June, 15th year of King Sejong’s reign (1433, Year of Gyechuk).
At the threshold of sumr, new notices were posted on bulletin boards in governnt offices across Joseon.
“Huh? A new official docunt?”
“I hope it’s about a discount event at the governnt monopoly store…”
“That would be nice! It’s been quiet lately, hasn’t it?”
As people gathered in front of the bulletin board, exchanging half-joking, half-serious conversations, they began to read the official docunt.
“Let’s see… Uh… ‘Notice of Civil Service Examination System Reform’? Looks like they’re changing the examination system?”
“Ah! This has nothing to do with .”
“That’s right. I wish they’d have a discount event at the governnt monopoly store instead.”
Most of the commoners lost interest after checking the title and left. However, there were quite a few who remained, staring intently at the bulletin board.
Most of those focusing on the bulletin board were nobles and a few won.
“They’re changing it again?”
“It’s been about 10 years since the last change, so isn’t it about ti?”
The reactions of the nobles reading the bulletin board’s contents were cynical.
On the contrary, there were also those who were indignant.
“Sigh… If education is a hundred-year plan, the civil service examination should be a five-hundred-year plan…”
“This isn’t just changing morning and evening…”
Among those discussing, apart from those showing cynical reactions, the faces of other nobles were full of desperation.
‘There’s not much ti left!’
This was because in as little as two years, or at most three years, children who had finished their education at public schools and middle schools would erge as new competitors.
***
As ntioned before, the nobles of Joseon – more precisely, the civil service nobles – were desperately seeking a way out at a crossroads.
Due to the Gapsin Coup, a large number of nobles were purged, reducing the number of local nobles and greatly diminishing their influence on society.
These local nobles, whose numbers and influence had significantly shrunk, were divided into three main groups.
The first was the ‘local strongn obsessed with the civil service examination’.
Although their economic power had decreased due to the disappearance of tax exemption benefits that had been in place since the founding of Joseon and the damned system of progressive taxation, the vast amount of land they owned still guaranteed them a comfortable life.
Based on this land, they were transforming into the most radical fundantalist conservative forces.
These were the ones showing cynical reactions to the official docunt.
The second group was those actively trying to participate in public office.
These were people who were economically less well-off than the first group and had chosen public service as a ans of survival.
However, as ntioned before, even though the court and King Sejong were struggling with a shortage of personnel, they were still picky about selecting talented individuals, so these people had to make desperate efforts.
To enter public service, they did their best not only to take the civil service examination but also to submit petitions.
The third group was those who had chosen a ‘new path’.
These were people who, seeing the explosive growth of comrce and industry as reforms progressed, were diving into becoming capitalists or managers.
***
Those reading the official docunt with desperate faces let out deep sighs.
“Haa~ To think that even won would be allowed to take the exam…”
“I thought it would take at least a few more years…”
Their eyes were fixed on the ‘Eligibility Requirents’.
Eligibility Requirents – Commoner n and won with education level of public school or middle school or higher.
-Addendum A
Those who have not completed public school or middle school are allowed to take the exam only if they receive certification through a qualification test that will be implented soon.
-Addendum B
The application of Addendum A is deferred for the next two years.
This item made the nobles reading the notice realize even more that they were ‘running out of ti’.
‘We must pass the exam within the next two years!’
With eyes full of urgency and desperation, the nobles continued to read the next item.
Examination Procedure.
-First Round
Written test on the Four Books and Five Classics.
A total of 30 multiple-choice questions.
Must answer at least 25 out of 30 questions correctly to pass.
Mathematics test.
20 multiple-choice questions.
Must answer at least 17 out of 20 questions correctly to pass.
-Second Round
For those who passed the first round.
Choose one of three topics presented by the examiners and write an essay.
Those who pass both the first and second rounds will receive the 9th rank.
Assignnt of work locations.
Application of the rule to avoid assigning to one’s ho region.
Addendum A.
Applied equally to both n and won.
Addendum B.
Additional points for those who volunteer for outer regions such as the northern regions and Daesuldo.
Addendum C.
For those volunteering for outer regions, priority is given to those skilled in horseback riding or archery.
“Huh?”
Those who saw the last addendum about work location assignnts all tilted their heads.
“Wasn’t this supposed to be for the civil service exam?”
As they tilted their heads, so who had heard related rumors nodded.
“I heard working in the outer regions was tough…”
***
Among those reading the notice were a small number of won.
“I’ve finished reading. Let’s go.”
As a woman wearing a veil turned after reading the bulletin board, her maid hurriedly followed and asked.
“Young lady, are you really going to take the civil service exam?”
“Isn’t that why we ca to the governnt office in broad daylight?”
According to Joseon law, won of the nobles or rchant class, who were not commoners, were not allowed to go out freely during the day.
However, due to livelihood issues including farming, there was so flexibility in the current situation.
“Once won start entering public service, the curfew law will probably change too.”
“Is the current law the problem? I’m worried that the master will imdiately issue a stern rebuke.”
At the maid’s whining, the woman smiled slightly and replied.
“Gannan-a. The world is changing.”
***
“A daughter of a noble family wandering the streets in broad daylight! Are you really in your right mind?”
