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“And one especially unusual thing…
many merchants in Ming were actively searching for Joseon paper.” “Joseon paper?” “Yes, Your Majesty.
They claimed the quality of paper produced in Joseon far surpassed that of Ming paper.
Ever since the previous dynasty, many in the great empire have sought what they call ‘Haedong paper’ or ‘Goryeo paper.'” At the Minister of Taxation’s explanation, Sejong stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“Hm…
perhaps we should order the Paper Manufacturing Bureau to increase production.” The moment Sejong finished speaking, Hyang immediately stepped forward.
“This son has a petition for Your Majesty!” “Speak.” “I ask that the Paper Manufacturing Bureau be abolished!” The bomb dropped by the Minister of Taxation was immediately detonated by Hyang himself.
At the sudden demand to abolish the Paper Manufacturing Bureau, the royal chamber froze completely.
Both Sejong and the ministers failed to understand Hyang’s words at first.
“Abolish the Paper Manufacturing Bureau?
At a time when Ming merchants desperately want our paper?” “This seems entirely unlike the usual arguments made by Your Highness.” “This is an opportunity for new profits.
Why oppose it?” After a moment, criticism erupted from all directions.
Hyang’s position completely contradicted what he usually advocated.
But Hyang had already prepared his rebuttal.
“Abolishing the Paper Manufacturing Bureau is entirely consistent with everything I have advocated until now.” “Consistent?
Then explain.” “Yes.” Hyang immediately began explaining why the bureau needed to disappear.
The Paper Manufacturing Bureau currently produced only six kinds of paper.
However, during the previous dynasty, far more varieties had existed, and their quality had also been superior.
That meant conditions had steadily worsened over time.
And if that continued, eventually Ming merchants would stop purchasing Joseon paper entirely, causing Joseon to lose an important market.
“Hm…
Crown Prince, I understand your concerns.
If paper quality continues declining, then naturally Ming merchants will stop buying it.
But why does that require abolishing the bureau itself?
Could we not simply supervise the paper craftsmen more strictly?” Sejong interrupted midway through the explanation.
Hyang immediately answered.
“There is a saying among the people.
‘One may drag a cow to water, but whether it drinks depends on the cow itself.’ No matter how strict the supervision becomes, what results can possibly come when the craftsmen themselves have lost all motivation?” “The craftsmen have lost motivation?” “Yes, Father.
You are already aware that I have visited the Directorate of Military Supplies and many other government workshops.” “Of course.” Sejong nodded.
“And every single time, the trouble created afterward by your inventions became my headache.” At Sejong’s remark, several ministers unconsciously nodded in agreement, causing Hyang to smile bitterly.
“I do not believe I caused quite that much trouble…
but setting that aside.” Hyang explained why craftsmen employed by the state lacked motivation.
“The stipends they receive are pitiful.
Their salaries barely allow their families to survive.
As a result, many have either taken side jobs or abandoned government service entirely.” “And what do they do after leaving?” “Some rent fields as tenant farmers or work manual labor.
Others enter private merchant workshops.
Under such conditions, what good does stricter supervision accomplish?
Production demands continue increasing while management grows harsher, yet wages never improve.
Naturally, more craftsmen simply quit.” As Hyang spoke, Sejong’s expression darkened seriously.
Meanwhile, the Chief State Councillor stepped forward to challenge him.
“Those working under the Directorate of Military Supplies and royal workshops possess official rank equivalent to junior ninth grade and receive stipends appropriate to that status.
Yet among regular officials of the same rank, resignations remain extremely rare.
Therefore low stipends cannot excuse negligence among the craftsmen.” At the Chief State Councillor’s argument, Hyang openly exposed the officials’ dirty secrets.
“And surely you know perfectly well those officials receive many things behind the scenes.
Even at your own residence, gifts arrive from visitors every single morning, do they not?” “Those are merely gifts!” “Did I say otherwise?” Completely silencing the Chief State Councillor, Hyang turned back toward Sejong.
“With matters as they are, why would craftsmen serving the palace or government devote themselves fully to their work?
Worse still, many no longer even wish to pass their skills down to their children.
They believe becoming a tenant farmer is preferable to inheriting a lifetime of poverty through craftsmanship.
Under such circumstances, how many techniques accumulated over centuries have already disappeared?
And if talented craftsmen refuse even to improve their abilities, how can progress ever occur?” “The Crown Prince speaks correctly.” As Sejong nodded in agreement, the Chief State Councillor immediately objected again.
“But why did King Taejong establish the Paper Manufacturing Bureau in the first place?
Because the quality of paper received through tax tribute varied wildly, forcing officials to inspect and sort everything repeatedly.
If the bureau is abolished, we shall merely revive those same problems from Taejong’s reign.
Please reconsider carefully, Your Majesty!” “Please reconsider carefully!” Following the Chief State Councillor’s lead, the ministers echoed together.
“And how should this be resolved?” Feigning difficulty, Sejong glanced sideways toward Hyang.
‘This old fox definitely already knows the answer.’ “Haah…” After quietly sighing, Hyang spoke.
“Why must the state receive tribute paper directly at all?” “Pardon?” “Have you already forgotten the gold pen example?
The government simply establishes exact standards regarding paper size and quality, then signs contracts with the merchant groups offering the lowest acceptable prices while meeting those standards.” “But the resulting expenses…” “Is paper something needed only by the palace and government offices?
Just as with the gold pens, once merchants possess the prestige of ‘official royal supplier,’ it becomes obvious their products will sell successfully in the markets as well.
The state can then tax the profits they earn and ultimately receive several times more revenue than the original expenditures.” “…” At Hyang’s explanation, the ministers, including the Chief State Councillor himself, fell completely silent.
