen allowed the arm to lower naturally, reducing the pressure on the wrist and the entire arm.
Moreover, Hyang presented a writing board.
"Whenever a military commander issues urgent orders, it can be quite challenging. I made this to assist. I believe it would be good to use it alongside the gold pen."
"That's wonderful!" Sejong beamed and commanded that they be produced in large quantities to supply the military.
The military commanders' reactions to the distribution of the gold pens and writing boards were mixed.
Young commanders and those with literary knowledge responded very favorably, but the illiterate commanders could only show awkward expressions.
However, Hyang understood Sejong's decision.
Upon ascending the throne, Sejong had included the Four Books in the military examination subjects.
Hearing this, Hyang nodded.
"That's right. The era where individual bravery or martial strength determines the outcome of war is no more. It will only become more so in the future."
As Hyang anticipated the changes that the simple office supplies of the writing board and gold pen would bring to the military, he tilted his head.
"Could Sejong be considering a reshuffle of the military?"
While the writing board received mixed reactions in the military, there were also those who welcomed it enthusiastically.
These were the historians and lower-ranking officials from various departments of the court.
When conducting field investigations or writing records while following the king, it was not easy to write in the air with a book.
The writing board effectively resolved that issue.
As this situation unfolded, the demand for gold pens and writing boards surged, and the military supply office became busy.
With the distribution of gold pens and writing boards in the court and military, many began to take the gold pens used in the six ministries or military units outside for personal use.
It was easy to use, and the plum blossom pattern engraved on the tip gave the owners a sense of pride.
In the fish market, a young scholar selecting fish asked the vendor for the price.
"How much is it?"
"Uh... altogether it's two bags of rice, three seok. But since you are a regular, just give me two bags."
"That's quite expensive."
"Oh dear, sir. It's winter, isn't it? The waves are strong, and the boats can't go out."
"In summer, the hot weather spoils the fish and makes them expensive, and in winter, the strong waves prevent fishing and make them expensive... When exactly is fish cheap?"
"Hehehe."
The scholar glared at the vendor, who was laughing it off, and extended his hand.
"Give me the ledger. And the inkstone."
"Here it is."
The scholar scribbled on the ledger presented by the vendor.
"The items purchased today... two bags of rice."
"Sir!"
"Make it two bags. Isn't it nice to have a clean break?"
"Haa~."
Sighing, the vendor's eyes lit up when he saw the gold pen in the scholar's hand.
"Is that the rumored gold pen?"
"Have you heard?"
"Yes. I heard that everyone working in the court has one."
The vendor, filled with curiosity, examined the gold pen and licked his lips.
"It looks really easy to use."
"It's great for carrying around or writing quickly. Now! I have to hurry, so please deliver it to my house."
"Take care, sir!"
After seeing off the scholar, the vendor spat out a phlegm with all his might.
"Kak~, phew! What urgent work could it be? Is going to a brothel an urgent matter? He must be writing like crazy at the brothel while haggling down the price!"
Cursing the scholar who had bargained so hard, the vendor licked his lips.
"That gold pen really looks convenient... I think it could be worth some money?"
It seemed that many others shared similar thoughts, as imitation gold pens began to appear one by one.
Rumors about these items quickly reached the palace and became a topic of discussion during court meetings.
"Your Majesty, there have been disrespectful happenings in the market lately."
"Disrespectful happenings? Speak."
"It is reported that imitation gold pens made from the ones presented by the Crown Prince are circulating."
As one official reported this, another quickly added, "This is the utmost disrespect! How dare they imitate the royal insignia on such precious items! A severe punishment must be imposed!"
"Impose a severe punishment!"
As the chorus of officials continued, Sejong pondered for a moment before speaking.
"This is something I could decide immediately, but I believe the opinion of the Crown Prince, the party involved, is also important. I will hear the Crown Prince's thoughts and then make a judgment. Sangseon, summon the Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A short while later, Hyang, called by Sejong, entered the main hall.
"Did you call for me, Father?"
As Hyang politely greeted, Sejong smiled and replied, "Yes, I wanted to ask for your judgment."
"What can a young child like me judge?"
"I know your brilliance well, so do not feel burdened and just answer."
"I understand, Father."
Sejong explained the situation regarding the gold pens to Hyang.
"...and the officials are insisting that the merchants who privately circulate imitation gold pens be severely punished. Crown Prince, what do you think?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang fell silent, deep in thought.
