(Translation) 御製問業

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  I-1-1. 蕩平碑 탕평비(Tangpyeongbi) 1742

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  I-1-2. 御製均役濬川卽予事業 어제균역준천즉여사업(Eoje gyunyeokjuncheonjeugyeosaeop) 1773

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  I-1-3. 御製壹初 어제일초(Eoje ilcho) 1774

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  I-1-4. 御製垂綸吟 어제수윤음(Eoje suyuneum) 1774

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  I-1-5. 御製廣蕩 어제광탕(Eoje gwangtang) 1774

Original Script

御製問業

八旬事業 若問於予

心窃靦然 其何以答

一則蕩平 自恧二字

二則均役 效流緇徒

三則濬川 可垂萬歲

四則復古 婢類皆閑

五則叙衆 子光後初

六則昨政 卽大典法

同年同月日集慶書

Translation

Instructor : Jaeyoon Song

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In King Yeongjo’s own writing, "when asked of my enterprises"1.

1. 谈话isistoo.了..

Student 1 : Kim Young

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In King Yeongjo's Own Writing, "When Asked of My Enterprises"

If someone asked me about my enterprises at the age of eighty, deep inside my mind I would be embarrassed as to what to say. The first achievement was the Policy of Impartiality, yet I am not worthy of claiming those two words; the second was the Equitable Tax Law, the effect of which reached even the Buddhist monks; the third was dredging the [Chenggye] River, so people would benefit from it for ten thousand generations; the fourth was restoring the ancient institution, so even the class of female slaves could all be leisurely; the fifth was lining up the multitudes, for the first time since Jagwang; the sixth was the governance of the past, that is to say the Great Code for Administering the Country. Written at Jipgyeong Hall.

Discussion Questions: 1. What does Yeongjo mean by taxing only men and now women? How was the policy actually implemented? What changes took place in society after the this new taxation law was enforced? 2. Why was Yeongjo so focused on increasing the rights of the sons of concubines? How did the sons of concubines generally live in the late Joseon dynasty? What careers did they usually take and what roles did they play in the family?

Student 2 : Irina

Answering About my King’s Enterprises

If someone asks me about my achievements at age of eighty,

my heart will be wrapped with embracement how to answer.

The first enterprise was the System of broad equality (1),

although not only I do deserve recognition for its implementation.

The second one was the Parity of corvee labor,

benefiting even Buddhist monks.

Third achievement was Waterways dredging system,

which will serve ten thousand generations.

In the fourth place, I have restored the ancient order,

making even female slaves to be released.

The fifth achievement was to uproot injustice in social order,

and now it is the first time done since Ja-gwan (2).

I restored the policy of previous dynasties,

relying on The Great Code of Administration (3).

(1) The system of broad equality 蕩平策|탕평책 was a system of distribution of official positions between members of different factions, implemented by King Yeonjo to put an end to the factional strife.

(2) Ryu Ja-gwan柳子光|류자관 (1439-1512) was famous military leader, literati and writer. His mother was concubine just like King Yeongjo’s mother. During the Joseon dynasty, the illegitimate sons were in an unequal position as compared to the sons of the first wife, and King Yeongjo aimed to change this social order.

(3) The Great Code of Administration 經國大典|경국대전 (late 15th century) is the first legislation book of Joseon dynasty.

Student 3 : Masha

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Royal Compilation "Inquiring into the Enterprise"

When asked about my undertakings of eighty years, In my mind I am deeply embarrassed, how can I respond to that? First, [the policy of] inclusiveness and equality. I am ashamed myself for these two words. Second, equal corvée labor. Its effect spread to the Buddhist monks. Third, dredging of the waterways. It could be handed down for ten thousands of years. Fourth, returning to antiquity. The female slaves and their kind are all relieved from their duty. Fifth, ordering the masses. Since the times of Ziguang he was the first. Sixth, government of the previous era. This was Great Regulations and Laws.

Questions:

- What do these documents tell us about King Yeongjo's personality? - Could King Yeongjo's background motivate him to instigate the reforms he carried out? Which particular aspects of his background? - How important were the ties to the Chinese court and culture at the time? How were they expressed and reflected upon? How did King Yeongjo express his attitude towards the classics and Confucian values?

Student 4 : (Jong Woo Park)

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御製問業 In King Yǒngjo's own writing, when asked of my achievement

八旬事業 若問於予 If someone asks me about what I have done during my entire 80 years,

心窃靦然 其何以答 I feel deeply embarrassed to answer.

一則蕩平 自恧二字 The first is the Policy of Impartiality [although] I am not deserved for these two characters (t'angp'yŏng).

