novelz
Chapter 207
Chapter 207
Chapter 207
April, 12th year of Sejongs reign (Gyeongsul year, 1430 AD).
Byeon Gye-ryang passed away.
Born in the 18th year of King Gongmin[1]s reign (1369), Byeon Gye-ryang gained renown for his exceptional literary talent and enjoyed great favor.
However, at the height of his success, he was troubled by accusations of treason and murder, allegedly made by his own sister and niece, leading to public scandal.
Fortunately, King Taejong valued his talents, thoroughly investigated the matter, and recognized his defense, ultimately declaring him innocent. However, this significantly damaged his standing, necessitating Taejongs intervention to restore it.
Even after that, Byeon Gye-ryangs life was far from smooth.
He was sued by his father-in-law for abusing his wife. According to the father-in-laws complaint, the mental and physical abuse Byeon inflicted on his wife was severe.
In the end, Byeon wrote a lengthy letter to Taejong to defend himself.
However, only a small portion of the letter expressed self-reflection, while most of it flaunted his literary prowess.
Ultimately, Taejong, who highly valued Byeon Gye-ryangs exceptional literary talent, halted the impeachment proceedings against him.[1]
***
Due to these incidents, Byeon Gye-ryang was ridiculed by the educated class, but his academic prowess and literary talent were acknowledged, and he was heavily relied upon by Taejong and Sejong.
However, as Hyang became involved, his life began to twist.
In the history before Hyangs intervention, he was valued by Sejong until his death, receiving treatment as the head of the Hall of Worthies and the Chief of the Sungkyunkwan.
Even if his personal life became a topic of gossip, his scholarly standing remained unshakable.
However, the massive purge of powerful officials triggered by Hyangs involvement, followed by the swift implementation of the reform significantly diminished Byeon Gye-ryangs position.
***
It began when Sejong handed over the draft of the reform.
Review this strategy.
At Sejongs command, Byeon Gye-ryang and the scholars of the Hall of Worthies gathered to examine the draft.
This is the Crown Princes
Indeed.
The strategy named reform was the Crown Princes policy view.
To be precise, while it incorporated many of Sejongs ideas, it was evident that the foundation was the Crown Princes policy view, which had been announced not long ago.
Since we were told to review it, we should do so.
At Byeon Gye-ryangs words, the scholars began to scrutinize the contents of the reform.
However, before long, all the scholars showed the same reaction.
This is absurd!
This goes against the principles of Confucianism!
The scholars, who centered everything around Neo-Confucianism, vehemently objected.
Seeing their reaction, Byeon Gye-ryang sighed.
Keep in mind that His Majestys intentions are embedded within it.
Even if they are His Majestys intentions
If you find it so disagreeable, identify the problems! Dont think Im doing this because I like it!
At Byeon Gye-ryangs words, the scholars of the Hall of Worthies immediately began searching for issues.
As mentioned before, the Joseon court was an extremely small one.
Most officials held two or three concurrent positions.
However, this did not mean their salaries were doubled or tripled. Compared to Goryeo, the significantly reduced salaries made bribery a common occurrence among officials.
As a result, the scholars of the Hall of Worthies were well-versed in practical affairs, and finding problems was an easy task for them.
Whenever they identified an issue, the scholars of the Hall of Worthies compiled lengthy reports and submitted them.
The conclusions of these reports were almost identical.
Considering these problems, it is better not to implement the reform.
Whenever such a report was submitted, Sejong would present a solution to the problem before long.
That issue can be resolved in this manner, so take this into account and make revisions.
As the king provided answers, and those answers were definitive solutions, the scholars of the Hall of Worthies delved deeper, identifying and reporting more problems.
From that point on, it began to take longer for Sejongs responses to arrive.
Finally!
Believing that Sejong had taken the bait, the scholars of the Hall of Worthies further scrutinized the reform, uncovering and reporting even more issues.
With a little more effort, His Majesty will also give up! If that happens, this absurd and unprincipled plan will come to naught!
However, the scholars attempts ended in failure.
Although it took slightly longer than before, a response arrived.
And that response was clear.
In the end, the scholars of the Hall of Worthies had no choice but to point out more fundamental aspects.
-This strategy does not align with the intentions of the sages. While learning should be useful for governing the world[2] is important, it should not become the foundation.
They argued that Sejongs reform deviated from the Neo-Confucianism they had learned and mastered, calling it a sado, heretical path[3].
In response, Sejong sent a reply filled with anger.
Have you not seen the state of the common people?
Our poor subjects in Joseon live each day thinking only of survival.
Before discussing the righteous path and heretical ways, it is a situation of mudo (, absence of the Way)!
Shouldnt resolving the hardships of these people be the foremost priority?
Your arguments are hollow!
The reply was not the end of it. Sejong summoned Byeon Gye-ryang and sternly reprimanded him.
What kind of person are you? You are renowned as the greatest literary figure in our Eastern lands! Yet, have you failed to properly understand the reform strategy I have bestowed?
No, Your Majesty.
At Byeon Gye-ryangs answer, Sejong pounded on his desk and raised his voice.
Then why must I receive such worthless papers that are nothing but a waste of paper?
The scholars, from a purely academic perspective
Silence! Your words are now a poorer excuse than the barking of dogs in the commoners homes! What good is beautiful writing if the content is nonsense? Bring me something proper at once!
Yes, yes
Having been scolded by Sejong, Byeon Gye-ryang had to urge the scholars of the Hall of Worthies.
