Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 409

409. Short Story (6)

“Wouldn’t it be possible to just bring the mineral water if Father finds it difficult to leave the palace?”

“Considering the amount used daily for bathing, washing the face, and drinking, a considerable quantity is required. The effort to transport that much would be significant…”

“We can use a hauler (a large cart or wagon).”

The royal physician stopped speaking at Hyang’s words and immediately lowered his head. Seeing this, Sejong made a decision.

“Have it transported using a hauler.”

“Understood.”

After the meeting, Hyang, excited, headed to Area 51.

“Yes! I can hear the sound of money coming in!”

* * *

Ten days later, the hauler returned, pulling a train car filled with large wooden tubs of mineral water.

Of course, it didn’t take ten days for the round trip. The round trip and the time to fill the water took only four days in total. The remaining six days were spent making special wooden tubs—similar to oak barrels—for containing carbonated water.

“It feels like my eyes are being refreshed!”

Sejong, who washed his eyes with the delivered carbonated water, was very satisfied with the sensation. Following this, a court attendant respectfully presented Sejong with a tray holding a bowl filled with carbonated mineral water.

“Kua! This water is truly spicy!”

Wiping away the tears that naturally formed in his eyes due to the intense stimulation from the carbonation, Sejong exclaimed in admiration.

“It’s spicy, but it feels like it’s clearing my insides! I’ve been feeling stuffy lately, but this is very good!”

After that, Sejong used the Chojeong mineral water for light baths, washing his face, and as a beverage.

Whether it was the hot spring bath followed by the carbonated mineral water bath, Sejong’s skin condition improved considerably. Of course, the bath wasn’t the only factor. Accepting the strong recommendations of the royal physician and Hyang, he got up from his seat every two hours and walked around Gyeonghoeru [a royal banquet hall], and he also started doing jump rope regularly again, which he had often skipped.

“This alone is a bit lacking…. I need to make the things I’ve been planning to make but haven’t gotten around to.”

Hyang created the exercise equipment he had only planned and installed it in the backyard of Gangnyeongjeon [the King’s residence in the palace complex].

Of course, the exercise equipment wasn’t the elaborate kind found in 21st-century gyms. It was an imitation of simple equipment with minimal performance guarantees, similar to the simple exercise equipment installed near mineral springs or streams.

Hyang was able to make this because his job when he lived in Yangsan was to maintain the exercise equipment in front of the village hall.

Installing the exercise equipment in the backyard of Gangnyeongjeon, Hyang grumbled with a face full of regret.

“I wanted to make things like they use in gyms…. To do that, we first need to unify the system of weights and measures, but that’s a bust….”

Hyang stopped speaking and sighed.

“Hoo~. Even with such strict supervision, the unification of weights and measures is still not done, damn it!”

* * *

The units of weights and measures used in Joseon [Korean kingdom from 1392 to 1897] at this time were, literally, a ‘chaos of confusion.’

Even the most commonly used unit of length, the cheok (尺) [a traditional Korean unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to a foot], was used in several types, such as the Yeongjo cheok (營造尺) and the Ju cheok (周尺).

Of course, each cheok had its own use, but it was certain that it was less efficient than having a unified system.

Therefore, with the start of the Gyeongjang reforms [economic and social reforms], the length units were to be unified based on the Yeongjo cheok, but they were not yet completely unified.

As an aside, the reason for using the Yeongjo cheok as the standard was that it had a strong character as a standard cheok due to its characteristics—mainly used as a carpentry cheok (木工尺)—and because Hyang was familiar with it.

“In the 21st century, 1 ja (尺) was about 30cm…. Familiarity is good, right?”

* * *

The exercise equipment created in this way had a considerable effect on Sejong. Sejong was very pleased because he felt energized after using the exercise equipment for only one sh辰 (approximately 2 hours) [a traditional Korean time unit], but Hyang surprisingly looked depressed.

“Was Father’s physical age at the level of old men at mineral springs?”

Hyang, who was depressed while watching Sejong repeat ‘Very good?’ over and over again while using the exercise equipment, continued to grumble.

“What’s the point of building your body during your time as Crown Prince? You ruin it all when you become king….”

