Chapter 130
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Chapter 130
‘I’ve accepted the command, but the easiest route is often the best. First, I need to check some prerequisites!’
Hyang, who was just about to enjoy his ‘happy time’ before being summoned, began by verifying some initial conditions.
“One idea comes to mind. When a private female slave) marries a commoner, she should be required to inform her master and obtain a document of permission. For government-owned female slaves, a similar document would be required from the relevant government office.”
Heo Jo quickly responded to Hyang’s suggestion.
“For private slaves, the master will likely grant permission or refuse it. Most private female slaves probably won’t ever get married.”
Hyang nodded thoughtfully at Heo Jo’s response.
“That makes sense.”
“And in the case of government-owned slaves, they usually don’t seek marriage.”
“Why is that?”
“A significant number of government-owned female slaves are from noble families.”
“Aha...”
Hyang slowly nodded, processing Heo Jo’s explanation.
* * *
When officials or scholars of the nobility committed serious crimes—often treason—their entire families were implicated and disgraced.
Adult males were typically executed, while young boys and women became government slaves.
Many of these women from noble families, now government slaves, chose to remain chaste—at least outwardly.
This also applied to women who became private slaves, either given to meritorious subjects or for various other reasons.
The decision of these women, reduced to a lower status, to remain chaste often stemmed from a faint hope of restoration.
The family of King Sejong’s father-in-law, Sim On, had its honor restored early in Sejong’s reign, excluding Sim On himself. Inspired by such rare instances, these women clung to that slim hope and maintained their chastity.
* * *
After hearing Heo Jo’s explanation, Hyang paused to gather his thoughts and then asked another question.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.
“Your Majesty has issued a decree, but considering the backlash from the slave owners, it won’t be easy. As a secondary option, what if all children born between commoners and female slaves become government slaves?”
Heo Jo immediately responded.
“Private slaves would all wish to become government slaves. Many are already eagerly seeking this status. So, naturally, they would be desperate to find commoner husbands.”
Hyang’s expression fell into disappointment.
“Indeed...”
After a moment of silence, Hyang composed himself and replied to King Sejong.
“I have received Your Majesty’s command, and as your servant, I will do my utmost to find a solution.”
“I trust the Crown Prince.”
“I will give my all.”
With a promise to himself, Hyang bowed to King Sejong and left Gangnyeongjeon.
Watching Hyang leave, King Sejong, once Hyang was out of sight, turned to Heo Jo.
“What if we hadn’t carried out the land reform, and the Crown Prince hadn’t shown such prominence?”
After a moment of silence, Heo Jo replied.
“Forgive my boldness, but if that were the case, I, or rather, all ministers, would have advocated for the Follow the Mother Law. Without it, Joseon might have plunged into civil unrest.”
“Civil unrest...” King Sejong murmured with a bitter expression.
‘It’s plausible in that scenario.’
Heo Jo was known for his principled stance. His foremost principle was ‘the peace of Joseon’. He believed in enforcing even unfair laws if they were for the sake of peace, as he had strongly advocated for the law prohibiting complaints from the common people.
Following this principle, he initially supported Ryu Jung-hyeon, but later shifted his support to King Sejong.
As King Sejong trailed off, Heo Jo’s expression grew more serious.
“Your Majesty, it’s not too late. We must deal with Prince Yangnyeong.”
“Even so, he is my brother, and currently, the land reform is proceeding well, public sentiment is on my side, and the Crown Prince is demonstrating exceptional ability, so let’s overlook it.”
“...As you command.”
With King Sejong deciding to put aside the issue with Prince Yangnyeong, Heo Jo had no choice but to accept it.
It was the king’s command, after all.
‘A subject can advise, but should not unduly pressure the sovereign.’
This was Heo Jo’s second principle.
* * *
“Slaves...”
“For self-operation, a mechanism to supply power is needed. Since we don’t have a steam engine yet, we are researching the use of springs.”
“Wow...”
Hyang remembered the disaster of using a spring mechanism in the past.
“Isn’t that heavy for the Annular Gear’s structure?”
“That’s why we’re considering using iron for the framework.”
“But then, the weight would be...”
Hyang abruptly stopped mid-discussion about the Annular Gear.
“No, that’s not the urgent matter. I summoned you here for an order from His Majesty.”
At the mention of King Sejong, Jang Yeong-sil straightened up, looking tense.
“Please give your command.”
“We need to create a loom.”
“A loom?”
“Yes. Current looms require a lot of manual labor and handiwork. We need to modify them to use water or animal power for weaving and threading.”
Jang Yeong-sil tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
“Do you foresee any difficulties?”
Hyang wondered if he should intervene, considering his workload.
Jang Yeong-sil shook his head.
“No, I need to study an actual loom first, but it seems feasible.”
“Good. I’ll arrange for a loom to be delivered soon. You have one year for development.”
