Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 388

388. That, Jang Yeong-sil. (5)

At Hyang’s command, Jang Yeong-sil opened the bag he had brought and took out two fist-sized objects.

“What’s this?”

Hyang saw the objects Jang Yeong-sil had taken out and exclaimed inwardly.

‘Archimedes’ screw?’

Meanwhile, Jang Yeong-sil, having taken out the objects, began to explain.

“As you can see, this object is a modified version of the drill used for digging wells. The way a propeller pushes water and the way a drill digs into the ground are similar, so I thought I could make it with a little modification.”

“Well, that’s true, but….”

‘Is that really something you can do with just a little modification?’

Hiding the doubts that were creeping up in his mind, Hyang nodded.

Seeing Hyang seemed to understand properly, Jang Yeong-sil waved his open hand and continued his explanation.

“As you can see, there is not much resistance when you wave your hand in the air, but it takes more force to move it like this in water. Therefore, I thought that the problems with the propeller-type thrusters I had made so far were because water provides more resistance than air. So, I modified the drill. Since it digs into harder ground than water, I expected that using its shape and material would prevent the same problems that the thrusters caused.”

Hyang kept nodding at Jang Yeong-sil’s explanation, but inside, he was constantly exclaiming in admiration.

‘I know we’re starting from zero, so I can use my imagination to the fullest, but does this really happen? Is this kind of idea even possible?’

Inside, he was shocked by this unimaginable situation, but outwardly, Hyang still maintained a calm expression.

Hyang asked Jang Yeong-sil in a calm voice.

“Based on the explanation I’ve heard here, it seems very useful. However, considering our past experiences, there is no device that only has advantages. What are the disadvantages of this object in Director Jang’s opinion?”

‘If it only had advantages like that, screw propellers wouldn’t have become the mainstream, would they?’

Hyang’s thought had a small error.

Even in the 21st century, research on ship propellers with a similar shape to what Jang Yeong-sil had envisioned was steadily being conducted by a few inventors.

At Hyang’s question, Jang Yeong-sil immediately agreed.

“Your Highness is right. This spiral propeller—ah, that’s just a name I made up. If we compare this spiral propeller to a propeller-type thruster, the propeller-type thruster takes up less space.”

“In other words, installing a spiral propeller requires more space?”

“That’s right. I tried to reduce the distance between the ridges of the spiral and dug the grooves deeply, but it still takes up more space back and forth than a propeller. In addition, there will be a change in the center of gravity due to the weight of the thruster, and the design will have to be modified. So, I have been pondering something….”

Jang Yeong-sil paused, rummaged through his bag, took out a piece of paper, and spread it on Hyang’s desk.

“As you can see, we connect a long pipe from the bow to the stern of the ship and install the spiral propeller inside. This way, we don’t have to modify the design much. Also, by placing the thruster at the center of gravity, we can actually increase the stability of the ship.”

Hyang, who was examining the conceptual diagram while listening to Jang Yeong-sil’s explanation, could only open and close his mouth.

‘I! I know this! I’ve seen something similar before! This is a waterjet!’

Hyang, who had seen something unexpected again, could not escape the shock for a while.

“Your Highness? What do you think?”

Awakening from his shock at Jang Yeong-sil’s question, Hyang examined the conceptual diagram again seriously.

“How did you come up with this idea?”

“I came to ponder it while working on the blowers used in the steel mill and workshop.”

“Hmm….”

‘How does your consciousness have to flow to connect those things and come up with something like this?’

Hyang shook his head slightly and examined the conceptual diagram again.

Hyang stared at the drawing as if he would pierce through the paper and shook his head.

“There is a big problem. Right here.”

Hyang pointed to the bow and continued.

“Sucking water from the bow seems like a good idea in some ways. However, if the waves are even a little rough, the ship will shake violently. Then, this bow will not be able to suck water properly, and if that happens….”

“Ah! The thruster will not work properly. Hmm….”

Jang Yeong-sil, who immediately recognized the problem Hyang had pointed out, stared at the blueprint and took out a gold pen to modify the blueprint on the spot.

“Wouldn’t it be possible to solve the problem by sucking water from the bottom of the hull in the center like this?”

