Episode 478: Deputy Cleaning (3)
The buildings that Hyang was to clean were in full swing, but King Sejong imdiately gave Hyang a job to do.
“It will be easier in the future if you know how to plan ahead.”
“…Yes, Abama.”
Following King Sejong’s order, Hyang used the empty rooms in the Donggungjeon – the forr site of a research institute – to conduct business.
Around the office where Hyang mainly worked, officials from Cheomsawon organized docunts coming from the administration.
“You are acting with complete determination. Haha~.”
Hyang let out a long sigh as he looked at the tidal wave of docunts rushing in front of him.
In principle, decisions regarding foreign and defense personnel were to be made by King Sejong.
But Sejong passed even this on to Hyang.
“You should know this in advance too. “I just pay.”
In other words, the docunts related to foreign affairs and defense personnel were all organized first, and then King Sejong only looked at the results and made a decision.
Thanks to this, King Sejong was able to have an unprecedented amount of free ti. Sejong used the ti he secured as an asset to start a new project.
“Hmm… shall we take a look?”
* * *
Taking advantage of the increased free ti, King Sejong began to stir up agencies affiliated with the executive branch.
The first to be destroyed was the Joseon National Conservatory led by Park Yeon.
“I told them to sort out the miscellaneous songs sung by the people, but how could the result be like this? Are we still ignoring miscellaneous people, considering them to be an?”
“It’s not that…”
“If not that, sothing else?”
“…I will do it right.”
“Do it straight. “I will be watching clearly.”
“I will do my best!”
King Sejong, who had overturned the Joseon National Conservatory, then headed to the Entertainnt Office.
“Bring the docunts. “Please bring not only the final copy but also all docunts sent from the front-line entertainnt center.”
Anpyeong froze at King Sejong’s short and concise command and held out the docunts.
“Here I am!”
“Hmm… let see.”
Sejong, who was sitting at the desk where Anpyeong was working, put his glasses on his nose and started looking at the docunts.
While Sejong was looking through the docunts, Anpyeong was standing at attention in front of the desk, waiting. This was because I had already heard that Park Yeon had broken up.
“huh? Hmm….”
King Sejong, who was looking through the docunts coming from all over Joseon, soon began to select a few docunts.
“This is a little strange. Anpyeong.”
“yes! majesty!”
Normally, the word ‘Abama’ would have co out, but the word ‘Your Highness’ ca straight out of Anpyeong’s frozen mouth.
Sejong, who glanced at Anpyeong, opened several reports and showed them to Anpyeong.
“As far as I know, these regions are similar in number of people and amount of taxes paid. However, there seems to be so difference in the revenue coming into the entertainnt complex. “Go to the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of General Affairs right now and tell them to bring the family register and tax paynt ledgers for the last three years for the regions I have selected.”
“yes! majesty!”
After a while, officials from the entertainnt office who had received instructions from King Sejong returned with docunts.
“Let’s use the conference room.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Following King Sejong’s orders, officials lined up docunts on the long desk located in the center of the conference room.
King Sejong, who was looking through the books lined up in chronological order with three years of records of the towns he had pointed out, soon nodded.
“As expected… Anpyeong, co here and see.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
King Sejong, who had Anpyeong next to him, traced the contents of the books with his fingers and explained them.
“Look. These eight towns have similar populations and the sa amount of taxes paid each year. But compare the profits of the general entertainnt venues of the two towns on the left and the remaining towns.”
Anpyeong, who was examining the docunts at Sejong’s order, muttered with a serious face.
“The profits are very low.”
“yes? “What do you think is the reason?”
“That…”
Anpyeong couldn’t answer Sejong’s question right away. The first thing that ca to mind was embezzlent. But when he said it right away, it felt like he was saying he was incompetent. That’s why Anpyeong couldn’t answer properly.
King Sejong asked himself whether he knew how Anpyeong felt.
“The most suspicious thing would be embezzlent. “Even though the state of affairs has progressed and officials have beco more generous, people’s greed is endless.”
“But isn’t the punishnt for embezzlent very severe?”
“You probably think, ‘I’m confident I won’t get caught!’ and then take action. “It is true that it is difficult for the central governnt to individually inspect reports coming from all over Joseon.”
“Still…”
Sejong continued as he saw Anpyeong looking uncomfortable at the suspicion that his subordinates had committed fraud.
“The second thing that is suspicious is probably the lack of skills of the officials, right? The gisaeng who show off their singing and dancing at the general entertainnt center are not skilled enough, or the quality of other attractions is so poor that it is not fun. You heard it too, right? “It’s a story about Koreans traveling around the country to watch famous baduk players play.”
“yes.”
The case that Sejong ntioned was a famous story.
* * *
As the general entertainnt center was created, a baduk match hall was created.
Soon, the best players from each town appeared one by one, and the top players from towns that were closer began to join in and determine who was superior.
Since this was what the county and officials expected, rules such as ti limits were soon created and a nationwide baduk competition was held.
In this way, fierce competition took place every year for the position of Guksu, the best Baduk player in Joseon.
And in the town where Guksoo was born, people who knew a bit about Baduk from all over Joseon gathered to watch Guksoo play Baduk.
