Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 322

322. Warrior? New Devil? (5)

A young boy, his hair still in a braid indicating he hadn’t yet undergone his coming-of-age ceremony [a traditional Korean rite of passage], loudly demanded entry to the research institute. The gatekeepers of Gwanghwamun [the main gate of Gyeongbok Palace] exchanged troubled glances.

“Young sir, do you know where you are? This is Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbok Palace, where His Majesty resides. Careless talk here can lead to serious trouble. Be gone now.”

Ignoring the guard’s order, Kim Dam pulled bundles of paper from a bag carried by his servant and presented them.

“These are the solutions to the problems posed by the research institute! And this is a letter of recommendation! The talent His Highness the Crown Prince desires has come of his own accord, so let me in!”

“Goodness…”

The gatekeeper, unsure how to respond to Kim Dam’s audacious reply, hesitated. Seeing this, the head guard stepped forward.

“Young sir, how can you cause such a commotion in front of Gyeongbok Palace, where His Majesty resides?”

“Isn’t the commotion caused by blocking the path of a talent who solved the problems the research institute put out to find people? Let me in at once!”

“Heavens…”

The head guard also looked perplexed at Kim Dam’s words. He wanted to kick him out, but the mention of the research institute gave him pause. If he truly was the talent the research institute needed, he feared the consequences.

After all, the research institute and Area 51 [a reference to a secretive U.S. military base, implying a similar level of secrecy and importance] were under the direct control of the Crown Prince.

However, he couldn’t just let him in. The palace wasn’t a place for just anyone to wander in and out.

“What to do…”

Pondering a solution, the head guard looked at the bundles of paper Kim Dam was holding and made a decision.

“Young sir, you claim to be a talent who can work at the research institute and demand entry, but not just anyone can enter the palace. However, things might change once the research institute gives its verdict. Is that bundle of paper your solutions to the problems?”

“It is!”

“Give it to me. I’ll take it to the research institute. Can you wait quietly here until the research institute makes its judgment?”

Kim Dam clicked his tongue but replied to the head guard’s question.

“It seems like a mere formality, but I will comply.”

“Then give me the solutions and the recommendation letter.”

“Here they are.”

Receiving the thick bundles of paper and the recommendation letter from Kim Dam, the head guard, just in case, unfolded the papers to examine their contents but quickly folded them back up.

The numbers and symbols filling the paper made his head spin.

Quickly refolding the papers, the head guard looked at the recommendation letter and gave a wry smile. The envelope containing the recommendation letter had ‘Self-Recommendation’ written in large letters on the outside.

‘Truly, his audacity is unmatched!’

Forcing back the laughter that was starting to bubble up, the head guard said to Kim Dam.

“I’ll deliver this to the research institute, so wait here.”

“Understood.”

* * *

As the head guard, holding Kim Dam’s solutions and self-recommendation, entered, the ministers who had finished their morning meeting were heading towards Gwanghwamun.

The head guard respectfully saluted the ministers, who lightly returned the greeting and then questioned him, noticing the bundles of paper in his hand.

“Has someone else come with a petition?”

“No, it’s a young man who came seeking entry to the research institute.”

“A young man?”

“He praised himself as an indispensable talent for the research institute… but the judgment is up to the research institute.”

The ministers nodded at the head guard’s words.

“I suppose so. You’re having a hard time. Keep up the good work.”

“Thank you.”

The head guard, after bowing again, briskly walked towards Donggung Palace [the Crown Prince’s residence].

As they watched the head guard’s retreating figure heading towards Donggung Palace, the ministers clicked their tongues and grumbled.

“Just what kind of madman is trying so hard to enter that devil’s den…”

“Indeed. The friends who seemed normal when I saw them before are all obsessed with numbers these days…. Tsk, tsk, tsk!”

“They were all talented…”

As they grumbled, the ministers crossed the threshold of Gwanghwamun and saw Kim Dam standing to one side.

“That must be the boy.”

“Goodness, still so young that he hasn’t even had his coming-of-age ceremony…”

As the ministers took turns clicking their tongues at Kim Dam, who was wearing a bokgeon [a type of traditional Korean hat] and looking at them, Kim Jeom walked towards Kim Dam.

“Are you the one who moved the head guard?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Goodness. You don’t seem to have had your coming-of-age ceremony yet. Wouldn’t it be better to have the ceremony first and then challenge the civil service exam?”

Kim Dam replied firmly to Kim Jeom’s advice.

