Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 792

792. The Confucian Scholars Go to Shinji (4)

Lee Jingook personally oversaw ‘Operation Reduce Virtue,’ a program designed to help overweight soldiers lose weight. He monitored their progress daily, making adjustments to improve its effectiveness.

“Interesting…”

Lee Jingook smiled faintly as he reviewed the obese soldiers’ strength reports.

Perhaps because they were accustomed to carrying more weight, the obese soldiers possessed considerable strength. However, it wasn’t ‘Herculean’ by any means. They could lift slightly heavier loads than average soldiers, but their endurance – their ability to carry those loads over long distances, or to walk or run for extended periods – was significantly lower.

Lee Jingook muttered to himself, rereading the report.

“Let’s see… His Majesty mentioned something about this… what was it? Hmm… Hmm… Right! Agility, endurance, and survival muscles!”

* * *

To ensure the success of his ‘Making Healthy Pigs’ initiative for Sejong, Hyang meticulously observed the king’s daily life.

“Being the Crown Prince is really useful at times like this.”

Hyang was eight years old at the time, having just been appointed Crown Prince. To develop an effective plan, he shadowed Sejong, carefully watching his every move.

“Why is the Crown Prince always by my side? Shouldn’t you be focusing on your studies?”

Hyang bowed his head and replied, “Your Majesty’s wisdom is renowned and praised by all officials and the people. As your son and successor, I must continue Joseon’s legacy. What better education is there than to observe and learn from Your Majesty’s actions?”

“Hahaha! You rascal! Your eloquence is unmatched!”

Sejong laughed heartily, but then cautioned, “It is pleasing to hear such words, but a ruler must always be wary of those who offer only praise. The Crown Prince must remember this.”

“I will engrave it in my heart!”

“You rascal…”

Sejong couldn’t suppress his smile as he watched Hyang bow. Despite the stern warning, he was pleased that his son respected him and wanted to learn from him.

And Sejong had no reason to dislike the Crown Prince, who was considered more intelligent than most guests, wanting to observe and learn from him.

Following Sejong and observing him, Hyang reached a conclusion.

“As expected, endurance and weight are the key issues…”

The most obvious example was at the archery range.

Sejong could draw the combat bows effectively, just like the royal guards. The problem was that after about three rounds, or fifteen arrows, his arm would begin to tremble. Considering that royal guards and military officers typically shot at least ten rounds (fifty arrows) a day, endurance was clearly a problem.

However, Sejong didn’t tire as easily when enjoying his favorite game, Gyeok-bang [a traditional Korean martial art similar to wrestling].

“Walking seems fine? His leg muscles appear to be in good condition…”

Analyzing Sejong’s physical state, Hyang suddenly recalled something.

“That guy mentioned ‘survival muscles’…”

* * *

Back in the 21st century, when Hyang was a college student, one of his otaku [a Japanese term for people with obsessive interests, particularly in anime and manga] friends was severely obese. He perfectly embodied the stereotypical ’10 Otaku’ image that circulated online.

He was aware of his weight problem and had tried various solutions.

One day, Hyang found his friend looking particularly troubled.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Ah, I went to the public health center yesterday for some counseling…”

His friend explained that during the consultation, the doctor had reviewed his body composition analysis.

“You’re definitely severely obese, but your muscle mass is also considerable. Especially in your lower body.”

The report showed that his upper body muscle mass was ‘standard,’ while his lower body was ‘excessive.’

“…So, if I lose fat, will I become a muscular bodybuilder?”

The doctor smiled wryly. “Not necessarily. You’d need specific exercises for that. Your current muscle mass is for survival.”

“Ah…”

The friend, still looking perplexed, concluded, “…So, my body is basically saying, ‘I can’t live like this! I need muscles!’ and increased my muscle mass. Especially in my lower body, it’s like, ‘I’ll die if I can’t support this weight!'”

Hyang patted his friend on the shoulder. “Cheer up, friend…”

* * *

In any case, Hyang’s ‘Making Healthy Pigs Operation’ yielded positive results.

Sejong, while not obese, maintained a ‘somewhat plump’ physique, and metabolic issues like diabetes were kept under control.

Initially annoyed by Hyang’s constant interventions, Sejong began to actively follow his advice after seeing the improvements in his health.

The royal physicians were the first to notice these changes. Their primary duty was to safeguard the king’s health, and they couldn’t ignore such significant improvements. They even tasted the king’s stool for diagnostic purposes.

Eventually, the royal physicians sought out Hyang. Having already achieved recognition for medical advancements like the smallpox vaccination, Hyang gained considerable influence in the medical field.

