or Cancerous Growth?
(13) 20: Sprouting…
or Cancerous Growth?
(13) ***ANNOUNCEMENT*** New Novel Event for the entire week.
Hyang regained perfect health.
Sejong immediately summoned Soedol from prison.
“The Crown Prince has recovered completely.
Are you truly certain he will never contract smallpox?” “I am certain, Your Majesty.
I experienced it myself, and everyone living alongside me has also avoided smallpox ever since.” “I am still uneasy.
Therefore every resident of Hanyang who has never suffered smallpox shall receive cowpox inoculation.
Can preparations be made so all may receive it?” At Sejong’s question, Soedol calculated silently for a moment before answering.
“To accomplish that, at least twenty cattle infected with cowpox will be necessary.” “Use the royal cattle your people already raise.” “If so, preparations can be completed within fifteen days.” “Then begin immediately.
And furthermore…” Sejong paused briefly, glared once toward Hyang beside him, then continued.
“I hereby appoint you Royal Ranch Assistant Magistrate of the royal livestock grounds on Neobeol Island.” “Your grace is immeasurable!” At Sejong’s words, Soedol threw himself flat in a deep bow.
Though technically a commoner, he had spent his life as little more than a lowly cattle herder.
Now he had received an actual government position.
“Then begin preparations at once.” “I obey Your Majesty’s command!” Answering loudly, Soedol hurried excitedly out of the palace.
Meanwhile, after returning to the royal hall, Sejong glared at Hyang.
“First, Crown Prince.
Congratulations on recovering your health.” “Your grace is immeasurable, Father.” “However, I will never tolerate another incident like this.
You will report matters beforehand and receive my permission first.” “I shall remember that always, Father.” At Hyang’s obedient answer, Sejong unconsciously muttered to himself.
“This brat really does answer well…
ah!” Realizing his mistake, Sejong quickly glanced toward the historians.
But the moment he saw their gold pens moving excitedly already, he smacked his lips and continued speaking.
“You and that Soedol fellow seem fully convinced cowpox inoculation will prevent smallpox, but I remain uncertain.
Therefore I intend to test it among the people of Hanyang.
What do you think?” “A wise decision.
However, I would like to add several suggestions.” “Add suggestions?
Speak.” “First, the earliest recipients should be the physicians and medical women of the Royal Medical Office.
If smallpox spreads during inoculation, then those already inoculated can be dispatched directly to treat the infected.” “Then we would confirm even more clearly whether Soedol’s claims are true or false?” “Exactly, Father.” “Hm…” After considering the proposal briefly, Sejong turned toward the Minister of Personnel, who supervised the Royal Medical Office.
“Once Soedol’s preparations are sufficiently complete, administer cowpox inoculations first to half the physicians and medical women of the Royal Medical Office.” “Only half?” “Judging from this brat’s…
no, the Crown Prince’s case, they will remain bedridden for at least fifteen days.
Splitting them into halves seems more appropriate.” “We shall proceed accordingly.” After hearing the response, Sejong looked back toward Hyang.
“Is there anything else you wish to add?” “Yes.
Rather than summoning people to central locations, I believe it would be better to visit households directly and administer the inoculations door to door.” “The reason?” “Cowpox inoculation is completely unfamiliar.
Smallpox itself is terrifying, but if suddenly told to receive some unknown treatment they have never heard of, who would willingly volunteer?” “That is true.
So rather than waiting for them to come, we go directly and ensure no one is missed?
Reasonable.” “And furthermore, when the inoculation teams visit households, officials from the Ministry of Personnel should accompany them to conduct population registration surveys.” “Excellent!
That is truly brilliant!” At Hyang’s proposal, Sejong struck his knee in admiration.
Conducting census registration had always been notoriously difficult.
Countless people fled whenever census officials appeared, hoping to avoid taxes and labor obligations.
As a result, even Hanyang itself lacked proper population records despite being the royal capital.
“A perfect case of killing two birds with one stone!
Is there anything else?” Sejong’s face now overflowed with smiles, clearly delighted by Hyang’s proposals.
At the question, Hyang answered immediately.
“Father may still hold doubts, but I am personally convinced this inoculation will succeed.
Therefore it is only natural that inoculations will eventually spread not merely throughout Hanyang, but across the entire nation.” “That may indeed happen.” “If so, then I ask that contributions be collected from both the ministers and the provincial scholar-gentry.” At Hyang’s proposal, Sejong’s expression became serious.
“Collect contributions from the scholar-gentry?” “Yes.
Just as cattle that survive cowpox never contract it again, we must continuously acquire fresh cattle and infect them anew with cowpox.
That alone will require considerable expense.
In addition, dispatching physicians, medical women, and census officials also requires money.” “That is true.” Not only Sejong but the ministers nodded in agreement.
“Yet demanding payment from the common people would be difficult.
Most are already struggling simply to survive the spring famine.” “Sadly, that is true.
All because of my own lack of virtue.” At Sejong’s self-reproach, the ministers immediately lowered their heads together.
“Absolutely not!
All the people know Your Majesty’s virtue reaches Heaven itself!
These are unavoidable natural disasters.
Please do not blame yourself!” “Please do not blame yourself!” Watching the ministers suddenly defend Sejong so passionately, Hyang clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘These are the same people who constantly bark that every disaster is the king’s fault…
guess it really depends on the situation.’ Once the ministers quieted again, Hyang continued.
“In such circumstances, how could we possibly demand money from the common people?
But the wealthy local landowners and scholar-gentry are different.
In my personal opinion, those owning one hundred seok worth of land should contribute the value of half a cow.
Those with one thousand seok should contribute three cows.
