In the twelfth year of King Sejongs reign (1430, the year of Gyeongsul).
Mid-January. With the New Year festivities concluded and state affairs resuming in earnest, King Sejong issued a decree to his ministers.
Proclaim an edict regarding the national farmlands confiscated during the Giyu Rebellion.
Your command shall be obeyed!
Clearly disclose all information related to eligibility for tenancy, land rent, taxes, and such, so that the people are well-inford and can act accordingly!
At King Sejongs admonition, the ministers bowed once more and responded.
We shall bear it in mind!
Thus, the ministers reviewed the contents of the proclamation once again. Finally, after King Sejongs ultimate approval, the proclamation was posted throughout the entire Joseon territory, not only in the Samnam region but also in the Gyeonggi and Seobuk areas.
It was an official proclamation related to the national farmlands secured through the Giyu Rebellion.
While the previously issued proclamations had the nature of prepare for this upcoming event, this ti, the posted proclamation contained detailed information related to the matter.
The court is seeking tenants for the farmlands confiscated this ti. The priority is given to free commoners who have established households.The land rent for the national farmlands is set at 30% similar to that of palace farmlands, and the tax rate imposed on tenant farrs follows the law.The size of the farmland to be allocated ranges from a minimum of 2 Gyeol to a maximum of 5 Gyeol, based on the grade of the land and the number of family mbers of the applicant.Those who were tenant farming the land before it was confiscated as national farmland must choose according to the following scenarios.
A. Those who had their own land but had to entrust it to bandits due to unavoidable circumstances.
In such cases, one of the following two options must be chosen
i. Review the family register and reclaim the entrusted land to beco an independent farr.
In this case, the ownership of the land is recognized, and new family and land registers are created.
However, since they have transitioned from tenant farrs to independent farrs, they are subject to the corresponding tax obligations.
ii. Choose not to reclaim the land and continue living as a tenant farr.
In this case, the right to tenant farm is guaranteed until the death of the individual who signed the tenancy agreent, and the taxation is adjusted according to the standards for tenant farrs.
However, the contract becos void upon the death of the party who signed it.
B. Those who continued to live as tenant farrs without entrusting their land to anyone.
Individuals in category B follow the sa approach as the second option for A, but the contract duration extends to the current tenant and his son.
i. Those who own their farmlands but cannot harvest a minimum of 1 Gyeol due to the small size of their lands, and those who have been tenant farming but similarly own small plots that yield less than 1 Gyeol, can tenant farm up to an additional 2 Gyeol.
However, this is only applicable if there are remaining lands after distribution to those who applied for tenancy.
ii. Those in category B, those who were tenant farming lands not belonging to bandits, and those who have been exiled along with their families and are landless, can move without regional restrictions to receive tenancy. This, however, is limited to those who possess a docunt issued by the magistrate of their hotown, proving one of the three conditions ntioned above.
As the Proclamation on Tenant Farming of National Farmlands was posted in governnt offices nationwide, the tenant farrs had to think hard.
So pondered so intensively that there was an increase in visits to physicians.
In Boeun, Chungcheong Province, a farr visited a physicians office located in the marketplace.
Physician, I need so dicine
Have you co because of a headache too?
Yes.
Hearing the farrs reply, the physician casually selected a few dicinal herbs, mixed them, and handed them over.
That will be 50 won.
Grumbling, the farr opened his purse.
Ive been living carefree all my life, and now in my old age, what kind of trouble is this
Are you also troubled by the tenancy issue?
Yes. The scholars family I was tenant farming for got swept away in this recent rebellion And now my heads about to burst from the worry.
Hearing the farrs complaint, the physician offered so advice.
Its not just about you, but your childrens future as well, so give it so careful thought. Dont just drown your sorrows in alcohol and make rash decisions.
Yes
As the farr left with a nod, another farr entered the physicians office.
Have you co because of a headache too?
Yes
Ugh
With a soft groan, the physician chanically mixed the dicines.
As such incidents beca frequent, the physician piled up bundles of paper-wrapped dicine in front of his office and put up a sign.
Headache dicine. 500 won per packet.
Until the issue regarding the national farmlands was sowhat resolved, the physician managed to achieve unprecedented sales.
***
Most of those who were seriously contemplating to the extent of becoming indebted to the physicians office belonged to the category outlined in section 4, A, of the proclamation.
These individuals would sit on the wooden platforms set up in their front yards, sharing a bottle of rice wine with neighbors in similar situations, as discussing their options had beco part of their daily routine.
Should we just continue living as tenant farrs?
Man! A true farr should have his own land, even if its no bigger than a booger, right?
The hoowner nodded in agreent with his neighbors words, but pointed out the issue.
That seems right, but its the taxes, you see. The taxes.
Of course, the tax rates are worrying since theyre more than double right now, but opting for tenancy isnt the solution either, is it? Excluding taxes, everything from land rent starts to add up! Plus, you have to consider that tenancy rights end abruptly with your death!
Our eldest is smart, so maybe he doesnt need to stick to farming
What about the second and the third?
Ugh
Groaning at the neighbors pointed observation, the farr looked at his second and third sons covered in dirt as they ca in and shouted at them.
You good-for-nothing kids! Your father is here worrying himself sick over your futures, and all you do is gallivant around! I ought to teach you a lesson!
Good heavens, man! Why are you suddenly taking it out on the kids, causing such a commotion!
As the farr, unable to contain his anger, picked up a stick nearby to discipline the children, his wife rushed out of the kitchen to stop him.
