Chapter 47
BACKTICKCHAPTER_TITLE: The Unfolding and Growth (13)BACKTICK
Looking at the mountain of silk accumulating in the grand audience hall, the ministers erupted into murmurs of astonishment.BACKTICK
“What is the meaning of all this?”BACKTICK
“I have no idea!”BACKTICK
“You don’t suppose they brought this with the intention of presenting it to us?”BACKTICK
“Even two bolts would be one thing, but this quantity?”BACKTICK
“That’s exactly why we’re asking. It’s rather odd, isn’t it?”BACKTICK
“Indeed. And the quality is truly exquisite.”BACKTICK
“I believe they are Ming brocades.”BACKTICK
“I thought the same. Our Joseon silk has never possessed such splendor.”BACKTICK
“Still, a question remains.”BACKTICK
“What question?”BACKTICK
“When exactly did they come to fetch such a vast amount?”BACKTICK
It could not have been fewer than a thousand bolts.BACKTICK
At the usual rate of five bushels of rice per bolt, that came to over five thousand bushels of rice alone.BACKTICK
And that was enough to make the ministers’ mouths water without their realizing it.BACKTICK
Yeon had once fretted over the endless rise in cotton cloth prices.BACKTICK
Angry at the black-hearted hoarders who manipulated the market, he had gnashed his teeth in frustration, yet no solution had presented itself.BACKTICK
Even if he brought in the oil seeping from the Yeong and Hun rivers, refining it and spinning yarn would take far too long.BACKTICK
Yet he refused to give up and found another way.BACKTICK
Because he foresaw that cotton prices would surge even higher, speed was essential.BACKTICK
Just then he learned that a Ming envoy had arrived.BACKTICK
In that moment the old saying resurfaced in his mind: “Without cotton, silk can be used instead.”BACKTICK
Although it would be less valuable than grain, if clothing flooded the market, prices would collapse.BACKTICK
“I’ll make those scoundrels pay for it.”BACKTICK
He had ordered Sim Tong-won to demand silk from the Ming eunuchs at a price no one could refuse.BACKTICK
They had accepted without hesitation.BACKTICK
All they needed was silver ingots, so there had been no reason to refuse.BACKTICK
The real problem was transport.BACKTICK
At one stone per bolt, the sheer volume was enormous, and once word spread, chaos was inevitable.BACKTICK
“That will not do.”BACKTICK
To exact revenge on the cotton hoarders, the silk had to be released all at once.BACKTICK
So he had urgently sent a royal messenger to his eldest brother.BACKTICK
Even if Hawonggun returned covered in battle scars, he would have no idea what to do.BACKTICK
Yeon stood with his hands behind his back, a smug smile on his face.BACKTICK
“Well, does it not look splendid?”BACKTICK
“...” BACKTICK
No minister offered a reply.BACKTICK
Even those who preached righteousness every royal audience had apparently failed to hear the king’s words.BACKTICK
They merely swallowed hard, cheeks puffed.BACKTICK
“Damn it!”BACKTICK
Yeon loosened his clasped hands and clapped loudly.BACKTICK
[CLAP]BACKTICK
At last the ministers snapped to attention and turned their gazes upon the king.BACKTICK
“Hmph! All of these bolts were brought for you, Your Majesty. You do not like them?”BACKTICK
Yeon tilted his head in question.BACKTICK
The ministers shook their heads vigorously.BACKTICK
But Yu Jam, the Minister of Finance, spoke up.BACKTICK
“Is this true, Your Majesty?”BACKTICK
At those words Lee Jun-gyeong shouted in alarm.BACKTICK
“What nonsense is this!”BACKTICK
Yu Jam’s face drained of color.BACKTICK
It was simply too incredible; he had spoken treason without realizing it.BACKTICK
He tried to prostrate himself at once.BACKTICK
But the court was too crowded; he could not move.BACKTICK
Watching him flail, Yeon smiled coldly.BACKTICK
“It is all right. No harm done. In future, do not question my gifts so harshly. Speaking plainly will be better. And yes, all these bolts are indeed for you.”BACKTICK
Chaos erupted.BACKTICK
The ministers leapt to their feet, eager to thank the king for such lavish gifts.BACKTICK
But they could not find space to kneel.BACKTICK
Then someone climbed onto a chair, knelt, and prostrated himself.BACKTICK
“Your Majesty! Our gratitude is boundless!”BACKTICK
The others followed his lead.BACKTICK
“Your Majesty! Our gratitude is boundless!”BACKTICK
Yeon frowned.BACKTICK
“What is this?”BACKTICK
It was not that no one had asked where the silk came from.BACKTICK
The courtier who had been about to ask had been cut off mid-sentence, and Yeon was irritated.BACKTICK
He clapped once more to restore order.BACKTICK
