Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1055

1055. Aftermath (4)

However, Hyang overlooked something. The Republic of Korea in the 20th century was also quite obsessed with acquiring the title of ‘first.’ No, until the 20th century, it was a global trend. It was only in the 21st century that this national obsession became so diluted that it was hardly felt. And some scholars cited ‘the end of the Cold War’ as the reason for this change.

However, even in the 21st century, there were those who were obsessed with being ‘first.’ It was the industrial sector. To beat out competitors and preempt new markets, the industrial sector was fanatically obsessed with the title of ‘first.’

This was because there were those who almost monopolized the market after obtaining the titles of ‘the first smartphone’ and ‘the first popular electric car.’

* * *

Meanwhile, Jang Tae-soo’s unusual behavior was reported even to Hyun.

“At first glance, it might be something to just laugh off, but why has it come up to me?”

Han Chi-hyung stepped forward to answer Hyun’s question.

“It is because the one receiving support and the one monitoring whether that support is being used properly are too close.”

“‘Do not adjust your shoes in a melon field, do not adjust your hat under a plum tree’ [meaning avoid even the appearance of impropriety]?”

“That is correct.”

“That Jang Tae-soo, does he not know that? Has he forgotten where a corrupt official ends up?”

“Of course not. The Board of Audit and Inspection went to investigate, and the person in charge had already been replaced. Upon further investigation, Jang Tae-soo voluntarily applied for a department transfer, and it was granted.”

“I see.”

Hyun nodded at Han Chi-hyung’s answer and muttered inwardly.

‘The Record Office is indeed terrifying.’

The Record Office, nicknamed ‘The Literal Hell in this Era,’ was a source of fear for officials.

“According to the Prime Minister, it doesn’t seem like a big problem, but as I said before, why has this report come up to me?”

“It is because we must not set a bad precedent. This time it ended well, but it could be misused as a way to cover up poor results or commit corruption. The perception that ‘The Emperor knows everything,’ and ‘All the work done by officials is reported to the Emperor’ must be firmly established to deter corruption as much as possible.”

“That makes sense. Issue a warning to that Jang Tae-soo in my name. And warn all officials once again. Unless a war or rebellion breaks out, ‘report after acting [reporting after the fact]’ is strictly prohibited.”

“I obey your command.”

It seemed that Jang Tae-soo’s case was being dealt with, but Hyun asked another question.

‘

“By the way, if that Jang Tae-soo intervened like that, does that mean the power device the person in charge was researching was decent?”

“According to the record of Jang Tae-soo’s explanation, the reason for intervening is quite strange.”

“Strange?”

Hyun made a dumbfounded expression after hearing the details from Han Chi-hyung.

“No, for devices with complex structures like power devices, accurate figures are essential, but he got the calculations wrong? Can he even be called someone who researches devices?”

“According to Jang Tae-soo, ‘The idea seemed plausible, and the more I delved into it, the more promising it seemed, but it seemed like the incorrect calculation would ruin what could have been a breakthrough. That’s why I got involved.'”

“To summarize, the idea is excellent, but the execution is the problem?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm…”

Hyun pondered at Han Chi-hyung’s answer. Tapping the armrest with his finger, Hyun muttered inwardly.

‘Suddenly, someone comes to mind?’

The ministers who saw Hyun’s expression also muttered similar words inwardly.

‘It seems like His Majesty is also thinking of someone.’

Meanwhile, the artisans in Area 51 who heard the rumors about Jang Tae-soo said openly.

“He’s just like the Grand Emperor.”

“He’s just like the Grand Emperor.”

It was Hyang who would bring papers with ideas they had never thought of or drawn, throw them to the artisans, and say this.

“Try drawing up a proper blueprint and completing it.”

“…Is that even possible?”

“Maybe? No, if it’s you guys, it’ll be possible.”

No artisans would back down when the Grand Emperor Hyang said this.

‘The Grand Emperor believes in us like this!’

‘No artisans have ever backed down saying they couldn’t do it! I can’t be the first!’

“…We will do our best.”

With this answer, a tearful challenge began. Meanwhile, Hyang, who heard the rumors at Sugang Palace, muttered with an embarrassed expression.

“Why do my ears itch so much…”

* * *

Contrary to the initial expectation that ‘it will take at least 5 years for results to start appearing,’ results came out a little over a year later. However, as soon as Hyang and Woo, who were in charge of the screening, saw the problematic results, they summoned the submitter and sternly ordered.

‘Go to Jang Yeong-sil’s grave right now and apologize!’

What the submitter had created and submitted was a clockwork-powered engine. The problem was that Jang Yeong-sil had already created a real one using a clockwork-powered device, and the Gihakdang [Hall of Mechanics] and Gonghakwon [Engineering Institute] even had replicas.

“I didn’t know! I have never even set foot in the Gihakdang and Gonghakwon!”

The submitter pleaded his innocence, but Hyang pushed him even harder.

“Are you saying it’s a coincidence?”

“Y-Yes, that’s right!”

