Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: Breaking the Cartel (6)
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Doctors sometimes say things like this.
Killing a person is easy, but saving one is incredibly difficult.
A doctor listens to the patient's symptoms, runs various tests to diagnose the illness, and prescribes medication. But during treatment, if another drug is administered, or if the dosage or route differs from the medical records, the patient might die.
In the case of a myocardial infarction, there's something called the golden hour—the time right after symptoms start when emergency measures can save the patient if they're rushed to the hospital. Miss that window without proper first aid, though, and by the time they arrive, it's too late.
The policies I, as a Joseon bureaucrat, roll out and push through aren't all that different.
The only real difference is the scale of the disaster when things go wrong.
One bad policy can drive thousands of family heads to throw themselves into the Han River, plunging the tens of thousands of dependents they supported into utter destitution.
The same would have happened if Yi Bang-won and Sejong had forced through their currency policies.
That's why I risked my life with that branch office memorial.
I could have submitted an accusation against the market merchants for manipulating rice prices during the lean spring months and wiped them out—but I didn't.
'In Joseon, profiting off food is treason.'
If Ryu Jeong-hyeon were still alive—no, if Yi Bang-won found out—he'd grab his iron rod and beat those market merchant scum senseless for treason.
The problem is the aftermath. It would cripple over 100,000 innocent Hanyang citizens in a Great Depression-level economic crisis.
"Gap-seok, where are the major merchants from the market guilds now?"
"They're all waiting in the parlor, my lord."
"I see. Then let me give you one order. No matter what—even if the Finance Ministry officials show up—don't open the door until I say it's okay to let someone in. And make sure no one eavesdrops on my conversation."
"Yes, my lord. Even if it costs my life, to repay your grace for saving my daughter from that dog Ryu Jeong-hyeon, I swear no one gets in, and no one overhears a thing."
I'm not gathering these major merchants out of fondness, to spare their lives.
I'm saving them because if they're massacred, the fallout would be too much for Joseon to handle.
"I heard your eldest son is getting married next year, Gap-seok."
"Yes, that's right."
"I'll provide plenty of what you need for it, and I'll secure a house for him to live in and fields for him to farm."
"Oh, my lord... you don't have to do that. Just keeping our household fed and checking in on us now and then leaves me at a loss for how to thank you..."
"There's no such thing as unconditional loyalty. If someone serves you, it's only human to reward them accordingly. I'll keep supporting your children like this for their weddings too, so just keep doing as you are."
I believe treating those who serve me well is the best way to protect myself.
Handle them harshly, thinking of them as mere underlings, and when crisis hits, they'll abandon me. Or if a chance for profit arises, they'll sell me out.
Some corporate chairman—or was it a chaebol heir? I can't remember exactly.
He was facing arrest, total asset seizure, and life in prison, so he planned to flee illegally...
But he stiffed his driver on hazard pay, the driver got fed up and turned himself in, and boom—caught.
And that third-generation pig up north? Word is he treats those close to him really well.
Or else he'd get stabbed in the back like that.
After encouraging Gap-seok, I headed to the parlor.
The major merchants thrust gift pouches and lacquered boxes at me the moment they saw me.
Silver gleamed inside the pouches, and the boxes brimmed with rarities like ginseng.
In Joseon, merchants survive by giving the right 'gifts,' so I'll accept them all for now.
Refuse, and they'll think I'm here to kill them all.
I'll offer every last one to the court later.
Swallow them quietly, and I might end up like Jo Mal-saeng.
"We market guild leaders have never forgotten, not even for a moment, your grace in throwing yourself into danger to save Hanyang's people and greatly expanding commerce."
"I only stepped up for Joseon's people. It was just the right thing to do, so I don't think I deserve your thanks."
The Bible has the perfect line for times like this.
"No servant in this world completes his duty and then demands praise from his master. Likewise, what I did was just what any 'Joseon subject' must do—no need for thanks."
