Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 51

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb

51. Laughing and Crying at Fangirling (16)

“It floats?”

With this one word, the situation was concluded. Those who had insisted that it was impossible to build a ship with iron had no choice but to shut their mouths. Hyang looked at them and said,

“I repeat, it’s not impossible, but that we haven’t found a way.”

Hyang explained related trivia to those who had shut their mouths, concepts such as volume, weight, and density. After listening to Hyang’s explanation for a while, Jeong Cho opened his mouth.

“So, if we spread the iron plate as thinly as possible and join them together, we can make a ship… I suppose.”

“In extreme terms, yes.”

Jeong In-ji pointed out the problem with Hyang’s words.

“However, there is a problem. It’s the method of joining those iron plates together. Is there a way to connect the iron plates firmly while preventing water from leaking in?”

“It is your task to research that.”

“That’s why that washbasin is here.”

Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyang’s answer. However, Hwang Hee, representing the ministers, pointed out the problem.

“Making a ship with iron… According to His Highness’s explanation, we can certainly make a large ship. But, can we find that method?”

“We can find it if we do our best to research it.”

“Is it possible?”

Hyang’s expression sharpened at Hwang Hee’s negative reaction. Sejong’s expression was the same.

“Do you think it’s impossible?”

Hwang Hee, seeing Hyang and Sejong’s expressions, answered indirectly.

“It may be possible, but I think the problem is the time and cost involved.”

“We cannot give up just because of that. Many of those Seoi [Westerners] think the same way as I do. If we make a ship with iron, which is much stronger than wood, we can make a bigger and stronger ship, and that means we can sail further. Sir, do you want Joseon to just sit and watch while other countries are running?”

“That’s not it, but….”

Hyang said firmly at Hwang Hee’s hesitant appearance.

“The development of iron ships must be achieved in order for the name of our Joseon to be known throughout the world. Even if it takes time!”

The ministers closed their mouths and looked at Sejong at Hyang’s firm answer.

Sejong, who had been contemplating with a serious face, opened his mouth.

“It will certainly take a lot of time and budget. You think the same way, right, Crown Prince?”

“Yes, but….”

“But, you are saying that this is absolutely necessary. And you keep mentioning the Seoi, is there a connection with that?”

“There is, to some extent. As Abamama [father] knows, I have read many books of the Seoi.”

“I know.”

“Those books of the Seoi also contain things about history, and the history of the Seoi is a history of struggle. And the Seoi know the importance of wealth better than anyone else through that history.”

‘They said that they learned from the experience of the 30-year war that ‘the victory or defeat of war depends on the economy,’ right?’

“So?”

“For that reason, the Seoi are making every effort to find ways for their country to become rich and powerful. However, they have realized that there is a limit to finding it only from within. So, they are turning their eyes to the outside.”

Sejong took over Hyang’s explanation.

“So, the Seoi will eventually go out to sea, and they will come to this Joseon? To this distant country?”

“The Huihui people [Muslims] have already been traveling to this land for hundreds of years, so why wouldn’t the Seoi come?”

“That’s true.”

As Sejong nodded, Hyang continued.

“When the Seoi gain wealth, they engage in fair trade if they are stronger or equal to them, and if they are weak, they immediately use force to take what they want. Of course….”

Hyang paused and took a breath before continuing.

“Of course, international relations are governed by the law of the jungle, so every country moves that way. But, the Seoi, who do not know face-saving, move openly. Ah! To be precise, they do not save face among themselves. Only among themselves.”

Sejong muttered softly at Hyang’s words.

“It’s not just the Seoi who would do that….”

“Therefore.”

“Stop, I know very well what you are trying to say.”

Sejong, who stopped Hyang’s words, fell into 고민 [deep thought].

The ministers and Hyang, seeing Sejong’s serious face, quietly waited for Sejong’s mouth to open.

After some time, Sejong opened his mouth.

“Crown Prince, can I see an iron ship during this father’s reign?”

“The probability of not seeing it during Abamama’s reign, as well as mine, is higher.”

“Do you think we should continue research even with such a low probability? Enduring the consumption of time and wealth that we don’t know how much will be spent?”

