He Became King Sejong’s Lifelong Prime Minister - Chapter 21

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Merit Stele (5)

All meetings must come to an end – where there are encounters, there must be partings.

It’s not like I’m some king of Jinhae County, and when the Royal Court tells me to go, naturally I should go…

But now that I’m actually leaving like this, my heart feels heavy. There’s still so much work to be done, and it feels like I’m leaving without finishing everything I should have.

However, Joseon is currently the country with the strongest centralized power in the entire world by present standards.

When they tell you to go and you don’t go, that becomes treason, so I absolutely must go.

“There are many unfinished tasks, but I did work hard enough to have no regrets. That’s enough.”

I tried to comfort myself and rose from my seat, leaving behind the pile of neatly organized documents.

Ibang and the other Local Clerks who saw me couldn’t hide their regretful expressions as they spoke.

“For such an excellent person as the Magistrate to leave so quickly is truly regrettable.”

“Where there are meetings, there must be partings. And isn’t the new person coming this time not a County Magistrate of junior 6th rank like me, but a County Governor of junior 5th rank? Since it’s not a greenhorn who just passed the civil service exam like me, but someone who’s been seasoned in government service, Jinhae County will prosper even more than now.”

During the year and a half I served as Jinhae County Magistrate, Jinhae County developed quite considerably.

Although most were wandering people who had been drifting around our county area, as they settled in Jinhae County, the population increased by nearly 10%.

Agricultural land also increased by about 3%, and this seems likely to grow to around 10% by next year or the year after when land clearing is fully completed.

As the market became more active, the Common People’s standard of living improved significantly, and as agricultural water supply became easier, crop yields increased by nearly 15%.

Jinhae County itself was originally quite large for a county governed by a ‘County Magistrate’, but this time my various successful policies brought prosperity that was recognized… and even the county’s status was elevated.

In Korean terms, it’s like being promoted from a town to a small city.

“Magistrate…”

“The new Magistrate will take better care of you all than I did. And anyone watching would think I’m going into exile. This is clearly a promotion to senior 6th rank.”

The Royal Court valued the achievements I made very highly. So they raised my rank by as many as three levels.

Going through the stages of junior 6th rank senior grade, senior 6th rank junior grade, and senior 6th rank senior grade.

According to the new promotion law created this year, Joseon officials in the case of lower officials (below senior 3rd rank senior grade) are almost always promoted based on length of service, with rank increases every 15 months being typical. For local governors, promotion comes every 2 years and 6 months.

In reality, since I worked for 1 year and 6 months, it would be normal not to get promoted…

Thinking about this, from a general perspective, there’s no greater cause for celebration than this.

“It was an honor to serve the Magistrate. But what should we do with the gifts the county people brought?”

“Have them all returned.”

“Magistrate, these are things gathered with one heart and one mind by everyone from the county nobles to the common people and even us local clerks. To refuse even these would be abandoning the pure hearts of those who gave them. There isn’t a single person who hasn’t benefited from your virtue, Magistrate. You may not know this, but everyone in the county united their hearts and even submitted a petition asking that you stay in our county just a little longer. We didn’t tell you about this until the end because we knew you would absolutely tell us not to do such a thing if you found out, and when the petition was rejected, you ended up having to leave like this… If you don’t accept even these gifts, we’ll truly be heartbroken.”

When he says this much, not accepting would also weigh on my mind.

I had already given orders to the local clerks to absolutely not prepare any farewell parties or farewell gifts. That’s why I canceled the farewell banquet yesterday.

But they still prepared gifts like this… This must all be the sincere feelings of the common people.

On top of that, they say everyone united with one heart and mind to submit a petition to prevent me from leaving. It would be stranger not to accept this.

“I have no choice. Then I’ll accept them.”

“Thank you, Magistrate.”

After finishing my final farewell with Ibang, I exchanged greetings with the newly appointed County Governor who was waiting outside the Dongheon.

“This foolish and inadequate subordinate took on the great task of County Magistrate, and there were not few matters that weren’t handled properly. Still, I hope the newly arrived County Governor will please look kindly upon the mistakes this subordinate has made.”

The County Governor burst into laughter upon hearing the word “mistakes.”

“Hahaha, doesn’t County Magistrate Kim know the saying about excessive merit being like a fault? Too much modesty can also seem rude. Even the Retired King highly evaluates how County Magistrate Kim created the market and educated both nobles and common people.”

“I’m ashamed.”

The County Governor, who appeared to be in his mid-40s and thought my words were just pleasantries, laughed heartily like a good-natured department head.

“I heard that the county people, regardless of their status as scholars, farmers, artisans, or merchants, united with one heart and mind to submit a petition expressing gratitude for your good governance and asking that you stay even a little longer. If someone like you says such things, what does that make me?”

