As autumn deepened, the calculations for the taxes collected from across the nation began, leading to a review of the court's income and expenditures.
"Hmm... We barely passed through this crisis," remarked Sejong.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," the ministers nodded in agreement with his assessment.
Since the start of the reforms, the expenditures of the Joseon court had steadily increased.
The number of officials and professional soldiers had been gradually, yet consistently, rising, along with large-scale expenses from mines and ironworks.
The problem was that the growth rate of the most crucial source of income, tax revenue, was lagging behind the increase in expenditures.
Of course, compared to the first year of the reforms, the tax revenue had been continuously increasing, but the rise in expenditures was always one or two steps ahead.
To resolve this issue, Sejong had to implement bold policies one after another.
First, he began to reclaim the lands that had been granted to officials, including the lands given to the meritorious subjects.
"From now on, I will reclaim all the rental rights granted to officials. However, in exchange for reclaiming these rights, I will provide the monthly salaries in kind, but I will increase the amount," Sejong declared.
Following Sejong's decision, the lands, including the meritorious lands given to the officials, began to be reclaimed one by one.
The only ones excluded from this measure were the royal family.
In return, Sejong increased the amount of salary given to his ministers as promised.
As mentioned before, when Joseon was founded, the salaries given to the royal family and officials had been significantly reduced.
For the royal family, it was cut to one-sixth, and for the officials, it was reduced to one-fourth.
In this situation, Sejong increased the salaries based on the following criteria:
- The salaries for lower officials would be set at half of those in Goryeo, while the salaries for higher officials would be set at one-third.
- Instead of hereditary lands like the Sushinjeon and Hyulyangjeon, a salary equivalent to that of a first-rank official would be provided monthly.
However, this period would be limited to ten years.
Through these criteria, Sejong returned the lands to the king's possession.
In later years, historians would evaluate this period as Sejong's first crisis.
During the process of reclaiming the economic foundation of the meritorious subjects, there was a possibility that Sejong could be ousted from the throne due to backlash.
However, this crisis could be overcome due to three key variables.
The first was the purging of the elder ministers, including Ryu Jeong-hyeon.
This conflict arose under the pretext of smallpox inoculation, but at its core, it was a clash between Sejong, who sought to strengthen royal authority, and the elder ministers, who wanted to share power equally between the king and the officials.
Later historians also regarded Sejong's immediate nationwide implementation of smallpox inoculation—at that time, the effectiveness of the inoculation had not been definitively proven—as highly risky, making the elder ministers' uprising understandable.
However, with the outbreak of smallpox near Hanyang proving the effectiveness of the inoculation, the elder ministers were ousted from power by Sejong.
Following the purging of the Min clan during the reign of Taejong and the purging of the Shim On faction as soon as Sejong ascended to the throne, the third purge of the elder ministers significantly reduced the power of those who had boasted of their influence since the founding of the nation.
As a result, the forces that could have ousted Sejong lost their focal point, allowing him to overcome the crisis, which was the first factor.
The second factor was the Crown Prince.
Sejong's eldest son, Hyang, upon being appointed as Crown Prince, produced various cultural and technological advancements, including the golden pen.
The Crown Prince not only developed these but also had exceptional talent in commercialization, which expanded Joseon's trade and increased tax revenue.
Ultimately, the officials of the court, confident in their economic security, actively cooperated with Sejong's policies.
The military shared this confidence, adopting a similar stance, allowing Sejong to secure a solid military power as well.
The third factor was "punishment."
This punishment, known as "document organization punishment," was the most non-violent yet, conversely, the most brutal form of punishment.
However, this punishment had an unexpected effect.
Among the punishments imposed on the ruling class of Joseon, exile was the most common.
Despite the outward appearance of being ousted from the power group alongside the king, those exiled could maintain their influence if they decided to and kept their security adequately.
In fact, they could even strengthen their power.
However, the document organization punishment fundamentally blocked such opportunities.
