Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1108

1108. The Emperor’s Melancholy (2)

-Each turret will have its own dedicated steam engine to handle rotation.

“This is a bit much, even for me…”

Everyone who saw the plan—from Hyeon at the top to the workers in charge of constructing the front lines—agreed that this method was excessive. No matter how thick the barriers and firewalls, placing a steam engine, with its roaring flames and flying sparks, right next to a powder magazine full of gunpowder and incendiary bombs was a perilous idea.

As an alternative, a method of connecting the steam engine in the engine room to the turret via a shaft was proposed.

However, this had more drawbacks than benefits. The ship’s structure became more complex, and maintenance became more difficult.

“I suppose we have no choice. We’ll have to install a separate power plant.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Following Hyeon’s decision, the ‘excessive’ plan was officially adopted.

Meanwhile, Hyang smacked his lips and muttered after hearing the story.

“Tch. This is… not my area of expertise, so I don’t know enough to get involved.”

In the 21st century, otaku [a term for people with consuming interests, particularly in anime and manga] indulged in their hobbies in almost every field. In particular, military otaku obsessed over almost every military weapon. They started by searching for information, then moved on to games, and finally to restoration. Those who went as far as restoration were truly hardcore.

However, there was one area that even these hardcore military otaku couldn’t dream of restoring.

It was the battleships that roamed the seas during World War I and II. Therefore, even Hyang, who had dabbled in everything—even wooden warships from the Age of Exploration—had no knowledge of this area.

In any case, the design and construction proceeded with this uneasy method, and the first ship was launched and began preparing for deployment. In this situation, electric motors—or motors for short—emerged as an alternative to steam engines.

* * *

The birth of the electric motor was a combination of coincidence, questioning, and a shift in thinking. With Hyang’s high-purity MSG [Monosodium glutamate, used here metaphorically to mean a catalyst or enhancer] added, knowledge related to electricity began to develop rapidly. First, the concepts of conductors and insulators were established, and the concept of a primitive electrical circuit was created. It was using this concept of a primitive electrical circuit that the generator was born.

“Well, we need a generator to do these kinds of experiments properly…”

As generators were created, more and more experiments became possible, and related knowledge became increasingly vast. However, as experiments became more frequent, so did electric shock accidents.

Zap!

“Ouch!”

Screaming from contact with completely exposed copper wires was an everyday occurrence.

“We need a way to prevent electric shock… What would be good?”

Hyang, who had been waiting for the right moment, subtly intervened when he saw the scholars looking for a solution.

“What about using chicle [a natural gum used as a base for chewing gum]?”

“Chicle, you say?”

“That’s right. Isn’t chicle a non-conductive material? It would be good to wrap the copper wires with unhardened chicle and then let it dry, wouldn’t it?”

“Ah! Indeed, that would work! Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

The scholars who received Hyang’s advice wrapped the copper wires with chicle and then checked the results. The scholars who checked the results praised Hyang to the skies.

“Truly, you are the Supreme Emperor!”

“Truly, a wise and virtuous ruler!”

In this way, they were able to use the generator more safely, and then one of the scholars had a change of heart.

“Hey, this just occurred to me. What if we reversed the structure of that generator?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“I mean, we turn the shaft of that generator to make electricity, right? So, couldn’t we put electricity in and turn the shaft in reverse?”

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

“Wait, wait… wait? Wait, wasn’t this in the Challenge Records [presumably a record of challenges, experiments, and inventions]?”

“It was!”

This is how the electric motor was born. Of course, there were all sorts of trials and errors, but the eyes of the related scholars and disciples were burning intensely.

“The Response Records [presumably a record of successful responses to challenges, experiments, and inventions]! The Response Records! If we succeed, we can leave our names in the Response Records!”

In an atmosphere closer to madness than enthusiasm, the electric motor was able to quickly take shape.

“Good work. Now we have taken another step towards the truth.”

Hyang, who praised those who succeeded in developing the electric motor, soon presented the next task.

“Now, let’s organize what we’ve learned so far and establish a system. As the saying goes, even if you have a bushel of pearls, you have to string them together to make them a treasure. It is only when it is organized into a system that others can see and understand that it is recognized as a discipline.”

“…Yes.”

Hyang, leaving behind those who had suddenly become tired, chuckled to himself and muttered.

“Heh! I wonder whose name will be attached to the left-hand rule and the right-hand rule [mnemonic devices used in electromagnetism] now?”

After that, while the improvement of generators and electric motors and the systematization of related knowledge continued, someone came up with another idea.

“We make electricity with a generator, and then we turn an electric motor with that electricity. And then we turn the generator with that electric motor. Wouldn’t it be possible to keep it running continuously if we just give it power once at the beginning?”

It was the beginning of the most famous bait, the ‘perpetual motion machine’.

* * *

As the newly born electric motor gradually took on a plausible form, the artisans who came into contact with it shone with excitement.

“Where can we use this?”

And the first to find a use for it were the designers and artisans in charge of developing the front lines.

“Let’s use this to turn the turrets!”

It wasn’t just the designers and artisans.

Hyeon, who had handed over the throne to Woo and become a ‘fish back in water’ [meaning someone who is enjoying their newfound freedom], was also thinking along similar lines.

“Wait, what if we used electric motors instead?”

