Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 281

281. Choo-Choo!

Sejong and the ministers, who had initially questioned Hyang’s words, quickly nodded in agreement.

“That sounds like a good plan.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

“It’s fortunate the original plan was delayed, it seems.”

“As the saying goes, ‘A loss may turn out to be a gain…'”

Following Sejong’s approval, the ministers echoed his sentiment.

* * *

Following Im Sun-wook and Hyang’s proposal, a plan was devised to operate stagecoaches connecting the four main gates of Hanseong [present-day Seoul, the capital city].

The plan was prepared swiftly. However, its execution was delayed due to a shortage of suitable horses to pull the carriages.

While the smaller carriages used by nobles of Ming [Chinese dynasty] and Goryeo [previous Korean dynasty] could be managed with smaller Joseon [Korean dynasty] or Jurchen [Manchu] horses, the stagecoaches intended for use within Hanseong were significantly larger.

“We cannot achieve a profitable operation using the carriages we currently have,” Hyang stated.

Im Sun-wook nodded in agreement. “That’s correct. To generate a reasonable profit, we need to transport at least 30 to 40 people at a time.”

“The problem is that the current Joseon or Jurchen horses would be overburdened.”

Calculations showed that using small Joseon or Jurchen horses would necessitate attaching at least six horses to each carriage, prompting officials to seek an alternative solution.

Consequently, the decision was made to utilize Western horses, particularly the larger breeds, imported through Mansour [a merchant or trading network], to pull the stagecoaches.

The challenge was that, despite continuous imports of stallions and mares through Mansour, only about 20 to 30 horses arrived at a time, with only 2 to 4 being of the desired super-sized variety.

To manage these imported horses effectively, horse ranches were established in and around Hanseong and Gyeonggi [province surrounding Hanseong].(Note 1)

The purpose of these ranches was to breed and manage the Western horses brought in through Mansour, and to develop superior breeds through crossbreeding with Joseon and Jurchen horses.

Foals were born at these ranches, but it would take at least 4 to 5 years for them to mature, leading to the postponement of the Hanseong stagecoach operation.

However, when the first generation of horses born at the ranches reached adulthood, a war erupted in Liaodong [region in northeastern China].

To effectively pursue and intercept Yi Man-ju [Jurchen leader] and Meonte Muri [Jurchen leader], rapid movement was crucial not only for the cavalry but also for the infantry.

Therefore, all the adult horses at the ranches, except for the stallions, were conscripted into military service, further delaying the stagecoach operation.

And now, with Hyang’s completion of the iron horse [locomotive], it was poised to replace horses in pulling the stagecoaches.

* * *

Seeing the positive reactions from Sejong and the ministers, Hyang gestured to a eunuch.

The eunuch, understanding the signal, brought forward a large chart.

Hyang turned the cover and continued, “This is the Hanseong circular train, utilizing the iron horse, as proposed by the research institute and Area 51.”

As the cover was turned, a picture was revealed, depicting Hyang’s iron horse connected to a small freight car supplying coal and water, along with two passenger cars.

Hyang pointed to the passenger cars with a pointer and explained, “Each of these passenger cars can carry 60 passengers. With two cars connected, we can transport a total of 120 people.”

“What is the basis for that calculation?” Sejong inquired.

Hyang flipped the page on the chart.

The next page displayed a top-down view of the passenger car.

“Seats are arranged along the left and right walls of the passenger car, accommodating 15 people on each side. By attaching poles to the ceiling above the seats and adding rings for standing passengers, we can accommodate an additional 30 people. That’s how we arrive at 60 people per car. Of course, if we disregard comfortable spacing and pack them in tightly, we could potentially carry up to 130 people.”

“130 people? Are you certain?” Sejong asked, incredulous.

Hyang immediately responded, “We conducted tests in Area 51. It pulled the two cars, each filled with 130 people – a total of 260 people – without any issues.”

“Amazing.”

“Of course, comfort is out of the question when packed in that tightly.”

‘At least I won’t create subway hell in this era!’ Hyang thought to himself, while explaining to Sejong.

Following Hyang’s explanation, the ministers exchanged opinions.

“If we combine the two cars, that’s 120 people… Will that be enough to turn a profit?”

The ministers’ question was directed at Kim Jeom, the Minister of Finance. Kim Jeom, sensing the attention of Sejong and the ministers, promptly replied, “Wouldn’t that depend on the route, the distance between stops, and the frequency of operation?”

At Kim Jeom’s response, the gazes of Sejong and the ministers shifted back to Hyang.

Hyang turned the page on the chart again. The newly revealed page displayed a route map overlaid on a map of Hanseong.

“It somewhat resembles the Korean letter ‘丁’ (jeong) [similar to a ‘T’ shape], but regardless… According to this route, we would need to pass through Sungnyemun [South Gate] or reconstruct the fortress walls. Is that correct?”

“That is correct.”

Hyang explained, tracing the route map with the pointer.

“The primary axis runs back and forth between the east and west sides of Hanseong. The largest station will be built in front of Yukjo Street [street where government offices were located].”

“I understand that, but the route passing through Sungnyemun is concerning. Why did you design it that way?”

“Iron horses and passenger cars require continuous maintenance. However, Hanseong is already densely populated, making it impossible to build maintenance facilities within the city. Therefore, we will establish maintenance facilities west of Area 51 and north of Mapo Port [port on the Han River]. In the land between Sungnyemun and these maintenance facilities, I propose building a residential village for government officials who lack housing.”

As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the eyes of the younger officials, including the historians and scribes, lit up.

As the saying goes, ‘Send people to Hanyang, and horses to Jeju,’ Hanseong was gradually experiencing population concentration.

