Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 384

384. That Man, Jang Yeong-sil (1)

Two days later, a new public notice was posted on the large bulletin boards of the research institute and Area 51.

– Announcement of New Challenge Log Entry.

Date: January 7th, Gy Chuk year (1433).

Proposer: Grand Prince Jinpyeong.

Content:

Construct a bridge between the Maritime Province and Jongjang Island to connect land transportation routes.

Grade: Yu Gong Yi San [The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountain] – High.

Proposer Grade: Pioneer.

It was a short announcement, but everyone who read it nodded in agreement.

“As expected of Grand Prince Jinpyeong.”

“Who else would think of something like this?”

“Land transportation, so it must be a railroad, right?”

“Of course.”

The researchers and artisans who were talking all had the same thought.

“The fact that it’s on the Challenge Log means they think it’s possible, right?”

“Looking at the grade, it’s Yu Gong Yi San, but still… The very fact that it’s on the Challenge Log means it’s possible.”

The researchers believed that just being on the ‘Challenge Log’ implied feasibility.

* * *

The Challenge Log was created by Hyang to inspire a sense of ambition in the researchers and artisans of the research institute.

Hyang created it because he realized that the researchers and artisans had become too complacent.

Until then, the vast majority of tasks performed at the research institute and Area 51 were based on Hyang’s direct instructions.

“His Highness the Crown Prince will think of it.”

“That’s right. We just need to do what His Highness tells us to do.”

Most of the researchers and artisans were just diligently performing their assigned tasks with this mindset.

Hyang clicked his tongue after confirming this situation.

“Tsk! I went through all those trials and errors to avoid seeing this mess….”

When he first created the research institute and Area 51 and proceeded with the development of weapons, Hyang endured numerous trials and errors and wasted a lot of time. The reason for this was to prevent a passive situation like the one he was now witnessing.

However, as time passed, the researchers and artisans became less proactive.

However, the researchers and artisans could not be entirely blamed for this.

Until now, they had been so busy turning the various concepts and ideas that Hyang had put forward into proper theories and proving them that they had become reliant on his direction.

“This won’t do! I have to come up with something….”

Unwilling to accept this passive atmosphere, Hyang racked his brains to find a solution, and that is how he created the Challenge Log.

“There are two things that motivate even the laziest people. One is incentives, and the other is recognition. I’m already using incentives effectively, so I need to leverage recognition.”

Hyang stimulated people’s desire for honor.

After strict screening by Hyang and top executives such as Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, and Yi Cheon, when something was registered in the Challenge Log, the registration date, proposer, and its contents were announced and recorded accurately.

As long as that record existed, everyone would know who came up with the idea first.

There were nine grades created in this way.

First, three major grades.

Go Gun Bun Tu [Fighting Alone]: It’s difficult, but it seems like it can be solved within at least one generation.

Ma Bu Jak Chim [Grinding an Ax to Make a Needle]: It’s extremely difficult, but there is a possibility that it can be solved within three generations.

Yu Gong Yi San [The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountain]: It will take more than three generations of time and effort, but there is a possibility.

These three grades were further divided into upper, middle, and lower levels, creating a total of nine grades.

And those who solved the challenges listed on this Challenge Log would also have their names recorded in the Challenge Log.

After announcing this Challenge Log system, the atmosphere of the researchers and artisans gradually began to change as Hyang intended.

One by one, creative opinions and ideas that Hyang had not even anticipated began to emerge.

* * *

The researchers, who believed that there was a possibility of realization simply because it was listed on the Challenge Log, rushed to the research institute’s library.

The researchers, who examined the related reports and maps sent by the Ministry of National Defense, all shook their heads.

“Even the narrowest point is at least 20 li [about 8 kilometers]…”

“Even if the grade is Yu Gong Yi San….”

“Do His Highness the Crown Prince and Minister Jeong Cho think this is possible?”

“They must have put it on the Challenge Log because it’s possible, right?”

The researchers who were talking shook their heads.

“Even if it’s Yu Gong Yi San grade, and a high grade at that, this is a bit….”

“I wonder if His Highness the Crown Prince thought about it too easily….”

