"A request? Speak."
Once Sejong granted permission, Hyang turned toward one of the eunuchs accompanying him.
Another eunuch stepped forward carrying a larger wooden box and respectfully presented it to Sejong.
"Hm?"
Opening the newly presented box, Sejong looked intrigued.
Inside were numerous pen nibs and pen holders.
The one Sejong himself had received earlier was made of gold with silver inlay, while the pen holder featured elaborate lacquer decoration.
But these were different.
The nibs were simple gold pieces engraved only with plum blossoms, while the holders were merely finely polished wood.
"Please bestow those gold pens upon the royal historians and officials."
"These?"
"Yes. The historians record the deeds of Father and the high ministers without a single moment of rest. It is labor requiring tremendous effort, so I believed they deserved tools that might ease their burden even slightly."
After briefly considering Hyang's request, Sejong consulted his ministers.
"I believe the Crown Prince's opinion is excellent. What do all of you think?"
The officials who tested the mass-produced pen nibs immediately supported Sejong's decision.
"His Majesty's judgment is correct!"
"Even at such a young age, the Crown Prince already thinks so deeply for the sake of his officials. What could be more admirable than this?"
Following the ministers' approval, the historians themselves also tested the pens and expressed satisfaction.
Thus, the pen nibs and pen holders officially became government and palace office supplies.
Returning to his room, Hyang smiled quietly to himself.
"Now then... what kind of butterfly effect will this create?"
As the pen nibs and holders, now collectively called "gold pens," spread throughout the court, officials' favor toward Hyang steadily rose.
Young officials especially, including the historians, began showing remarkable goodwill toward him.
"Have you tried the gold pen His Highness created?"
"I have. It's excellent!"
The people who loved them most were naturally the historians.
Even though they already used fine brushes, traditional calligraphy required holding the arm raised upright while writing, which was exhausting labor.
But with the gold pen, the arm could rest naturally, dramatically reducing strain on the wrist and entire arm.
And Hyang did not stop there.
He also presented wooden writing boards.
"When military commanders issue orders, there are times urgent commands must be written quickly. I created these to assist them. I believe they would function well together with the gold pens."
"Excellent!"
Delighted, Sejong immediately ordered large-scale production of both the pens and writing boards for military distribution.
Reactions among military officers were mixed.
Young commanders and literate officers reacted very positively, while illiterate commanders could only wear awkward expressions.
Still, Hyang understood Sejong's reasoning perfectly.
The moment Sejong ascended the throne, he added the Four Books to the military examination curriculum.
Upon hearing that decision earlier, Hyang had nodded to himself.
"Of course. This is no longer an age where personal bravery alone decides wars. And that'll become even more true moving forward."
Thinking about the changes such simple office supplies as writing boards and gold pens might bring to the military, Hyang tilted his head slightly.
"Is Sejong already planning a complete generational replacement within the military?"
While the military remained divided in opinion regarding the boards, there were others who welcomed them enthusiastically.
Those people were the historians and low-ranking clerks throughout the ministries.
Whether trailing behind the king while clutching bundles of blank paper, conducting inventory checks, or performing field inspections, writing inside books while holding them in midair had always been extremely inconvenient.
The writing boards solved that problem perfectly.
As demand for gold pens and writing boards exploded, the Directorate of Military Supplies became overwhelmed with work.
And as the pens spread throughout government offices and military units, many officials began carrying them outside for personal use as well.
Partly because they were convenient.
Partly because the plum blossom engraved upon the nib gave users a sense of pride.
Along Unjong Street, a young scholar selecting fish at the fish market asked the merchant for the price.
"How much?"
"Uhh... altogether, two mal and three doe of white rice. But since you're a regular customer, just give me two mal and two doe."
"That's expensive."
"Ah, sir~ It's winter, isn't it? The waves are rough, so the boats can't sail properly."
"In summer, fish are expensive because they spoil in the heat. In winter, they're expensive because of rough seas. So when exactly are fish ever cheap?"
"Hehehe."
The merchant only laughed awkwardly.
After glaring at him once, the scholar extended his hand.
"Give me the ledger. And the inkstone."
"Right away, sir."
The scholar scribbled casually inside the merchant's ledger.
"Today's purchase... two mal of white rice."
"Sir!"
"Let's just make it two mal exactly. Nice and clean."
"Haa..."
While sighing, the merchant noticed the gold pen in the scholar's hand and his eyes lit up.
"Is that the famous gold pen?"
"You've heard of it?"
"Yes. They say everyone working for the government has one these days."
The merchant stared at the pen with obvious curiosity before smacking his lips.
"It really looks convenient to write with."
"It's extremely useful for carrying around or writing quickly in a hurry. Anyway, I've got urgent business, so send the fish to my house."
"Travel safely, sir!"
After seeing the scholar off, the merchant spat loudly onto the ground.
"Ptooey! Urgent business my ass! He's obviously rushing off to a gisaeng house! Bargaining down two doe here while spending money there like water!"
Grumbling curses about the scholar who aggressively haggled him down, the merchant licked his lips thoughtfully.
"But that gold pen really did look convenient... Feels like there's money to be made there."
Apparently the merchant was not alone in thinking that way.
Imitations of the gold pen soon began appearing throughout the markets.
Rumors of those counterfeit products quickly reached the palace and soon became a topic during court session.
"Your Majesty, a matter of grave disrespect is occurring in the markets."
"A matter of disrespect? Explain."
"It is said that merchants are producing and distributing imitations of the gold pens personally created and presented by the Crown Prince."