Yangban [nobility] families who had passed the civil service exam and become central government officials, those seeking opportunities in the capital, and others with their own stories flocked to Hanseong, increasing the number of people profiting from renting out houses, as well as the number struggling to afford rent.

In particular, new officials from humble backgrounds who lacked support from their families were forced to live in rented rooms.

And this rented room life was far from easy.

In the history before Hyang’s intervention, Kim Jong-jik (1431~1492), a civil official of Joseon in the 15th century, wrote the following poem:

-The few houses in the city (城中幾屋廬) are all houses where I have stayed (盡我居停人). Sometimes I am driven out (有時被驅逐), and I often wander east and west (東西漂轉頻). (Note 2)

That’s why the eyes of the young officials began to sparkle intensely.

Hyang pointed to the southern route with the pointer and continued the explanation.

“When officials or government employees rent a house, their primary consideration is ‘how easy it is to commute to work.’ This factor drives up rent for houses near Yukjo Street and Gyeongbokgung Palace [royal palace]. However, by creating a residential complex on the outskirts of Hanseong and providing train routes, we can alleviate the housing problem for officials and lower the exorbitant rent prices in Hanseong to some extent.”

“Hmm… I see. What does the Minister of Finance think?”

At Sejong’s question, Kim Jeom immediately responded, “It is worth considering!”

“Is that so?”

Listening to Kim Jeom’s answer, Sejong glanced up and looked inside Geunjeongjeon Hall [main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace].

The officials, historians, and scribes who were present to assist the ministers were more engaged in the meeting than ever before.

‘It seems okay, but something feels uneasy, doesn’t it?’

Feeling uneasy, Sejong reviewed Hyang’s explanation.

After a moment of reflection, Sejong realized what he had overlooked.

“Crown Prince, when will the train operation begin and end?”

“It will begin operating at sunrise and end at sunset.”

“Then wouldn’t the southern route pose a problem? Even now, officials commonly work late into the night, so wouldn’t they have to walk a considerable distance home after leaving work after sunset?”

At Sejong’s question, all the officials in Geunjeongjeon Hall inwardly cried out in unison.

‘Please reduce the amount of work!’

However, as the saying goes, like father, like son, Hyang immediately provided Sejong with an answer.

“That issue can be resolved by organizing special trains. In the morning, we will operate trains every 2 gak [approximately 30 minutes], and around the time of leaving work, we will operate them every 1 gak [approximately 15 minutes] for 1 shijin [2 hours]. After sunset, we will operate trains every 1 shijin [2 hours] until Haejeongsi [10 PM or 10:30 PM]. The reason for using Haejeongsi as the standard is because that is when Sungnyemun closes.”

Sejong, after calculating for a moment based on Hyang’s explanation, nodded.

“That’s good. Anyway, most officials are in their lodgings by that time.”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

The middle and lower-ranking officials had to swallow their tears as they listened to the conversation between the two princes.

‘Keuk!’

‘Please just tell us not to go home!’

Following that, there was a discussion about the frequency of trains on the east-west route of Hanseong, but as there were no major disagreements, they moved on.

However, the ministers’ primary concern was the space that the railroad tracks would occupy.

“The size of the iron horse and passenger cars is considerable, but will the turning space at the end of the route be sufficient?”

At the question from the Minister of Construction (formerly Gongjo [Ministry of Public Works]), Hyang immediately answered, “The results of the experiment in Area 51 indicate that it is sufficient.”

The iron horse, revealed for the first time, was slightly larger than the Rocket [early steam locomotive] created by George Stephenson. Therefore, it did not require a large U-turn space to change direction at the terminus.

After various opinions were considered, Sejong reached a conclusion.

“Then, let’s operate the iron horse instead of the stagecoach.”

“I obey your command.”

After settling the agenda, Sejong turned to Hyang.

“Crown Prince, regarding the residential village for government officials without homes that you mentioned earlier…”

“Ask away, Father.”

“It’s a good idea, but wouldn’t it be insufficient to only provide houses?”

“I have considered that aspect as well. Since a considerable number of houses will be built, we will also include a sales office, a pawnshop, and a clinic. The same goes for a police station and a fire station. We will also establish a Samin School (士民學堂) [school for commoners] and a Junghak School (中學堂) [middle school], along with a market (市廛) [marketplace].”

Sejong, imagining the scene in his mind, nodded.

“The families of the officials will appreciate that.”

“That is likely.”

“What do you think, gentlemen?”

The ministers, responding to Sejong’s question, immediately bowed their heads.

“Your subjects also suffered greatly from living in rented rooms in their youth. If you create such a residential village and allow officials without homes and their families to live there, their praise will resound in the heavens.”

“Is that so? Then let’s study it further.”

“Yes.”

In this way, the second ‘planned city’ was created in Joseon history.

The first was led by Hyang during the restoration of the area destroyed by the Great Fire of Hanseong, and this was the second.

Later, this residential village led by Hyang became the most valuable land in Joseon.

The presence of various convenience facilities from the outset, making life easier, contributed to its value, but the primary reason was the Samin School and Junghak School located within the village.

As the residents were the children of officials working in the court, the level of education at these schools surpassed the average.

Furthermore, since the surrounding neighbors were all officials, they boasted tremendous connections. Consequently, merchants and landlords with some wealth built houses near the residential village and enrolled their children and grandchildren in the village’s Samin School.

* * *

Note 1) A Study on Horse Ranches in the Joseon Dynasty. Lee Hong-doo, Professor at Hongik University. Northeast Asian History Review, No. 55.

Note 2) Yi Hwang and Kim Jong-jik, civil officials of the Joseon Dynasty, also ‘lived in rented rooms.’ Reporter Joo Young-jae. Kyunghyang Shinmun. 2015.03.09.

http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?art_id=201503080851491