二則均役 效流緇徒 The second is the Equalized Tax Law, which benefited even Buddhist monks.

三則濬川 可垂萬歲 The third is to dredge the Chǒnggye stream, which benefited many generations to come.

四則復古 婢類皆閑 The fourth is to set up a new law according to antiquity, which enabled even female slaves to enjoy leisure.

五則叙衆 子光後初 The fifth is to abolish discriminations against sons of concubine. It was first since the time of Yu Chagwang.

六則昨政 卽大典法 The sixth is to compile ........... no time hahaha :)

同年同月日集慶書

Questions: Why did King Yǒngjo produce document justifying/promoting his own achievement? What might be a socio-political circumstance that led him to write these document?

Student 5 : (Kanghun Ahn)

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The Royal Order of Asking about King Yongjo's Accomplishments

If someone would ask me about the accomplishments of my eighty-year life, my heart should be earnestly brazen (and embarrassed). How can I answer that question? Firstly, I brought forth the policy of harmony (Tangpyong), the two letters of which I do not deserve to be called after all. Secondly, I equalized the corvee system, which subsequently affected and flew into a group of monastics. Thirdly, I initiated and completed the project of dredging the Chonggye creek, the achievement of which would last forever. Fourth, I endeavored to revive antiquity (the wisdom of ancient sages), and hence brought freedom (and autonomy) to female slaves and the likes. Fifth, I tried to place the masses in order, ever since the time of Yu Chagwang. Sixth, I attempted to emulate the politics of the past, which led to the compilation of the Soktaejon.

Written at the Chipkyong Hall.

Question: In the mainstream narrative of Korean history, King Yongjo has been considered as the most Confucian ruler throughout the Choson dynasty. In this sense, it seems a bit extraordinary that he indeed endeavored to decrease the burden of taxation for female members of the population (albeit following the Chinese model). Then, would it be possible to reevaluate Yongjo as a relatively feminist monarch of the Choson dynasty in conjunction with the texts we dealt with today?

Student 6 : (Hu Jing)

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In King Yeongjo's own writing, when asked of my enterprises

If someone asks me about my enterprises during the past 80 years as a King, I deeply feel embarrassed with how to answer this question. First, it was the Pacification Policy, which I am not deserved for the two characters. Second, it was the Labor Equalization Law, which benefits the Buddhist monks. Third, (I think) the Dredging River Policy could benefit ( Joseon people ) for many generations. Fourth, (I tried to) restore the ancient (governing) ways to lighten the burden of people like female slaves.

Questions:

1. Why did King Yeongjo implement new policies? What is the historical background?

2. Is there any clue that King Yeongjo's policies followed Chinese policy or tradition?

Student 7 : (King Kwong Wong)

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Royal Writing of King Yongjo's Reflection on His Governance.

After living for 80 years, if someone asks about my reflection upon my governance, I feel deeply ashamed. How can I respond that? First, I implemented the policy of "Magnificant Harmony"*1 but it was neither magnificent nor harmonious. Second, I equalized taxation and corvee labor. It was so effective that it even benefitted Buddhist monks. Third, I dredged the river, so that it can serve people for many years. Fourth, I restored to ancient policies, so that all slaves will have time of leisure. Fifth, I gathered and ranked talented people. This was the first time after Yu Ja-kwang. Sixth, I compiled all policies from the past, which is called the Continuation of the Great Codes of Administration.

Same year, same month and day, written at

• note 1 translation from JaHyun Kim Haboush

Question: Why did King Yongjo want to reflect his own governance? And why did he obsess with restoring ancient policies?

Student 8 : Zhijun Ren

御製問業 In king Yeongjo’s own writing, reflection on my life-long enterprise 八旬事業 若問於予 Should you inquire of the enterprises that I have achieved in the eighty years of my life, 心窃靦然 其何以答 I am deeply embarrassed without being able to give an answer. 一則蕩平 自恧二字 the first achievement is that I implemented the politics of inclusiveness and impartiality. But I am ashamed that I don’t deserve these two characters. 二則均役 效流緇徒 The second achievement is the equalization of labor services. The effect of this policy even benefits the Buddhist monks. 三則濬川 可垂萬歲 The third achievement is dredging the river. It is an enterprise that will last ten-thousand generations. 四則復古 婢類皆閑 the fourth achievement is the restoration of antiquity. The burdens of female slaves and the likes have been lightened so that they become idle. 五則叙衆 子光後初 the fifth is the appraising and ranking of the mass. it is the first time since the time of Ryu Jagwang.

