Black Corporation: Joseon

Seeing King Sejong’s positive reaction, Hyang began to mention some sensitive points.

“There are several advantages to creating such hot spring bathhouses, but before that, I’d like to explain why the development of hot springs has been sluggish until now.”

“That’s right. I thought there was something strange about that too.”

As King Sejong showed interest, Hyang lightly cleared his throat and continued his explanation.

“There are several reasons why people have been hesitant to develop hot springs, but the biggest reasons are…”

Hyang explained to King Sejong the problems that Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In had investigated.

After hearing Hyang’s explanation, King Sejong nodded with a serious face.

“I see. So that’s why the development of hot springs has been sluggish. Well… Do you have any solutions?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

-The first thing to do is to assign physicians and female doctors to the developed hot spring bathhouses. Depending on the size of the hot spring bathhouse, assign 1 to 3 physicians and female doctors each from the Royal Clinic. However, these assigned individuals will be gradually replaced when formal physicians are produced from the Medical Academy.

-The duties of the physicians and female doctors assigned to the hot spring bathhouses are as follows: They categorize those who come to the hot springs as patients with joint diseases who come for treatment of arthritis or neuralgia, patients with skin diseases, and patients with leprosy.

-Patients with joint diseases can enter the same bathhouse as others.

-Patients with skin diseases can use private baths under the care of physicians and female doctors, but patients with leprosy are prohibited from entering.

Also, additional police or military personnel will be deployed to maintain public safety in villages with hot spring bathhouses.

“…And, to add, we should also properly identify the efficacy of the hot spring water from the developed bathhouses and announce it in the government gazette.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“As far as I know, each hot spring water has different efficacy. So, if we properly identify and announce this, it will be more useful for people when using the hot spring bathhouses.”

“People will travel long distances to find hot springs useful for them. And their horizons will be broadened, won’t they?”

Hyang nodded at King Sejong’s observation.

“Yes. That’s also part of the consideration. The roads will continue to be improved accordingly, and the railways we will install in the future will quickly establish themselves.”

“I see. It’s a good measure…”

Although nodding, there was still some dissatisfaction on King Sejong’s face.

“Father. If there are any inadequate parts, please tell me. I will think about those parts as quickly as possible and give you an answer.”

Recognizing from King Sejong’s expression that there was a problem, Hyang quickly added, ‘After-service available!’

At Hyang’s words, King Sejong stroked his beard, remained silent for a moment, and then opened his mouth.

“Crown Prince, your opinion is truly a good plan. However, the response regarding leprosy patients seems a bit inadequate. Hasn’t the difficulty of leprosy patients been widely known since ancient times? I’m a bit uncomfortable with blocking those who are desperate enough to seek out hot springs despite such difficulties. Of course, I know that leprosy is an incurable disease, but it still bothers me a bit.”

‘You know about that!’

Forcibly suppressing the words that were about to automatically burst out at King Sejong’s words, Hyang let out a long sigh.

“Sigh~. As Father also mentioned, leprosy is an incurable disease. Allowing them to enter hot spring bathhouses would rather give them false hope and deeper despair.”

‘It wasn’t until the mid to late 20th century that a cure was found, and I don’t know about that part either! If I knew that, I would have quit being the Crown Prince and become a medicine peddler to make a fortune!’

Hyang was inwardly shouting at the top of his lungs.

At Hyang’s explanation, King Sejong also sighed.

“Sigh~. I know that part too. But when I see leprosy patients wandering outside, I can’t hide my sorrow. It’s sad enough that they have such a disease, but don’t they also face harsh persecution?”

***

Until this period, regardless of East or West, there was a prevalent perception that Hansen’s disease patients were ‘criminals punished by heaven’. Therefore, it was common for them to be expelled from their hometowns and wander. If they happened to enter another village, they would be blocked at the entrance and driven away, or even stoned.

The places that treated them slightly better were a few monasteries that emphasized compassion and Italian cities during the Renaissance period. Leprosy patients could enter the cities, but anything they touched had to be bought unconditionally. (Note 1)

***

‘Well, future historians will surely make a fuss about human rights and such, but for now, this is the only way.’

Inwardly smacking his lips, Hyang opened his mouth.

“I too was somewhat aware of Father’s concerns, so I’ve given it some thought. How about this plan?”

“Oh? What is it?”

At King Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately answered.

“We select one of the remote islands in the South Sea that is easily accessible for officials and physicians, relocate the residents to the mainland, and then gather and manage leprosy patients there. This way, we can prevent leprosy patients from receiving unjust persecution while allowing them to be self-sufficient, and make it easier for physicians and officials to manage them.”

At Hyang’s words, King Sejong showed a slightly perplexed expression.

“It’s a good plan, but will there be residents willing to comply, not to mention officials and physicians?”

“In the case of residents, since they’re not living together but being relocated to the mainland, there shouldn’t be a big problem. Fortunately, aren’t there quite a lot of vacant lands in Hamgil Province and the area east of it? Even if that’s not enough, we also have Daeseol Island, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.”

“That’s true.”

Not only King Sejong but also the ministers nodded at Hyang’s words. This was because they had been able to incorporate quite a lot of territory into Joseon through the inducement of Jurchen tribes to submit and exploratory voyages.

Having provided an answer to the issue of relocating residents, Hyang continued.

