Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 730

730. Jang Yeong-sil’s Legacy (7)

“Y-Your Majesty, have I, have I done something wrong…?”

With a contorted face, Jang On stammered, his expression filled with fear. Hyang waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Yes, yes…”

Though he answered, Jang On continued to watch Hyang’s every move. Hyang, regardless, meticulously examined the new-model Iron Horse.

“Hmm? The derailleur seems quite small?”

At Hyang’s observation, Jang On quickly responded.

“Th-That is, the beasts of Shinji are literally mountain-sized, so even with the derailleur, the Iron Horse and carriages are prone to derailment.”

“Then shouldn’t we install an even larger derailleur?”

“There are limits to what a derailleur can do, so we are trying to apply a different method.”

“A different method?”

“Please wait a moment!”

Jang On urgently gestured to the artisans behind him. At his signal, they brought over a large paper scroll and a desk.

The artisans placed the desk in front of Hyang and unfurled the scroll on top of it.

Hyang looked at the drawing on the scroll and then back at Jang On.

“You’re suggesting building a bridge over a plain, not a valley or a river?”

“That’s right. Observing the movements of the deer and bison herds, they seem to follow fixed routes. The railroad intersects these routes, causing the problems. Therefore, we propose building a bridge over their paths.”

“Hmm…”

Hyang hummed, examining the drawing again. The proposed bridge had a gentle arch.

“Considering the gentle arc and the distance between the Iron Horse and the carriages, we’ll need a massive bridge.”

“Since land is abundant in Shinji, size shouldn’t be an issue.”

Hearing Jang On’s reply, Hyang turned to Jin-pyeong, who was intently studying the drawing beside him.

“What do you think?”

Jin-pyeong immediately replied to Hyang’s question.

“It seems feasible. The problem would be the budget.”

The moment the word ‘budget’ came up, Hyang frowned. He was reminded of Sejong’s face, wearing a mischievous smile.

‘I definitely seem to have fallen for a trap card…’

Though he grumbled inwardly, Hyang had no choice but to nod at Jin-pyeong’s words.

“Then let’s consider it positively.”

Having settled that matter, Hyang turned back to Jang On.

“Speaking of the budget, how much does it cost to build this new-model Iron Horse?”

Jang On hesitated before answering Hyang’s question.

“It, it costs quite a bit.”

“Of course, it would. How much more does it cost compared to the existing Iron Horse?”

“We can build one new-model Iron Horse for the cost of building three existing ones. However, once the steel mill is fully operational, we can reduce the cost further.”

“Enough. Jin-pyeong… let’s lay the tracks first and use the existing Iron Horses for now.”

“Your Majesty!”

Jin-pyeong looked at Hyang imploringly, tears welling up in his eyes. However, Hyang was firm.

“The budget is the issue. Focusing on the tracks is the priority, isn’t it?”

At Hyang’s question, Jin-pyeong replied in a dejected voice.

“That is true.”

Hyang’s words were correct. No matter how fast and powerful the Iron Horse was, it would be useless without tracks. If the tracks were properly laid, the existing Iron Horses could still be used effectively.

Having made that decision, Hyang turned to Jang On.

“Then let’s inspect the next development and research facilities.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

***

Area 52 was a city in itself. Everything within it bore the distinct mark of Jang Yeong-sil. And this directly aligned with Hyang’s preferences.

“This is where we research and develop the Bigu [flying vehicle] and Naltul [smaller flying device].”

“Huh…”

Hyang examined the building with his mouth agape.

‘It could easily fit three or four 747s!’

In that enormous space, there were things similar to the Nals Hyang had created in Seoul, as well as what appeared to be improved versions of them, everywhere.

The spectacle wasn’t just inside the building, but outside as well.

As soon as he exited, a vast lake filled his vision, and in front of it was a tall, artificial hill and a U-shaped ski jump.

“Do the Nals glide down from the top of that hill and take off from that ski jump?”

“That’s right!”

Jang On replied with a surprised expression.

‘To recognize it immediately! As expected of Sang-hwang [honorific title for a retired king]!’

Jang On’s surprise continued.

“Hmm… it’s built facing the lake, so it’s for crash preparedness?”

“That’s correct!”

“What kind of arrangements have you made for people in case of a crash?”

“Whenever we conduct flight experiments, we have people skilled in diving on boats in the lake.”

“Pay more attention to safety.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

As he inspected the external facilities, Hyang stopped when he saw a tall watchtower on one side.

‘Could that be…’

As if sensing Hyang’s thoughts, Jang On immediately began to explain.

“We are researching a device to help the soldiers on board escape safely in the event of a Bigu crash. Tae Sang-hwang named it ‘Falling Basket’ because its shape is similar to a dipper [ladle-like container].”

“I want to see it in action!”

“Yes!”

Following Hyang’s command, a demonstration of the Falling Basket was performed.

“Drop! Drop! Drop!”

After three warnings, a heavy sack fell from the watchtower, about 20 jang (approximately 60 meters) high.

Flap!

