Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 978

978. The Madman with Clear Eyes (3)

Finding Da Vinci’s idea plausible, the artisans once again collaborated with him to draft blueprints and write proposals. Ironically, the typewriter played a pivotal role in this process.

“Is this old man writing or drawing?”

“To render [Hangul, the Korean alphabet] like this is quite a talent…”

Da Vinci’s Hangul, approached with an alphabet mindset, was notoriously illegible. So much so that some of the soldiers stationed in Area 51 seriously considered using it for code. Eventually, the artisans, exhausted from deciphering Da Vinci’s script, presented him with a typewriter and said,

“Just recite what comes to mind. I’ll transcribe it.”

“Alright…”

However, this too proved to be a challenge.

“…Wait, if we tweak this part like so…”

“Again!”

Even when things were progressing smoothly, he would suddenly experience a flash of inspiration and immediately modify or add to the content. Eventually, the artisans, fed up with Da Vinci’s unpredictable nature, thrust the typewriter into his hands.

“Type it yourself!”

“Huh? Oh? Alright…”

In the end, Da Vinci sat before the typewriter and began typing.

“Should have done this from the start!”

The artisans were delighted that Da Vinci was typing himself, as it relieved them of a significant burden. They could immediately check and modify the content without struggling with his illegible handwriting.”

However, in the process, Da Vinci digressed.

“This is a bit uncomfortable to type with… And while we’re at it, wouldn’t it be nice to create a typewriter that can also type in the alphabet?”

Feeling discomfort with the typewriter he was using, Da Vinci began designing a new one.

“Again!”

“This time, he’s completely lost the plot!”

“This isn’t just a tangent! It’s a completely different direction!”

Even while grumbling, the artisans showed interest in what kind of typewriter Da Vinci would create. As time passed, Da Vinci completed the design. The artisans who analyzed it were wide-eyed with excitement.

“This looks promising?”

“Let’s try building it!”

And so, the artisans set aside the gunpowder-propelled flying machine and began constructing the typewriter first. The artisans who tested the completed typewriter all turned to look at Da Vinci.

“What are you doing! Register this as intellectual property!”

“I just modified the existing typewriter…”

“The administrators will handle that part!”

“The essence is completely different! It’s distinct enough to warrant separate registration!”

Urged by the artisans, Da Vinci registered his typewriter as intellectual property. The administrators at the Intellectual Property Office, upon receiving the model and design, immediately submitted it to Hyang [Supreme Emperor]. This was because Hyang had been the first to create and register a typewriter. Had this occurred between ordinary citizens, the Intellectual Property Office would have issued an authoritative interpretation, or the matter would have been decided by the Intellectual Property Tribunal. However, the Supreme Emperor was involved. The administrators had no choice but to be cautious.

“It’s better to endure his initial disapproval than to face ridicule from the higher-ups later.”

And things took an unexpected turn.

* * *

“Tsk!”

As the administrators had anticipated, Hyang’s initial reaction was a click of the tongue.

“I understand why this was brought to me, but even with my position, what are you trying to achieve by being so mindful of me…? Tsk, tsk, tsk!”

Clicking his tongue repeatedly, Hyang examined the typewriter made by Da Vinci and the artisans, his eyes gleaming.

“This is good?”

The typewriter Hyang had created was based on the structure of the typewriters he had seen in the 21st century. However, it suffered from structural and performance issues. Due to the haziness of his memories and technical limitations, the result was something that had to be overlooked or endured with discomfort.

Da Vinci’s typewriter was a significant improvement over Hyang’s, or rather, a completely different invention.

-Since it is a very different thing, it can be considered a separate piece of intellectual property.

After returning Da Vinci’s typewriter with a written opinion, Hyang stroked his chin and muttered.

“This could be profitable? Before that… we need to resolve any potential issues in advance.”

Hyang began writing a document to be sent to Hyeon [the Emperor].

