Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 49

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb.

49. Laughing and Crying at Deokjil [Obsessive Fandom] (14)

“What is that rascal doing these days…”

Sejong muttered, looking out the window while taking a short break after reviewing state affairs with his ministers. The “rascal” Sejong was referring to was Hyang.

* * *

After being given people, buildings, and a considerable budget, Hyang rarely showed his face in the main hall.

“May I be excused from the afternoon lecture?”

“Is it something you absolutely must miss it for?”

“Yes.”

“…Do so.”

At Hyang’s firm answer, Sejong permitted it after some deliberation.

As soon as Sejong’s permission was granted, Hyang and the people he had gathered began to move busily.

The problem was that while they were moving busily, they weren’t revealing what they were doing. Well, they did reveal something.

“We are conducting research for the livelihood of the Joseon people and the defense of Joseon. However, there is a problem.”

“A problem?”

“Acquiring knowledge of arithmetic and documenting experiences is taking some time.”

“Is that so? Hmm…”

Sejong nodded, looking at Hyang silently for a long time.

“I trust you, Crown Prince.”

“You will not be disappointed in my faith in you, Father.”

A few days after the Mid-Autumn Festival [Korean harvest festival, similar to Thanksgiving], Hyang and Jeong Cho gave a presentation in a meeting with Sejong and his ministers.

“This time, this son and the officials of the research institute have conducted research.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“It is a formula for adjusting the annual calendar brought from Ming [Chinese dynasty from 1368 to 1644] to suit our Joseon [Korean kingdom from 1392 to 1897].”

“Hoh?”

Sejong and the ministers showed interest in Hyang’s presentation. Receiving their attention, Hyang continued his presentation.

“You will remember the old-fashioned ritual that took place a few years ago. Due to an error by the Seowoongwan [astronomy and calendar office] at the time, the timing was off, and Yi Cheon-bong, who was in charge at the time, was flogged. I’m sure you remember it, Father.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s remark.

“I remember.”

The incident in question occurred in the 4th year of Sejong’s reign.

On the afternoon of January 1, the 4th year of Sejong, a solar eclipse was predicted. According to tradition, Sejong and his ministers wore mourning clothes and prepared for the rescue ritual. However, the solar eclipse began one *gak* [ancient Korean unit of time, approximately 15 minutes] later than the time predicted by the Seowoongwan. As a result, Yi Cheon-bong, who was in charge of the solar eclipse forecast at the time, was flogged.

Using the past incident as an example, Hyang continued his explanation.

“The reason why such an outrageous thing happened at that time was because the Ming calendar did not match our Joseon. To correct this, we researched arithmetic formulas to revise the calendar.”

Hyang, who had stopped speaking, gestured to the eunuchs behind him. At Hyang’s gesture, the eunuchs handed thick books to Sejong and the ministers.

“‘Calendar Revision Arithmetic 1st Edition’? Very straightforward.”

“I am considering renaming it if necessary.”

Sejong, who read the title, opened the book and examined the contents. The formulas for adjusting the seasons written in the Ming calendar to suit the actual conditions of Joseon were recorded in a complex manner.

“It’s good. It will be helpful in many ways.”

“As you can see from the title, it is not yet a complete version.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong looked at the title and contents again and looked at Hyang.

“Of course, the title is like that. But looking at the contents, it seems useful enough already?”

Sejong, who had some knowledge of arithmetic, highly praised the value of the formulas written in the book. However, Hyang shook his head.

“There are still many errors. The contents written in the current book are only rough numbers. We need to correct this. Otherwise, errors will occur every year.”

“However?”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong clicked his tongue, full of regret.

“Then I will wait for the proper one. Work hard.”

“Yes, Father.”

With his answer, Hyang once again locked himself in the research institute with his people.

And then, even though the end of the year was just around the corner, there was no news. Well, it wasn’t completely silent.

The number of people increased as those skilled in arithmetic among the *Huihui* [historical term for Muslims in China] people were recruited as *Sanhak Hundo* (算學訓導) [Arithmetic Instructors], the *Daetong Tong궤* (大統通軌) [Great Unification Thoroughfare], a Ming calendar calculation book, was brought in through regular trade by merchants created in Ming, and people were sent all over Joseon to measure the stars, and so on. They were moving busily.

