Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 671

671. Birds of a Feather (1)

With the discussion on establishing relations with Waeguk [ancient name for Japan] concluded, Hyang moved on to the next topic.

“I hear students are coming from Europe?”

“Yes. We expect the first group of 50 to arrive next spring. We anticipate a similar number of students will continue to come each year.”

At the report from Kim Ha, the new Minister of Education who succeeded Lee Sa-cheol, Hyang stroked his chin and said,

“I hope many talented individuals come. The research institute is severely understaffed.”

His words hinted at the future awaiting the international students.

* * *

That night, sitting alone in Gangnyeongjeon [the Emperor’s sleeping quarters], Hyang flipped through reports from the research institute and the list of challenge records, muttering,

“Hmm… The professors have reached a usable level, so it would be a waste not to use them. What would be good?”

As he was reviewing the lists, a court attendant entered and whispered something to the head eunuch.

“I understand.”

Nodding and listening to the attendant’s words, the head eunuch dismissed the attendant and approached Hyang, bowing his head.

“Your Majesty, the Queen Consort sends word asking if you will be sleeping alone in Gangnyeongjeon again tonight.”

At the head eunuch’s words, Hyang turned to look at the calendar and said to the head eunuch,

“Tell her I will sleep in Junggungjeon [the Queen’s residence] tonight, so everyone should be together.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As the head eunuch left the room after hearing Hyang’s reply, Hyang sighed and grumbled,

“Haa… Family shouldn’t be like this… My back is already aching… By the way, where is the medicine…?”

Hyang opened a drawer in a cabinet on one side, looking for his tonic.

* * *

A few days later, Hyang visited the research institute.

Starting with Wan, who rushed from Area 51 to the research institute upon hearing the news, all the researchers of the institute gathered in the auditorium, and Hyang ascended the platform.

“Have you all been well?”

“We have been healthy and well, thanks to Your Majesty’s grace!”

Hyang smiled slightly at the researchers’ response and continued,

“I heard that you have some spare time now that excellent scholars from Europe have joined the research.”

At Hyang’s words, the faces of everyone gathered in the auditorium turned pale.

‘Damn it! I thought we could finally catch our breath for the first time in a while!’

‘I knew it! There’s no way His Majesty would just let it go!’

‘What headache is he going to give us this time!’

Watching the researchers silently panic, Hyang held up two sheets of Hwangji paper [traditional Korean paper].

“As you all can see, these two sheets of Hwangji paper are the same size and weight. If I drop them, they will fall the same way, right?”

At Hyang’s words, Wan answered as the representative.

“Of course, wouldn’t they?”

In response, Hyang dropped the papers he was holding in both hands and looked at Wan.

“I see. Then….”

Hyang crumpled one of the sheets into a ball and looked at Wan.

“What about this?”

“Of course….”

Suddenly, Wan stopped speaking abruptly.

‘Stop! Father would never ask about something obvious! This is a trap!’

Wan quickly changed his words.

“Does that mean a different result will occur?”

At Wan’s question, Hyang silently released the strength in both hands. Wan looked at Hyang after seeing the result.

“The crumpled paper fell first.”

“Why is that? And….”

Pausing for a moment, Hyang gestured to a court attendant. At Hyang’s gesture, the court attendants brought over water-filled tanks, balance scales, small iron balls, and thin iron plates.

“As you can see from the balance scales, this iron ball and iron plate have the same weight. But….”

Hyang dropped the iron ball and iron plate into the water tank simultaneously.

“The difference is much smaller compared to the paper, but the iron ball was slightly faster, right?”

“That is correct.”

At Wan’s answer, Hyang gave a short command.

“Find out the principle behind why that is.”

“Yes.”

“Additionally, we usually say that heavier things fall first, but based on the current results, that doesn’t seem to be the case either. Re-examine that part as well.”

“…Yes.”

Looking at Wan’s crestfallen face, Hyang issued his final command.

“Finalize and report the challenge record grades as soon as possible.”

“I obey your command.”

Having burdened Wan and the researchers with a huge headache, Hyang left the research institute with a light step.

‘Sorry, Mr. Galileo! Since I’m already speeding things up, I’ll pick up the pace a bit more! Come study abroad in the Empire later!’

* * *

Having been burdened with a headache by Hyang, Wan turned to look at the researchers.

“Hoo~.”

Letting out a sigh while watching the researchers desperately avoid eye contact, Wan discovered some people on one side with excited faces and shining eyes.

They were European professors who had passed the advanced course and had just entered the research institute.

Seeing their appearance, Wan asked them.

“Would you like to research this?”

“If you entrust it to us, we will do our best!”

“Please entrust it to us!”

The professors answered enthusiastically. This was partly due to their thirst for knowledge, but also a matter of pride.

‘Even so, I was a well-known professor in Europe! But you want me to do research under someone else? I can’t do that!’

Whatever their inner thoughts, Wan immediately made a decision in response to the professors’ enthusiastic answers.

“I will assign it as soon as the challenge record grading is finished. I look forward to working with you.”

“We will do our best!”

A few days later, the professors who had checked the challenge record grades tilted their heads.

“Imaginary Yugong Yishan [a foolishly impossible task]?”

“Aren’t you looking at it too difficultly?”

However, in less than three days, the professors were clutching their hair and screaming.

“It was a trap!”

“What a difficult problem!”

Hearing the professors’ screams from afar, the other researchers and Wan clicked their tongues and shook their heads.

“Tsk tsk tsk… To not know His Majesty so well….”

