Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1120

1120. The Growing Embers (8)

Regardless of whether Hyang was bothered by the conspiracy theories surrounding him, ships carrying envoys arrived daily from across the West Sea to discuss connecting the Empire and Ming with a railway. After intense negotiations—or rather, the Empire’s persistent encouragement and concessions—Ming and the Empire agreed to connect the railway under the following conditions:

-The point where the railways of Ming and the Empire connect will be 50 li (approximately 2 kilometers or 1.24 miles) east of Shanhaiguan.

-Ming and the Empire will each deploy troops to guard the railway connection point, but neither side shall exceed 1,000 soldiers.

-The Empire will not deploy troops within a 20 li radius (approximately 6.2 miles) of the railway connection point.

-However, the Empire will install observation towers around the railway connection point.

-Officials from both countries will reside at the railway connection point. Their duties will include inspecting cargo and passengers transported on the railway.

-If any prohibited goods (such as opium or other narcotics) or individuals with infectious diseases are found among the cargo and passengers entering the Empire, they will be denied entry and dealt with according to Imperial law.

(Omitted)

The railway was constructed roughly under these conditions.

“Hmm…”

Woo hummed softly while examining the treaty, then shared his thoughts.

“Hmm… It’s certainly a case of ‘encouragement and concessions,’ but it’s interesting that Ming accepted it.”

In response, the Prime Minister bowed his head and added,

“To be precise, the Ming Emperor used this agreement to persuade his officials.”

The Prime Minister’s assessment was accurate. Among the treaty’s conditions, the only one that could be considered a loss for the Empire was almost exclusively the first clause.

While it stated that troops would not be deployed within a 20 li radius of the railway connection point, most of the Empire’s artillery boasted a range of 30 li (approximately 9.3 miles). The condition to install observation towers around the railway connection point was similarly advantageous. On the surface, it was simply for monitoring the railway connection point, but there was a hidden benefit: the location wasn’t specified.

Therefore, the Empire could build observation towers close to the Ming border and openly observe the Ming border region. Even if Ming protested, the Empire had a convenient excuse.

-It’s unavoidable for monitoring the condition of the railway!

-Did we bring in war wagons or artillery? Why are you being so sensitive?

Ming’s officials weren’t fools, and they protested, but the Hongzhi Emperor diligently persuaded them.

“In return, haven’t we agreed not to deploy soldiers within the Empire’s territory? We can also build communication towers! The Empire can’t object to that, can they? We can also monitor the Empire’s movements in advance!”

Thanks to his persistent persuasion, the agreement was finalized.

“Even though we receive railway usage fees…”

“This emperor is also a ‘Joseon simpleton’…” (referring to someone easily persuaded or naive, like a stereotypical person from Joseon)

Though they grumbled, Ming’s officials diligently calculated with their abacuses.

-Our Ming products are popular in the areas where the railway is connected, but there are also many people looking for products made in the Empire.

-We can make a great profit if we obtain and sell Imperial products.

“Hmm… Which trading company is close to our family?”

“We should send the family’s trading company to the Empire.”

“Should we start a trading company this time?”

The officials’ movements were immediately reported to the Hongzhi Emperor through the Eastern Depot [a Ming dynasty secret service]. After confirming the reports, the Hongzhi Emperor summoned the officials of the Secretariat.

“Should we also create a trading company?”

“We are already making plans.”

“We have many close acquaintances in Seoul, so we should be able to get their help.”

“It would be even better to distribute a suitable share to the Eastern Depot.”

The Hongzhi Emperor nodded at the reports from the Secretariat officials, who were also close friends from generation to generation.

“Then proceed with it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

As one problem was being resolved, a new report, or rather, a thesis, was submitted to Woo’s desk. The Crown Prince, who submitted the thesis, bowed to Woo and began.

“This is a newly submitted thesis from the research institute. I was wondering if we should register it in the Challenge Records [a record of innovative projects and research], so I came to ask for your advice.”

“Is that so?”

Woo’s eyes sparkled as he listened to the Crown Prince’s explanation and opened the thesis.

“It’s been a while since the Department of Electrical Engineering has challenged the Challenge Records. All we’ve been seeing are Response Records [responses to existing challenges].”

“That is correct.”

The Department of Electrical Engineering had been struggling to solve the tasks Hyang had set. That was why Woo’s eyes lit up when a thesis came out from that department that wanted to be listed in the Challenge Records.

“Let’s see… ‘The Possibility of Communication Using Electricity and Electric Wires’?”

* * *

In a way, it was an absurd beginning. It was a mindless, playful game.

The development and improvement of power generation and power engines using magnets and electromagnets were still ongoing. Consequently, a separate steam engine generator was installed in the Department of Electrical Engineering, running non-stop 365 days a year, and wires were connected to each laboratory. As a side note, due to the numerous wires that were laid and tangled, accidents occurred almost daily, sometimes resulting in casualties.

And thanks to the scholars and researchers who sacrificed themselves, various measuring devices, safety devices, and safety rules were quickly established. The work began in a laboratory studying the possibility of new instruments using electromagnets.

“Haa… Hmm…”

Tired of the lack of innovation despite his efforts, one researcher began to tap the switch of the electromagnet circuit absentmindedly.

Click. Click.

Each time the switch was opened and closed, the electromagnet operated, and the iron plate attached to the front of the electromagnet repeatedly stuck and fell off.

Eventually, the researcher’s finger began to keep time, and the iron plate began to rhythmically stick and fall off.

“On the Soyang River as the sun sets~”

The researcher, humming a song without realizing it, suddenly froze.