“It is said, ‘Do not miss a good opportunity.’ How can I miss such a good opportunity because of something like a coming-of-age ceremony?”

Kim Jeom looked at Kim Dam again at his unwavering reply.

‘His eyes are full of intelligence… he seems like a talent…’

“I have something I’d like to ask this young man. Will you answer?”

“Ask away. I will answer if I can.”

“Then, looking at the ‘Cultivating the Person’ section of the Great Learning…” [one of the Four Books of Confucianism]

Kim Jeom took out several passages from the Four Books and Five Classics [the core texts of Confucianism] and asked Kim Dam.

As Kim Dam answered without hesitation each time he asked, Kim Jeom took the financial report that his subordinate, who was following him, was holding and opened it to one place.

“Now, calculate the receipts and disbursements in this section.”

At Kim Jeom’s request, who had covered the answer with his finger, Kim Dam looked at the numbers written on the table, flicked his fingers, mentally calculated, and immediately gave the answer.

“Heavens!”

Kim Jeom involuntarily exclaimed as he checked Kim Dam’s answer against the actual answer.

‘That’s correct! Even the veteran officials of the Ministry of Finance had to lay out counting rods [an ancient calculating device] and re-examine it several times, but he solved it mentally! He’s a genius!’

Kim Jeom began to covet Kim Dam after seeing his genius.

“So, what kind of person is your father?”

“He is currently the magistrate of Yeongju.”

“Is that so? Then you could have submitted it in writing, so why did you come all the way to Hanseong [the historical name for Seoul] in person?”

“That is…”

Kim Jeom inwardly rejoiced as Kim Dam, who had been answering confidently until now, hesitated.

‘I see! He ran away from home! A great find!’

Kim Jeom began to coax Kim Dam with a subtle expression and voice.

“I have a proposal for you.”

“A proposal?”

“Yes, how about coming to the Ministry of Finance instead of the research institute? I’ll give you a special appointment. The Ministry of Finance is also a place where mathematics is important, so you can show off your talents to your heart’s content. And, dealing with the nation’s most important state affairs, finance, is the most important of important positions. How pleased would your father be if you worked in such a Ministry of Finance? You can show off your talents and be filial, so how great is that?”

“I don’t just like calculating, but I like seeking the truth hidden within mathematics.”

“Haha! That’s important too. But isn’t it also very important to thoroughly manage the nation’s finances? How about it? How long until your coming-of-age ceremony?”

“Next February.”

Kim Jeom’s face brightened even more at Kim Dam’s answer.

“Not long left! Go back for now. If you come up after having your coming-of-age ceremony, I’ll give you a special appointment right away! How about it?”

“But, I…”

“You probably came up here secretly, right?”

“…”

When Kim Dam couldn’t answer, Kim Jeom began to spread the bait again.

“What is the epitome of filial piety? It is to make one’s parents feel at ease…”

“That’s enough!”

Kim Jeom closed his mouth and looked at the source of the sudden shout. There, Jeong Cho was glaring at him with a reddened face.

“Minister! Do you know what is the most reviled thing in the world? It is secretly stealing someone else’s things! A gentleman should not do such a thing, nor should he even think about it!”

“I haven’t even signed the papers yet, so what stealing are you talking about?”

Jeong Cho, who had strode over at Kim Jeom’s jest, pulled Kim Dam firmly to his side and retorted.

“I signed the papers! Is that enough?”

“Tch…. If you change your mind, come find me anytime. The doors of the Ministry of Finance are always wide open.”

“Minister!”

At Jeong Cho’s loud shout, Kim Jeom immediately turned around and disappeared into the Ministry of Finance building.

“That greed of his…. Tsk!”

Jeong Cho, clicking his tongue, turned to look at Kim Dam.

“Are you the one who wrote the answers and submitted them?”

“Yes, I am. My name is Kim Dam, from Yeongju.”

“Pleased to meet you. Follow me.”

“Yes.”

Jeong Cho took Kim Dam to the research institute located in Donggung Palace.

* * *

Kim Dam, who arrived at the research institute, was greeted by Hyang and the researchers of the research institute.

“His Highness the Crown Prince.”

At Jeong Cho’s introduction, Kim Dam immediately prostrated himself and gave a deep bow.

After that simple introduction, Hyang immediately got to the point.

“I have checked the solutions you submitted. Out of the five problems, three had the correct explanation and the correct answer, one had both the explanation and the answer wrong, and one had the explanation correct but the answer wrong. Check it.”

