Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 386

386. That, Jang Yeong-sil. (3)

While Jang Yeong-sil and his team were crafting a Challenger-class model ship powered by a clockwork mechanism, a water tank was being constructed in a corner of Area 51.

“It would be best to test it in real water rather than just this tank… If all else fails, shouldn’t we at least try it on the Han River?”

One of the researchers supervising the tank’s construction grumbled, only to be chided by a colleague.

“Hey! Have you forgotten what His Highness the Crown Prince said?”

* * *

When Yi Hyang ordered the experiment using the model ship and water tank, the researchers in charge of development protested.

“The difference between a model and the real thing is significant! We must conduct the experiment using an actual ship, even if it’s small!”

The developers’ objections were reasonable. As *Gyeongjang* [large-scale engineering projects] progressed and various instruments were created, measurement tools also advanced. However, the problem was that even with these advancements, considerable errors persisted.

Yet, it wouldn’t be fair to place all the blame on the measurement tools. The quality of the wood, the most commonly used material, was inconsistent. Similarly, the iron produced by the National Steel Mill, though heavily relied upon, also suffered from quality variations.

Of course, Yi Hyang wouldn’t overlook this, so continuous quality control and new methods to maintain consistent quality were being implemented. Still, compared to the 20th or 21st century, the situation was still ‘heartbreaking.’

* * *

For this reason, the researchers wanted to experiment with real ships and engines, even if they were smaller.

However, these objections and arguments from the researchers were immediately silenced by a single word from Yi Hyang.

“If you insist, go directly to Lord Kim Jeom and secure the budget.”

“….”

That was why the researcher who had once again advocated for using a real ship had clammed up like a clam.

* * *

As promised, Jang Yeong-sil created the experimental model ship in five days and submitted it to Yi Hyang.

“One might mistake it for a divine being using magic to shrink a ship.”

Jang Yeong-sil smiled and replied to Yi Hyang’s praise, who was impressed by the precisely scaled-down model of the Challenger-class battleship.

“I just showed off my skills for the first time in a while.”

“Indeed! It was Jang’s handiwork! I knew it was extraordinary!”

“Hahaha.”

Yi Hyang, who was observing the model ship made by Jang Yeong-sil with a satisfied gaze, turned to Jang Yeong-sil after seeing the paddle wheels installed on the left and right sides of the hull.

“Is it easy to attach and detach these paddle wheels?”

“Yes, as requested by the research department, it is designed to easily attach and detach paddle wheels of various sizes and shapes.”

“I see. Hmm….”

Yi Hyang made a humming sound and stroked his chin.

‘No matter how I think about it, a screw propeller is the way to go… How can I make them understand?’

After pondering for a moment, Yi Hyang asked Jang Yeong-sil.

“Can you create another clockwork device that produces the same power as the one in this model ship?”

“Yes? It is possible.”

“Then, make a cart with the same weight as this model ship. Put the clockwork device on it so it can move. Is that possible?”

“It’s not too difficult, but why are you asking?”

Yi Hyang pointed to the paddle wheels and explained the reason for Jang Yeong-sil’s question.

“We can’t know how efficient it is when it’s attached like that, can we?”

Jang Yeong-sil nodded at Yi Hyang’s question.

“That is true.”

“In that case, wouldn’t it be easier to compare if there was something to compare it with side by side?”

Jang Yeong-sil thought for a moment at Yi Hyang’s words and replied.

“That would be the case. I will make it and bring it within five days.”

“By then, the water tank will be finished, so that’s perfect. I’m counting on you.”

“Rest assured.”

* * *

After Jang Yeong-sil left, Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, and Yi Cheon entered Yi Hyang’s office shortly after.

“I heard the model ship is complete.”

Yi Hyang, who was about to put the model ship on the conference table and wind it up, welcomed their visit.

“Ah! You’ve come at the right time. I was just about to test run it since Jang made it.”

“Is that so?”

The eyes of the three men lit up at Yi Hyang’s words. They were all different ages, but they had evolved into hopeless enthusiasts who couldn’t help but get excited when they saw moving machines.

Click, click, click.

When he inserted the butterfly-shaped winder and turned it, the clockwork was wound with the sound of gears meshing. After winding the clockwork to a certain extent, Yi Hyang pulled out the winder and released the catch next to the clockwork device.

Whirr.

With the sound of the clockwork unwinding, the water wheels on the left and right sides of the model ship placed on the stand began to turn.

“Ooh~.”

“Hoo~.”

Jeong Cho, who was watching the rotating water wheels while uttering various exclamations, asked Yi Hyang.

“Is it possible to adjust the speed?”

“According to Jang’s explanation, it can be adjusted in three stages. Just a moment.”

Yi Hyang stopped the water wheel by engaging the catch and moved another lever next to it.

Click! Whirr!

With a louder noise, the water wheel began to spin even faster.

“Hmm….”

“Hoo….”

The three men, who had been observing the movement of the water wheel until the clockwork was fully unwound, took a step back.

“What do you think?”

The faces of the three men, who were organizing their thoughts in response to Yi Hyang’s question, were not very good.

The first to speak was Jeong Cho.

“It seems quite useful, but there is an unresolved question. According to the *Military Compendium* [ancient Chinese military text], such paddle wheel ships already appeared during the Song Dynasty, so why doesn’t the Ming navy use them now?”

As soon as Jeong Cho finished speaking, Jeong In-ji took over.

“I feel the same way. If those paddle wheels were useful, they would still be in use now, but even if you look at the Ming navy’s battleships or merchant ships, there are none that use paddle wheels, are there?”

Yi Hyang offered a plausible reason for Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji’s questions.

