Black Corporation: Joseon Chapter 9

[Episode 9 Germination… Carcinogenesis? (2) ]

Episode 9 Germination… Carcinogenesis? (2)

“Cheong? “Tell me.”

After King Sejong gave permission, Hyang looked back at the inner coffin. Another naeggwan, who followed the incense, politely held a slightly larger box for King Sejong.

“Hmm?”

Sejong opened the newly handed wooden box and showed curiosity. The new wooden box I received was full of pen nibs and a pen stand. However, the pen nib he received was decorated with gold and silver thread, and the pen base was also decorated with lacquerware. However, the current one is simply made of gold, with only plum blossoms engraved on it, and the pen base is only made of well-trimmed wood.

“Please give those golden pens to the officers and officials.”

“this?”

“yes. The officers are recording the work of Abamama and other ministers without a single moment of rest. “This is a job that requires a lot of effort, so I thought there should be something that would be of some help.”

King Sejong thought for a moment about Hyang’s request and discussed his opinions with his subjects.

“I think the crown prince’s opinion is really good. “What about the sutras?”

All of the subjects who tried the scented mass-produced(?) pen nib agreed with King Sejong’s decision.

“I believe your Majesty’s will is right!”

“How can you not say that this is a beautiful scene, considering that you are so young and thinking about your subjects?”

Following the approval of the subjects, the officers who would be using it also tried it and expressed satisfaction.

Therefore, the pen nib and pen stand were decided to be the official office supplies(?) of the government and the royal court.

Hyang, who returned to her room, smiled and muttered.

“Now what kind of butterfly effect will this bring?”

As the pen nibs and pen handles named ‘Golden Pen’ were handed out, the public officials’ favorability towards incense began to rise. In particular, young government officials, including historians, began to show unprecedented favor toward Hyang.

“Have you tried using the golden pen that the crown prince made?”

“I tried it. “It was very good!”

The people I liked the most were, of course, the officers. No matter how fine the brush was, it was quite a hardship to write with the arm raised and the brush upright according to the traditional calligraphy method. However, when using a gold pen, the arm naturally lowered, reducing the pressure on the wrist and entire arm.

There, incense was made on a tablet and presented as an offering.

“There are times when a military general issues urgent orders while carrying out command. We created this to help with this. “I think it would be good to use it with a gold pen.”

“Feel so good!”

King Sejong was pleased and ordered it to be made in large quantities and distributed to the military along with gold pens.

The response of military commanders to the supply of gold pens and tablets was mixed. Young commanders and those with literary knowledge responded very favorably, but those who were illiterate had no choice but to look perplexed.

However, Hyang could understand Sejong’s decision.

As soon as King Sejong ascended the throne, he included the Four Books as a subject in the martial arts exam. After hearing the story, Hyang nodded.

“yes. This is not an era where individual courage or military power determines victory or defeat in a war. Even more so in the future.”

Hyang, who had anticipated the changes that simple office supplies called ‘tablets and golden pens’ would bring to the military, tilted his head.

“Is King Sejong even thinking about reshuffling the military?”

If Seopan was actually divided into good and bad in the military, there were some who welcomed Seopan with enthusiasm. These were low-level officials from each department of the government, along with officers. When the king follows behind, holding a book wrapped in blank paper, making records, taking inventory, or conducting other field investigations. Writing a book was not an easy task. This was because the book floating in the air could not receive any power at all. However, the tablet was an item that definitely solved the difficulties in that area.

As this situation unfolded, the demand for gold pens and tablets exploded, and military spirit became busier.

As gold pens and writing tablets became widespread in the government and military, the number of people who used gold pens in the Six Dynasty government offices or military units began to increase. Some were easy to use, but the plum blossom pattern engraved on the nib gave owners a sense of pride.

A young scholar who selected fish at Unjongga Fish Market asked Jeonju about the price.

“How much?”

“Eh… all in all, it’s worth two words. But since you are a regular, please leave it to me.”

“It’s very expensive.”

“Oh my~ Nari. Isn’t it winter? “The waves are so strong that boats can’t float.”

“In the summer, it is expensive because the fish spoils in the hot weather, and in the winter, it is expensive because the waves are so strong that fishing cannot be done… When on earth is the fish cheap?”

“Hehehe.”

The scholar glared at the merchant’s face, which was glaring with laughter, and held out his hand to the merchant.

“Give me the ledger. “With inkstone.”

“Here it is.”

The scholar scribbled in the ledger provided by the merchant.

“The food I bought today… is truly the best rice.”

“Elder!”

“Let me say it in two words. “Isn’t it good to just cut it off?”

“Haa~.”

The merchant, who was sighing, saw the gold pen in the scholar’s hand and his eyes lit up.

“Is that the rumored Geumpil?”

“Did you hear?”

“yes. “I heard that everyone who works at a coffin these days has at least one.”

The merchant, who was looking at the gold pen with eyes full of curiosity, quenched his appetite.

“It looks really nice to use.”

“It’s great for carrying around or writing in a hurry. ruler! “I have to go to work urgently, so please deliver it to my house.”

“Take a look, sir!”

The merchant who saw the scholar off spat out phlegm with all his might.

“Kaaak~ Tuu! It’s a shame to rush to work! Is it urgent to go to the wedding room? “They’ll be spending a lot of money in the kitchen while cutting the bean curds!”

The merchant, who had been swearing at the scholar who had cut the price so recklessly, lost his appetite.

“That gold pen looks really comfortable… Do you think it will make some money?”

* * *

As if there were quite a few people who had similar thoughts, objects imitating gold pens began to appear one by one. Rumors about these items immediately entered the palace and became a hot topic at the assembly.

“majesty. “Something disrespectful is happening in the city these days.”

