Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 341

341. Fantasy Land, Frustrating Land. (3)

“Hoo! Ssiya….”

Angelo, barely stopping the curse words that threatened to spill out, quickly made the sign of the cross and glanced around. Reassured that his disciples were out of earshot, Angelo sighed in relief.

“Hoo~ Thank God…. ”

Angelo took a moment to compose himself, reflecting on his near loss of composure. But the weight of the stack of papers in his hand brought back his frown.

* * *

The research institute and its associated buildings, under construction between Mapo and Area 51 [likely a humorous reference to a secret or restricted area], were not yet complete when the alchemists and mathematicians arrived from the West.

Therefore, the newcomers were temporarily housed in Bukpyeong Hall, a building that had largely fallen into disuse.

“As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining….”

Lee Maeng-gyun quipped to his subordinates as he designated Bukpyeong Hall as their lodgings. The officials responded with polite chuckles.

* * *

Bukpyeong Hall had originally served as lodging for Jurchen envoys. However, most of the major tribes in the vicinity that once sent envoys to Joseon had already sworn allegiance. The remaining large tribes were either too distant or, like Yi Man-ju’s [a historical figure who resisted Joseon rule], had resisted Joseon and been either completely destroyed or significantly weakened.

Consequently, Bukpyeong Hall had become obsolete. Maintaining a rarely used building was deemed wasteful, and officials—particularly those in the Ministry of Finance—were considering its demolition or conversion to other purposes.

* * *

The alchemists and mathematicians, having temporarily settled into Bukpyeong Hall, promptly began studying the Joseon language.

“Learning the language is important, but spending all day on it isn’t the most efficient approach.”

Hyang prepared mathematical formulas, calculation problems (written in Latin), and mineral analysis tasks, distributing them to the alchemists and mathematicians.

“I expect you to dedicate the mornings to language acquisition and the afternoons to these problems.”

The alchemists, confronted with the stack of assignments, exchanged troubled glances.

“Our Latin isn’t exactly top-notch.”

“Is that so? Hmm….”

After a moment’s thought, Hyang turned to Angelo and his group.

“Do you know Greek?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then translate and distribute these materials.”

“Yes….”

And with that, the alchemists and mathematicians were fully integrated into the work.

* * *

Angelo and his group found themselves the busiest of all, thrown headfirst into practical tasks.

Thanks to inheriting Roger Bacon’s legacy [a reference to the influential English philosopher and scientist], they possessed knowledge in diverse fields, including mathematics, philosophy, alchemy, astronomy, and astrology.

Furthermore, their fluency in Greek made them indispensable translators, constantly on the move.

“Last week, we were swamped with formula calculations; this week, it’s mineral analysis; next week….”

“We’re scheduled to visit Seowoongwan [likely a Joseon astronomical observatory] for astronomical problems.”

“Oh, Lord….”

Angelo’s disciples, dividing their labor according to a schedule that combined the Joseon officials’ one-day-off-every-seven-days system with the concept of the Sabbath, lamented their packed agenda.

* * *

“Hey! Western monks! Why the long faces?”

A researcher from the institute, noticing their weary expressions, approached them. Angelo’s disciples had grown relatively close to the researchers, able to communicate through a mix of gestures and the researchers’ rudimentary Latin.

The researcher, after examining the work schedule posted on the wall, shook his head sympathetically.

“You’re swamped. Why not divide the team and work separately?”

“We don’t have the manpower to split up like that….”

“Oh dear. Tsk tsk tsk….”

The priests grumbled to the clicking-tongued researcher.

“We have to study the language in the morning, conduct research in the afternoon, and study doctrine at night. There’s just not enough time.”

“Exactly. Not enough time.”

The researcher’s expression shifted at their words.

“So, you’re not complaining about the workload, but about the lack of time?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s hard, but it’s bearable.”

“Shh!”

The researcher’s face paled, and he quickly warned them, glancing around nervously.

“What is it?”

At the priest’s question, the researcher cautioned him.

“There are certain phrases you should never utter in the research institute or the court, and ‘It’s bearable’ is one of them. Never say it aloud.”

“Yes? Yes….”

As the priests nodded, the researcher chuckled and continued.

“Anyway, it’s odd that you’re more concerned about the lack of time than the physical strain.”

“We’ve rarely had the opportunity to conduct research in such a conducive environment.”

“Ah….”

The researcher nodded, understandingly. He had similar experiences, and still did.

Even now, many Joseon scholars considered fields like mathematics and chemistry as minor pursuits, suitable only for leisure when they were tired of studying the Confucian classics.

-If you are a scholar, you should study the classics and enter government service. How can you even consider pursuing such trivial subjects!

Many researchers lived almost estranged from their families due to conflicts with elders who held such views.

Even that was a significant improvement from the past.

* * *

“Well, good work. I have a report to submit, so I’ll head out.”

“Good work.”

The researcher paused, glanced back at the priests, and then turned away.

“They’re a strange bunch, too….”

‘There are three types of people in the research institute.’

That was a common saying among the researchers.

-The first type is those who are work incarnate. Those who can’t live without work. These people are called ‘incomprehensible.’

Individuals in this ‘incomprehensible’ category included the Crown Prince and Grand Prince Jinpyeong.

