Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 471

471. Liaodong (7)

Although Emperor Xuanzong had ordered the establishment of an institution for technology research and education, its progress was far from smooth.

The Joseon and Ming dynasties shared a similar disregard for artisans.

Therefore, as soon as the idea of placing an institution for technology research and artisans under the Gukjagam (National Academy) was proposed, every official within the Gukjagam—from the Jeju (chief professor) to the lowest lecturer, Hakrok—opposed it, risking their careers.

In the end, it was decided that this institution, named ‘Training Institute,’ would be placed under the Ministry of Public Works.

Even after overcoming this initial hurdle, the obstacles continued.

Merchants who employed skilled artisans refused to release them.

“If we release them, we’ll starve!”

The merchants protested vehemently, but this time, Emperor Xuanzong remained firm.

“Will you die by my hand, or starve to death? If you release the artisans, I will compensate you and return them without fail after ten years. But if you refuse, I will execute you all!”

Faced with such a choice, the merchants released the artisans. Famous artisans were sought out and brought in from all over Ming, but a new obstacle arose.

“Share the secret techniques that my ancestors have refined for generations, and that I have refined throughout my life? I cannot accept that, even if it is the Emperor’s order!”

“Kill me instead!”

Emperor Xuanzong sighed, placing a hand on his forehead at the artisans’ fierce resistance.

“Damn it…”

He felt a surge of anger and a desire to order their immediate execution, but he also understood their feelings to some extent.

“Is that why the Crown Prince of Joseon kept talking about ‘intellectual property rights’? Was it not just a ploy for the monopoly of goods coming from Joseon?”

Ultimately, Emperor Xuanzong issued the following imperial decree:

-The value of the secret techniques held by the artisans will be recognized and compensated financially.

-Artisans in charge of research and education at the research institute will be granted a rank equivalent to Jong 8-品 Assistant Instructor (Jo Gyo) of the National Academy.

Only after this imperial decree was issued did the artisans reluctantly enter the research institute, and the framework of the educational institution began to take shape.

“Is all that’s left now to operate it properly?”

Just as the officials tasked with carrying out the Emperor’s orders were sighing in relief, the final obstacle appeared.

The problem lay in finding talented individuals to receive education from the artisans selected as assistant instructors and to engage in practical work.

The first to enter the Training Institute were the children and apprentices of the artisans who had been appointed as assistant instructors.

However, factions quickly formed among them.

“My father is the best!”

“My master is the best!”

Disputes naturally arose among those divided into factions. Verbal arguments soon escalated into physical altercations.

The fights, taking place in a workshop filled with dangerous tools, led to casualties. Upon receiving the report, Emperor Xuanzong was furious and issued an order.

“Execute all those involved in the incident and establish new standards for talent recruitment!”

As a result, dozens more people were beheaded. Artisans who protested against this also had their heads cut off as a bonus.

Only after such a bloodbath could the Training Institute function properly.

The remaining artisans devoted themselves to education and research. Those who were lucky enough to survive, along with their children and apprentices, and those who volunteered after seeing the Emperor’s proclamation, worked diligently to receive education.

Emperor Xuanzong, a master of carrot and stick tactics, generously donated a considerable amount of money to them. Thanks to this, both teachers and students in the Training Institute did their best.

However, catching up with Joseon’s level remained a distant dream.

Therefore, Emperor Xuanzong frequently erupted in anger whenever he received a report.

“Our land is dozens of times larger and our population several times greater than that small Joseon! By my command, why is it like this!”

The reason for the unbridgeable gap between Ming and Joseon was their lack of Hyang’s influence.

Before Hyang’s intervention, China might have held an advantage in accumulated technology, but that was no longer the case. Hyang possessed nearly 600 years of technical experience refined over time.

This included the basic knowledge that 21st-century Hyang had acquired through his education, as well as the diverse knowledge and quality standards he had learned through his 덕질 (duk-jil, passionate fandom or dedication to a specific interest).

In essence, the research institute and Area 51 were desperately trying to meet the standards Hyang desired, while Ming was struggling to catch up with the intermediate results produced in the process. This was a challenge that Emperor Xuanzong could not easily overcome, no matter how much he pushed.

* * *

After such intense efforts, Ming was finally able to create the Iron Horse with its own hands.

Of course, the assembly process was fraught with difficulties. During the assembly of the prototype, Joseon artisans set up tents and worked on a few key parts, jealously guarding their secrets.

“Take down the tents!”

“These are our secret techniques! We cannot reveal them!”

“Do you want to die?”

“Try killing me! What will happen then? Are you going to start a war?”

As a result, some parts had to be devised by Ming artisans themselves, which was one of the reasons why Emperor Xuanzong had established the Training Institute.

The Ming-made Iron Horse, born after such struggles, was not entirely Ming-made. The most crucial blueprint was provided by Joseon, and various measuring devices essential for the safe operation of the Iron Horse—pressure gauges, speedometers, thermometers, etc.—had to be purchased as finished products from Joseon.

“Is replication impossible?”

The Minister of Public Works answered Emperor Xuanzong’s question with a troubled expression.

“That is… as soon as the frame is disassembled, the parts scatter in all directions….”

“Did Joseon tamper with it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Damn….”

At the Minister of Public Works’ answer, Emperor Xuanzong clicked his tongue in regret.

When designing the measuring devices, except for the thermometers, Hyang had incorporated hidden mechanisms.