“And since leprosy is not an easily transmissible disease, if officials or physicians are careful themselves, there shouldn’t be a big problem.”

“Hmm…”

After pondering for a moment at Hyang’s words, King Sejong turned to the Chief Royal Secretary.

“Go and call the Royal Physician.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A moment later, the Royal Physician arrived, heard the explanation from King Sejong and Hyang, searched his memory for a moment, and then answered.

“Yes, Your Majesty. While the treatment of leprosy is impossible, fortunately, its infectivity is not high. Also, the disease of parents is not passed down to their children.”

“I see.”

As King Sejong was nodding, Hwang Hui intervened.

“It seems we should prepare even a Commoner’s School.”

King Sejong immediately replied to Hwang Hui’s words.

“That probably should be done. Then, add this proposal and proceed with it.”

“We humbly accept your command!”

***

Thus, the policy regarding ‘hot spring development’ was officially decided and published in the government gazette.

The people who read the government gazette posted on the walls of government offices gathered in small groups and chatted.

“Hot spring development… Should we look for hot springs nearby?”

“Shall we? If we find one, it seems we could make some money… Jobs would be created too.”

According to the content written in the government gazette, when a hot spring bathhouse is created, people from nearby residents would be selected to work there.

Of course, they would have to be supervised by officials dispatched from the royal family to manage the royal bath used by the king and royal personnel. But still, it meant the creation of jobs with regular wages.

In addition, it was good news that physicians and female doctors would be assigned to the hot spring bathhouses. This was because there were still not a few villages without doctors.

“By the way… His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince are truly benevolent. To care even for lepers like this.”

“Indeed they are.”

Providing separate accommodation for leprosy patients to avoid persecution while also creating an environment where they could be self-sufficient was not something an ordinary king would think of.

This was not only good for the leprosy patients themselves but also for ordinary people.

The word that people were praising King Sejong and himself soon reached Hyang. Upon hearing this, Hyang gave a bitter smile.

“It is the best solution I could come up with. Future scholars will probably criticize it as a materialistic policy and a forced relocation policy that ignores human rights, but…”

Although Hyang gave such a bitter smile, he immediately changed his expression and muttered.

“What do I care? The present is what’s important to me!”

***

Hyang didn’t know, but in the history before his intervention, almost the same thing had happened.

December 3, 11th year of King Sejong’s reign (1429).

Park Seo-saeng submitted a petition to King Sejong.

-Looking at the customs of Japan, they like to bathe and keep their bodies clean regardless of age. Therefore, large houses each have bathrooms installed, and bathhouses are installed here and there in every neighborhood. Their system is well-established and very convenient. When the person boiling the bath blows a horn, people compete to pay money and bathe, so it is right for our Joseon to install bathhouses in places where there are many people and allow them to use money.

At that time, King Sejong was attempting to circulate currency, so this was a petition for that purpose.

And in the 1st year of King Munjong’s reign (1451), King Munjong gave the following order to the Baecheon County Official:

-Do not seal off the Royal Hot Spring Bathhouse and allow people to bathe.

Of course, it wasn’t opening all bathrooms, but excluding the bathrooms that only the king and queen could use. However, there were several other bathhouses, so such an order was given. (Note 2)

As a side note, in the history after Hyang’s intervention, Park Seo-saeng also proposed various measures to expand the national finances, and thanks to this, he immediately moved from the Ministry of Public Works to the Ministry of Finance, and was later being separated from the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

The same was true for Hansen’s disease patients.

In the 1st year of King Munjong’s reign, there was a record of collectively accommodating and treating about 100 Hansen’s disease patients by royal order. (Note 3)

In other words, even in the history before Hyang’s intervention, King Munjong was making various efforts to change Joseon.

However, the main reason why these facts are not well known is King Munjong’s short life. The policies he attempted lost momentum and faded away as King Munjong died before they could bear fruit.

And the tragedy that unfolded between King Danjong and King Sejo, who immediately succeeded him, overshadowed the existence of King Munjong.

***

After returning from the hot springs like this, King Sejong’s health improved a lot. However, as his eye condition still showed no significant improvement, the physicians of the Royal Clinic had to search through medical books.

Thanks to continuously examining King Sejong’s condition and searching through medical books, the Royal Physician reported to King Sejong.

“According to the medical books and old records we’ve searched, there is a medicinal spring at Chojaeunso in Cheongju-mok, and its water is said to be good for skin diseases and eyes. It seems it would be good for you to stay there for a while for treatment.”

At the Royal Physician’s suggestion, King Sejong immediately expressed his refusal.

“I have already been out of the palace for a month in Onsu County. Leaving the palace again would not set a good example for the people. Think of another way.”

Listening to King Sejong’s words, Hyang’s mind started spinning rapidly.

‘Chojaeunso in Cheongju? Cheongju? Medicinal water? And ‘cho’ means Sichuan pepper tree, so is it that? That’s it! Chojeong mineral water!’

Realizing what the Royal Physician was talking about, Hyang immediately joined the conversation.

***

Note 1) Life Human World History. Renaissance Edition. Korea Time Life. 1978.

Note 2) Mr. History Interest’s ‘Crow’s Nest’ Igloo.

http://luckcrow.egloos.com/2534809

Note 3) Health Information from Seocho-gu Public Health Center. Hansen’s Disease section.

https://www.seocho.go.kr/site/sh/07/10702050900002015072310.jsp