Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 135

Jjangra

Hello, Night.

135. Changing People (3)

It was afternoon when the escort warriors and Mal-bok returned from the police station.

“How did the captain fare?”

“He received five strokes of the cane.”

“I see.”

Hyang, seeing Mal-bok following behind the escort warriors, pointed to a chair on one side of the office.

“Come, sit here.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As Mal-bok sat awkwardly on the chair, Hyang shook his head.

“Sit comfortably. Are you in so much pain that you can’t even sit on a chair?”

“Ah, no! It’s just that this is my first time in such a place….”

At Mal-bok’s words, Hyang chuckled.

“Is this the first time for a fellow who blocked the Crown Prince’s path?”

At Hyang’s words, Mal-bok immediately knelt on the floor and bowed his head.

“I have committed a crime worthy of death!”

“It’s alright, sit on the chair.”

“Yes….”

As Mal-bok sat back on the chair, Hyang got straight to the point.

“You wanted to know what you can do?”

“Yes, yes!”

In response to Mal-bok’s answer, Hyang examined Mal-bok’s attire.

“Well…. For someone asking for work, you’re dressed neatly and look quite sturdy. You don’t seem like someone who has suffered from a lack of work.”

“Well, you see….”

Mal-bok told Hyang his life story.

When Mal-bok was five years old, both of his parents died from an epidemic. Having lost his parents early, Mal-bok was raised by his grandmother. To raise Mal-bok, his grandmother did all sorts of menial jobs.

Seeing his grandmother struggling, Mal-bok started looking for work around the age of eight, becoming an errand boy at a trading house.

“Was there work for an eight-year-old child?”

“Well, I did odd jobs inside the store and ran errands to nearby places. The shop owner was a good person and hired many children like me.”

“Is that so? He must be a truly good person. Then you could have continued working there, so why are you looking for work now?”

At Hyang’s question, Mal-bok scratched his head and answered.

“Most of the friends who started working with me are learning writing and accounting to work in the shop, but I am dull and only know about 300 Chinese characters, and I’m not good at arithmetic either…. Last year, I was able to receive proper wages while lifting boulders, but the shop I’m working at now has enough porters. So, I feel like I’m being a burden….”

“So you’re looking for work?”

At Hyang’s question, Mal-bok nodded his head vigorously.

“That’s right! I was thinking of carrying loads at Mapo Port or Noryangjin, or even in the marketplace, but there are already too many people there, so it’s not profitable. I also thought about becoming a soldier or a peddler, but then I worry about my grandmother being left alone.”

“Hmm….”

At Mal-bok’s words, Hyang put down his gold pen and fell into thought. Tapping the desk with his fingers, Hyang asked Mal-bok a question.

“You’re not completely illiterate, but you only know 300 characters, and you can do arithmetic, but you’re not good at it….”

“Yes, that’s right!”

“That’s really ambiguous…. Haa~.”

‘Even in the 21st century, these kinds of guys were the most ambiguous!’

Even in the 21st century, these kinds of friends were the most troublesome.

At least Hyang was a 덕후 [deokhu: a person with obsessive interests, similar to a ‘fanboy’ or ‘otaku’], but his grades were excellent, so he turned out well.

The friends who played around in the back found their aptitudes and quickly found their places.

However, many teachers suffered from hair loss while worrying about solving the career problems of these children who occupied the middle ground.

Of course, there were many teachers who just left them alone, saying, ‘They’ll live well on their own.’

Looking at Mal-bok and pondering, Hyang picked up the gold pen and continued the questioning.

“Besides letters and arithmetic, Mal-bok, what are you good at, what do you like?”

“I like wandering around! So, when I was delivering from the shop, I always volunteered first!”

“So that’s why you said you would become a peddler?”

“Yes!”

“Besides that, what else are you good at, what can you boast about?”

At Hyang’s question, Mal-bok excitedly answered.

“I have memorized all the geography of Hanseong [old name for Seoul]! I have memorized all the geography inside the four gates of Hanseong, east, west, south, and north! I have also memorized all the geography of the villages that were rebuilt after the last fire. Even if I go to a place for the first time, I can memorize the way right away!” At Mal-bok’s boast, Hyang was genuinely impressed. Although it couldn’t be compared to Seoul in the 21st century, Hanyang [another old name for Seoul] at this time was also a complex and bustling city.

