Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1039

1039. That Thrilling Name… Electricity. (7)

Through a combination of needs, coincidences, and luck, the talent shortage in various fields requiring highly educated individuals, such as the research institute, was largely resolved. However, as with light, there was also shadow, and problems arose.

In fundamental areas like advanced industrial-academic collaboration, as well as in fields requiring mathematical expressions like statistics, a massive influx of Greek—ancient Greek—and arithmetic symbols known only to the original creators of the formulas began to appear.

This happened because scholars are also human, and many scholars are mystics. Scholars from Europe and the Middle East working in the research institute and various other institutions shared a similar sentiment:

-The Greeks were the first to rationally explore the principles of all things!

-The sages of ancient Greece deserve respect!

Because of this sentiment, they used ‘ancient’ Greek alphabets to express many variables in formulas. This was especially true of scholars from Europe who were former monks. This stemmed from the enduring tradition within conservative circles of preserving and transmitting classical knowledge, a practice notably upheld by the Vatican.

Most scholars from Europe and the Middle East were also mystics, which compounded the problem. Among them, there were some ‘pure’ scholars, but many, especially in the fields of chemistry and physics, were overwhelmingly alchemists. And most alchemists were mystics.

Finding ways to turn lead into gold, or creating the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ or ‘Elixir’ [legendary substances sought by alchemists], were mostly unthinkable without mysticism. The large-scale influx of Jewish scholars only exacerbated the situation. Many of the newly arrived Jewish scholars were ‘Kabbalists’ [adherents of Jewish mysticism] who believed in and studied Jewish mysticism.

In Europe and the Middle East, mystics were often persecuted. Therefore, they used symbols or words that only they knew, and these habits created problems. The pride of the scholars also played a part.

-Would you ignorant people understand these formulas created with my outstanding knowledge and wisdom?

-Only I and my disciples need to understand this formula!

Therefore, every time scholars presented new formulas, the footnotes explaining the meaning of the various symbols in these formulas became longer and longer.

-I am at least kind enough to provide explanations. Praise my excellence!

Over time, this problem became more serious. Eventually, even when the same person created different formulas, the same symbol could mean different things. The elder scholars sought help from Hyun.

“Isn’t this something you should handle?”

At Hyun’s question, the elder scholars bowed their heads and replied.

“Everyone’s pride is sky-high, so it’s not easy. They will see it as nitpicking, a sign of our own inferiority.”

“They already see it that way.”

From the elder scholars’ answers, Hyun could understand why they had come to him.

‘Suppress pride with greater authority, is that it?’

“I understand. I will think about an answer.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless.”

After sending the elder scholars out, Hyun sighed deeply.

“Haa~. I said that, but……”

Based on Hyun’s experience since his days as Crown Prince, this was not something that could be easily resolved even if he stepped in. Pride, especially the pride of those who had reached the pinnacle in a field, was unparalleled. Of course, there were those who were humble despite their high level, but their number was very small.

‘There’s a reason why such people are respected by everyone.’

Therefore, if he forcibly used the Emperor’s authority, it would certainly cause even greater backlash.

“The answer is to suppress them with skill… Even to me, who is supposedly quite accomplished, white is paper and black is writing, so I can’t find an answer.”

While rummaging through various papers from the research institute, Hyun’s eyes lit up.

“Huh?”

Even those who created formulas as they pleased were using the symbols for the four basic arithmetic operations exactly as Hyang had created them.

Hyun stroked his chin and muttered.

“Wait… If it’s the Supreme Emperor……”

No matter how high the scholars’ pride was, they bowed their heads before Hyang, even prostrating themselves on the floor. No one could boast in front of Hyang’s knowledge or past achievements. Hyun stood up and ordered the eunuch.

“I will go to Sugang Palace. Inform the Supreme Emperor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

After hearing the story from Hyun and learning more details through various channels, Hyang burst into laughter.

“Hmph, everything is from Greece… It’s not like the ‘All Things Originate in China’ theory. The Egyptians would be angry if they heard that.”

In the 21st century, Chinese people addicted to excessive Sino-centrism made such claims and became a laughingstock. After briefly recalling memories of his past life, Hyang quickly regained his senses and sighed as he examined the papers submitted by the scholars.

“Hoo~. Even if it’s mysticism, writing papers like this… Is this a paper or a collection of poems? They wrote it like this, so all sorts of conspiracy theories about Freemasons and Illuminati [secret societies] emerged.”

Eventually, Hyang summoned all the scholars to Sugang Palace. Large tents were set up in the wide courtyard in front of Sugang Palace’s Myeongjeong Hall, and the invited scholars sat in chairs, waiting for Hyang. After a while, Hyang appeared and addressed the scholars.

“The reason I have called you here today is because I have something to tell you. First of all, looking at the results you have submitted so far, I cannot hide my satisfaction at seeing the efforts you have put in. Thanks to your efforts, people have come to know many principles that they did not know before. This is all thanks to you.”

