7 - The Eve of the Procession

Summary

BEFORE EMBARKING ON the trip, Jeongjo conducted a rehearsal on the fourth day of the intercalary second month, ten days after the completion of the pontoon bridge and five days before the scheduled trip. At this rehearsal, Jeongjo laid down certain strict orders out of concern that some officials might try to express their loyalty for private gain:

• 1. Rare and special foods from distant places must not be served.

• 2. Food with rich and strong flavours must not be prepared.

• 3. Ensure that no one from the villages on the road to Hwaseong presents gifts to the king privately.

• 4. Do not invite singers, dancers and musicians from other provinces. Instead, use a few people from among those who serve at the Palace Dispensary (Naeuiwon), Public Dispensary (Hyeminseo), Ministry of Public Works (Gongjo) and Bureau of Royal Attire (Sangbang). Half of all female singers and dancers should be selected from the government agencies of Hwaseong.

• 5. The costumes of the musicians, singers and dancers should be neat and clean but not too colourful.

• 6. The royal meal should not consist of more than ten dishes.

• 7. The banquet music must be simpler than the ritual music. So, prepare for the performance accordingly, using existing musical instruments of Hanseong and Hwaseong.

Uncertain that his orders would be properly obeyed, Jeongjo dispatched a secret royal inspector on the eighth day of the intercalary second month, one day before the trip. Worried about possible extortion of money and goods from the people under the pretext of ‘preparations for the royal procession’, he was firmly resolved to prevent any corruption.

Since the visit to Hwaseong in 1795 was planned to celebrate the sixtieth birthday of his mother, Jeongjo wanted to share the joy of the royal family with all the people. He therefore implemented various measures to boost the spirits of the residents of Hwaseong and neighbouring regions. One of the most effective ways to raise morale was by increasing opportunities to take the state recruitment exam, or gwageo. The civil service exam required certain qualifications for applicants, but such was not the case with the military exam.