Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 220

220. Changing People (3)

After the Ministry of Taxation officials pioneered the idea, delivery quickly became popular among officials working in the Six Ministries.

Officials enjoyed the delivery service because they could savor delicious food from their favorite courtesan houses without leaving their offices.

As delivery rapidly gained traction, a unique scene unfolded in Hanseong [present-day Seoul]. Servants from the courtesan houses actively distributed flyers to coincide with the officials’ commute to work.

“We have a new dish this time!”

“If more than ten people order, we’ll give you *pyunsu* [Gaeseong-style dumplings] and *suyuk* [boiled pork slices] as a bonus!”

The servants of the courtesan houses enthusiastically promoted their establishments and handed out flyers.

The flyers detailed the available food and prices.

Watching the courtesan houses aggressively market their businesses, Hyang slowly began to worry.

“This is starting to look risky.”

As the courtesan houses engaged in fierce competition for deliveries, signs of overheating began to emerge.

In addition to the courtesan houses, nearby restaurants also joined the fray, accelerating the rate of overheating.

It was clear that if the level of competition intensified beyond a certain point, the risk of problems would escalate rapidly.

However, before long, the delivery issue surfaced for a different reason.

The censors of the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Censors submitted impeachment petitions.

-The officials of the Six Ministries who work late at night are privately issuing passes! This is an act of corruption that circumvents what the country prohibits, so it must be stopped!

Upon hearing the news of the petitions from the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Censors, officials from other government offices simultaneously cursed.

“What nonsense are those bastards spouting!”

“Didn’t they order delivery themselves?”

“What nonsense are those rootless guys talking about who drink even during the day?”

As mentioned before, the censors were generally more liberal than other departments of the court.

The censors were known for risking their lives to argue with even the king if they believed he was wrong.

Therefore, as compensation for the risks they faced, it was customary for censors to have no respect for rank and to avoid reprimand for drinking to the point of intoxication during working hours.

The officials of the Six Ministries were criticizing this very point when they called them ‘rootless guys’.

Amidst this commotion, Sejong, who had received the petitions from the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Censors, quickly reached a decision.

“It is only natural for officials to feel hungry when they work late. However, issuing passes through illicit means is undoubtedly an unfair practice. Therefore, the Ministry of Personnel should reorganize the system and create official passes and usage guidelines related to delivery.”

“I will obey your command!”

“Your Majesty! This is….”

“Enough.”

When the Chief Censor and the Chief Inspector General began to object to Sejong’s decision, Sejong raised his hand to silence them.

“As I said before, it is natural to feel hungry when working late. However, operating a public cafeteria late into the night is not efficient. And isn’t it beneficial that money is circulating to the courtesan houses and markets through delivery? Therefore, I believe it is better to guide them in a positive direction rather than simply prohibiting them. If this approach proves wrong, I will first punish the censors of the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Censors for drinking and becoming intoxicated during working hours.”

The Chief Inspector General and the Chief Censor were silenced by Sejong’s threat.

The historian who recorded all of this added the following.

-Therefore, His Majesty ordered that a reasonable system be created for eating delivered food.

The historian argues.

It is said that even dogs are left undisturbed while they are eating.

* * *

Because Sejong’s permission was granted, the Ministry of Personnel deliberated to create laws related to this.

After days of deliberation, the Ministry of Personnel created the ‘Regulations on Night Delivery’.

The contents of the newly created system were as follows.

-Those who deliver food must have a pass that specifies ‘delivery’.

-The pass can only be used once, and each of the six ministries has a different color for the pass.

-If the delivery person is inspected, they must submit the pass and verbally state the government office they are delivering to. If the color of the pass and the stated destination do not match, the delivery person will be detained.

-The food to be delivered must be divided into individual portions and placed in bowls. In addition, it must be thoroughly cooked. Uncooked food is prohibited from being delivered due to the risk of fire.

-The size of the basket containing the bowls for delivery is limited. This is to prevent weapons or other dangerous items from being transported.

-Alcohol is strictly prohibited in the food being delivered. In addition, those who are not involved, such as courtesans, are not allowed to accompany the delivery person.

(Omitted)

This detailed and meticulous bill was submitted to Sejong. Sejong, after reviewing the bill, immediately stamped it with the royal seal.

“It’s good. Implement it as it is.”

“Your grace is boundless!”

In this way, delivery began to be systematized.

As soon as the bill was enacted, the Ministry of Personnel printed it and distributed it to courtesan houses and restaurants in Hanseong.

“You must be prepared to close your doors if you do not comply with this bill.”

“We will keep that in mind!”

* * *

The courtesan houses and restaurants that saw the enacted bill were plunged into 고민 [worry].

“Do we have to divide it into bowls according to the number of people?”

Until then, the delivery method involved placing the soup in a large container, the noodles and other garnishes in separate baskets, and the empty bowls in other baskets, carrying them on their heads and backs.

Upon arrival, they would line up the empty bowls, add the noodles and garnishes, and pour the soup with a ladle.

