Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1054

1054. Aftermath (3)

The ministers, including Hyun, wore troubled expressions. Prime Minister Han Chi-hyung convened the other ministers in the conference room to address the issue.

“To think that France and the Holy Roman Empire are also pursuing this as a national project… the stakes have become higher than expected.”

The deputy prime ministers and ministers all nodded in agreement with Prime Minister Han Chi-hyung’s statement.

“Then, shouldn’t we also designate it as a national project and actively support it?”

At Deputy Prime Minister Sung-joon’s suggestion, Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Soon pointed out the potential problem.

“Support is already being provided to those who have applied to the contest.”

“I mean, let’s be more proactive in our support.”

“What about the issue of fairness? Have you forgotten that His Majesty has already raised this concern?”

As soon as Ryu Soon finished speaking, the Minister of Justice added, “As soon as the support measures were announced, disrespectful individuals began trying to exploit them unfairly. And you’re suggesting designating it as a national project? All those who seek to profit from national affairs will flock to it.”

“Then, shouldn’t we just catch them in time? Wait, isn’t this a good plan that kills two birds with one stone?”

At Deputy Prime Minister Sung-joon’s self-answering question, everyone in the room simultaneously had the same thought.

‘Does he think he’s the Emperor or something? Thinking about killing two birds with one stone!’

* * *

The characteristic of the emperors, starting with Hyang and continuing with his successors, was ‘to aim for maximum effect with minimum expenditure.’ Of course, this was also the standard for establishing the empire’s policies. However, there was a difference between the emperor and the ministers. If the emperor devised a plan to obtain at least two positive results from one policy, or to multiply the results by linking two or three policies, the ministers planned and operated with the aim of ‘one result from one policy, maximum effect with minimum expenditure.’

The reason for this difference was not only the exceptional qualities of Emperors Hyang, Wan, and Hyun, but also their effective utilization of the advantage of seeing the overall big picture from the top. On the other hand, the ministers were limited by their deep focus on the departments they oversaw. Therefore, the qualities of the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers became crucial, as they were positioned to see the big picture and coordinate directly under the Emperor.

* * *

Sung-joon, who was being glared at by the ministers who had suddenly turned fierce, immediately backpedaled.

“Haha. I was just joking. If you’re too serious, you lose perspective. But…”

Sung-joon paused for a moment and continued with a serious expression, “Do not forget that if our empire falls behind in this competition, it could be seen as a national disgrace.”

“That’s the problem. Haa~.”

Ryu Soon, agreeing with Sung-joon’s words, sighed and looked at the ceiling. This was the problem that the Prime Minister and ministers were currently agonizing over. The empire had been ahead of other countries in all fields until now. But, what if the winner of this contest comes from another country? The pride of the empire’s people would be severely wounded.

And the injured imperial citizens would surely criticize the court’s ministers as incompetent.

-When the former ministers and prime ministers were in office, the empire was always at the forefront! But what is this disgrace! This is because the current prime minister and ministers are incompetent! It was clear that petitions full of such content would flood in. No, it would have been better if only the subjects were criticized. If things went wrong, words criticizing the emperor could emerge.

No, it was highly likely. The emperor was about to be replaced soon. The fact that the deadline was not set when the contest was announced meant that it was a difficult problem that would be hard to produce results within 1-2 years. Therefore, the result of the contest was certain to come out during the reign of the next emperor.

In addition, Woo’s weakness was a problem.

* * *

Regardless of whether they were imperial citizens or foreigners, everyone acknowledged Hyang’s excellence.

-A genius that cannot be seen again.

-The greatest sage in the world.

And Wan and Hyun were directly taught by Hyang and could also receive direct or indirect advice if necessary. However, Woo was not. Hyang, who became the Supreme Emperor, stayed in Suganggung Palace [a palace for retired emperors] and gave teachings, but that time was too short compared to Wan and Hyun. Also, considering Hyang’s age, it was almost impossible for Woo, who became emperor, to get advice from Hyang.

In conclusion, Woo had the faintest connection to Hyang among Wan, Hyun, and Woo. This was a source of anxiety for the imperial citizens who had experienced everything from Sejong to Hyun. This was Woo’s greatest weakness. If Woo, upon ascending the throne, made a mistake or the national affairs became difficult, the imperial citizens would criticize him even more severely.

“It’s because he didn’t learn properly!”

“The previous emperors were all outstanding, but why is he like that…”

“Tsk tsk tsk… It’s over, it’s over!”

If criticisms like this piled up, the emperor’s authority would be undermined, and in the worst case, the empire could be shaken.

* * *

Sung-joon used the words ‘national disgrace’ to highlight this worst-case scenario. And the Prime Minister and other ministers realized this and sighed.