When he puts it that way, it seems like sincerely expressing my feelings of being “inadequate” would itself be rude to him.

I shouldn’t tarnish the face of a senior who has decades more experience in government service than me.

“I apologize.”

“That’s enough. I can tell what kind of person you are just by looking at those piles of gifts stacked up by the cartload in the government office courtyard over there. Even though you’re taking away this much, I can understand what it means when I see the expressions of the common people who, far from complaining, only feel regret about your departure.”

“Thank you.”

The newly arrived County Governor looked at me and chuckled.

“And I think I’m quite fortunate to be appointed as a local official. The Ministry of Taxation is currently working overtime like it’s a daily meal, worrying about how to expand and operate the market system you newly created to all counties nationwide. Everyone is working themselves to death without even time to drink a cup of tea or write a poem.”

The intensity difference between administrative work in Joseon and administrative work in 21st century modern society is severe when doing the same tasks.

For example, if you work 9:00~18:00 in America, they say you work like hell even during lunch time, chewing on sandwiches.

However, in Joseon, under the premise that you just need to finish your assigned work well, officials chat with each other during work hours (under the excuse of work-related discussions) and take breaks while drinking tea.

Cases like what the County Governor before me is describing – working late into the night, staring at documents with only time for meals and bathroom breaks – almost never happen.

Unless something really urgent comes up, that is.

“So usually when you’re assigned to a local post, you feel like you’ve been cast aside on paper, thinking your promotion will be delayed. But I considered it truly fortunate to be able to escape the hardships of the Ministry of Taxation and come to Jinhae County. Thanks to that, I came with a joyful heart. Since County Magistrate Kim did his work well, it seems I, as his successor, won’t have to suffer so much.”

“I don’t know where to put myself when you say such things.”

“County Magistrate Kim is truly diligent. As a senior who has spent 13 more years in official life than you, let me give you some advice – if a person lives too diligently, they can break someday. Living too uprightly can also be a problem.”

“I will take it to heart. I will strive to view the world a bit more flexibly, County Governor. However, there are too many unfinished county affairs, so I would like to quickly mention only the important ones.”

“Speak.”

“In my view, human waste is currently being wasted in the county. I have not yet been able to educate the common people, so they build latrines anywhere and handle things as they see fit… If we collect this and let it rot properly, it would make excellent compost and be of great help to farming.”

The County Governor’s face hardened upon hearing my words.

What I’m sharing is just a useful tip, so why is he reacting like that?

Regardless, I need to properly hand over the work I must transfer to the County Governor.

“Unfermented human waste will only kill vegetables and grains, and its effectiveness is also poor. So County Governor, please strictly forbid the ignorant common people from spreading human waste directly on fields, and have them use only what has been fermented for more than 20 days after mixing it with straw or fallen leaves.”

“… I understand.”

“Also, when farmers perform corvée labor, the government provides work meals. But I learned from listening that bailiffs and clerks are stealing makgeolli from the work meals. Though we reduce the people’s grain loans when they perform corvée labor, their bodies must be extremely tired… How can we allow them to steal the makgeolli that the people should drink? Of course, the bailiffs and clerks are also doing this because they’re tired, so County Governor, please keep a close eye on this matter as well… and provide them with plenty of alcohol too.”

Next, I handed over to the County Governor a booklet organizing the matters that needed to be transferred.

One thick book filled with densely written text.

Seeing this, the Magistrate, whose face had turned even paler, asked.

“… County Magistrate Kim, just how did you do your work?”

“I merely strived to act so that foolish me would not cause trouble for His Majesty.”

The newly arrived County Governor grabbed my shoulder and earnestly advised me.

“County Magistrate Kim, I’ll give you one truly important piece of advice.”

“Yes, County Governor. I will take it to heart.”

“Never say those words in front of the Minister of Taxation, or rather, in front of any Ministry of Taxation officials.”

The Ministry of Taxation officials are stuck working overtime because of me. If I say in front of such people that I could only do this much because I’m lacking, they’ll inevitably get angry.

Of course, it’s not that what I accomplished is absolutely little. But it’s also true that there are more than just one or two unfinished tasks.

Just properly fermenting manure to make compost would significantly improve agricultural efficiency, and it would also reduce deaths from waterborne infectious diseases among the common people.

Even if water and sewage systems are too much to ask for, we must ensure that toilets are installed in homes and public places so people only relieve themselves there… and with specialty product development and such, there’s a mountain of work to be done…

Still, if I do it one step at a time, it should work out.

It may seem far from adequate in my eyes, but if we proceed with reforms little by little and move forward… Joseon will become brighter.

After laying the groundwork to that extent, I can retire.

If I accomplish that much, even the stubborn Lord Heo Jo and Hwang Hee, the lifetime Prime Minister famous for eating lots of gold and nicknamed the Golden Chief Censor, won’t be able to say anything to me, right?