If the case was disassembled for replication, hidden springs would cause the parts inside to scatter. The parts used in the measuring instruments were incredibly small, making it nearly impossible to find them all once they were scattered. Even if one were lucky enough to recover all the parts, the spring in question would cause interference, rendering the device useless.

“What is this for?”

In the end, Ming had no choice but to purchase finished measuring instruments from Joseon.

With such struggles and deliberate sabotage, Iron Horses and rails were produced that were inferior in performance and quality to those made in Joseon.

As Iron Horses and rails were manufactured, railroads began to be laid in earnest.

However, the situation in Ming, where the railroads were being constructed, was very different from that in Joseon.

“This is interesting?”

Hyang, after receiving the related report, lightly whistled and his eyes sparkled with interest.

Unlike Joseon, where railroads became the core of land transportation, railroads in Ming were 副 (secondary) rather than 主 (primary).

* * *

The Grand Canal was the backbone of Ming’s land transportation.

This was not the infamous Sui Yang Emperor’s Grand Canal, but the one that began construction during the Yuan Empire and was completed during the reign of Emperor Yongle.

Connecting the five major water systems of Ming, this Grand Canal, which linked the south and north of China, facilitated the movement of a vast amount of goods.

Therefore, railroads were positioned as assistants, efficiently moving goods and people from the main stops of this canal to the surrounding areas.

Due to this supporting role, many intellectuals in both Ming and Joseon questioned the true usefulness of these railroads.

“Even if it’s an assistant role, isn’t the difference between the amount transported by people or livestock and the amount carried by the Iron Horse like heaven and earth?”

Jin-pyeong, who had come for approval, nodded emphatically at Hyang’s question.

“Of course! Iron Horses and steam engines are the future!”

Hyang smiled wryly and nodded at Jin-pyeong’s enthusiastic response.

‘That 덕후 (duk-hu, obsessed fan)!’

* * *

The biggest reason why the Iron Horse was relegated to a supporting role was the presence of the two largest rivers connected to the Grand Canal: the Yellow River and the Yangtze River.

The Yellow River and the Yangtze River were so vast that iron bridges could not be built across them. Therefore, Ming could not lay railroads that directly connected the north and south.

The projected map of railroad construction promoted by Ming resembled three large squares stacked in three layers:

Beijing and north of the Yellow River, between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, and south of the Yangtze River.

Therefore, everyone who saw this projected map had similar thoughts.

‘This is perfect for splitting into three pieces, isn’t it?’

Considering the history of the Central Plains, where periods of division were longer than periods of unified dynasties, it was a well-founded concern.

Consequently, many intellectuals warned Emperor Xuanzong of this danger.

At the forefront of these concerned individuals was Crown Prince Zhu Qizhen.

“…Therefore, railroads only cost a lot of money and are not very useful. They should be abandoned immediately.”

Emperor Xuanzong firmly rejected Zhu Qizhen’s memorial.

“Impossible.”

“Father, no, Your Majesty! Why!”

Emperor Xuanzong explained his reasoning in an unwavering voice to Zhu Qizhen’s protest.

“Even if the railroad can only play a supplementary role to the Grand Canal, its transportation capacity is far superior to that of people or livestock.”

“If we make a mistake, it will be the seed of division….”

“That is something that the Emperor who governs the country, or the Emperors who will succeed me, can prevent if they govern well. Historically, dynasties collapse not because of instruments like railroads, but because the Emperor governs poorly. Do not confuse the essential with the incidental.”

“However….”

When Zhu Qizhen attempted to continue speaking, Emperor Xuanzong raised his hand to silence him.

“Railroads are essential for the thousand-year glory of this country. When a great upheaval threatens our Ming, this railroad will play the greatest role.”

“Are you anticipating an upheaval? Is the Northern Yuan rising again….”

“Do not prejudge.”

Emperor Xuanzong, raising his hand to stop Zhu Qizhen’s words, smiled strangely.

“Crown Prince, I will give you homework. Predict and report what the upheaval I mentioned is. If you report the correct answer, I will no longer compare you to the Crown Prince of Joseon. The deadline is…. Perhaps the Crown Prince of Joseon would answer within three days, so I will give you three days as well.”

Zhu Qizhen gritted his teeth at Emperor Xuanzong’s words and responded.

“Yes! I will definitely submit the correct answer before three days and earn Your Majesty’s recognition!”

“I look forward to it!”

Two days later, Zhu Qizhen told Emperor Xuanzong his conclusion.

“It is the Northern Yuan.”

“Wrong. You still have much to learn. Return to Nanjing and study harder.”

* * *

The story of Emperor Xuanzong and Zhu Qizhen also reached Gyeongbokgung through various channels.

King Sejong, after summoning Hyang and recounting the story, asked Hyang.

“What do you think the answer is? Ah! If you just listen, the ministers will find it boring, so shall we discuss it together? I will count to three. One, two, three.”

Simultaneously with the count of three, Sejong and Hyang answered.

“Joseon.”

“It is our Joseon.”

Sejong smiled brightly at Hyang’s identical answer and continued.

“Then shall we discuss where the battlefield will be? Again, I will count to three. One, two, three. Liaodong.”

“It is Liaodong.”

“Ahahaha!”

Sejong laughed heartily at Hyang’s answer and praised him.

“Indeed, you are the Crown Prince!”