“That’s amazing!”

“Hehet! It’s a meager talent!”

At Hyang’s praise, Mal-bok scratched his head and felt awkward.

Looking at that figure, Hyang smiled slightly, but immediately had a troubled expression.

‘It’s really ambiguous….’

However, Hyang couldn’t disappoint Mal-bok, who had trusted him and risked his life.

‘I can’t lie.’

Hyang explained the situation honestly to Mal-bok.

“I want to give you an answer right away, but it’s not easy.”

“Yes….”

At Hyang’s answer, Mal-bok’s face fell and he trailed off.

“Come back in fifteen days. I’ll have an answer by then. In fifteen days, wait for me at the main gate of this 51st district. Until then, work hard at the place you’re working now.”

“Yes? Yes! Yes!”

Mal-bok, who had been dejected, nodded his head repeatedly with a bright face at Hyang’s words.

“Then go back now. Your grandmother must be worried.”

“Yes! Yes! Thank you! Thank you!”

Mal-bok, who had risen from his seat, bowed repeatedly until his head touched the ground and went outside.

After sending Mal-bok out, Hyang sighed deeply.

“I made a promise, but…. It’s frustrating.”

* * *

That evening, Sejong [King Sejong the Great, the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty] summoned Hyang, who had returned to the palace.

“Did you call for me?”

“Yes. I heard that a commoner gave you a difficult problem?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang smiled awkwardly and answered.

“Yes, it’s not easy.”

“But this father believes in you. You will create good results.”

“I will do my best.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong smiled and nodded. The ministers who remained in their seats also looked at Hyang with warm smiles for the first time in a while.

“The people believing in and relying on you is the best fortune and gift for a ruler. It is truly a good thing.”

At Chief State Councilor Lee Jik’s words, Sejong nodded and responded.

“That’s right. It’s a good thing.”

Hyang poured cold water on the warm atmosphere of Sejong and the ministers.

“But, Your Majesty, shouldn’t you establish new laws?”

“Laws? What laws?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang pointed out the reality.

“The commoners who came to see you today were not just one or two, will they stay still in the future?”

At Hyang’s point, Sejong, as well as the ministers, simultaneously cursed.

“These damn it! Heup!”

Sejong and the ministers, who had unknowingly cursed, looked at each other with embarrassed faces.

“Ahem! Heum!”

Sejong, clearing his throat, ordered the ministers.

“Surely, similar things will happen a lot. There is also the complaint box, but there are more than one or two who make appeals, so let’s think about it.”

“Yes.”

Hyang, sensing the atmosphere, quickly slipped away.

“This son will go back and contemplate Mal-bok’s matter.”

“…Do so.”

Sejong, glaring at Hyang who was quickly leaving, gestured for him to leave, and Hyang quickly bowed and left Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace].

The historian who recorded all of this ended his words as follows.

-…So, the King and the ministers discussed laws to prepare for cases like today happening again.

The historian says.

It seems that Gwanghwamun [the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace] will be noisy for the time being.

* * *

“This is not easy….”

Hyang, who had made a promise to Mal-bok, but had not found a clear answer even after five days, muttered with a troubled expression.

“I thought I could find an answer quickly after hearing Mal-bok’s specialty…. Tsk….”

Hyang smacked his lips at the difficult problem that was not easily solved.

The first thing Hyang thought of was ‘delivery service.’

“He says he knows the geography of Hanseong well….”

He thought he could just give him a handcart, but Hyang soon found the problem.

“There are too many things to replace the delivery business!”

If you just go to the docks or in front of the merchant groups, there were plenty of porters carrying goods and day laborers looking for work with 지게 [jige: a traditional Korean A-frame backpack carrier].

And, if a house was rich enough to have goods delivered, they already had 노비 [nobi: slaves or serfs].

“The conclusion is that the delivery business is a bust….”

Hyang’s head ached in a situation where an answer was not easily found, so he opened the office window.

“Damn! The weather is so damn good!”

Soldiers’ laughter reached Hyang’s ears, who was cursing at the spring scenery.

“Haha! Run, run!”

“Run!”

“Huh?”

In the place where the soldiers’ voices were heard, two handcarts carrying soldiers were racing. The carts carrying the soldiers seemed to be coming from the construction of the base, and the cargo hold of the carts was loaded with pickaxes and shovels.

