Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 175

175. Feedback (4)

Because it was Sejong’s command, Hyang diligently sought a solution.

The first person Hyang consulted was Lee Cheon, the administrator of District 51.

“Are you referring to signal fires [beacons]?”

“Yes. Signal fires use fire and smoke, which are ineffective in rainy weather, correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“How does one signal in such conditions?”

At Hyang’s question, Lee Cheon stroked his beard, searching his memory.

“Hmm… If I recall correctly, I believe they raise white or red flags on tall poles as a substitute for signal fires.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Back in his office, Hyang tapped his finger on the desk, muttering to himself.

“This is quite the predicament. If only we had telegraphs, we could use Morse code. This…”

Hyang abruptly stopped, his eyes widening as he replayed his own words.

“Morse code? Code?”

*Thump!*

He leaped from his seat and rushed to the wall where the maps hung.

“The locations of the garrisons and government offices…”

“The locations of each local government office…”

Pointing at various locations on the map, Hyang’s face lit up as he muttered to himself.

“Found it!”

* * *

Five days later, Hyang arrived at Geunjeongjeon Hall [the main hall of Gyeongbok Palace] with a radiant expression.

“So, what brings you here today? Judging by your bright face, it seems you have good news.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang smiled broadly and replied, “Yes, Father.”

“Indeed? What good news has brought a smile to our Crown Prince’s face?”

“I have resolved the communication problem you tasked me with a few days ago.”

Sejong’s face brightened at Hyang’s answer.

“Really?”

“Yes. Eunuch, display it.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Following Hyang’s command, the eunuch accompanying him hung a *gwaedo* [a type of map] on a rack positioned on one side of Geunjeongjeon Hall.

Standing beside the map, Hyang began to explain to Sejong and the assembled officials.

“On this map, the red dots represent the garrisons and naval bases established throughout Joseon. The blue dots indicate the *jingwan* [local defense systems] implemented through this *gyeongjang* [military reform]. And the green dots mark the postal stations across the country.”

“I see.”

Sejong and the officials nodded at Hyang’s explanation, though their expressions seemed to ask, ‘So what?’

Seeing their faces, Hyang turned the *gwaedo* and continued his explanation. The second map displayed red and blue lines drawn vertically and horizontally.

“As you can see on this map, connecting the garrisons, naval bases, *jingwan*, and postal stations creates a network spanning the entirety of Joseon.”

“That’s true. Are you suggesting we communicate by connecting them in this way? But we already do that, don’t we? The problem is the slow speed. We use signal fires as a solution, but it’s difficult to discern the details of what happened using signal fires alone.”

Hyang nodded at Sejong’s point.

“That’s correct. That is precisely what I am addressing. I propose that rapid communication is possible through this network.”

Hyang turned the *gwaedo* again, revealing the third map to Sejong and the officials. This map featured two-digit numbers assigned to the garrisons and naval bases in each province.

“Designate the capital, Hanseong [modern-day Seoul], as 0, and assign two-digit numbers to the garrisons and naval bases in each province. Then, assign another two-digit number to the *jingwan* along the command lines, and also assign two-digit numbers to the nearby towns of the *jingwan*. In this way, we can pinpoint any area using six numbers.”

“Oh?”

Sejong, whose face had been doubtful until now, straightened his posture, his eyes gleaming with interest.

“I see. With those six-digit numbers, we can immediately identify the location. So? You’re not suggesting we transmit that information using signal fires, are you? If we did, the number of signal fire pits would be excessive.”

“That’s correct. If we want to convey not only the region but also the content, the current five *yeonjo* [signal fire pits] in the beacon towers are insufficient.”

“That’s right.”

“Therefore, I propose constructing watchtowers along the postal stations I mentioned earlier.”

“Build watchtowers?”

“Yes, build watchtowers every 5 *ri* [approximately 2 kilometers] and transmit the content using hand signals.”

“Hand signals?”

Sejong tilted his head at Hyang’s words, while Jo Mal-saeng wore a somewhat puzzled expression.

“I have heard that the navy uses flags to send signals.”

“It’s similar, but different.”

Responding to Jo Mal-saeng, Hyang turned the paper.

The fourth paper contained a four-digit number combination prepared for various situations.

“Starting with 1111 to signal that there is no problem, we can immediately know not only the invasion of *waegu* [Japanese pirates] but also their scale, as well as the occurrence of natural disasters and epidemics, using combinations of numbers.”

“Not bad. It’s not bad… It’s a total of 10 digits. Are you saying you will transmit this using watchtowers? How?”

At Sejong’s question, all the officials nodded. Hyang answered Sejong with a confident expression.

“Two flags are sufficient.”

“Two flags?”

“I have prepared a demonstration in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon Hall.”

“Really? Let’s all go outside.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong descended from the throne and strode forward, followed by the officials.

* * *

As Sejong and the officials, filled with curiosity, appeared in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon Hall, the waiting soldiers and military officers performed a military salute in unison.

“Military salute!”

“*Chung!* [Loyalty!]”

“Good work.”

The military officers and soldiers straightened their posture at Sejong’s reply, and Sejong looked back at Hyang.

“Alright. I want to see how it’s done.”

“Yes. Proceed with the demonstration!”

“Yes! Signalmen, step forward!”

At the military officer’s command, four soldiers with flags in their hands came forward. As the soldiers holding flags painted diagonally with red and yellow lined up, the military officer gave the order.

“Prepare!”

At the command, the soldiers extended their hands holding the flags forward.

“One! Two! Three! Four!….”

With each command, the soldiers moved the flags in their hands, expressing numbers.

Sejong nodded after confirming that 10 numbers from 1 to 0 could be expressed with the flags.

