Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Maps and Trade (5)
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In Joseon, it was nearly impossible to find precedents of officials holding explanatory sessions about new policies for the common folk.
The officials of this era held exceedingly high status.
The positions they occupied had been granted by the king upon passing the civil service exams, not earned through the support of the people.
For a yangban to explain the content and necessity of policies to ordinary commoners of lower status wasn't strictly taboo, but it was so unfamiliar and awkward that one might wonder if it was truly necessary.
Jinhae County Magistrate Park Sang-gi found it frankly absurd that Kim Dae-bung had ordered him to explain the new national law to the people...
'Since the Junior Inspector commanded it, I have no choice but to carry it out.'
If another rank-4 official had issued the order, he probably would have protested that there was no precedent and thus he couldn't do it either.
But the one in question was Kim Dae-bung—the very man who had submitted a memorial to Yi Bang-won, the figure who, in strict Confucian ethics, should never be purged but whom he had fearlessly dealt with to strengthen royal authority.
To protest against a directive from such a Kim Dae-bung?
It felt like something one couldn't even contemplate without resolving to stake one's neck and entire family.
"Since we're doing this, I should put in my best effort to make it a success... Otherwise, who knows how the Junior Inspector might react if he's not satisfied."
If Kim Dae-bung overheard Park Sang-gi muttering this to himself, he would likely respond thus:
'I'm not such a fearsome person. I don't harshly punish or berate subordinates for failing at their tasks. I merely offer ample advice to ensure they don't fail the next time.'
He would say something like that...
But in Park Sang-gi's eyes, even if Kim Dae-bung didn't punish or scold, he seemed capable of exerting an even greater pressure.
"You've probably heard some of this already, but the court now intends to implement the myeon-ri system—calibrated to Joseon's circumstances—and the five-house mutual control, modeled after the Jin state's Fifteen Statutes. So, those of you gathered here should first fully understand the necessity of this system and how it will be carried out, then lead the people accordingly going forward."
In Joseon, the prohibition on commoners' lawsuits was currently in effect, and court orders were absolute—the people had no choice but to obey no matter what.
Thus, the township heads representing clusters of villages, the village heads, the tongjang representing every twenty-five households, and the banjang representing every five households—all commoners in these roles—dared not oppose the magistrate's words.
Opposition would mean, at minimum, a flogging that left one half-dead, or at worst, being dragged to the Royal Secret Police for torture and sentenced to death for treason.
"However, His Highness understands that this system may feel unfamiliar to you. If you have questions or points that are hard to grasp, he said it would be best to ask me directly for answers. That's why we've arranged this gathering today. So, feel free to ask anything without hesitation."
"This lowly scholar—no, Township Head Kim Nam-jo—has a question for you, Magistrate."
"Speak freely."
"You mentioned that His Highness referenced the Jin state's Fifteen Statutes when creating this myeon-ri system and five-house mutual control. As far as I know, Shang Yang's Fifteen Statutes were extremely harsh on the people. The most severe was the collective punishment system. I'd like to know what policy has been set regarding that."
This wasn't one of the anticipated questions and answers Kim Dae-bung had pointed out, but it was the very first thing Park Sang-gi himself had asked upon hearing about the system from Kim Dae-bung, so he could answer easily.
Magistrate Park Sang-gi was, after all, a civil official who had passed the exams, and he had a basic knowledge of the outline and structure of Shang Yang's Fifteen Statutes.
"His Highness has abolished all elements related to collective punishment. He said that people should be punished only for their own crimes—how could they be made to suffer for others' misdeeds?"
"Thank you for your kind explanation, Magistrate. Then, allow me to ask the next question. What exactly are we township heads, village heads, tongjang, and banjang supposed to do going forward?"
"I've already informed Township Head Kim on this, but since many here haven't heard, I'll explain again. You bear the responsibility to lead in reforming the customs of the people in your myeon, ri, tong, and ban. When the yamen orders corvée labor or military service, or levies taxes, you must investigate each household's property and population as directed. And for farming, you must facilitate agreements among the people on how to mobilize labor."
"Understood. My greatest worry was the collective punishment, but if that's gone, I think everything else is fine."
As Kim Nam-jo spoke, the atmosphere softened considerably.
And among them—more precisely, Jang Dol-i, who had coincidentally been selected as a banjang—asked the magistrate:
"I roughly understand that His Highness is implementing this system for our benefit, but why set boundaries for myeon, ri, tong, and ban, and investigate the population within them?"
