Chapter 166


    Following Sejongs order, the rebellious ns were shattered.


    With the adult male heads of families and ns all participating in the uprising, it was frequent for 15 year old boys to now be the eldest of families.


    However, that was just the beginning of tragedy.


    Regardless of age, those participating in the uprising were executed. Especially those who killed rtives opposing participation were dismembered.


    That was not the end of the affairs. ording to both Joseons Economic Primary Six Codes and Economic Land War (the revised version), sons of rebel participants over 15 years  the proper age to hold ancestral rites  were all given strokes of the rod.


    With rebels moving by entire ns, it brought even greater disaster.


    Byw, collective punishment reached up to 3rd cousins of the offender. And those who fell under collective punishment were sentenced to exile.


    Of course, depending on the will of the powerful, that scope could be expanded. However, with entire ns participating in this uprising, there were no such exiles to take ce.


    As a result, through this uprising, the noblemen society of the three southern provinces received a destructive blow.


    Looking solely at the percentage of noblemen who faced destruction through this uprising  40% for Chungcheong Province, 38% for Gyeongsang Province, 33% for Jeo Province. But when looking at the economic side  55%, 62%, and 69% of farmnds respectively fell into government hands. Or more precisely, into Sejongs hands.


    So did they have to raise a rebellion after all.


    Looking over the report raised by the Ministry of Taxation, Sejong was so shocked he couldnt speak properly.


    Nearly half, or more than half, of Joseons important granary regions except for Gyeonggi Province had been under these noblemens control.


    The contents in the thick tome report from the Ministry of Taxation were more than just that. As Sejong looked over thetter half, his expression turned fiercely sinister.


    Is this truly a fact?


    At Sejongs question, Kim Jeom promptly replied.


    It is true.


    Those bastards need to be ripped to death!


    Sejong revealed his anger in full.


    The contents of thetter half of the report was about property seized from ns joining the uprising. Even excluding real estate like farms and forests, the total value of seized assets rivaled 15 years of tax revenue for the court. Simply put, it meant the court could run the government for 15 years if the missing tax revenue were truly collected.


    Those ungrateful bastards.


    With those gnashed teeth words, Sejongs jowls shivered.


    Your Majesty! Please quell your justified anger!


    Please quell your justified anger!


    Urged by ministers like Kim Jeom to settle his anger, Sejong took deep breaths to quell his rage.


    After a long bout of deep breathing, having cooled his rage to some extent, Sejong spoke while gazing at the ministers.


    From the final years of thete kings reign all the way until my first 5 years, we held rites, praying for rainevery year. And every year, petitions from across the country reporting people starving to death poured in endlessly, followed by regional governors persistence that this should be resolved.


    That is correct.


    In such a situation, to have amassed wealth like this Is it possible that this happened through legitimate means?


    .


    The ministers said nothing to Sejongs question. Because they had their fair share of sore spots as well. A significant portion of gifts that officials ended up giving away during the <em>Kim Doyeon</em> incident were provided by these sorts of improperly enriched individuals.


    With the ministers remaining silent, Sejong looked over the report once more. Staring at the report as if to pierce it through with his re, Sejong called for the high official.


    Immediately summon the Crown Prince and Chief State Councilor.


    Yes, Your Majesty.


    Soon after being summoned, with the Chief State Councilor and Hyang in front of him, Sejong gave a brief order.


    While executing those directly involved in revolt is unavoidable,e up with ideas on how to utilize those who have fallen to very, and report back on this. The price must be paid for favoring their fellow colleagues for this long.


    We shall obey your order.


    The Chief State Councilor and Hyang lowered their heads respectfully as they answered.


    And so the answer that came out from the Hall of Worthies and research facility was 30 years ofbor in mines.


    ***


    There is only harshbor.


    Having received Sejongs order from Hyang, officials at the research facility immediately mentioned hardbor. At the officials answer, Hyang nodded as he added on.


    While that may be the answer, I dont think its the correct solution. Where and how the penal servitude is carried out is the issue. Others must clearly see they are paying the proper price right now. Additionally, those doing the same work cannot receive simr treatment. Lastly, escape must not be easy.


    Ah


    At Hyangs stated conditions, all the officials cocked their heads.


    Amid deep thought, Jeong Inji made a proposal.


    What do you think about assigning them to the road constructions currently in progress?


    At Jeong Injis words, Jeong-cho raised objections.


    Hasnt it already been decided that road constructions will be handled by private consortiums?


    That is true. However, ording to the ns just formted, very little of the roads will be straight. Due to mountains and rivers.


    Thats a fair point.


    Bringing over a map and spreading it out on the desk, Jeong Inji continued his exnation tracing lines with his finger.


    Im saying we assign them to the straightening reconstruction process for these roads. Drilling tunnels through mountains and rather than just picking narrow parts of rivers for bridges, erecting them at points closest to a straight line. Of course construction difficulty and capital investment will be significantly greater. We use criminals for that challenging construction work.


    Hmm.


    Sounds decent.


    At Jeong Injis words, officials at the research facility all had expressions as if it made sense.


    However, the head supervisor of the project, Hyang, shook his head.


    No good.


    Why not?


    Asked for the reason, Hyang immediately exined it.


    First, road construction sites are ces where people live. Risk of escape is high.


    If separate detention facilities are built for the regions undergoing challenging constructions.


    No matter how many detention facilities you build, road work sites have viges right over a mountain or two. Plus those sites are covered with dangerous tools like hoes, axes, and shovels. If something goes wrong, it could lead to casualties for neighboring viges.


    Still though.


    Secondly, handing road constructions to private consortiums also serve the purposes of circting funds, gathering personnel, expanding currency cirction, and expanding Joseons economic scale. Mass assigning criminals there? It may fall short of expected goals.