“Profanity? “Tell me.”

“It is said that a gold pen made as an imitation of the gold pen made and presented by the crown prince is being circulated.”

When one subject reported this, another subject quickly responded.

“This is the most Buddhist scripture! How dare you recklessly imitate a precious item with the royal emblem engraved on it! “You must be severely punished!”

“Punish me severely!”

As the chorus(?) of his subjects continued, King Sejong, who thought for a moment, opened his mouth.

“This decision can be made right away by the crown prince, but I think the opinion of the crown prince involved is also important. I will listen to the Crown Prince’s wishes and make a decision. “Please call Crown Prince Sang-seon.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After a while, Hyang, summoned by King Sejong, entered the main hall.

“Did you call me, Abama?”

When Hyang opened his mouth to politely bow, Sejong smiled and answered.

“I called because I wanted to ask Crown Prince Onya’s judgment.”

“How can I judge someone who is still young?”

“I know how clever you are, so please answer without pressure, Crown Prince.”

“I understand, Abama.”

King Sejong explained the story about Geumpil to Hyang.

“… Therefore, the subjects privately claim that merchants who copied and distributed gold pens should be severely punished. “Seja, what do you think?”

In response to Sejong’s question, Hyang closed her mouth and was lost in thought.

It was surprisingly cute to see an eight-year-old child worrying with wrinkles between his eyebrows. Seeing this, King Sejong and his subjects smiled and looked at him.

Hyang, who had been mulling over ideas for quite some time, opened his mouth.

“In Soja’s opinion, the military’s main job is to make weapons that are responsible for the country’s defense. So…”

* * *

A month later, Hojo (戶曹).

People gathered in one of Hojo’s many rooms.

“Is everyone gathered?”

Everyone present bowed their heads in response to the young official’s question.

“Yes, Nari.”

“Wait a moment.”

The official went out the door and Hyang entered, guided by the Hojo Judge.

The people who were sitting around the table in the room got up from their chairs and bowed down on the floor as soon as they smelled the scent.

“The lowly merchants meet the crown prince!”

“Get up and sit down in the chair.”

“How can I sit down when the crown prince is here?”

“You may sit on the chairs as long as you do not sin. “Sit down on the chair.”

At Hyang’s firm answer, the attendees sat down. With the help of a Hojo official, Hyang sat down on a chair, took out a replica pen nib and a pen stand, and placed them on the table.

“I heard this product is circulating in the city.”

The merchants who saw the pen nib and pen stand that Hyang had taken out responded by kneeling down on the floor.

“This kind of profanity has never been done in the upper echelon of small people!”

“The same goes for the top of the little people!”

“I didn’t call you to accuse me of a crime. Please take a seat.”

Despite Hyang’s words, the merchants were not able to stand up easily. Hyang slightly clicked his tongue at that sight and opened his mouth again.

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

“Get up quickly and take a seat!”

In response to the warning from the village, Inspector General Hojo hurriedly recruited the merchants. As the merchants sat down again, Hyang got to the point.

“His Majesty the Lord gave a dismissal.”

Sejong’s departure from school, as revealed by the scent, was as follows.

-The production of gold pens and pens will be transferred from the Gungigam to the upper level.

-When selecting the top to be produced, choose the top that pays the lowest price among the tops that passed the quality standards.

-The selected top shows that it is an official product by stamping the plum blossom, a symbol of the royal family, on the gold pen produced.

-The selected merchants will be qualified to sell the gold pens they produce on the market. Afterwards, if the plum blossom seal is missing or a counterfeit gold pen is discovered, both the producer and the seller will be punished.

– Merchants who produce gold pens pay 20% of their sales profits to the government.

-It is prohibited to sell at a price higher than 60% above the market price.

-4 times a year. Quality is inspected at Hojo. The period is irregular, and secretive officials of Hojo randomly obtain gold pens and inspect their quality. As soon as you fail the inspection, the official seal of the plum blossom will be withdrawn and the contract will be cancelled.

-If the contract is terminated due to the above issues, a new company will be selected. A company whose contract is canceled cannot submit a bid for one year.

After hearing the conditions mentioned by Hyang, the merchants closed their mouths and began to think. One of the merchants who was thinking about this and that spoke up.

“Mr. Crown Prince. “I’m sorry to tell you…”

“What’s the problem?”

“What is the standard for selling prices on the market?”

“This is the final sale price. Why is there a problem?”

“I am sorry to tell you, but 60% seems generous, but considering the wages to be paid to public officials and the 20% to be taken by the laborer, we can only take 30% out of 60%. . But if the government takes 20% from there, the small people will take it…”

“Gal (喝)!”

Hyang interrupted the merchant in a harsh voice.

“To whom are you lying now? okay. As you said, let’s say 30% is the amount you will take. But I said it was 20% of the profit. 20% of 30% is only 6p more? Are you telling a lie because you know what kind of position this is? Punishment for family! “Kick that blasphemous man out of the palace right now and remove his qualifications to bid at the top!”

“Yes mama!”

As soon as Hyang’s command was given, Ho Pan gave an order. After hearing Ho Pan’s order, the soldiers of Nae Jin Wei came in and dragged the merchant in question away.

“mama! mama!”

The commotion subsided and Hyang glared at the merchants.

“Your Majesty the Lord and I believe that merchants are also important citizens. Since it is impossible for a person to make everything he or she needs in life, it is natural that an intermediate being is needed. But! As long as there is someone who uses despicable tricks like him, you merchants will not be able to escape being treated like nothing! “Keep this in mind!”

“I will keep this in mind, Crown Prince!”

[Episode 9 Germination…Carcinogenesis?(2)] End

ⓒ Gukbbong

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