Black Corporation: Joseon

After pondering silently for a long time, King Sejong soon opened his mouth.

“I will establish specialized educational institutions and research institutes to study the words of the sages and contemplate principles. Therefore, ministers, deliberate on this plan and present it to me.”

At King Sejong’s words, the ministers bowed their heads and replied.

“We humbly accept your command.”

***

After the meeting in Geunjeongjeon Hall ended, the ministers who left moved to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Naturally, the topic of discussion among the ministers gathered in the Prime Minister’s office meeting room was the educational institution King Sejong had mentioned.

“What do you think we should do?”

To Maeng Sa-seong’s question, Jo Gye-saeng answered with a matter-of-fact expression.

“What do you mean what should we do? His Majesty has commanded it, so of course we must create it.”

“Who doesn’t know that? How exactly should we frame it, what kind of faculty should we fill it with, and who should be the target for admission? Don’t we need to decide all these things?”

“Can’t we just proceed by drawing on our previous experience?”

At Jo Gye-saeng’s reply, Hwang Hui intervened with an exasperated expression.

“Is that what His Majesty wants?”

“…”

At Hwang Hui’s point, Jo Gye-saeng fell silent. Seeing this, Hwang Hui placed his hand on his forehead and made a remark.

“Do you still not know what the result will be if we proceed so comfortably? Do you feel at ease only after hearing His Majesty’s tsk and reproach?”

“N-no, that’s not it.”

At Jo Gye-saeng’s answer, Hwang Hui burst out shouting.

“You sir! Then why say such things! Have you only known His Majesty for a day or two? It’s gotten easier lately! Agh! Every time you do this, my insides burn black! Do you understand?”

“Lord, Lord, please calm down…”

As Hwang Hui exploded, Maeng Sa-seong intervened to calm him down.

“There, there. Have a cup of cold water and cool down for a moment.”

“Whew~. I was just so frustrated…”

While Hwang Hui emptied several cups of cold water in succession, Maeng Sa-seong continued the ministers’ meeting in his stead.

“The Prime Minister has a point in getting angry. His Majesty ordered us to establish specialized educational institutions to study the words of the sages and contemplate principles. But don’t we all know to some extent how he thinks about the Confucian scholars who will be in charge of this important task?”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s words, the ministers nodded.

***

Unlike when he first ascended to the throne, King Sejong now viewed Confucian scholars and local gentry with a very cynical eye.

The change in King Sejong’s view was not just because of the Giyuban Rebellion.

The spark was lit by the clash between Ryu Jeong-hyeon and King Sejong, which brought a bloody wind to the court just before the reforms began. Subsequently, the corruption of officials and the problem of local gentry privatizing power that emerged as the reforms progressed added fuel to the fire.

And what turned the problem, which was at a bonfire level, into a massive conflagration was the Giyuban Rebellion.

The Giyuban Rebellion, which had turned into such a massive conflagration, reduced the local gentry society of Joseon to ashes.

And it would have been good if it had ended there, but a considerable number of the surviving local gentry were still showing conservative attitudes and rebelling against King Sejong.

Because of this, King Sejong’s gaze towards the local gentry was like ice.

Until now, the situation had been somewhat tolerated because most of those who were educated enough to be properly utilized were such gentry. However, once the educational institutions started functioning properly, the local gentry would be the first to become obsolete.

***

Most of the ministers who had worked alongside King Sejong for a long time and had become familiar with him knew well that he was not favorable to this matter. That’s why Jo Gye-saeng, who had spoken carelessly without grasping the situation, ended up being scolded.

“Let’s be a bit more careful, shall we? Every time we relax a little, something always goes wrong…”

“Ahem! I apologize!”

At Hwang Hui’s rebuke, Jo Gye-saeng apologized with an uncomfortable expression.

As the small commotion settled down, Jo Geuk-gwan, the Minister of Justice, opened his mouth.

“However, we do need a specialized educational institution. Looking at the cases of lawsuits that have rapidly increased since the establishment of the Judgment Office, there are many problems arising because common sense, or rather principles, are outdated while the world is changing.”

***

As the reforms progressed, the Ministry of Punishments was divided into the Ministry of Justice, the Public Security Office, and the Judgment Office.

With this division of ministries, the duties of litigation and public security were separated from the tasks of local officials.

Criminal cases were handled by the Public Security Office up to the level of county, and from smaller counties to villages, military police from both army and navy were dispatched to maintain public order.