Hyang chuckled at the sight.

“Yes, there is such a small pleasure….”

Suddenly stopping his words, Hyang snapped his fingers.

“That’s it! Eunuch!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“Bring Ko Bong-sa!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

* * *

On the day of the promised fortnight, Mal-bok paced anxiously in front of the main gate of the 51st district.

Seeing Mal-bok’s appearance, the gatekeeper said a word.

“It’s still a long way before His Highness the Crown Prince arrives, why are you already here suffering?”

“Still, how can a lowly person arrive later than His Highness the Crown Prince?”

At Mal-bok’s words, the gatekeeper nodded his head without realizing it.

“Well, that’s true….”

It was impossible for a commoner to make the Crown Prince wait.

About 1 시진 [sijin: a unit of time, approximately two hours] passed? A group of cavalry approached the 51st district from afar.

“His Highness is coming! Open the way!”

At the gatekeeper’s shout, the soldiers guarding the main gate straightened their posture. And, commoners gathered around.

“What commoners?”

At the gatekeeper’s question, who was very nervous, one of his subordinates answered.

“They heard the rumors about that Mal-bok. Everyone is curious and gathered.”

“Really, what can I say about Joseon people….”

The gatekeeper grumbled at the characteristics of Joseon people, who would be second to none in their curiosity, and ordered the soldiers.

“Just in case, tell the people to step back!”

“Yes!”

Following the soldiers’ control, the commoners slowly stepped back.

After a while,

“His Highness the Crown Prince is coming! Open the way!”

At the eunuch’s cry, Mal-bok and the surrounding commoners immediately prostrated themselves on the floor, and the gatekeeper and soldiers paid their respects.

“Chung!”

“Good work. Here is the pass.”

The gatekeeper, who checked the pass received through the eunuch, stepped back.

“Confirmed. Pass! Open the gate!”

“Open the gate!”

Hyang, looking around while waiting for the gate to open, saw Mal-bok prostrated on the ground and was delighted.

“Hey! Mal-bok! You come in with me! I think I found a suitable answer!”

“Yes! Your Highness!”

At Hyang’s answer, Mal-bok answered vigorously and rose from his seat.

* * *

Hyang, who entered the 51st district with Mal-bok, took Mal-bok to one place.

“This is the answer to the problem you gave.”

“What is this?” At Manbok’s question, who saw the instrument in front of him, Hyang smiled and answered.

“It’s called a rickshaw (人力車) [in-lyeok-geo: literally ‘manpower vehicle’].”

“A rickshaw?”

Hyang walked around the rickshaw with Mal-bok and explained it carefully.

“…So, you put a guest in the seat made behind this and take them to their destination. You receive a fee for that. How is it? You said you like wandering around?”

“Thank you so much! Your grace is boundless!”

At Hyang’s words, Mal-bok knelt down on the floor and bowed to express his gratitude. Seeing that figure, Hyang smiled and opened his mouth.

“Haha! I’m glad you’re satisfied! But how are you going to pay the bill?”

“Yes?” When Mal-bok made a dazed expression, Hyang asked with a stern expression.

“Were you thinking of using the Crown Prince of Joseon for free?”

“Ah, no! That’s absolutely impossible!”

“Do you have the wealth to pay the bill?”

“…I’ll earn it and pay it back. If I can’t pay it back, you can make me a slave.”

“That’s enough! Let’s do this! Once every fifteen days, for half a year, come here and report what you felt while driving the rickshaw.”

“Report?”

“Yes. While pulling it, where is the problem. Or where is the problem with the roads in Hanseong. Once every fifteen days, if you report properly for half a year, that rickshaw will be yours.”

“I will definitely do so!”

“Don’t forget. It’s a promise with the Crown Prince.”

“I will never forget!”

“Then….”

Hyang got on the seat of the rickshaw and looked at Mal-bok.

“Try running to Gwanghwamun once!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Mal-bok’s rickshaw, which left the 51st district, soon attracted the attention of the residents of Hanseong.

When he arrived at Gwanghwamun, Sejong, who heard the story, came out himself and examined the rickshaw.

“You said your name is Mal-bok?”

“Yes, yes! Your Majesty!”

“Work hard and take good care of your grandmother.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

In this way, Mal-bok became the world’s first rickshaw puller.