Jang Yeong-sil responded with a worried look.
“If I could have a little more time...”
“It’s a royal command.”
“...Yes.”
“Then start preparing. I’ll have a loom sent to you shortly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After sending Jang Yeong-sil off, Hyang looked towards Gyeongbokgung Palace and muttered to himself.
“Now, how will I secure the budget for this...”
* * *
After offloading the task to Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang immersed himself in the records at the Record Bureau.
“Merely focusing on the textile industry won’t yield quick results...”
While rifling through a vast amount of documents and rubbing his tired eyes, Hyang spread out a blank sheet of paper and muttered to himself.
“If they insist on treating slaves as property, then we must treat them as such.”
* * *
Four days after receiving the command from King Sejong and delegating the task to Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang, carrying a bundle of papers, went to see King Sejong.
“I believe I have found a solution to the command Your Majesty issued.”
“Speak.”
King Sejong and the ministers focused their attention on Hyang, waiting for the solution he would present.
Standing in the center of Gangnyeongjeon, Hyang took a deep breath and began.
“Your Majesty commanded me to find a solution to the slave issue. I believe we need to combine several policies and tools.”
“Using a combination of various approaches...”
As King Sejong pondered Hyang’s words, Hyang continued.
“Yes. But first, we need to secure a livelihood for those who have been manumitted and change the perception of slave owners, making them realize that owning more slaves is disadvantageous.”
Hyang took a brief pause, then addressed the ministers.
“The tools for the livelihood are currently being researched in Area 51. And to change the perception of slave owners, I believe we need to modify the tax system.”
“Change the tax system?”
At the ministers’ question, Hyang nodded.
“Yes, if slaves are considered property, then they should be treated as such.”
* * *
(Note 1) 14th year of King Sejong’s reign (1432, Year of Imja)
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Chapter 130
‘I’ve accepted the command, but the easiest route is often the best. First, I need to check some prerequisites!’
Hyang, who was just about to enjoy his ‘happy time’ before being summoned, began by verifying some initial conditions.
“One idea comes to mind. When a private female slave) marries a commoner, she should be required to inform her master and obtain a document of permission. For government-owned female slaves, a similar document would be required from the relevant government office.”
Heo Jo quickly responded to Hyang’s suggestion.
“For private slaves, the master will likely grant permission or refuse it. Most private female slaves probably won’t ever get married.”
Hyang nodded thoughtfully at Heo Jo’s response.
“That makes sense.”
“And in the case of government-owned slaves, they usually don’t seek marriage.”
“Why is that?”
“A significant number of government-owned female slaves are from noble families.”
“Aha...”
Hyang slowly nodded, processing Heo Jo’s explanation.
* * *
When officials or scholars of the nobility committed serious crimes—often treason—their entire families were implicated and disgraced.
Adult males were typically executed, while young boys and women became government slaves.
Many of these women from noble families, now government slaves, chose to remain chaste—at least outwardly.
This also applied to women who became private slaves, either given to meritorious subjects or for various other reasons.
The decision of these women, reduced to a lower status, to remain chaste often stemmed from a faint hope of restoration.
The family of King Sejong’s father-in-law, Sim On, had its honor restored early in Sejong’s reign, excluding Sim On himself. Inspired by such rare instances, these women clung to that slim hope and maintained their chastity.
* * *
After hearing Heo Jo’s explanation, Hyang paused to gather his thoughts and then asked another question.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.
“Your Majesty has issued a decree, but considering the backlash from the slave owners, it won’t be easy. As a secondary option, what if all children born between commoners and female slaves become government slaves?”
Heo Jo immediately responded.
“Private slaves would all wish to become government slaves. Many are already eagerly seeking this status. So, naturally, they would be desperate to find commoner husbands.”
Hyang’s expression fell into disappointment.
“Indeed...”
After a moment of silence, Hyang composed himself and replied to King Sejong.
“I have received Your Majesty’s command, and as your servant, I will do my utmost to find a solution.”
“I trust the Crown Prince.”
“I will give my all.”
With a promise to himself, Hyang bowed to King Sejong and left Gangnyeongjeon.
Watching Hyang leave, King Sejong, once Hyang was out of sight, turned to Heo Jo.
“What if we hadn’t carried out the land reform, and the Crown Prince hadn’t shown such prominence?”
After a moment of silence, Heo Jo replied.
“Forgive my boldness, but if that were the case, I, or rather, all ministers, would have advocated for the Follow the Mother Law. Without it, Joseon might have plunged into civil unrest.”
“Civil unrest...” King Sejong murmured with a bitter expression.
‘It’s plausible in that scenario.’
Heo Jo was known for his principled stance. His foremost principle was ‘the peace of Joseon’. He believed in enforcing even unfair laws if they were for the sake of peace, as he had strongly advocated for the law prohibiting complaints from the common people.
