Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 166

Chapter 166

Following Sejongs order, the rebellious clans were shattered.  

With the adult male heads of families and clans all participating in the uprising, it was frequent for 15 year old boys to now be the eldest of families. 

However, that was just the beginning of tragedy.  

Regardless of age, those participating in the uprising were executed. Especially those who killed relatives opposing participation were dismembered.  

That was not the end of the affairs. According to both Joseons Economic Primary Six Codes and Economic Land War (the revised version), sons of rebel participants over 15 years the proper age to hold ancestral rites were all given strokes of the rod.

With rebels moving by entire clans, it brought even greater disaster.  

By law, collective punishment reached up to 3rd cousins of the offender. And those who fell under collective punishment were sentenced to exile.  

Of course, depending on the will of the powerful, that scope could be expanded. However, with entire clans participating in this uprising, there were no such exiles to take place.   

As a result, through this uprising, the noblemen society of the three southern provinces received a destructive blow. 

Looking solely at the percentage of noblemen who faced destruction through this uprising 40% for Chungcheong Province, 38% for Gyeongsang Province, 33% for Jeolla Province. But when looking at the economic side 55%, 62%, and 69% of farm lands respectively fell into government hands. Or more precisely, into Sejongs hands.   

So did they have to raise a rebellion after all.  

Looking over the report raised by the Ministry of Taxation, Sejong was so shocked he couldnt speak properly.  

Nearly half, or more than half, of Joseons important granary regions except for Gyeonggi Province had been under these noblemens control.  

The contents in the thick tome report from the Ministry of Taxation were more than just that. As Sejong looked over the latter half, his expression turned fiercely sinister.  

Is this truly a fact?

At Sejongs question, Kim Jeom promptly replied.  

It is true.

Those bastards need to be ripped to death!

Sejong revealed his anger in full.

The contents of the latter half of the report was about property seized from clans joining the uprising. Even excluding real estate like farms and forests, the total value of seized assets rivaled 15 years of tax revenue for the court. Simply put, it meant the court could run the government for 15 years if the missing tax revenue were truly collected.  

Those ungrateful bastards.

With those gnashed teeth words, Sejongs jowls shivered.  

Your Majesty! Please quell your justified anger!  

Please quell your justified anger!  

Urged by ministers like Kim Jeom to settle his anger, Sejong took deep breaths to quell his rage.  

After a long bout of deep breathing, having cooled his rage to some extent, Sejong spoke while gazing at the ministers.  

From the final years of the late kings reign all the way until my first 5 years, we held rites, praying for rain every year. And every year, petitions from across the country reporting people starving to death poured in endlessly, followed by regional governors persistence that this should be resolved.

That is correct.

In such a situation, to have amassed wealth like this Is it possible that this happened through legitimate means?

.  

The ministers said nothing to Sejongs question. Because they had their fair share of sore spots as well. A significant portion of gifts that officials ended up giving away during the Kim Doyeon incident were provided by these sorts of improperly enriched individuals.  

With the ministers remaining silent, Sejong looked over the report once more. Staring at the report as if to pierce it through with his glare, Sejong called for the high official.  

Immediately summon the Crown Prince and Chief State Councilor. 

Yes, Your Majesty.  

Soon after being summoned, with the Chief State Councilor and Hyang in front of him, Sejong gave a brief order. 

While executing those directly involved in revolt is unavoidable, come up with ideas on how to utilize those who have fallen to slavery, and report back on this. The price must be paid for favoring their fellow colleagues for this long.  

We shall obey your order.  

The Chief State Councilor and Hyang lowered their heads respectfully as they answered.  

And so the answer that came out from the Hall of Worthies and research facility was 30 years of labor in mines.  

***

There is only harsh labor.

Having received Sejongs order from Hyang, officials at the research facility immediately mentioned hard labor. At the officials answer, Hyang nodded as he added on.  

While that may be the answer, I dont think its the correct solution. Where and how the penal servitude is carried out is the issue. Others must clearly see they are paying the proper price right now. Additionally, those doing the same work cannot receive similar treatment. Lastly, escape must not be easy.

Ah

At Hyangs stated conditions, all the officials cocked their heads.  

Amid deep thought, Jeong Inji made a proposal.

What do you think about assigning them to the road constructions currently in progress?  

At Jeong Injis words, Jeong-cho raised objections.  

Hasnt it already been decided that road constructions will be handled by private consortiums?  

That is true. However, according to the plans just formulated, very little of the roads will be straight. Due to mountains and rivers. 

Thats a fair point.  

Bringing over a map and spreading it out on the desk, Jeong Inji continued his explanation tracing lines with his finger.  

Im saying we assign them to the straightening reconstruction process for these roads. Drilling tunnels through mountains and rather than just picking narrow parts of rivers for bridges, erecting them at points closest to a straight line. Of course construction difficulty and capital investment will be significantly greater. We use criminals for that challenging construction work.  

Hmm. 

Sounds decent.  

At Jeong Injis words, officials at the research facility all had expressions as if it made sense.  

However, the head supervisor of the project, Hyang, shook his head.  

No good. 

Why not?

Asked for the reason, Hyang immediately explained it.  

First, road construction sites are places where people live. Risk of escape is high. 

If separate detention facilities are built for the regions undergoing challenging constructions.  

No matter how many detention facilities you build, road work sites have villages right over a mountain or two. Plus those sites are covered with dangerous tools like hoes, axes, and shovels. If something goes wrong, it could lead to casualties for neighboring villages.  

Still though.  

Secondly, handing road constructions to private consortiums also serve the purposes of circulating funds, gathering personnel, expanding currency circulation, and expanding Joseons economic scale. Mass assigning criminals there? It may fall short of expected goals.   