“Yes. If we give up now because the probability is low, I think our descendants will pay the price with several times the blood.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong fell into 고민 [deep thought] again at Hyang’s firm answer. Sejong, stroking his beard and looking at the models of the ships, came to a conclusion.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

“Thank you!”

“However, we cannot invest time and money recklessly. Make an accurate plan and submit it.”

“I will obey your command!”

Hyang bowed and answered vigorously at Sejong’s command.

The dispute over the iron ship, which started with the 냉면 [naengmyeon – cold noodle] bowl, ended with Sejong making a decision. Sejong’s eyes, having overcome that hurdle, turned to the strange object located at the bottom of the display case.

“What is that thing used for?”

Hyang answered immediately at Sejong’s question.

“It is Heron’s steam ball.”

“Heron? Steam ball?”

“He is a famous scholar from the Seoi in the old days.”

* * *

Although he agreed with the possibility of the iron ship that Hyang said, Jeong Cho felt something was missing.

‘I feel like I missed something….’

While Jeong Cho was 고민 [pondering] about what he had missed, Jang Yeong-sil pointed out that part.

“Even if we can make a ship using iron as His Highness said, and make it bigger than when making it with wood, there is a problem. If the size of the ship increases, wouldn’t there be a problem moving it with just sails and oars?”

“That’s right!”

“That was it!”

Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji shouted loudly at Jang Yeong-sil’s point. Hyang grumbled inwardly at Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji’s reaction.

‘I thought they were shouting Eureka.’

Even though he was grumbling inwardly, Hyang answered immediately as if he had already prepared.

“I have already anticipated the problem of propulsion power. So, there is something I would like to proceed with research with everyone. Eunuch!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

When the eunuch outside came in at Hyang’s call, Hyang gave an order.

“Bring the object sent by the Military Supplies Department some time ago.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After a while, two eunuchs came in, 낑낑거리며 [낑낑거리는 – with a groan], carrying a large object made of bronze.

“What is this? It’s a very strangely 생긴 물건 [strangely shaped thing].”

The first to show curiosity was Jang Yeong-sil. Others also gathered around the bronze object with sparkling eyes.

“Hmm?”

“Heo….”

The 물건 [thing] that the eunuchs brought was very strangely 생겼다 [shaped]. Two bronze pipes extending from a cylinder supported by four legs were 박혀 [embedded] in the side of a bronze sphere made of bronze. And four pipes protruded from the bronze sphere, and the shape looked similar to the 만(卍) [swastika] character. The ends of the pipes extending out like that had small holes 들려있었다 [holes].

“Bring a brazier with fire and a kettle with water.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After a while, the eunuchs brought in a brazier with fire and a kettle.

Hyang put the burning charcoal in the lower part of the cylinder below, opened the stopper at the top, and poured water. Hyang, who closed the stopper again, looked back at the people.

“Have you ever seen cooking rice in the kitchen?”

“Yes.”

The gathered people all nodded at Hyang’s question. Unlike the late Joseon period, it was not considered a flaw for men to go in and out of the kitchen during this period.

“Have you ever seen the lid of the 가마솥 [gamasot – large솥] 들썩거리는 [shaking] when cooking rice? The power source I thought of is using water and fire. I named it the steam engine.”

“Steam engine? Are you using the energy created when water boils?”

“Yes.”

“Will that be 힘 [power]?”

“It’s the 힘 [power] that makes even the heavy 가마솥 [gamasot – large솥] lid move. I think it’s 충분히 [sufficiently] possible.”

Despite Hyang’s confident answer, people were still tilting their heads. Hyang shouted inwardly at the 모습 [sight] of those people.

‘This is like an age of disbelief! Don’t you even know the saying that there is 복 [good fortune] for those who believe!’

Anyway, as time passed, the water began to boil, and steam began to flow out little by little from the holes in the pipes extending from the bronze sphere.

“There is no 별다른 [special] movement?”

“Wait a little longer. Just a little more.”

And as time passed, the bronze sphere began to rotate slowly.

삐이이~ [Screeching sound].

With the sharp metallic sound created by the steam 뿜어져 나오는 [spewing out] through the small holes, the rotation of the bronze sphere gradually increased.

