< Chapter 8: Sprouting… or Spreading Like Cancer? (1) >
October 27, Year 3 of Sejong (1421). Hyang was invested as Crown Prince. At last, he had been officially recognized as the next successor, no longer merely the royal heir apparent.
Though none of the others knew it, on the night after the investiture ceremony ended, Hyang clenched his fist and rejoiced alone.
"At last, the time has come!"
* * *
"Let's see… the policies His Majesty has implemented so far…"
Leaving the opened classics spread across his writing desk behind him, Hyang folded his arms and reviewed in his mind the policies Sejong had carried out.
"In the first year of his reign, there was chaos due to the case of Kang Sangin, so aside from a partial cabinet reshuffle, there wasn't much…"
After that, Sejong steadily pushed forward with his policies.
He granted tax exemptions to starving farmers in Gangwon Province, personally met local officials dispatched to the provinces, expanded the Hall of Worthies, and required candidates of the military examination to be tested on the Four Books (Analects, Mencius, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean). Then there was the expedition against Tsushima.
Among Sejong's policies, the one that caught Hyang's interest concerned salt.
While rejecting the salt artisans' petition to lower the salt tax, Sejong simultaneously expanded the system of state-controlled salt.
"A salt monopoly… It certainly makes money."
As much as Sejong was concerned with stabilizing the people's livelihood, he was equally devoted to strengthening the nation and its military. The most important element in that endeavor was securing revenue. The salt monopoly was part of that effort.
To address the national budget issue, Sejong sent a state letter to Ming. Its content requested that gold and silver vessels be excluded from the list of tribute items.
But Hyang did not think highly of the measure.
"Excluding gold and silver goods from the tribute list is fine, but the problem is that an equivalent amount is being taken by the envoys instead. How should that be handled…"
There were many other issues Hyang found problematic. But above all, what concerned him most were land ownership and smuggling.
"If the Land Ownership Limitation Act is meeting resistance from large landowners and high ministers, then the tax system must be changed. And smuggling… we must change not only trade, but the very attitude that despises commerce itself…"
After pondering various minor improvements and their solutions, Hyang let out a long sigh.
"I can propose many solutions, but the greatest constraint is one thing… the Joseon government has no money. No—there is no gold."
The ultimate solution Hyang had in mind was "gold".
– To thoroughly reform the land and tax systems, currency circulation is essential. But currency circulation has repeatedly failed. Sejong will soon attempt it again, but if history follows its course, it will fail.
– The reason it keeps failing is that the government cannot guarantee currency as a new means of accumulating wealth.
– The wealthy classes—provincial landlords and high officials—store most of their wealth in tangible goods such as grain and cotton cloth. But such goods have short lifespans. Therefore, they convert their accumulated wealth into gold and silver for long-term preservation.
– To absorb the wealth they have hoarded would require taxation and land policies so drastic they might be called extreme.
– But implementing such extreme policies would provoke fierce resistance from the wealthy.
– To suppress that resistance, the central government—more precisely, the king—must possess overwhelming military power.
– But overwhelming military power requires an equally overwhelming budget. And to secure that budget?
As he continued thinking in circles, Hyang's expression turned hollow.
"No matter how many times I revise the plan, if I cannot solve the very first problem—money—I'll just keep going in circles. Only the king's determination can break this damned cycle. Fortunately, if it's King Sejong, it's possible. My role will be… perhaps that of seasoning?"
Hyang nodded at his own conclusion.
"I may be Crown Prince now, but I am only eight years old. My power is still weak. The best course is to casually toss in bait as I pass by. And the beginning of that…"
Hyang looked at the brush resting in the brush holder on one side of his desk.
"That is the beginning."
* * *
– December 10, Year 3 of Sejong. The Crown Prince fashioned a gold pen and presented it. After trying it, the King praised it as convenient for rapid writing. When the Crown Prince requested that it be provided to recorders and officials who required swift writing, the King granted permission.
Mid-November. Hyang visited the Office of Military Supplies. Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had arrived, the highest-ranking official responsible for practical affairs, the Director, hurried out.
"Your Highness, Crown Prince!"
"You are working hard."
At Hyang's praise, the Director bowed even deeper.
"I would like to look around for a while. Would that be acceptable?"
"It is our honor!"
As Hyang moved under the guidance of Director Lee Changho, the artisans of the Office, having heard of the Crown Prince's visit, gathered and bowed.
"Your Highness, Crown Prince!"
"You truly work hard. Thanks to craftsmen like you, Joseon's defenses grow stronger. I am sincerely grateful."
Moved by the Crown Prince's praise, the craftsmen replied emotionally.
"To receive such praise from Your Highness—we know not where to place ourselves!"
"It is truly an honor!"
Deeply touched, the craftsmen eagerly guided him around the workshop.
Hyang had several reasons for visiting, but the greatest was that this was where weapons were made.