“There is another problem. Current battleships are made of wood. If we install this level of machinery, a complete redesign is structurally necessary. It’s not simple.”

“Ah….”

Jang Yeong-sil, realizing the problem with Hyang’s explanation, looked dismayed. Staring at his work to find an answer, Jang Yeong-sil looked at Hyang.

“As expected, the only answer is an ironclad ship.”

“If you want to properly install and operate the machinery that Director Jang has in mind, an ironclad ship would be the best answer.”

“Ah….”

At Hyang’s answer, Jang Yeong-sil muttered in a dejected voice.

“Ironclad ships are still far away…. Then should I just put these away?”

At Jang Yeong-sil’s muttering, Hyang shouted.

“Whatever it is, take it out right now!”

“Yes? These are just ideas, and they are impossible until the things I presented earlier are completed….”

“Take it out!”

At Hyang’s firm answer, Jang Yeong-sil rummaged through his bag and took out other papers. Jang Yeong-sil unfolded the first paper and began to explain, pointing to the drawing with his finger.

“I found out while actually making and experimenting with the design proposals sent by the development department that the more wings there are, the better the performance even with a small body. So….”

Jang Yeong-sil unfolded the second paper and continued his explanation.

“I combined this multi-wing propeller with the ducted propulsion from before.”

“Heo~.”

Hyang, who saw the second paper, took a long breath.

‘It’s a real waterjet….’

“Hoo~. What is on the other paper?”

At Hyang’s question, Jang Yeong-sil raised the paper that was at the bottom to the top.

“When I combined the duct and the multi-wing propeller and experimented with it, I found that the performance was better when the multi-wing propellers were stacked.”

“In that case, wouldn’t it be better to increase the size of the propeller?”

“Of course, that could be one answer, but I think it’s better to stack them like this when there are space constraints. Of course, when there is enough space, it is even better to increase the diameter and stack them….”

“Haa~.”

At Jang Yeong-sil’s explanation, Hyang let out a long sigh that was a mixture of admiration and lamentation.

‘Are you kidding me? Now even turbines are popping out? Well, it wouldn’t be strange to go to turbines the moment waterjets come out…. What the heck is this era? Starting with Father, why are there so many non-standard people?’

Hyang, shaking his head at the situation where monsters such as Sejong, Yi Sun-ji, Kim Dam, and Jang Yeong-sil were popping out from all directions, soon organized the situation positively.

‘Well, isn’t it good for me? Isn’t this the best possible situation? I have a strong backer who supports me. If I pay attention, I don’t have to worry about the budget. There’s also a guy who makes whatever I tell him to make. It’s the best?’

Hyang, whose face brightened up, looked at Jang Yeong-sil.

“I will put everything except the spiral propeller on the Challenge Log. Do you know why?”

At Hyang’s words, Jang Yeong-sil immediately nodded.

“Isn’t it because of the material problem? It’s the same problem as the propeller-type thruster.”

“That’s right. So, the screw propeller will be put on the Response Log, and the rest will be recorded on the Challenge Log.”

“Yes. I understand. I am truly grateful that you value my humble thoughts, which have no other talent than handling iron.”

Jang Yeong-sil, expressing his gratitude in a tearful voice, was sincere.

Before being selected by Taejong and entering the palace, he was just a lowly government slave. Since then, his life, which would have ended with just being grateful for being freed from slavery, had blossomed after meeting Sejong and Hyang.

“I look forward to Director Jang’s abilities in the future as well.”

“Yes! I will do my best!”

After sending Jang Yeong-sil out, Hyang took a long breath while looking at the papers.

“Hoo~. This is not development, it’s almost warp level….”

Suddenly, Hyang stopped talking and looked in the direction Jang Yeong-sil had left, muttering.

“That guy, is he an alien?”

* * *

In the 21st century, when a romance drama about an alien who crash-landed in Joseon [ancient Korea] became a hit, there were those who had absurd imaginations.

‘If there was an alien who crash-landed on the Korean Peninsula like that, who would be the most likely person?’

Various figures were mentioned, but one of the people who received the most votes was Jang Yeong-sil.

