The winter of Gyeong-o Year (1450, King Sejong’s 32nd year).
From around the vernal equinox in early spring until Mid-Autumn Festival, there was considerable turmoil with large-scale expulsions in the Northern Territory. After Mid-Autumn Festival, while the European rustics were distracted by sightseeing in Hanyang, Hyang made one major decision.
“Let’s finish this before the year ends!”
He abolished the era name system.
After achieving victory over Ming, declaring imperial status was the natural progression. Thus, Hyang and the ministers began preparations.
During this process, the era name system gave Hyang and the ministers headaches.
Traditionally, era names either metaphorically expressed a new emperor’s policy direction or used words from classical texts that carried meanings suitable for comforting the people. Alternatively, they used combinations including the character “yuan (元, origin)” to declare new beginnings.
However, Hyang’s precondition posed a problem:
“Since we’ve broken away from the Central Plains to walk our own path, eliminate anything previously used by Central Plains emperors or similar terms.”
As a result, starting with the elimination of all terms containing “yuan (元),” many candidate words were filtered out.
“So this is why they created the One Reign, One Era Name system…” Hwang Hui lamented, and the ministers searching through words all nodded.
Since Emperor Han Wu first used the era name system, more era names had been recorded in history than there were nations that had risen and fallen in the Central Plains.
This occurred because there were no fixed rules for changing era names. Consequently, many rulers had used multiple era names during their reigns, and during periods of division, different countries often used their own independent era names, to the point where almost every suitable word had been used at least once.
Among these, one term the ministers most regretted losing was “Yeongnak (영락(永樂), Eternal Joy).”
Yeongnak had been the era name used by King Gwanggaeto, the early hegemon of the ancient Three Hans period. However, it became awkward to reuse after Ming’s Yongle Emperor had used it.
“Though we could use it if we wished, considering those Central Plains people’s habits, it would be better not to…”
At Hwang Hui’s words, Kim Jongseo quietly brought up a conspiracy theory.
“Could they have used it deliberately?”
“Used it knowingly?”
At Kim Jongseo’s words, all the ministers’ eyes brightened and ears perked up. When work was difficult, nothing was more entertaining than idle speculation.
Kim Jongseo presented evidence for his conspiracy theory.
“Where did the Yongle Emperor receive his princely title before ascending the throne? Yan (燕), right? Right next to the Liao River and Liaodong. In such a place, ancient Goguryeo traditions would have persisted. Consider the stone monument recently discovered in the Northern Territory. The possibility is quite high.”
At Kim Jongseo’s words, all the ministers pretended to know.
“Ah… that monument!”
***
After taking control of the Northern Territory, the court conducted detailed surveys to properly establish administrative organizations.
Though still incomplete, vast amounts of human and material resource information were being updated, and unexpected historical materials were being discovered.
Among these discoveries was one that made not only the court but all scholarly officials’ eyes pop out.
It was the discovery of King Gwanggaeto’s Memorial Stele.
Initially, it was thought to belong to the Jin or Jurchen people. However, upon receiving the report, Hyang commanded decisively:
“Don’t make quick assumptions about it belonging to Jin or Jurchen people – investigate thoroughly!”
“It will consume much time and budget.”
“Who ruled that land before Jin and Jurchen? Goguryeo!”
At Hyang’s point, Hwang Hui and the ministers immediately bowed their heads and responded:
“We nearly committed an eternal regret! We shall immediately send people to investigate in detail!”
Thus, King Gwanggaeto’s Memorial Stele revealed its true identity.
Hyang, who had given the order, muttered internally:
‘Though more historical records survive compared to the 21st century, the Three Kingdoms period could already be considered legendary.’
***
For these various reasons, the era name remained undecided even after establishing the empire.
With few suitable words remaining for era names, Hyang also developed a headache.
“Why are the only remaining terms things like ‘Meiji (명치(明治))’ or ‘Ishin (유신(維新))’…”
Though both Meiji and Ishin had good meanings, these words were extremely unpleasant in Hyang’s memory.
Finally, Hyang reached a conclusion:
“Let’s abolish the era name system!”
“Pardon?”
The ministers all wore troubled expressions at Hyang’s decision.
“However, Your Majesty, according to proper protocol…”
When Hwang Hui tried to argue against it, Hyang cut him off:
“Whose protocol is this?”
“Pardon?”
“Isn’t using era names, and the one reign-one era rule, all from the Central Plains? We’ve declared our intention to pursue independence and self-strengthening away from the Central Plains’ shadow – how long will we follow their protocols? Moreover, consider the Central Plains people’s habits. They inflate one into ten, and if we follow the era name system, they’ll surely twist it somehow in the future.”
After considering Hyang’s point briefly, Hwang Hui stepped forward to answer:
“Though Your Majesty’s words are truly reasonable, there will be those who oppose without understanding the intention. We shall devise ways to persuade them.”
“What need is there to devise? Just have them debate it.”
