Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Currency and Direct Appeal (1)
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Today's atmosphere in the main office of the Ministry of Finance was peaceful and harmonious.
Not with birds chirping and flowers blooming in full splendor, but everyone's faces were lit up with broad smiles.
This was all because, despite the relentless workload from King Sejong the Great—the very monarch revered by 21st-century university professors who had turned every Joseon official into virtual graduate students—they had managed to clock out on time for nearly ten straight days.
The mood was so good that even Minister of Finance Hwang Hui burst into hearty laughter upon seeing a low-ranking attendant who had committed the grave sin of failing to greet him properly.
Normally, he'd have to reprimand such a breach of etiquette by dumping even more work on the poor fellow, who was already lost in thoughts of duty like some model loyalist. But no one even felt like scolding today; everyone was just that happy.
"Alright, let's all work hard today so we can head out on time again."
"Yes, Minister."
"Kim Jeong-rang, have you finished calculating the budget needed for the salaries of the officials who'll oversee the new markets in each district?"
"Yes, sir. I've also roughly estimated how much tax revenue we'll bring in."
"This performance review, every official in the Ministry of Finance is getting top marks. Most promising indeed."
This was all possible because they'd handed off the tough, complicated problems to Kim Dae-bung, the Hall of Worthies GPT, and ordered him to come up with solutions.
Hwang Hui decided to send precious ingredients like ginseng and dried abalone to the Hall of Worthies slave who was working so hard in his stead.
He occasionally fed his oxen nutrient-rich supplements, after all. Why treat people any differently?
Amid this collective bliss of smiling faces, a junior official in green robes approached Hwang Hui with a grave expression.
"Sir, this is bad."
"Hoho, what's got you so worked up? Did rats get into the rice stores? A few sacks going missing is par for the course..."
"No, it's not that... Kim Suchan from the Hall of Worthies, together with Senior Craftsman Jang from the Office of Works, has devised no less than seventeen new farming tools."
Hwang Hui slumped into his chair upon hearing this. He wondered if he'd misheard.
Over ten new farming tools, invented no less.
And this just after they'd shoved Kim Dae-bung into the Hall of Worthies for everyone to share. It seemed utterly implausible.
But unless this junior attendant had lost his mind, he wouldn't deliberately shatter the warm atmosphere with a lie...
Hwang Hui's face darkened at the realization that their expected on-time departure today was toast.
"Tell me the details."
"Taking Kim Suchan's suggestions, Senior Craftsman Jang and the artisans pulled all-nighters and came up with seventeen new farming tools. They're said to be extraordinarily effective."
Good farming tools mean increased agricultural output. Higher output means better living standards for the people.
Farmers who ate two meager meals a day could now have three, and the landlord yangban would harvest more rice and grow richer. New farming tools were thus glad tidings for everyone in the room.
There was just one problem. Exactly one.
The budgeting, distribution methods, and policies needed to roll them out nationwide would all fall squarely on the Ministry of Finance.
That was why Hwang Hui was more shocked by his future of endless overtime than by the benefits these tools would bring.
"...Show me the official report first. Let's see what these things are."
Hwang Hui practically snatched the report from the attendant. As he read through the contents line by line, a smile crept across his face.
With tools like these, agricultural production would rise substantially. He couldn't say by how much, but Hwang Hui himself owned vast fields as a wealthy landowner.
His fortune was about to swell enormously. He wasn't some corrupt official, but he sure loved money, so how could he not be thrilled?
"Hoho, splendid. With tools like these, farming will be so much easier."
The water-lifter called Yongmi harnessed water power to irrigate areas that couldn't reach canals before. That meant more land could be cultivated.
The pedal-operated water wheel would be a huge help in pumping water from below upward.
The hoist called Gejung-gi, which Kim Dae-bung had vaguely described for dam construction as "easier lifting of dirt and stones," would prove invaluable...
It was perfect for castle-building too.
Most injuries and losses during construction came from hoisting heavy stones to height. Reducing that? It had to be adopted immediately.
"Introducing these tools would be wonderful... I should have my family's tenant farmers use them right away. And they're so simple-looking; even government artisans could make them easily. It's great, but..."
The budget and policies required to produce and distribute all these varieties would fall on the Ministry of Finance.
Hwang Hui couldn't bear to imagine how quickly Retired King Taejong—doubtless beaming with satisfaction at the report—would order their rollout.
"On-time departures are over."
His mutter was barely audible, but the "end of on-time clock-outs" declaration lodged firmly in everyone's ears.