The moment one minister reported this, another immediately added his own outrage.
"This is disrespect among all disrespect! How dare they counterfeit such precious items bearing the royal emblem! Severe punishment must be imposed!"
"They must be punished harshly!"
As the ministers broke into a near-chorus, Sejong fell into thought before speaking.
"I could decide this matter myself. However, since the Crown Prince himself is directly involved, I believe his opinion is also important. Let us hear his thoughts before making judgment. Summon the Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A short while later, Hyang entered the main hall after being summoned.
"You called for me, Father?"
As Hyang bowed politely, Sejong smiled.
"Yes. I wished to ask your judgment on a matter."
"How could one as young and inexperienced as I possibly judge anything?"
"I know well how clever you are, so do not burden yourself. Simply answer honestly."
"I understand, Father."
Sejong explained the issue regarding the counterfeit gold pens.
"...Thus the ministers argue that the merchants privately copying and distributing the gold pens should face severe punishment. Crown Prince, what are your thoughts?"
At the question, Hyang fell silent in deep thought.
An eight-year-old child furrowing his brow so seriously looked unexpectedly adorable.
Sejong and the ministers watched him with faint smiles.
After quite some time spent considering the matter, Hyang finally spoke.
"In my opinion, the Directorate of Military Supplies exists primarily to produce weapons essential for national defense. Therefore..."
One month later.
Ministry of Taxation.
Inside one of the ministry's many offices, a group of people gathered together.
"Is everyone here?"
At the young official's question, the attendees all lowered their heads respectfully.
"Yes, sir."
"Wait here for a moment."
The official stepped outside, then returned shortly afterward accompanying Hyang together with the Minister of Taxation himself.
The merchants seated around the table immediately leapt from their chairs and prostrated themselves the instant Hyang entered.
"These lowly merchants greet the Crown Prince!"
"Rise and sit."
"How could we dare sit in Your Highness's presence?"
"So long as you have committed no crime, sitting is acceptable. Sit down."
Only after Hyang answered firmly did the merchants cautiously return to their seats.
With assistance from an official, Hyang climbed onto his own chair before pulling several imitation pen nibs and holders from his robes and placing them on the table.
"I have heard these are circulating throughout the markets."
The moment the merchants saw the imitation pens, they immediately threw themselves back onto the floor.
"Our trading company has never committed such disrespect!"
"Ours as well!"
"I did not summon you to accuse you of crimes. Sit down."
Even after hearing Hyang's words, the merchants still hesitated to rise.
Clicking his tongue quietly, Hyang spoke again.
"Do not make me repeat myself."
"Hurry and sit!"
At Hyang's warning, the Minister of Taxation hurriedly urged the merchants to comply.
Once everyone sat down again, Hyang finally addressed the main issue.
"His Majesty has issued the following decree."
The decree Sejong issued was as follows.
Production of gold pens and pen holders shall be transferred from the Directorate of Military Supplies to private merchant guilds.
The guild selected shall be the one offering the lowest price among those passing quality inspection.
The chosen guild shall stamp every officially produced gold pen with the royal plum blossom emblem.
The selected guild shall gain permission to sell gold pens commercially. Thereafter, any unstamped or counterfeit gold pens discovered will result in both producers and sellers facing severe punishment.
Guilds producing gold pens shall surrender twenty percent of profits to the state.
Commercial sale prices may not exceed government supply prices by more than sixty percent.
Four times annually, the Ministry of Taxation shall conduct quality inspections. The inspections will occur unpredictably, with disguised ministry officials purchasing pens anonymously. Immediate failure results in confiscation of the royal seal authorization and cancellation of the contract.
Should a contract be revoked for quality violations, a new guild shall be selected. The disqualified guild may not participate in bidding for one full year.
Hearing the conditions, the merchants fell silent in thought.
After considerable deliberation, one finally spoke carefully.
"Your Highness... forgive my boldness..."
"What issue is there?"
"How exactly is the market price standard determined?"
"The final sale price. Is there a problem?"
"Forgive me, but while a sixty percent margin may sound generous, after paying craftsmen's wages and the profits taken by traveling merchants, only thirty percent remains for us. And if the state then claims twenty percent from that, we merchants will scarcely retain any profit at all..."
"Silence!"
Hyang's sharp voice instantly cut the merchant off.
"Before whom do you dare speak such lies? Very well. Let us assume your claim is true and thirty percent is indeed your profit. I specifically stated twenty percent of your profits. Twenty percent of thirty percent amounts to merely six percent overall. Yet you dare lie in a place such as this? Minister! Expel this disrespectful man from the palace immediately and strip his guild of all bidding qualifications!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The moment Hyang's order fell, the minister issued commands immediately.
Soldiers of the Royal Guard entered and dragged the merchant away.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
Once the commotion settled, Hyang glared coldly at the remaining merchants.
"His Majesty and I both believe merchants are important members of the people. Since no person can create every necessity alone, intermediaries are naturally essential. However... so long as men like that continue using such despicable tricks, merchants will never escape being treated as lowly creatures. Remember that well."
"We shall engrave Your Highness's words into our bones!"
Author's Note
While searching for something to kickstart the protagonist's obsessive hobby projects, I eventually discovered pen nibs. While deciding to use them, one question kept bothering me.
Would inksticks actually work in fountain pens instead of modern ink?
After researching, the answer turned out to be yes.
"When one longs for the fragrance of ink, some people dip pen nibs directly into inkstick ink while writing."
