Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1034

1034. That Thrilling Name… Electricity. (2)

There was another round of discussion about changing the name, but Hyeon firmly shut it down.

“The person who first named it agreed it was appropriate, and I also think the reasons are valid, so I permitted it. What’s the problem?”

Hyeon’s firm response ended the name issue. Afterward, Hyeon, along with the ministers and the prominent figures of Chang’an, became curious about the characteristics of this ‘new energy’ called electricity. Summarizing the papers published by the research institute, the characteristics of electricity were as follows:

– The energy of electricity is similar to the energy of a magnet, but it is also different.

– If this electricity is harnessed effectively, even a piece of iron that is not a magnet can take on the properties of a magnet.

– Lightning from the sky is also electricity.

– Some materials conduct this electricity, while others do not.

The imperial citizens, reading the papers displayed on the government office’s wall, beyond the bulletin board, sighed deeply.

“What are they talking about…”

“The white stuff is paper, and the black stuff is writing…”

Meanwhile, those with even a slight interest or knowledge in the subject pondered.

“Similar to the energy of a magnet but different… What kind of nonsense is this…”

“Wait… If you use electricity well, even a piece of iron can become a magnet? This sounds like something useful. I smell profit here…”

As developments related to electricity were recorded in the Book of Countermeasures [a record of important policies and innovations], many rewards were given to the researchers involved. However, what truly boosted the morale of the scholars and researchers was the recognition of their work through its inclusion in the Book of Countermeasures.

“All you guys who used to call us ‘rice weevils who only eat up the budget,’ come out! Especially the science and engineering departments!”

“Thinking about the past hardships we’ve endured, ugh!”

The scholars and researchers of the electricity department, having finally vented the frustrations and resentments accumulated during their initial slow progress, renewed their dedication and began to devote themselves to research once more.

“We need more budget!”

The finance officer sighed at the confident request from the electricity department.

“…Hoo~. How much more do you need?”

“We need a lot!”

“Please prepare the documents properly and submit them. We will review and adjust accordingly.”

“Yes!”

The officer sighed deeply, watching Gilbert’s back as he confidently demanded a budget increase and returned.

“Hoo~. Damn it…”

The electricity department, having secured additional budget, began to expand its personnel in earnest. The most prominent example was the head of the department, David Gilbert. After reading the letter he sent, his entire family relocated to Seoul. All of his sons possessed deep knowledge of chemistry and physics, and like their father, they had some understanding of electricity.

As the electricity department regained momentum by securing personnel and budget, Hyang added fuel to the fire.

* * *

“Hmm, yes… I have read the papers you have submitted thoroughly. I became curious and came to visit. Is that alright?”

“It is an honor.”

Gilbert sincerely welcomed Hyang’s visit. Among the workers of the research institute and Area 51 [a restricted research area], Hyang’s visit was a highly significant event. Regardless of East or West, or even in Myeong [a historical dynasty of Korea], Hyang was a symbol of knowledge. And that was regardless of the field. Discussing with Hyang was a great honor and recognition for the person involved. It signified that the foremost intellectual of the time recognized him and the field of study he was exploring, or the technology he was developing.

As Hyang took a seat in the electricity department’s lecture room, it quickly filled with scholars and researchers from the electricity department, scholars and researchers from other departments, and even managers from the research institute. After a brief commotion, Hyang began slowly.

“I have read the papers you have submitted carefully. Seeing that you have established as a theory what you had only speculated until now, I can sense the immense effort you have invested. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again.”

At Hyang’s praise, the scholars and researchers of the electricity department stood up and bowed their heads in unison.

“It is an honor!”

Having created a positive atmosphere, Hyang moved on to the main point.

“Among the contents of the papers you have submitted, you mentioned, ‘If you use electricity effectively, you can make ordinary iron lumps behave like magnets.’ I would like to see that demonstrated. Is that possible?”

“We will prepare it right away!”

Under Gilbert’s direction, a large number of glass bottles were soon arranged on a large desk, connected by wires. Seeing this, Hyang muttered to himself.

‘It’s similar to the Voltaic pile I saw on the internet?’

“Are you generating electricity with those bottles?”

“Yes, we referred to ancient texts obtained from Byzantium [the Eastern Roman Empire].”

Hyang nodded at Gilbert’s answer.

‘It seems that the large-scale loss of historical records was a shared experience for both us and the West.’

After witnessing the creation of an electromagnet through the subsequent experiment, Hyang stood up.

“It was a truly impressive experiment.”

“It is an honor.”

“I had a thought while watching the experiment.”

Moving to the desk where the experimental device was placed, Hyang grabbed the connection point of the wire and repeatedly attached and detached it. Each time, the electromagnet and the iron piece repeatedly stuck and fell off.

“Do you know what this suggests?”

“Well… that’s, well…”

Seeing the perplexed expressions of Gilbert and the others who did not understand, Hyang repeated the action again. While scholars and researchers were pondering the meaning of Hyang’s repeated actions, a guard officer who had entered to protect Hyang spoke up.

“Perhaps… is it a flashing signal?”

“That’s right!”

Hyang looked at the scholars and researchers in the lecture room and continued.