The convict had to operate within the king's sight, and the physical and mental fatigue accumulated from organizing documents nearly prevented any external activities.
"There were unexpected large expenditures due to the great fire in Hanyang. However, fortunately, this year's harvest was good, and we gained significant profits from trade with Japan, so it seems we will have some leeway in budgeting for next year," reported the Minister of Finance.
After reviewing the reports once more, Sejong looked at the prime ministers.
"This year, I would like to invite the tribal leaders of the wild Jurchens. What do you think?"
At Sejong's question, the prime ministers fell into thought for a moment.
After a brief deliberation, Prime Minister Lee Jik responded, "Since the situation is favorable this year, it would be good to extend the invitation that we could not do last year."
Following Lee Jik's words, Hwang Hee added, "Indeed. The movements from the Gyeongju side are also unusual, so I believe we should execute the Eastward Advance quickly."
After Hwang Hee's statement, Maeng Sa-seong chimed in, "Remember the event of the Odori tribe. They are those who profit by going back and forth between our Joseon and Ming, so I believe we should clarify friend and foe at this opportunity."
As all the prime ministers agreed, Sejong solidified his intention.
"Very well. Select envoys to send to the wild Jurchens. When should we set the date?"
At Sejong's question, Hwang Hee replied as if he had been waiting, "I believe Sanggang (the day of the first frost, around October 24) would be suitable."
"Sanggang, huh... That sounds good."
With the date set, Sejong looked at the ministers.
"Starting this year, let us commence the 'Eastward Advance.'"
"I shall obey your command!"
The 'Eastward Advance' was the largest part of the military strategy that Sejong created for the growth of Joseon.
The creation of the 'Eastward Advance' was initiated by the southward movement of Lee Man-ju.
With Lee Man-ju's southward advance, Ming's influence over the Jurchens strengthened, while Joseon's influence weakened.
To break this situation, Sejong fell into deep thought.
Seeing Sejong in contemplation, Hyang suggested establishing a specialized agency.
"Establish a specialized agency?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. You do not need to take on all responsibilities. Just as you discuss with the ministers about administration, it would be best to share military matters with the military commanders, wouldn't it?"
"That sounds good, but the scholars will oppose it."
"Just as the military should not overstep the boundaries of the civil officials, the civil officials should not overstep the military."
After a moment of thought, Sejong nodded.
"That seems reasonable. Sharing opinions... If there is a Hall of Worthies for the civil officials, then there should be something similar for the military."
Having made up his mind, Sejong moved swiftly.
"It is too late to prepare after a war breaks out. Therefore, I believe we need an institution to examine the situation in advance and study countermeasures. This is indeed suitable for the national strength and military power that the reforms aim to promote."
Declaring the establishment of a new military organization, Sejong entered into the organization with Hyang.
After such work, the 'Joseon Army General Staff Headquarters' was born.
The General Staff Headquarters gathered renowned military commanders, including Choi Yun-deok, as well as young talents like Lee Jing-ok.
The first mission given by Sejong to the General Staff Headquarters, composed of those recognized for their wisdom in both the army and navy, was as follows:
"Based on the current reform policies we are implementing, establish the most fundamental strategies related to our Joseon, the Jurchen region, Japan, and Ming."
"Haah~," after confirming the order given by Sejong, Choi Yun-deok commanded the generals belonging to the General Staff Headquarters, "Do not think about going home for the time being."
"What we need first is data! Gather all the data we can secure!"
Following Choi Yun-deok's orders, the generals searched through every library in the palace and the six ministries.
They collected any records that were even slightly related.
"If necessary, gather everything from the previous dynasties!"
"Yes!"
Following Choi Yun-deok's command, the military officers of the General Staff Headquarters even rummaged through records from the Goryeo period to gather what they needed.
What the military officers of the General Staff Headquarters collected was not limited to military-related materials.
"It is said that knowing oneself and knowing the enemy ensures victory in every battle. We must understand our Joseon's capabilities properly, so go to the Ministry of Finance and request the data!"
"Yes!"