'Weapons, gunpowder… I'll be coming here often in the future. Better to build connections early. I covet Jang Yeongsil, but he belongs to the Office of Royal Attire, and Jeong Cho and the Great King back him…'
Putting aside his regret regarding Jang Yeongsil, Hyang toured the facility before getting to the point.
"Who here is most skilled in working with gold and iron?"
"With gold and iron, you say?"
"Yes. There is something I need made."
The Director thought over the blacksmiths under his command. After a moment, he selected someone.
"There is one suitable."
Soon, a middle-aged blacksmith entered the office.
"You called for me?"
"Yes. Blacksmith Gong. His Highness the Crown Prince has a commission for you."
At the mention of the Crown Prince, Gong respectfully bowed.
"This humble one greets Your Highness."
"Humble? Do not say such things. How can a blacksmith of the Office of Military Supplies, who safeguards Joseon's defense, call himself lowly?"
"Y-your grace is overwhelming!"
Overcome, Gong prostrated himself.
"Rise. I have an important request."
"Give the order! I will stake my life to make it!"
'For a blacksmith of this office, his status should not be low… how harshly must he have been treated…'
Smiling faintly at Gong's excessive enthusiasm, Hyang withdrew a sheet of paper from his sleeve and handed it over.
"Can you make it exactly as drawn?"
"This is…"
"It will replace the brush."
What Hyang presented was a design for a pen nib.
Studying it seriously, Gong spoke.
"It must hold ink and let it flow as one writes… The problem is that the ink must neither gush out all at once nor fail to flow."
"Additionally, it must not catch the fibers of the paper and tear it. That is why the tip must have a rounded bead. And one more thing—the slit for the ink flow. If it is too wide, it is useless; too narrow, also useless. How fine a slit can you manage?"
After brief consideration, Gong answered.
"If I do my utmost, I can manage down to five mo."
"Five mo?"
[NOTE - Units of measurements in traditional Joseon:
1 Chi = 30mm
1 Pun = 3mm
1 Ri = 0.3mm
1 Mo = 0.03mm
Thus 5 Mo = 0.15mm]
Seeing Hyang tilt his head, Director Lee explained.
"One-fifth of a chon."
Hyang calculated silently.
'One chon is about 3 centimeters… dividing further… roughly 0.15 millimeters? By hand? Is that even possible?'
Surprised, he composed himself.
"I will need not just one, but dozens. And not over several months. As quickly as possible."
After calculating again, Gong replied.
"Since it touches water, it must be gold or silver to prevent rust. If we hammer thin plates and make proper molds, we can produce twenty a day. The issue is the slit."
Hyang quickly calculated.
'About the thickness of a 0.5mm mechanical pencil lead should suffice.'
"When writing, the stroke thickness should be slightly thicker than one ri."
"Then we shall set the slit standard at one ri and attempt it."
"When can I see the results?"
"Give me two days."
"I will give you three. Show me the optimal result."
"I receive Your Highness's command."
"I trust you."
On the way back to the palace, Hyang turned to his attending eunuch.
"Eunuch Jo."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Do I have funds for personal use?"
"I will confirm with the Royal Treasury steward, Your Highness."
Three days later, Hyang returned.
Gong presented five nibs in a finely made wooden box.
"I have made five thicknesses. Please choose the one you prefer."
"Very well."
After testing them on scrap paper, Hyang selected one.
"Make one hundred of these. But ten of them…"
After hearing the specified options, Gong answered at once.
"It is possible, Your Highness."
"And can you engrave a plum blossom on the body of the gold pen?"
"It is possible."
"How many days?"
"Ten will suffice."
After brief thought, Hyang concluded.
"I will give you two extra days. But there must not be a single defective piece. This is to be presented to His Majesty."
"There will not be a single flaw."
"Good. And keep this confidential until I present it."
"It shall be so."
Leaving in good spirits, Hyang departed. Director Lee remarked to Gong,
"He is not like a child his age."
"Indeed. Though I hear he is only eight, in speech and conduct he is like a full-grown man."
"More importantly, you have gained something tremendous."
Lee glanced enviously at the paper in Gong's hand.
Before leaving, Hyang had written a note of gratitude:
"Hoping you become Joseon's finest master craftsman. Crown Prince Yi Hyang."
With his palm seal beside his name. Gong trembled with emotion.
"I will ask Carpenter So to make the finest mounting. This is worthy of becoming a family heirloom."
* * *
Half a month later, Hyang visited Sejong, who was in discussion with his ministers. He presented the nib and pen.
After hearing the explanation and writing with it, Sejong was delighted.
"This is truly a precious object! It is comfortable to write with, and above all, easy on the arm and wrist! The Crown Prince has made an excellent item! You have done a fine deed! Record today's event well!"
"I am overwhelmed by such praise."
Hyang remained humble. As Sejong examined the lacquered pen, he noticed the engraved flower.
"Is this a plum blossom?"
"Yes. I thought it fitting as a symbol of the royal house."
"Excellent!"
After writing again, Sejong turned to Hyang.
"I shall use this well."
"Your grace is boundless. However, I have a request."