At Hyang’s praise, all the scholars gathered there bowed their heads.

“You are too kind!”

“It is truly an honor to hear you say that, Supreme Emperor!”

Being praised by Hyang, who was considered the greatest intellectual of the time, was truly an honor. In a warm atmosphere, Hyang got to the point.

“However, I am even more worried. As you have already heard, your papers and formulas are a problem. It is not uncommon for Eul [third rank] or Byeong [fourth rank] to not understand the formulas and papers written by Gap [first rank]. This must be resolved.”

After pointing out the problem, Hyang’s words began to sharpen.

“Are you writing papers now, or are you writing poetry? A paper is not self-praise! A paper is about having others evaluate what you have pondered and thought about! Until others judge it to be correct, or deem it worthy of verification, and everyone gets the same result through that process and it is recognized, everything you have put out is just a hypothesis! But what are you going to do if you submit a paper using your own expressions, symbols, and signs that others cannot understand? Do you want your theory to be recognized as correct, or are you just writing papers as a playful game to show off!”

The scholars’ expressions stiffened at Hyang’s scathing remarks. However, Hyang’s rebuke did not stop.

“What is the duty of a scholar? It is to reveal the principles of all things in the world! Then why must we reveal these principles? It is to teach the people who do not know these principles so that they do not fall into wicked ways! But if you reveal the principles with words and symbols that only you know, how will the people know the principles and avoid wicked ways? The behavior you are showing now is neglecting your duty! The place you are working now is a place to ponder the principles for the people, not a place for your games! Those who are only for their own satisfaction should leave the place where they are working immediately!”

After pausing for a moment and quenching his thirst, Hyang continued.

“Were the words of the ancient sages, the words of Jesus, your religious leader, and Muhammad, who preached the truth, as complicated and difficult as the papers you have written? Surely, you do not believe that you are more excellent than the religious leaders of your religions! Answer me!”

“N, no!”

“Since ancient times, it has been said that ‘truth is concise,’ and those who know the truth well have conveyed the truth in easy words. Are you revealing the truth now? Or are you burying it in a darker place!”

Hyang’s rebuke and advice continued thereafter. Eventually, the scholars gathered at Sugang Palace that day agreed to integrate the various symbols and terms used in the papers.

* * *

Following Hyang’s mediation, a new committee was created in the research institute.

-Committee for Promoting the Integration and Standardization of Academic Terms.

The mission of the committee with the long name was to standardize and unify the various industrial-academic symbols and terms that had been inconsistent. As the signboard was officially hung and personnel were selected, the committee began its work in earnest.

No, it went to war. Even scholars who had published a single paper with their own formulas stepped forward, insisting that their formulas should become the standard. Debates and verbal battles were basic, and sometimes even gang fights involving disciples broke out, and political maneuvering and collusion were constantly taking place.

Eventually, the committee members and elder scholars, exhausted by this, ran back to Hyun, and Hyun passed it on to Hyang.

“Hey, Emperor. I am too old to do such an important task.”

“Only the Supreme Emperor can do it.”

“Heo….”

“Grandfather, please help me! It’s an imperial order!”

“Eing! Fine, I’ll do it!”

In the end, Hyang had to step in again. Hyang’s method of solving the problem was as follows:

-First, determine the symbols to represent the variables. This is based on the ancient Greek alphabet.

-Next, collect symbols with the same or similar meanings. Then, the creators of the symbols explain why they created these symbols in front of all the scholars.

-After that, select the most suitable symbol through a vote by the scholars.

-Repeat the above two procedures for other symbols. Thereafter, if a new symbol is created, repeat the above two procedures in the same way.

-Repeat the above two procedures for terms as well.

In this way, the problem of terms and symbols began to be resolved quickly. The interesting thing was that the committee was also proceeding with the work in a similar procedure. However, the reason for the success and failure was Hyang and the vote.

The difference between Hyang, an overwhelmingly high existence, and the choice of all scholars was what distinguished success from failure. As the work was nearing completion, the results were reported to Hyun and Hyang.

“I see familiar things that gave me a headache when I was in school?”

Hyang didn’t know it, but this was a huge butterfly effect. Through this reorganization, the trial and error that had lasted for nearly 100 years, or even 300 years in the long run, was reduced in an instant. However, Hyang also expected something. Looking at the papers that kept coming up to him, Hyang had an interesting expression.

“Well, it’s something I started, but there are many technologies and knowledge that are not yet available at this time. If this continues, will Newton later announce the ‘Theory of Relativity’ and Einstein announce ‘Warp Navigation’?”

With a curious face, Hyang spread his imagination and unfolded a booklet hidden on one side and picked up a golden pen.

“Theory of Relativity and Warp… Should I write it down in Japsangrok [miscellaneous records]?”