Chapter 152


    With the invention of the automatic loom and the winners of the biddingpetition determined, themercial world of Joseon began to prepare for its expansion.


    If things continue this way, Joseonsmerce will revive! No, it will grow evenrger!


    Many merchants started to actively seek opportunities, dreaming of a hopeful future.


    What could be profitable?


    Hmm shall I try trading with this item?


    Merchants searched all over the eight provinces of Joseon for items that would bring profit, as the scope of their trade expanded.


    In fact, their search was not limited to Joseon. More proactive merchants explored Ming China and Japan as well.


    Why go to Japan? Whats there to gain?


    Who knows?


    Its a ce where you could lose your head unexpectedly in a tavern, right?


    Thats why Im only nning to travel around Daehae and Guju!


    Many merchants sought new opportunities throughout Joseon, Ming, and Japan.


    However, not all merchants were equally proactive.


    As merchants who chase profits, we shouldnt recklessly embark on such ventures.


    Right. Formerce to truly expand, we need currency, which Joseoncks. We shouldnt risk it. We must face reality.


    Despite their varying values and choices, the overall scale of Joseonsmerce continued to grow.


    It wasnt justmerce that was growing. Craftsmen with their own skills began to actively utilize them.


    They had exemry models to follow.


    For instance, the couple Song Il-chul, who was gathering wealth in Hanyang through metalworks, and his wife, who was collecting wealth through financial investments, were the most notable examples.


    Not just the Song Il-chul couple, but the presence of craftsmen in Area 51, who hade to be called local lords, also motivated other craftsmen in Joseon to take risks.


    Among the craftsmen who took up the challenge, those who specialized in mother-of-pearl iy work saw the greatest increase in earnings.


    With the introduction of ss mirrors made by Italian craftsmen to the market, these artisans started producing variouscquerware furniture and essories with attached mirrors.


    These furniture and essories became a Must have not only in Joseon but also among women in Ming and Japan.


    Jihwaja! When the wateres in, row the boat!


    Hyang, upon reviewing the report from the Ministry of Taxation, immediately requested King Sejong to organize apetition.


    It was the 1st Joseon Furniture Competition.


    The first prize was 10 nyang of silver, a modest amount. However, renowned craftsmen from all over the country gathered in Hanyang.


    It was because of thepetitions supplementary prizes:


    From first to fifth ce, the pce would purchase all products made.


    The names of the winners from first to fifth ce would be promoted in government offices nationwide, in Shandongsmercial offices, and in Japanese offices.


    The key aspect was that the products would have a varying number of pear blossom designs ording to their rank, from five for first ce to one for fifth ce.


    Will it really be sessful?


    Upon hearing Hyangs proposal, Sejong was not fully convinced, but Hyang was confident.


    As it was already known through gold and silver articles, the pear blossom pattern symbolized the highest quality.


    Moreover, the situation involved ranking them. He anticipated a fiercepetition for ranking in the future.


    It will definitely be a hit!


    And the result was just as Hyang had predicted.


    The judges that were appointed, Queen Soheon and the other concubines, the crown princess, Yangje, and Yangwon, examined the submitted works with sparkling eyes.


    Seeing their reactions, Hyang muttered to himself,


    I recognize that look! Its the same one my mother and aunts had when they saw a luxury bag!


    Thus, the rankings from first to fifth ce were determined.


    As a result, both Sejong and Hyangs wallets were emptied.


    Though the submitted works were sent to Queen Soheon as a form of tribute, they had to spend money for the other participants.


    Despite the financial setback for Sejong and Hyang, what followed was as Hyang had predicted.


    The products made by the craftsmen who won awards in thepetition hosted by the King of Joseon were eagerly awaited by merchants from Ming and Japan, forming long lines.


    ***


    Not everything went as smoothly as Hyang had expected.


    Already discontented with Sejongs actions, the local officials began to fill carts with their writtenints once again.


    Upon reading theseints, Sejong called for Hyang again. This time, Hyang was prepared, having heard rumors of the influx ofints from the provinces.


    Do you know what to do?


    Yes, Father. Shall I start with these?


    Quickly pulling a pile ofints toward him, Hyang untied the scrolls and began reading them.


    How is it? Any worthwhile writings there?


    As Hyang diligently read and sorted theints, he sighed in response to Sejongs question.


    Phew What a waste of paper.


    Is that so I had hoped for some decent ones this time


    Sejong couldnt hide his disappointment at Hyangs response. He still couldnt suppress his desire for talented individuals.


    Well Given the ongoing shortage of talent


    Hyang understood Sejongs feelings. Despite being filled time and again, there was still a shortage of talent in the current Joseon government and administrative structure.


    Phew Whether this guy or that, they all go on about luxury being the fast track to the ruin of a nation, etc., etc. They should stop wearing silk robes themselves.


    While grumbling and irritably untying the knots of theints, which mostly argued that luxury would lead to the nations downfall and thatmerce should be strictly controlled, Hyangs expression suddenly changed as he straightened up and his eyes sparkled.


    Will you look at this.


    Hyang, meticulously reading theints, approached Sejong with one in hand.


    Father, I think Ive found something.


    Oh? Let me see it.


    Sejongs face lit up as he received theint from Hyang.


    As he read through it, Sejong pped his knee in approval.


    Excellent! Its been a while since Ive found someone with such deep thoughts!


    Indeed, Your Majesty.


    Theint Hyang found foresaw a trade dispute.