“Isn’t it a matter of power? Wouldn’t it require a lot of manpower inside the ship to turn those water wheels by stepping on the pedals?”

Jeong In-ji immediately shook his head at Yi Hyang’s words.

“Aren’t there already rowers on the battleships anyway? Considering that….”

Jeong In-ji paused for a moment before concluding.

“If the results using steam engines are not better than the methods using manpower and animal power described in the *Military Compendium* and the Westerners’ books, then we should look for other methods.”

Jeong Cho nodded at Jeong In-ji’s conclusion. Seeing this, Yi Hyang turned to Yi Cheon.

“What do you think, Lord?”

Yi Cheon immediately asserted in response to Yi Hyang’s question.

“I don’t think the navy will like it very much.”

* * *

Shortly after, the three men left Yi Hyang’s office. After seeing them off and returning to his seat, Yi Hyang muttered with a satisfied expression.

“I think I’ve picked the right people.”

Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, and Yi Cheon had made negative predictions, but they did not say that the current plan should be overturned.

The common trait of these three was that they did not unconditionally reject the challenging plans put forward by their subordinates.

Unless it was a truly absurd plan, these three would say the same thing to their subordinates.

“Organize it a bit more and bring it back.”

No, even if it was a truly absurd proposal, if it was armed with a reasonable logic, these three would accept it first.

Then, after several revisions and supplements, the level of completion would increase and they would move on to the next step.

“Then let’s do an experiment.”

And after the experiment was over, they demanded a mountain of analysis reports, regardless of success or failure.

As a result, the skills of the researchers and artisans continued to develop.

Of course, there were exceptions here as well, and those were the plans put forward by Yi Hyang. Whenever Yi Hyang put forward a plan, the three men did not discuss the pros and cons and immediately assigned manpower to proceed with the work.

* * *

The day after the water tank was completed, a public experiment was finally conducted.

Not only the artisans from the development and demonstration departments, but also the researchers and artisans who had heard the story, and the commanders from the navy gathered, and the model ship and cart were revealed.

“Then let’s begin.”

“Yes.”

At Yi Hyang’s command, two researchers stepped forward and wound the clockwork.

“Star~t!”

As soon as Yi Hyang’s command was given, the model ship and the cart, whose catches had been released, began to move forward.

When the day-long test was over, the researchers’ faces were not good.

“Even considering the difference between land and water….”

In the nearly 20 races that had taken place, the model ship had never once beaten the cart. In the races that were held while replacing various types of water wheels with different sizes and shapes, they had never once achieved victory.

“This is the result of the difference between land and water! Even if it is slower than moving on land, it will be faster than anyone else in the water!”

“Hmm…. Is that so?”

Yi Hyang, who was nodding slightly at the researchers’ claims, turned to the naval commanders.

“What do you think?”

The naval commanders immediately replied to Yi Hyang’s question.

“It may be possible for civilian use, but it is impossible for battleships!”

The researchers strongly protested against the naval commanders’ rejection.

“Why is that!”

When the researchers pressed, the naval commanders explained the reason.

-The number of cannons will be reduced by the space occupied by those paddle wheels. This is absolutely unacceptable.

-Those paddle wheels are highly likely to become targets at a glance. If the paddle wheels are damaged, not only will they lose mobility, but they are also likely to become obstacles that hinder proper maneuvering.

-To prevent this, armor, whether wooden or iron, must be installed on the outside of those paddle wheels, which will unnecessarily increase the weight of the battleship.

Yi Hyang muttered inwardly at the navy’s explanation.

‘Lord Yi Cheon was right. By the way, both Lord Yi Cheon and the navy pointed out that the number of cannons to be mounted would be reduced as the first problem, as expected, the ancestor of the artillery department….’

While Yi Hyang was thinking that, the researchers and the navy were engaged in a back-and-forth debate.

“If the number of cannons is reduced, wouldn’t it be enough to load more powerful cannons?”

“If you can load more powerful cannons, isn’t it better to load a lot of them?”

“Those paddle wheels are large, but they can move faster! Wouldn’t that reduce the risk of being hit?”

“Battleships don’t always fight in the middle of the sea.”

In the end, after the continued debate, Yi Hyang came to a conclusion.

“The paddle wheel method is not bad, but it is not suitable for military use. I think that’s the most appropriate conclusion?”

Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, Yi Cheon, and the naval commanders all nodded at Yi Hyang’s conclusion.

The researchers all became gloomy at the sight of the ‘higher-ups’ and the ‘client’ reaching the same conclusion.

“Although the result is that it is not suitable for military use, I still think it is a good method. At least we don’t have to just wait for the wind. Thank you for your hard work.”

The researchers struggled to brighten their faces at Yi Hyang’s encouragement.

“I am truly grateful that you have evaluated it favorably.”

“Now that we know the shortcomings, we just need to go a little further. I hope you will try a little harder.”

“Yes.”

In that way, the experiment was left with the task of ‘developing a new propulsion method.’

* * *

While the researchers were staying up for several nights to solve the task of ‘developing a new propulsion method,’ which was close to ‘headbutting the bare ground,’ Jang Yeong-sil visited Yi Hyang.

“Your Highness. About that propulsion method.”

“Yes!”

‘Perhaps!’

Yi Hyang’s eyes sparkled and his voice rose when Jang Yeong-sil mentioned ‘new propulsion method’.

Seeing Yi Hyang’s appearance, Jang Yeong-sil carefully opened his mouth.

“How about modeling it after the shape of a windmill?”

‘Yes!’

Yi Hyang cheered inwardly and offered Jang Yeong-sil a seat.

“Let’s talk about it in detail!”