Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 400

400. Higher Education Institution (2)

As Hyang stepped back, Jo Mal-saeng and the other military officials separated to discuss the matter.

“What do you all think?”

“It’s not bad. As the civil officials said, we can narrow down the selection process by choosing those who have learned basic academics through the Samin Academy and the Middle School Academy.”

“Even those who fail in the first three years can still have opportunities to rise in the military if they work diligently.”

“However, many with potential might give up due to the ‘three-year failure’ record.”

Jo Mal-saeng responded to the concern that they might miss hidden talents who give up after failing the three-year mark.

“Let’s filter them out.”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s cold words, the military officials looked uncomfortable. Jo Mal-saeng added,

“If they are truly late bloomers, they will overcome the hardship and shine. It would be more problematic if those who give up during the process were to rise higher.”

“…Understood.”

“Then the conclusion is set.”

Thus, the education period for the Military Academy was determined.

It was the birth of a brutal commander training course, dubbed ‘Sparta’s Reincarnation,’ where only those who proved themselves through practical skills and combat could rise.

* * *

Through this process, the Military Academy was steadily preparing for its establishment.

However, the biggest obstacle was still the military medical system.

Specifically, the issue was with surgery to handle trauma.

The problems of disease and pharmacology could be solved with traditional Korean medicine, which had been passed down.

The problem was that surgery was difficult.

Like Hua Tuo [a famous Chinese physician known for his surgical skills], who lost his life after suggesting to Cao Cao that he drill a hole in his skull and perform surgery, Korean medicine also had techniques related to surgery.

However, the level of trauma treatment passed down was very low.

“Of course, when it comes to level, both sides are the same…”

Hyang, organizing the situation, pouted with a dissatisfied face.

Neither this side, where specialized tools for surgical procedures hardly existed, nor the other side, which had squandered things more precious than gold accumulated since the days of ancient Rome, was satisfactory.

“Even in the 18th century, surgeons also worked as barbers, right?”

While grumbling about the origin of the tricolor barber pole next to the barbershop sign, Hyang moved tirelessly.

First, through bookstores in Beijing, then through Mansur, and then using the navy’s battleships regularly traveling between Alexandria and Joseon, he collected medical books that remained in the Byzantine Empire and Islamic countries.

“Medical books aren’t the only important thing.”

After securing a certain number of medical books—almost 600 volumes—Hyang next collected medical tools.

“This is just…”

Hyang lightly shook his head after seeing the surgical tools passed down from the Roman era.

The appearance of surgical tools, almost unchanged since Roman times, was quite similar to the modern ones he had seen in 21st-century dramas and movies.

“That line from the drama really hits home…”

It was a line spoken by a main character in a drama about people traveling between stars through a gate made by ancient humans.

‘If we hadn’t squandered what we accumulated in the Roman era, we would be freely traveling between stars by now!’

It might be a bit of an exaggeration, but Hyang thought there was some possibility.

* * *

Anyway, after collecting surgical medical tools like this, Hyang gathered those in the royal clinic who were most skilled in surgical treatment and showed them the tools obtained from the West and documents translating their usage.

“Do you know how to use these?”

“We roughly understand…”

“Then can you use these for treatment?”

At Hyang’s question, the physicians all shook their heads.

“There is a world of difference between guessing and actually knowing how to use them. Especially with things directly related to life, guessing and using them is absolutely forbidden.”

“Is that so?”

“That is so!”

Listening to the physicians’ firm answers, Hyang returned to the Crown Prince’s residence and, looking at the medical books piled up to his knees on the floor due to lack of bookshelf space, burst out.

“When am I going to translate all of that!”

* * *

Hyang’s hardship was somewhat resolved when monks and alchemists came from Italy.

“You need to translate these too.”

Angelo, examining the books at Hyang’s command, turned to Hyang.

“These are medical books. In particular, many of Galen’s medical books are visible.”

“I know he is the most famous doctor.”

Angelo nodded at Hyang’s words.

“First, I want you to translate books related to surgical medicine.”

“…Understood.”

Thus, Hyang passed the work on to the monks and alchemists, and he also passed work on to Hassan.

“I have obtained a medical book left by a famous scholar named Ibn Sina [also known as Avicenna].”

“Yes. He is a physician and scholar who has been highly regarded since ancient times. Which one should I translate first?”

“Start with *The Canon of Medicine*. *The Book of Healing* will be politically problematic.”

“As far as I know, *The Book of Healing* does not contain politics?”

“Instead, it contains religion.”

Hassan immediately nodded at Hyang’s words.

“Understood. I will translate only *The Canon of Medicine* first.”

“Please do. There will be rewards if the results are good.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Not long after entrusting the work, Angelo reported to Hyang.

“There are some duplicate books.”

“Duplicate books?”

“Yes, books with the same title but written differently in Latin and Greek.”

At Angelo’s words, Hyang immediately gave an order.

“Cross-validate them.”

“Cross… validate, you say?”

“Since neither is the original, there may be errors, right? So, cross-validate the contents with the alchemists and then translate.”

“…Yes.”

“Good work. I look forward to good results.”

Angelo, who came out quietly after bowing, looked up at the sky and muttered to himself without realizing it.

“Damn it! Shit!”