“In the future, refrain from such formalities. It looks unsightly. I have always said that actions matter less than intent, do I not?”BACKTICK
“Yes, Your Majesty.”BACKTICK
The ministers answered with eager harmony.BACKTICK
“I acquired these silks from Ming so that I could present them to you. The reason is simple: the price of cotton cloth has skyrocketed. Do not sell them. I will give you more in the future. Wear them proudly.”BACKTICK
“...?”BACKTICK
The ministers’ heads were filled with question marks.BACKTICK
The kingdom’s coffers were hardly overflowing; how could they afford yet another gift?BACKTICK
Lee Jun-gyeong stepped forward with a grave face.BACKTICK
“Your Majesty, this humble subject must speak what is in his heart.”BACKTICK
“Yes?”BACKTICK
“The kingdom’s finances are in grave danger. Such splendid silks of this quantity must have cost an enormous sum. This nation simply cannot bear it.”BACKTICK
Yeon glanced at Hong Dam.BACKTICK
Hong Dam shook his head, pretending ignorance.BACKTICK
He had actually planned to speak those exact words, so that the king would naturally mention income tax and he himself would not be criticized.BACKTICK
Lee Jun-gyeong, however, seized the moment without hesitation.BACKTICK
“Then I shall pay ten percent from my salary.”BACKTICK
“What?”BACKTICK
“Did you not hear? If you worry about the kingdom’s finances, then begin by paying ten percent of your income as tax.”BACKTICK
“Was that your meaning?”BACKTICK
“Yes.”BACKTICK
“Of course, Your Majesty. This humble subject shall pay not ten percent but half. My salary alone is more than enough. I will return the entire increase.”BACKTICK
“That will not do.”BACKTICK
Yeon spoke firmly.BACKTICK
Given Lee Jun-gyeong’s character, a casual remark could have disrupted the plan.BACKTICK
“What?”BACKTICK
Lee Jun-gyeong looked bewildered.BACKTICK
“You are the prime minister of this kingdom. Is that not so?”BACKTICK
“It may be said that way.”BACKTICK
“Then you must live more splendidly than anyone else. Only then will the kingdom’s prestige stand firm.”BACKTICK
Lee Jun-gyeong opened his mouth, but Yeon continued at once.BACKTICK
At royal audiences he had never beaten anyone with mere words, so he had to cut him off.BACKTICK
“I desire my ministers to live comfortably and with dignity. Without taking bribes or gifts. You do not do so, do you?”BACKTICK
“What do you mean...?”BACKTICK
“You wish your sons to study and pass the examinations so they may live comfortably and with dignity. Is that not what you truly desire?”BACKTICK
“If that is your meaning, then yes. Yet Your Majesty, it is no easy task.”BACKTICK
Lee Jun-gyeong omitted the phrase “kingdom’s finances.”BACKTICK
He could not speak so openly to the king.BACKTICK
But Yeon cut him off directly.BACKTICK
“It is easy for me.”BACKTICK
Yeon pointed at the vast pile of silk.BACKTICK
“Where did you obtain these bolts?”BACKTICK
“From Ming, I presume.”BACKTICK
“Correct. From Ming. But not by plundering the kingdom’s granaries. I purchased them with silver I earned selling Snow-white porcelain made in Gye-gae.”BACKTICK
“Ah...!”BACKTICK
Gasps filled the hall.BACKTICK
Now the ministers understood.BACKTICK
Most had not even considered how so much silk had been obtained.BACKTICK
They had simply been grateful for free gifts.BACKTICK
Only sharp-eyed ministers like Lee Jun-gyeong had guessed.BACKTICK
But the king had received it from Gye-gae, a guild formed by the very court officials who had been expelled.BACKTICK
One minister placed a hand on his belly and bowed his head.BACKTICK
“Your Majesty, forgive this ignorant subject!”BACKTICK
It was Baek In-geol of Hongmun Temple.BACKTICK
Once he spoke, all the others joined him.BACKTICK
“Forgive this ignorant subject!”BACKTICK
Yeon found the ministers’ collective belly-bow somewhat amusing and smiled warmly.BACKTICK
“Some already know, but the royal treasury is far richer than you imagine. Yet I cannot fill the nation’s granaries. Even between husband and wife, the law requires that property be managed separately, does it not?”BACKTICK
This was a time when the doctrine of male superiority over female was strong, yet women still inherited portions of their parents’ wealth and could manage them independently.BACKTICK
Especially before marriage; the dowry was considered the woman’s own property, and no husband could touch it.BACKTICK
There were still a few brutish men who ignored the law, but they were few.BACKTICK
“That is correct, Your Majesty. It must not be ignored.”BACKTICK
The speaker was the handsome Hong Seom, who had risen from Left State Councillor to Right State Councillor.BACKTICK
