Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1092

1092. Constantly Making Trouble…. (7)

While the artisans of District 51 were throwing out all sorts of ideas, fantasies, and delusions with the goal of evolving the new power engine, the artisans of District 52 weren’t just sitting around either. After reading the report sent from Seoul, the artisans of District 52 wore strange expressions.

“Oho! So that’s how it is?”

“We can’t just sit back and do nothing, can we?”

“Of course not! If we did, Master Jang Yeong-sil in his grave would tear it open and come out!” [Jang Yeong-sil was a prominent Joseon-era Korean inventor and scientist.]

“Indeed! Indeed!”

The artisans of District 52 present there all nodded their heads, regardless of their origins.

* * *

The most symbolic figure in Districts 51 and 52 was Jang Yeong-sil. Originally, it was Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil, but the problem was that Hyang was still alive. After all, someone who has already disappeared into history becomes a legend more easily than a living, breathing being right before your eyes. And a battle of pride unfolded between Districts 51 and 52 over this legend.

“Hmph! You youngsters who are young enough to be my grandsons are showing off with just your history!”

When District 51 showed off with its history, District 52 retorted like this:

“Hmph! You guys are just huddled together in a tiny area, playing house!”

District 52, boasting its overwhelmingly large site, mocked the artisans of District 51. In fact, the vastness of District 52’s site was its greatest advantage. It was common for the cannons developed for the Imperial Army to be tested for performance in District 52.

To win the fierce battle of pride, the artisans of Districts 51 and 52 pulled out other cards.

“The number of names listed in the Challenge and Response Record…”

When the artisans of Districts 51 and 52 mentioned the Challenge and Response Record and fought over their pride, the scholars and students from the visiting research institute wore strange expressions.

“Pfft! The Challenge and Response Record…”

Upon hearing these remarks from the scholars and students, the artisans of Districts 51 and 52 became crestfallen.

“…Shibal…” [A Korean profanity, similar to “damn.”]

“Ssi-pal…” [A stronger, more vulgar Korean profanity.]

In the end, all that remained was Jang Yeong-sil.

-It was Master Jang Yeong-sil who started District 51!

-Master Jang Yeong-sil also opened District 52! And that’s not all! The place where the master is buried is also here!

Both Districts 51 and 52 put forward Jang Yeong-sil as their symbol. And everything started all over again from the beginning. However, there were also cases where Districts 51 and 52 joined forces. One was when securing the budget, and the other was a more fundamental issue.

“Why are there only Districts 51 and 52? Where are the other 50?”

“Why, exactly?”

* * *

The competition between Bonji and Shinji was not limited to Districts 51 and 52. Other research institutes, excluding the Institute of Theoretical Studies, also had branches in Bonji, and over time, a battle of pride developed among these institutes, just like in Districts 51 and 52. It was a competition over academic achievements and a fight to secure the budget.

As a result, it was a natural chain reaction to use personal and academic connections to lure scholars from Europe and the Middle East in order to secure more outstanding talent, and to focus on education.

* * *

While the artisans of Districts 51 and 52 were fiercely competing, Hyang looked for Wan with a serious expression.

“You don’t look good.”

“A problem has arisen.”

“What is the problem? Is it serious?”

“It is serious. A very serious problem.”

At Hyang’s words, Wan’s face also became serious.

“What is it? Please tell me.”

“There was something I had completely forgotten.”

“What is it?”

“The contest.”

“Ah!”

At Hyang’s words, Wan’s face became more serious than ever. Under Hyang’s leadership, a contest was held on the theme of ‘new concept power engine’. There was no deadline, and if selected as the winner, they would receive a huge prize.

And the Empire announced this contest to the world. From then on, not only the Ming [Chinese dynasty] and Japan, but also prominent figures from Europe and the Middle East devoted themselves to the contest. It was a good opportunity to gain both fame and fortune at the same time.

“This doesn’t seem to be a problem that can be resolved just among ourselves.”

“I agree.”

* * *

In the end, Hyang and Wan informed Woo of this, and a meeting was held to resolve it.

“It is true that I had forgotten about the contest. However, according to the regulations, shouldn’t the prize money be divided equally among all those who participated in the development of this power engine?”

At the Prime Minister’s point, Hyang stepped forward to explain what the problem was.

“That is the principle, but the problem is that there are members of the Imperial Family among those who participated in the development.”

At Hyang’s words, everyone’s eyes turned to Wan.

“There will definitely be bad rumors. And the results of the efforts of many will not be fairly evaluated.”

Everyone nodded at Hyang’s words.

-The Grand Emperor Wan is the winner? This is definitely corruption!

-Several people worked together besides the Grand Emperor? Then, isn’t the Grand Emperor just adding his name and trying to take credit?

-It’s not a big deal, but is it being highly evaluated just because the Grand Emperor is involved?

-Etc….

It was easy to predict what kind of rumors would circulate among the people. The Deputy Prime Minister made a positive prediction at Hyang’s words.

“There is a possibility of that. However, there is no one among the people of the Empire who does not know what kind of character the Grand Grand Emperor and the Grand Emperor have. There will be no one who will utter words that create such discord.”