Though the magistrate had said questions were welcome, the mood turned icy the moment an ordinary commoner dared to question him directly.
However, Park Sang-gi recalled Kim Dae-bung's advice.
'It's the duty of a good governor to help even the young commoners understand the nation's policies.'
Besides, Kim Dae-bung would hear a full report of everything that happened here. If he suppressed a commoner's question with authority...?
Park Sang-gi didn't even want to imagine the consequences.
His head wouldn't roll, nor would formal discipline come...
But he would earn the label of an official obsessed with authority who ignored a commoner's question—and that reputation would spread throughout the court.
His official career would be utterly finished.
To avoid such a fate, he recalled what Kim Dae-bung had taught him and offered Jang Dol-i a benevolent smile.
The kind of smile that evoked a kindly father.
"It's for relief aid, and to ensure no one suffers injustice when corvée or taxes are imposed."
"Relief aid, corvée, and taxes, sir?"
"Though I am this county's governor, His Highness stands above me. Naturally, I must report how many of our county's people received relief as needed—but if someone unknown receives it, what basis would I have to report to His Highness?"
"True, I might gladly give a lump of rice to the neighbor kid who comes hungry after playing... but if a complete stranger asks, I'd probably refuse."
Kim Dae-bung had emphasized several times to Magistrate Park Sang-gi the importance of thinking from the common people's perspective.
So, he tried his utmost to understand their viewpoint and speak at their level.
"When you cook rice in your cauldron, don't you first count your family members and adjust the amount accordingly? Likewise, I must investigate how many in our county need relief and distribute grain only to them. If unregistered wanderers snatch it away, won't the truly needy in our county go without?"
"They would."
"You all pay taxes and perform corvée—how much more unjust if those unregistered evade both while freeloading?"
"We must pay all taxes and do all corvée as the nation commands. We absolutely cannot tolerate parasites who shirk duties but take the benefits."
Park Sang-gi answered all questions—to yangban and commoners alike—as sincerely as possible.
Thus, everyone gathered that day, both yangban and commoners, left satisfied.
"I think the myeon-ri system and five-house mutual control are far better laws than I expected."
"And didn't His Highness say he'd select the most capable township and village heads and bestow honorary ranks upon them?"
An honorary rank didn't come with any particular privileges.
It simply made one an honorary official, allowing them to wear robes befitting the rank.
Receiving an upper-rank honorary title would even permit riding in a sedan chair exclusive to upper officials.
However, Joseon's yangban scholars were the sort who would stake their lives for honor...
Even without power or money, just the honor alone would have them eagerly working, even dipping into their own pockets—and such people were plentiful.
"His Highness also asked for investigations into local specialties and mines. Township and village heads, please combine your efforts on this as well."
"Yes, Magistrate."
The yangban, led by Kim Nam-jo who had received the decree, had their eyes gleam.
"This system was directly proposed to His Highness by Junior Inspector Kim Dae-bung, who is currently staying at the Jinhae County yamen to inspect its proper implementation."
The fact that Kim Dae-bung was at the Jinhae yamen meant that those who shone here might...
'...receive his recommendation and enter service like Kim Man-deok.'
"Magistrate, we will handle your assignments perfectly and ease His Highness's worries."
At the same time, the yangban present were compelled by the public opinion of the commoners gathered that day to prepare a welcome banquet for Kim Dae-bung.
No, though compelled, they participated gladly.
Meanwhile, at the same time, Kim Dae-bung had gathered the merchants and was earnestly persuading them on tax matters.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "By His Highness's grace, a market has opened in Jinhae County, and markets will gradually appear across the eight provinces, allowing goods to flow freely—surely you've all grown far wealthier than before. Isn't that right?"
The merchants all nodded in agreement at my words.
In truth, the atmosphere was such that even if it weren't so, they had no choice but to affirm it...
'They all say their livelihoods have boomed—according to my brother-in-law.'
"Then, merchants like you should pay taxes for the nation, just like the common folk."
"That's true, but raising taxes so much all at once is a bit..."
For reference, commoners pay around 16% in taxes annually.
Merchants, however, pay only 10% on paper—often not even the official 5% rate in practice.
So, some arm-twisting was needed to normalize taxes...
At that moment, my brother-in-law, present here, resolved my concern in one shot.
"We should gladly pay taxes for the nation."