Chapter 143
Following the separation of proposals into pass and fail by Hyang’s research institute and Hall of Worthies, they were sent to the State Council for a second phase of processing.
“Is this interesting?”
“What’s interesting?”
The Senior Secretaries presented the Chief Justice with the results of the categorization from Hall of Worthies and the research institute.
“The evaluations on the proposals about ‘collective production and equal distribution’ are contradictory. Hall of Worthies has passed many, but the research institute has mostly failed them.”
Hearing this, the Chief Justice stroked his beard, looking troubled.
“This could be a problem. If we leave it as is, issues might arise.”
Sensing a crisis, the Chief Justice immediately reported to King Sejong. Upon receiving the report, King Sejong also looked perplexed.
“Different standards of evaluation… This is an oversight on my part. Chief State Councilor! Immediately summon the Crown Prince and the Grand Scholar!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
* * *
Thus, in front of King Sejong and the ministers, Hyang and the new Grand Scholar – Hayeon, who had replaced Byeon Gye-ryang due to illness – engaged in a fierce debate.
“If the people can earn income equally without discrimination, then the distinctions between rich and poor, and among the four classes, will disappear!”
Hyang countered the Grand Scholar’s argument.
“That’s just an ideal.”
“Even if it’s an ideal, striving towards it could create a better world, couldn’t it?”
“Grand Scholar, ‘collective production and equal distribution’ sounds good in theory. However, collective production means joint labor, and there are various types of labor. There’s agriculture, fishing, even the scribes sitting there are performing labor. How would you equate the value of such diverse labor equally?”
“Well…”
“And equal distribution has its own issues. No matter how equally you divide, someone will always feel they deserve more.”
After the continued debate, King Sejong and the ministers sided with Hyang.
“The theory of ‘Common Production and Equal Distribution’ is idealistic but not realistic. Therefore, Grand Scholar, reevaluate the results.”
At King Sejong’s command, the Grand Scholar bowed his head with a resigned look.
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
Hyang quietly murmured to himself.
‘I’ve seen how theories attached with the term ‘communism’ end up…’
* * *
Thus, over 100 days – precisely 110 days – the evaluated proposals led to 15 individuals being selected to enter government service.
The ministers fiercely competed over these 15 selections.
Actually, the competition was over 14 of them.
The remaining individual was strongly advocated for by Jo Malsaeng and was the proponent of the ‘Iron and Blood’ theory.
“This individual is absolutely essential for the Ministry of Military Affairs!”
Jo Mal-saeng’s insistence left King Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers in a difficult position.
“Iron and blood… Isn’t that too radical?”
While King Sejong and the ministers were concerned about the radical nature of the proposal, Hyang was worried about a different aspect.
‘This could easily slip into militarism or a military-first policy…’
However, outright opposition was difficult since strengthening national defense was essential for Joseon at the time. This left Hyang in a difficult position.
‘This is really tricky…’
Finally, influenced by Jo Mal-saeng’s strong advocacy, Sejong issued a command.
“Bring the person who made this proposal immediately! I will question them directly and decide their fate!”
* * *
Thus, the person who proposed the controversial idea was summoned to the court.
“I greet Your Majesty!”
The burly, bearded figure in traditional attire bowed deeply to Sejong upon seeing him, shouting out robustly.
At this, Sejong smiled slightly.
“Pleased to meet you. With such a voice, you sound like a general.”
“I am greatly honored, Your Majesty!”
The owner of the booming voice was Jang Hang-seon, a junior scholar from Cheolsan County, Pyeongan Province.
Like Lim Soonwook, despite passing the exam, Jang Hang-seon was confined to rural life due to the ban on northwest natives taking office. Unlike Lim Soonwook, living close to the border meant frequent clashes with the Jurchen tribes.
“So, you advocate the Iron and Blood theory?”
At Sejong’s question, Jang Hang-seon responded immediately.
“Yes, Your Majesty! The Jurchen don’t dare to attack if we are strong! Hence, our national defense must be strong!”