Thus, new notices were posted at government offices throughout the realm:
- Our Joseon has finally emerged from the Central Plains’ shadow to pursue independence and self-strengthening. We propose abolishing the era name system as a symbolic gesture. Discuss this matter.
- If we abolish era names, issues arise with dating years. Discuss whether we should use the Dangi calendar starting from Dangun’s founding, or establish the empire’s founding as year one.
The deadline is the end of this month.
As soon as these notices were posted, petitions began flooding in from across the Korean Peninsula for the first time in a while.
This sight also caught the attention of European scholars still staying in Seoul.
“What is posted on that bulletin board?”
“That is…”
After receiving explanations through interpreters and monks, the European scholars couldn’t hide their amazement.
“The emperor is seeking answers from the people? Is this not problematic?”
“Why would this be a problem? This is just one of our channels for public opinion.”
The interpreters responded with puzzled expressions to the European scholars’ questions, while the monks answered with bitter smiles.
“This is something the rulers of this country do frequently. Thanks to this, communication between top and bottom flows well. Though some say it’s the emperor’s fishing…”
“Fishing?”
The professors were all deeply impressed after hearing the monks’ explanation.
“What a method!”
“How wise to continuously obtain new talent this way!”
“Not just talent, but public opinion too – truly an excellent method!”
While impressed, the professors were also confused.
The source of their confusion was Hyang.
“We thought him a sharp-tongued, arrogant, and deeply calculating person – are we wrong?”
“Could this sharp-tongued person be closest to Plato’s philosopher-king?”
***
Most of the flood of petitions supported abolishing the era name system.
- Abolishing era names is appropriate as we break away from China’s shadow, which calls itself the center of civilization.
Most petitions contained similar content, allowing Hyang and the ministers to breathe sighs of relief. However, the petitions split into two camps regarding the dating system:
- Since we recognize Dangun as our founder, using the Dangun calendar is correct.
- Though the Dangun calendar is good, using the empire’s founding is better. The empire is no longer just for Joseon people. Many foreign residents have already become imperial citizens, so insisting on the Dangun calendar could become a source of discrimination.
Thus began fierce debates over the dating system, with not just petitions but wall posters appearing in a large-scale theoretical battle. At the center of this debate was the Institute for Confucian Studies.
***
The Institute for Confucian Studies, established in the latter part of the reforms to “study ancient classics and show the right path to today’s people,” gathered selected officials and local scholars to reinterpret and discuss classical texts.
Naturally contentious from its composition, it was famous for fierce debates from its founding.
As a side note, Hyang’s question that set European intellectuals ablaze also created similar fires here:
- Regarding the words of ancient sages, is Zhu Xi’s interpretation really the only correct answer?
Fierce debates erupted over this topic, leading to the emergence of a new scholarly tradition combining elements of textual studies, Yang-ming school thought, and evidential scholarship.
***
Among the Institute’s members, scholar-officials supported the Dangun calendar while bureaucrats supported the imperial founding year – nicknamed “Gaecheon.”
When Jurchen intellectuals joined the debate as new firewood, the balance slowly shifted toward “Gaecheon.”
- Even excluding Joseon people, there are many imperial citizens from different backgrounds. Insisting on the Dangun calendar could become a source of discrimination.
- If we use the Dangun calendar, we must also allow parallel use of the Buddhist calendar.
“Why the Buddhist calendar?”
“The Jurchen follow Lamaism. If we’re not careful, the Jurchen might rise up. That would be troublesome…”
Finally, establishing the empire’s founding as “Gaecheon” became the best solution to various issues.
***
First month of Gaecheon 2 (1451, Sinmi year).
Ships finally arrived to carry the European professors home.
“So we must finally leave…”
“Such regret, such regret!”
While professors who hadn’t been selected to stay couldn’t hide their disappointment, those remaining excitedly discussed their future:
“It’s a novel feeling becoming a student again at this age.”
“But isn’t learning new things always enjoyable?”
“That’s true.”
As the professors showed this mix of joy and sorrow, their reactions were all reported to Hyang and the ministers.
“Seeing how they enjoy learning, scholars will be scholars.”
Though Hyang nodded at Hwang Hui’s words, internally he thought differently:
‘Future test-takers will suffer even more.’
Hyang either didn’t realize or deliberately ignored how his actions would transform future historical studies, particularly East Asian history, into one of the most labor-intensive academic fields.
“Not my problem!”
***
Upon arriving in Seoul, Giovanni immediately sought an audience with Hyang to pay respects.
“I come before Your Majesty.”
“It brings me joy to see you healthy despite your annual long voyages.”
“I am truly grateful for Your Majesty’s concern.”
“Well then, I hope you succeed in your assigned tasks.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After his audience with Hyang, Giovanni held meetings with Heo Hu.
“Here are the quantities of Eulshik muskets and artillery wagons we wish to purchase. We’ve prepared silver for payment.”
Checking the list Giovanni presented, Heo Hu’s eyes lit up.
“Quite a substantial order?”
“We plan to end this tiresome war within the year.”
This was more the will of Henry and Mehmet II than Cosimo’s. And behind it all, France was pulling strings.