Angelo, who momentarily uttered profanity, diligently made the sign of the cross and asked for forgiveness.

Meanwhile, Hyang, left alone, was grumbling to himself.

“This damn it! Duplicate purchases! What is this, a random box! ‘Blind buying’ is the problem! It’s not like I can go there myself!”

Hyang, who was grumbling like that, suddenly stopped talking and sparkled his eyes.

“Should I go there myself?”

Hyang, who was sparkling his eyes like that, soon shook his head.

“Impossible. If I bring it up to Father, I’ll be hit with a pillar from Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace], not just a switch.”

Hyang, who was shaking his head like that, sparkled his eyes again.

“But still, maybe? No…. No….”

Hyang was wavering back and forth, unable to let go of the event that stimulated his ‘Deoksim’ [a Korean term for intense fandom or devotion to something].

* * *

The translation work, which was expected to go well after being handed over to experts, was sluggish.

What made the work slow was, of course, Chinese characters. Translating Arabic, Latin, and Greek into Chinese characters was a killer.

Eventually, Angelo, exhausted from translation, went to see Hassan.

The two were a Catholic priest and a Muslim, perhaps an incompatible relationship like oil and water. However, thanks to the commonality of being ‘ground down by Hyang,’ the two were able to build some friendship.

“How did His Highness do so many translations in the meantime?”

At Angelo’s complaint, Hassan answered with a bitter smile.

“I didn’t do even a penny’s worth of those translations.”

“Then who did the rest?”

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did them.”

“No way! That amount would take at least 10 years!”

At Angelo’s disbelieving words, Hassan added.

“He has been translating since he was eight years old. And he didn’t spend all day on it, but did it in between Crown Prince lessons and Area 51 work.”

Angelo, who sighed deeply at Hassan’s answer, leaned back in his chair and muttered.

“Is he even human?”

“He was born as the first son of His Majesty. Hooo~.”

Hassan, who drank coffee with a sigh, said to Angelo.

“If Europeans were to learn of the existence of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, they would immediately call him a ‘living mystery’.”

“That much?”

“There is little among the things created in the research center and Area 51 that has not passed through the hands of His Royal Highness. Ah! Except for the artisan Jang Yeong-sil! Come to think of it…. If Jang Yeong-sil’s existence is also known…”

Hassan, who paused for a moment and counted on his fingers, continued.

“There would be three living mysteries in this Joseon.”

“Three?”

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Jang Yeong-sil, and…”

Hassan pointed towards Gyeongbokgung Palace and concluded.

“Finally, His Majesty the King.”

* * *

The speed of the sluggish translation work picked up after the creation of Hunminjeongeum [the Korean alphabet].

Hunminjeongeum began to be used in government offices and educational institutions even before it was officially promulgated to the people, and the research center and Area 51 could not be excluded from this.

No, the research center and Area 51 were the first to use it.

This was inevitable given the characteristics of the research center and Area 51. Just looking at the languages used by the members, there were four: Korean, Arabic, Latin, and Greek. In addition, Chinese characters were used in the documents.

“We must use Hunminjeongeum even for our own convenience!”

The difference between using Chinese characters and using Hunminjeongeum was so clear that the research center and Area 51 actively used Hunminjeongeum.

“First, let’s think about proper nouns later and translate the complex sentences using Hunminjeongeum.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The people who resumed the translation work after receiving Hyang’s order shook their heads at the much higher efficiency.

“Did the king create such a convenient writing system alone? Even while handling his busy state affairs?”

“Is he even human?”

“Both the king and the prince are mysteries.”

“Look at the artisan Jang Yeong-sil. Everyone in this country is a mystery.”

“I agree.”

The story they shared was soon recorded in Angelo’s letter and sent to Italy.

And Hyang, who was censoring this letter, did not erase that part.

“Will this become world-recognized evidence of historical and traditional national pride?”

Hyang was playfully picking and choosing places to paint over.

* * *

The translation work, which had overcome one hurdle, sparked fierce debates over proper nouns related to diseases and human organs that contained medical terms.

“Since it is used in our Joseon, by our Joseon people, it should naturally be in Korean!”

At Hyang’s strong assertion, everything was translated into Korean as much as possible.

Hyang, leading all these processes, muttered inwardly.

‘I absolutely refuse to go to the hospital and hear a specialist muttering incomprehensible Latin!’

And the result of that fierce work was the books that were handed over to King Sejong.

* * *

“Good work. This will speed up the establishment of the military medical system.”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong, who once again flipped through the translation, turned to Hyang.

“The royal clinic will also need surgery, right?”

“That is correct.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong pondered for a moment and soon came to a conclusion.

“Since we are planning to establish a medical academy to train physicians anyway, we should include surgery in the medical academy as well. What do you all think?”

At Sejong’s question, the officials answered in unison.

“It is truly a beautiful decision!”

“It will be easier to treat people who have been injured, so it is truly a beautiful decision!”

As the officials agreed, Sejong turned to Hyang.

“Then print these translations in large quantities.”

“The budget is a bit short.”

“Hey!”

Sejong, who was about to shout, soon let out a long sigh.

“Hooo~. Minister of Finance.”

At Sejong’s call, Kim Jeom reluctantly opened his mouth.

“I will allocate the budget.”