Sprouting and Growth (5)
Yi I was at a loss for what to do.
The king’s words heard along the way were astonishing, yet deeply moving.
That said, the matter of Lee Tak was a clear violation of the realm’s laws, so there was no point speaking out.
Still, curiosity compelled him to ask.
“Your Majesty, I have also heard rumors that Haneunggun is purchasing slaves. Is that the reason?”
“What nonsense is that?”
“You appear not to have heard. Not only within the palace, but throughout the eight directions, no one remains ignorant of it.”
“Mm… rumors are truly terrifying. It has nothing to do with that matter…”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
“No. Since the rumors have reached you, I shall explain.”
Yi Yeon provided a detailed account of everything Haneunggun was doing while overseeing the founding of the Joseon Bank.
“Ah, so that is how the misunderstanding arose. Indeed, rumors are fearsome.”
“Therefore, we must hasten the development of commerce within this realm. Only then will tax revenue increase substantially, and we can pay salaries that are truly suited to the times.”
“This subject will endeavor to the best of his ability.”
Yi Yeon let out a soft chuckle.
The development of commerce was not his concern.
He had never intended to bring Yi I here for such a task.
Yet the young man claimed he would try. The sincerity was almost laughable.
He therefore asked.
“How do you view the slave system?”
“I am honored, but I have never given the matter serious thought.”
“Very well. From now on, do not think about it. I shall handle it personally.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
He believed the matter was settled.
Yet Yi I asked again.
“Your Majesty, among the six departments here, are there many slaves sent by Haneunggun?”
“There are. We cannot simply leave the purchased slaves idle, so we selected the most useful ones and brought them here. Why do you ask?”
“They all appear so… diligent that I grew curious.”
“Indeed?”
Yi Yeon turned his head to look at Yi I.
He had thought the same, so he wanted to hear the scholar’s opinion.
“Yes, Your Majesty. If they were slaves, they would be passive. But such people are nowhere to be seen.”
“Precisely. That is why I have thought about it. It is likely due to this.”
“What is it?”
“They are paid a wage equal to their effort.”
“Wages for slaves?”
Yi I asked in astonishment.
He had seen slaves receive payment for their work, but never seen slaves paid wages for their labor.
“Explain.”
“They are no longer slaves.”
“They will pay taxes on whatever they earn and will be the people who work for the realm.”
“Ah…”
Yi I finally understood that the whispered rumor was true.
*How astonishing this man is. To be dismantling the slave system in precisely this manner.*
Rumors had already circulated that the slave system would be abolished, yet the king had never spoken of it, leaving everyone unable to question him.
If they had, the topic would have grown heated and the actual abolition might have been forced upon them. That was why no one had dared speak.
Yi I gazed at him with admiration.
Yi Yeon said, “Not only that. Here we are operating a small currency as a test. Only then can we identify problems, is it not?”
“Ah… indeed you have. This subject had only heard the name of currency circulation and could not even see it with his own eyes, which left him puzzled.”
Yi Yeon had once developed and designed an entire large-scale plant, so he understood the importance of test operations better than anyone.
Thus, before circulating the coins, they had been tested here.
First, the Joseon Bank branch was established.
Workers received paper slips according to their labor.
Those slips were exchanged for coins.
With the coins they purchased food, clothing, and anything else they needed.
At first it was chaotic.
None of them had ever experienced money before.
Yet it stabilized quickly.
They went to the place written “Joseon Bank,” received paper slips equal to their labor, and obtained shining coins.
They could then exchange those coins at the “shop” for whatever they desired.
Because of this, the importance of coin-based currency became instinctive.
They learned that the more diligently they worked, the more coins they received. Without being told, everyone worked harder.
Their expressions gradually became active and eager.
“Speaking of which, what do you think of the northern matter?”
“It could become a great problem, but at present it seems the best course.”
“How do you suppose Li Chengliang will act?”
“Li Chengliang should cause no trouble. He has told his subordinates that we Joseon people are brave enough that one man can defeat ten. If we can win their trust, as Marshal Sun Myung said, Li Chengliang will have no choice but to turn our way.”
*
While sharing wine with Lee Tak, Yi Yeon learned even more.
“Your Majesty, I have heard that Li Chengliang openly boasts that one Joseon soldier can defeat ten of the enemy. I investigated. There are many Joseon-born generals among his men, and they are indeed very brave.”
“Yes?”
“I sent reliable men to investigate. It must be true.”
The renowned literary minister Lee Tak was also a master of strategy.
“Very well. What would you suggest?”
“My opinion is that while we befriend the Joseon generals, we should trade the salt, rice, and cotton cloth they need with the Jurchen closest to us—those of Jianzhou—and especially the Jianzhou Jurchen.”
“Why?”
“That will create internal discord among the Jurchen.”
“How?”
“The Jurchen cannot trade with Ming merchants without a trading permit. They are forced to buy at inflated prices from those who hold the permit, which has led to frequent disputes.”
“Cut the connection?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. What then?”
Lee Tak proposed to further stir the already confused Jurchen by severing the Ming thread.
“Mm… stir up discord, draw their attention away, then have them mine coal. That is the plan?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. They will fight each other to obtain what they need.”
“Li Chengliang will then have to intervene?”
“Precisely. When we offer aid, they will not be able to oppose us.”
*
Having heard these details from the king, Yi I advised not to worry about Li Chengliang.
“However, Your Majesty. The Jianzhou Jurchen are dangerous. If their power grows, we may face them.”