The gold pen precedent already existed.
Hyang immediately pressed the advantage further.
“Did not Ming merchants specifically request Joseon paper this time?
If Joseon merchants compete against one another while continuously producing high-quality paper, then they can earn enormous wealth within the vast Ming market.
And naturally, the court itself will secure even greater revenues.” Even after Hyang finished speaking, not a single minister offered a rebuttal.
After a long silence, the Minister of Taxation finally stepped forward.
“In this servant’s opinion, the Crown Prince’s proposal is entirely reasonable.” “Minister!” The Chief State Councillor glared sharply at him, but the Minister of Taxation continued without hesitation.
“Relieving the people, maintaining government institutions, preserving public order, and defending the borders all require money.
Nearly thirty years have passed since the founding of Joseon, yet we still lack any clear solution regarding state finances.
In fact, matters only grow more difficult each year.
If a workable solution exists, why should we refuse to use it?” At the Minister of Taxation’s words, the Chief Censor suddenly exploded.
“Minister of Taxation, choose your words carefully!
If all people understood the teachings of the sages and became true gentlemen, then the kingdom would naturally achieve peace!
Even the barbarians of the borders and the Japanese pirates would become civilized through the influence of virtue!
Therefore the foremost duty of ministers is determining how to morally educate the people!
Your Majesty!
Though the Crown Prince’s words appear reasonable at first glance, they merely treat surface wounds through temporary measures!
If true peace and stability are desired, then moral education of the people must come first!” The Minister of Personnel immediately fired back.
“Your Majesty!
Though the Chief Censor’s words sound proper, they amount to nothing more than empty theory!
If starving people collapse from hunger, how can they possibly understand the words of the sages?
Moral education matters, yes, but stable livelihoods matter even more!” ‘Huh?
That’s something I used to say myself.’ Muttering inwardly, Hyang watched the debate erupt between the ministers with obvious enjoyment.
‘I need popcorn.
Seriously.’ While thoroughly entertained by the chaos, Hyang glanced sideways toward Sejong.
Sejong remained silent with a calm expression, but his eyes were clearly smiling.
‘That old man’s enjoying this.’ The ministers’ arguments steadily intensified.
Using both real-world examples and passages from the classics, the debate grew increasingly fierce while historians and royal secretaries frantically moved their gold pens recording every word.
“Enough.” Once the arguments began approaching outright personal attacks involving each other’s parents, Sejong finally raised his hand to stop them.
Watching the ministers struggle to steady their breathing afterward, Sejong delivered his conclusion.
“I have heard your opinions well.
Moral education of the people is indeed important and absolutely necessary.
However, securing stable livelihoods for the people is equally essential.
Therefore various methods must be explored.
Continue researching such solutions carefully.” “We obey Your Majesty’s command.” “And regarding the Paper Manufacturing Bureau, I believe the Crown Prince’s proposal is fundamentally correct.
However, abolishing it immediately would be too hasty.
Therefore spend the next three days determining exactly how this matter should be resolved and report your conclusions.” “We obey Your Majesty’s command.” After issuing orders to the ministers, Sejong turned toward Hyang.
“Crown Prince, listen carefully.” “Yes, Father.” “I understand well that you concern yourself greatly with enriching the nation and stabilizing the people.
Such things are naturally the duty of a Crown Prince, so I shall neither criticize nor praise you for them.” “I am deeply grateful.” Hyang bowed respectfully at Sejong’s evaluation.
‘At least I’m not getting scolded.’ Unfortunately for Hyang, Sejong continued speaking.
“However, it is undeniable that every time you present your opinions, tremendous disorder follows.
That is because neither I nor the ministers here understand the principles by which you form your ideas.
Therefore, you shall explain your political philosophy regarding governance.” “Pardon?” “Crown Prince, neither I nor the ministers doubt your intelligence and learning.
However, you are still young enough that you may mistake incorrect ideas for proper ones.
Discovering and correcting such things beforehand is also a father’s responsibility.” “Yes…” At Sejong’s words, Hyang quietly lowered his head.
“Will you require preparation time?” After thinking briefly, Hyang answered.
“Please grant me five days.” “So be it.” Thus the royal audience ended with Sejong’s declaration that the Crown Prince would present his governing philosophy five days later.
As the ministers exited the royal chamber, though invisible outwardly, they had already split into three major factions.
The first faction centered around the Chief State Councillor and the Three High Ministers supporting him.
“We must prepare thoroughly over the next five days.” “Prepare?” At the question from one follower, the Chief State Councillor answered immediately.
“We must review not only the classics, but all policies implemented thus far.” “But must we truly prepare that seriously against a mere nine-year-old child?” The Chief State Councillor’s expression immediately hardened.
“Then how exactly do you explain everything we have already suffered at the hands of that nine-year-old?” “That is…” “Hah!
Do you still not understand who stands behind the Crown Prince?
The mouth speaking may belong to the Crown Prince, but the thoughts behind those words clearly belong to His Majesty himself.
Think carefully about everything that has happened so far.
Has His Majesty ever opposed anything the Crown Prince insisted upon?” “No…
he has not.” “Exactly.
The Crown Prince may indeed only be nine years old.
Certainly, his learning deserves recognition.
But political philosophy requires more than scholarship alone.
It requires statecraft, and statecraft comes only through time.
At first I too believed the Crown Prince merely a genius.
But how many incidents has he already created?
Even a genius could not accomplish such things alone.
Only by assuming His Majesty stands behind him does everything make sense.” At the Chief State Councillor’s conclusion, everyone nearby nodded in agreement.
“Therefore prepare yourselves thoroughly.
How difficult was it for us to establish this Joseon?
Shall we truly stand idle and watch the corrupt practices of the previous dynasty return once more?”