    Ah.


    As Hyangs exnation continued, Jeong Injis head drooped lower and lower. Seeing that, Hyang looked around at the other officials.


    Lastly, theyll be building bridges and digging tunnels through mountains. Challenging constructions. As those types of projects are underway, theborers will gain experience and be skilled technicians.


    Taking a short break and catching his breath, Hyang pointed out a critical problem.


    However, teaching such important skills and techniques to criminals, and especially those convicted of treason  does it seem reasonable to you? For ordinary criminals providing skills and reforming them makes sense so they nevermit crimes again, but rebels are different, are they not?


    As Hyang pointed out the political issue, Jeong Inji waved the white g.


    My thinking was a bit shortsighted.


    While the idea was good, you didnt consider the political problem. Go back and ponder this a little more.


    Yes.


    As such, Hyang and research facility officials put their heads together agonizing over one proposal after another while going over various reports and maps from the Boards of the Interior and Revenue.


    What made Hyang and his officials rack their brains was the issue of disdained statuses tied to certain professions.


    Itd be perfect if we use them for either minebor or oarsmen for ships.


    With that disdained status problem, theres already fewer and fewer who want those roles. How will we handle securing manpower in the future?


    Ugh.


    One day while Hyang was going over documents at Area 51, Lee Chun came to find him.


    Your Highness, have you heard the news?


    What news?


    As Hyang asked in puzzlement, Lee Chun made a faint smile and continued speaking.


    Though an official report will soon reach the court, arge iron mine has been discovered in a newly pioneered region.


    At Lee Chuns words, Hyangs eyes lit up.


    An iron mine, you say? Where is it?


    At Hyangs question, Lee Chun took down a map from the wall and spread it out on the desk, pointing to one spot.


    Right here.


    Nodding as he looked over where Lee Chun indicated, Hyang said,


    Looks decent. Well need to research more on this. Thank you, general.


    You tter me. As a retainer of Joseon, Im just doing my assigned tasks.


    Following Hyangs order, officials from the research center immediately rode off northward.


    What brings people from Hanseong here?


    The Crown Prince sent us.


    The dispatched official held out Hyangs letter of introduction to Hwang Hui. After checking the letters contents, Hwang Hui called for his scribe.


    Go and


    Im right here!


    Hearing Kim Jong-seos voice from right next door, Hwang Hui scowled.


    That rascal dashes to Hanseong no matter rain or shine.


    In a low voice, he mutteredints as he gave orders to Kim Jong-seo.


    Hand over duplicated written materials on the mountain to them and if necessary, carry out on-site investigations as well.


    Yes, sir! Then please follow me!


    With high spirits, Kim Jong-seo led the research center officials off.


    Where is the most popr pleasure quarter in Hanseong these days? How about gisaengs


    Listening to Kim Jong-seos very excited inquiries about this and that regarding Hanseong, Hwang Huis face crumpled up.


    His love for Hanseong is always.


    ***


    Having obtained data through that process, Hyang and research center officials soon chose Muan-san as the most ideal location.


    With the mountain and Tumen River surrounding on three sides, the only exit is the Cheongjin road. Surveince will be easy.


    Since it is an open mine, utilizing female penalbor will also carry less burden. Additionally, it is the optimal position to supply iron to the second imperial ironworks scheduled for construction near Cheongjin.


    Following the report by Hyang and research officials, Sejong made his decision.


    Send the criminals to Mt. Musan forbor!


    ***


    ording to Sejongs decree, surviving members from rebellious ns had their status demoted to very and were dragged off to the iron mines in Mt. Musan and coal mines near Gyeongheung, which was discovered recently  called Aoji in the 21st century.


    Once Sejong made his decision, those locked up in regional offices prisons and garrison prisons started heading north. The number of people who began relocating like this reached approximately 110,000  n members and ves owned by ns.


    In this process of moving north, considerable sacrifices urred. Those who tried escaping when chances appeared, were caught and killed. Those in despair over their circumstances,mitted suicide. As well as many who copsed from mental shock and physical exhaustion, dying on route.


    Those that died were carelessly buried in hillsides nearby.


    Move it!


    At the escort soldiers shouts, those remaining had no choice but to move their unsteady feet, tears flowing.


    Having suddenly gone from living well as noblemen to the wretched status of ves overnight. At the torment of having to bury their own family without proper rites, they went on moving. The minds of these survivors grew increasingly devastated.


    ***


    One day in the distant future, progressive schrs used this incident and the earlier Purging of Rebels event tounch fierce criticisms on Sejong.


    Sejong was a tyrant!


    The heated debates between these progressive historians and their conservative counterparts stirred up the field of history.


    ***


    The Southern Provinces Uprising sent massive ripples across Joseon society. As an aftermath of this uprising, the courts centralization of power was further strengthened while local noblemen became increasingly subdued.


    In the process, an unexpected victim emerged  vige schools scattered across the nation.


    Having received reports that the rebels began their conspiracies and formed cliques in vige schools, Sejong ordered their abolition.


    Though created for holding memorial rites to the shrines of Great Schr, and cultivating schrly principles, they have be hotbeds for the unrestful! Thus vige schools will be abolished! Memorial rites to past sages will be handled by the Sunkyunkwan, so those desiring to hold rites ought to properly do so bying to the Sunkyunkwan!


    In the past, once this order came down, not only would ministers but local noblemen across thend rise up in defiance. However, with Sejongs royal authority being absolute and righteousnesspletely in his grasp, no prominent local nobleman dared to resist.


    And so before that year Gi-Yu ended, vige schools across Joseon were dismantled.