The Gongdan and the Hwaryeok Military Academy (Part 5)
The Firepower Military Academy allowed even slaves to take the entrance exam. The details were even more radical than expected. Unlike the military exam, which divided into practical and written sections, the academy exam separated real skills from theory.
In the practical exam, they would only assess physical strength. Carry a 20-kilogram sandbag, race up and down a mountain trail from the training ground to the very top of Namsan Mountain—more than 9 kilometers round-trip—and finish it all within four hours. Emphasizing that physical fitness was the most important factor.
After that, they would take the written exam right away. The first virtue of a junior officer was the ability to make the correct judgment even in the direst of circumstances. Also, if you knew just the first steps of Hangul and math, the written exam would pose no problem.
The entire court erupted in chaos. This exam negated everything the military exam had valued until now, and the ministers’ opposition was severe.
“Your Majesty, this is impossible. No matter how much the Firepower Army is the royal army, it is still the army that protects the country. How can officers in command of them not know military documents?”
“We’ll teach them.”
“Even so, without knowing the military classics, how will they guide and nurture the people?”
“Therefore, from now on, anyone involved with the Firepower Army will be barred from participating in court affairs and even managing the people.”
“What?”
“They are to focus solely on protecting the nation and expanding its territory. Isn’t that right?”
“I don’t see any problem, Your Majesty.”
Only then did the ministers stop opposing. In fact, they grew even more enthusiastic. They had assumed they would face stiff competition, but no.
This information was spread across the entire country. Anyone who passed the exam would receive a salary corresponding to the ninth rank, it was announced.
“That way, many will apply.”
Even so, the King remained uneasy. So it was decided that only one hundred candidates would be selected each year.
“Then we’ll have enough time to meet.”
Joseon already had many talented people, but if they were not dug out and put to use, they would remain nothing more than a pipe dream.
The King therefore instructed the ministers to inform their acquaintances. Unlike those who had passed the military exam and could now participate in politics, these individuals would perform an honorable task—protecting the nation and expanding its territory. If they were injured or killed during such an honorable endeavor, the King would personally care for their families, staking the royal honor on it.
The ministers hurriedly sent letters to their relatives. The thought that even if they failed to achieve merit and died, it could still bring glory to their clan.
Yi Yeon studied Kim Myeong-won closely once more. Despite his large frame, he appeared to have a warm, meticulous heart, given that he had taken in even the children of the poor village.
“He is certainly qualified.”
From what I knew and from his recent actions, he was perfect as vice principal. The practical exam focused solely on physical strength, so many young men were likely to pass, and Kim Myeong-won seemed well suited to look after them. His command skills were lacking, but with both literary and martial talent, he would excel at managing and instructing the cadets.
“The man won’t even be called ‘appointed official.’”
The academy was overseen by the palace, but appointing a complete stranger as vice principal would surely invite ministers’ objections.
“What do you think? I would like to appoint you as vice principal of the Firepower Military Academy.”
“What?”
“I myself will be the principal. It may be symbolic, but I will also teach them. Therefore, all administrative duties will fall to the vice principal, and that is the position I will give you.”
“What?!
“Are you unwilling?”
“I’m not unwilling, but I fear I may not be able to handle it.”
“Why is that?”
“I once shot a bow and rode horses, studied military classics for the military exam. But I have never seen cannons or grenades. So I wonder if I can handle it well.”
“Special instructors have already been prepared for those subjects. Do not worry.”
“In that case, I will accept the post.”
Kim Myeong-won accepted the King’s proposal without hesitation. Just earlier he had thought that if this were the sort of King he could serve beside. But as vice principal, he was essentially the highest authority, since the King himself would be principal.
Therefore, it would bring glory to his clan.
“Then submit your resignation and report immediately to the training ground to oversee the Firepower Military Academy entrance exam.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
After sending him off, Yi Yeon began preparing to head to Ganghwado. The rotary line for mass-producing the multi-barreled cannons had been completed, so he would go in person and make the next preparations.