When people gathered like this, the town was soon overflowing with money. It was because of the money that those who gathered together spent on eating and sleeping.
Thanks to this, there are parents who ask famous baduk players to train their children if they think they have so talent for baduk.
* * *
“So, get ready for the business trip.”
“yes?”
When Anpyeong looked puzzled by the unexpected business trip order, Sejong explained further.
“No matter how many docunts related to entertainnt are received from Hanseong, it seems difficult to properly understand the reality. Because fun has a strong personal aspect. And even if it is embezzlent, it is difficult to find if you decide to hide it well. In such cases, it is necessary to suppress it with power. So get ready for the business trip. “I also have to write a plan and give it to the crown prince, so let’s say we leave in three days.”
“yes? yes.”
After finishing his business, King Sejong left the entertainnt center. Anpyeong, who was seeing King Sejong off after leaving the entertainnt hall and heading to Gyeongbokgung Palace, tilted his head.
“You look kind of excited? Anyway…”
Anpyeong, who was speechless, had a bright expression on his face.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been on a business trip! How long has it been since this business trip! “Seong-eun is devastated!”
* * *
That evening, Hyang received the business trip plan and itinerary written by Sejong.
“I understand why you’re going on a business trip, but…”
Hyang, who was looking at the plan and schedule sent by Sejong with eyes full of suspicion, suddenly pointed out a finger. Hyang, who had been calculating sothing by counting her fingers several tis, muttered without realizing it.
“Miss Lee…”
Hyang suddenly stopped speaking and looked back at the naeguan.
“Stay out for a while.”
“yes?”
“Stay out.”
“yes.”
Only then did Hyang, who had let the inner coffin go, grumble in peace.
“This gentleman… How did he choose the date when the market would be held? And…”
Hyang picked up the schedule and walked towards the map hanging on one wall. Hyang, who was exploring the route by tracing the map with his finger, soon turned his head.
“shell!”
“Yes sir!”
“Go to my study right now and get the geography paper!”
“Yes sir!”
After a while, Hyang, who was looking through the geography book that the eunuch had brought, sighed.
“Huh~. “Okay then.”
On the road that Sejong passed through, there was a village where famous delicacies were served. And on the day we arrived at the village, there was always the word ‘Hyu (休)’ written on it.
Hyang, who was looking at the schedule, raised her voice internally.
‘Are you saying you want to work 5 days a week in Joseon during this ti? Even the officials work six days a week!’
Hyang, who was grumbling internally, soon showed an expression of understanding.
“Because you have hardly ever had a proper rest until now…”
* * *
Looking at the holidays for Joseon officials, they were guaranteed five days of rest every month. Usually, the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd were fixed holidays, and the remaining day was one of the 24 solar terms.
In addition, each ministry had holidays guaranteed according to its internal regulations, and paid leave was also guaranteed.
Of course, holidays such as Lunar New Year and Chuseok were also closed.
Therefore, when the New Year’s calendar ca out, the front of Seoungwan was crowded with officials. The purpose was to find out how many holidays are created by overlapping regular holidays and seasonal holidays.
Every ti I saw that scene, Hyang muttered softly.
“When the calendar cos out, counting days from play is the sa now as it is in the 21st century…”
But the king had no holidays. Although he was able to rest on holidays such as Lunar New Year, Daeboreum, Chuseok, and Dano, his job as a king ant that there were no legally guaranteed days off.
Outside of holidays, the only ti the king could rest was when high-ranking officials of the second rank or higher died.
In that respect, King Sejong was truly unlucky. This was because there were so many subjects who lived long lives, perhaps thanks to the dicine that ca and went.
* * *
In any case, it was Sejong’s decision and Hyang had no right to veto it.
After reviewing the schedule and plan again, Hyang imdiately wrote a new docunt and presented it to the inquirer.
“Imdiately deliver these docunts to the Railway Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Ministry of National Defense. “I also make it clear that it must be completed within two days.”
“yes. Lowering.”
The officer who received the docunts quickly disappeared outside.
Special trains, carriages, and escort troops would be ford according to King Sejong’s schedule and the orders of the township.
After writing the order and sending it out, Hyang thought for a mont and then called another eunuch.
“Call the Colonel imdiately.”
“Yes sir.”
After a while, Colonel Suksu, who received a call from the village, hurriedly ca running. After receiving the courtesy from Colonel Suksoo, Hyang imdiately gave an order.
“Follow Abamama on her business trip and take a close look at where she ate and what food she ate. “If you only eat at, go ahead and eat so vegetables as well.”
“Yes sir.”
“And if there is a food that Abamama’s evaluation was particularly good, make sure to record what region it is from and even record the recipe.”
“yes?”
“If Abamama wants to eat that food again later, are you going to make her go there again?”
Colonel Sooksu, who was confused by the explanation of the scent, imdiately understood and answered loudly.
“Oh no! “I will definitely write it down thoroughly!”
* * *
Three days later, King Sejong went on a business trip. Hyang, who was seen off to the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace, smiled slightly when she saw Queen Soheon standing next to King Sejong.
‘The officers will say that you can’t distinguish between public and private affairs, but it’s nice to see!’
Thus began ‘Sejong’s Gourt Travel’ under the guise of a business trip.
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