“Huh? Uh?”

Suddenly remembering something, the researcher concentrated and began to manipulate the switch.

“Wait, wait…”

After examining the movement of the switch and the electromagnet, the researcher suddenly stood up from his seat.

“Professor!”

That was how the possibility found in the game became a thesis and was submitted to Woo.

* * *

“So, this thesis came out of that?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm…”

Woo carefully examined the thesis once again.

According to the thesis, the electromagnet was activated at the same time as the switch was operated, even at a distance of about 5 li (approximately 2 kilometers or 1.24 miles). The thesis, which recorded various experiments and their results, and the theories derived from them, concluded as follows:

-If communication using electricity and telegraph lines is realized, it will certainly be faster and more accurate than any existing communication method.

-However, it is still at the level of possibility.

“So that’s why you want to put it on the Challenge Records?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm…”

Woo, based on his experience as the Crown Prince and his experience dealing with the elders in Suganggung [a royal residence or office], examined the thesis and made a decision.

“It would be good to start with Middle (中) first [referring to a ranking or grade]. Although they questioned the feasibility, it can be seen as almost realized just by looking at the current thesis.”

“I understand. Then, how should we adjust the detailed grades?”

“Top Top (上上) would be good [highest ranking within the ‘Middle’ grade]. Ah! Make sure to go to Suganggung and seek advice before registering it.”

“I understand.”

* * *

After confirming the thesis brought by the Crown Prince, Hyang clenched his fist and shouted inwardly.

‘It’s here! It finally came even though I didn’t do anything!’

While examining Hyang’s complexion, the Crown Prince cautiously asked a question.

“The Emperor said that registering it in the Challenge Records with a grade of ‘Middle Top Top’ would be appropriate.”

At the Crown Prince’s words, Hyang composed his expression and replied,

“I also think it’s an appropriate grade. The authors of the thesis still seem unsure about its feasibility, but it can already be considered almost realized. All that’s left is to refine it to be more useful, so ‘Middle Middle Top’ would be appropriate.”

“I understand. Then, I will register it that way.”

“Ah, there’s something to add!”

Stopping the Crown Prince who was about to leave, Hyang began to fill a blank sheet of paper with writing.

-Research on the construction of a communication network using communication via electricity and electric wires, tentatively named ‘Telegraph (電信).’ Grade: Top Middle Middle.

-Research on electrical communication without electric wires. Grade: Top Top Middle.

“Register this as well.”

The Crown Prince, after checking the paper Hyang handed him, questioned Hyang.

“I understand and deem the item designated as Top Middle Middle to be reasonable. However, the next item… Is it correct that it is electrical communication without electric wires? Is this even possible? Shouldn’t there be electric wires for electricity to flow?”

At the Crown Prince’s question, Hyang smiled and replied,

“Through previous research, we have learned that lightning in the sky is also electricity. Are there electric wires in the sky?”

“Ah!”

Only then did the Crown Prince understand Hyang’s words, and he immediately bowed and hurriedly left the room. Wan, who was reading the thesis next to him, asked Hyang.

“Is electrical communication without electric wires possible?”

“Why wouldn’t it be possible?”

“Communication without wires… If we can find a way, there will be many places to use it.”

Hyang nodded at Wan’s words.

“That’s right. Immediately, the value of the flying machine will increase several times.”

“Ah! That’s right! Let’s see…”

Seeing Wan’s appearance of suddenly closing his mouth and thinking deeply about something, Hyang muttered inwardly.

‘That guy is thinking about emptying his own pockets. Hmm… Wait, the funds I can use at my discretion…’

Hyang guessed Wan’s intentions and lightly shook his head, but before he knew it, he was also rummaging through his own pockets. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, who had returned from Suganggung, immediately created a post and hung it on the bulletin boards of the research institute and Area 51 [a restricted research and development area].

“A new Challenge Record registration item has been posted!”

“What? A Challenge Record?”

The scholars, researchers, and artisans who heard the rumors immediately gathered in front of the bulletin board.

“Hmm… ‘Communication using electricity and electric wires,’ grade Middle Middle Top? Sounds doable.”

“The Top Middle Middle next to it seems doable too…”

Those who were burning with the spirit of challenge also shook their heads after seeing the ‘Top Top Middle’ item right next to it.

“Electrical communication without wires? No way!”

“That’s impossible.”

“Who the hell proposed that?”

Those who were checking whose idea it was immediately shut their mouths. That was because the words ‘Great King Hyang’ were stamped right there. Consequently, those who were about to curse a moment ago all sighed at once.

“Haa… Damn it…”

“We don’t know, but it sounds like it might be possible…”

“That’s right, we don’t know… Haa…”

And among these people, the ones who sighed the deepest were the ones who submitted the first thesis.

“I was going to curse them for saying that the result of racking my brains was ‘Middle Top Top’ and asking if their eyes were pinholes…”

“You’re playing a trick on us like this…”

‘We researched and created this result, isn’t it amazing?’

They submitted the thesis full of this confidence, but Hyang played a trick on them.

‘It’s good, but you know. Is that all? Then how about this? You’ve done that much, so you can do this much, right?’

While disappointed by Hyang’s trick, the scholars raised questions.

“‘Electrical communication without wires’?”

“This is really impossible, isn’t it? Only Top Top Middle?”

The scholars and researchers who were shaking their heads found the Crown Prince. And the scholars and researchers who heard Hyang’s explanation from the Crown Prince all sighed and retreated.

“Hoo… That’s right…”

“Who is the Great King Hyang…”