Those with ten thousand seok should contribute twenty cows.
That alone should cover the necessary expenses.” “Hm…” At Hyang’s suggestion, Sejong and the ministers immediately began calculating costs and benefits mentally.
After a moment, the Right State Councillor spoke.
“The Crown Prince’s proposal may indeed be wise, but will they truly contribute willingly?” “We simply make them contribute.
If they volunteer willingly beforehand, then reward them with commemorative monuments or honorary plaques.
If they refuse, then force collection.
And if they stubbornly continue refusing…” Hyang paused briefly.
His eyes turned cold.
“Then simply do not administer inoculations in the villages belonging to those families.” “That seems somewhat harsh.” At the Right State Councillor’s criticism, the Minister of Personnel immediately objected loudly.
“Harsh?
Not at all!
Even a landowner with one hundred seok is considered the senior elder of his village!
If one calls himself scholar-gentry or village elder, then naturally he must step forward first!
If he refuses, then he lacks all qualification to call himself scholar-gentry!
What meaning is there in endlessly reciting the classics if one never acts upon them?
Knowledge and action must become one!” At the Minister of Personnel’s fierce rebuttal, the Left State Councillor joined the debate.
“But the issue remains the financial burden.” “No matter how expensive cattle become, can a landowner worth one hundred seok truly not afford half a cow?
It is not inability.
They simply do not wish to pay!” Beginning with the clash between the state councillors and the Minister of Personnel, the ministers quickly split into two factions and launched into heated arguments.
“If they call themselves scholar-gentry, then naturally they must contribute!” “That still does not justify the state forcing payment!” Watching the fierce exchange, Sejong turned tired eyes toward Hyang.
“You possess truly exceptional talent for stirring storms out of perfectly calm ground.” “Thank you for the compliment.” “You actually heard that as praise?” At Hyang’s strangely satisfied smile, Sejong clicked his tongue quietly.
“Tsk.” Then he looked back toward the still-arguing ministers and clicked his tongue again, even louder.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk!” “Ahem!” The ministers quickly straightened themselves once Sejong openly expressed annoyance.
“I have heard your opinions well.
Regarding costs, let us revisit the matter after observing the inoculation results in Hanyang.
The Ministries of Personnel and Taxation shall thoroughly record both census data and all related expenditures during the inoculation process.
Once we review the results, we shall discuss the matter further.” “We obey Your Majesty’s command.” As discussion regarding Hanyang’s inoculation program gradually settled, Hyang immediately spoke again.
“I have another petition for Father.” “A petition?” The instant Hyang uttered the word “petition,” Sejong and every minister visibly tensed.
Each time Hyang presented a petition, chaos inevitably followed.
“…Must you really submit this petition?” “I believe it absolutely necessary.” At Hyang’s answer, Sejong released a long sigh.
“Hooo…
Speak.” “Yes.
First, regarding the Royal Medical Office.” “The Royal Medical Office?” “Yes.
Several years ago, the Ministry of Personnel already raised concerns that physicians cared only about passing examinations and gaining official rank.
As a result, they focused entirely on memorizing prescription books while neglecting actual treatment.” “Yes…
I remember.” At Sejong’s response, the Minister of Personnel interjected.
“Now that I think carefully, I also recall publicly raising that issue.
At the time, Your Majesty ruled that promotions should focus primarily upon actual treatment results.” “Yes.
I remember.” Nodding slowly, Sejong looked back toward Hyang.
Hyang continued.
“Father’s ruling at that time was truly wise.” “Then what remains the problem?” “The same issue revealed by this cowpox inoculation.
Even if many physicians exist, there remain countless illnesses they do not understand and treatments they do not yet know.” “That is true.
Then perhaps we should import even more medical texts from Ming.” “New Chinese medical texts will certainly help, but they are not the final answer.
The mountains and rivers of China differ from those of Joseon, and the people differ as well.
That is why during King Jeongjong’s reign the Hyangyak Jipseongbang was compiled.
It must now be expanded and revised.” “Expanded…
yes, that makes sense.
Minister of Personnel, what are your thoughts?” At Sejong’s question, the Minister of Personnel bowed deeply.
“I believe the Crown Prince’s proposal is entirely correct!” “Does anyone disagree?” Not a single minister raised objections.
“Very well.
The Ministry of Personnel shall cooperate with the Royal Medical Office and Hall of Worthies to expand the medical text.” “We obey Your Majesty’s command.” After deciding upon expansion of the Hyangyak Jipseongbang, Sejong turned once more toward Hyang.
“Anything further?” “Yes.
While observing Father and the ministers discussing state affairs, I noticed another problem.” “A problem?” “When matters of governance arise, the ministers rely upon memory while searching for similar precedents from the past.
Even today, did you not do exactly that?” “We did.” “And many of the elder ministers here also served during the previous dynasty.” “That is true.” “Similar problems inevitably repeat themselves.
In ten years…
twenty years…
perhaps thirty years…
these elder ministers and even today’s younger officials will all retire.
What then?
What happens when governance falls into the hands of a generation possessing neither the memory nor experience to reflect upon?” “That…
would indeed become a problem.” At Hyang’s observation, Sejong answered gravely.
Once even Sejong grew serious, the Left State Councillor joined the conversation.
“As Your Highness says, old men like myself will likely return to dust within thirty years, and even those young red-faced officials will mostly retire.
But policies and institutions flow continuously like rivers.
Even then, there will still exist those possessing experience.
Any problems can surely be resolved.” ‘So basically “today will remain like yesterday, and tomorrow like today”?’ Stunned by the Left State Councillor’s answer, Hyang immediately refuted him.