Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 404

404. Short Story (1)

Late March, Year 15 of Sejong’s reign (1433).

Sejong was preparing to depart for a retreat in Onsu-hyeon (modern-day Onyang).

The day of the retreat’s announcement:

“You said you were trying your best?”

“I am trying. In my own way…”

Hyang questioned him with a slightly sulky expression. Sejong, looking a bit embarrassed, glanced away and replied.

* * *

Despite Hyang’s efforts to manage Sejong’s health, negative symptoms began to surface gradually.

The primary cause was Sejong’s overwork.

Of course, Sejong’s fondness for meat was also a contributing factor, but it was relatively minor.

“In the 21st century, some people even thrived on zero-carb diets. The key is that what he consumes isn’t being burned off.”

Observing Sejong’s increasingly prominent belly, Hyang grumbled and persistently urged him to exercise.

However, as mentioned, overwork was the main issue.

Although he no longer held Gyeongyeon (royal lectures) every morning and evening as before, he still did so regularly.

Furthermore, he addressed various issues arising from the Gyeongjang (administrative reform) and had to adjudicate serious crimes.

Finally, he dedicated his remaining time after work to creating Hunminjeongeum [the Korean alphabet].

Consequently, Sejong’s body began to show signs of strain from the excessive workload.

The first sign of trouble was his skin. Spending most of the day seated and working led to poor blood circulation, and various inflammations began to appear.

Therefore, all of Sejong’s clothing was meticulously cleaned, and his skin boils were treated. The Bulgongo ointment, formulated by Hyang and the physicians of the Naeuiwon (royal clinic), proved particularly effective.

However, skin disease became a chronic ailment for Sejong.

Next, Sejong’s eyes began to suffer. Working late into the night caused his eyesight to gradually deteriorate, and he developed various eye diseases.

Eventually, Hyang and the Naeuiwon reached a consensus.

“Rest is the best medicine!”

“I agree.”

Thus, Sejong’s retreat was decided.

* * *

Sejong’s retreat was a grand affair.

It involved not only Sejong but also Queen Soheon and the royal concubines, the Crown Princess and her children Yangwon and Yangje, as well as the Grand Princes, Princes, Princesses, Ongju [King’s daughters by concubines], and other members of the royal family.

It wasn’t just the royal family; the heads and vice-ministers of each department also participated.

In essence, the entire Joseon government was relocating to Onsu-hyeon. Elite soldiers from the Naegeumwi (royal guard) and the 10 divisions escorted the procession.

At the head of the procession, behind the soldiers, was the Anyeo (sedan chair) carrying Sejong. Hyang followed on horseback behind Sejong, accompanied by the heads and vice-ministers of the court, the Grand Princes, Princes, and Buma (the king’s sons-in-law). Eunuchs and soldiers followed them on horseback.

Sejong and the Crown Prince’s group formed the first unit, while the Junggungjeon (Queen’s residence) personnel, led by Queen Soheon, formed the second unit.

Behind the Yeon (palanquin) carrying Queen Soheon, the Naemyeongbu (women in the palace) and Oemyeongbu (women outside the palace) followed, including the Gyoja (sedan chair) carrying Suk-ui (royal concubine). Soyong (royal concubine), Sukyong (royal concubine), Princesses, Ongju, and court ladies followed on horseback. (Note 1)

This massive procession made its way towards Heunginmun Gate.

Outside Heunginmun Gate, officials and palace staff who were staying in Hanseong, along with the city’s residents, gathered to bid Sejong farewell.

As the Anyeo carrying Sejong appeared, the crowd erupted in shouts of “Cheonse (long live the King)!”

“Long live His Majesty!”

“Cheonse!”

“May you enjoy longevity!”

Sejong responded to the people’s cheers by raising his hand slightly. Looking at the crowd with a pleased expression, he turned to Hyang.

When Hyang noticed Sejong’s gaze and spurred his horse closer, Sejong spoke.

“Isn’t it wonderful to see the people like this?”

“Yes, it’s all thanks to Abamama (father).”

“How can it all be my doing? It’s due to the efforts of many people, including you.”

Sejong, praising Hyang, looked at the people shouting Cheonse and continued.

“We must do our best to keep them smiling.”

Hyang quietly bowed his head in response to Sejong’s determination.

* * *

The procession passed through Heunginmun Gate and headed for Dumulmeori. At Dumulmeori, where the Jungnangcheon Stream and the Han River converge, was a port called Dumo-po.

At Dumo-po, a Baedari (pontoon bridge) had been constructed under Hyang’s supervision.

“A pontoon bridge… You must have worked hard.”

Hyang smiled softly at Sejong’s words and replied.

“The engineers did all the work.”

Sejong’s eyes twinkled at Hyang’s answer.

“The engineers? I see… It would be difficult to build such a bridge without them.”

“That’s right.”

* * *

The engineering unit, established during the restoration project following the Great Fire of Hanseong, proved its value and gradually expanded and specialized.

The floating bridge (pontoon bridge) became a focal point for the military.

When projecting power to deal with the Jurchen tribes in the north, the rivers in the Liaodong region, starting with the Yalu and Tumen Rivers, posed significant obstacles.

Previously, they had crossed rivers by selecting shallow points, but as artillery grew in scale, such primitive methods became impractical.

Therefore, Hyang introduced the construction of pontoon bridges using engineers.

The ships used for the pontoon bridge were specifically designed for that purpose. While not identical to those used in the 20th and 21st centuries, they represented an innovative approach in the 15th century.

