Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Resocializing the Butchers (2)
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Jo Mal-saeng was laughing beside me.
"As expected, our Jukheon suits the State Council best. You'll stay there in the State Council for life until I resign. And my successor can be Jukheon. Perfect. Most promising."
Just as Jo Mal-saeng said, I was transferred from my position as Junior Grade 4 Court Transcriber in the Ministry of Works' Sub-Ministry of Armaments to the State Council.
When the transfer happened, Jo Mal-saeng—around Slave No. 2 or 3 for life—asked if I wouldn't need an unprecedentedly fast promotion and inquired about my intentions...
But I refused.
What I want is to work for the people, not to cling on like Hwang Hui, getting permission to retire only after turning ninety in a total political mess.
My dream is to work right up to retirement age, retire gracefully, then leisurely tour the developed Joseon I've helped build.
Who goes around buying sweet-and-sour pork for a poor college student and suggesting they go to grad school all the way to postdoc?
'If I'd accepted that offer, my rank would've jumped suddenly, sure.'
Hwang Hui, watching Jo Mal-saeng, clicked his tongue.
"What's so promising about it? The problem is that uniform color. Does a uniform meant for petty officials even suit our Kim scribe?"
"My current position is already far too exalted compared to my abilities and achievements, drawing envy from countless people. If I were to rise to the ranks of senior officials now, I'd attract even more jealousy and resentment—just like the proverb warns against 'youthful brilliance leading to misfortune.' At my young age, gaining enemies from rapid promotion might doom my later years."
In truth, I doubt I'll end up drinking poison from jealousy or dying branded a traitor in factional strife.
What worries me is suffering a 'miserable end' like dying under Hwang Hui while serving King Sejong.
I don't want to work bent-backed over a cane, eventually riding a palanquin even inside Gyeongbok Palace.
Honestly.
As I said this, Maeng Sa-seong—who had slipped into the State Council unnoticed—burst into loud laughter.
"That's rich coming from the Kim scribe who submitted a memorial saying to Ryu Jeong-hyeon, the Chief State Councillor, 'Isn't that scoundrel the ghost of Goryeo?' Even if Kim scribe took a senior position right now, who could object? Objectors would have to face His Highness the Supreme King in his black dragon robe."
"Don't I even know how long I'll keep receiving favor?"
Even now, Yi Suk-beon, stuck in exile unable to return, rose too fast at a young age, strutted around too much, got caught in the Min clan purge, and still hasn't come back.
At least they didn't confiscate his wealth when exiling him, so he's scraping by without starving, living leisurely enough...
Who knows if I'll end up like that guy?
In official life, even when promotion chances arise, you can't just gobble them up blindly.
Hwang Hui shrugged as he looked at me.
"I'd love to take a break from State Council duties today, send word to my house for some liquor and food, and have us officials share a drink. But the situation isn't great right now, so let's tackle Hanyang's people relief and reconstruction first. Jukheon, do you have some ideas prepared?"
What am I, a policy vending machine?
They expect me to spit out relief and reconstruction plans on the spot without warning.
This is what's truly scary about these gentlemen.
They hype you up sky-high before using you, then work you to the bone like this.
The prime victims are me, and Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in, who switched to State Council Inspector roles.
'Truth is, I've prepared everything.'
Just like studying predictable exam questions intensively, it's easy to anticipate questions in a situation like this.
"I heard 1,000 seom of white rice and 500 seom of bean paste were taken from the Gyeongchang granary for the people's relief."
"That's right. People who've lost homes and property have to worry about their next meal first. How can we let them starve?"
"Your Highness's will to distribute food to them is truly noble, but giving it without any return isn't right."
All public budgets must be used as efficiently as possible.
Money spent on grotesque 'art' installations in front of city halls or district offices—ugly to look at—could fund online Korean, English, and math classes for hundreds, maybe thousands, of orphanage kids.
If they study, go to college, get jobs, become self-sufficient, and pay taxes, how great is that?
Or build dozens of small, cozy homes for deserving veterans.
Looking after starving people is actually a very beneficial budget use...
"Have those receiving relief rice and bean paste first build at least temporary huts in exchange for the food. Otherwise, deaths from freezing in the cold weather will skyrocket."
This era's Joseon winters are far harsher than 21st-century ones.
Joseon officials know this, so they're housing people in government offices somehow and begging private homes to take them in...
But offices aren't built for living—limited spots with fires—and who wants strangers in their cramped homes?
So most disaster victims huddle like night watch shifts: entering warm offices briefly to escape the cold at set times...
In February's chill without shelter, how many will freeze to death overnight...
"Once they've built those huts, next mobilize them to rebuild thatched houses on ruined foundations. In groups, it'll go quickly enough."
"Building thatched houses isn't that hard."
"Plenty of timber around Hanyang, starting with Bukaksan. Use that."
Talking about logging sparks a sudden thought.
Right now in early Joseon, mountains are thick with trees—no issue. But after the Manchu invasion, widespread ondol heating led to...
Chopping firewood denuded the mountains by late Joseon.
Descriptions from that time often mention 'red soil' landscapes—the oxidized iron in bare earth turning it red.
For the people's welfare, I'll definitely develop coal mining someday.
"You've got a point. We'll implement it as is. Still, relief grain might fall short..."
I said nothing to Hwang Hui, just gave him my most earnest stare.
That was enough.
Because Chief State Councillor Hwang surrendered personally.
"My family has some wealth. Do you think I'm the type who can't spare that much for Hanyang's people? What, you think I'm Ryu Jeong-hyeon or something?"
"I'm truly grateful for your words, my lord. Though modest, I'll contribute about 1,000 seom of white rice as well."
As I offered to pitch in, Kim Jong-seo passing by dropped his stack of reports.
Then the Grade 5 Kim Jong-seo stared at my Grade 4 eyes and signaled, 'Are you insane?'
I decided to ignore it.
Because if word spread that I—who threw myself into fighting the Hanyang blaze—donated personal wealth too...
In etiquette-obsessed Joseon, where minor offenses balloon under 'insolence,' all officials would have to cough up massive sums.
The state using an unexpected 1,000 seom of white rice would surprise them.
But unlike modern Korean civil servants living on salary alone, Joseon officials convert budgets via 'navy literature relocation' into personal income.
It's an era issue—unavoidable—but truthfully, it's embezzling 'state funds.'
I can't touch that yet...
But if you're relocating state money to your pocket, show some conscience and give back when the nation is in crisis.
"...You're not thinking of reporting what you just said to His Highness right now, are you?"
"Planning to mention it the day after tomorrow."
If I pledge 1,000 seom, at least 10,000 seom will come from the inner treasury for sure.
Maybe more.
That ramps up the burden on ministers, so give them plenty of grace period.
"Fine, we'll do it that way. Good, that perfectly solves the relief issue. Now, let's get to the most important matter."
"Yes, my lord."
"How should we handle the butchers?"
We can't just leave them be.
Letting these butchers roam free means more innocent people suffer.
They're not even proper Joseon folk, nor outright vicious criminals.
Hot or cold—pick one. The lukewarm ones are the real problem.
"We have to turn them into Joseon citizens somehow."