The military officers of the General Staff Headquarters requested copies of all materials related to the population registry and economic aspects, including tax revenue, from the Ministry of Finance.
Once they obtained the copies, the General Staff Headquarters immediately began mass printing.
"It takes too long to pass around just one copy!"
Thus, based on the urgently gathered materials, the General Staff Headquarters immediately began formulating strategies.
"The part that His Majesty is most concerned about is related to the Jurchens. Let us start by aligning strategies for this part."
"I have an objection!"
At Choi Yun-deok's decision, Lee Jing-ok, who had been sitting at the very back, raised his hand to object.
"Is that you, Judge Lee Jing-ok? Speak."
"Strategy is a big picture. If we focus on one area without grasping the overall framework, the picture will be a mess."
"So what do you propose?"
"Looking at our Joseon's situation, we are troubled by the Japanese pirates to the south and the Jurchens to the north. While it is not wrong to prioritize the Jurchen issue, I believe it is right to first establish at least minimal defenses against Japan and then think about countermeasures for the Jurchens based on that."
"That makes sense. Are there any other opinions?"
At Choi Yun-deok's question, no one else raised objections.
"Then let us first consider the troop distribution needed to counter the Japanese pirates."
Thus began the process of researching how many troops were minimally required to prepare against the Japanese pirates.
During the research process, the necessity of troop distribution for defending the capital emerged, prompting the research to start over.
After numerous trials and errors, the personnel of the General Staff Headquarters completed the appropriate troop distribution and began their research to establish strategies related to the Jurchens.
After more than three months of research, during which they even gave up going home, the personnel of the General Staff Headquarters looked somber as they presented the result named 'Eastward Advance.'
"We used all our resources, yet we only reached the Tumen River..."
"Is this all the capability of our Joseon?"
The expression of General Choi Yun-deok, upon receiving the results, was equally grave.
"Goodness..."
After reading the report multiple times, the conclusion remained the same.
With the current capabilities of Joseon, even at the end of the reforms, crossing the Tumen River would rather be a blunder.
"Why is it only to the Tumen River?"
In response to Sejong's question, Choi Yun-deok explained the reason.
"The Jurchens' main force is cavalry. To counter cavalry, cavalry is optimal, but unlike the Jurchens, our Joseon requires a lot of time and funds to train cavalry."
For the Jurchens, who lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle, it was easy to replenish their cavalry, but Joseon could not do the same.
While there were martial arts subjects in the military examination, acquiring and training horses required economic strength.
In contrast, for the Jurchens, horses and martial arts were part of their daily lives, making it easy to replenish their depleted forces.
"So, is that why it is limited to the Tumen River?"
"Yes. If we fight only with bows and spears, using the natural barrier of the Tumen River to block the Jurchens is the best option."
"This is...?"
Sejong could not hide his disappointment at Choi Yun-deok's explanation.
The land where the Jurchens roamed was once part of Goguryeo, one of the Three Han states.
The thought of stopping at the Tumen River while having such vast land right in front of him did not sit well with him.
"General."
Hyang, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, interjected.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You said that with the same bows and spears, the Tumen River is the limit?"
"That is correct."
"Then, if there were a more powerful weapon, would a more aggressive strategy be possible?"
After a moment of calculation, Choi Yun-deok replied, "It would be possible."
At Choi Yun-deok's answer, Hyang turned to Sejong.
"There is something being researched in Area 51. If successful, I believe a more aggressive assault will be possible."
"... I look forward to it."
Thus, in December, during the inspection, the weapons developed by Area 51 were unveiled.
As soon as the performance of the weapons created by Area 51 was announced, along with Sejong's order for mass production, the General Staff Headquarters immediately began revising the 'Eastward Advance.'
As the year changed and spring approached, a new 'Eastward Advance' was created.
Author's Note: The currency unit of 1 dukat is corrected to be equivalent to 1 nyang of silver.
10 dukat equals 1 nyang of silver.
Detailed information is provided in the relevant chapter.