However, this required the use of large trays or jars. And a tray or jar of that size was large enough to conceal several long swords.

Therefore, it was natural for the Uigeumbu [Royal Military Guard] or the Police Bureau to be suspicious.

“Well, dividing it into bowls according to the number of people isn’t a big deal….”

What the courtesan houses and restaurants were 고민 [worrying] about was not the division itself, but the method of transportation.

“How are we supposed to carry this around?”

With no solution in sight despite their 고민 [worry], the head *gisaeng* [female entertainer] who ran a *gisaeng* house in Unjongga complained to a regular official.

“We will somehow manage to divide it into bowls. But I don’t know how to transport it!”

The regular official tilted his head at the head *gisaeng*’s complaint. The official, after 고민 [worrying] for a long time, sighed deeply.

“Ha~. It’s a dilemma! It’s a dilemma!”

The official, who had been 고민 [worrying] about a problem that seemed unsolvable, suddenly brightened.

“I don’t have an answer, but there is someone who might know the answer!”

“Really?”

“Really!”

“If you find the answer, I will not only pay for today’s drinks, but I will also treat you to two more free meals in the future!”

“Don’t forget that promise!”

* * *

The official who had gotten free drinks the day before went straight to Hyang’s laboratory. He sought out a colleague who had passed the civil service examination with him.

“No, what’s going on with a man who’s busy with the Ministry of Personnel?”

“I came to get help from you. If you do it right, I’ll treat you to a free drink!”

“What is it?”

The official from the research institute, after hearing the problem from the Ministry of Personnel official, immediately began to 고민 [worry], but an answer did not easily come.

“I can’t think of it right now, but I’ll let you know as soon as I find the answer.”

“Please.”

* * *

The researcher who had been 맡은 [entrusted with] the 숙제 [homework] 고민 [worried] this way and that, but a good solution did not easily come.

“This is….”

The official, who was suffering from a difficult situation, brightened up as soon as he saw Hyang.

“That’s right! His Highness was here!”

The official who found the best person 벌떡 일어났다 [jumped up] from his seat.

“Your Highness! Your Highness!”

* * *

Hyang, who heard the story from the official, 잠시 기억을 더듬고는 [searched his memory for a moment] 바로 대답했다 [immediately answered].

“When I went to 명국 [Ming China] in the past, I saw them carrying bowls in square boxes 달고 [hanging] on the front and back of long bamboo poles, so why don’t you use that?”

The official immediately pointed out the problem with Hyang’s explanation.

“The bamboo sways every time you move. Unlike 명국’s [Ming China’s] food, 조선’s [Joseon’s] food has a lot of 국물 [soup], so it’s difficult to use. And 조선’s [Joseon’s] bowls are big, so you can’t fit many in.”

“흐음….[Hmm….]”

Hyang 중얼거렸다 속으로 [muttered inwardly] the official’s explanation.

‘In conclusion, there’s no choice but to use a metal delivery box.’

Hyang 말했다 관원에게 결론을 내린 [told the official, having reached a conclusion].

“Wait three days.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then go and do your work. Have you finished all the things you need to do?”

“I’ll finish it right away!”

Hyang’s 물음에 [question] 연구원은 꽁지가 빠져라 달음박질을 쳤다 [the researcher ran away as fast as he could].

* * *

51구역에 도착한 [Arriving at Area 51] Hyang 야장들을 불렀다 [called the blacksmiths] 철가방의 제작에 들어갔다 [and began the production of the metal delivery box].

조선이 사용하는 국그릇과 밥그릇에 맞춰 크기를 조절한 끝에 [After adjusting the size to fit the soup bowls and rice bowls used in Joseon] 최적의 시제품을 만든 Hyang 턱을 쓰다듬었다 [Hyang stroked his chin after creating the optimal prototype].

“가만…. [Wait….] 이거 돈 되겠는데? [This could make some money, couldn’t it?]”

돈 냄새를 맡은 [Smelling money] Hyang 철가방에 관한 특허를 지적재산관리소에 등록했다 [registered a patent for the metal delivery box with the Intellectual Property Office].

* * *

The 탄생한 철가방 [newly created metal delivery box]은 뜨겁게 환영을 받았다 [was warmly welcomed].

크기로 나뉜 철가방 하나로 [A single metal delivery box, divided by size,] 6그릇의 탕국을 운반할 수 있었다 [could carry 6 bowls of *tangguk* (soup)].

따라서 [Therefore,] 2명의 배달원이면 [with two delivery people] 10인분의 탕과 밥, 반찬들을 배달할 수 있었다 [they could deliver soup, rice, and side dishes for 10 people].

아니, 2명도 필요 없었다 [No, even two people weren’t needed].

역시나 Hyang 만든 손수레를 이용하면 [As expected, using the handcart that Hyang made] 혼자서 20인분 이상을 배달할 수도 있었다 [one person could deliver more than 20 servings alone].

철가방이 가진 강점은 운반의 편이성만이 아니었다 [The strength of the metal delivery box was not only the ease of transportation].