“Thank you, County Governor.”

Just as I was about to leave the county after saying those words, I heard a welcome voice.

“Magistrate.”

“Haha. I’m no longer a magistrate.”

“My lord, aren’t you taking a merchant like me along?”

Kim Man-deok smiled at me. His daughter Kim Gyeoul was also beside him.

“Are you planning to go to Hanyang?”

“If you support me, my lord, I should be able to get at least a small corner spot in the largest Sijeon in Joseon, shouldn’t I? I can leave the trading company in Jinhae County to my son, so I want to try playing in bigger waters.”

If Kim Man-deok stays by my side, I won’t have to worry about money problems in the future.

Right now, I need to dispose of all these valuable items I received as gifts – dried persimmons, dried seafood, and such.

Just the dried persimmons alone that I’ve received so far must be close to a ton…

“I’m counting on you.”

“Please continue to rely on me, Magistrate.”

After saying that, we were about to depart straight for Hanyang.

What I saw then was the people of Jinhae County crowding along both sides of the path I had to take.

They began crying as soon as they saw me.

“Thank you, Magistrate. Thanks to you, by next year I’ll be able to own a piece of land, even if it’s only the size of a palm. How can I ever repay this kindness…”

“Thanks to the Magistrate, I don’t have to worry about repaying next year’s relief grain, so when I lie down to sleep, my legs naturally stretch out completely. I’m so happy. I haven’t even been able to repay the kindness I received from the Magistrate, so why are you leaving already?”

Even the nobles who had opposed me when I first told them to pay more taxes came to see me off on my journey.

They bowed very respectfully toward me in greeting.

“Thanks to the Magistrate, the people have become abundant in food and clothing, and laughter never ceases throughout the county. We will never forget, even in death, the grace you have shown in caring for our county with your benevolent heart.”

Watching them, tears came to my eyes as well.

Leaving all those farewell words behind, I departed for Hanyang.

Though I am leaving this place, if I work even harder at whatever I can do in whatever position I find myself in…

I believe that someday all of them will also share in Joseon’s development.

**

Meanwhile, countless people came to the government office that Kim Dae-bung had left – nobles, merchants, and farmers alike.

The newly appointed County Governor felt dizzy seeing this scene.

However, being an experienced man, he was able to not show such signs.

“What is it that you want?”

At those words, the scholars of the county spoke in unison.

“The grace that the former Magistrate bestowed upon this county is great, so we wish to erect a Merit Stele to honor his virtuous deeds and benevolent heart. Please grant us permission.”

The construction of the Merit Stele was something Kim Dae-bung knew nothing about.

It was simply that everyone from poor commoners to nobles had gathered money with pure hearts.

“I shall grant permission. Also, since This Magistrate has received royal orders, I will do my best to repay His Majesty’s grace.”

Though he spoke these words, the County Governor felt very frustrated inside.

Since His Majesty had strictly ordered government officials to refrain from working on holidays, he could rest somewhat on those days…

But on non-holidays, he had been tormented by endless overtime work, so he thought he had been saved by coming here.

But the former Magistrate he was being compared to was someone that nobles and commoners unanimously requested to build a Merit Stele for.

If this was how it would be, he thought it might have been better to work overtime at the Ministry of Taxation.

Thinking this, he began reading the work handover documents that Kim Dae-bung had written.

With each page he turned, he felt like he was going insane.

“… On days when the five-day market is held, accidents increase, so I, as the County Governor, must personally go to the market to judge the common people and inspect discipline? And when yangban try to reduce their tribute tax payments, I must educate them to act righteously by bringing up the Merit Stele. Since I need to collect taxes from merchants, I should personally go out about once a year to see whether the merchants are hiding their wealth or not…”

Even though he had worked in government positions for over 10 years, this was the first time he’d encountered such a crazy bastard.

Where would you find a magistrate who monitors every single merchant and works directly in the open market?

“With so many things that need to be done like this, the Ministry of Taxation would seem better.”

Honestly, when appointed as a local official, it’s common sense in Joseon to work comfortably and accumulate money unless there are special orders from the king.

But to clean up the mess Kim Dae-bung had created to a degree that would satisfy the Retired King, now His Majesty…?

He’d have to give up on building wealth through bribes.

No, actually it was possible. If he did as much as Kim Dae-bung, no one would say anything even if he pocketed the equivalent of 2,000 seom of rice.

But would it be possible to do as much as Kim Dae-bung?

If not, he’d have to be completely honest and incorruptible. Only then could he earn sympathy votes from the yangban, local clerks, and common people whose standards had been raised because of Kim Dae-bung.

Furthermore, to clean up all that work…? He’d have to work himself to death.

The County Governor thought this way.

“I’d rather go to the Ministry of Taxation and just work overtime every day like eating meals. That would be more comfortable for both mind and body, damn it.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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