Chapter 52

Chapter 52

“Ah! It’s moving!”

Upon witnessing the train in motion, King Sejong clapped with delight.

Hyang, watching with a proud face, opened his mouth to speak, “This is the land transportation system I’ve been thinking about that uses steam engines. If research proves successful, one could travel from Hanyang to Busan in a single day. No, we could move from the southernmost to the northernmost tip of Joseon in a day. If that happens...” Hyang’s words trailed off, prompting King Sejong and the ministers to focus their attention on him. With all eyes on him, Hyang finally delivered his conclusion—

“....If that happens, the once stagnant pulse of Joseon will beat again.”

“The pulse of Joseon will beat again?”

“Yes, that’s correct. If we look at the current situation, the pulse of Joseon is stagnant. There is virtually no movement of goods, and the common people are unable to leave their place of birth, they live and die on the same land. Unless a significant event happens, they won’t know what is happening in the outside world, and their lives remain unchanging. Then, who do you think benefits the most? Only the landlords who rule these villages benefit. Isn’t it the same even now? Why did Your Majesty prohibit accusations from the populace? Even though there are as many disadvantages as there are benefits.”

At the mention of the ‘Law Prohibiting Accusations from the Populace1‘, the faces of King Sejong and the ministers hardened.

Upon its founding, Joseon strived to strengthen central authority. Conflict with local powers and administrators appointed by the central government was inevitable. Whenever such conflicts arose, a deluge of accusations followed. The countless accusations filed by local nobles against officials, either individually or in collusion, had more than once filled King Sejong’s desk.

Eventually, King Sejong made a decisive move.

“Confucius said that ‘The military is one body!’ The regional officials are those who have been sent on behalf of this oneself, to carry out this oneself’s will! Just as it is not in accordance with propriety for a child to criticize their parents, it is also not in accordance with propriety to criticize them!”

Referring to the classics, King Sejong created a law prohibiting accusations from the populace, which even the reigning King Taejong agreed to implement.

However, the Crown Prince’s comment on the ‘benefits and disadvantages’ suggested there was a problem with the ‘Law Prohibiting Accusations from the Populace’.

“So, you’re saying that it was not right to prohibit accusations from the populace?”

“In the previous situation, it was an unavoidable choice to prohibit accusations from the populace. But as time goes by, those who take advantage of this to satisfy their own greed will appear. Isn’t Your Majesty trying to prevent this by pushing for reforms?”

“Well, that is true.”

“I believe that everything in this world, if it has a beginning, it also has an end. Even people have lifespans, so why shouldn’t laws have them too?”

“Well, that’s a valid point.” Upon hearing Hyang’s words, King Sejong nodded in agreement.

Hyang then turned his gaze towards the Minister of Law and Enforcement, Heo Jo, who was standing behind Sejong, and continued, “I think the important thing about a law is not its content, but the principle it represents. Your Majesty prohibited accusations from the populace because you wished for your will to be properly executed even in remote areas, so once the reforms are completed, won’t this law become unnecessary?”

“Well, that is true.” King Sejong repeatedly nodded his head, and Heo Jo, who was known to be a strict principled person, also nodded.

Hyang first knew about Heo Jo when he switched sides from the former Left State Councilor to Sejong’s party. Hyang, who had predicted that if a purge took place, Heo Jo would be washed away with the Left State Councilor, was perplexed by Heo Jo’s change of course.

“A principled person, you say? Why is he so fickle?”

As time passed and Hyang gathered various rumors, he revised his assessment of Heo Jo.

“This gentleman is a staunch royalist and Confucian fundamentalist, he’s in a risky position...”

While adjusting his assessment of Heo Jo, Hyang changed the subject.

‘He will be a useful card if there’s a problem with the Avengers in the future.’The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

And so, Hyang continued his explanation, having broached the ‘Law Prohibiting Accusations from the Populace.’

“If we look at how blocked the roads are in Joseon right now, there are famous villages for apples and pears, but it takes so much effort just to cross one mountain to see them, and if we cross two mountains, it would be fair to say, ‘there is such a thing.'”

‘Oh! I want to eat the mackerel from Andong... Argh, my mind’s wandering off again!’

Hyang hurriedly gathered his thoughts and continued, “However, if we lay down these railroads and run trains, we can move many people and goods at once. Then, Joseon, which has been stagnant like a pond, will flow steadily like a stream.”

“Hmm...”

