Chapter 393
While the administrative organizations, including the royal court, were quietly and steadily improving their constitution and strengthening their foundations, the common people were also continuing to change.
As mentioned before, the growing economy through reforms led more and more people to venture into commerce and industry.
Among those who took the plunge, there were some who jumped in recklessly, but there were also those who dove in with their own calculations and prospects of success.
Fierce competition arose between these newcomers and those who had already established themselves.
In the process of this competition, quite a few were weeded out and disappeared. Many of those eliminated were the newcomers. For those who jumped in with only enthusiasm, lacking experience and capital, the world of commerce and industry was a cruel place. Of course, there were also some long-standing merchant groups from the Goryeo era that failed to read the trends and fell behind, disappearing as well.
Among those who were eliminated from the competition, some returned to farming, while others left for frontier lands like Hamgil-do and Daeseol-do in search of new opportunities. Lastly, there were those who lost all hope and made extreme choices.
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According to the laws of Joseon at the time, all incidents involving casualties, such as murder cases, suicide cases, or tiger attacks (虎患), were reported to King Sejong.
“Someone has taken their own life, you say?”