Sejong's Enlightenment (1)

King Sejong is naturally regarded as the most learned king in Joseon.

He must have enjoyed scholarly discussions immensely, since it is said that he held a gyeongyeon almost once a week.

Thus, I remember occasionally being dragged to the gyeongyeon when I worked at the Hall of Worthies.

“What did you just say, Chief State Councillor Hwang?”

“His Majesty has issued a special royal command ordering you to attend this gyeongyeon as well, Kim Sain.”

“Isn't it Joseon's custom that no one attends the gyeongyeon except Hall of Worthies scholars, officials of Senior Second Rank or above, and royal secretaries?”

“Generally speaking, yes.”

The gyeongyeon was, simply put, a place where people of ministerial rank or higher were summoned to hold a ‘cabinet meeting’ under the pretext of studying the classics.

Of course, ministers were extremely busy people, so only a few attended in rotation as a rule.

The Hall of Worthies came to be regarded as a shortcut to advancement because serving as a gyeongyeon lecturer allowed one to lecture on the classics directly before the King. During discussions about the gyeongyeon, the King could also personally assess that person's abilities...