“They dug their own graves….”

* * *

Early winter of the 3rd year of the Imperial Era.

As the Han River began to freeze little by little, people gathered again on the banks of the Han River.

It was because there was an experimental flight of the magnetic levitation flying vehicle (bigu) [flying chariot] made by Wan and the young artisans.

Hyang, who had received the news and arrived, carefully examined the interior of the magnetic levitation flying vehicle, especially the engine.

“The size has become much smaller?”

At Hyang’s question, Wan nodded and replied.

“That is correct. We were able to reduce the size by incorporating the structure of the multi-wing propeller designed by Jang Yeong-sil, the General Manager – who has been promoted to oversee the production departments of Areas 51 and 52.”

“You must have worked hard?”

“General Manager Jang’s help was significant.”

At Wan’s words, Hyang made a regretful expression and muttered inwardly.

‘If it weren’t for the situation urging me, I could have kept him longer….’

Less than a month after Jang Yeong-sil came, Sejong constantly sent urgent letters demanding that Jang Yeong-sil be returned to Sinji.

-I’m already dying because there aren’t enough people, why aren’t you sending him back! Ang! Should I come myself!

Due to Sejong’s urging, Hyang had no choice but to send Jang Yeong-sil back.

Clicking his tongue in regret, Hyang began to examine the vehicle here and there with shining eyes.

“Hoo? Did you separate the chimney?”

“Yes. There was a risk that the air sac would burn if sparks accidentally entered when the smoke entered the air sac. Instead, we installed a pipe for heating the air in the heating furnace along with the water pipes.”

“Interesting. You’ve worked hard.”

Hyang was diligently examining the vehicle and asking questions, and Wan was answering without hesitation.

As you know, Hyang had been a fan of steampunk since the 21st century, and the vehicle that Wan made now was perfectly targeting Hyang’s taste.

* * *

In the subsequent test flight, the magnetic levitation flying vehicle made by Wan boasted its performance.

The windmills attached to the left and right of the vehicle’s cabin, which had floated into the sky, rotated rapidly, and the vehicle began to move, gradually gaining speed.

“Hmm… It seems definitely faster than the glider I made last time?”

At Hyang’s question, Wan replied with a confident expression.

“Even though it’s small, wouldn’t the steam engine be definitely more powerful than manpower?”

“That’s true. So, how far can it go?”

“We need to experiment more on that part. However, we expect it to travel at least 400 li (about 160km) round trip if we don’t overload the cabin and load it appropriately.”

“Is that so? You made it well. Then, think about how we should use that as a means of transportation!”

“Yes!”

At Hyang’s words, Wan answered with a bright face. The words Hyang had just said meant that the magnetic levitation flying vehicle had passed.

* * *

While the magnetic levitation flying vehicle was the center of attention not only in Seoul but throughout the Empire, the military was also showing interest.

Lee Jing-ok, who had risen to the top of the military in place of Choi Yun-deok and Lee Cheon, who had retired due to extreme weakness, placed the report recording everything about the magnetic levitation flying vehicle in the center and discussed it with other generals.

“If we load this vehicle with explosive thunder crash bombs and drop them over the heads of the enemies, it can show great power!”

“Not only that. This vehicle can travel far on its own, so it is more advantageous for reconnaissance than existing vehicles! If we go out further and report back before our allies, our allies can have a tremendous advantage!”

The generals of the military, who had seen the flight of the magnetic levitation flying vehicle, were raising their voices, saying that this vehicle should be introduced.

Lee Jing-ok, nodding at the generals’ words, concluded.

“The generals’ opinions are all reasonable. I will discuss it with the Minister of National Defense and petition His Majesty.”

Min Shin immediately nodded at the military’s opinion.

“I was already thinking about whether it would be good to use it in the military. The Chief of Staff also had the same idea, so let’s prepare a proposal soon and submit it to His Majesty.”

“Yes, sir. But will the Ministry of Economy and Finance stay still?”

“They also know how to spend money when they need to, so we should trust them.”

However, there was no confidence in Min Shin’s voice as he answered that way.

The proposal, which was submitted with such concerns, was surprisingly easily passed.

“In order to properly examine the increasingly widening territory of the Empire, the existing methods are too inefficient. The magnetic levitation flying vehicle is essential. The magnetic levitation flying vehicle can fly and examine over long distances.”

This was because Hyang decided to introduce it, saying this.

On the day Hyang’s decision was made, high-ranking officials and generals of the military gathered at a gibang [traditional Korean house of entertainment] in Seoul and held a drinking party.

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

* * *

Not long after the adoption of the magnetic levitation flying vehicle was decided, at the end of the 3rd year of the Imperial Era.

Lee Jing-ok looked at the proposal from the Navy with a troubled expression.

“This seems a bit unreasonable?”

“It is essential to seize naval supremacy!”

The naval generals desperately emphasized the necessity. In the end, Lee Jing-ok and Min Shin submitted the Navy’s proposal to Hyang.

The Navy submitted a blueprint with the proposal, which depicted a new naval warship.

-It moves only with a steam engine.

-A flat deck integrated from the bow to the stern.

-The magnetic levitation flying vehicle is stored in a hangar created inside the hull, and the vehicle is launched from the deck when needed for reconnaissance.

Hyang, who saw the Navy’s proposal, made an absurd expression and muttered inwardly.

‘Why is an aircraft carrier coming out of here?’

The contents and blueprints written in the proposal were exactly the operational purpose and shape of the early aircraft carrier. The only difference was that it used a vehicle instead of an airplane.