Hyang intervened in the conversation.
“Your Majesty, if I may…”
“Go ahead.”
‘Now he’s giving permission before I even finish speaking. Automatic, isn’t it?’
Muttering under his breath, Hyang posed a question to Jang Hang-seon.
“How strong do you think our defense should be?”
Jang Hang-seon’s reply was immediate.
“The stronger, the better! But there must be a limit!”
Sejong and the ministers’ eyes lit up at this statement.
“A limit?”
“Yes, Your Majesty! National defense is to protect the people, not oppress them!”
Hearing Jang Hang-seon’s response, Hyang turned to look at Sejong, who involuntarily clenched his fist and exclaimed.
“Pass!”
And so, Jang Hang-seon was taken into the Ministry of Military Affairs.
Later on, an overworked Jang Hang-seon would come to regret his enthusiasm.
“I should have kept quiet…”
***
During the hustle and bustle at the court, an important task was completed in Area 51.
“Do you remember the task you assigned me earlier, Father?”
“A task I assigned to you? Let me think…”
After pondering for a moment, Sejong looked at Hyang.
“There are only a few orders of mine that are yet unanswered. But looking at your face… Is it about the issue with the maidservants of Hangsan?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Hyang replied with a slight smile.
Previously, Sejong had ordered Hyang to find a solution for the living conditions of female servants who, despite bearing children of free men, were isolated due to accusations of infidelity.
Sejong’s face lit up upon hearing Hyang’s response.
“Really? Have you found a solution?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a loom, Your Majesty.”
Sejong initially seemed disappointed at the answer but then changed his expression, knowing Hyang’s tendency to think innovatively.
“Given your past actions, I assume it’s not just any ordinary loom. What is it?”
“It’s an automated loom.”
“An automated loom?”
* * *
Unable to contain his curiosity, Sejong led the ministers to Area 51.
As Sejong’s procession left the palace, the people on the streets bowed deeply and shouted:
“Long live the King!”
“Long live Your Majesty!”
“May you live ten thousand years!”
While the cries of “May you live ten thousand years” echoed around, Sejong, seated in his royal carriage, looked pleased as he surveyed the people.
Observing their faces, Sejong spoke to Hyang and the accompanying ministers.
“The people seem to be in good spirits.”
“It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s grace.”
The Chief State Councilor replied, to which Sejong responded with a modest smile.
“Let’s not credit me alone. It’s also thanks to your assistance.”
While exchanging pleasantries, Sejong’s entourage arrived at Area 51.
The personnel of Area 51, waiting in anticipation, bowed deeply as soon as they saw Sejong.
“Long live the King!”
“Chung!”
“You all have done well. Stand up.”
Sejong responded with a gentle voice and turned to Hyang.
“Let’s see that loom then.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. This way, please.”
Led by Hyang, Sejong moved towards where the looms were set up.
“Is that the loom?”
“Yes. We have connected three for demonstration purposes.”
“I see.”
Sejong’s gaze fell on three looms lined up in a row.
“The shape is quite unusual for a loom.”
“Yes, the overall design changed because we installed mechanisms to transmit power.”
“Hmm…”
While Sejong meticulously examined the structure of the looms, he noticed a large beam overhead, with sizable discs attached at intervals. Leather belts connected these discs to the looms. At one end of the beam was a large gear, which interacted with a similarly sized horizontal gear. Attached to the horizontal gear’s shaft was a cow.
“Hmm…”
After observing the loom’s structure for a while, Sejong turned to Hyang.
“So, this cow powers the loom?”
“Fundamentally, yes. Currently, it’s an animal-driven system, using cows, horses, or donkeys, but it can be replaced with steam engines once they are developed.”
“Why not use waterwheels or windmills?”
Sejong quickly grasped the operating principle and sounded slightly disappointed.
“Indeed, but many areas lack sufficient water supply, reducing the feasibility of such methods.”
“Regrettable. That steam engine is a distant concept for now.”
“I’ll consider installing them in areas with abundant water supply.”