The reason was that there were unclear records of when he was born and when he died, he had no children, and his whereabouts after being dismissed from his position were unknown.

It was just a joke for wasting time, but Hyang suddenly became suspicious.

“If he’s not an alien, this is too much, isn’t it? Even if he’s non-standard.”

Hyang had no idea what kind of evaluation he would receive in the future.

* * *

The screw propeller and other proposals submitted by Jang Yeong-sil were immediately organized into documents and posted on the bulletin board.

“Huh? The Response Log is out?”

“Response Log? In what field?”

When a new announcement was posted on the bulletin board, researchers and artisans gathered again.

In particular, researchers and artisans carefully read the contents with deep curiosity at the rumor that an idea listed in the Response Log had come out.

“A preliminary explanation of the thruster?”

Researchers and artisans who were struggling with the propeller-type thruster were very excited at the news that the first answer had come out and stuck to the bulletin board.

“Ah….”

“There’s a method like this!”

The development department researcher who saw the screw propeller that Jang Yeong-sil had put out burst into exclamation.

“What is this again? Response and challenge?”

“Huh?”

“Is this also Director Jang?”

While reading the posts about ‘Ducted Thruster, Multi-Wing Thruster, Multi-Wing Multi-Layer Thruster, Ducted Multi-Wing Multi-Layer Thruster,’ the researchers and artisans kept nodding and admiring.

“Ah! There’s a method like this….”

“If we proceed with the current research a little more, I think we’ll see the answer?”

“That’s right, but how can Director Jang come up with these ideas?”

Amid the mixed stories of admiration and jealousy for Jang Yeong-sil, one person shouted bitterly.

“Ah! Why did the heavens give birth to me and give birth to Director Jang!”

“What are you saying?”

At the reaction of the surrounding people who were dumbfounded, the person who made the statement raised his voice with an embarrassed face.

“I’m joking, I’m joking! Can’t I even make a joke!”

After such a commotion passed, the executives of the development department said to their subordinates.

“Now! Let’s go back and work hard. How long are you going to chase Director Jang’s shadow! Shouldn’t we also put our names on the Challenge Log and Response Log at least once?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

* * *

In this way, the tradition of the Challenge Log and Response Log created by Hyang continued.

Even after hundreds of years, each of the national schools of mathematics and engineering, and the private academies of mathematics and engineering – universities and graduate schools – had their own Challenge Logs. The faculty and researchers at the schools and academies had to submit research projects and development projects that were worthy of being listed on the Challenge Log at least once every two years.

And, among these challenging projects that emerged, those that were judged to be of high value were listed on the National Challenge Log, which was directly managed by the government, and received intensive support.

As this tradition continued, Korea was always at least half a step ahead in the global technology and science competition.

Because of this, the governments of other countries were always growling at the Korean government.

“Korea, disclose the Challenge Log!”

“We don’t hide anything, so what are you talking about? We broadcast every time new things are listed on the National Challenge Log, don’t we?”

The governments of other countries snorted at the Korean government’s answer.

“Hmph! Don’t treat us like fools! We have ears too! There are still many things that have not been solved in the original Challenge Log! Release it now!”

“No way. Try tearing my stomach open if you’re confident that you’ll be fine. How many countries have been bloodied by doing that?”

“Keuk!”

Every time the Korean government’s answer came out, the governments of other countries had to grind their teeth. And, the Korean government launched a large-scale internal investigation.

“Who the hell is the big-mouthed bastard who blabbed?”

The ‘Original Challenge Log’ created in the era of the Great Leap was treated as the same level as the ‘Holy Grail’ or the ‘Ark of the Covenant.’

The early members who worked at the research institute and Area 51 created by Hyang used their imagination to the fullest to solve the situation corresponding to the bare ground. With Hyang’s MSG added to the imagination of those people, the Original Challenge Log contained tremendous challenges – which Hyang himself evaluated as SF or magic.

In the end, it was natural that tremendous espionage and criminal attempts took place over this Original Challenge Log.

Amid these invisible bloody battles, the following words followed the Original Challenge Log.

‘The Original Challenge Log is stained with the blood shed by the researchers and artisans and the blood of the secret guards who died to protect the Challenge Log.’