To reach everyone evenly without getting intimate with a particular one is the public mindedness of a superior man. To get intimate with a particular one without reaching out evenly is the private interest of a lesser mean man.

Student 9 : (Lidan Liu)

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In the King’s own writing “Being asked of my achievements”

If somebody asked about my accomplishment in my eighty-years lifetime, I privately feel uneasy/blushed/ashamed. What would I used to answer that?

First, pacification and impartiality, [though] I feel rather bashful/ reluctant with these two characters. Second, equalizing labor services. The beneficiary reached to Buddhist monks. Third, dredging the rivers. The benefit will last for ten thousand years. Fourth, restoring ancient laws, thus female slaves and the likes all became leisured. Fifth, ranking the multitude, which initiated from Yu Chagwang. Sixth, [adopting] yester policies, which is the [compilation of the] Grand Code of Managing the Country.

Written in the Chipkyŏng Hall (Hall of Amassing Benedictions)

Student 10 : Martin Gehlmann

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御製問業 Royal writing, when asked about accomplishments 八旬事業 若問於予 At the age of eighty, when asked of my accomplishments 心窃靦然 其何以答 I modestly blush, how can I answer this? 一則蕩平 自恧二字 First, implementing the policy of leveling the flows (Trump-speak: Draining the swamp)*1, I’m shameful of these two characters 二則均役 效流緇徒 Second, balancing the labour, benefiting the Buddhist monks. 三則濬川 可垂萬歲 Third, dredging the rivers, allowing them to descend for future generations 四則復古 婢類皆閑 Fourth, restoring antiquity, female slaves and the like all can be idle. 五則叙衆 子光後初 Fifth, ordering the masses, since the time of Yu Chagwang*2 this is a first. 六則昨政 卽大典法 Sixth, employing governance of the past, exactly as the Code of Law.*3 同年同月日集慶書 Same Year, same date, written in Chipkyŏng Hall*4

• 1 蕩平策 T'angp'yŏng ch'aek, a policy of rotating public offices between members of different factions implemented by King Yeongjo to curb the severe factional strife
• 2 柳子光, Yu Chagwang (1439-1512),
• 3 經國大典, Kyŏngguk Taejŏn, referring to the Code of Law
• 4 集慶堂, Chipkyŏng Tang

Questions: 1. Who is Yeongjo writing this text for? Who would ask/judge the Kings achievements?

Student 11 : (Write your name)

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Document 1

If I were asked about my undertakings during my eighty years of age, the shyness of my mind would make me hesitant to answer it. The number one is the Policy of impartiality. I do not dare to say that I deserve those three words. The second is Equivalent Taxation, which had effects even on monks. The third is dredging Chenggyecheon stream, whose result would be enjoyed by many generations to come. The fourth is setting up a new law according to the ancient policy, which relieved female slaves from their duties. The fifth is employing sons of a concubine to hold high government positions, for the first time since Yu Jakwang's case. And the sixth is _____________, which resulted in the Great Code of Administration

Question: Who was the most influential person for Youngjo in his public life?

Student 12 : (Write your name)

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In king's own writing "Reflections on my accomplishments" At the age of eighty, when I am asked about my achievements, deep inside I feel shameful. How can I answer the question? The first is the policy of Great Inclusiveness. I am humbled by the two characters. The second is the Equalized Tax. The effect has reached the Buddhist monks. The third is the Dredging of the Stream. This would benefit generations to come. The fourth is the restoration of antiquity. This law waived the burden of tax of female slaves.

How did King Yeongjo evaluate his merits and accomplishments? Why did he want to leave this royal writing about his own enterprises?

Student 13 : (Write your name)

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영조가 자신의 업에 대한 물음

팔순의 사업을 나에게 묻는다면 속으로 부끄러워 무안하여 어찌 대답할 수 있겠는가? 첫 번째는 탕평이니 스스로 부끄러운 두 글자이고 두 번째는 균역이니 효험이 승도에게 까지 미쳤다. 세 번째는 치수사업이니 가히 만세에 드리웠다. 네 번째는 옛으로의 회복이니 여종들조차도 모두 한가해졌다. 다섯 번째는 서얼의 등용이니 유자광 이후 처음이다. 여섯번째는 법도의 개정이니 속대전의 편찬이다.

같은 해 같은 달 같은 일 집경당에서 씀

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Further Readings

• View together with (Korean text) King Yeongjo’s Admonition for the People” (Eoje gyeongmineum 御製警民音, 1762)
• View together with (Translation) King Jeongjo, “Royal dictum to encourage farming” (Gweonnong yuneum 勸農綸音, 1781)