“Alright. Anyway, I’d like to see it in operation.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Following Sejong’s command, Hyang signaled, and several men and women stepped forward to bow to Sejong.
“Go ahead, do your best.”
Upon Sejong’s command, the men headed to the area with the cow and beam, while the women took their places at the looms. Sitting on stools in front of the looms, the women signaled, and a man shook the cow’s reins.
“Move!”
Moo~.
As the cow started moving, the wooden beam began to rotate, and the loom came to life.
Clink-clank!
With unfamiliar noises, the loom’s body moved up and down, starting to weave cloth.
“Remarkable…”
As Sejong watched the cloth being woven, Hyang provided further explanation.
“Traditional looms required manual operation, limiting productivity and being laborious for women. This automated loom, however, uses animal or steam power for the most strenuous part, enhancing efficiency.”
“I see.”
After demonstrating both the automated textile loom and a yarn-spinning machine that also used animal power, Hyang moved to the office to continue explaining to Sejong and the ministers.
“One major advantage of this machine over traditional looms is that it can produce much wider fabrics like cotton or silk.”
At Hyang’s gesture, staff brought in machine-woven cotton and silk, along with those woven traditionally.
Overlaying the hand-woven fabric onto the machine-woven fabric, Sejong marveled.
“It’s at least three times wider!”
“Indeed. This increases its utility significantly.”
Traditional looms struggled to weave fabrics wider than one ‘ja’ (尺, about 33cm) due to the physical limitations of the weavers. However, with machine weaving, this limitation was significantly expanded.
Hyang continued to highlight the benefits of the machine-woven fabric.
“Using this automatic loom, we can produce wider cotton and silk fabrics with finer quality.”
“Finer quality?”
“With the same width, we could weave up to 20 threads.”
“Oh?”
At this time, the standard for tax-cotton was 5-thread fabric. Fabric with 80 threads per bundle, totaling 400 threads, was considered standard and used as currency.
However, the value of cotton or silk skyrocketed with more threads. More threads meant finer yarn, and consequently, softer fabric.
Thus, royals and nobles often pre-ordered or imported 12-thread or 15-thread fabrics from Ming for their clothing.
* * *
After explaining the advantages of the automated loom, Hyang discussed its value in terms of empowering women, especially those ostracized for bearing illegitimate children.
“Although it’s a machine-operated automatic system, the overall method is similar to traditional looms. This is the first reason why it becomes a useful tool for women who have been marginalized despite bearing children.”
“I see.”
“Secondly, the intricate weaving process makes it difficult for men with larger, coarser hands to handle delicate tasks. Women, with their smaller and nimble hands, are actually at an advantage here.”
At the end of Hyang’s explanation, Sejong appeared satisfied.
“Well done. It seems the next step is for the nation to set up factories to lead by example.”
At Sejong’s decision, Hyang suggested an alternative.
“Father, how about entrusting this project to private guilds this time?”
“Entrust it to private guilds? Why?”
At Sejong’s query, Hyang explained his reasoning.
“So far, the state has always led by example, and the private sector followed. However, this approach limits the ability of the guilds to develop discernment.”
‘How long will we spoon-feed them?’
Hyang emphasized the need for the guilds to strengthen their ‘self-reliance.’
“They need to develop the ability to discern value and lead successful ventures for commerce to progress.”
“Hmm…”
As Sejong pondered, Kim Jeom, who had been anxiously shuffling his feet behind, quickly chimed in.
“Your Majesty! The Crown Prince’s proposal is indeed the best way to grow Joseon’s commerce!”
He realized that if this became a state project, their workload would increase.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Persuaded by Kim Jeom’s fervent argument, which was more about avoiding extra work, Sejong came to a conclusion.
“Let’s think about this a bit more. Crown Prince, you have done an excellent job. Well done.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
* * *
After three days of intense debate, it was decided to experimentally entrust the textile industry to the private sector.
As the royal decree was announced nationwide, guilds across the country sprang into action.
“This is an opportunity to rake in profits!”
Thus began a bidding war that would go down in history.
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