Officer Ahn, known as the wealthiest man in Pyeongtaek County, shouted loudly while standing on the main floor.
In response to Officer Ahn’s scolding, his eldest daughter Munhye, who had taken off her veil, answered confidently.
“I went to the governnt office because I heard a notice about the upcoming civil service examination had been posted.”
“As a re woman, do you really intend to take the civil service exam? Huh! How preposterous!”
Unlike Officer Ahn, who kept repeating how preposterous it was, Munhye continued to assert her intentions in a still confident voice.
“Father. The world has been changing since His Majesty implented the reforms.”
“Even if the world changes, there are principles that must be upheld!”
“Father, even the princesses, the precious daughters of His Majesty, are learning dicine and studying mathematics to work as officials. How can there be a distinction between n and won in using what one has learned to benefit the country?”
“Aish!”
Faced with Munhye’s articulate response, Officer Ahn, at a loss for words, turned away in irritation.
After ending this round of verbal sparring, Munhye let out a long sigh as soon as she entered her room.
“Phew~ Thanks to the princesses moving first, we can breathe a little easier.”
As the princesses who moved first showed decent results, it gradually beca easier for won to enter society.
Of course, in most farming households and lower classes, won were actively engaged in outside activities. However, this was a desperate struggle for survival, and in Joseon society, it was impossible for the middle class and above.
Therefore, allowing won to take the civil service examination from this year was truly revolutionary.
Munhye, who had sat down and opened a mathematics book, suddenly stood up.
“Didn’t they say there were additional points for volunteering for outer regions? And to go to outer regions, one needs to be skilled in horseback riding or archery…”
After briefly recalling her mory, Munhye took down the quiver hanging on one side and strung the bow that had been untied.
“Gannan-a! Let’s go to the archery field! Get ready!”
“Yes, young lady!”
While the maid busily prepared so snacks, Munhye, who had readied her quiver and bow, muttered softly.
“If I’m going to enter public service anyway, shouldn’t I aim to beco at least a senior official?”
***
“Oh my!”
Munhye was dumbfounded when she arrived at the archery field. There were more won than usual drawing bows.
And among them, a considerable number were girls around her age.
“These girls… What one does, others follow…”
Munhye seed to understand why the girls had co to the archery field.
It was certain that they had co with thoughts similar to Munhye’s.
As she observed the girls earnestly drawing their bowstrings, Munhye took a position next to one girl. She was the daughter of a family that was in competition with her own.
“What brings you to the archery field when you’ve barely started reading the Four Books?”
At Munhye’s words, the girl smirked and replied.
“What about you? I heard you haven’t even finished the Zhou Bi Suan Jing properly? Ah! That’s why you’re here? Right. With your math skills, you can’t even dream of the Ministry of Finance or General Affairs, so it’s fitting for you to be running around in the Ministry of Land and Infrastructure. If you don’t want to fall victim to tigers while running around in dangerous areas, you should properly learn archery.”
“Hey!”
“What!”
In an instant, the two girls grabbed each other’s hair and started fighting.
That evening, the mothers of both girls were lying down with their foreheads wrapped.
“What sin did I commit in my previous life…”
On the other hand, the fathers of the two girls made a different decision from their mothers.
“Fine! I’ll support you as much as you want.”
“Thank you!”
“But there’s a condition! You must pass the exam. If that damned family’s daughter passes and you fail? I’ll either marry you off imdiately or shave your head and send you off to be a Buddhist nun!”
Hearing their fathers’ stern orders, the girls answered while breaking out in a cold sweat.
“I will definitely pass the exam!”
***
The number of won aiming for the civil service examination was larger than expected.
The reactions of their parents or husbands to this were largely of two types.
One was active support, and the other was active opposition.
Additionally, stimulated by the unsettling movent of won, n preparing for the exam also began to prepare more intensely.
However, there was sothing unexpected: the number of petitions opposing won’s entry into public service was less than anticipated.
“Crown Prince, what do you think is the reason?”
To King Sejong’s question, Hyang imdiately answered.
“Isn’t there already a precedent?”
“Precedent?”
After mulling over Hyang’s words for a mont, King Sejong imdiately nodded.
“I see, there are already quite a few won who have entered public service as teachers in public schools and middle schools. Hmm… Ministers, listen.”
At King Sejong’s words, the ministers imdiately bowed their heads and responded.
“Although it’s difficult to predict the exact number now, it’s certain that the number of won entering public service will not be small, so re-examine the asures related to this.”
“We receive your command!”
Following King Sejong’s order, the ministers re-examined the relevant policies.
-Ensure thorough provision of governnt housing for those who have entered public service but are from humble backgrounds and unable to prepare their own housing.
-In cases where both husband and wife enter public service simultaneously, the issue of assignnt location shall be handled as follows:
Both husband and wife shall be assigned to the sa location. The assignnt location shall be based on the location of the spouse with the higher rank.
-Prepare dormitories for those who are still unmarried. However, as n and won should be separate, accommodate them in separate dormitories.
As Hyang checked these alternatives, he saw the part about dormitories and gave a wry smile.
“The country feeds them, houses them, clothes them, pays them, and works them to death… Isn’t this just the military?”
Reviews
All reviews (0)