Chapter 403

Chapter 403

After pondering silently for a long time, King Sejong soon opened his mouth.

“I will establish specialized educational institutions and research institutes to study the words of the sages and contemplate principles. Therefore, ministers, deliberate on this plan and present it to me.”

At King Sejong’s words, the ministers bowed their heads and replied.

“We humbly accept your command.”

***

After the meeting in Geunjeongjeon Hall ended, the ministers who left moved to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Naturally, the topic of discussion among the ministers gathered in the Prime Minister’s office meeting room was the educational institution King Sejong had mentioned.

“What do you think we should do?”

To Maeng Sa-seong’s question, Jo Gye-saeng answered with a matter-of-fact expression.

“What do you mean what should we do? His Majesty has commanded it, so of course we must create it.”

“Who doesn’t know that? How exactly should we frame it, what kind of faculty should we fill it with, and who should be the target for admission? Don’t we need to decide all these things?”

“Can’t we just proceed by drawing on our previous experience?”

At Jo Gye-saeng’s reply, Hwang Hui intervened with an exasperated expression.

“Is that what His Majesty wants?”

“...”

At Hwang Hui’s point, Jo Gye-saeng fell silent. Seeing this, Hwang Hui placed his hand on his forehead and made a remark.

“Do you still not know what the result will be if we proceed so comfortably? Do you feel at ease only after hearing His Majesty’s tsk and reproach?”

“N-no, that’s not it.”

At Jo Gye-saeng’s answer, Hwang Hui burst out shouting.

“You sir! Then why say such things! Have you only known His Majesty for a day or two? It’s gotten easier lately! Agh! Every time you do this, my insides burn black! Do you understand?”

“Lord, Lord, please calm down...”

As Hwang Hui exploded, Maeng Sa-seong intervened to calm him down.

“There, there. Have a cup of cold water and cool down for a moment.”

“Whew~. I was just so frustrated...”

While Hwang Hui emptied several cups of cold water in succession, Maeng Sa-seong continued the ministers’ meeting in his stead.

“The Prime Minister has a point in getting angry. His Majesty ordered us to establish specialized educational institutions to study the words of the sages and contemplate principles. But don’t we all know to some extent how he thinks about the Confucian scholars who will be in charge of this important task?”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s words, the ministers nodded.

***

Unlike when he first ascended to the throne, King Sejong now viewed Confucian scholars and local gentry with a very cynical eye.

The change in King Sejong’s view was not just because of the Giyuban Rebellion.

The spark was lit by the clash between Ryu Jeong-hyeon and King Sejong, which brought a bloody wind to the court just before the reforms began. Subsequently, the corruption of officials and the problem of local gentry privatizing power that emerged as the reforms progressed added fuel to the fire.

And what turned the problem, which was at a bonfire level, into a massive conflagration was the Giyuban Rebellion.

The Giyuban Rebellion, which had turned into such a massive conflagration, reduced the local gentry society of Joseon to ashes.

And it would have been good if it had ended there, but a considerable number of the surviving local gentry were still showing conservative attitudes and rebelling against King Sejong.

Because of this, King Sejong’s gaze towards the local gentry was like ice.

Until now, the situation had been somewhat tolerated because most of those who were educated enough to be properly utilized were such gentry. However, once the educational institutions started functioning properly, the local gentry would be the first to become obsolete.

***

Most of the ministers who had worked alongside King Sejong for a long time and had become familiar with him knew well that he was not favorable to this matter. That’s why Jo Gye-saeng, who had spoken carelessly without grasping the situation, ended up being scolded.

“Let’s be a bit more careful, shall we? Every time we relax a little, something always goes wrong...”

“Ahem! I apologize!”

At Hwang Hui’s rebuke, Jo Gye-saeng apologized with an uncomfortable expression.

As the small commotion settled down, Jo Geuk-gwan, the Minister of Justice, opened his mouth.

“However, we do need a specialized educational institution. Looking at the cases of lawsuits that have rapidly increased since the establishment of the Judgment Office, there are many problems arising because common sense, or rather principles, are outdated while the world is changing.”

***

“Hah! Who do you think will drop out first in that conflict?”

“Probably the scholars.”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s answer, Kim Jeom immediately followed up.