At Hyang’s gesture, a eunuch returned the bundles of paper that Kim Dam had submitted to him. The papers had red writing indicating the incorrect parts.

Kim Dam, examining the indications and doing a re-calculation, turned to look at Hyang.

“It seems that the indication of the explanation is incorrect.”

“The indication is incorrect?”

“Yes.”

“Officer Lee.”

“Yes!”

At Hyang’s call, Lee Soon-ji answered with rough breaths and stepped forward.

For a long time after that, Lee Soon-ji and Kim Dam had a heated discussion over the problems and solutions with loud voices.

Jeong Cho, watching the scene, turned to look at Hyang with a pleased face.

“It seems that a pretty good talent has come in.”

Hyang also smiled and nodded at Jeong Cho’s words.

“It seems so.”

Jeong In-ji, who was listening to the two people’s conversation from the side, muttered inwardly.

‘Isn’t it that another weirdo just like Officer Lee has come in, not a talent?’

In the meantime, the heated discussion came to an end.

“I was mistaken. Thank you for pointing it out.”

“It is a mistake that occurs as soon as one’s mindset becomes lax. Therefore, one must always have a firm mindset when delving into the explanation.”

“Thank you for the deep teaching.”

Kim Dam, expressing his gratitude to Lee Soon-ji, bowed his head to Hyang.

“Please forgive me for acting impolitely to Your Highness.”

“It’s alright.”

“Then, am I rejected?”

Hyang smiled slightly at Kim Dam’s question and shook his head.

“You are the top scorer among those who have passed so far.”

Kim Dam’s face brightened at Hyang’s words. Kim Dam, wearing a beaming smile, hurriedly gave a deep bow to Hyang.

“I am overwhelmed! I will serve with all my life!”

Hyang corrected one fact in Kim Dam’s words.

“You won’t be going into practical work right away. You have to receive training first.”

“If you mean training?”

“You will learn and pass a higher level of mathematics before being put into practical work.”

Kim Dam’s face brightened even more at the words ‘a higher level of mathematics’.

“I will do my best!”

“Then, follow Officer Lee and take a look around the research institute’s facilities first. I have to write the certificate of acceptance in the meantime.”

“Yes!”

At Hyang’s command, Kim Dam excitedly followed Lee Soon-ji. Hyang, who had sent Kim Dam out like that, turned to look at Jeong Cho.

“No matter how I look at it, it seems like he ran away from home, right?”

“It seems so.”

“I’ll have to write the certificate of acceptance myself. That’s the only way to be scolded less.”

“That’s the best way.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Kim Dam, following Lee Soon-ji and looking around the various things in the research institute, continued to exclaim and ask questions.

“Wow! What is the principle of this instrument?”

“What is the formula for the principle of the pressure gauge?”

Each time Kim Dam’s question was thrown, Lee Soon-ji answered without hesitation.

“The principle of this is… to express it as a formula…”

Lee Soon-ji, who was explaining to Kim Dam like that, opened the door to the very last room.

“This is where we are putting the most effort right now.”

“Wow!”

Kim Dam involuntarily exclaimed in joy at the scenery visible inside the room.

On one wall of the room, which was made by connecting two large rooms, there was a large blackboard from end to end, and all sorts of formulas were written on that blackboard.

Kim Dam, who was staring at the formulas as if possessed, turned to look at Lee Soon-ji.

“What are you calculating?”

“They are the formulas for designing a bridge to be laid on the river.”

“A bridge?”

“Yes. Stone bridges or moon bridges cannot be placed on large rivers. So, we are thinking of building a bridge using rebar and bamboo. Those formulas are the calculation formulas needed for its success. If this formula is properly completed, we can put bridges on all of Joseon’s famous large rivers, including the Han River. That is the goal of our research institute right now. If you complete the training well, you will be put into this work right away.”

Kim Dam immediately replied to Lee Soon-ji’s words.

“I will do my best!”

* * *

Author’s words.

Hello?

This is Gukbbong, who is writing ‘Black Company Joseon’.

I am sorry to say this again.

My sister’s illness has worsened again. Therefore, I have to go to the hospital and wait at any time.

Therefore, I will try to maintain the weekday serialization as much as possible, but the weekend serialization will be irregular for the time being.

I am sorry for causing trouble to the readers.

I will do my best anyway.

Gukbbong Dream.