Following this principle, he initially supported Ryu Jung-hyeon, but later shifted his support to King Sejong.
As King Sejong trailed off, Heo Jo’s expression grew more serious.
“Your Majesty, it’s not too late. We must deal with Prince Yangnyeong.”
“Even so, he is my brother, and currently, the land reform is proceeding well, public sentiment is on my side, and the Crown Prince is demonstrating exceptional ability, so let’s overlook it.”
“...As you command.”
With King Sejong deciding to put aside the issue with Prince Yangnyeong, Heo Jo had no choice but to accept it.
It was the king’s command, after all.
‘A subject can advise, but should not unduly pressure the sovereign.’
This was Heo Jo’s second principle.
* * *
“Slaves...”
“For self-operation, a mechanism to supply power is needed. Since we don’t have a steam engine yet, we are researching the use of springs.”
“Wow...”
Hyang remembered the disaster of using a spring mechanism in the past.
“Isn’t that heavy for the Annular Gear’s structure?”
“That’s why we’re considering using iron for the framework.”
“But then, the weight would be...”
Hyang abruptly stopped mid-discussion about the Annular Gear.
“No, that’s not the urgent matter. I summoned you here for an order from His Majesty.”
At the mention of King Sejong, Jang Yeong-sil straightened up, looking tense.
“Please give your command.”
“We need to create a loom.”
“A loom?”
“Yes. Current looms require a lot of manual labor and handiwork. We need to modify them to use water or animal power for weaving and threading.”
Jang Yeong-sil tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
“Do you foresee any difficulties?”
Hyang wondered if he should intervene, considering his workload.
Jang Yeong-sil shook his head.
“No, I need to study an actual loom first, but it seems feasible.”
“Good. I’ll arrange for a loom to be delivered soon. You have one year for development.”
Jang Yeong-sil responded with a worried look.
“If I could have a little more time...”
“It’s a royal command.”
“...Yes.”
“Then start preparing. I’ll have a loom sent to you shortly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After sending Jang Yeong-sil off, Hyang looked towards Gyeongbokgung Palace and muttered to himself.
“Now, how will I secure the budget for this...”
* * *
After offloading the task to Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang immersed himself in the records at the Record Bureau.
“Merely focusing on the textile industry won’t yield quick results...”
While rifling through a vast amount of documents and rubbing his tired eyes, Hyang spread out a blank sheet of paper and muttered to himself.
“If they insist on treating slaves as property, then we must treat them as such.”
* * *
Four days after receiving the command from King Sejong and delegating the task to Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang, carrying a bundle of papers, went to see King Sejong.
“I believe I have found a solution to the command Your Majesty issued.”
“Speak.”
King Sejong and the ministers focused their attention on Hyang, waiting for the solution he would present.
Standing in the center of Gangnyeongjeon, Hyang took a deep breath and began.
“Your Majesty commanded me to find a solution to the slave issue. I believe we need to combine several policies and tools.”
“Using a combination of various approaches...”
As King Sejong pondered Hyang’s words, Hyang continued.
“Yes. But first, we need to secure a livelihood for those who have been manumitted and change the perception of slave owners, making them realize that owning more slaves is disadvantageous.”
Hyang took a brief pause, then addressed the ministers.
“The tools for the livelihood are currently being researched in Area 51. And to change the perception of slave owners, I believe we need to modify the tax system.”
“Change the tax system?”
At the ministers’ question, Hyang nodded.
“Yes, if slaves are considered property, then they should be treated as such.”