“Certainly, with this method, you can express all the numbers with two flags. Hmm… Let’s organize this a bit. Crown Prince, you’re thinking of building watchtowers every 5 *ri* and deploying soldiers trained in this method to communicate, correct?”

“That’s right. We conduct regular communication every *sijin* [two-hour period], and in emergencies such as invasions by Japanese pirates, we raise a red flag at the top of the watchtower to signal the emergency and use hand signals to relay the information. In addition, we will station one messenger horse at each watchtower for urgent situations.”

Sejong nodded continuously at Hyang’s explanation.

“Not bad. It’s not bad.”

As Sejong praised the idea, Lee Jik, standing behind, pointed out a potential problem.

“However, the size of the flag is small. Considering the distance of 5 *ri*, wouldn’t it be difficult to see them clearly?”

Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward on Hyang’s behalf.

“No, it’s definitely possible. The large single-lens telescopes used by the navy on warships can see up to 10 *ri*.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

Jo Mal-saeng, after answering Lee Jik, bowed to Sejong and reported.

“Your Majesty! Although the Crown Prince suggested 5 *ri*, considering the deployment and operation of soldiers, the interval is too short. With the large single-lens telescope used by the navy, it is believed that the signals can be distinguished even at a distance of 10 *ri*.”

“Hmm… 10 *ri*…”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s words, Sejong stroked his beard and pondered.

‘Training soldiers and maintaining facilities costs money. It’s good to spend less if possible, but surely this kid, the Crown Prince, has considered that…’

After a moment of contemplation, Sejong came to a conclusion.

“The Ministry of War shall test which of the single-lens telescopes used by the *yuksu-gun* [army] and *giseon-gun* [cavalry] is more effective. In addition, they shall test the optimal distance between watchtowers and report their findings.”

“I will obey your command!”

Jo Mal-saeng answered excitedly. Thanks to Hyang, the workload had increased, but it was because a very effective high-speed communication method was being created for the military.

* * *

Returning to Geunjeongjeon Hall and ascending the throne, Sejong looked around at the officials.

“I have given orders to the Ministry of War, but I would like to hear your opinions.”

The first to respond was Heo Jo.

“Shin, Minister of Personnel Heo Jo, reports to His Majesty. I believe the method proposed by the Crown Prince is truly beneficial. Even excluding wars, the faster we respond to epidemics or disasters, the more we can reduce the damage. If we implement the Crown Prince’s plan, we can act more quickly than we currently can.”

“Is that so? Any other opinions?”

At Sejong’s question, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik stepped forward.

“I believe the plan proposed by the Crown Prince is the best course of action.”

The situation seemed to conclude with the agreement of the Chief State Councilor, the head of all officials. Or so it seemed.

The Grand Censor, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, I have a question for the Crown Prince. May I ask it?”

“The Grand Censor? Heo-oh~. It’s been a while since I’ve heard the Grand Censor’s remarks. I grant you permission.”

“Your grace is boundless.”

The Grand Censor, having received permission, looked at Hyang and asked, “I have a question for the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, I am listening.”

At the Grand Censor’s words, Hyang straightened his posture, feeling nervous. The Grand Censor and Grand Interlocutor were known for their ‘stubbornness’.

Hearing Hyang’s answer, the Grand Censor slowly began to speak.

“Shin is not well-versed in military tactics, nor am I knowledgeable about instruments. However, I recognize the potential usefulness of what the Crown Prince has presented today.”

‘Huh? Is he praising me?’

Not only Hyang, but also Sejong and the officials looked at the Grand Censor with surprise. The Grand Censor was known for his ‘stubbornness,’ clinging to any issue until the very end if there was even the slightest problem.

That’s why Hyang looked at the Grand Censor with an even more nervous expression. Whether he noticed Hyang’s feelings or not, the Grand Censor continued.

“Let me reiterate, I am not knowledgeable about instruments. Therefore, I ask Your Highness a question. This flag signal is useful, but it requires people to see and confirm it with their eyes. What happens if there is fog, rain, or night, and we cannot see the flag?”

“Ah!”

Everyone in Geunjeongjeon Hall exclaimed at the Grand Censor’s point. Sejong looked at Hyang with worried eyes.

‘My son!’

‘This was expected!’

Hyang inwardly sighed in relief at the Grand Censor’s question. After taking a moment to compose himself, Hyang answered the Grand Censor.

“As the Grand Censor pointed out, flag signals are indeed impossible in conditions such as fog, rain, and night.”

“Then, do you have an alternative?”

“It is currently under research. The only reason I didn’t present it now is because that issue needed to be addressed after the plan to build watchtowers was decided.”

“Is that so? You have an alternative?”

“That’s right.”

At Hyang’s answer, the Grand Censor bowed to Sejong and spoke.

“Since my curiosity has been satisfied, I have no further questions.”

“Then, do you also agree with the Crown Prince’s proposal?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Hearing the Grand Censor’s answer, Sejong looked at the officials.

“Now I will make a final decision. The Ministry of War will conduct the experiment as I ordered earlier, and the ministers of other ministries will build communication watchtowers nationwide according to the results presented by the Ministry of War.”

“I will obey your command!”

Hearing the officials’ answers, Sejong looked back at Hyang.

“Crown Prince, you have worked hard as well. I hope to see even better results in the future.”

At Sejong’s request, Hyang lowered his waist deeply.

“I will obey your command!”

* * *

Returning to Donggungjeon Hall [the Crown Prince’s residence], Hyang loosened his neck, stiff from tension, and muttered.

“Teacher Samcheonpo [a figure known for insightful observations], that man is right. It’s not that people in the past were stupid, but that they only seemed stupid because the amount of information they could obtain was limited.”