Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Secret Royal Inspector Kim Dae-bung (10)
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The atmosphere in Geunjeongjeon, where the morning assembly was held, was warm and harmonious.
This was because there was now a clear sign that the chronic tax shortages plaguing Joseon were finally on the verge of being resolved.
In the genial mood, King Sejong spoke up.
"His Highness the Supreme King has widely implemented the Square Field Law, bringing joy and relief to the people while strengthening the kingdom's finances as well."
To be precise, the Square Field Law—proposed by Kim Dae-bung and approved by King Taejong—was still in the rollout phase across the nation.
The grain taxes and tribute goods collected under it hadn't even reached the national treasury granary in Gyeongchang, let alone begun transport...
But none of the ministers present were as tone-deaf as Ryu Jeong-hyeon, who had opposed it out of fear it would interfere with usury and even resorted to delaying tactics when everyone else supported implementation.
"Including Anseong in Gyeonggi Province, eight counties have surveyed their lands using the square field method, resulting in a massive increase in registered fields. Some saw an increase of two-and-a-half times, while even the smallest gains were around double. This means taxes will more than double."
At King Sejong's words, the ministers' eyes changed, starting with Hwang Hui.
Taxes more than doubling meant larger budgets allocated to their own ministries...
It also meant bigger allowances they could skim off the top at their discretion...
And on top of that, it opened the path to major achievements during their tenure—completing the ultimate yangban life-endgame content: the "Merit Stele" quest, earning them a legacy to boast about for generations.
"Moreover, the square field method doesn't require much effort to measure the land. Far from shying away from registering paddies, the people are stepping up voluntarily to assist. At this rate, the new surveys should wrap up by summer. What does the Minister of Finance think?"
"Kim Dae-bung, dispatched as secret royal inspector, surveyed every inch of Anseong County's land in just one month. Of course, his capabilities surpass those of ordinary officials. Not every magistrate can match his speed with the square field method. That said, if Your Highness sends edicts urging the provincial observers, I believe we can complete all surveys before the sowing season this year."
In an agrarian nation, most corvée labor was finished before the busy farming season.
If manpower shortages hit during planting due to labor duties, the year's harvest would fail or yields would plummet.
Even in Japan's Warring States era—where wars washing away fatigue with fresh blood were rampant, and rape, murder, pillage, and losing family were near-daily occurrences—battles were generally started after sowing and ended before harvest to send all soldiers home.
Thus, Hwang Hui's words sounded excellent to King Sejong.
He wished he could make all officials work like Kim Dae-bung or himself, but their capacities fell short.
King Sejong knew full well he had to squeeze them to the limits of what was realistically possible.
The timeline Hwang Hui proposed was achievable if local magistrates labored like horses and dogs...
'As Father said, I should promote Hwang Hui to Chief State Councillor.'
Once Hwang Hui became Chief State Councillor, he would wring every drop of effort from the officials, just as Ryu Jeong-hyeon had pinched pennies on the budget to economize.
"Very well. Then, how should we go about establishing markets in every county nationwide?"
"Order the magistrates to designate fixed districts within their counties for buying and selling. Station officials dedicated to managing these markets there, adjusting numbers based on each county's size and commercial prosperity."
"Wouldn't one per county suffice, except for places like Gaeseong or Pyongyang?"
"...The Deputy Minister of Finance studied under the same master as Jinhae County's magistrate and shares a close bond with him. Combining the magistrate's reports with what he confided to the deputy, even working day and night leaves a county magistrate no time for market oversight amid other duties. If Jinhae is like that, imagine Dongnae with its rampant smuggling with the Japanese or the nation's transport hubs."
Markets would massively boost tax revenue. Even stationing one official meant a stipend of just 50 seom of white rice...
There was no reason to skimp on posting them to save a little money—unless Ryu Jeong-hyeon's ghost possessed someone.
"The Ministry of Finance will review and report on the number of officials needed for each county market. Until we fill those posts, we'll increase the quota for temporary postings of clerks and runners from 100 to 200 per year."