Civil lawsuits and criminal trials between the people were to be handled by the Judgment Office.

The judges of the Judgment Office were first appointed from those who had worked in local administration or the Ministry of Punishments and were renowned for their fair judgments.

The plan was to establish the foundation with these individuals and then have it taken over by those who had been properly educated and trained.

***

All sorts of lawsuits flooded into this newly created Judgment Office like a deluge.

Most of these incoming lawsuits were related to ‘intellectual property rights infringement’.

“…Until before the reforms, there wasn’t even a concept that knowledge was property, was there? We were the same, weren’t we?”

At Minister of Justice Jo Geuk-gwan’s point, the ministers nodded.

***

Until before the reforms, the concept of intellectual property rights did not exist.

If there was a precious book containing the words of ancient sages, or a collection of writings by a famous scholar, people would go to borrow it or make a copy, but there was no payment of compensation. Rather, it was natural to think that receiving compensation for such things was a lowly act that would tarnish one’s reputation.

This was the same among common people.

“The good thing is good! Really! How narrow-minded!”

Most of the time, if someone demanded compensation while sharing knowledge or skills that only they possessed, they would hear words like the above.

Of course, they never dared to say such things in front of blacksmiths or pottery craftsmen.

However, while techniques could not be shared, copying the end products was a common occurrence. Therefore, when rumors spread that a certain craftsman had created something unique and popular, it was a daily occurrence for nearby craftsmen to produce items that exactly imitated that product.

Because of this, when the law regarding intellectual property rights was first promulgated, there was a lot of opposition.

“Good knowledge should be widely shared! How can you put a value on something intangible like knowledge!”

“Come on! Isn’t it good if we all live well together? Why so stingy! Ah! The world is coming to an end, I tell you!”

Complaints and dissatisfaction erupted from all directions like this, but due to strong law enforcement, these complaints gradually subsided.

However, such intellectual property rights infringements occurred in increasingly sophisticated ways, and the Judgment Office was bustling with people filing lawsuits related to this.

***

“As new things like intellectual property rights infringement cases that didn’t exist in the past are popping up, it’s right that people’s thinking should change too. However, it’s only proper that changing thoughts should be directed towards the right direction.”

At Jo Geuk-gwan’s point, the ministers nodded.

While the ministers were mulling over Jo Geuk-gwan’s words, Jo Mal-saeng, who had been sitting quietly, opened his mouth.

“Creating an educational institution, and having that educational institution contemplate the words of the sages to rediscuss principles suitable for changing times, are all right things to do. Of course, it’s what we should do. But isn’t the problem the teachers who will contemplate and teach at that educational institution? Setting aside the words of ancient sages, how much of Zhu Xi’s recorded sayings are out of touch with reality when applied to the present age? How much have we struggled with this problem while working all this time? Therefore, the most important thing is how to find the faculty. If we’re not careful, we might end up with people playing at being immortals up in the clouds.”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s point, the ministers nodded.

Afterwards, the ministers furrowed their brows and pondered repeatedly to find a solution to this.

At that moment, Kim Jeom opened his mouth.

“Even if we struggle to find faculty, it’s clear that they will be playing at being immortals in the clouds before long. Because there are hardly any scholars who know reality among those with big names. No, the higher their reputation, the more they will try to return reality to the age of ancient sages. Then, how about we change our approach?”

At Kim Jeom’s remark, the ministers’ eyes began to sparkle.

“Change our approach?”

“Yes. Even if we find new principles to fit such changed times, it’s useless if not applied in practice, isn’t it? So, let’s establish it as a research institute rather than an educational institution. And let’s put in people who have experienced sufficient practical work in the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Finance and Economy as members of that research institute.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Hwang Hui shook his head.

“A war will break out.”

“It’s something we must endure. What else will come out of those who sat in their studies saying ‘Confucius said, Mencius said’ discussing principles other than empty words? As Jo said, how much have we struggled too?”

At Kim Jeom’s words, the ministers were lost in memories.

They remembered the times when they first entered office at the end of Goryeo and the beginning of Joseon, when they proudly proclaimed to create an ideal country according to the ideology of Neo-Confucianism, but ended up spitting blood when faced with the wall of reality.

“The problem is that there will be quite intense conflicts.”

At Hwang Hui’s point, Kim Jeom scoffed.