-The independence of the judges of the Intellectual Property Tribunal is legally protected to the extent that even the Emperor cannot interfere.

-The authoritative interpretation of the Intellectual Property Office would also be the same.

-If the current law is insufficient, I believe it should be revised.

“That’s a valid point.”

Hyeon, after receiving and reading Hyang’s document, nodded and summoned Han Myeong-hoe [a high-ranking official].

“There is such a problem. The Emperor, the Retired Emperor, and the Supreme Emperor are all fair and just, so there will be no disgraceful events, but we cannot know what the future holds, can we? Supplement it.”

“…I obey your command.”

And the administrators of the Intellectual Property Office had to endure ridicule from the higher-ups and the members of the Intellectual Property Tribunal.

“Hey! If you’re just going to be mindful of others, why are you sitting in that position? Just follow the law! I’m already swamped with work, and instead of reducing the workload, you’re increasing it!”

“Do you know how many laws, statutes, and ordinances we have to review and decide on right now! They all have deadlines, and we have to write a statement of reasons for both approval and disapproval! And all of that is permanently stored in the Archives, so we can’t just do it haphazardly! Do you think we have time to spare!”

* * *

As an aside, the revision and enactment of the Empire’s laws were all decided through the Intellectual Property Tribunal and approved by the Emperor. And here, Hyang added MSG [a metaphor for exaggeration or embellishment] to Sejong [another high-ranking official, possibly a reference to King Sejong the Great of Korea].

“The work of the members of the Intellectual Property Tribunal is as heavy as the Emperor’s myriad affairs.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

“As it is related to the lives of the Empire’s people, we are selecting representatives from each region to serve as members of the Intellectual Property Tribunal. And we are trying to imbue that much honor and responsibility into the super-law.”

“That’s right.”

“As time passes, they will only want the perks and not want to take responsibility. A system is needed to prevent this.”

“I see.”

Thanks to Hyang’s embellishment, the members of the Intellectual Property Tribunal had to perform arduous duties.

-The revision, enactment, and repeal of laws, statutes, and ordinances each have a set deadline, and the results must be produced by this deadline.

-All members must perform the task of processing a certain number of laws, statutes, and ordinances.

-Members who perform tasks must write a processing report on the tasks they are responsible for and a statement of reasons for their judgments, which are permanently stored in the Archives.

-The revision, enactment, and repeal of laws, statutes, and ordinances regarding the work attitude and treatment of the above-mentioned Intellectual Property Tribunal members cannot be undertaken by the members of the Intellectual Property Tribunal. Only the Emperor can propose it, and it can only be processed after a vote by the entire population with voting rights.

“Over time, the Intellectual Property Tribunal will turn into a parliament. I can’t stand to see those ‘National Assemblymen’ that I know.”

* * *

Amidst this commotion, Da Vinci’s typewriter was safely registered as intellectual property. A few days after the administrator of the Intellectual Property Office delivered the registration certificate, a eunuch sent by Hyang visited Area 51.

“Where is Da Vinci?”

“Please wait a moment!”

Having heard the eunuch’s message, the artisans hurriedly found and brought Da Vinci.

“It’s been a while.”

Gwan, who had served Hyang for a long time, even traveling with him to Italy, greeted him familiarly, and Da Vinci replied with a bright expression.

“It has been a long time indeed! But, what brings you here?”

“The Supreme Emperor has a proposal for you. He wants to invest in the business of making and selling the typewriter you created.”

“My typewriter? Isn’t there already a merchant guild that makes and sells typewriters? Wasn’t I supposed to contract with them?”

Da Vinci asked the eunuch with a puzzled expression. When Da Vinci’s typewriter successfully completed its intellectual property registration, Da Vinci and the artisans had a similar conversation.

“Shall we create a merchant guild and a factory to sell it?”

“It seems like this will be a profitable item, but the problem is that there are already typewriters on the market.”