After Hyang’s explanation ended, King Sejong stroked his beard, lost in thought.

“Your Excellency, look here.”

As King Sejong was contemplating, Hwang Hee called Jeong-cho in a soft voice.

“What is it, Sir Hwang?”

“It’s just a little bit.”

“Hmm...”

At Hyang’s response, King Sejong sighed as he opened the book.

“Hoo~.”

The book was filled with sentences written in small characters. As he read the densely written sentences, King Sejong muttered quietly, “I hate metal pens at times like these.”

The reason why the officials preferred metal pens over brush pens was that they could write smaller. Although a brush pen could also write small using fine calligraphy, a metal pen could write even smaller. This reduced the consumption of paper compared to the past, which was good, but it was a torture for the ministers whose vision was declining. Hence, King Sejong had to specify a minimum character size for official documents.

Having briefly examined the content of the book that was on top, King Sejong handed the book over to Hwang Hee.

“I think it’s worth reviewing. Examine it with the rest of the ministers.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Having handed over the books to Hwang Hee and the ministers, King Sejong examined the interior of the room where the railway model was placed. He hadn’t had the chance to look around as his attention was drawn to the railway model as soon as he entered.

“There are many maps?”

“Yes. There’s a world map derived from Zheng He’s navigation records, and a map of Joseon based on the surveys by researchers who went out for astronomical measurements to correct the ephemeris2.”

“Hmm...”

As he examined the map of Joseon hung on the wall, King Sejong turned to look at Hyang. “It’s much more precise than the old maps.”

“It’s thanks to the researchers’ efforts.”

“The hard work is evident. Everyone, come and see.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The moment King Sejong’s order fell, the officials approached and began examining the maps. The one showing the deepest interest was Jo Mal-saeng3. After scrutinizing the maps, he made a request to King Sejong.

“Your Majesty, the army is in most need of these precise maps. Although we have gathered talents through military reform, there are many shortcomings in carrying out their intentions, and the maps are part of them. Please bestow these maps to the army.”

“The Minister of Military Affairs speaks truly. Crown Prince, make sure to pass these maps to the military.”

“I will obey your order. However, is it alright even if they are not the finalized version?”

“They are not the final versions?”

“The research institute has only been established for seven months. We lack people, so it’s impossible to produce a proper outcome.”

“We lack people?”

As King Sejong pondered, Jeong-cho spoke earnestly, “Indeed, the lack of talented personnel is a serious issue. Even now, including us, the rest of the members of the research institute can hardly go home.”

“Is it that serious?”

At King Sejong’s words, Jeong-cho nodded his head with a face that seemed on the verge of tears.

“As you can see, Your Majesty, we’re not just dealing with one or two tasks. There are many tasks and few people, how can we possibly be comfortable?”

“Can’t we gather more people?”

At King Sejong’s question, Jeong-cho replied, almost whimpering. “The rumors of the work being arduous deter people from coming. Initially, we managed to bring people in with promises of promotion, but whenever the number of people increased, you assigned more work... As you may see, the research institute has barely been established for over half a year, but it has produced so many artifacts and performed tasks. Among these tasks, not a single one is easy.”

Recalling the hardships, Jeong-cho’s eyes filled with tears, and he could not continue his words properly.

Looking at the pitiful state of the elderly official, King Sejong glared at Hyang. Upon receiving King Sejong’s sharp gaze, Hyang playfully stuck out his tongue.

“Oops!”

“You rascal! Enough!”

__________ ????FootnotesDuring the Joseon Dynasty, there was a law called “부민고소금지법 (Bumin Gosogumjib)” that prohibited the filing of complaints against high-ranking officials by commoners. This law aimed to protect the privileged class and maintain the social hierarchy. Under this law, commoners were not allowed to take legal action or bring grievances against the aristocracy or government officials, regardless of any injustices they may have experienced. The law essentially shielded the elite from accountability and prevented commoners from seeking justice or challenging the authority of those in power.[↩]a table or data file giving the calculated positions of a celestial object at regular intervals throughout a period.[↩]Minister of Military Affairs during King Taejong’s and Sejong’s reign. In the history, he was a civil officer during King Taejong and King Sejong’s reign. In 1401, he passed the civil service exam and became a government officer. Even though he was involved in bribery scandal in 1428, he was seen as competent as King Sejong never allowed him to resign even if he appealed to the king about his health problems several times. In the end, he couldn’t retire before his death as is often the case with King Sejong’s subjects.[↩]___________