* * *
Yi Yeon instructed his second brother to use Yeonggeung Palace (Deoksugung) for the purpose. He had been unable to find a suitable place to prepare the Joseon Bank, but he had heard it was empty. He also ordered a large plot to be prepared beside it and to build the main branch of the Joseon Bank.
“Although it starts small now, it will become enormous in the future.”
The royal kinsmen, riding palanquins, entered Yeonggeung Palace one by one. The second brother, despite his status as Grand Prince, personally welcomed them. Now twenty-three years old, he was showing perfect courtesy toward the elder kinsmen.
“My little prince, why have you summoned us once again?”
Hee, the second son of King Jungjong and, to Yi Yeon, a great uncle, was Haean-gun (海安君) Yi Hui (李㟓).
“Grand Prince, I apologize for summoning you here like this. However, I received an order from His Majesty and came to inform you, so I ask for your understanding.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Grand Prince. I ask for your continued favor once again.”
“Hmm… Did His Majesty order us to pay taxes as well?”
“There are such matters, but there is also other news. Please come inside at once.”
“Very well.”
Haen-gun had been impeached twice during Jungjong’s reign, yet he possessed a gentle nature and had no enemies. He had many followers.
Yi Yeon had therefore asked through his second brother, and thanks to him the royal kinsmen had been able to abolish the royal salt monopoly.
The second brother spoke first from the circle of seats.
“Thanks to all of you, the royal assets are growing every day.”
The elder kinsmen smiled warmly and looked at one another.
The salt monopoly had been taken away, but they received compensation in return, so there was no cause for complaint.
In addition, every time royal assets increased, they received gifts, and this time they had received large quantities of the finest silk from Ming, so they were very pleased.
“With that money, we will begin full-scale operations of the Joseon Bank.”
“Already?”
“Yes. The managers’ salaries will be paid in coin, so the bank must operate promptly to match.”
“If it’s such a matter, couldn’t we handle it ourselves? Why did you call us?”
The kinsmen who had strongly opposed the abolition of the salt monopoly asked in an displeased tone.
“It is His Majesty’s order that the kinsmen participate in the operations of the Joseon Bank.”
“Participate in the operations? What does that mean?”
“It means you are to take charge of the branches being built across the Eight Provinces and manage the bank staff.”
“Managing the staff who lend out money means becoming a lender, doesn’t it?”
“You may look at it that way, but it is an important matter. Please accept.”
“Hah! This is absurd!”
He stared at Haen-gun in astonishment. Although there were older men present, Haen-gun was currently the closest to the King after the two Grand Princes, and was treated with great respect.
Haen-gun cleared his throat and spoke.
“Hmm… Although His Majesty is young, everyone knows he has no one to follow his wisdom.”
The kinsmen all nodded.
When he first ascended the throne, he had thought he would be a puppet king receiving advice from the Grand Council. But that was not the case.
Without doing anything particularly special, at some point he had captured the ministers’ hearts and made them voluntarily follow.
Even themselves.
“So, may I ask why His Majesty gave such an order?”
“Of course, Grand Prince.”
The second brother straightened his posture and continued.
“His Majesty said that if wealth is before one’s eyes, problems will inevitably arise. Therefore, managing it is most important. Also, it should not be entrusted to anyone.”
“Could we be trusted?”
“He said he does not trust us.”
“The King does not trust us.”
Sighs of dissatisfaction rose from all around.
Haen-gun waved his hand to silence them and asked,
“So you are entrusting this task to us?”
“His Majesty said this: When a country perishes, the first to be purged is the King, and after that the royal kinsmen.”
“The King: When a country perishes, the first to be purged is the King, and after that the royal kinsmen.”
The kinsmen sighed again, feeling uneasy.
Nevertheless, the second brother continued without pause.
“His Majesty said that even if the King is incompetent, the country does not perish, but if the people are chaotic, the country will definitely perish. Therefore, the people must be properly guided, which requires the royal family to set an example first. Only then will the ministers follow, and the people will not become chaotic.”
“The King: If the people are chaotic, the country perishes. The royal family must set an example first.”