* * *
(Note 1) 14th year of King Sejong’s reign (1432, Year of Imja)
Chapter 130I've accepted the command, but the easiest route is often the best. First, I need to check some prerequisites!'Hyang, who was just about to enjoy his happy time' before being summoned, began by verifying some initial conditions.One idea comes to mind. When a private female slave marries a commoner, she should be required to inform her master and obtain a document of permission. For government-owned female slaves, a similar document would be required from the relevant government office.Heo Jo quickly responded to Hyang's suggestion.For private slaves, the master will likely grant permission or refuse it. Most private female slaves probably won't ever get married.Hyang nodded thoughtfully at Heo Jo's response.That makes sense.And in the case of government-owned slaves, they usually don't seek marriage.Why is that?A significant number of government-owned female slaves are from noble families.Aha...Hyang slowly nodded, processing Heo Jo's explanation.* * *When officials or scholars of the nobility committed serious crimesoften treasontheir entire families were implicated and disgraced.Adult males were typically executed, while young boys and women became government slaves.Many of these women from noble families, now government slaves, chose to remain chasteat least outwardly.This also applied to women who became private slaves, either given to meritorious subjects or for various other reasons.The decision of these women, reduced to a lower status, to remain chaste often stemmed from a faint hope of restoration.The family of King Sejong's father-in-law, Sim On, had its honor restored early in Sejong's reign, excluding Sim On himself. Inspired by such rare instances, these women clung to that slim hope and maintained their chastity.* * *After hearing Heo Jo's explanation, Hyang paused to gather his thoughts and then asked another question.NvlRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Novln.Your Majesty has issued a decree, but considering the backlash from the slave owners, it won't be easy. As a secondary option, what if all children born between commoners and female slaves become government slaves?Heo Jo immediately responded.Private slaves would all wish to become government slaves. Many are already eagerly seeking this status. So, naturally, they would be desperate to find commoner husbands.Hyang's expression fell into disappointment.Indeed...After a moment of silence, Hyang composed himself and replied to King Sejong.I have received Your Majesty's command, and as your servant, I will do my utmost to find a solution.I trust the Crown Prince.I will give my all.With a promise to himself, Hyang bowed to King Sejong and left Gangnyeongjeon.Watching Hyang leave, King Sejong, once Hyang was out of sight, turned to Heo Jo.What if we hadn't carried out the land reform, and the Crown Prince hadn't shown such prominence?After a moment of silence, Heo Jo replied.Forgive my boldness, but if that were the case, I, or rather, all ministers, would have advocated for the Follow the Mother Law. Without it, Joseon might have plunged into civil unrest.Civil unrest... King Sejong murmured with a bitter expression.It's plausible in that scenario.'Heo Jo was known for his principled stance. His foremost principle was the peace of Joseon'. He believed in enforcing even unfair laws if they were for the sake of peace, as he had strongly advocated for the law prohibiting complaints from the common people.Following this principle, he initially supported Ryu Jung-hyeon, but later shifted his support to King Sejong.As King Sejong trailed off, Heo Jo's expression grew more serious.Your Majesty, it's not too late. We must deal with Prince Yangnyeong.Even so, he is my brother, and currently, the land reform is proceeding well, public sentiment is on my side, and the Crown Prince is demonstrating exceptional ability, so let's overlook it....As you command.With King Sejong deciding to put aside the issue with Prince Yangnyeong, Heo Jo had no choice but to accept it.It was the king's command, after all.A subject can advise, but should not unduly pressure the sovereign.'This was Heo Jo's second principle.* * *Slaves...For self-operation, a mechanism to supply power is needed. Since we don't have a steam engine yet, we are researching the use of springs.Wow...Hyang remembered the disaster of using a spring mechanism in the past.Isn't that heavy for the Annular Gear's structure?That's why we're considering using iron for the framework.But then, the weight would be...Hyang abruptly stopped mid-discussion about the Annular Gear.No, that's not the urgent matter. I summoned you here for an order from His Majesty.At the mention of King Sejong, Jang Yeong-sil straightened up, looking tense.Please give your command.We need to create a loom.A loom?Yes. Current looms require a lot of manual labor and handiwork. We need to modify them to use water or animal power for weaving and threading.Jang Yeong-sil tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.Do you foresee any difficulties?Hyang wondered if he should intervene, considering his workload.Jang Yeong-sil shook his head.No, I need to study an actual loom first, but it seems feasible.Good. I'll arrange for a loom to be delivered soon. You have one year for development.Jang Yeong-sil responded with a worried look.If I could have a little more time...It's a royal command....Yes.Then start preparing. I'll have a loom sent to you shortly.Yes, Your Highness.After sending Jang Yeong-sil off, Hyang looked towards Gyeongbokgung Palace and muttered to himself.Now, how will I secure the budget for this...* * *After offloading the task to Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang immersed himself in the records at the Record Bureau.Merely focusing on the textile industry won't yield quick results...While rifling through a vast amount of documents and rubbing his tired eyes, Hyang spread out a blank sheet of paper and muttered to himself.If they insist on treating slaves as property, then we must treat them as such.* * *Four days after receiving the command from King Sejong and delegating the task to Jang Yeong-sil, Hyang, carrying a bundle of papers, went to see King Sejong.I believe I have found a solution to the command Your Majesty issued.Speak.King Sejong and the ministers focused their attention on Hyang, waiting for the solution he would present.Standing in the center of Gangnyeongjeon, Hyang took a deep breath and began.Your Majesty commanded me to find a solution to the slave issue. I believe we need to combine several policies and tools.Using a combination of various approaches...As King Sejong pondered Hyang's words, Hyang continued.Yes. But first, we need to secure a livelihood for those who have been manumitted and change the perception of slave owners, making them realize that owning more slaves is disadvantageous.Hyang took a brief pause, then addressed the ministers.The tools for the livelihood are currently being researched in Area 51. And to change the perception of slave owners, I believe we need to modify the tax system.Change the tax system?At the ministers' question, Hyang nodded.Yes, if slaves are considered property, then they should be treated as such.* * *Note 1 14th year of King Sejong's reign 1432, Year of Imja