은색으로 반짝이는 철가방은 보기만 해도 깨끗해 보였다 [The silver, shining metal delivery box looked clean just by looking at it]. 그리고, 내부에 국물이 흘러도 청소가 쉬웠고, 냄새도 배지 않았다 [And even if soup spilled inside, it was easy to clean, and it didn’t absorb odors].

또한, 떨어뜨리거나 어디 부딪혀서 찌그러져도 망치질 몇 번으로 수리할 수 있었기 때문에 수명도 오래갔다 [Also, even if it was dropped or dented by hitting something, it could be repaired with a few hammer blows, so its lifespan was long].

결국, 한성에서 음식을 배달하는 기방이나 식당치고 철가방이 없는 곳이 없게 되었다 [Eventually, there was no *gibang* or restaurant in Hanseong that delivered food without a metal delivery box].

그리고 이 철가방은 얼마 지나지 않아 전국으로 퍼졌다 [And this metal delivery box soon spread throughout the country].

지방의 관청도 야근에 시달리기는 마찬가지였기 때문이었다 [This was because government offices in the provinces also suffered from late-night work]. 그리고, 미식으로 유명한 기방의 음식을 먹고 싶지만 기방 출입이 쉽지 않은 아녀자들이 배달을 애용했다 [And women who wanted to eat the food of *gibang* famous for their cuisine but found it difficult to visit *gibang* themselves frequently used delivery].

새로운 시장의 탄생이었다 [It was the birth of a new market].

재미있는 것은 한성에서는 주로 야근하는 관리들을 대상으로 시장이 형성된 것과 달리 [The interesting thing is that, unlike in Hanseong, where the market was mainly formed for officials working late,] 여염집을 대상으로 한 시장은 지방에서 먼저 형성되었다 [the market targeting ordinary homes was formed first in the provinces]. 그리고, 그것이 입소문을 타고 한성으로 올라왔다 [And that spread by word of mouth to Hanseong].

덕분에 [Thanks to this,] 철가방을 양손에 들거나, 아니면 철가방이 가득 실린 손수레를 끄는 배달꾼들이 [delivery people carrying metal delivery boxes in both hands, or pulling handcarts full of metal delivery boxes] 낮이고 밤이고 한성과 지방 도시의 거리를 내달렸다 [raced through the streets of Hanseong and provincial cities day and night].

그렇게 새로운 시장이 만들어지면서 나비효과가 발생했다 [As that new market was created, a butterfly effect occurred].

배달하는 동안에 충격을 받아도 쉽게 깨지지 않는 자기 그릇을 개발하기 위해 [In order to develop porcelain bowls that would not break easily even if they were shocked during delivery] 도자기 장인들이 밤을 새우기 시작했고 [pottery artisans began to stay up all night], 쉽게 식지 않으면서도 가벼운 유기 그릇을 만들기 위해 [in order to make light *yugi* [bronze] bowls that would not cool down easily] 유기 장인들이 고민하기 시작했다 [bronze artisans began to 고민 [worry]].

그릇 장인들만 고민하는 것이 아니었다 [It wasn’t just the bowl artisans who were 고민 [worrying]].

조선 전역의 기방과 식당들이 자신들을 대표할 수 있는 음식을 만들기 위해 고민하기 시작했다 [The *gibang* and restaurants throughout Joseon began to 고민 [worry] to create food that could represent them].

이런 소식을 접한 세종은 미소를 지으며 향을 돌아봤다 [Sejong, hearing this news, smiled and looked back at Hyang].

“도로 공사가 끝나면 날 잡고 전국을 한번 돌아야겠구나 [Once the road construction is finished, I should set a date and tour the whole country].”

“예? [Yes?]”

“전국에 이런 미식이 넘치니 한 번씩은 맛을 봐야 하지 않겠느냐? [Since the country is full of such delicacies, shouldn’t I taste them all at least once?]”

세종의 말에 향의 머릿속에 벼락이 쳤다 [At Sejong’s words, lightning struck in Hyang’s head].

‘미슐랭 가이드! [Michelin Guide!]’

“그러시면 아바마마, 점수도 매기심이 어떻습니까? [In that case, Father, how about giving scores?]”

“점수를? [Scores?]”

“예, 아바마마께서 높은 점수를 준 기방이나 식당은 소문이 나 번창할 것입니다 [Yes, the *gibang* or restaurant that Father gives a high score will become famous and prosper]. 그것을 본 다른 식당들이 가만히 있겠습니까? [Will the other restaurants just stand by and watch?] 그런 일이 반복되면 우리 조선의 음식이 얼마나 맛있어지겠습니까? [If that happens repeatedly, how delicious will the food of our Joseon become?]”

“그렇구나! [That’s right!]”

이렇게 해서 역사와 전통을 자랑하는 ‘왕의 미식지도’가 만들어지게 되었다 [And so, the ‘King’s Culinary Map,’ boasting history and tradition, was created].