As the white cloth attached to the sack unfurled, the sack swayed from side to side and fell to the ground at a much slower speed than its initial velocity.

“Not bad. Have you tested it with real people yet?”

“We are preparing, but no one is volunteering…”

Jang On trailed off, but Hyang nodded.

“I suppose so. Life is precious. Don’t neglect research until people feel safe enough.”

“Yes!”

“Then let’s move on. Where to next?”

“The shipyard!”

“Shipyard?”

***

“You’ve built a proper shipyard…”

Looking at the shipyard in front of him and the Challenger-class battleships floating in the dock, Hyang wore an expression of utter resignation.

‘What on earth have these people been doing in Shinji…’

Having become completely detached, Hyang turned to Jang On.

“Were there any shortcomings when building the Challenger-class battleships?”

“There were none. The most important material, wood, is abundant everywhere.”

“Then why did you build them?”

“To train the natives.”

“Hmm… so you build them here and send them to the East Sea [Sea of Japan]?”

“No. Although there is a river connecting Daehogun and the East Sea, there are sections with rapid currents in the middle, so we cannot do that.”

“I see…”

‘He’s talking about the St. Lawrence River. To make proper use of that river, we need to dig a canal. I should start planning that.’

As he was making his own plans, Jang On cautiously opened his mouth.

“However…”

“Is there a problem?”

“Yes, the navy is having trouble with the order issued by Tae Sang-hwang.”

At Jang On’s words, Hyang’s face hardened seriously.

“Explain in detail.”

According to Jang On’s explanation, the oak trees harvested in the eastern region of Shinji were the source of the problem.

The wood quality of the harvested oak trees was much denser and harder than those on the mainland.

And the Challenger-class battleships made with this wood had a much stronger defense – approximately 40% higher – than those on the mainland.

Upon receiving this report, Sejong immediately issued an order.

– Reduce the thickness of the wood used for the outer walls of the hull by 30%.

“The navy is having trouble because of this order.”

“Does reducing it by 30% cause a problem with the defense?”

“It results in almost the same defense as the battleships on the mainland.”

At Jang On’s answer, Hyang made a decision on the spot.

“Really? Then carry out the order issued by Tae Sang-hwang. I will talk to the navy.”

“Yes.”

Having decided on one important matter, Hyang continued to tour the shipyard.

At the research institute attached to the shipyard, Hyang was hit by the last surprise prepared by Sejong and Jang Yeong-sil.

***

“What is this?”

“It is a new type of engine to be mounted on battleships.”

“Using a multi-blade propeller?”

“That’s right.”

“Wow…”

Looking at the engine in front of him, Hyang once again wore an expression of emptiness, no, detachment.

‘A turbine engine! Where did these people catch an alien!’

Observing Hyang’s expression, Jang On continued his explanation.

“Steam generated in the heating furnace is blown into the multi-blade propeller, turning the shaft attached to the windmill-type propeller.”

“It doesn’t seem to be completed yet?”

At Hyang’s remark, Jang On bowed his head and replied.

“I am sorry to say that with current technology, we cannot create the steel material to construct that propeller.”

“I suppose not. Continue to devote yourself to further research.”

“We will definitely do so!”

Jang On and the artisans, who received encouragement instead of scolding, were all moved and bowed their heads in response.

Hyang lightly nodded to them in response and muttered to himself.

‘Of course, it should be impossible. If this had succeeded too, I would have been wandering around looking for aliens.’

***

It took almost three days for Hyang to finish his inspection of Area 52.

While resting at the Area 52 guest house, Hyang looked at the buildings of Area 52 visible through the window and muttered.

“The entire Area 52 is Jang Yeong-sil’s legacy…”

‘And a trap card.’

As mentioned before, the entire Area 52 was directly aligned with Hyang’s preferences.

However, only 2/3 of it had even broken ground.

And here, Hyang could understand Sejong’s intentions.

– Don’t waste time making useless things, focus on what I have prepared now!

– You saw what I prepared, right? It’s exactly your taste, isn’t it? So you have to work hard, right?

“Hoo~”

Hyang sighed softly and grumbled, looking at the pile of documents stacked on one side of the desk.

“Wrestling with the budget will come before my hobbies. And…”

Hyang looked at the distant western sky and continued.

“The more you try to stop me, the more I want to indulge in my hobbies.”

***

After finishing his inspection of Area 52, Hyang immediately summoned Shin In-son, the commander-in-chief of the Shinji Navy.

“You summoned me?”

“Yes. I heard you are having trouble with the Challenger-class battleships being built in Shinji.”

“Yes.”

“I have ordered you to follow the orders issued by Tae Sang-hwang.”

“H-However, doing so may cause a problem with the defense.”

“According to the experiments of the artisans in Area 52, there is no problem. So, don’t worry.”

“And there is a reason to expand the space like that.”

“I have received reports that the eastern coast can be defended with the current load capacity.”

“To go south, we need to carry a lot of supplies. And…”

Pausing for a moment, Hyang lightly moistened his throat and continued.

“Before Europe advances westward, we must advance eastward. I plan to plant a dagger under their noses.”