Chapter 125
Sejong Year 11 (1429, the year of Giyu)
As the latter half of the reform era approached, King Sejong and his court officials, including the government ministers, all fell into a peculiar tension.
The reason for this tension was that the time had come for a major overhaul of the administrative system.
For a smooth progression, the Six Ministries and the scholars of Hall of Worthies were working tirelessly, staying up nights to review and modify plans.
“The ultimate goal of the economic reform is to ensure that as many citizens as possible have a stable source of income, freeing them from poverty,” said Sejong, nodding in agreement to the explanation by Hall of Worthies’s Head Scholar, Byeon Gye-ryang. Sejong looked at Byeon with eyes full of concern.
‘Byeon seems to have grown quite frail…’
* * *
Appointed as the Head Scholar of Hall of Worthies in the second year of Sejong’s reign, Byeon Gye-ryang solidified his position during the economic reform.
Byeon’s continuous tenure ensured consistency in the work of Hall of Worthies.
Although his personal life was riddled with scandals and controversies, his academic brilliance enabled him to maintain his position.
As Sejong’s reforms progressed, other ministers and officials of the Six Ministries envied Byeon, especially since he managed to avoid the harsh crackdowns on corruption and bribery.
Though he had to relinquish lands granted by former kings, his position as Head Scholar, considered somewhat marginal, meant he received fewer gifts and hence faced less scrutiny.
“If not for his unsavory personality, he could have been a prime minister candidate,” remarked some, acknowledging his role at Hall of Worthies despite his notorious character.
Despite his controversial nature, Byeon dedicated himself to his role, his meticulousness aiding policy research. This attention to detail, though sometimes limiting his perspective, was balanced by his quickness to address any pointed-out flaws.
However, this intensity of work often resulted in harsh treatment of the scholars under him.
The pressure of researching and improving policies for the economic reform took a significant toll on Byeon, aging him more rapidly compared to his contemporaries.
* * *
‘It’s time to prepare a successor for Byeon,’ Sejong thought, noticing his frailty.
“What is our ultimate goal, there are still many issues to resolve beforehand,” Sejong inquired.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. The Hall of Worthies, along with the Ministries of Personnel and Taxation, believe it’s crucial to decide the priority between two major issues,” replied Byeon.
“And what are these two issues?” Sejong asked, turning to the ministers of Personnel and Taxation for an answer.
“Currency and administrative reform, Your Majesty. The question is which should be implemented first for efficiency,” answered Kim Jeom.
Sejong, stroking his beard, asked, “Hadn’t we decided to start with the restructuring of administrative regions?”
“That was the original plan, but the situation has changed,” Kim Jeom responded.
“Changed, how so?”
“Initially, the plan was to reform administrative regions before enforcing the circulation of the new currency, especially considering the previous resistance to using currency,” Sejong recalled.
“Exactly, Your Majesty,” confirmed Kim Jeom.
“But now the circumstances have shifted?” Sejong queried further.
“Yes, indeed,” Kim Jeom responded to Sejong’s query about the change in circumstances.
“Why so? Or rather, how? Wait… did the encouragement of commerce and industry change the situation?”
Sejong’s question was met with a slightly perplexed look from Kim Jeom.
“While there are significant reasons for this change, it’s somewhat surprising what actually prompted the people to demand currency.”
“What are those reasons?”
“Public bathhouses and fried chicken.”
“Huh…”
Sejong was visibly astonished by Kim Jeom’s response.
“Bathhouses and fried chicken leading to currency use… Wait, the bathhouse idea came from the Crown Prince, right?”
Sejong recalled a previous conversation, and Kim Jeom immediately confirmed it.
“Yes, Your Majesty. During the reconstruction following the great fire of Hanyang, it was suggested that building public bathhouses would necessitate the use of currency.”
“Right, I remember now. I thought it had potential, but I didn’t expect to see results so soon.”
Byeon Gye-ryang then joined the conversation, highlighting the public’s positive response to the concept of ‘public hygiene.’
“Public hygiene?”
“More precisely, soap.”
Sejong was increasingly puzzled by these unexpected developments.
* * *
During the reconstruction of the areas devastated by the great fire, the Crown Prince had installed public bathhouses and organized seminars on the importance of public hygiene, not just once, but repeatedly before and after the monsoon season.
The medical staff from the Royal Clinic and the military doctors, already familiar with the Prince’s endeavors and having read translated medical texts he had brought from the West, readily embraced his ideas.
As a result, improved hygiene in the palace and the military led to a noticeable decrease in contagious diseases, especially skin diseases.
Observing these tangible benefits, civilian doctors began emphasizing the importance of public hygiene, and cleanliness became a focus for the general populace.
Coinciding with this shift, the introduction of soap in the markets spurred people to pay more attention to cleanliness.
“People may find it a bit bothersome, but if simply washing hands can prevent diseases, why not?”
The popularity of bathhouses increased as people became more conscious of cleanliness. In early Joseon, still bearing strong traces of the Goryeo era, there was less resistance to the concept of public bathing.