“Yet Your Majesty, scholars must remain frugal.”BACKTICK
Yeon turned fully toward Hong Seom.BACKTICK
Even now he wore plain official robes.BACKTICK
“You are both a scholar and the Left State Councillor of this kingdom. Is that not so?”BACKTICK
“That is correct.”BACKTICK
“Then you must wear splendid silks. Only then will the kingdom be seen as prosperous.”BACKTICK
“What?”BACKTICK
“If the owners of the silk shops and their servants dress in rags, what would you do?”BACKTICK
Hong Seom felt something, but he could not quite put his finger on it and simply kept silent.BACKTICK
“Do you know that merchants from Ming and the Jurchen are flooding the northern borders, while Japanese traders swarm the southern coast?”BACKTICK
“Ah...! Your Majesty, this subject’s thoughts were too shallow.”BACKTICK
A month earlier, urgent reports had poured in from every direction.BACKTICK
Once the trade posts near the borders began operating, merchants flocked in droves.BACKTICK
Salt, paper, and pencils had been sold at absurdly low prices, so more and more arrived daily.BACKTICK
Then rumors spread about Snow-white porcelai and glass mirrors.BACKTICK
More merchants arrived with silver ingots, but the posts could not supply them.BACKTICK
There was not enough stock in Hanyang to send anywhere else.BACKTICK
As a result, conflicts with merchants wanting to go to Hanyang had grown fiercer.BACKTICK
The northern border villages and the southern Busanjin had descended into chaos, yet no minister was unaware of it.BACKTICK
“All of you know what is happening at the borders. And you know we cannot block them forever.”BACKTICK
The ministers bowed their heads in silence.BACKTICK
They were currently acting as merchants they desired, but if they blocked them indefinitely, they could not be certain of what desperate acts they might commit.BACKTICK
“There is no need to worry.”BACKTICK
Yeon told them what Jeong Dae-nyeon had done.BACKTICK
By royal order, Jeong Dae-nyeon had stationed soldiers in the northern border villages and southern coastal towns.BACKTICK
“Anyone who tries to interfere with them will be executed,” he had said.BACKTICK
Therefore, even if merchants attempted trickery, there was nothing to fear.BACKTICK
“Ah...!”BACKTICK
The ministers sighed in relief and smiled at Jeong Dae-nyeon, nodding slightly.BACKTICK
“The reason I raised your salaries more than double and gave you these silks is that. This kingdom is no longer poor. It is a nation that draws the attention of the surrounding powers. Therefore you must live with dignity. Only then will they not look down on you.”BACKTICK
“That is correct, Your Majesty!”BACKTICK
“That is correct, Your Majesty!”BACKTICK
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy.BACKTICK
When they had heard that frugality was not a virtue, they had assumed the king was joking.BACKTICK
But it was not.BACKTICK
In the twenty-first century, designer cars and luxury bags displayed one’s social status.BACKTICK
Now, clothing did the same.BACKTICK
Therefore, one had to dress well to receive respect anywhere, and no one dared to insult or approach without regard.BACKTICK
So why not wear expensive garments and a costly hat?BACKTICK
The young king had simply spoken what he saw.BACKTICK
“In the future, because of Snow-white porcelai and glass mirrors, many envoys and merchants will come to this kingdom. Before them, you must uphold your status. Do you understand?”BACKTICK
“Yes, Your Majesty. We will remember.”BACKTICK
The ministers’ resounding chorus ended.BACKTICK
Yeon continued.BACKTICK
“But without strength, it cannot be maintained. That is why I have raised your salaries and decided to collect ten percent of income as tax. Only then can we raise soldiers who will defend this kingdom?”BACKTICK
“That is correct, Your Majesty!”BACKTICK
Lee Jun-gyeong stepped forward and shouted.BACKTICK
“That is correct, Your Majesty!”BACKTICK
“That is correct, Your Majesty!”BACKTICK
The ministers’ unified voice echoed, but Yeon’s heart burned.BACKTICK
Merchants had arrived far sooner than expected, so he must rapidly recruit and train the Hwaryeokgun.BACKTICK
If he did not punish those who interfered, they would keep provoking endlessly.BACKTICK
He had intended to display overwhelming military power.BACKTICK
But self-propelled grenades were for defense.BACKTICK
“I cannot chase after them with a lit fuse.”BACKTICK
So he was trying to make lighters.BACKTICK
It was no simple task.BACKTICK
The industrial base was too weak.BACKTICK
“Damn it. Making a Zippo lighter is not easy either.”