-The second type is those who enjoy work. Those who enjoy easy problems because they are easy, and those who enjoy difficult problems even more because they are difficult.

Representative examples include ‘Original Weirdo’ Lee Soon-ji and ‘Young Weirdo’ Kim Dam.

-The last type is ‘perverts addicted to pain.’ Those who suffer from the tasks assigned by the incomprehensible and weirdos, and later revel in the pain and rejoice in the results they achieve through that pain.

Starting with Minister Jeong Cho, the remaining researchers and artisans fell into this category.

And if you remain a ‘pervert’ long enough, you evolve, with Jang Yeong-sil [a famous Joseon inventor and scientist] as the prime example. Jang Yeong-sil initially suffered from the tasks set by the Crown Prince, but before he knew it, he had ascended to the realm of the ‘incomprehensible.’

It was a self-deprecating saying, but from an outsider’s perspective, all the researchers and artisans seemed eccentric.

Whenever they voiced such complaints, their acquaintances would invariably retort:

“If it’s so difficult, quit and retake the civil service exam!”

“Just leave and open a blacksmith shop!”

The alchemists and mathematicians had grown accustomed to this atmosphere within the research institute. They had even given the institute a nickname.

-Academeia (Ἀκαδημ(ε)ια, Akadēm(e)íā) [the historical origin of the word “academy”]

For them, this research institute represented an ideal they had only dreamed of. While they still couldn’t pursue their own research interests fully, they were nonetheless very content.

This was because they experienced significant progress simply by completing the tasks assigned by Hyang.

The problem was that each new task seemed to increase in difficulty or volume to an almost unbearable degree.

As a result, Angelo and most of his staff quickly became proficient in swearing.

* * *

Unexpected victims emerged with the arrival of the alchemists and mathematicians: the interpreters.

“They can speak to some extent, but the writing is the problem….”

Hyang pondered, reviewing the language acquisition progress of the alchemists and mathematicians. Their conversational skills were improving, but their writing skills remained rudimentary.

“Well, those damn Chinese characters are holding them back….”

Hyang, searching for a solution, soon found one: mobilize the interpreters.

As trade expanded, Sejong [King Sejong the Great, a famous Joseon ruler] had increased the number of interpreters.

In addition to the existing Chinese, Japanese, and Jurchen languages, the scope of education was expanded to include Arabic, Sanskrit, and Latin, and Hassan’s relatives were hired as instructors.

Hyang, having found a solution, immediately approached Sejong and requested the support of the interpreters.

Sejong considered Hyang’s request for a moment and then made a decision.

“The more you use a foreign language, the faster you will learn it. I grant your request.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

* * *

And so, the interpreters specializing in Latin were conscripted into the research institute.

“…So, your task is to translate the writings of Western scholars from Latin into Chinese characters.”

“Understood.”

“I look forward to working with you.”

At Hyang’s instruction, the interpreters bowed in unison and replied.

“We will do our best!”

However, less than a week later, Hyang summoned the interpreters again.

“You also need to learn mathematics.”

“We need to learn it too? We’re just copying the text?”

At the interpreters’ protest, Hyang responded firmly.

“Even if you’re just copying, you need to understand what you’re copying to copy it correctly!”

“Ah….”

* * *

While these events unfolded in Joseon, Europe was also stirring beneath the surface.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

Prince Henrique [Prince Henry the Navigator], constantly traveling between Ceuta and Sagres, returned to Lisbon at the summons of his father, the king.

Henrique lightly kissed the ring on the hand that the king extended and looked at his father.

“You summoned me?”

“Yes. I summoned you regarding the work you are undertaking.”

Henrique’s face grew serious at his father’s words.

‘Could it be that the debt problem has been discovered?’

Exploring unknown lands and seas was an expensive undertaking. Therefore, Henrique had accumulated considerable debts. To repay these debts, Henrique was working tirelessly on his explorations and actively participating in the slave trade.

The slave trade generated substantial profits, but Henrique’s current situation left him with little after repaying debts and interest.

King João I, observing Henrique’s expression, continued.

“Some time ago, our ambassador in the Vatican sent news. There was a reading of a letter sent by a priest who traveled to Joseon in the East.”

“I heard the rumors.”

“Because of that, many countries have begun to move with purpose.”

Henrique’s eyes narrowed at João I’s words.

“When you say many countries, does that include those Spanish bastards?”

João I nodded at Henrique’s question.

“That’s right. I hear you’ve made significant progress in Africa. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

Henrique answered his father’s question curtly. João I, hearing the answer, issued an order.

“I will increase my support for your endeavors. Secure a sea route to India and then to Joseon via Africa as quickly as possible. The land route is blocked by those Islamic bastards and Italian usurers, so the only way for us to proceed is by sea. We must secure it before those Spanish bastards intervene.”

“I will do so!”

* * *

Author’s words.

Hello?

I’m Gukbbong, author of ‘Black Company Joseon’.

I have an announcement to make.

I will be taking a break this Saturday and Sunday.

The reason is a cold.

I’ve been under pressure lately, and I’ve fallen ill.

I will recover as quickly as possible over the weekend and return.

I apologize.