“Therefore I promised to show you something.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
Only then did Yi I fall silent.
Following the bare coastal plain southward,
Manisan mountain blocked the way.
Following the narrow mountain path through the middle,
At the summit of a small pass stood a fortress built of solid rock and a gate made of iron bars.
The fortress itself seemed ancient, but the gate looked newly made.
Yi I could not hold back.
“Your Majesty, how was that gate constructed? Not a single hinge is visible.”
“We used the lost-wax casting method.”
“Lost-wax? Does that mean a mold was made of sand?”
“Half correct. Sand would not hold its shape, so we mixed it with aged clay to form the mold.”
Casting metal now was more difficult than before.
Yi Yeon therefore ordered the entire gate to be cast using the lost-wax method.
The path was narrow, so the structure had not been too large. It was feasible.
Using sand instead of silica, and aged clay instead of zircon, olivine, and alumina, would suffice.
Once through, the world looked entirely different.
“Your Majesty! What is this place…?”
Yi I could hardly believe his eyes.
It was a different world.
The village below was unlike anything he had ever seen.
The long road stretching ahead was covered with simanto, resembling the Ganghwado pier, and the small carts moving upon it looked as if made of iron.
Square houses belching smoke stood in orderly rows. The rhythmic clatter of hammers echoed.
“You are curious?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“From now on this is where our Joseon soldiers will develop and improve firepower weapons.”
“Ah… is that the place where the later cannon and later musket are being made?”
Even now Yi I often visited Gyeongbokgung.
Each time a difficult crisis had arisen, yet Yi Yeon had explained the new firearms and resolved the crisis.
“That is correct. At present they are being made by skilled blacksmiths, but soon we will mass-produce them. If you will assist, I mean.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. This subject will stake his life in the effort.”
“Eh! Do not stake your life, even if I say so!”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
Yi Yeon saw the flustered Yi I and smiled faintly, then turned to say.
“Commander of the Royal Guard?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Rest and wait here with the guards.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Commander of the Royal Guard Namgung Chim obeyed without a word.
He knew the entire Ganghwado was the king’s space.
He led the guards to a shady spot beneath a large weeping willow.
While they did so, Yi Yeon stood with mouth agape, gazing at the village below in wonder.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Do you not wish to go see it?”
“I am honored, Your Majesty. The sight is so astonishing I cannot gather my thoughts yet.”
Unlike before, the cheerful sound of horses’ hooves clattering accompanied them.
Only the four—Yi Yeon, Yi I, Shin Rip, and Kim Yang-bo—descended the mountain.
At the foot, rows of people stood waiting, their appearance strangely different.
They wore clothes fastened only with buttons, no ties.
When the king reined in his horse.
They placed their right fists over their left chests and shouted in unison.
“LOYALTY!”
The king did the same, then lowered his hand.
The man at the front stepped forward and bowed.
“We greet Your Majesty.”
“Yes, you have labored much.”
“It is no labor at all. Within Your Majesty’s care, this subject has been utterly immersed in the joy of creation.”
“Is it true?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It is truly joyful.”
Yi Yeon nodded, smiling at Kim Ji, whose face was flushed with genuine delight.
Earlier Yi Yeon had asked an officer who delivered a letter from the eldest brother what his name was.
“Who are you?”
“This subject is Kim Ji, a dudok of Uiju.”
“Kim Ji?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He had been the target, but since there might be homophones he asked again.
“Are you particularly interested in cannons?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. But…?”
“How did you know?”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
Kim Ji was bewildered, yet Yi Yeon, suspecting why a fifth-rank official had come in person, asked.
“Why did you personally deliver the letter?”
“The letter from His Highness the Crown Prince commanded that I personally deliver it.”
Fortunately, he was not one to covet merit.
Yi Yeon sent him here at once.
Years later, as a third-rank army commander, Kim Ji developed the victorious cannon.
That was why he seemed perfect as the person responsible for testing and managing the new cannons and muskets.
Fortunately, Kim Ji loved the work.
Now he explained every step enthusiastically to Yi I under royal command.
“My lord, this is the place where shell casings are manufactured.”
He explained in detail the roles and operating principles of the eight jigs crafted by the ironworkers.
“Why divide the process into stages?”
“If force is applied all at once, the brass plate will tear.”
“Indeed?”
“Yes, my lord. Working in this divided manner is far more efficient.”
“Ah… I see. Then what is that place over there?”
“That is where the casings are heat-treated. When heated, the material becomes harder and more uniform.”
“Truly marvelous.”
“There is something even more astonishing. Would you like to see?”
“Please, I would be grateful.”
Next they went to the place where brass casings were wrapped with kraft paper.
“By fitting this long strip of steel into the mold and rotating it, the serrated blades cut the steel to precise dimensions.”
“Truly astonishing.”
“That is only the beginning. The cut steel is dipped in wax, placed inside the barrel, and the ramrod is driven down. It locks tightly to the casing below. That completes the first stage.”
“Is that called the first stage?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Kim Ji continued without pause, explaining the next process.
The genius Yi I’s reaction was so entertaining that Shin Rip could not contain his delight.
* * *
**Author's Note:** The following is a map of the Jurchen power distribution in Liaodong.
The red dashed line marks the water moat built with willow fences.
Beyond it, at each trading post, the Jurchen traded with Ming merchants.
Only those holding a trading permit issued by Ming China could trade there.