And every time he did these things, Hyang wrote a report and submitted it to Sejong.

“Astronomical observation equipment? What is this?”

“It is literally an instrument for observing celestial bodies.”

“The report is a bit poor?”

At Sejong’s remark, Hyang looked at the officials and ministers and answered in a small voice.

“I will submit a separate report later. This level is appropriate externally.”

“Hmm?”

Sejong, who was pondering the meaning of Hyang’s answer, sighed.

“Hoo~. I understand what you mean.”

That night, Sejong, who went up to the pavilion alone, sighed while looking in the direction of Donggungjeon [Crown Prince’s residence].

“Hoo~. This father and the country are weak, so you are carrying a heavy burden.”

The astronomical observation equipment that Hyang mentioned was the *Hocheonui* (渾天儀) [Armillary Sphere], *Daegani* (大簡儀) [Large Simplified Instrument], and *Sogani* (小簡儀) [Small Simplified Instrument]. To make these instruments, Jang Yeong-sil [famous Korean inventor and astronomer] and the artisans were immersed in their work, forgetting the night.

Until the results came out, the officials of the research institute traveled around the country with observation equipment that had been officially or smuggled in from Ming.

However, the reason why Hyang did not report all of this in detail was because of diplomatic relations with Ming. Observing the heavens could be a major diplomatic issue considering the relationship of serving the great power with Ming. For this reason, the calendar was also expressed as ‘correcting the calendar given by Ming’ rather than ‘using an independent calendar’, and the astronomical observation equipment was also reported as simple astronomical observation equipment. In this way, Hyang took measures to prevent direct damage to Sejong even if Ming later raised objections.

Sejong sighed because he knew why Hyang did that.

* * *

For that reason, he was holding back his curiosity, but what Sejong was really curious about was the military field.

Hyang did not submit a report after reporting that he was developing a new *Chongtong* [cannon] with Yi Cheon and Choi Hae-san.

“Why doesn’t the Crown Prince submit a report?”

“Please give me a little more time as it is a very secretive matter.”

“Don’t you know that it is difficult to execute the budget without a report?”

“Please give me a little more time. And while we’re on the subject, a little more budget…”

“You rascal!”

Even though Sejong was so angry, Hyang remained silent until the end. It wasn’t just Hyang. Choi Hae-san and Yi Cheon were the same.

No matter how much Sejong and the ministers coaxed and appeased them, the two men’s closed mouths never opened.

“Do I have to endure until that rascal reveals it?”

Sejong forcibly suppressed his curiosity, but the work Hyang was doing was growing in size.

Due to the major incidents that occurred in Ming and Yeojin [Jurchen people, ancestors of the Manchus], Sejong changed the progress of the military reform he was planning to be a little faster.

As part of the reform, the existing training center (訓鍊觀) was expanded into the training institute (訓鍊院) [military training command], and Hyang requested support from Sejong.

“Support the military officers and soldiers of the training institute? Why?”

“We need people to actually handle the newly created weapons.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong, who was looking at Hyang with narrowed eyes, made an expression that he couldn’t help it.

“Tsk! I can’t help it. I allow it.”

“And a little more budget….”

“You rascal! Get out!”

In this way, a significant number of military officers and soldiers belonging to the training institute were selected and assigned to Hyang. Hyang, who received manpower support in this way, built a training ground for them to train, which was located southeast of the *Gun G監* [military arms production facility], below the Namsan Mountain range.

The interesting thing was that the military officers and soldiers who were assigned in this way also had their mouths tightly sealed.

It wasn’t that there weren’t people among the military officers and soldiers who liked to talk, but for some reason, they all kept their mouths shut about what Hyang was doing.

In addition, the area where the military officers and soldiers who were selected in this way trained was surrounded by high and dense wooden fences, and the soldiers were standing guard strictly. Inside, which was covered in this way, loud explosions were heard every day.

Thanks to this, not only Sejong and the ministers, but also all the residents of Hanseong [old name for Seoul] were focused on this forbidden place – the sign hanging on the gatepost that blocked the entrance to the training ground read ‘Area 51’.