The ministers all nodded at the Deputy Prime Minister’s words. However, the words they muttered inwardly were all different.

‘The two of them don’t have good personalities, but they have always been fair in everything.’

‘The Grand Emperor only added his name? There is no imperial citizen who doesn’t know that he was scolded for neglecting his duties and only researching airships since he was the Crown Prince, right?”

‘Was it just the Grand Emperor? What about the Grand Grand Emperor? But corruption? Even a passing dog would laugh!’

“All the people of the Empire will not harbor such rebellious thoughts. Please put your mind at ease.”

“That is so.”

“Our people can certainly do that, but what about the words that will come from other countries?”

“………”

At Hyang’s point, the ministers closed their mouths. After taking a moment to quench his thirst, Hyang continued.

“The only way to solve this is to make it public. Of course, this is also a rule that was announced along with the contest.”

“I remember.”

“Then there is no chance of misunderstanding from other countries, is there?”

“Here, another problem arises. Technologies related to electricity, which other countries do not yet know properly, will be revealed.”

At Hyang’s words, all the ministers realized why Hyang and Wan said it was a serious problem. Soon after, a debate broke out among the ministers. After a fierce debate, the ministers’ opinions were largely divided into two.

-It is a great pity to hand over the glory of the contest to others or other countries, but it is right to hide it for the greater national interest!

-No. As you can see from the current trend, no matter how much we hide it, they will eventually find out or make something similar! It is better to disclose it and secure intellectual property rights!

“If we think about the national interest, shouldn’t we hide it as much as possible until we can?”

“Don’t just think about immediate gains! If you look at the more distant future, disclosure is the best!”

In the face of the tense confrontation between the two sides, Woo finally made a decision.

“Hmm… I will ask the Grand Grand Emperor. Do other countries know nothing about electricity?”

“That is not so.”

“If our Empire discloses it, is there a high possibility that other countries will immediately catch up and overtake us?”

“Not high.”

“Finally, is the engine you are disclosing the improved product you are currently researching?”

“No. It is the first one we made and disclosed.”

“Hmm….”

After listening to Hyang’s explanation, Woo fell into deep thought. After much deliberation, Woo finally came to a conclusion.

“I will make it public. The reason is….”

-Whatever the case, it is the rule to disclose the winning entry of the contest. Therefore, we must follow the rules.

-The engine being disclosed is the first one that was introduced. We are now researching to have even better performance, and results are coming out one by one, so there is no problem.

-The same goes for electrical technology. If they try to catch up, we just have to go further ahead.

-Finally, what was the biggest reason for holding the contest? Isn’t it to get more creative ideas? Then it is right to disclose it.

-The prototype that is now being disclosed has many shortcomings. As I said before, that’s why improvement and modification are still ongoing. Other countries will also immediately recognize the shortcomings when they see the prototype and will try to improve it. In the process, there is a high possibility that they will find something that we missed or did not see.

“…This is definitely not a loss for us. Therefore, I will make it public.”

Hyang, Wan, and the ministers all agreed with Woo’s decision. A few days later, a gazette [official newspaper] containing information related to the contest was distributed throughout the Empire. And with a time difference, the facts were also known to Ming and Japan, and the facts were also known to Europe and the Middle East.

The reactions people showed were as expected.

“Why is the Grand Emperor here? Maybe?”

“Could it be?”

There were several people whispering about Wan, but a rebuttal immediately followed.

“Hey, you! Don’t say such things carelessly! Who are the Grand Grand Emperor and the Grand Emperor! Weren’t they the perfect people for the word ‘fairness’! But they did such a foolish thing? Hey!”

Those who had often seen Hyang and Wan’s governance during the Emperor’s reign immediately refuted as soon as they heard such whispers. In other countries, including Ming and Japan, the whispering voices were even louder, but the results were similar. Hyang and Wan, especially Hyang, were known as the ‘Sage King’.

“There is no way that someone named a sage would do such a thing.”

“His son was also evaluated as excellent, right? Then, there is a high possibility that it is a false rumor.”

The leaders and scholars of other countries, who dismissed the rumors surrounding the results of the contest, showed interest in the results.

“I wonder what that new power engine looks like?”

As if knowing their minds, the Imperial Court announced a traveling exhibition.

* * *

“Here is the price tag. If you need it, you can also purchase a replica of that power engine.”

“Wow… I’ll go get my wallet.”

“It will be sold out if you are late!”

“I’ll be back as soon as possible!”

The Empire, which printed out replicas of the prototype, sent them to Ming, Japan, Europe, and the Middle East to hold exhibitions. Every time an exhibition was held in each region, it was crowded with people.

“Woah~.”

“Wow~.”

And, watching the new power engine operate, people exclaimed. For most people, the new power engine was just a strange object, but those who were directly or indirectly related to technology had serious expressions.

“The Empire is one step ahead again.”

“The Empire certainly has something more advanced than that. Or, they are developing it.”

“We can’t just sit still.”

Those who made the decision looked for the Imperials at the exhibition hall.

“Excuse me, can I get the blueprint for that power engine?”

“How much are you thinking?”

“Huh?”