King of Commerce, Yeonsan-gun ch.6
Dissolving the Inspectorate
Cough, cough!
Kyung-sik Park’s persistent coughing wouldn't stop. The royal physician urged him to eat meat, the ministers came to the palace to deliver their reports rather than having him attend council meetings, and they even suggested he reduce his time spent in mourning.
Kyung-sik, who had little interest in the private lives of royal families and nobles, hadn’t been aware that King Yeonsan had frequent bouts of illness. He was learning it the hard way now.
Looking back, it made sense. Trying to outmaneuver his officials by moving into a hut in the middle of January was a recipe for disaster. Considering the hygiene and medical standards of the time, coupled with irregular meals due to mourning duties, it wasn’t surprising that even a healthy person might come down with a cold or pneumonia.
“If I had pushed myself any further, I probably would have died…”
The royal physician had brought him some medicine, but Kyung-sik wasn’t confident in its efficacy.
The inspectors (one of the three branches of the Inspectorate, the Saganwon) had complained, saying, “The current medical supervisor, Yoon Eun-ro, knows nothing about medicine and was appointed through favoritism! He should be dismissed immediately!”
Before Kyung-sik could ask for a suitable replacement, he had already imprisoned the inspectors, making it impossible to change the medical supervisor.
He had little faith in the medical practices of this era to begin with, and now knowing that the medical supervisor was a political appointee made him even more skeptical. He had no useful knowledge to apply himself. His understanding of treating colds was limited to taking Tylenol and getting plenty of rest.
Considering popular remedies in historical or fantasy novels, like making soap, briefly crossed his mind, but he dismissed the idea.
The type of soap made from lye and oil often depicted in such stories isn’t suitable for human skin. Kyung-sik recalled participating in a community event where they made recycled soap using caustic soda and used cooking oil. The resulting soap was so harsh it could only be used for laundry.
Even refined caustic soda was harsh, so soap made from lye would likely be worse.
In modern times, with the convenience of washing machines, hand washing with harsh soap was rare, and the soaps had accumulated dust in his bathroom back when he lived in the future.
Ultimately, Kyung-sik resigned himself to following the ministers’ advice—eating some meat to build his strength, even while in mourning.
He ordered more kimchi, bean sprouts, and nuts to be served to supplement vitamins and minerals as his most proactive measure.
Official duties were handled in his chambers, with the ministers coming to him rather than meeting in the council room.
"So, regarding the recent disposition of the inspectors, we have deliberated…"
The ministers saw the imprisonment of a few overly critical inspectors as a temporary measure to let them "reflect" on their behavior while waiting for their punishment.
This already marked a significant departure from King Seongjong’s leniency.
This situation posed a dilemma. While the inspectors were excessively critical and disruptive, there were indeed many areas in Joseon that needed oversight and correction.
Over the past couple of months, Kyung-sik had observed that nearly all high-ranking officials had some connection to the royal family or the aristocracy. The current medical supervisor, Yoon Eun-ro, was a prime example of such favoritism.
Although the term “political monopoly” was more associated with late Joseon, it seemed inevitable given the entrenched structure of familial ties among the elite.
“Scrapping my initial plan to bury a few inspectors alongside Seongjong… I still need a body similar to the inspectors for oversight. And if I want to appear as a king who values free speech…”
No Sa-shin, waiting for the king’s decision on the inspectors, noted the young monarch’s tendency to suddenly drift into deep thought, whether due to inexperience or some other reason.
“Alright, I’ve decided. Grand Inspector Lee Eui and the Junior Inspector, Yi Eui-son, will be exiled. Hong Hyeong and Choi Bu will be dismissed, and the officials who recommended them, including the Personnel Ministry Officers, will also be dismissed…”
As No Sa-shin listened to the king’s decisions, his eyebrows twitched.
"Your Majesty, dismissing the Personnel Ministry Officers would leave the inspector positions unfilled."