Of course, there were disadvantages. Without a small, high-output motor like those used by the 21st-century ROK Army’s engineering units, the engineers had to rely on oars and poles. As a result, the soldiers in the pontoon bridge unit were noticeably larger and stronger than other soldiers.

As a side note, their size and strength made them highly sought-after grooms among the village girls.

* * *

Sejong, who dismounted from the Anyeo for safety reasons and crossed the pontoon bridge on foot, turned his head to look at a specific location.

“I still can’t see the bridge?”

“The cofferdam construction is complete, and we’re excavating the riverbed. Once the foundation is solid, progress will accelerate.”

Hyang and Sejong were discussing the construction site of the Han River Railroad Bridge, located downstream from the pontoon bridge.

* * *

According to Hyang’s plan, approved by Sejong, a total of four bridges were to be built at two locations on the Han River, two at each location.

One bridge would cross the Han River west of Neobeol Island and Bamseom Island, and the other would connect Jamsil and Oksu.

The former would connect railroads and roads from Jemulpo, Honam, and Uiju, while the latter would connect railroads and roads from Dongnae with Wonsan and Gilju.

The reason for dividing them into two locations was due to Area 51 and the research institute.

Because of Area 51 and the research institute in Yongsan and nearby areas, the Han River Railroad Bridge connecting Noryangjin and Yongsan could not be built as it had been in history before Hyang’s intervention.

“Well, that Han River Railroad Bridge was placed there because of the Japanese bastards’ military calculations…”

There was a theory that Jeong Yak-yong’s pontoon bridge during King Jeongjo’s reign and the Han River Railroad Bridge were both located there because the Han River’s flow slowed near Noryangjin. However, another theory suggested that the bridge was placed there to quickly support the Japanese army stationed in Yongsan.

Thanks to Area 51 and the research institute born from Hyang’s intervention, a bridge connecting Noryangjin and Yongsan could never be built.

In any case, creating these two bridges had an advantage: there would be no direct line through Gyeongbokgung Palace.

* * *

As Sejong crossed the pontoon bridge, Hyang spoke to him.

“I’ve prepared a new ride.”

“A new ride?”

Sejong’s eyes lit up at Hyang’s words.

“Really? I’m curious. Where is it?”

“This way.”

“Let’s see…”

Sejong, guided by Hyang, seemed a little disappointed when he saw what awaited him.

“Isn’t that a Cheolma (iron horse) and a passenger car?”

“It’s a tractor and a road passenger car.”

“A tractor? The thing I only saw in the report?”

“That’s right.”

“Is it finished?”

Expectation replaced disappointment on Sejong’s face at Hyang’s answer.

What Hyang presented was a steam tractor.

* * *

The reason Hyang created the steam tractor was that the cannons operated by the Yuksugun (six water divisions) were steadily increasing in size.

As befitting the ‘original artillery department,’ the Joseon military desired cannons with ever-increasing firepower. This also satisfied Hyang’s Deoksim (fanboy heart).

The problem was that ‘stronger power = bigger size’.

Consequently, the Byeongsik (cannon), currently being prepared for field deployment, was quite large.

Even the Geomah (giant horse) imported from the West and bred in large numbers struggled to move it alone.

Naturally, the military, struggling to solve this problem, proposed the Cheolma.

‘Please develop a Cheolma that can move even in places without railroads.’

Hyang, receiving the military’s order, had to exert all his willpower to keep the corners of his mouth from turning upward.

‘Welcome! It’s finally steampunk Joseon!’

* * *

The process of creating the Cheolma, named ‘tractor,’ proceeded smoothly.

This was because the moving capability required by the military could be adequately demonstrated even with the existing Cheolma technology. The focus of the research institute and Area 51 was on ‘reducing power loss while minimizing size’.

“If this is successful, we can reduce the size of the high-output Cheolma!”

They worked diligently and managed to reduce the size while minimizing output loss.

However, they soon encountered another challenge.

“The wheels are the problem…”

The wheels, with their iron bars and wooden rims, struggled to move even on slightly soft ground.

“Why?”

After numerous trials and errors, the conclusion was that ‘the wheels are too small and thin’.

The weight applied was too heavy relative to the ground contact area.

“This didn’t happen with Cheolma and railroads, did it?”

“The railroad distributes the load. And the land where the railroad is laid is heavily compacted…”

“But there’s a limit to making the wheels unconditionally large and thick…”

As the researchers at the research institute and the artisans at Area 51 worried, Hyang interjected.

“I’ve been thinking about something…”

People looked at Hyang with anticipation as he slyly spoke.

‘That’s right! His Highness the Crown Prince is here!’

‘His Highness must have a brilliant idea!’

With everyone’s attention, Hyang presented the ‘endless track’ [caterpillar track].

“That’s a very good idea!”

The first person to cheer upon hearing Hyang’s suggestion was Jang Yeong-sil. As someone who had been diligently working on creating a self-propelled Anyeo, a Jahaeng Anyeo, he immediately understood its potential.

“This has its own path to travel, so if you adjust the width well, there will be no road you can’t travel! It’s a truly brilliant idea!”

Thanks to Jang Yeong-sil’s approval, the endless track was adopted, and the tractor could finally be unveiled.

It was the birth of another marvel that would later puzzle historians.

* * *

Note 1) Sejong Sillok and Royal Medicine (14). Market Economy. 2018.03.15.

http://www.meconomynews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12085