The officials' eyes sparkled once more at these words.
Even lowly mid-level functionaries became full-fledged yangban gentlemen while on temporary posting. Admittedly, runners topped out at junior 7th rank.
But serving even as low as junior 9th rank elevated one's status to yangban, no matter their origins. Like Jang Yeong-sil.
Opening such upward mobility benefited the yangban too, naturally.
"Minister of Personnel Maeng Sa-seong reports. While the Square Field Law has brought budgetary abundance to the court, the workload has surged as well. The current number of officials cannot possibly handle the excess duties."
"Did I not just say we'd increase their numbers?"
"A mere 100 more won't cut it. The Minister of Finance's report states that even one per market in every county nationwide requires over 360 officials. And as affairs rarely go exactly as planned, we must recruit generously to prepare for contingencies."
King Sejong was a workaholic. No exaggeration—he voluntarily clocked 17 hours a day.
With His Majesty slaving away of his own accord, his ministers couldn't justify leaving piled-up work for overtime; they had no choice but to trudge down that overtime path.
Serving a sage king was great, but routine overtime—barring the occasional necessity—felt like the specter of late Goryeo's collapse.
Having served multiple kings from King Taejo to King Jeongjong, King Taejong, and now King Sejong, Maeng Sa-seong could clearly foresee the disaster ahead.
'Kim Dae-bung is merely regular 6th rank, with just over three years in office. Yet he's handled so much.'
'As Minister of Personnel, I've served longer and gained more experience, so even if I can't innovate like him, I should manage the work better.'
"The yangban will be dizzy from paying more taxes under the Square Field Law, so please hold a grand civil service exam to soothe public opinion."
"...Hold a grand exam. How many specifically?"
"I will discuss with the Minister of Finance and submit a report."
Maeng Sa-seong signaled Hwang Hui with his eyes: Unless we maximize hires within budget limits, we'll all die buried in overtime.
Hwang Hui nodded vigorously in agreement.
Then Jo Mal-saeng, Minister of Military Affairs—who favored powerful cannon barrages and bribes—spoke up.
"Minister of Military Affairs Jo Mal-saeng reports. Since Grand King Taejo's passing and the death of Cheonghae Navy's Yi Ji-ran, the Jurchens threaten our northern border. In the south, vile Japanese pirates plunder our people at every turn."
King Sejong ground his teeth.
Thinking of those brutal fiends tormenting the fragile populace made his blood boil.
No matter how benevolent his rule, if those villains raided and stripped regions bare, the local people's lives would sink into misery.
"Until now, budget constraints limited cannon casting and troop recruitment. But circumstances have changed—please invest in cannon production and army expansion."
"Well said. The Minister of Military Affairs will devise measures against the Japanese pirates and Jurchens, including plans to bolster our forces, and report them."
King Sejong smiled faintly as he pondered how to spend the increased taxes.
The overflowing work was grueling, true—but Joseon was advancing dazzlingly day by day, which filled him with joy.
Knowing it all stemmed from an official named Kim Dae-bung made him all the more admirable.
He wanted to seat him as Chief State Councillor on the spot... but everything had procedures.
As discussed yesterday with King Taejong, King Sejong announced the next Chief State Councillor.
"Since traitor Ryu Jeong-hyeon died, months of vacancy in the Chief State Councillor post have disordered the court. After deep deliberation on a suitable candidate, I've recognized Minister of Finance Hwang Hui's consistent fairness in handling affairs and his great merits in coordinating diverse opinions. Thus, I specially appoint Hwang Hui as Chief State Councillor to uphold the ancestral temple and state altar."
It was an extraordinarily unconventional appointment.
Yet no minister voiced opposition.
Kim Dae-bung devised the Square Field Law, but Hwang Hui was the one who made it truly functional.
Thus, Hwang Hui became Chief State Councillor a full three years ahead of his historical timeline.
"Henceforth, my subjects shall discuss Kim Dae-bung's triumphal return as secret royal inspector, his next post, and rewards, then report."
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