Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 474

474. The Engine-Propelled Ship (2)

After many trials and tribulations, the experimental warship was finally completed.

Sejong meticulously read the thick report on the special train to Wonsan. The report detailed the integration of the steam engine into the steamship and outlined future development plans. After setting the report down, Sejong sighed softly.

“Hoo~. It seems there’s still a long way to go.”

“It’s just the beginning, Your Majesty.”

Sejong nodded slightly at Hyang’s reply.

“When I first ascended the throne, I believed the artisans’ skills were shallow compared to Confucianism. I thought that with a little contemplation, I could quickly grasp their craft. But, observing the situation now, the artisans’ skills are as profound as scholarship, and the path ahead is long indeed.”

Hyang responded firmly to Sejong’s words.

“Technology, and everything related to it, is fully deserving of recognition as a field of study.”

“You are right.”

This was akin to a declaration from Sejong.

As the Gyeongjang [Great Cultivation, a period of reform] entered its later stages, various educational institutions were established in addition to the Samin Academy, a basic education institution.

Alongside the Junghak Academy, a comprehensive higher education institution, the Gihak Academy for learning artisans’ skills and Gonghakwon, an advanced course, were also created.

Naturally, the Sadaebu [Scholar-officials] submitted various appeals during this process.

-It is natural and commendable to focus on the edification of the people. However, observing the current situation, Confucianism is being treated with increasing carelessness, and greater emphasis is being placed on learning and teaching miscellaneous skills related to material goods. This is not right. People must understand and strive to learn the proper path.

Sejong, having received these appeals, answered resolutely.

“The morality that people must learn and practice has already been taught at the Samin Academy. From now on, what is important is to learn and acquire the knowledge and wisdom for the people to live more comfortably.”

Sejong’s firm response caused such complaints to subside, but similar petitions still surfaced occasionally.

Sejong, upon receiving such a petition, read it cursorily and discarded it.

“It’s not worth even a glance.”

In such a climate, Sejong’s current statement symbolized a definitive shift in the perception of the ruling class, including Sejong himself.

-Confucianism is not the only worthy field of study!

* * *

Having arrived at the shipyard in Wonsan, Sejong, accompanied by his officials, examined the experimental warship in the dock.

“Did you modify the Haeung-class ship?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, we did.”

“Why did you use the Haeung-class instead of the Challenger-class?”

“There were no Challenger-class ships available. If this experimental ship performs as expected, we will immediately begin improving the Challenger-class warships.”

“I see. But according to the report, even if you begin improving them, you won’t be improving all the Challenger-class warships?”

“We believe it would be best to improve only the warships responsible for the Shinji area, where fast ships are urgently needed.”

“Why?”

Hyang answered Sejong’s question immediately.

“There are many reasons, but the most significant is that the hold [ship’s cargo hold] is reduced due to the space occupied by the engine and fuel storage.”

Sejong nodded immediately at Hyang’s answer.

“Ah, then it can’t be helped.”

* * *

Joseon derived the most wealth from trade with the West.

Existing goods, rather than groundbreaking new products, already had established price ranges, and it was inevitable that profits would decrease if the volume of transportation decreased.

Even now, Portugal, which diligently travels to and from Joseon, could seize that opportunity.

Looking at Joseon’s foreign trade these days, the fleet operated by Joseon itself accounted for approximately 70% of the total trade volume, while Aden’s merchants, represented by Mansour, and Portugal, represented by Henrique, were fiercely competing for the remaining 30%.

In particular, the Mansour Merchant Group boldly invested funds to purchase a large transport ship identical to the one operated by the Joseon Merchant Group.

“If this fails, the family will be ruined! We must succeed with the determination to die!”

He uttered such desperate pronouncements, but Mansour had made the purchase after careful calculation.

Through his past business trips, he accurately assessed which Joseon products Middle Easterners favored, and he established trade routes with local rulers in the African region near Aden.

Therefore, he was confident that he could handle a larger volume, so he boldly purchased a large transport ship.

* * *

Sejong, who had been nodding at Hyang’s answer, turned his head slightly, looked at Kim Jeom, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Minister of Finance, and chuckled.

“The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance’s faces are beaming.”

“Ahem! Ahem!”

“Cough!”

Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance coughed and averted their gazes at Sejong’s jest. However, it was a reassuring situation for them.

‘Imagine how much money flows through that one pyeong [approximately 3.3 square meters] of warehouse space!’

Speaking thus, they walked to the area where samples of the steam engine and control devices installed in the experimental warship were displayed.

“Does this move in pairs?”

What caught Sejong’s attention while examining the samples was the engine order telegraph.

Hyang answered Sejong’s question immediately.

“Yes, Your Majesty. We installed a chain within a pipe that vertically penetrates the wheelhouse and the engine room, connecting them to interlock.”

“I see.”

Filled with curiosity, Sejong examined the sample and continued to ask questions. After inspecting all the samples, Sejong turned to Hyang.

“Let’s go aboard the ship. I want to see how those instruments are actually positioned and functioning.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

So Sejong boarded the experimental warship secured in the dock and began to look around.

Sejong’s attention was drawn to the smokestack while he was actually on the ship.

“The height of the smokestack is quite considerable?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It became taller as we researched a design that wouldn’t interfere with the operation of the sails. But we will adjust it through actual operation.”

“Is that so?”

After thoroughly inspecting the interior of the actual ship, the launching ceremony commenced.

A memorial service was held in front of a well-prepared sacrificial table to pray for the ship’s safe voyage. Sejong once again recited the prayer.