As time passed, rumors gradually spread, roughly saying, ‘A great *Chongtong* [cannon] has been developed,’ and ‘A weapon that is not a match for one hundred, but a match for ten thousand is being made.’ And along with that rumor, a new word became popular, and that word was ‘Game Changer’.

“Game Changer? What does that mean?”

“It is said to be the words of the *Seoi* [Westerners/foreigners].”

At the answer of the eunuch who reported the rumor, Sejong nodded without realizing it.

“It’s the Crown Prince.”

Sejong, who guessed the source, looked at the clock. Sejong, who checked the time on the clock, clicked his tongue.

“It’s time to be in the *Gun G監* [military arms production facility] now.”

* * *

Hyang was making the Ministry of Taxation’s head ache by doing this and that, but it was not easy for Sejong or the ministers to say anything to Hyang. Sejong and the ministers were all suffering from overwork, but Hyang’s workload was also not easy.

Regardless of summer or winter, he woke up at *Myosijeong* (卯時定, exactly 6 a.m.), always attended the morning lecture, and received martial arts training in the afternoon. At other times, he went back and forth between the research institute, the *Gun G監* [military arms production facility], and Area 51 to work. To reduce the time spent going back and forth, Hyang began to ride a horse, and the procession of Hyang and his escorts riding horses busily became a new attraction in Hanseong.

The time when Hyang went to bed after finishing such a busy day was *Haesimal* (亥時未, just before midnight). Before creating the research institute, he slept later than that, so Sejong and Queen Soheon were rather happy.

“I was worried that you weren’t sleeping enough, but I’m glad!”

“That’s right.”

Whether he knew the situation or not, Hyang measured his height every day before going to bed, leaning against the doorpost. Hyang was satisfied with his growing height day by day.

“It’s a full-fledged growth period, so I have to sleep well! That’s right… riding is helpful in many ways?”

Such a righteous daily life of Hyang was also welcomed by the ministers, because the sister-in-law who always made their heads ache had disappeared.

Of course, Hyang visited the *Pyeonjeon* [council hall] regularly in the case of important events that occurred in the second half of Gapjin year, but that was a welcome thing. However, as the end of the year approached, it became difficult for the ministers to suppress their curiosity.

This was because the Naegeumwi [royal guards] were included among those who had become so tight-lipped since the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Sejong seemed to know something about the Naegeumwi [royal guards], but Sejong was also keeping his mouth shut.

“Your Majesty! I believe that we must check the results of the work that the Crown Prince is doing these days.”

“That’s right! The funds going into the Crown Prince’s research institute are not small. We need to check whether the budget was used properly.”

In the end, in December, the ministers who could not overcome their curiosity rose up.

Sejong nodded at the united ministers.

“I agree. Bring the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

After a while, a horse carrying a Seonjeongwan [royal messenger] burst out of Gwanghwamun [main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace].

About half an hour later, Hyang entered the *Pyeonjeon* [council hall], catching his breath. As Hyang sat down after paying his respects to Sejong, Sejong opened his mouth.

“I am well aware that you have been doing a lot of work since last spring. Among them, there is also the correction of the calendar, which, although incomplete, has shown good results. It is truly commendable that you have shown such results at a young age.”

“I am overwhelmed.”

Hyang bowed his head at Sejong’s praise.

“But the praise ends there. There have been many other things, but neither I nor the ministers have heard a proper report. This is different from the promise you made to me and the ministers at the beginning. What did you write in the plan you submitted when you first created the research institute? Didn’t you say that you would thoroughly disclose the costs used by the research institute?”

“I am sorry. But it was a matter that required secrecy….”

“Are there any secrets that must be kept from me as well as the ministers?”

“It was a matter related to the national defense of our Joseon, so we had to keep it as secret as possible until the finished product came out. Because of a possible situation.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong was lost in thought for a moment at Hyang’s answer. Sejong, who was looking at Hyang’s prostrate figure, opened his mouth.

“I cannot continue to execute the budget believing only your words under the pretext of secrecy until when. Even if it is an intermediate process, I will have to review it. We must avoid wasting precious budget on futile things. Therefore, I will audit the things you are doing. How long will it take to prepare?”

Hyang, who had been calculating for a moment at Sejong’s question, answered.

“Please give me five days.”

“Good. I will carry out a full-scale audit in five days.”

* * *