Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 151

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

151. Obsession (2)

The material issue was not something that could be easily resolved.

Finding the optimal ratio of copper alloy for the measuring instrument parts consumed time and money, as did the iron, the material for the steam engine body.

Hyang, along with the researchers and blacksmiths, created a scaled-down model of James Watt’s early steam engine using brass. After the successful completion of the experiment, Hyang gathered all the researchers and blacksmiths for a meeting.

“Would it be difficult to make the engine with brass?”

The blacksmiths shook their heads at the researchers’ suggestion to make the engine parts out of brass.

“There will be problems due to the supply of copper.”

“Then, is iron the most suitable material?”

The blacksmiths all nodded at Hyang’s question.

“There is no other option but iron.”

“Would pig iron (cast iron) not work?”

The blacksmiths shook their heads in unison at Hyang’s question.

“Of course not.”

“It doesn’t have elasticity.”

After a series of meetings, the material for the engine parts was decided to be wrought iron (soft iron).

After the meeting, Hyang returned to his office, unable to hide his disappointment.

“It’s a bit disappointing that mass production of steel is difficult with the current level of technology.”

Although iron was produced in large quantities at the ironworks in Anju, the most produced was wrought iron.

Of course, steel was also produced in large quantities, but the amount was barely enough to make various weapons and tools.

“Will it get better if the planned expansion of the ironworks proceeds?”

The court officials who saw the performance of the Anju ironworks all agreed to the expansion of the Anju ironworks.

Hyang clicked his tongue in disappointment but soon found positive aspects and encouraged himself.

“Wrought iron is good too! The railroads and locomotives that were successful during the Industrial Revolution were also made of wrought iron, and the Eiffel Tower was also made of wrought iron! Rather than waiting with bated breath until steel comes out in droves, let’s make it and use it first! Once people know what’s convenient, they’ll find something better on their own!”

With that, they began to manufacture steam engines using wrought iron in earnest.

However, the production of steam engines was sluggish.

“What’s the reason?”

Jeong Cho answered immediately to Hyang’s question.

“The quality deviation of the supplied iron is too large.”

“Huh?”

At Jeong Cho’s report, Hyang ordered Jang Yeong-sil and Old Blacksmith Go to investigate the cause.

Jang Yeong-sil and Old Blacksmith Go, who went to Anju to investigate at Hyang’s command, exchanged opinions with the investigated data in front of them.

“The iron ore (석철) is from the same mine every time, and the coal is the same coal we always use….”

Jang Yeong-sil and Old Blacksmith Go, who were eliminating suspicious points one by one using the process of elimination, found the most likely suspect.

“Is it the wind after all?”

“There is no other option but the wind.”

Jang Yeong-sil and Old Blacksmith Go, who found the problem, immediately reported to Hyang.

“The problem is not with the raw materials, iron ore (석철) and coal. The problem is the wind.”

“Wind?”

According to Jang Yeong-sil and Old Blacksmith Go’s explanation, bellows operators used bellows to supply air to the kiln in the process of melting iron. However, manually operating the bellows could not always blow air consistently due to various factors—physical strength, experience, etc.

“But this problem has never been highlighted before, has it?”

Jang Yeong-sil immediately answered Hyang’s question.

“Because we didn’t make devices like steam engines.”

“Ah….”

To solve this problem, Hyang rummaged through his memories.

“There’s nothing else but that….”

Hyang, who recalled the centrifugal blower that supplied air to the kiln in the 21st-century blacksmith shop, immediately began designing.

After confirming that the scaled-down model made with Old Blacksmith Go and Jang Yeong-sil was working well, Hyang soon began manufacturing a large centrifugal blower that used animal power (畜力).

The completed blower was soon disassembled into parts and sent to Anju. By stably supplying a large amount of air instead of the bellows operators, the quality of the iron produced was kept constant.

The process of overcoming this trial and error brought about a great change in Joseon’s metal technology.

Immediately, the classification of copper alloys and iron became more detailed, and as the quality improved, the quality of tools, weapons, and metal products that used them as materials improved.