When Hyeon, who was with the designers and artisans, spoke his mind, the designers and artisans immediately replied.

“We have been thinking along similar lines as well, Your Majesty!”

Having reached an agreement, they soon began to write a document.

-Why is the electric motor the best answer?

Having presented this topic, they soon began to write down the answers.

-First, it takes up less space.

Compared to the space required to install a steam engine, coal, and water storage to move the turret, it takes up overwhelmingly less space.

-The design of the hull is also simplified.

All that is needed is to add a generator compartment to the engine room and then design the path for the wires leading to the electric motor that moves the turret. Since the wires can be bent in various ways, a more flexible design is possible.

(Omitted)

Through continuous discussions, they wrote down the advantages and disadvantages of using electric motors and compared them with the case of adopting steam engines.

“Electric motors have more advantages, Your Majesty.”

“I see. Then, let’s equip them with electric motors.”

“Then what about the ships that are being launched now?”

“First, let’s build them with the steam engine mounting method as designed. And during that time, let’s develop electric motors and proceed with the design of new ships to which they will be applied.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

However, it was not long before the managers of District 52 came to see Hyeon.

“Your Majesty, we have no budget.”

“None? Not a penny? Not even a reserve fund?”

“There is only a budget allocated to other projects.”

“Haa〜.”

Hyeon sighed deeply, sent the managers out, and then unfolded a blank sheet of paper.

“I used to cringe every time I received a letter asking for money, but now I’m writing a letter asking for money…”

Hyeon, who was making a gloomy expression as he recalled old memories, soon changed his expression and began to write a letter.

“The hardship is Woo’s share.”

Hyeon had come to imitate Hyang and Wan’s actions exactly.

* * *

Woo was getting a headache from Hyang, Wan, and Hyeon’s requests for money.

“I wish they would just indulge in luxury…”

If they asked for money to buy luxury goods, he could easily refuse with peace of mind. Because there was a good reason. However, their current requests for money were difficult to refuse.

-This is to promote the national interest and well-being of the Empire.

It was too heavy a cause to say no to. Even the Minister of National Defense, who heard the news, rushed over to plead.

“Your Majesty! Please grant the requests of the three! This is absolutely necessary for the defense of the Empire! If you give the order, I will beat up the Minister of Finance to get it passed!”

“…Wouldn’t it be better to contribute from the budget allocated to the Ministry of National Defense and the Imperial Army?”

“…We have already taken out everything we can…”

“So you don’t want to open your own pockets?”

“Please have mercy!”

In response to the Minister of National Defense’s answer, Woo put his hand on his forehead and waved his other hand.

“I will consider it carefully and make a decision, so go out.”

“Your Majesty! This is an important matter! Please have mercy!”

“Get out!”

At Woo’s roar, the Minister of National Defense hurriedly left the main hall. Woo, left alone, shook his head and grumbled.

“This is why I didn’t want to be emperor… Come to think of it, I heard that these guys are having a great time these days? I’m suffering like this, but…”

Woo, gnashing his teeth softly, ordered the eunuch.

“Eunuch! Go to the General Affairs Department and the Imperial Personnel Department and have them find out how the Imperial personnel are doing these days and submit a report!”

“I obey your command!”

As the eunuch who received the order disappeared, Woo smiled grimly and muttered.

“There is a saying that has been passed down since the time of the Supreme Emperor. ‘The power of personnel management rests with the Emperor.’ I’ll get those bastards…”

The historian wrote this about Woo sharpening the blade of revenge to wield against someone.

-…Therefore, His Majesty ordered to find out the trends of the Imperial personnel.

The historian says.

It is stipulated by law that the power of personnel management rests with His Majesty the Emperor. However, it is not right to do this privately. His Majesty the current Emperor is a bit vindictive. It is fortunate that he is only doing this to the Imperial personnel.

* * *

Woo’s full and half-siblings, both male and female, were struck by lightning [meaning they were subject to Woo’s anger], but the officials were able to breathe a sigh of relief. This was because Woo, who had vented his anger, was able to organize the situation and make a more rational judgment.

“…Therefore, I think it would be good to allocate additional funds from the reserve budget. What do the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance think?”

In response to Woo’s question, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance immediately replied.

“It is considered a wise decision.”

“There will be no major difficulties if we allocate additional funds from the reserve fund.”

“Then let’s do that.”

“I obey your command.”

Just as they were getting over one hurdle and taking a breather, the Crown Prince came to Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of the palace] with documents.

“What is it?”

“It seems that we need to allocate additional funds to the research institute.”

“You son of a bitch!”

Woo, who shouted without realizing it, took several deep breaths to calm his anger and then asked the Crown Prince.

“Why does the research institute need a budget?”

“This time, the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Physics are going to start research together related to electricity.”

“What are the two departments researching together?”

“They say it’s thermodynamics.”

“Thermo…”

At that moment, Woo had no choice but to suppress his anger.

It wasn’t Woo’s major, but he knew to some extent what thermodynamics, or rather mechanics, was. Among the things related to the subject that were posted in the Challenge Records, not many were listed in the Response Records.

In response, the Great Supreme Emperor Hyang had evaluated it this way.

-This is not the scholars’ negligence.

-Mechanics and mathematics are the most basic subjects related to all things in the world, but they are also the subjects with the deepest truths hidden within them.

-Therefore, it is good not to spare support for them.