“Hah! Who do you think will drop out first in that conflict?”

“Probably the scholars.”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s answer, Kim Jeom immediately followed up.

“Eight or nine out of ten, those so-called scholars will drop out first. They have the biggest weakness of not knowing reality well. And are there only one or two scholars in this Joseon?”

At Kim Jeom’s remark, Maeng Sa-seong pointed out a problem.

“There may not be just one or two, but have you forgotten that the majority of those scholars are rebels?”

Since the introduction of Neo-Confucianism to Goryeo, there were many scholars who studied Neo-Confucianism. However, a considerable number of them – especially those with high reputations – either went into seclusion claiming that Yi Seong-gye’s dynastic revolution was unjust, or were purged after rebelling.

Despite Maeng Sa-seong’s point, Kim Jeom did not back down.

“How many of those who went into seclusion claiming that the founding of this Joseon was unjust are still alive? And even if some are still stubbornly alive, would their disciples want to live a life of seclusion just reading classics? And would there be only one or two of such disciples? If we can get just two or three of those disciples, we can fill the scholars’ positions. After that, we just need to watch them fight fiercely and properly collect the results. Isn’t this a familiar task?”

At Kim Jeom’s words, the ministers unconsciously nodded strongly.

Pitting those with opposing opinions against each other and then reaping the results was Hyang’s specialty, and before they knew it, even King Sejong had learned and was using this method quite effectively.

“But will they really come if we call?”

Seeing Maeng Sa-seong’s continued negative reaction, Kim Jeom pointed out the reality.

“Look even now, do you think those who submit petitions whenever something happens are doing so out of true patriotism? Aren’t they just using a shallow trick to stand out and make a name for themselves? If we call them, there will be more than enough people running over in their socks. So, let’s be positive about this, shall we?”

“…”

As Maeng Sa-seong closed his mouth, Hwang Hui concluded.

“Then, let’s decide on its character as a research institute rather than an educational institution and draft a plan accordingly.”

“Which ministry are you thinking of assigning it to?”

“Everyone’s busy these days…”

Sensing the ministers’ strong reluctance to take on the task, Hwang Hui stood up and went outside.

“Jong-seo! You rascal! Come here right now!”

***

Five days later, Hwang Hui submitted the plan to King Sejong.

“Hmm… A research institute rather than an educational institution… This might be more appropriate.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. As it is to contemplate the principles of the sages and research new principles suited to the changing times, a research institute is more fitting than an educational institution.”

“The establishment of the research institute is three years later…”

“At least that much time is needed to find good talent, Your Majesty.”

After listening to Hwang Hui’s explanation and reviewing the plan, King Sejong soon reached a conclusion.

“I approve. Implement it as planned.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Ah, and there’s something to add. Add the study of the philosophy of Rome and Greece that existed in the land of the Westerners called Europe, as well as Christianity and Islam.”

“The Western philosophy and religions as well, Your Majesty?”

“Our Joseon’s footsteps have reached there, so shouldn’t we know the differences? No, not just know the differences, but if there’s something good, shouldn’t we adopt it? If necessary, I’ll even bring in scholars.”

At King Sejong’s words about even bringing in scholars, Hwang Hui carefully asked.

“Is this ‘using barbarians to control barbarians’, Your Majesty?”

To Hwang Hui’s question, King Sejong silently nodded. At King Sejong’s answer, Hwang Hui quietly bowed his head.

This is how the ‘Institute of Philosophy’ was born.

This Institute of Philosophy – later renamed as the Institute of Social Sciences – along with the Military Medical Department and the Medical Academy, came to boast the most intense academic atmosphere. The heated debates between idealists and realists were literally a war. However, because of its results, Joseon was able to guide society in the healthiest direction possible.

As a side note, Hyang was most responsible for the Military Medical Department and Medical Academy having such an intense academic atmosphere as the Institute of Philosophy.

“Read widely, examine, and contemplate.”

With this brief order, he simply threw them translated medical books, so the faculty of the Medical Academy and Military Medical Department had no choice but to start their research based on the traditional Korean medicine knowledge they knew.

In the process of this research, all sorts of theories emerged to resolve the differences between Eastern and Western medicine – notably the difference between the theory of mutual generation and mutual overcoming based on yin-yang and the five elements, and the theory of the four humors. Fierce debates broke out over whose theory was correct.

And Hyang was watching with great interest while occasionally giving his input.