The redevelopment areas saw a trend in bathhouse construction, which soon spread to other parts of Hanyang. Bathhouses not only charged for bathing but also sold soap. It became common for people to buy soap and take a bath in the same trip.
Initially skeptical about soap’s utility, the people soon celebrated its versatility. It proved useful not just for personal hygiene but also for cleaning dishes when lathered on a sponge. Many women treasured soap, treating it almost like a precious item.
This widespread use of soap led to various issues, eventually prompting the demand for currency.
One of the first problems identified was the lifespan of soap, primarily due to moisture. Despite efforts to minimize moisture content during production, soap’s proximity to water in use led to high consumption rates.
Without modern moisture-proof packaging, soap often dissolved prematurely, especially during the monsoon season.
Consequently, urban residents started buying small quantities of soap from stores or bathhouses, given its affordability. But the inconvenience of bartering with cloth or grains, which were the common modes of payment, became apparent.
Similarly, paying bathhouse fees in kind was cumbersome for commoners who frequented them weekly.
Eventually, residents of neighborhoods with bathhouses resorted to keeping tabs, leading to frequent disputes over unpaid dues during regular settlements.
Exasperated by these complications, the people reached a consensus.
“Damn it! Let’s just use those copper coins or whatever currency they have!”
“That sounds better!”
* * *
“It’s surprising that the need for currency emerged from such unexpected places,” Sejong remarked with a look of disbelief, following Kim Jeom’s report.
At Sejong’s words, Kim Jeom and the other ministers nodded in agreement.
“Is the case with fried chicken the same then?” Sejong inquired.
“Yes, Your Majesty. The fried chicken, being reasonably priced, also saw high demand, leading to similar inconveniences among the people,” Kim Jeom replied, bowing his head.
Sejong, deep in thought, hummed thoughtfully.
After a moment of silent contemplation, Sejong addressed his ministers. “From what I hear, it seems you all wish to prioritize the circulation of currency, though you speak of deciding its order. Is that correct?”
The Chief State Councilor stepped forward to answer. “Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“And the reason?”
“The people are voicing their discomfort, Your Majesty. Discomfort leads to dissatisfaction, and accumulated dissatisfaction can easily turn into dissent.”
Sejong, tapping his fingers on the armrest, fell deep in thought again. After a while, he posed another question.
“I have a question for the ministers.”
“Please ask, Your Majesty.”
“It appears that those demanding the use of currency mainly reside in urban areas. Is that not so?”
“It’s true that the majority are urban residents, Your Majesty.”
“How widespread are bathhouses and fried chicken shops?”
“They are almost ubiquitous in cities with a population of over 5,000, Your Majesty.”
“In cities of over 5,000… So, they have spread to the county level?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“But aren’t there overwhelmingly more people living in smaller villages than in such towns? Are those residing in smaller places also in favor of using currency? Are we not hastily deciding based on only the views of urban dwellers?”
Sejong continued to question with concern.
He himself deeply felt the need for currency and ardently wished for it. However, he was well aware that previous attempts to promote currency use had failed because the people did not embrace it.
Therefore, Sejong could not hastily accept the ministers’ opinions. 𝖋𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔴𝖊𝔟𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑.𝔠𝔬𝔪
As Sejong hesitated, Kim Jeom stepped forward to report.
“According to reports from the government trading posts, there is an increasing demand for currency even in smaller villages below the county level. It’s not yet the majority view, but it’s growing…”
Sejong’s expression brightened slightly at Kim Jeom’s report, but he remained meticulous in his questioning.
“It’s encouraging to hear that even smaller villages below the county level are increasingly demanding currency. However, it could be risky if we don’t fully understand why this demand is increasing. Have you received reports on this?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At Kim Jeom’s gesture, an official from the Ministry of Taxation stepped forward with a tray holding a document.
Sejong received the document and Kim Jeom continued, “As you will see in this report, peddlers who travel through small village markets are strongly advocating for the use of currency. They find the bartering of cloth and grains burdensome.”
“But peddlers alone are not enough.”
“The farmers are also in favor, Your Majesty. They find it challenging to store and preserve grains.”
“Hmm…”
Reading the report carefully, Sejong absorbed the details. After thoroughly reviewing the report submitted by Kim Jeom, he came to a conclusion.
“I understand the opinions of the ministers. However, I cannot make an immediate decision. One reason we focus on small localities in the economic reform is to break the pattern of people taking the king and the court lightly, often showing more allegiance to local landlords and the gentry. Breaking this pattern is essential to pursue the public good and ensure the majority of the people can lead peaceful lives. Therefore…”
Sejong paused momentarily, gathering his thoughts as the ministers focused their attention on him.
“A hasty decision might be worse than no decision at all. Let us contemplate this further.”
At Sejong’s decision, the ministers bowed.
“We shall follow Your Majesty’s command.”
“Let’s take a short break now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As the ministers left, Sejong remained alone in the main hall, deep in thought. He then called for his attendant.
“Attendant.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Summon the Crown Prince.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As the attendant went to convey Sejong’s command, Sejong muttered to himself.
“This isn’t the time for him to govern on my behalf, but it’s time to give him some tasks. The days of him only doing what he wishes are over…”
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