Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Secret Royal Inspector Kim Dae-bung (9)
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It had only been about thirty years since the chaotic and terrifying late Goryeo Dynasty breathed its last.
In a world of handwritten records without computers or Excel, administrative documents were naturally a complete mess.
So, I had expected that a proper land survey would uncover plenty of omitted fields—whether due to lack of administrative manpower, honest mistakes, or deliberate fraud.
"This is beyond ridiculous, really. It's so absurd it's laughable just to look at it. Don't you think so, Man-deok?"
Kim Man-deok, who was sorting documents beside me, replied.
"Yes, Inspector Lord. The field survey method is truly remarkable. It's far faster and simpler than previous land measurement techniques, yet just as accurate. And with the enthusiastic cooperation of the villagers, we've uncovered every single hidden plot without exception. From now on, no one in the eight provinces of Joseon will be able to farm land without paying taxes."
That would be ideal, but unlike animals, humans become increasingly cunning and inventive the more they're cornered in their fight for survival.
Once the field survey method taxes every visible plot of farmland, the noble landowners will reclaim tax-exempt land by clearing mountains or wastelands where no human foot or eye treads.
Or they'll collude with clerks and magistrates to shave off a bit, just like before.
For now, this is the best I can do.
The foundation of administration is thoroughly reviewing what can and cannot be done, then giving your all within those limits.
"Before the field survey, Anseong County's registered fields totaled 13,026 gyeol, but after, it jumped to 32,567 gyeol. That's two and a half times more—it's hard to believe."
"I feel the same. I never imagined there'd be this many hidden fields."
When Yu Jip-il first implemented the field survey method in three counties of Hwanghae Province, the recorded land area increased three to five times compared to the old ledgers.
And the taxable acreage grew by one-and-a-half to twofold, I'd heard.
So I anticipated a significant rise in tax revenue, but...
I hadn't expected results like this even in King Sejong's era, Joseon's peak of prosperity and best-run administration.
"A 2.5-fold increase in land area means a 2.5-fold increase in this year's taxes. What do you plan to do with the extra revenue?"
"If someone else had come as secret inspector, they'd have used a portion for county office expenses and distributed the rest to the people."
In Confucian Joseon, extremists like Ryu Jeong-hyeon, who preached radical tax cuts, were revered as economic experts.
Even Yi Bang-won and King Sejong knew that bastard practiced brutal usury, yet kept him as Chief State Councillor because he was seen as Joseon's Adam Smith or Keynes-level economist.
Thus, by Joseon's flawed economic logic, excess tax revenue was "truth" that must be returned to the starving populace...
"But blindly handing it back to the people isn't wise governance."
"As you say, Lord, giving out rice fills hungry bellies for now, but it vanishes once eaten."
"We'll gather the craftsmen, pay them wages, and have them produce the new farming tools that Magistrate Jang Byeoljang recently invented. We'll also build dams to secure ample irrigation water. And naturally, those participating in the corvée will receive generous rice as compensation."
Other civil engineering projects might vary, but flood control work directly improves the livelihood of Joseon's people.
It minimizes drought damage and ensures steady irrigation, boosting crop yields and arable land.
With reliable water, we can introduce transplanting, harvesting barley in spring and rice in fall—doubling food production.
"Truly wise, Lord. And looking into the temples involved in this tribute goods delivery, I found they've skimmed quite a haul."
One corner of Kim Man-deok's mouth curled up.
"As you well know, Lord, temples have a deep-rooted habit of inflating the value of tribute goods they offer."
"When I arrived as Jinhae magistrate, the temple monks had bloated the tribute values by over twofold to pocket the difference."
That's why, upon taking office, I promptly shipped all those temple monks to Hanyang for punishment—fond memories.
"These ones pocketed a whopping five hundred seom of white rice. They must have thrown their weight around with the merchants selling the tribute goods, too."
"Even the monks bullying people? We'll arrest them all, lock them in jail, and submit a report recommending severe punishment for the head abbot and high-ranking clergy."
