Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 366

The ministers who had concluded the morning assembly at Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbok Palace] reconvened in the State Council meeting room.

As they settled into their seats, Minister of Land Development Jeong Yeok released a weary sigh.

“Hoo~. His Majesty keeps emphasizing this is a period of stagnation, but is it truly?”

* * *

As the Gyeongjang [a period of economic prosperity and reform during Sejong’s reign] neared its end, Joseon’s development began to show signs of strain. Consequently, most ministries were adjusting their policy priorities, creating a sense of stagnation. However, the Ministry of Land Development had no such leeway.

Sejong had even explicitly stated:

“The transportation network improvement project is crucial to Joseon’s future, so ensure there are no delays.”

Jeong Yeok had no choice but to bow his head and accept Sejong’s directive.

“I will engrave it in my heart.”

* * *

At Jeong Yeok’s lament, Jo Gye-saeng interjected sharply.

“At least you’re maintaining the status quo! My workload has only increased!”

“Ah….”

“I understand the *Hunminjeongeum* [the Korean alphabet] is useful, but preparing to teach it starting next year… What is this….”

“But didn’t he give you a year to prepare? He usually orders immediate implementation. Didn’t His Majesty consider that?”

Kim Jeom’s tactless remark ignited Jo Gye-saeng’s anger.

“Seriously? Is this guy serious!”

“Hmph! You complain about being overworked, but let me ask you: would you like to take over the Ministry of Finance’s responsibilities?”

Kim Jeom’s challenge caused Jo Gye-saeng’s anger to subside.

During the policy prioritization adjustments, Sejong hadn’t mentioned the Ministry of Finance at all.

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t the Ministry of Finance also adjust some policy priorities?”

Kim Jeom stepped forward, unable to watch any longer, but Sejong firmly refused.

“The Ministry of Finance manages the nation’s finances and the people’s economy. Where can we find priorities in such crucial matters? Instead, we must identify and address issues before the people complain.”

Sejong’s order was clear:

‘Find work, even if you have to create it.’

Kim Jeom retreated, burdened with this impossible task.

Lee Jik, observing Kim Jeom, Jeong Yeok, and Jo Gye-saeng venting their frustrations, turned to Maeng Sa-seong.

“The liquor bill will be high tonight.”

At Lee Jik’s words, Maeng Sa-seong muttered softly, his face paling.

“Sir! Have you forgotten what happened last time?”

“We need to slip away quietly.”

* * *

As the ministers’ complaints subsided, the high officials resumed their discussion.

“His Majesty calls it a period of stagnation, but I doubt it,” Jeong Yeok repeated.

Maeng Sa-seong responded, “Doesn’t it only *seem* like stagnation? New policies used to be created and implemented almost daily, but that has slowed down.”

“Kkeueung….”

Jeong Yeok groaned at Maeng Sa-seong’s answer, and Heo Jo added, “To be precise, it’s more of a period of reorganization than stagnation.”

The ministers nodded in agreement.

The current situation, as Heo Jo pointed out, was more about reorganization than stagnation.

The primary reason for this reorganization was the explosive population growth.

The population, which had significantly decreased during the chaotic period from the end of the Jeon Dynasty to the early Joseon period, surged as the Gyeongjang progressed.

Although Joseon’s government had been expanding, it was clear that it would struggle to function effectively if the population continued to grow at the current rate.

Therefore, Sejong and the ministers chose to take a breather.

* * *

Jeong Yeok, nodding at Heo Jo’s explanation, asked, “How long do you think this period of stagnation will last? I’m expecting at least ten years.”

The ministers began to calculate and estimate. After a moment, Heo Jo spoke.

“Five years at the shortest, ten at the longest?”

“That seems likely.”

“Agreed.”

Jeong Yeok sighed.

“Hoo~. Five years…. Ultimately, the Han River bridge will determine everything.”

The ministers all nodded.

* * *

Everyone agreed that the land transportation network reorganization was the final major undertaking of the Gyeongjang. The centerpiece of this network was the bridge to be built across the Han River.

As part of this reorganization, bridges were being constructed over rivers and streams throughout Joseon. Building bridges using reinforced concrete was a new and challenging endeavor.

The merchants in charge of construction gradually gained experience, starting with smaller streams. Errors were meticulously documented and sent to the research institute and Area 51 [a fictional advanced research facility]. This iterative process led to continuous improvement in construction technology, which was immediately applied to new projects.

As a result, later bridges featured wider pier spacing and more robust construction.

Toward the end of this process, bridges began to be built over other major rivers (excluding the Han River) starting the year before last.

These bridges shared a significant feature: major rivers at the heart of transportation would have two bridges built simultaneously.

One bridge was for people and ox carts, and the other was for iron horses [early trains or locomotives].

