Episode 5 – Slave Upper Limit System (Part 2)
"Right Minister, what are your thoughts on this?"
Right Minister Jo Jun looked troubled.
It was a question that cut straight to the point.
Jo Jun, who was responsible for implementing all domestic reforms of Joseon, was being questioned like this by none other than King Yi Seong-gye himself. After thinking deeply, he responded with a question of his own.
"Do you mean the intentions of the Minister of the Secretariat, Your Majesty?"
The Minister of the Secretariat referred to Jeong Do-jeon, a high-ranking official in the Secretariat.
"Indeed. I cannot understand why the Minister of the Secretariat acts as he does."
"I, humbly, cannot know the full mind of the Minister, Your Majesty."
"Why is this so? If you do not know, who else would?"
"I beg Your Majesty's pardon, but I, too, have not yet spoken directly with the Minister."
"I see… so it was only the Minister's own thought?"
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
Jo Jun did not lie.
Hearing this, King Yi Seong-gye clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
"Such cunning… The Minister of the Secretariat… Jeong Do-jeon, you say."
Jo Jun replied with a standard, cautious answer.
"The appointment of the Crown Prince is the King's affair, Your Majesty."
"I know that. Who does not?"
"I am humbled by Your Majesty's understanding."
"Even so, the matter of appointing a Crown Prince… if it is discussed here and there, it damages one's authority. Especially if it involves Jeong Do-jeon. That is why I gave the excuse of some time."
"Yes, Your Majesty. You commanded to achieve merit, but the new nation has just begun, so how can the princes accomplish great deeds? The Minister of the Secretariat surely knows this."
"I… do not know, Your Majesty."
"Hmm."
The King's expression showed mild irritation.
"If there were something that could be done?"
"Humbly, there is nothing to be done."
"Even so, suggest something."
"Your Majesty… ultimately, it is 'the people-first principle'."
"So the new nation has been founded, yet it is not yet perfected. Both Jeong Do-jeon and Jo Jun, the central pillars of its founding, say this. How exactly is this 'people-first principle' implemented?"
Jo Jun calmly began to explain.
"The words may sound grand, Your Majesty, but the reality is simple."
"Speak plainly."
"It is the issue of Goryeo's problems that we must solve."
"I see. A single farmer would cultivate land, yet ten noblemen collected taxes from it. This was called land monopolization. You abolished the private land registry under the Jeon-gyeon Law, cutting this at its root. Is there still a problem?"
"The issue of land is inherently tied to the issue of people."
"Explain so I can understand."
"The problem of land and people—that is, the tenants—has been partially resolved with the Jeon-gyeon Law. However, the issue of the people themselves remains."
"Do my subjects have a problem?"
King Yi Seong-gye's voice carried curiosity, and he pressed Jo Jun for answers.
"The core issue lies with the slaves, Your Majesty."
"Slaves?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Large landowners require laborers to work their fields. Conversely, those with sufficient labor can expand their lands at will. For instance, the Anmok family in Seogyo, Paju, was able to cultivate tens of thousands of gyeol of land because they had over a hundred households of slaves to work it."
"…"
"The private land registers have been abolished. Yet the slaves who worked the estates have not disappeared. During the Goryeo period, under King Chang, the cadastral survey revealed that 30% of all farmland was uncultivated wasteland."
What had started as a discussion about Jeong Do-jeon's intentions had turned into a heavy state matter.
King Yi Seong-gye's expression grew grave.
"So, the slaves will be mobilized to cultivate that land?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. The abolition of private registers highlighted the importance of slaves. Wealthy landowners will seek to secure as many slaves as possible to cultivate wastelands and maintain their power."
"Is there no way to prevent this?"
"Your Majesty, how can one prevent the reclamation of wasteland? By what authority could it be blocked?"
"My question is clear. I ask how we can stop a reckless scramble for slaves."
"If they seek more slaves, conflicts will arise within families and clans, even harming innocent free people. This is a highly sensitive matter."
Jo Jun did not answer the King's question directly; he only continued.