The kinsmen looked at one another, bewildered. It sounded as though he was asking whether the chicken came before the egg, but he was plainly telling them that all problems stemmed from them—the royal kinsmen themselves.
The kinsmen gave dissatisfied glances, but Haen-gun nodded.
“You have spoken the obvious. It is an undeniable truth that clear water at the top makes the water below clear. So you are telling us to monitor the bank staff and that the kinsmen should monitor one another?”
“How did you know that?”
The second brother, who was forced to voice the thoughts he had been holding, asked in surprise.
“If it were His Majesty, he would have said exactly that. But he must have added conditions—what are they?”
“Hah! Truly magnificent, Grand Prince.”
Haen-gun had wanted to say “Anyone could figure that out,” but he kept his mouth shut and only smiled.
Especially so he would not shock the young Harung-gun.
The second brother gave an incredulous expression and repeated the King’s words exactly.
“The conditions His Majesty set for me are as follows. Instead of a title that brings fame, you work for the royal family, so you will receive separate compensation corresponding to the first rank. If results are achieved without fail, you will receive one-tenth of the performance as a bonus.”
“Bonus of 10% of performance.”
The kinsmen exclaimed in surprise simultaneously.
The pension would remain the same, and in addition to separate compensation, a 10% bonus was even better.
“Do we also have to pay taxes on the bonus?”
“Yes. His Majesty said that anyone with income must pay taxes. Only then can the country be maintained.”
“Correct. That is how the country will become prosperous.”
Haen-gun exaggerated, sensing the King’s intent.
Then he looked at each kinsman in turn around the table. Their expressions were not good.
But since the King himself was paying the 10% tax and the ministers would follow, no one objected, knowing such a thing was inevitable.
“Ah! Like here, we are also building ninety-nine-room houses beside the bank. You may live there as soon as it is completed.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Grand Prince.”
Yi Yeon had given them as much as he could, but if they caused trouble, he would deal with them firmly. That was why he ordered ninety-nine-room houses— the maximum size an individual could build—to be erected beside the branch bank.
It was still under two hundred pyeong, yet he could visit at any time to monitor the bank staff.
“But did you hear why His Majesty is doing so much for us?”
“I apologize, Grand Prince. I did not hear.”
“Hmm…”
Haen-gun nodded and fell into thought.
“He must have had spies to keep watch.”
The young King had rarely received audiences even when requested, and when he did, he said little.
Those with short tempers used it as an excuse to find fault, but he saw it differently because there were spies beside the King.
“Serving the King is truly a difficult task.”
His younger brother Injong was assassinated the day he ascended the throne, and Myeongjong had not fared well either.
He had not expected much from this King either. The gentry’s influence was growing stronger, and there was the issue of legitimacy. He had thought that if ministers turned on the King over it, there would be nothing he could do.
Yet the King had surpassed all expectations and was doing well.
“Then I must help.”
Haen-gun found lending money distasteful, but he decided to act.
“I will do it regardless of others. Please convey this to His Majesty.”
“Is this true, Grand Prince?”
The second brother stared at Haen-gun in disbelief. He had invited him to persuade the others, yet he had volunteered to do it himself.
“This life returns to dust when I die, but for the country and the royal family, I will do it once.”
“Thank you, Grand Prince.”
Haen-gun’s willingness prompted the other kinsmen to volunteer one after another. It was better to do something than to live like a playboy.
They then asked how soon they could begin. At that moment the second brother took out the book “Financial First Steps” given by Yi Yeon and distributed it.
“What is this?”
“Once you read it, you will understand. It says that in the coming age, those who control finance will control everything.”
“What?”
“His Majesty told me this: All disputes and wars in the world are caused by wealth. Therefore, if we seize the financial power that can shake that wealth, our Joseon royal family will endure forever.”
The kinsmen quickly flipped through the book, reading the content.
But the second brother spoke innocently.
“Since finance is so important, if anyone tries to play with it, His Majesty said he would cut their hands and heads off.”
“Anyone who attempts to interfere with finance will have their hands and heads cut off.”
The second brother smiled thinly.
Looking at the startled elder kinsmen.
* * *