“The iron horse will be the core of Joseon’s future land transportation!”

Following Sejong’s agreement with Hyang’s proposal, the iron horse was actively being improved. Area 51 focused on developing increasingly large and powerful models.

After reviewing the progress, Sejong decided that the bridge for the iron horse should be built first.

“It will be too late to build the bridge after a usable iron horse is completed! We must build it in advance!”

Jeong Yeok immediately objected.

“Building a bridge isn’t the difficult part. Designing a bridge strong enough is. The size and weight of the iron horse are increasing. If we don’t anticipate that, building in advance could be a waste.”

“You are right.”

Ultimately, this problem was handed over to the research institute and Area 51. Hyang, Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, Lee Soon-ji, and others collaborated and reached the following conclusion:

-Initially, 12,000 *kwan* [貫, approximately 45 tons] would be commercially viable. However, it would eventually reach 24,000 *kwan* [approximately 90 tons].(Note 1)

However, this figure only accounted for the iron horse itself. With coal and water, the weight would increase to 37,900 *kwan* [approximately 140 tons].

“That’s just the iron horse? What about passenger or freight cars?”

“At least double.”

Jeong Yeok’s face paled as he listened to Hyang’s answer.

Seeing Jeong Yeok’s expression, Sejong ordered Hyang, “Design the bridge based on the final expected result.”

“I obey the command.”

That was how the design of the railroad piers for the four major rivers was finalized.

And, at the end of that challenge, the calculation formulas for designing the Han River bridges—which excited Kim Dam and Western scholars—were created.

Because it was an enormous symbol connecting Joseon’s capital, Hanseong, with other regions, those in charge of designing the Han River bridge poured their hearts and souls into it.

Construction was scheduled to begin this dry season, based on the design.

As an aside, the designers, despite creating a masterpiece, were full of complaints.

“Ah! We could have reduced the number of piers!”

Hyang, upon receiving the initial draft, ordered a reduction in pier spacing and an increase in the number of piers.

“I know you put your heart and soul into it, but reduce the spacing between the piers here and increase the number of piers a bit. Just to be a little safer.”

“The current design is safe enough.”

“That may be true. But isn’t this the bridge to be placed on the Han River? Let’s err on the side of caution.”

* * *

“At least five years, up to ten years…. If we consider the implementation of *Hunminjeongeum*, the workload will increase enormously.”

At Jeong Yeok’s words, the other ministers looked at him strangely.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?”

Heo Jo asked, “Are you planning to live and work until then? Hehe~. I think I should make sure you take your medicine diligently.”

“Ah….”

Jeong Yeok, startled by Heo Jo’s words, muttered with mixed emotions, “We’re already at that age.”

Most of the ministers in the meeting room had been active in politics since the end of the Goryeo Dynasty.

Now, more than thirty years after the founding of Joseon, they were at an age where death would not be unexpected.

Maeng Sa-seong echoed the sentiment with a similar expression.

“What we must do is use this period of stagnation to prepare for the future. The next generation will take care of the rest. Unfortunately, we are old, our workload has exploded, and we likely won’t see the full results.”

The ministers quietly nodded.

* * *

Thus, the period later known as the ‘Stagnation Period’ was born.

Scholars studying Joseon’s history evaluated this period as follows:

‘A novice historian will simply call it a period of stagnation, but a proper historian will be frustrated when looking at this period of stagnation.’

The Joseon government, recognizing the explosive population increase (evaluated as ‘the world’s first officially recorded baby boom’), initiated a major reorganization. This was an effort to minimize the impact when the baby boom generation came of age and entered society.

Therefore, the period of stagnation appeared quiet, especially compared to the periods before and after, which were filled with new policies, events, and accidents.

However, scholars who studied this period firmly denied such notions.

They were convinced that this period of stagnation was the most important period, setting the stage for a great leap forward.

Some scholars even devoted their lives to studying this ‘period of stagnation’ alone.

And no scholar denied that the creation and dissemination of *Hunminjeongeum* was the most important event of this period.

The balance of power in the three Northeast Asian countries shifted dramatically as the first generation familiar with *Hunminjeongeum*, breaking away from the existing Chinese character culture, entered society.

Indeed, the creation and dissemination of *Hunminjeongeum* was a super-large event that triggered a butterfly effect, greatly shaking even Western countries due to the changes in Northeast Asia.

Consequently, scholars studying Joseon during this period had to examine not only the history of Ming and Japan but also the history of Europe, making their workload incredibly demanding.

This led to the following joke among historians:

“Recommend the study of Joseon history after the stagnation period to someone you hate.”

* * *

Note 1) Based on the Korean National Railroad’s Class 900 steam locomotive.

https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/대한민국 철도청 900호대 증기 기관차