King Yi Seong-gye's voice lowered, frustration creeping in.
"…Yes. I asked how to resolve such a serious issue."
"This, Your Majesty, is as difficult as founding a new nation itself."
"Then it cannot be done?"
"Not even conceivable, Your Majesty."
Jo Jun's reply was firm.
King Yi Seong-gye felt a tightness in his chest.
"Is there no discussion in the court?"
"Ambitious young officials prepare petitions, but it is almost impossible."
"That is regrettable," said the King sincerely.
Though not a scholar of politics, he wished to take meaningful action as a ruler.
"Still, find some measures. We cannot merely stand by. As for Prince Won, I thought he might have some plans, seeing him smile quietly… but it seems all he can do is meet ministers and build influence."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. That is the orthodox approach, yet I…"
Jo Jun was about to speak when the King interrupted.
"Enough. Just one question."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"If Prince Won could accomplish this?"
"It is impossible, Your Majesty."
"…Jo Jun. I ask what would happen if he actually did?"
"If, despite everything, he succeeds, then he certainly possesses the qualities of a true ruler."
"Hmm. Another question."
"Your Majesty, even with all the court's power, it cannot be done by a prince alone."
"…."
"What if he merely attempts it?"
"Building influence would require actions that earn the resentment of ministers, which is difficult to plan."
"Answer the question. What if he even attempts it?"
"If he attempts it, his resolve alone must be praised."
"…."
"Yet even attempting it is not easy, as it will create political opponents…"
"Jo Jun. I asked you to answer the question directly."
"As a Crown Prince, it would suffice in terms of virtue, Your Majesty."
"…But it is unlikely, yes?"
"Based on historical records, Your Majesty…"
Jo Jun began to speak unnecessarily, and the King sharply cut him off.
"Enough. You may withdraw. You have worked hard."
"…"
Prince Yi Bang-won raised his eyebrows.
"…The Slave Upper Limit System?"
"Yes, Your Highness. What the new nation needs is a proper system for regulating slaves."
"So, this is to limit the number of slaves one may possess?"
"Exactly, Your Highness."
"…"
"Having too many slaves is not beneficial to the royal family or the court."
"…"
"The Jeon-gyeon Law abolished private land registers, yet landowners have not disappeared. Instinctively, they will seek to expand their lands by acquiring more slaves, thereby preserving their influence."
Even after the shock of the Jeon-gyeon Law, landowners adapted quickly. Their focus had shifted to labor: slaves and tenant farmers alike. Securing labor was critical to maintaining power; failure meant centuries of privilege could vanish.
From ancient times, the instincts of the elite in defending their power have been unmatched.
If this link can be broken, then Prince Yi Bang-won's path is secure.
"Your Highness, did you not know this?"
Ah. A misstep.
He was none other than Yi Bang-won. Even a poorly veiled statement would be understood.
"Even if impossible, it must be done."
"I do not favor attempting the impossible."
"Was founding this nation easy?"
"…"
"And did our people, or Your Majesty and I, ever imagine that Po-eun would be killed in the process?"
"Your Excellency!"
"As you see, it must be done."
"Brother!"
Haryun interjected, cautioning.
"Proceeding rashly may create conflict with court ministers."
"Do you not understand, Ho-jeong? This cannot be achieved through political maneuvering. Does Your Majesty appear so weak? If conflicts arise, that is to our advantage."
I turned my gaze back to Yi Bang-won.
"Those ministers who quarrel are exactly the obstacles to strengthening royal authority after Your Highness ascends the throne. Understanding this now is useful."
Yi Bang-won's expression shifted strangely, as if entertained by this thought.
"So, you are confident in placing this man as Crown Prince?"
"Of course."
"On what grounds?"
Adjusting his posture, I radiated absolute confidence.
"My name is Jeong Do-jeon."
Jeong Do-jeon.
There could be no more reliable guarantee.
Yi Bang-won's lips curled in satisfaction.
"The Slave Upper Limit System. Let us implement it."