I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

There was a saying, whether in politics or business.

"Set the board the way you want it to be."

Of course, only those in high positions could do such a thing, but there was no more effective method.

Even in the late Joseon Dynasty, the Gyeonghwa Sajok—the noble families of Seoul—rigged the system to ensure they alone could benefit, completely overturning the Gwageo examination system.

In the past, even commoners could earn an official position if they passed the exam and worked as an unpaid intern for ten years.

But the nobility found it unacceptable that their own children struggled with the Gwageo, while some lowborn commoner could pass it and suddenly gain a title.

So, they drastically increased both the number of exams and the number of those who passed—while ensuring that unless a commoner ranked at the very top, they would never be granted a position.

In some cases, three generations in a row had to pass the Gwageo before the family could finally gain an official post.

Sure, passing the Gwageo still brought local respect and elevated status (at least a silver spoon’s worth of privilege), but...

Meanwhile, noble families could scrape by at the very bottom and still receive government appointments without issue.

Joseon scholars used this strategy—so why couldn’t the emperor?

"Of course, in this case, I'm the one setting the board."