Ah.  

As Hyangs explanation continued, Jeong Injis head drooped lower and lower. Seeing that, Hyang looked around at the other officials.  

Lastly, theyll be building bridges and digging tunnels through mountains. Challenging constructions. As those types of projects are underway, the laborers will gain experience and become skilled technicians.

Taking a short break and catching his breath, Hyang pointed out a critical problem.  

However, teaching such important skills and techniques to criminals, and especially those convicted of treason does it seem reasonable to you? For ordinary criminals providing skills and reforming them makes sense so they never commit crimes again, but rebels are different, are they not?

As Hyang pointed out the political issue, Jeong Inji waved the white flag.  

My thinking was a bit shortsighted.  

While the idea was good, you didnt consider the political problem. Go back and ponder this a little more. 

Yes.

As such, Hyang and research facility officials put their heads together agonizing over one proposal after another while going over various reports and maps from the Boards of the Interior and Revenue.  

What made Hyang and his officials rack their brains was the issue of disdained statuses tied to certain professions.  

Itd be perfect if we use them for either mine labor or oarsmen for ships.  

With that disdained status problem, theres already fewer and fewer who want those roles. How will we handle securing manpower in the future?

Ugh.  

One day while Hyang was going over documents at Area 51, Lee Chun came to find him.  

Your Highness, have you heard the news?  

What news?

As Hyang asked in puzzlement, Lee Chun made a faint smile and continued speaking.  

Though an official report will soon reach the court, a large iron mine has been discovered in a newly pioneered region.  

At Lee Chuns words, Hyangs eyes lit up.  

An iron mine, you say? Where is it?

At Hyangs question, Lee Chun took down a map from the wall and spread it out on the desk, pointing to one spot.  

Right here.  

Nodding as he looked over where Lee Chun indicated, Hyang said,  

Looks decent. Well need to research more on this. Thank you, general.  

You flatter me. As a retainer of Joseon, Im just doing my assigned tasks.

 Following Hyangs order, officials from the research center immediately rode off northward.  

What brings people from Hanseong here? 

The Crown Prince sent us.

The dispatched official held out Hyangs letter of introduction to  Hwang Hui. After checking the letters contents,  Hwang Hui called for his scribe.  

Go and

Im right here!  

Hearing Kim Jong-seos voice from right next door,  Hwang Hui scowled.  

That rascal dashes to Hanseong no matter rain or shine.  

In a low voice, he muttered complaints as he gave orders to Kim Jong-seo.   

Hand over duplicated written materials on the mountain to them and if necessary, carry out on-site investigations as well.  

Yes, sir! Then please follow me!  

With high spirits, Kim Jong-seo led the research center officials off.  

Where is the most popular pleasure quarter in Hanseong these days? How about gisaengs

Listening to Kim Jong-seos very excited inquiries about this and that regarding Hanseong,  Hwang Huis face crumpled up.

His love for Hanseong is always.

***

Having obtained data through that process, Hyang and research center officials soon chose Muan-san as the most ideal location.  

With the mountain and Tumen River surrounding on three sides, the only exit is the Cheongjin road. Surveillance will be easy.  

Since it is an open mine, utilizing female penal labor will also carry less burden. Additionally, it is the optimal position to supply iron to the second imperial ironworks scheduled for construction near Cheongjin.  

Following the report by Hyang and research officials, Sejong made his decision.  

Send the criminals to Mt. Musan for labor!   

***  

According to Sejongs decree, surviving members from rebellious clans had their status demoted to slavery and were dragged off to the iron mines in Mt. Musan and coal mines near Gyeongheung, which was discovered recently called Aoji in the 21st century.

Once Sejong made his decision, those locked up in regional offices prisons and garrison prisons started heading north. The number of people who began relocating like this reached approximately 110,000 clan members and slaves owned by clans.  

In this process of moving north, considerable sacrifices occurred. Those who tried escaping when chances appeared, were caught and killed. Those in despair over their circumstances, committed suicide. As well as many who collapsed from mental shock and physical exhaustion, dying on route.  

Those that died were carelessly buried in hillsides nearby.  

Move it!  

At the escort soldiers shouts, those remaining had no choice but to move their unsteady feet, tears flowing.  

Having suddenly gone from living well as noblemen to the wretched status of slaves overnight. At the torment of having to bury their own family without proper rites, they went on moving. The minds of these survivors grew increasingly devastated.   

***

One day in the distant future, progressive scholars used this incident and the earlier Purging of Rebels event to launch fierce criticisms on Sejong.  

Sejong was a tyrant!  

The heated debates between these progressive historians and their conservative counterparts stirred up the field of history. 

***

The Southern Provinces Uprising sent massive ripples across Joseon society. As an aftermath of this uprising, the courts centralization of power was further strengthened while local noblemen became increasingly subdued.  

In the process, an unexpected victim emerged village schools scattered across the nation.

Having received reports that the rebels began their conspiracies and formed cliques in village schools, Sejong ordered their abolition.  

Though created for holding memorial rites to the shrines of Great Scholar, and cultivating scholarly principles, they have become hotbeds for the unrestful! Thus village schools will be abolished! Memorial rites to past sages will be handled by the Sunkyunkwan, so those desiring to hold rites ought to properly do so by coming to the Sunkyunkwan!

In the past, once this order came down, not only would ministers but local noblemen across the land rise up in defiance. However, with Sejongs royal authority being absolute and righteousness completely in his grasp, no prominent local nobleman dared to resist.  

And so before that year Gi-Yu ended, village schools across Joseon were dismantled.