황윤석의 義盈庫 仕宦期 의영고의 위상—『頤齋亂藁』를 중심으로—

Abstract

This article reviews the status and various aspects of the Euiyeonggo (義盈庫) in 18th century as cited in the Yijaenango (頤齋亂藁) by Hwang Yun-seok. The name of Euiyeonggo, the Royal Procurement Office and Hwang's first office in Hanyang, was first seen in the articles of late Goryo period. The Euiyeonggo was then designated as a branch of the Ministry of Taxation (Hojo; 戶曹), Amun in the 5th Jong rank, led by officials of Ryeong (令) rank, to manage oil, honey, yellow beeswax, vegetables (素膳), and peppers, etc. However, after the Imjin Invasion, the status of Euiyeonggo was demoted to the 6th Jong rank led by lower officials in the rank of Jubu (主簿) instead of Ryeong, and never recovers its former status until the reform in 1882 (19th year by the reign of King Gojong). Thus the Euiyeonggo as described in the Yijaenango shows more realistic aspect of the era never seen in the official documents. First of all, the Yijaenango shows that the 3 ranks of Jubu, Jikjang (直長), Bongsa (奉事) managed different tasks. The official documents dictate that the Jubu manage delivery of vegetables for Royal Memorial Day services, the Jikjang managed delivery of Yongji (龍枝) and oil in the palace, and the Bongsa delivered yellow beeswax candles (黃燭). However, according to Hwang, the officials on duty took charge of the entire duties of the Euiyeonggo, regardless of their ranks and designated duties. The procurement of supplies by the Euiyeonggo also changed. In the early Joseon period, the Gongsangamun, or the Ministry of Royal Procurement, received local supplies in the official documents, or allocated products by royal artisans in the palace. However in 18th century, with no royal artisans in the Amun, the Euiyeonggo received its supplies from local and private artisans and traders. As its function of production and procurement was ascribed to local artisans and traders, the Euiyeonggo had to hire its own Jangmuseowon (掌務書員), or the Royal Accountant, for more professional management of it accountants and documentations. The fact that the Royal Accountant appeared during Hwang's tenure in the office from July 1768 to June 1769, is a reflection of such changes. In other words, the designation of Jangmuseowon officials as official members of the Euiyeonggo, is only the reflection of such trends in 19th century Joseon, and the Yijaenango, a personal accounts, gives more detailed clues on the reality of the late Joseon than official documents of the era.