"......Even when flames might have swallowed you whole and burned you alive, saving the people was just 'the right thing,' my lord?"
Truth be told, it wasn't.
No fire gear, swinging a hammer amid the blaze, dodging full-body burns while darting around—that's no ordinary feat.
"Soldiers dragged to military service in Hamgyong and Pyeongan Provinces tremble in the cold every day. Sometimes they lose fingers and toes to frostbite. Worse, they fall in battle against the Jurchen barbarians without end. Yet they get no reward, no honor. They just do their duty from their posts."
When the court budget grew, my first request was to increase frontline supply rations.
I couldn't give them proper pay, but in Joseon, filling their bellies is the ultimate welfare—so I insisted stubbornly.
Thanks to King Sejong approving it right away, soldiers there now eat white rice three meals a day instead of mixed grains.
Even so, I still think we fall short on fair pay and honor.
"The only difference between them and me? I passed the civil service exam. Those suffering unspeakable hardships in the north are lowborn, so it's 'expected.' But for my one day of risking my body, everyone offers thanks. Is that truly just?"
There's a reason I'm saying this out of the blue.
They've offered their fawning bribes; now's when they'd start wheedling favors...
I'm shutting that down before it starts.
It's an important point, but unrelated to what we need to discuss—so let's leave it there.
"Sorry for the tangent. Soldiers shivering through service in Hamgyong and Pyeongan just popped into my head."
"No, my lord. We'll honor your noble intent and gather funds to ensure those soldiers eat their fill, offering it to the court."
"His Highness will be delighted."
A warm mood settled briefly, but I shattered it.
I'm not here for feel-good thanks and encouragement.
"While we're at it, one more thing."
"Yes, for the court, we'll do anything. From Joseon's founding, per Grand King Taejo's decree, we market merchants have shown loyalty by supplying the nation's needs. What wouldn't we do for our country?"
I'm assigning another task, so they counter with 'Grand King Taejo' to bargain subtly.
Good— that's a merchant for you.
Merchants don't do losing deals, even if it costs their heads. Unspoken rule.
Fine, I'll let that slide.
But if they push a deal after what I say next... I can't predict what I'll do.
Pick up the scalpel for surgery, make a 10cm gash instead of a 0.1mm slip, sever an artery—and it's murder.
"Disband the market guilds for the nation."
"......What did you just say, my lord...?"
"Disband the market guilds and relinquish your monopoly on Hanyang commerce."
"Those rights were granted by Grand King Taejo himself..."
I ignored him, didn't interrupt or scold—instead, I called out to the door.
"Hey, bring me that axe I always sharpen with care."
"Yes, my lord."
Soon Gap-seok brought the axe inside.
"Ah, this is the axe I used for my branch office memorial. Who knows when I'll risk my life on another? I keep it razor-sharp, like new. Know why?"
"Why is that, my lord?"
"In case my memorial's rejected and His Highness beheads me with it. Sharpened so it ends in one clean stroke. Better to die quick and painless."
The major merchants gaped at me like I was insane.
Then they started trembling.
"I know you're scheming to get rich off the big national project this time. Not saying that's wrong. But you've crossed the line. Bluntly put, isn't what you're doing just like the powerful clans skimming ahead?"
In truth, what these guys are up to is no different from the elite clans.
The clans gobbled up all Goryeo's land through mergers; these merchants aim to monopolize Joseon's commerce into a chaebol cartel.
"Joseon law doesn't forbid it, so I'll give you a special chance to repent."
Back then, those who melted 10-won coins for billions faced no criminal penalty in Korea's laws—just acquitted.
Paid a minor civil fine and walked.
Joseon could punish you market bigwigs on contempt charges, but slaughtering you all would feel good... then the cleanup's a nightmare.
So, I'm offering a chance.
If you reject it, what can I do?
Wipe you out.
And mid-tier merchants like Yi Bong-sang will fill the void.