“You scoundrel! What do you take me for! Do you think I’m blind! Yes, the idea of using clockwork may be a coincidence! But if you look at the blueprint you submitted and the blueprint drawn by Jang Yeong-sil, 80% of them are the same! In particular, the device that transmits the power generated by the clockwork to the desired location is exactly the same as if it were traced! How can this be a coincidence! I was going to give you the benefit of the doubt, but you’re a hopeless case! Hey! Call the soldiers right now!”

When Hyang called the soldiers, the submitter fell flat on the floor and begged for forgiveness.

“P-Please forgive me! I was blinded by greed and committed a wrong! I am lacking in talent but could not overcome my greed and made a wrong move! It was a foolish act caused by greed, so please forgive me!”

“I cannot forgive you because you committed the act knowing it was wrong! Hey! Drag this guy out and hand him over to the police!”

“Yes!”

“S-Save me!”

The submitter shouted to be saved until his throat was hoarse, but he disappeared in the hands of the soldiers.

“I’ve done so many things with Jang Yeong-sil, how could he do such a terrible thing, no, such a stupid thing? How could there be such a stupid guy?”

Woo, who was next to Hyang, shook his head and replied.

“If the Grand Emperor hadn’t been here, we might have been fooled.”

“Huh? Why?”

“The Grand Emperor not only worked with Jang Yeong-sil, but also saw all of his results, so he recognized them right away. But I only looked at the real things displayed in the research institute and Area 51 and the blueprints hanging on the wall!”

At Woo’s words, Hyang asked back with a knowing expression.

“So, even if a copy comes, you can’t immediately tell whether it’s a copy or not?”

“Yes, because there are almost no people left who actually worked with old masters like Jang Yeong-sil.”

“Tsk…”

Hyang clicked his tongue and muttered inwardly.

‘Suddenly a movie title comes to mind? I am Legend… I’ve lived a long time. Can I really break King Jangsu’s record?’

Hyang quickly dismissed his sudden thoughts and continued the conversation with Woo.

“We can’t guarantee that this kind of fraudulent activity will end this time, so we need to come up with a countermeasure.”

“That is correct. First of all, we need to find and collect the old records about power devices. Then, we need to review whether there is anything similar to the submitted power device, and if it is similar, we need to determine whether it is a coincidence or a copy.”

“The work will be a bit cumbersome, but that will be the standard procedure. And we need to add a new clause to the contest rules. ‘If it is discovered that a fraudulent method such as plagiarism is used, the full amount of the grant will be recovered. And this recovery measure will be enforced through methods such as fines.'”

Woo shook his head lightly at Hyang’s words and replied.

“There will be many people who can’t afford that.”

* * *

Support for those who applied for the contest was not free. Those who received grants through fraudulent methods, or those who gave up halfway, had to return the grants. Those who used fraudulent methods had to return the full amount of the grant and also face legal punishment. On the other hand, those who dropped out in the middle first returned the remaining grant and then had their usage details inspected.

If it was confirmed that the amount used was used entirely for the contest, it ended there. However, if it was confirmed that it was diverted to other purposes, the entire amount had to be returned. The only thing that did not fall under this ‘other purpose’ was ‘maintaining the livelihood of dependent family members.’

In the process of recovering the grant in this way, if the subject had already used up the grant and recovery was impossible, the same method as executing a fine was used.

-The subject is engaged in forced labor for a period corresponding to the amount of the fine.

-The standard for labor wages is the minimum wage set by law.

-Food, clothing, and medical expenses incurred during labor are all deducted from labor wages.

-The amount remaining after the above deductions is deducted from the fine.

If you deduct the above from the minimum wage, you will be left with about half at best. However, in general, if you have to work because you cannot pay the fine sentenced by the court, it is standard to work for at least 10 years.

That’s why Woo said that there would be many people who couldn’t afford that. The easiest way for those who only wanted to get the grant was plagiarism. However, as long as Hyang, the ‘living history of Area 51,’ was present, it had become an impossible method.

* * *

While quite a few people were relinquishing grants and giving up thanks to Hyang, there were those who were constantly striving for the contest.

The most representative person was Da Vinci.

“I have something I’ve been thinking about for a long time!”

What Da Vinci was thinking about was a variation of the ‘Da Vinci Engine.’ It was to put a high-temperature, high-pressure mixture of air and petroleum into an engine with an internal combustion chamber that he had been designing for a long time and burn it. The difference from the traditional internal combustion engine that Hyang knows is that there is no compression process.

“With this, victory in the contest is definitely mine!”

Da Vinci made a confident expression after reviewing the completed blueprint, but soon became uneasy.

“But, why am I so uneasy? Why?”

After thinking for a while, Da Vinci soon thought of one person.

“Grand Emperor!”

Hyang, who was always one step ahead of him, was the source of his unease. In the end, Da Vinci started reviewing the blueprint again.

“This time, I must overcome the wall of the Grand Emperor!”

Hyang smiled bitterly after hearing Da Vinci’s story through various channels.

“Am I some kind of final boss? If that’s the case, tell him to overcome Jang Yeong-sil first!”