“It’s not the same thing, it’s definitely a profitable item. But the competition is too strong.”

“It’s not the competition, it’s the backing behind them that’s too strong.”

The artisans, mentioning the existence of Hyang, who could be called the backer, came to the following conclusion.

-Contracting with the merchant guild that already makes typewriters would be the best option.

Da Vinci expressed his doubts because he had already heard this. At Da Vinci’s question, the eunuch smiled and explained the reason.

“The Supreme Emperor said this…”

-The typewriter we are using now has been around for a long time since it first appeared, but nothing has changed. This is because there was no rival.

-Therefore, there must be a rival in order for a better typewriter to emerge. And this will be beneficial to the people.

“…And finally, he said this. ‘Since it’s the same backer anyway, don’t worry about tricks.’ What will you do?”

At the eunuch’s words, Da Vinci turned his head and looked at the artisans. Receiving a silent question, the artisans all nodded fiercely. Having confirmed their advice, Da Vinci turned his head and looked at the eunuch.

“I will accept the Supreme Emperor’s proposal.”

“Well thought out! Then let’s go to the office and draw up the contract!”

No sooner had the eunuch finished speaking than the artisans behind him shouted.

“We want to join you too!”

“Oh, really? Let’s do that. By the way…”

The eunuch muttered the last words to himself.

‘They have an amazing sense of smell for money. They learned well from Jang Yeong-sil [a famous Korean scientist and inventor], or rather, from the Supreme Emperor?’

* * *

While working with Hyang, Jang Yeong-sil had accumulated quite a bit of wealth. And this was also true for the artisans who succeeded Jang Yeong-sil. And the artisans, with their pockets full, had the capacity to design or make the things they had thought of outside of work hours. Or, they invested in their families by building better houses.

And this was also true for the eunuchs. Many of the eunuchs who had worked with Hyang had accumulated wealth by following Hyang’s investments. Of course, there was no way Hyang would not know this. If the Board of Audit and Inspection, as well as secret investigations, discovered that the eunuchs were using illegal means, they were punished without exception.

* * *

The typewriter released by the newly formed ‘Da Vinci Typewriter Company’ quickly gained popularity.

“While we’re making it, let’s make the font beautiful too!”

“That’s a good idea!”

As expected of a renowned artist, the font created by Da Vinci was pleasing to the eye and easy to read. In addition, the typewriter’s keyboard moved quite smoothly and lightly. It wasn’t just the keyboard. From the typefaces to the sound of the typewriter’s operating parts moving, it was very light and cheerful.

“The typewriter I used to use was just noisy, but this typewriter has a very pleasant sound!”

“The font is also nice to look at!”

With the praise of the people, the ‘Da Vinci Typewriter Company’ quickly established itself. However, before long, the ‘Da Vinci Typewriter Company’ had one more product to handle.

“The owner here is said to be the one who made the whatchamacallit… the harpsichord, right?”

“That’s right.”

“If the price is right, I’d like to order one.”

“Excuse me? Please wait a moment! What are you doing! We have a distinguished guest, treat him well!”

It became known that the company belonged to the artisan who made the harpsichord, which was rumored among the musicians of the Royal Music Academy and enthusiasts, and people flocked to order harpsichords. Harpsichords, divided into several grades from a relatively cheap 10 silver coins to a huge sum of 2 gold coins, soon became a must-have item in famous courtesan houses and enthusiasts’ mansions.

As an aside, the ‘Da Vinci Typewriter Company’, which had established itself in this way, changed its name to ‘Da Vinci Keyboard Company’ and became a company boasting history and tradition.

-From light switches to keyboards to pianos, anything that is played with fingers is best made by Da Vinci.

This was the evaluation that the Da Vinci Keyboard Company would receive in the distant future. As the Da Vinci Company slowly established itself, Da Vinci’s eyes began to change little by little.

“I can make anything I want without having to worry about the budget!”