“Darn, he caught on quickly.”
The Personnel Ministry Officers are responsible for recommending inspectors. Removing them means the inspector positions will remain vacant for a while. But it’s not just about the inspectors; they also have the authority to recommend candidates for lower positions, which typically pass without much scrutiny.
Kyung-sik, with his knowledge of the future, wanted to overhaul this system entirely. He knew that in the future, the power struggle during the factional politics (Bungdang) of Joseon was fueled by the inspectors' expanded power and the critical role of the Personnel Ministry Officers in appointments.
Inspectors would emerge as a powerful political force, counterbalancing the state council.
But the control over appointments lying with the relatively low-ranking Personnel Ministry Officers seemed structurally flawed to Kyung-sik.
“Hmm, how many inspectors in recent times have been true scholars? Their so-called criticisms are nothing but a continuous stream of arrogance and defiance disguised as counsel.”
“While that may be true, Your Majesty, I fear you might dismiss all legitimate criticism. Isn’t it the fortune of the state to have honest scholars in the court?” No Sa-shin responded cautiously.
“How could I reject sincere advice? I have a plan to fill the position of Personnel Ministry Officers, so do not worry.”
No Sa-shin wondered what the newly ascended king was planning. Without extensive experience or connections in the scholarly community, how could the young king confidently fill such a critical role?
“If you still have doubts, listen to this…”
As Kyung-sik explained his new approach, No Sa-shin’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I failed to grasp Your Majesty’s grand vision for employing scholars. If Your Majesty’s plan succeeds, you will indeed be able to utilize worthy scholars from all across the kingdom.”
Just as lobsters side with crabs, the Office of Inspector-General and the Hall of Worthies naturally supported each other, forming the triad of the Inspectorate. With the mass imprisonment and exile orders for the officials of the Office of Inspector-General, the Hall of Worthies and the Office of Inspector-General went on strike.
“We believe that since His Majesty resides within the confines of the palace, dealing with countless affairs each day, it is always a concern that His Majesty’s perspective might not be broad enough. That’s why the responsibility of overseeing the state is entrusted to the inspectors, who must uphold public integrity and criticize any negligence or breaches of law by ministers and officials.
Though we are humble, we serve in the inspector positions not to trouble His Majesty but to ensure His Majesty receives candid advice. Even a single royal decree should be harmonized with the views of the ministers and discussed openly to align with the people's hearts. The state’s dignity and the king’s authority will grow stronger if actions are consistent with righteousness.
We implore Your Majesty to continue expanding your magnanimity and follow the path of public consensus for the good of the nation. If not, then we request our immediate dismissal and the disbandment of the three branches of the Inspectorate.”
Refusing to accept the king's order, the Hall of Worthies and the Office of Inspector-General essentially dared the king to dismiss them.
So he decided to oblige them.
As the inspectors knelt in defiance, officers from the Royal Investigation Bureau (Uigeumbu) entered the room.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to dissolve the Inspectorate.”
“What?”
No one among the officials could believe the king's abrupt decision.
“The purpose of the Inspectorate is to ensure the king hears the candid opinions of scholars. Yet, recent activities of the three branches show that they have formed factions, disrupting the court more than aiding it.
I have observed that the inspectors, fearing the Personnel Ministry Officers who recommended them more than the king, have never once impeached them.
Moreover, the current Inspectorate behaves arrogantly, as if they serve a different court. It is frightening to see them wield such power.
The Royal Investigation Bureau will interrogate the Personnel Ministry Officers! Make them confess to their reasons for appointing those who recklessly espouse heterodox theories as inspectors, thereby causing disorder in the court!”
Without giving the startled aides a chance to interject, the king continued,
“But how could I take pleasure in dismissing upright scholars’ advice?
Studying ancient texts, I found that the Han dynasty’s Xianliangfangzheng examination was an excellent way to hear the thoughts of virtuous scholars across the land. I will revive this method to select suitable individuals for the Inspectorate.