“Eight or nine out of ten, those so-called scholars will drop out first. They have the biggest weakness of not knowing reality well. And are there only one or two scholars in this Joseon?”

At Kim Jeom’s remark, Maeng Sa-seong pointed out a problem.

“There may not be just one or two, but have you forgotten that the majority of those scholars are rebels?”

Since the introduction of Neo-Confucianism to Goryeo, there were many scholars who studied Neo-Confucianism. However, a considerable number of them – especially those with high reputations – either went into seclusion claiming that Yi Seong-gye’s dynastic revolution was unjust, or were purged after rebelling.

Despite Maeng Sa-seong’s point, Kim Jeom did not back down.

“How many of those who went into seclusion claiming that the founding of this Joseon was unjust are still alive? And even if some are still stubbornly alive, would their disciples want to live a life of seclusion just reading classics? And would there be only one or two of such disciples? If we can get just two or three of those disciples, we can fill the scholars’ positions. After that, we just need to watch them fight fiercely and properly collect the results. Isn’t this a familiar task?”

At Kim Jeom’s words, the ministers unconsciously nodded strongly.

Pitting those with opposing opinions against each other and then reaping the results was Hyang’s specialty, and before they knew it, even King Sejong had learned and was using this method quite effectively.

“But will they really come if we call?”

Seeing Maeng Sa-seong’s continued negative reaction, Kim Jeom pointed out the reality.

“Look even now, do you think those who submit petitions whenever something happens are doing so out of true patriotism? Aren’t they just using a shallow trick to stand out and make a name for themselves? If we call them, there will be more than enough people running over in their socks. So, let’s be positive about this, shall we?”

“...”

As Maeng Sa-seong closed his mouth, Hwang Hui concluded.

“Then, let’s decide on its character as a research institute rather than an educational institution and draft a plan accordingly.”

“Which ministry are you thinking of assigning it to?”

“Everyone’s busy these days...”

Sensing the ministers’ strong reluctance to take on the task, Hwang Hui stood up and went outside.

“Jong-seo! You rascal! Come here right now!”

***

Five days later, Hwang Hui submitted the plan to King Sejong.

“Hmm... A research institute rather than an educational institution... This might be more appropriate.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. As it is to contemplate the principles of the sages and research new principles suited to the changing times, a research institute is more fitting than an educational institution.”

“The establishment of the research institute is three years later...”

“At least that much time is needed to find good talent, Your Majesty.”

After listening to Hwang Hui’s explanation and reviewing the plan, King Sejong soon reached a conclusion.

“I approve. Implement it as planned.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Ah, and there’s something to add. Add the study of the philosophy of Rome and Greece that existed in the land of the Westerners called Europe, as well as Christianity and Islam.”

“The Western philosophy and religions as well, Your Majesty?”

“Our Joseon’s footsteps have reached there, so shouldn’t we know the differences? No, not just know the differences, but if there’s something good, shouldn’t we adopt it? If necessary, I’ll even bring in scholars.”

At King Sejong’s words about even bringing in scholars, Hwang Hui carefully asked.

“Is this ‘using barbarians to control barbarians’, Your Majesty?”

To Hwang Hui’s question, King Sejong silently nodded. At King Sejong’s answer, Hwang Hui quietly bowed his head.

This is how the ‘Institute of Philosophy’ was born.

This Institute of Philosophy – later renamed as the Institute of Social Sciences – along with the Military Medical Department and the Medical Academy, came to boast the most intense academic atmosphere. The heated debates between idealists and realists were literally a war. However, because of its results, Joseon was able to guide society in the healthiest direction possible.

As a side note, Hyang was most responsible for the Military Medical Department and Medical Academy having such an intense academic atmosphere as the Institute of Philosophy.

“Read widely, examine, and contemplate.”

With this brief order, he simply threw them translated medical books, so the faculty of the Medical Academy and Military Medical Department had no choice but to start their research based on the traditional Korean medicine knowledge they knew.

In the process of this research, all sorts of theories emerged to resolve the differences between Eastern and Western medicine – notably the difference between the theory of mutual generation and mutual overcoming based on yin-yang and the five elements, and the theory of the four humors. Fierce debates broke out over whose theory was correct.

And Hyang was watching with great interest while occasionally giving his input.