When the reading of the prayer was complete, Sejong brought the prayer paper to the lit candle. The burning paper ascended into the sky at Sejong’s gesture.

“It’s a good omen!”

* * *

The experimental warship, having successfully completed the ritual, was safely launched into the water.

The experimental warship, which had been adjusted to balance the bottom load and towed to the shipyard pier, began to be loaded with coal and fresh water.

Sejong, watching the scene, turned to Hyang and his officials.

“My joining the first voyage is….”

“Absolutely not!”

“It is impossible!”

“Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”

Before Sejong could finish speaking, the officials’ opposition surged forth like a tide.

“I was just suggesting it.”

Sejong, forced to yield to the strong opposition of the officials, turned his head. Jinpyeong came into Sejong’s view as he turned his head.

“Isn’t that Jinpyeong? Why is that child here?”

“He is one of the people in charge of steam engine development and will be on board.”

“Is that so?”

Sejong, nodding at Hyang’s answer, looked slightly envious.

Hyang muttered inwardly as he watched the scene.

‘Actually, I wanted to ride it, but I was pushed out by that guy! I’m a crazy fan, but that guy is even more so!’

* * *

As the experimental ship was completed and the test voyage plan was finalized, it was decided that technicians would board to monitor the situation firsthand.

“Me!”

“Me!”

“I will go!”

“I really want to go!”

In the ensuing rush of applicants eager to ride on a ship that actually moved, not just a model, Jinpyeong displayed the most enthusiasm.

“Your Highness! Who else would go if not me!”

“I was considering going myself?”

Jinpyeong paused at Hyang’s words and immediately scrutinized Hyang’s expression. Jinpyeong, seeing that Hyang’s expression was sincere, immediately raised his voice.

“Your Highness! You must consider your position! If there is an accident, the country will be shaken!”

“Didn’t you carefully examine and build it? Will anything happen?”

Jinpyeong approached Hyang closely and raised his voice.

“Ah, damn it! Hyungnim [older brother/term of respect]!”

“Are you going to hit me?”

“You don’t think I can? You’re the Crown Prince of a country!”

Hyang eventually offered a compromise, sensing Jinpyeong’s intensity, who seemed genuinely ready to strike him.

“Shall we ride together?”

Jinpyeong hesitated at Hyang’s compromise. Jinpyeong looked at Hyang after contemplating for a moment.

“Shall we?”

However, their plans were thwarted by Jeongcho.

“Your Highness is going to board the first test voyage? That’s ridiculous! Even Grand Prince? Absolutely impossible! You’d have to cut off my head first!”

Hyang’s boarding was canceled due to Jeongcho’s fierce opposition, and in the end, it was decided that Jinpyeong would lead the working group and board.

“I’m a Grand Prince, aren’t I? What’s the problem! I’m going to go even if I die!”

Jeongcho had no choice but to concede due to Jinpyeong’s insistence and strong opposition.

* * *

After concluding the event, Sejong returned to Hanseong by train with his officials.

“I can travel like this because there is a train. In the past, I would have had to stay for at least a day…. I don’t know if it’s good or bad.”

Sejong’s grumbling as he boarded the train was sincere.

Hyang, who had seen Sejong off, remained at the shipyard to oversee the final preparations.

When all the final processes were complete, the crew began to board the experimental warship, Haeung No. 5.

“Please take care of everything.”

Seonggwan, the captain of Haeung No. 5, responded with a military salute to Hyang’s request.

“Chung [Loyalty]! I will do my best!”

After a while, black smoke began to billow from the smokestack of Haeung No. 5.

Boo-oong~.

As the steam engine properly warmed up, a loud horn sounded, and Haeung No. 5 slowly departed the pier, guided by the auxiliary ships responsible for towing.

* * *

Haeung No. 5, having reached the open sea, began to conduct experiments.

“All sails are spread…. Contact the engine room! Both sides 1/4 speed!”

“Both sides 1/4 speed!”

A sailor repeated Seonggwan’s order and adjusted the engine order telegraph.

“Both sides 1/4 speed!”

The engine chief’s repetition was heard through the telegraph, and soon Haeung No. 5 slowly began to increase its speed.

“Hoo-oh?”

As the speed of Haeung No. 5 increased, the eyes of Seonggwan and the sailors sparkled and began to grow excited.

It was a situation where all the sails were fully deployed and moving with the wind. In the past, it was a situation where it could not be faster, but the speed was increasing.

“It’s inaccurate with just the feeling. We need an instrument that can properly measure the speed.”

Seonggwan opened the log and began to record.

Currently, the speed was estimated by attaching a plank to a rope with knots tied at regular intervals, throwing it into the sea, and then counting the number of knots released during a set time.

However, as the ship became faster, the need for more accurate measuring instruments became apparent.

* * *

As the experiment progressed smoothly, Jinpyeong proposed to Seonggwan.

“How about running at full speed by operating the engine to the maximum now?”

Seonggwan smiled slightly at Jinpyeong’s suggestion and replied.

“Shall we?”

“Let’s do it!”

Seonggwan ordered the sailor operating the engine order telegraph.

“Both sides full speed!”

The sailor who received the order excitedly repeated it and immediately operated the telegraph.

And that day, not only Jinpyeong and the technicians, but also Seonggwan and the sailors had to endure severe seasickness.

This was because Haeung, which was smaller than the Challenger-class warship but much larger than the Panokseon [Korean warship], cut through the waves like a wild horse and raced across the sea.
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