Even while making such doubtful noises, the researchers’ eyes were shining.

“However, the fact that it’s on the Challenge Log means there’s a possibility of realization! The moment we succeed, our names will be recorded in history! Even though it’s more than three generations, we’ll still be recorded if we create a theoretical method that can be proven!”

* * *

Area 51, Institute Research Department.

“The construction guys have been busy lately. What’s going on?”

A junior researcher asked, and the senior researcher, with his eyes fixed on the blueprint, replied in a nonchalant voice.

“They’re making a big deal about building a bridge that’s 20 li long.”

“20 li? If you start crossing the bridge after breakfast, you’ll be eating lunch by the time you get to the other side.”

“Never mind that, did you find out what I asked you to find out?”

The junior researcher, realizing that the senior researcher was in a bad mood, hurriedly put down the books.

“Ah, yes! I found some good data in the Wujing Zongyao [Complete Compendium of Military Classics] that you mentioned.”

The senior researcher’s face brightened at the junior researcher’s answer.

“Really? My memory hasn’t failed me! Give it to me!”

At the senior researcher’s words, the junior researcher searched through the book, opened the relevant section, and handed it to the senior researcher.

“This is the part!”

“Hmm….”

The senior researcher, who received the book, examined the contents of the relevant section.

“Charyungado [Cart-Wheel Boat Diagram]… Sailors inside the boat step on the platform to turn the cartwheels outside….”(Note 1)

After checking the picture and the contents, the senior researcher ordered the junior researcher.

“The picture is small, so redraw it on a large piece of paper.”

“Yes.”

* * *

The picture that the junior researcher enlarged and copied was soon posted on the wall of the Institute Research Department.

“Charyunga… Are we going to use cartwheels?”

The senior researcher nodded at the head of the research department’s question.

“That’s right.”

“Hmm… Not bad?”

The researchers and artisans belonging to the research department nodded at the head of the department’s words.

A monk who was examining the picture with them joined the conversation.

“I think I’ve seen a similar picture to this.”

“Where?”

“Please wait a moment!”

The monk ran off somewhere and returned with a thick parchment book in his arms.

“It’s a book called ‘De Rebus Bellicis.’ It says that they used similar ships in ancient Rome.”

“Let me see.”

The researchers put the book in the middle and put their heads together.

The researchers, who examined the contents for a while, nodded.

“Instead of people, it’s cows?”

“It would be more powerful than the Charyunga of the Wujing Zongyao.”

“It seems to be an application of the Yeonja Mill [a type of mill powered by animals].”

The head of the department, who organized his thoughts while listening to the researchers’ opinions, came to a conclusion.

“Let’s adapt this to a steam engine.”

“Yes.”

“You must keep in mind that we need to prepare a report and drawings as soon as possible and submit them to His Highness.”

“Yes!”

* * *

Ten days later, Hyang, who received the report and drawings, examined them with a face full of curiosity.

Hyang, who was examining the records of Eastern and Western ships made with similar ideas, burst into laughter.

“People’s thoughts are all the same…. That being said, is it because China has a lot of people? Everything is done with manpower….”

Hyang, who was making his own evaluation, asked the head of the department.

“Looking at the drawings, are you thinking of building a test ship to match this?”

“Yes.”

“That will cost a bit, won’t it?”

At Hyang’s question, the head of the department replied with a helpless expression.

“It can’t be helped. We have to prove it.”

“Hmm….”

Hyang, who was contemplating for a moment at the head of the department’s words, got up from his seat.

“I’ll try to find another way.”

‘If I submit this to His Majesty as it is, Minister Kim Jeom will try to tear me apart!’

“Yes, I understand.”

Hyang, who came out of the office, muttered as he walked.

“Paddle steamers aren’t efficient, so how can I get them to use a screw system?”

Hyang, who was thinking hard to find a good way, came up with another idea.

“Wait a minute…. Putting a steam engine on the already powerful Challenger-class battleships? The Europeans will curse me. They’ll say I have no sense of commercial ethics.”