“Flashing signals are fast and useful, but they have a limitation. You may not be able to properly recognize flashing signals due to various reasons, such as on foggy days, but if you can use electricity, you can overcome most of these problems, right?”

“Ah!”

“Then, what will you research? Whether communication is possible even if the electrical wire becomes very long, right?”

“That’s right!”

“And one more thing.”

Hyang raised his hand and pointed to the battery bottles.

“Find another way to generate electricity besides using those bottles. I believe that electricity, if harnessed effectively, will be very beneficial to the people. But if you have to rely on those jars, it would be too inconvenient, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s true, but…”

“I will recommend its registration in the Book of Challenges. The grade could be ‘Even mountains can be moved with persistent effort, haha,’ or ‘Even a needle can be made from an iron bar with constant grinding, sangsangsang’ [Korean onomatopoeia for the sound of grinding] would be good.”

Gilbert carefully expressed his dissatisfaction with Hyang’s words.

“Your Majesty… I think the grade is too low. It is absolutely not easy to find other methods besides that.”

Gilbert’s fellow scholars and researchers nodded in agreement. They had experienced tremendous trial and error while creating those battery bottles. However, Hyang questioned Gilbert’s statement.

“Huh? Why? Isn’t there a good method right here?”

“Yes?”

Hyang pointed to the electromagnet device.

“Electricity and magnetism are similar but different. But if you created magnetism using electricity, wouldn’t you be able to create electricity using magnetism?”

“Ah!”

At that moment, the exclamations uttered by the scholars and researchers shook the entire lecture room.

“Don’t just focus on one aspect of any phenomenon and result, but make it a habit to consider the opposite case as well. Then, the barrier may be easily overcome.”

“We will keep that in mind, and keep that in mind!”

However, the task that Hyang presented did not end there.

“And, you mentioned that lightning in the sky is also electricity, right? But there are no iron wires in the sky, right? That means there is a way to conduct electricity even without such iron wires, right? And if you discover that method, you can transmit flashing communication even without that iron wire, right?”

“Th, that’s right.”

“Think about it. Because mountains block the way, because rivers block the way, people cannot easily communicate news to each other. Is it just the people? There are numerous instances where the country misses opportunities because it receives news late in governing the country, but what if you could deliver the news directly beyond mountains, rivers, and even the sea?”

“Ah! Ah! Ah!”

The more Hyang spoke, the more Gilbert and the others exclaimed. Hyang, observing the scholars and researchers in a state of excitement, concluded.

“I will register this aspect in the Book of Challenges as well. But since it is certain that it will not be easy, I will set the grade to ‘Even mountains can be moved with persistent effort, sangsangjung’ [Korean onomatopoeia for the sound of persistent effort]. Do your best.”

“We will do our best.”

“I trust you. It is certain that the lives of the people of the empire, as well as the people of other countries, will become more convenient through this.”

“We will keep that in mind!”

The scholars and researchers answered in a loud voice. As Hyang, who had turned the electricity department upside down, was preparing to return, Gilbert approached and bowed his head.

“I couldn’t find a direction to pursue after finishing the paper, but the Supreme Emperor showed me the way. I will never forget this grace until I die.”

“You flatter me. I simply shared my thoughts as they came to mind. Of course, I will do my best to advocate for the registration and grade issues in the Book of Challenges.”

“We will also do our best.”

* * *

The events that Hyang had held in the electricity department’s lecture room were immediately conveyed to Hyeon and the officials. Hyeon, having heard about the tasks that Hyang had presented, asked the ministers.

“What do you think? I believe that if the tasks that the Supreme Emperor has set can actually be implemented, it will be of great benefit to both state affairs and the people’s livelihood.”

At Hyeon’s words, Han Myeong-hoe bowed his head and replied.

“That is indeed true. From past experience, the flashing communication network has been very useful. But if we can overcome its limitations, it will be several times more valuable than it is now.”

“That’s right. And seeing Taehanghwang [another title for Hyang], who not only understands the principles that he didn’t know but also considers how to use them to improve the lives of the people, I realize I still have much to learn. I must always strive for improvement.”

Han Myeong-hoe hurriedly bowed his head at Hyeon’s determination.

“Even now, everyone knows that Your Majesty deeply cares for the people. I am concerned that you may overwork yourself and harm your health.”

‘Don’t overdo it! Don’t hold back! Don’t increase the workload! Don’t make me worry about the budget!’

* * *

While the electricity department was busy working to solve the tasks that Hyang had presented, the Imperial Army approached the electricity department.

“We’ll assist you with the budget and provide additional personnel, so how about we collaborate?”

“Why?”

The scholars of the electricity department, who had initially expressed their doubts, soon nodded. The Imperial Army was the organization that utilized the flashing communication network most effectively and understood its limitations best. If they were to solve the tasks that Hyang had set, the Imperial Army would be a valuable asset. For the electricity department, the Imperial Army’s proposal was beneficial, so they immediately accepted it.

And behind the scenes, Hyang wore a satisfied smile.

“Now… roll, grind. Let’s get to the light bulb quickly.”

At that moment, everyone who was dedicated to research in the electricity department simultaneously shuddered.

“Why do I suddenly have chills…”