The sight of an eight-year-old child furrowing his brow in contemplation was surprisingly adorable.
Sejong and the officials smiled, their gazes fixed on him.
After a considerable time of pondering, Hyang finally spoke.
"My humble opinion is that the Military Supply Office is primarily responsible for producing military weapons for the nation's defense. Therefore..."
A month later, in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In one of the many rooms of the Ministry, people gathered.
"Is everyone here?"
At the question of a young official, the attendees bowed their heads.
"Yes, sir."
"Please wait a moment."
The official stepped outside, and Hyang entered, guided by the Minister of Internal Affairs.
As soon as Hyang entered the room, those seated around the table quickly stood up and bowed to the floor.
"The humble merchants pay their respects to the Crown Prince!"
"Rise and take your seats."
"How can we sit when the Crown Prince is present?"
"As long as you do not commit any crimes, you may sit. Please take your seats."
Despite Hyang's firm response, the merchants hesitated to stand.
Seeing this, Hyang clicked his tongue softly and spoke again.
"I will not say it a second time. Stand up and sit down!"
At Hyang's warning, the Minister of Internal Affairs hurriedly urged the merchants.
Once they were seated again, Hyang got to the point.
"I have heard that this item is circulating in the market."
As Hyang presented the imitation pen tips and pen holders, the merchants immediately bowed to the floor and replied.
"We have never engaged in such disrespectful acts in our shops!"
"Our shops are the same!"
"I did not call you here to accuse you. Please take your seats."
Despite Hyang's words, the merchants still struggled to stand.
Hyang, seeing this, spoke again.
"I will not say it a second time."
"Quickly rise and take your seats!"
With Hyang's warning, the Minister of Internal Affairs hastily urged the merchants.
Once they were seated again, Hyang revealed the main point.
"His Majesty has issued a decree."
The decree Hyang revealed from Sejong was as follows:
- The production of gold pens and pen holders will be transferred from the Military Supply Office to the merchants.
- The selection of merchants for production will be made from those who pass quality standards, with the lowest price being chosen.
- The selected merchant will mark the produced gold pens with the royal symbol of the plum blossom to indicate they are official products.
- The selected merchant will gain the right to sell the produced gold pens in the market.
If any gold pen without the plum blossom seal or a counterfeit is discovered, both the producer and seller will face severe punishment.
- The merchant producing the gold pens must pay 20% of the sales revenue to the state.
- The selling price in the market must not exceed 60% of the price sold to the court.
- Quality inspections will be conducted four times a year by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The timing will be irregular, and undercover officials will randomly procure gold pens for quality inspection.
If they fail the inspection, the plum blossom seal will be revoked, and the contract will be terminated.
- If the contract is terminated due to the above issues, a new merchant will be selected.
The terminated merchant will not be allowed to bid for one year.
Upon hearing the conditions Hyang laid out, the merchants fell silent and began to think.
Among the merchants pondering various matters, one finally spoke up.
"Crown Prince, I apologize for speaking up..."
"What seems to be the problem?"
"What will be the basis for the selling price in the market?"
"The final selling price. Why is there a problem?"
"I apologize for speaking up, but while a 60% profit may seem substantial, considering the wages for the workers and the profits for the carriers, we would only be able to take 30% from that 60%. If the state takes 20% from there, then what will we be left with..."
"Shut up!" Hyang interrupted the merchant's words with a harsh voice.
"Are you lying in front of whom? Fine. Let's say, according to your words, that 30% is your profit. But I said it is 20% of the profit. 20% of 30% is only 6%. Do you even understand where you are and are lying? Hopan! Immediately throw this disrespectful person out of the palace and disqualify that merchant from bidding!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
As soon as Hyang's command was given, the Minister of Internal Affairs issued the order.
Hearing the Minister's command, the soldiers of the Inner Guard entered and dragged the offending merchant out.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
As the commotion settled, Hyang glared at the merchants.
"I believe that both His Majesty and I regard merchants as important beings among the people. It is only natural that one cannot produce everything they need alone, and thus, the existence of intermediaries is necessary. However! As long as there are those who use vile tricks like that man, you merchants will never escape being treated as lowly beings! Remember this!"
"We will remember this well, Crown Prince!"
End of Chapter 9: Sprouting...
Cancerous Growth? (2)