Hyang, who was imagining the butterfly effect that would occur by installing a steam engine, smiled and came to a conclusion.

“Why should I care?”

* * *

Hyang, who came out of the office, went to Jang Yeong-sil’s workshop.

After moving to Area 51, Jang Yeong-sil was promoted from Byeoljwa to Jeongrang [positions in the Joseon Dynasty].

Through the Gyeongjang [administrative reform], the organization of the research institute and Area 51 changed, and he was offered the position of General Manager of the Development Department, but Jang Yeong-sil refused.

“I am an artisan who handles instruments, not a civil official who handles documents! The position of General Manager is not a good fit for me. A position where I wield a saw and hammer is my place.”

Hyang smiled wryly at Jang Yeong-sil’s refusal of a high position, as befitting someone in the realm of the ‘incomprehensible.’

‘That guy has become a true otaku [a person with obsessive interests, particularly in anime and manga].’

Thanks to this, Jang Yeong-sil was given a new position.

‘Director of the Technology Demonstration Department.’

It was a department that created physical objects to see if the drawings and technologies produced by the Research Department could actually be used.

It was the perfect position for Jang Yeong-sil.

* * *

“You could have just called for me, why did you come to such a humble place?”

Jang Yeong-sil, who greeted Hyang who had come to his workshop, could not hide his apologetic feelings.

“Haha! Sometimes moving around like this is good for your health! And….”

Hyang continued, looking around Jang Yeong-sil’s workshop.

“I heard that you’ve been making a lot of interesting things lately, so I came to see them.”

“Ah….”

At Hyang’s words, Jang Yeong-sil playfully lit up his eyes and offered him a seat.

“Please sit down first. Disciple! Bring two cups of Black Bean Tea here!”

“Yes, Master!”

Hyang’s eyes lit up at the sight.

“I received a report that you took on a disciple.”

“Yes. He’s a good kid.”

After a while, a young man who looked about the same age as Hyang came in with a teapot.

The young man, standing at the opposite end of the conference table where Jang Yeong-sil and Hyang were sitting, placed two cups on a tray held by a small doll and wound the spring on the doll’s back.

Charrrrr~.

With the sound of the spring unwinding, the doll holding the tray slowly moved towards Jang Yeong-sil. The doll, which moved as if sliding using the wheels hidden between its legs, stopped right in front of Jang Yeong-sil.

Jang Yeong-sil smiled slightly as he saw Hyang, who was frozen in shock, and took a cup from the tray and placed it in front of Hyang.

“Your Highness, please have a drink.”

Click!

As two cups were taken from the tray, the doll turned 180 degrees with a small mechanical sound and returned to its original position.

Hyang, who was staring blankly at the doll, turned to Jang Yeong-sil.

“What is that?”

“Ah! It’s a clockwork doll that I made as a pastime while making the Jahang Anyeo [self-striking water clock] and precision clocks. It’s very good for enjoying leisure.”

Looking at Jang Yeong-sil, who was saying it as if it were nothing, Hyang shouted inwardly.

‘Everyone in the neighborhood! There’s a genius here!’

Objects such as the Automaton, which began to be made in 17th-century Europe, and the Karakuri, which was made in 19th-century Japan, were appearing now in the 15th century.

After regaining his senses for a moment, Hyang looked around again and opened his mouth.

“Do you have any other leisure activities?”

At Hyang’s question, Jang Yeong-sil held up a complicated bundle of wood hanging on one wall.

“I was inspired by watching the Deolmi [puppet show] performed by the Jaein group [traveling entertainers] in the past.”(Note 2)

After finishing his explanation, Jang Yeong-sil put his arms into the wooden frame and put his hands into the attached gloves. Thick threads were connected to each finger of the gloves and went into the wooden frame. And at the end of the wooden frame, there were model fingers that imitated human fingers.

Kkigigik.

As Jang Yeong-sil moved his gloved fingers, the wooden model fingers moved in the same way.

As an unexpected object revealed its existence, Hyang could only gape.

* * *

Note 1) https://m.blog.naver.com/goliath_777/110024665420

Note 2) Kkokdugaksi Noreum. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.

http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0011250