I have prepared the details, so take this decree.”
While his declaration to dissolve the Inspectorate was shocking, it was accompanied by a well-thought-out plan, making his claim that he desired to hear sincere advice confusing yet irrefutable.
‘How could he have prepared such detailed regulations without input from the aides or ministers!?’ the officials wondered in astonishment.
The decree outlined that candidates would be recommended by the local councils (Yuhyangso) from each province. Scholars and candidates would then vote to select representatives who would join the Inspectorate.
In simple terms, the decree specified everything from the timing and location for the local assemblies to gather and vote, to allowing time for candidates to present themselves, ensuring the electors could judge their character. It also detailed how many inspectors each province would send and stated that only those selected through this process could impeach or advise the court (which subtly indicated the king's reluctance for frequent criticisms).
Joseon had local councils (Yuhyangso) in each province, formed by retired officials who returned to their hometowns. Recognizing this, Kyung-sik thought,
‘Hey, if used well, these could evolve into local parliaments.’
Combining this with the inspectors, who he planned to transform into something resembling a parliamentary system, might allow him to create a system where the king could step back from direct governance.
In essence, Kyung-sik’s ultimate goal was to reshape the kingdom so that he wouldn’t be confined to the palace without freedom.
For the kingdom to function without the king’s constant oversight, it needed a system capable of self-governance. The most effective model Kyung-sik knew for a system that could operate independently of the monarch was a parliamentary system.
China’s Ming dynasty continued to function under the Wanli Emperor’s prolonged absence due to its well-established bureaucracy. Kyung-sik considered creating a similarly robust bureaucratic system but realized he lacked detailed knowledge of such structures in China, Joseon, or even Japan, beyond the basics.
Therefore, Kyung-sik envisioned structuring the Inspectorate as a parliament and the Office of Inspector-General as a judiciary. From Joseon’s perspective, it would be a revolutionary shift, appearing as though the king was voluntarily yielding power to gather public opinion.
The ministers received the decree for review and found themselves at a loss, muttering, "It seems perfect as is; what can we possibly change?"
Meanwhile, some officials, like Minister of Personnel Lee Geuk-don, felt a chill down their spines as they read the detailed regulations.
Having risen to the rank of Minister of Personnel through his reputation as a highly capable administrator, he instantly grasped the implications of the young king personally drafting such comprehensive regulations overnight.
The king was a ruler of exceptional caliber, someone who could oversee every detail of governance effortlessly. But great kings aren’t necessarily benevolent rulers. Just as King Sejo, who had elevated Lee Geuk-don, wasn’t a saint, the current king's purge of the inspectors suggested a similar harshness.
Other ministers, such as No Sa-shin, pondered the shifting power dynamics.
During King Seongjong’s reign, the power of the Inspectorate had steadily grown. The Hall of Worthies had its own authority over appointments, and the Personnel Ministry Officers had their respected rights.
With the king’s support, the Inspectorate had wielded significant power, often challenging even the monarch’s authority.
But now, with the king’s swift action to remove the Personnel Ministry Officers, the Inspectorate was left powerless, unable to function within the court. The king had pinpointed and neutralized the core of their power with a precision uncharacteristic of a newly ascended ruler.
However, if the new system, which would bring inspectors from all eight provinces, was implemented?
According to the decree, no one could predict or control who would ultimately reach the court. The selected inspectors from each province would likely hold diverse views, making unified actions like collective impeachments unlikely.
Yet, numerically, this reform significantly increased the number of inspectors and appeared to democratize the selection process, giving the impression that the king was making a major concession for broader representation.
‘Does the king intend to grant power to the ministers or retain it for himself?’ wondered No Sa-shin, as he and others pondered the future distribution of power within Kyung-sik’s sweeping reforms.
No one could have guessed that the king’s true intention was simply to create a system where he could relinquish his duties and enjoy his freedom.
Comments
Post a Comment