* * *

The Crown Prince didn’t just learn Confucian classics. With the goal of ‘excelling in both literary and military arts (文武兼全),’ he had to learn archery, horsemanship, and martial arts to a fairly high level, using the military officers of the Naegeumwi [royal guards] as instructors. Therefore, a properly educated Crown Prince had a fairly strong physique.

However, Hyang had a different perspective.

“It seems like they build their bodies in advance so they can have a lot of children. What is this, Joseon’s seed-sowing machine….”

Hyang grumbled while looking at Sejong’s robust physique, but there was something Hyang had forgotten.

Sejong was not someone who had been educated as Crown Prince from a young age. He lived as a Grand Prince, and Sejong was the one who received the throne not long after being appointed as Crown Prince.

* * *

In any case, as the exercise equipment created in this way proved effective, orders came from the Junggungjeon [Queen’s residence] after seeing it. Thanks to this, Hyang had to make exercise equipment for Queen Soheon, the concubines, and his own women.

And, seeing the effect, requests came from the Naegeumwi and the military.

“It seems to be more effective than simply making them run and lift stones.”

Hearing the words of Jo Mal-saeng and the commander of the Naegeumwi, Hyang sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. Talk to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, no, the budget executor, and get the budget first.”

And the rumors of these exercise equipment crossed the West Sea [Yellow Sea, between Korea and China].

* * *

“Is this the rumored exercise equipment?”

“Yes. But has this rumor spread to the Ming Dynasty [Chinese dynasty, 1368–1644]?”

The Ming Dynasty envoy nodded greatly at Sejong’s question.

“Yes, it is rumored to be very helpful for health preservation (養生) [traditional Chinese medicine concept]. Very, very helpful.”

Sejong, grasping the hidden meaning in the envoy’s words, immediately responded.

“In that case, I will make it right away for His Majesty the Emperor. Crown Prince.”

Hyang, who was listening to Sejong’s words from the side, immediately answered.

“Yes. I will gather the best artisans and do my best to make it with the highest quality.”

The Ming Dynasty envoy smiled broadly and rejoiced at Sejong and Hyang’s words.

“Thank you! His Majesty will be very pleased!”

“Wouldn’t it be right to put our heart and soul into it for the sake of friendship between the suzerain state and our Joseon?”

Sejong said with a smile, but Hyang felt that there was something behind it.

And there was not a single official who opposed this agenda.

Sejong, Hyang, and the officials all had the same thought.

‘The current emperor is the best opponent! We must avoid a strange guy becoming emperor by dying early!’

The ‘spy (間者) incident,’ which only a few officials and working-level staff knew about and buried, never happened again.

“Why?”

A fierce exchange of opinions continued regarding the reason why it did not recur, and the conclusion reached by Sejong and the officials was as follows:

-It is certain that it was not something that happened according to the emperor’s orders, but something that happened independently under him. And it is certain that the emperor knew about this and stopped it.

Of course, it was a conclusion with a fairly high probability of not being true. However, even if that wasn’t the case, Emperor Xuande was a very good opponent for Joseon. There was definitely something coming if there was something going, and there were no unreasonable demands.

Emperor Xuande was someone who tried to maintain a good relationship with Joseon to the extent that rumors circulated that ‘the current emperor is not the emperor of Ming, but the emperor of Joseon,’ and ‘the current Son of Heaven is the Goryeo Son of Heaven [referring to the previous Korean dynasty].’

Therefore, Joseon was earnestly hoping that Emperor Xuande would remain in his position for a long time.

And, perhaps due to shared origins or the unpredictable butterfly effect, Emperor Xuande was gradually changing.

‘The Crown Prince of Joseon is doing everything he can to stop his father, the King, from gaining weight!’

Upon hearing this rumor, Emperor Xuande summoned his royal physician and inquired,

“Is gaining weight detrimental to one’s health?”

The royal physician, observing Emperor Xuande’s considerable size—though not quite as large as his father, Emperor Hongxi—carefully chose his words. “In all matters, Your Majesty, moderation is paramount.”

Emperor Xuande smacked his lips at the physician’s response. “So, you’re advising me to lose weight.”

Consequently, when the exercise equipment arrived from Joseon, Emperor Xuande was overjoyed. “The King of Joseon is the only one who truly cares about me!”

* * *

While Hyang was diligently attending to Sejong’s health, he was also inadvertently creating something… less wholesome.

“I’m craving cola! And the most reliable way to make money is by selling water!”