“Even now, more support is being provided to the research institute and Areas 51 and 52 compared to other departments. Thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince’s best efforts, there have been no complaints so far, but if more support continues from here, there will definitely be complaints. However, if we just stand by and another country becomes the winner, that would be an even bigger problem…”

Han Chi-hyung, who was trying to sort out the situation, couldn’t continue speaking and trailed off. In the end, the meeting, which went in circles, produced a kind of stopgap measure.

-Allocate ‘a little’ more budget to support those who are challenging the contest.

-Find and severely punish those who unfairly receive this support. For this, the Ministry of Finance and Economy will conduct regular audits.

Hyun, who received the policy prepared in this way, sighed.

“Hoo~. I understand your worries, so I approve it. However, be sure to find and severely punish those who tarnish the favor bestowed by the country.”

“We obey your command.”

And the officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, who received the official document, slammed their desks and burst into anger.

“I knew it! Our work has only increased!”

Although they were angry, the officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economy faithfully performed their duties.

-It is a national disgrace if another country wins first place in this contest!

This was something they strongly agreed with.

* * *

In order to check whether the support received from the country was being used properly, the assigned officials periodically visited the challengers’ studios.

“It’s a relief that the research institute and Areas 51 and 52 have dedicated departments. If we had to go there, we would have been overwhelmed with work.”

“Whether it’s luck or misfortune…”

While grumbling like that, the officials visited the challengers in their assigned areas and conducted audits. As a result, interesting things sometimes happened.

“Hey, how is it going? Have you gotten any good results?”

Jang Tae-soo, a Ministry of Finance and Economy official who came out for an audit, asked his assigned person, not as a greeting. The challenger scratched his head at Jang Tae-soo’s question and answered with a troubled expression.

“Well… it seems like it’s going to work, but I keep failing. The design seems to be correct…”

“Really? Let me see the design. As the saying goes, ‘Even a dog at a village school can recite poetry after three years’ [meaning even someone with little knowledge can learn something over time], who knows?”

“Hey… no way…”

“Give it to me.”

So, Tae-soo received the design and carefully examined it, pointing out the problem.

“The sum of the numbers written here, here, and here seems to be wrong?”

“Yes? Just a moment.”

The challenger shook his head while counting the numbers in his head.

“No, it’s right…”

“Look.”

Tae-soo wrote the numbers on one side of the design and showed the answer that came out of the formula.

“Look. It’s wrong, right?”

“That’s… still…”

“Even so, I’m a Ministry of Finance and Economy official. Ministry of Finance and Economy~. The Ministry of Finance and Economy that starts with numbers and ends with numbers.”

“Still…”

In response, Tae-soo took out a calculator, entered the numbers, and shouted, showing the results.

“Did you see that? Get a calculator or a calculating tool instead of that great mental arithmetic! No! Come to me if you have to calculate numbers! That would be easier! To think that you’re challenging a contest with such a huge prize while counting on your fingers and doing mental arithmetic! Oh my gosh! My stomach is bursting! That’s why my work doesn’t decrease!”

And as time passed, Jang Tae-soo and the challenger in question began to work together on the contest. He didn’t give up his official position, but after work, he would go to the challenger’s lab to help calculate the numbers or help organize and analyze the results. However, before long, Jang Tae-soo was going to the challenger’s studio even on his days off.

And Jang Tae-soo’s wife sighed while looking at the sky.

“Suddenly a widow… Oh my fate~.”

* * *

Meanwhile, in Suganggung Palace, Hyang was looking at the reports with a troubled expression. Hyang, who was reviewing reports detailing the internal and external trends of the empire, sighed.

“Hoo~. Is this also my fault?”

The scale of the plan that Hyang had initially envisioned was smaller than this.

-It’s a huge prize, but this is enough to bring out all the hidden masters who have been buried in the countryside.

-If they come forward, the problem of the power engine, which has been in a stalemate, will be solved in a short time.

-However, things like 8-cylinder, 12-cylinder, or jet engines will not come out right away. But, only the basic principles and prototypes are needed.

-From then on, you can add a lot of MSG [a common Korean expression referring to embellishments or enhancements] under the pretext of improvement and modification.

The problem was that as soon as things started, foreign governments directly rolled up their sleeves, which even Hyang did not expect. And Hyang, analyzing the cause of this, concluded it was ‘his fault.’

And that was true. The proclamation announcing the contest came out in the name of Hyun, the emperor, but people felt the presence of Hyang behind it.

-No one but the Supreme Emperor would offer such a huge prize! And if the Supreme Emperor is offering such a prize, it is worth several times that amount!

-The fact that it is listed in the Eungjeonrok [an official record of important events] means that the empire has not yet found the answer! If we find the answer first, it will be proof that we have caught up with the empire! This is an honor that will remain in history!

As this chain reaction occurred, things got bigger.

Hyang, who closed the report, shook his head.

“National glory, national disgrace… Why are you so serious? You can be ahead or behind, but why don’t you understand that the problem is what comes next…”

-What is important is not the first discovery or invention, but how to use it effectively.

For Hyang, who held this view, these reactions were excessive.