* * *

“Hmm… What exactly did His Majesty do back then…”

Lee Jingook consulted both military doctors and royal physicians to learn about Hyang’s methods and apply them to Operation Reduce Virtue.

The soldiers most vehemently protested the dietary restrictions.

“General! Are we livestock? Why must we eat only grass every day!”

“We only get meat once a day!”

“How can chicken and fish be considered meat!”

“Starve if you don’t want to eat.”

“General!”

“Do you think you’ll eat so well on the battlefield? Especially since our destination will be difficult to supply! Do you expect to eat meat at every meal there!”

“…”

The complaining soldiers fell silent under Lee Jingook’s reprimand, but he continued.

“What did the ancient sages repeatedly emphasize? Temperance and moderation! Are those who claim to follow the sages, to learn and establish morality, now complaining because they cannot control their petty appetites! Can you still call yourselves Confucian scholars!”

“…”

“I am sorry. I have behaved disgracefully.”

The soldiers apologized for their outburst and silently picked up their spoons.

After that, whenever the soldiers complained about the food, Lee Jingook would scold them, mentioning ‘supply’ and ‘Confucian scholars,’ effectively silencing them.

However, Lee Jingook didn’t rely solely on punishment.

“His Majesty said, ‘If you scold, appease.'”

Lee Jingook faithfully followed Hyang’s teachings.

The Imperial Army, like the civil administration, used a system of work performance ratings. Promotions were based on these ratings, combined with physical fitness tests and competency assessments specific to each branch.

This applied to all non-commissioned officers and ordinary soldiers. Ordinary soldiers received salary adjustments based on their scores, and promotion to sergeant was determined by accumulated points. Further accumulation could lead to promotion to lower-ranking military officer positions like Jinmu [a military rank in Joseon Dynasty].

Lee Jingook offered incentives to the obese soldiers.

First, additional points were awarded to those who successfully lost weight.

And it wasn’t just the obese soldiers who benefited. Since it was impossible for the expeditionary force officers to manage each obese soldier individually, ordinary soldiers with standard physiques were paired with obese soldiers to train together. If the obese soldiers earned additional points, their partners would also receive them.

“And if the points accumulated in this way exceed a certain level, significant benefits will be granted to those involved! Those who wish to work at the Shinji Academy will receive priority assignment, and those who wish to obtain land in Shinji will be able to acquire a larger area in their desired location!”

Lee Jingook, having made his announcement, then raised a document.

“I’m not just saying this. His Majesty has approved it!”

The soldiers’ eyes lit up at Lee Jingook’s words.

By using both rewards and punishments effectively, Operation Reduce Virtue progressed smoothly.

Finally, when the departure date for the first group was set, Lee Jingook nodded in satisfaction.

“Now they look like soldiers! At first, I was worried we were just feeding a bunch of crazy guys!”

However, upon arriving in Choje after nearly two months at sea, Lee Jingook exploded.

“You guys! You’ve been doing nothing but eating on the ship!”

Many of the soldiers who had lost weight had regained it.

Thanks to the constant eating and lack of exercise in the cramped confines of the ship, the yo-yo effect had taken hold.

“Half of the points accumulated so far will be deducted! Special training will be conducted en route to the imperial palace! Points will be awarded again based on the results of that special training!”

The soldiers gritted their teeth at Lee Jingook’s announcement. However, they couldn’t complain, as it was their own fault.

Therefore, the soldiers had to give their all in the continued special training.

The problem was the intensity of the training.

While undergoing exercises like ‘running ten li [approximately 4 kilometers] alongside a slow-moving iron horse [likely a reference to a train or armored vehicle],’ the soldiers managed to shed the regained fat.

However, it later became a memory that made them grind their teeth just thinking about it.

* * *

“…That’s why I sent the order to the mainland as soon as I arrived in Choje. Soldiers belonging to the rear troops must undergo their own training on the ship, and their food intake will also be restricted.”

“Is, is that so…”

Hyang stammered slightly, embarrassed by Lee Jingook’s explanation.

‘He’s as tough as I expected!’

Lee Jingook continued, oblivious to Hyang’s thoughts.

“Still, thanks to the Supreme Emperor and His Majesty’s concern for Area 52, we’ve been able to greatly reduce the burden. If we had to load the weapons, gunpowder, and gunpowder for the expeditionary force, it would have been several times more difficult.”

Hyang replied confidently, “Don’t worry about the weapons issue. It’s no worse than the mainland. How is the soldiers’ training progressing?”

Lee Jingook also replied with confidence, “If we just receive the weapons, we can begin the conquest right now!”

“Is that so? I trust you! Then let’s start by reviewing the transportation plan again!”

“Yes!”

With this, the Empire’s invasion operation against the Aztecs began to move into full swing.