Amidst the chaos, the neighboring farr who had been partaking in the conversation swiftly retreated to his own ho.
Back in his house, the farr opened the door to a room that had been newly added last spring.
Heaven above, earth below
Watching his son diligently reciting the Thousand Character Classic with a content smile, the farr made up his mind.
Listen, wife! Lets have a talk!
***
Unlike those who were pondering their choices after entrusting their lands and becoming tenant farrs, those who had always been tenant farrs didnt have much to worry about.
In fact, so were even getting a bit greedy.
Really? You want to continue with the tenancy?
Yes. I dont have any land of my own, nor do I have any other skills, so Ill continue with the tenancy.
Is that so?
I just want to increase the size of the tenancy a bit.
Want to expand the cultivated area? Show your household register.
Here you go.
Receiving the household register, the official from the Ministry of Taxation reviewed the family and land records.
You qualify, but wont it be too much for you?
The farr replied with a smile.
My eldest can now do the work of an adult.
The eldest? Hmm But hes only twelve, isnt he?
He lifted a millstone not long ago.
Oh!
Impressed by the farrs response, the Ministry of Taxation official let out a light exclamation of admiration.
During the Joseon Dynasty, sons of the nobility, known as sadaebu, would tie their hair in a topknot and wear a traditional hat called a gat between the ages of 15 and 20, while daughters would comb their hair and secure it with ornantal hairpins. Since weddings often took place around this age, there was a common belief that marriage equated to a coming-of-age ceremony. However, strictly speaking, the coming-of-age ceremony and wedding were separate events.
For the common people, the coming-of-age ceremony was sowhat different. Demonstrating strength by lifting a deul-dol, a stone weighing about 100 geun (approximately 60kg), and offering food to the elders of the village in a gesture known as jinsurteok were ways to be recognized as an adult. (Note 1)
***
Impressed by the farrs claim, the Ministry of Taxation official did not imdiately stamp the docunt.
The matters of the state must be handled with rigor. Bring that eldest son of yours to demonstrate. Then, Ill consider your request.
Cant you just take my word for it
What did I just hear? This is a state matter. If your words are true, whats the issue? Just co and lift a stone, and its settled.
Yes, understood.
Chastened by the officials sternness, the tenant farr left the governnt office. Watching the farrs retreating back, the official grumbled.
One wrong move and its straight to the records office for . Who does he think hes dealing with
***
As ti passed, many tenant farrs began to leave their ancestral hos and move to the southern provinces, known as Samnam.
Their target lands were those cultivated directly by the landlords who had participated in the rebellion, using slaves for labor. These lands, being the economic foundation of the landlords, were pri for farming. Through either appealing to the authorities, using strong-arm tactics, or employing slaves for water managent projects, these lands were well-prepared to withstand most droughts or floods, making them the best available for agriculture.
To ensure the safety of the tenant farr families during their relocation, the royal court devised various asures.
With a household register and an account book for the land, you wont go hungry!
Before they set out, local officials and land managent officers explained the use of the account book and the support asures provided by the governnt.
So, if it looks like night will fall while youre on the road, stop by a nearby governnt office or military camp. Theyll provide a place to stay. Even if its just a tent, its better than sleeping outdoors, right? Sleeping outside could end up making you a tigers al.
Understood!
And if you run out of food along the way, just speak to the officials at the governnt office or military camp. Theyll sell you grain at a low price.
Thank you, we understand!
Thus, the families of the tenant farrs were able to move smoothly. In so cases, they were even escorted by nearby soldiers.
With such escort and support, the tenant farrs praised King Sejong.
A sage king indeed! A sage king has co to us!
Indeed, a true sage king!
***
While the tenant farrs were praising King Sejong, back at the court, Kim Jeom was reporting to King Sejong.
Thanks to this initiative, we have been able to significantly reduce the stock of grain that was close to expiring.
Well done.
The primary purpose of King Sejong and the courts support for the migrating tenant farrs was to maintain public order.
Its good that they have set out, but if they beco vagrants, everything will have been in vain. We need a plan for this.
Following King Sejongs order, the ministers convened and ca up with the support asures ntioned above.
The greatest difficulties faced by those setting out on relocation are finding a place to sleep and securing food. There will certainly be those who seek to exploit these challenges for profit, using various tricks. We must prevent this in advance.
Sejong nodded in agreent with Heo Jos explanation.
Thats a reasonable concern. So, what solution have you co up with?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Heo Jo then shared the solution the ministers had devised.
The solution thought up by the ministers was to provide sleeping accommodations for the tenant farrs at local governnt offices, military barracks, and magistrates offices located along the route to the southern provinces.
If the scale is small, we can provide vacant rooms in the governnt buildings. If the scale is large, we can set up tents for them.
Its better than sleeping outdoors.
Sejong, nodding at the ministers explanation, pointed out another issue.
We can manage sleeping arrangents that way, but what about food?
At Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward.
We will sell the militarys grain at cost price.
The militarys grain?
Yes. Among the grains currently stored, there is a considerable amount that is nearing the end of its storage period. If we start by disposing of these grains, we can recover the funds invested in their production and solve the storage problem as well.
Sejong thought for a mont and then let out a chuckle.
It seems the ministers have beco quite cunning.
To Sejongs remark, the ministers internally exclaid in unison.
How could we compare to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince!
Anyway, its a solution that serves two purposes. Implent it imdiately.
Your command shall be obeyed!
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