As high-quality iron and copper alloys were stably supplied, new-type cannons were developed and deployed for the Joseon army.

In addition, the quality of the movable types improved using these metal materials, and printing became more advanced as the act of distributing large quantities of documents throughout the country became commonplace. And the development of printing brought about the development of the paper industry.

Not only traditional methods of making paper but also yellow paper using pulp developed in Area 51 began to be used in large quantities.

In addition, after the Great Fire of Hanseong, pumps using centrifugal blowers were made and installed in water wagons (放水車) used by the Geumhwa Army (禁火軍) – the fire prevention unit – or used to send water from rivers or reservoirs to waterways.

However, the biggest gain was the enormous amount of data obtained in the process of solving this trial and error. As researchers from Area 51 and the research institute made this data into books, Joseon was able to move away from simply relying on the experience of artisans.

And, although Hyang didn’t want it, statistics began to develop through this classification process.

“Statistics are all about tables and graphs!”

Through Hyang’s encouragement, people in the research institute and Area 51 began to use tables and graphs skillfully.

And it was only a matter of time before these tables and graphs spread to the court, starting with the Ministry of Taxation.

* * *

Hyang grumbled that it took nearly six years, but this was Hyang’s misunderstanding.

Despite the process of overcoming large and small trials and errors, it was a great thing that it only took about six years to make a commercially usable steam engine.

No matter how good Joseon’s metal technology was than expected.

In the end, Hyang, who was looking at the organized version of the related records, had to make a scathing self-criticism.

“You idiot. It’s not the 21st century now!”

* * *

‘A commercially usable steam engine has been made!’

As soon as this report was submitted, Sejong headed to Area 51 with his officials.

Chug chug puff puff!

Sejong exclaimed as he watched the steam engine turning with a loud noise.

“Heo! It’s truly mysterious! Good job! Everyone did a good job!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Hyang, the researchers, and the blacksmiths all bowed and expressed their gratitude for Sejong’s praise.

Sejong, who was looking at the steam engine with curious eyes, asked Hyang.

“Crown Prince, according to the report you submitted, this steam engine can do many things. Then, where will it be used first?”

“The ironworks, glass workshops, and mines in Anju, Your Majesty.”

“Ironworks, glass workshops, and mines?”

“Yes, Father. You know that we made and sent blowers to the ironworks because of the bellows operators’ problem.”

“I know. It was quite expensive.”

Kim Jeom, who was behind him, nodded vigorously at Sejong’s words, who immediately asked about the price. At that time, there was less budget available than now. Thanks to this, he was reminded of the memory of having to struggle to create the manufacturing cost of the blower in the Ministry of Taxation.

“Yes. It’s expensive. But in order to use that expensive thing properly, this steam engine must be attached.”

“Hmm….”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong looked at the steam engine again. Sejong nodded as he watched the steam engine moving.

“I see. If the steam engine is properly supplied with water and fuel, it will run without rest, so it will be much more advantageous than manpower or animal power. The same goes for the glass workshop’s kiln.”

“That’s right.”

“I understand the ironworks and glass workshop, but in the mines….”

Sejong, who was about to ask about the mines, suddenly stopped talking and nodded.

“That’s right. I heard that it’s also a job to pump out the water that collects in the mine tunnels. You can connect the water feeder attached to the water wagon to the steam engine.”

Hyang nodded greatly at Sejong’s words.

“That’s right!”

‘As expected, Sejong the Great!’

“Hmm…. It seems like we can connect this engine to automatic looms?”

‘Now even application!’

Hyang couldn’t hide his admiration at Sejong’s words and kept agreeing.

“That’s right!”

“Then. Should we receive additional wealth in addition to the bid price?”

“No. I can’t go with you this time.”

“Huh? Why?”

When Sejong expressed his doubts, Hyang immediately began to explain.

“Because there is a limit to the production capacity of Area 51.”

“Ah…. That’s right.”

Sejong, who was nodding at Hyang’s words, said one word to Hyang.

“You have more than one or two things going on….”

“It’s just that there aren’t enough people. If you give me more time and budget….”

“Tsk!”