    <em> No one would simply watch as others take the wealth stored in their own granary. </em>


    <em> Looking at Joseons current situation, we are garnering substantial profits from Ming and Japan. Fortunately, the products currently sold to Ming and Japan are mainly luxury goods, posing little risk of major issues. </em>


    <em> However, merchants will increasingly desire more profit, eventually even selling low-priced, high-volume goods. </em>


    <em> If we start selling everything from luxury items to cheap goods, we risk arousing hostility from Ming and Japan. </em>


    <em> If it gets severe, Ming, as a major trading nation, might exert pressure, and Japan could see a resurgence of pirate activity. </em>


    <em> To solve this, we need to carefully select items that wont harm Joseon, produced and sold in Ming and Japan. This way, the wealth obtained from these countries circtes within their borders, and Joseon can maintain a steady trade by only taking a reasonable amount of wealth, thus preserving good rtions. </em>


    This is good.


    After reading theint, Sejong nodded approvingly and sorted it into a separate pile.


    Now, evenints were being used as opportunities to discover talent.


    This practice eventually became a trend, giving rise to a phenomenon called Trial of Expression, where people usedints as a means to achieve rapid career advancement.


    ***


    Ultimately, the local officials exploded in frustration when their arguments were once again disregarded.


    This is tyranny from the monarch!


    Can we even say that free speech exists in this situation?


    If this continues, Joseon will fall!


    In the eyes of the local officials, Sejong was turning a deaf ear and a blind eye, ruling tyrannically.


    What measures should we take?


    Indeed.


    Among the local officials, a tense and uneasy atmosphere was increasingly palpable.


    As the harvest season of Sejongs 11th year approached, Sejong threw several bombshells at the local officials.


    The first was the ve Law.


    <em> A child born to a female ve will inherit the status of the father. </em>


    <em> If the father of the child born to a ve is amoner, the child will have the status of amoner. </em>


    <em> If the child born to a ve is ofmoner status, the mother ve will be granted freedom. </em>


    <em> If the father of the child born to a ve is married, the above uses will not apply. </em>


    This specific part sparked some debate among Hyang, Sejong, and the ministers.


    Isnt this too heartless?


    To Hyangs objection, Sejong and the ministers all shook their heads.


    No, its not. A minimum level of morality must be maintained.


    Exactly. Without this use, there would be daily disputes in the viges.


    Faced with the firm stance of Sejong and the ministers, Hyang had no choice but to step back.


    Well, given the times


    Hmm A bit disappointing, but it seems fair enough.


    This was the general reaction of most local officials.


    However, what caught their attention the most was thetter part of thew.


    A use about granting freedom?


    Why suddenly bring up freedom?


    Thetter part of the ve Law dealt with the emancipation of ves.


    Emancipation of ves cannot be done during the spring hunger period.


    When emancipating a ve, one must provide enough wealth for them to live for three months.


    If a ve has a family, they must be emancipated as a unit. However, unmarried adult ves, both male and female, are excluded.


    At this point, Hyang clicked his tongue.


    Tsk. If they had included adults, it would have caused an uproar But still


    Pausing for a moment, Hyang let out a wryugh.


    This is the poison pill of thew. It seems that even Father has a strong knack for cunning strategies.


    The most surprising element in the continued regtions on emancipation was thest use.


    ves over the age of 60 cannot be emancipated.


    Ironically, this was a point strongly advocated by Hyang.


    Crown Prince, ording to your usual arguments, this part seems illogical, doesnt it?


    In response to Sejongs question, Hyang replied immediately.


    Not at all, Your Majesty. It is consistent with my usual stance.


    How so?


    Whenbined with other uingws, the local officials will inevitably have to emancipate their ves. In that case, the first to be emancipated would be the elderly, who have no value asbor.


    Ah!


    Upon hearing Hyangs exnation, Sejong and the ministers eximed in admiration and nodded in agreement. To himself, Hyang mumbled,


    Didnt my American history professor in the 21st century say something like this?


    The American history professor back then had told the students:


    -Before the war, Southern ntation owners were so opposed to freeing ves. But after the war ended, they weed it. Why? Because it gave them an easy way to get rid of old ves who were just consuming food without providingbor.


    Recalling her 21st-century memories, Hyang muttered with a bitter expression,


    Given the current state of Joseon, we cant even dream of welfare for elderly without family. Its inevitable that we have to pass this burden onto the local officials.


    ***


    Thus, in the fall of Sejongs 11th year, when the ve Law was promulgated, the reaction of most local officials was somewhat uniform.


    Its notpletely satisfactory, but its eptable.


    However, a minority of the officials scrutinized thews with suspicion.


    The uses about emancipation seem dubious. Why suddenly introduce regtions on emancipation?


    The mere establishment of criteria for emancipation is too suspicious to simply overlook.


    But why now, of all times?


    With these doubts, the officials focused their attention keenly on the movements in Hanyang.


    Soon after, anotherw was promulgated, causing the officials topletely forget their suspicions.


    Following the ve Law, the new legition was about the treatment of those who passed the civil service exams (like the saengwon and jinsa exams) but had not taken up official positions.


    The content of the newly announcedw was straightforward.


    Those who passed the saengwon exam more than 10 years ago and the jinsa exam more than 5 years ago, but have not taken up official posts, will be deprived of their tax exemptions. Furthermore, they will be removed from the local records. Only those who have retired from government positions or have been awarded honorary positions for their contributions may be recorded in the local records.''


    It was aw that stripped the local gentry, who prided themselves as schrs, of their prestige and honor.