Are you not going to do your job properly? Why should I be the one to receive criticism from His Majesty? Remove all the nonsense about the righteous path and heretical ways, and do it right!
But if we do that, we will be criticized for being serving the rulers will[4]
Concerned about being accused of colluding with power, the scholars spoke, but Byeon Gye-ryang raised his voice.
As long as you wear official robes, you are serving the rulers will! If you dislike it, resign and leave!
In the end, scholars who could not accept this submitted their resignations and returned to their hometowns.
If I do this, the king will be intimidated!
The king values his subjects and scholars! If this happens, the king will also be intimidated and back down!
However, the result far exceeded their expectations.
Sejong accepted all of their resignations.
Why?
While the scholars were still in shock at the unexpected outcome, an even greater shock struck them.
Sejong had purged the senior officials, symbolized by Ryu Jeong-hyeon, en masse.
Immediately after the purge of the officials, Sejong declared to the remaining officials.
We will proceed with the reform!
In the end, the scholars who had submitted their resignations became like kites with cut strings and had to return to their hometowns in disgrace.
***
As events unfolded in this manner, Byeon Gye-ryangs position gradually diminished.
It was not only Byeon Gye-ryangs standing that narrowed. The Hall of Worthies influence also began to dwindle.
As soon as the reform began, the scholars of the Hall of Worthies lost their concurrent positions.
Their duties were limited to policy consultation for Sejong and other academic research.
Isnt this a good thing?
Indeed. It was rather difficult to find time for proper research while handling court affairs, but now we can dedicate ourselves to it.
Initially, the scholars of the Hall of Worthies showed positive reactions.
However, they soon faced a formidable competitor.
Hyang had established a research institute.
***
When Hyang first established the research institute, the scholars of the Hall of Worthies did not have much concern.
Well, he is quite a peculiar person
Many scholars of the Hall of Worthies considered the research institute as just another one of Hyangs eccentricities.
In fact, some even pitied those who were recruited as members of the research institute.
Having to engage in mere practical learning and creating various devices They have become pitiable.
His Excellency lord Jeong-cho and Elder Jeong Inji have fallen into a sorry state.
Many felt sorry for those whose affiliations had suddenly changed to the research institute, while others found it rather refreshing.
Byeon Gye-ryang was a representative of such individuals.
With those who constantly criticized me gone, it feels quite refreshing!
For him, it was immensely satisfying to see Jeong-cho, who had always criticized him, relegated to a minor position.
However, defying their expectations, the research institute rapidly grew into the strongest competitor.
Gaining recognition for creating remarkable devices, the research institute secured the full support of Sejong and the Crown Prince, expanding its pool of talented individuals.
As its workforce grew, the research institute achieved more diverse accomplishments.
It revolutionized the weapons of the Joseon military and subsequently presented the astounding result of revising the calendar system.
In the end, its just miscellaneous learning!
Byeon Gye-ryang and the scholars of the Hall of Worthies consoled themselves with such words, concealing their unease, but this was only the beginning.
Under the pretext of overseeing the use of the budget, the research institutes audit unveiled an unimaginable plan called the railroad.
No, the railroad was not the issue.
The research institute had put forth an absurd item called the Comprehensive National Development Plan.
The plan presented by the research institute captured the attention of Sejong and the officials.
It is filled with excellent content, so refer to it when implementing the reform.
Your words are truly wise, Your Majesty!
As Sejong and the officials showered praise, the research institutes position grew increasingly solid.
Consequently, the task of formulating and evaluating various policies began to be allocated to the research institute with increasing frequency.
Sejong had openly instigated a competition.
With Sejong initiating the competition, the scholars of the Hall of Worthies had to desperately devote themselves to their work.
However, it was not easy for the scholars, who had only known Neo-Confucianism, to expand their scope of thought. In the end, they sought assistance from the researchers at the institute.
Although they were competitors, many had shared meals together for a while, and they were ultimately all subjects of Joseon.
Phew~. Its not easy. How have you all broadened your perspective so much?
In response to the question from the scholars of the Hall of Worthies, the researchers at the institute replied with a bittersweet smile.
It becomes easier if you give up.
Pardon?
Give up on leaving work on time, give up on seeing your wife and childrens faces, give up on this and that, and it becomes easier. If you give up on everything and just do as youre told, youll attain enlightenment.
Ah
However, competition was competition, and the Hall of Worthies was gradually being pushed back by the research institute.
At the very least, Byeon Gye-ryang was serving as a buttress, using his literary talent and authority to the fullest, but it was evident to anyone that the Hall of Worthies prestige was not what it used to be.
It was in this situation that Byeon Gye-ryang passed away.
***
The scholars of the Hall of Worthies, gathered at Byeon Gye-ryangs house to pay their respects, all wore gloomy expressions as they conversed.
With the Chief Scholar gone, what should we do?
Shouldnt we strive even harder?
Is that striving? Isnt it colluding with power?
Then what do you propose? Should we resign and leave?
Were already being criticized for serving the rulers will anyway
So youre saying we should give in to despair and abandon our principles and conscience?
Then should we return to seclusion? Do you not understand the current state of affairs?
It was a group portrait of individuals who had lost their towering figure and were struggling to find their way.
[1] From Reading the Annals of King Sejong in One Book by Park Young-gyu, published by Woongjin Knowledge House.
- 31st King of Goryeo[]
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