Hyang, who was trying to get a budget by taking advantage of the opportunity, immediately became a turtle neck when Sejong’s eyes turned fierce.

“Anyway, you ask for a budget whenever you get a chance…. How long will it take to distribute steam engines to the private sector?”

“I’m thinking about about 5 years. However, by then, even better-performing items will be made than now.”

“And the merchants will compete even more fiercely?”

Hyang answered Sejong’s words with a smile.

Sejong shook his head slightly at the sight.

“A poisonous guy…. A scary guy…. Who did you learn from….”

At that moment, the officials standing behind him all had the same thought at the same time.

‘Whose son is he!’

Whether he knew the officials’ minds or not, Sejong came to a conclusion.

“The budget issue will have to be discussed with the officials, but let’s proceed according to your plan first.”

“I obey your order!”

* * *

A few days later, a guest came to Hyang, who was doing paperwork at the research institute.

“Your Highness. Grand Prince Jinpyeong—later Suyang—requests an audience.”

At the eunuch’s report, Hyang stopped what he was doing and raised his head.

“Yuga? Tell him to come in.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After a while, Yuga entered Hyang’s office.

“Your Highness, it’s been a while.”

“Yes. It’s been a while. I heard that you are working hard at the research institute despite receiving a title. That’s great.”

“Thank you.”

Jinpyeong’s lips spread into a smile when Hyang, whom he had found difficult since he was young with his older sister Princess Jeongso, praised him.

“Yes. What brings you here today?”

At Hyang’s question, Grand Prince Jinpyeong immediately came to his senses and opened his mouth.

“It’s not that, but I heard that the steam engine has been completed.”

When Jinpyeong mentioned the steam engine, Hyang immediately realized Jinpyeong’s purpose for visiting.

‘This guy is a train otaku [obsessed fan]!’

“Yes. It’s completed. But the locomotive will have to wait a little longer.”

“Why?”

“A usable steam engine has been made, but it’s not a proper one yet. It needs a little more time.”

“Can’t that part be done together while making the locomotive!”

“The locomotive requires more advanced technology. Right now, we need to develop and mature those technologies.”

“Still….”

“The people in the research institute and Area 51 have many other things to do besides steam engines. So there are not enough people to assign, and the same goes for time and budget.”

“What’s more important than the railroad! All budget and manpower must be invested….”

Before Jinpyeong could finish speaking, Hyang shouted.

“You son of a b*tch, get out!”

* * *

Jinpyeong, who was scolded by Hyang and kicked out, ran to Sejong right away.

“…So. I need people and budget right away….”

“You son of a b*tch, get out!”

Jinpyeong, who was kicked out even by Sejong, grumbled as he walked to Gwanghwamun [main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace].

“How important is the railroad! Especially since Hyungnim [older brother] made it himself…. And Father too….”

Jinpyeong, who was grumbling about Sejong and Hyang, made a decision as he crossed Gwanghwamun.

“Damn it! I’ll make it myself!”

However, Jinpyeong was not Hyang.

“No matter how much I think about it, it’s difficult for me to do it alone. But if I gather people….”

Jinpyeong, who recalled that all the useful people he knew were in the court, the research institute, and Area 51, pondered to find a solution.

After much deliberation, Jinpyeong finally came to a conclusion.

“If there are no people, can’t I just raise people!”

A few days later, Hyang received a special report from the eunuch.

“Jinpyeong is taking Gu -璆, later Grand Prince Imyeong – with him?”

“Yes, Your Highness. He came with him again today.”

“So, where is he now?”

“He’s where the railroad model is….”

Hyang, who arrived at the room with the railroad model, stopped walking at the voice coming from inside.

“This is called a railroad and a locomotive. Isn’t it amazing?”

“Yes, Hyungnim!”

“It would be amazing if it were actually made, right?”

“Yes, Hyungnim!”

“Would you like to join me?”

“Yes, Hyungnim!”

Hyang, who was listening to Jinpyeong working on Gu, muttered to himself without realizing it.

“Is it multi-level marketing [a business model that recruits members via a network]?….”