"No thought of punishing them all harshly?"
"Better to shed as little blood as possible. Of course, even lowly temple monks who chase worldly wealth and suck the people's blood deserve flogging or caning based on their crimes' severity."
The high-ranking ones like the abbot will likely be exiled by Yi Bang-won, doomed to eternal labor in the boonies—or lose their heads.
"When does the new county magistrate arrive?"
"I sent a runner to check; he should arrive the day after tomorrow."
"We've wrapped up the urgent matters, so we should start preparing to depart today."
"Yes, Inspector Lord... And about Yi Bang and the other six factions' assets..."
Kim Man-deok's eyes gleamed. He must covet the land and wealth those six faction bastards hold.
Well, as promised, I'll let them live and give them enough wealth to start over somewhere new...
But sparing their lives demands a price.
"Have Yi Bang and the six factions sell their assets to you at fair knock-down prices. If they refuse, make them face reality: who else will buy from them?"
"Thank you, Inspector Lord."
These six faction scum have deep roots in the area since Goryeo days.
Naturally, they own vast lands and considerable wealth.
"I watched them; those six faction guys have real talent. They'd be perfect for your merchant house."
"Thank you."
I'm such a generous soul.
Letting corrupt bastards like Yi Bang keep some wealth and even giving them jobs (slave labor confirmed).
"Keep working hard for me from now on."
Once the field survey method spreads nationwide, Joseon's commercial economy will expand several times over.
Handing Kim Man-deok the prime spots will make him a far bigger merchant than now.
And early Joseon was an era where not just commoners but even lowborn outcasts rose through talent and recognition.
I never met him, but Park Ja-cheong, obsessed with civil engineering, climbed from Goryeo slave to senior rank one.
Even under Taejo and Taejong, lowborn talents in martial arts and such frequently entered officialdom.
When Sejong granted Jang Yeong-sil office, there was debate on whether his skills warranted it... but no one said lowborn couldn't hold office.
"And once word spreads that I've set things straight here, other counties will sort themselves out."
Anseong Magistrate Yi Seok-do became a headless ghost exactly three days ago by Yi Bang-won's order.
Plus, rumors that field surveys are inevitable will make self-initiative preferable to my visit.
The magistrates in counties I inspect will shape up on their own.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The tale of Secret Royal Inspector Kim Dae-bung naturally reached Gyeonggi Province's An-san County Magistrate Kim Gi-deok as well.
The lunatic who beheaded a rank-four magistrate right after arriving.
Who boosted tax revenue 2.5-fold through flawless land surveys, despite backlash from local nobles.
"I'd been planning to haggle with the nobles for an eighty percent increase at most, and drag my feet on the pace..."
In that process, a tidy gift landed in Kim Gi-deok's lap.
An-san's land deeds, local specialties, rice, silk, and more.
Enough wealth for him and his children to live idly for generations.
He figured that alone would earn him an 'excellent' evaluation, promoting him to junior rank four upon term end...
But if Kim Dae-bung came here, uncovering every hidden field and exposing every falsified record?
"A bloodbath in our county, right?"
Kim Gi-deok's neck wouldn't stay attached either.
Glory and riches are fine, but dying like a dog while chasing them? Pointless.
"Yi Bang!"
Yi Bang came rushing at the call.
"Yes, Magistrate."
"Summon all the local nobles to the county office right now! I'll personally convince them to cooperate fully with the field survey."
"But Magistrate... the local noble lords find the field survey method most uncomfortable."
"If the secret inspector comes here, can you take responsibility for those words?"
At "secret inspector," Yi Bang's face drained of color.
Stealth deployment aside, he knew Kim Dae-bung's exploits well from the rumors.
"Tell them: cooperate, or pay more taxes!"
In Gyeonggi—no, beyond—counties hearing the secret inspector rumors began eagerly adopting the field survey method voluntarily.
They desperately wanted to avert the catastrophe of his visit.