Hyang was attempting to create carbonated soda.

With a steady supply of Chojeong mineral water [known for its natural carbonation] arriving via tow truck, Hyang approached Sejong.

“What is it?” Sejong asked.

“I require a single container of the supplied mineral water, for the time being.”

“Mineral water? Why?”

“I intend to create something.”

Sejong squinted at Hyang’s response. “What can you possibly make with mineral water? What peculiar concoction are you planning this time?”

“It’s nothing like that, Father!”

Sejong remained unconvinced but made a decision. “Very well, I grant permission. But! Do not create anything dangerous!”

“Yes, Father!”

* * *

Having received Sejong’s permission and secured the mineral water containers, Hyang immediately transported them to Area 51 [a tongue-in-cheek reference to a secret research location] and issued a flurry of orders.

“Immediately retrieve some of the fruit preserves from the ice storage.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“And instruct Pietro and Rafael to bring the glass bottles I mentioned earlier!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“Also, tell Chief Jang Yeong-sil [a renowned Joseon inventor and scientist] to bring the machine I described!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“The container outside is too large; transfer some into smaller containers and bring them inside!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“Ah! Summon Lord Jeong Cho and Elder Jeong In-ji as well!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Hyang’s orders rained down, and the eunuchs and staff scurried about. Soon, Pietro and Rafael, along with Jang Yeong-sil, arrived carrying glass bottles and a levered device.

Following them, the eunuchs brought in various fruit preserves. Finally, a smaller container of carbonated water was delivered, and Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji arrived.

With all preparations complete, Hyang addressed the group. “Let us begin.”

* * *

Through the subsequent tasting process, the ideal ratio of fruit preserves and the mixing ratio of carbonated mineral water to regular water were determined.

“I hadn’t realized the mineral water’s carbonation would be this potent at this time,” Hyang muttered, examining the undiluted Chojeong mineral water. The rumor he’d heard in the 21st century—that Chojeong mineral water’s carbonation had weakened—appeared to be accurate. The 15th-century Chojeong mineral water was so fizzy it brought tears to his eyes.

Consequently, Hyang and the others were forced to consume the beverage to the point of nausea to discover a dilution ratio that provided only a pleasant, refreshing sensation.

Having established the mixing ratio of fruit preserves, carbonated water, and plain water, Hyang poured the mixture into pre-made glass bottles and sealed them with bottle caps.

Unfortunately, they lacked the ring-shaped sealing rubber typically found inside metal bottle caps to prevent carbonation leakage. Therefore, they substituted thick paper.

After numerous experiments, properly sealed beverage bottles were produced. Hyang took them to Sejong.

“Is that the rumored sweet water (甘水) [Gam-su, a general term for sweetened beverages]?” Sejong asked.

“Yes, Father.”

“Let us sample it.”

“Yes, Father.”

With confidence, Hyang produced a bottle opener from his sleeve. Sejong’s eyes widened at the sight of it.

“What is that contraption? It resembles a rice paddle with a hole in it.”

“It is for opening the cap that seals the bottle’s mouth.”

*Pop!*

Simultaneously with his explanation, Hyang opened the bottle cap. As the cap was removed with a cheerful sound, Hyang handed the bottle to the head eunuch.

Sejong, receiving the bottle from the head eunuch, immediately brought it to his lips.

“Kya!”

Sejong, having unintentionally exclaimed, turned to Hyang. “This is a truly delicious beverage!”

“I intend to mass-produce it. I request royal funding.”

“Huh?”

Sejong paused, then nodded. “I see. If the country’s finances are to be managed more effectively, the royal family must also strive for self-sufficiency.”

Thus, the ‘Royal Joseon Beverage Company,’ dubbed the ‘never-ending well of the Joseon royal family,’ was established. It became a mega-sized beverage company that remained untouched even during the privatization of numerous royal family businesses.

The carbonated drink, marketed under the name ‘Foaming Sweet Water (發泡甘味水) [Bal-po Gam-mi-su, literally “effervescent sweet water”],’ quickly gained enthusiastic popularity among the people of Joseon.

“Hey! Let’s grab a bottle of Bbongsu!”

“Sure, why not!”

The people affectionately nicknamed it ‘Bbongsu’ due to the cheerful “bbong” sound it made when the cap was opened.