The faces of every Ministry of Finance official, clerk, and even the public slaves stiffened.
"What are you all standing around for? Prep for overtime!"
Shortly after the overtime declaration, an eunuch arrived to relay King Sejong's command.
"His Retired Majesty was greatly pleased to see Your Highness and the royal princes using the new farming tools at the royal farm."
The Ministry officials felt like they were done for upon hearing this.
New tools had been made, tested by the king and princes right in front of Retired King Taejong, and he was satisfied?
Good lord, they had to hurry.
Dawdling would be irreverence, inviting who-knows-what tragedy.
"And Your Highness has graciously bestowed a royal meal upon the Ministries of Finance and Works."
It was code for: We'll feed you lavishly, so work yourselves to death.
Hwang Hui and the officials prostrated themselves in thanks to the king.
Their eyes reddened—not from sorrow over vanished on-time exits, but from profound gratitude for the royal grace and renewed vows of loyal service.
At the same time, Hwang Hui realized one more thing.
Work Kim Dae-bung too hard, and the guy would lob work bombs right back at them.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, King Taejong was enjoying quality time by dragging the usually sedentary King Sejong out and about.
"Father, doing farm work I rarely touch has left my back and shoulders aching."
King Taejong chuckled heartily.
"That's because you've been lazy with exercise, Do. Didn't the Sage emphasize archery and horsemanship among the Six Arts every gentleman must master?"
"True, but..."
"That's precisely why you need to move your body diligently—to build the stamina for long hours with books. You have the virtue of cherishing your people and valuing your ministers, Do... but not like this."
Joseon folk didn't know what adult-onset diseases were, but they instinctively grasped that obesity wasn't healthy.
To King Taejong's eyes, Sejong was far too plump... so he figured occasional outings like this would keep him from getting worse.
"State affairs are vital, but climb hills, ride horses, and join military hunts to keep your body active."
"Yes, Father..."
Joseon was a land of filial piety. When Father Emperor commanded exercise, you exercised.
That's why Sejong was plump but not disastrously so.
"The plow you're using now is Kim Dae-bung's new design. How does it handle?"
"It seems to till better than the one from last year's royal plowing ceremony."
"I see. If it eases the people's toil, it's a true blessing."
It wasn't a blessing for Sejong. The physicians and eunuchs sided with Taejong, refusing to call a halt, so he had to plow until drenched in sweat.
Only then did King Taejong laugh heartily and call it off.
"That's enough now."
"...Thank you."
"But is Hyang still staring at that Yongmi?"
"Yes. He seems utterly fascinated by it."
King Taejong headed toward Prince Munjong Yi Hyang.
There, Yi Hyang was mesmerized by the water-lifter, its gears meshing to pump low-lying water upward.
"Wow, keep going! Turn it more!"
King Taejong laughed to see his grandson so engrossed in a farm machine.
The boy usually buried himself in studies as crown prince, bearing heavy pressure for his age.
Today, though, grinning at spinning gears, he looked just like any kid his age.
"Hyang."
"Grandfather! Kim Sang-on says if we install that Yongmi along the Han River, we can pump tons of water to fill the canals. Farming would be so much easier."
"As expected, you take after your father—sharp as can be."
"I want to be a king like you and Father, Grandfather, who takes good care of the young people!"
A smile spread across King Taejong's face.
His five-year-old grandson Yi Hyang already harbored the spirit of loving the people. No need to mention his third son.
He was a king who loved his subjects more than any, wise beyond measure... destined to greatly benefit Joseon's people.
Even after Taejong could no longer protect Joseon, it would flourish in peace and prosperity.
So perhaps it was time for a rest.
But not yet.
"Do."
"Yes, Father."
King Taejong spoke with firm resolve.
"The Yuan dynasty grew mighty using paper money like baochao. Joseon already uses cloth currency like oseungpo, so why not paper money too?"
"...Yes, that's true."
"And with markets in every district, plus rice exchanges for paper notes... wouldn't the people prefer carrying lightweight paper over cumbersome rice?"
Sejong nodded reluctantly. Widespread currency would stop yangban hoarding rice as wealth.
Their overflowing, rotting granaries would empty into the people's mouths, enriching common lives.
Plus, paper money was simple to print...
"No, paper money failed before, so..."
"Father, what if we use coins, like the Song dynasty did?"
Paper scraps lacked trust.
So melt copper—prized and substantial—into coins.
Sejong agreed.
"Wise as always. Yes, let's spread coinage far and wide to benefit the people."