“How is it?”

The faces of the people became serious at Hyang’s words. The weight of that 물건 [thing] was considerable enough for two eunuchs to 붙어서 옮길 [stick together to move].

Of course, only the bronze sphere at the top was 움직이는 [moving], but it was not a light 물건 [thing] at all just by looking at it. But the 김 [steam] created as the water boiled was 돌리고 [turning] that bronze sphere.

Jeong Cho, who had been 구경하던 [watching] ‘Heron’s steam ball’ silently, opened his mouth.

“It seems worthwhile to do research. If we make 제대로 된 결과물들 [proper results], it seems very good to use on a ship. Even if it’s not an iron ship. We don’t have to wait for the 순풍 [tailwind] and we don’t have to load 격군들 [rowers].”

“That’s exactly what I think! And that 기관 [engine] is not 꼭 쓰이는 [necessarily used] only on ships!”

“It’s not 쓰이는 [used] only on ships?”

“If we make a 수레 [cart] that 움직이는 [moves] with that, what do you think will happen?”

“잉 [Huh]?”

“엥 [Eh]?”

The eyes of the people became as big as they could at Hyang’s words.

* * *

“So, among the research currently 진행하는 [in progress], there is also research related to steam engines.”

Sejong, who was 바라보던 [looking at] Heron’s steam ball while listening to Hyang’s explanation, 돌아봤다 [turned to look at] Hyang.

“Make a 수레 [cart] that 움직이는 [moves] with a steam engine?”

“Yes, Abamama [Father].”

“Will that be 소용 [useful]?”

“Yes? Why wouldn’t it be 소용 [useful]?”

Sejong pointed out the problem at Hyang’s question.

“무릇 수레란 [Generally, a cart] is a 물건 [thing] that 싣고 짐 [loads luggage] and 움직이는 [moves]. But in order for the steam engine I mentioned to 움직이기 제대로 [move properly], we must 끊임없이 공급 [constantly supply] water and fire. The problem is that in order to do that, we have to 실어야 [load] the water and 장작 [firewood] on the 수레 [cart], so wouldn’t there be no space to 실을 정작 짐 [load the actual luggage]?”

‘This 양반 [man], 날카로우시네 [is sharp]? 역시나 [As expected] King Sejong!’ While 감탄 속으로 [admiring inwardly], Hyang 내놓았다 [presented] the 답변 [answer] for that.

“You can think that way. But, the steam engine 발휘합니다 [exerts] very 큰 힘 [great power] compared to its 덩치 [size]. It’s not just 끄는 수레 하나 [pulling one cart], but 끄는 수레들 [pulling carts] and 움직이니 [moving], this is 충분히 효용 있는 [sufficiently useful].”

“끄는 수레들 [Pulling carts]?”

Hyang 손을 들어 [raised his hand], 가리켰다 [pointed to] 안쪽 연구소 [the inner research lab], still 감추지 못하는 의문 [unable to hide their doubts] 세종 대신들 [Sejong’s ministers].

“이쪽으로 오시지요 [Come this way].”

“보여주마 결과물이라 불리던 덕질의 끝판왕 [I’ll show you the ultimate result of dedication]!”’

“여기입니다 [Here it is].”

Hyang 안내한 곳은 [led them to] 물론이고 [of course] 내관들은 [the eunuchs] 칼을 찬 [sword-bearing] 병사들이 [soldiers] 경비를 서고 있는 [were guarding] 방이었다 [the room]. 향과 세종의 모습에 [At the sight of Hyang and Sejong] 내관들과 병사들은 [the eunuchs and soldiers] 일제히 예를 올렸다 [all paid their respects].

“수고한다 [Good work].”

“성은이 망극하옵니다 [We are deeply grateful for your grace]!”

예를 올린 내관들이 [The eunuchs who paid their respects] 몸을 세우자 [stood up straight] 향이 명령했다 [Hyang ordered].

“문을 열게 [Open the door].”

“예, 저하 [Yes, Your Highness].”

“오옷 [Ooh]!”

“오오 [Ooh]!”

세종과 대신들은 [Sejong and the ministers] 탄성을 질렀다 [exclaimed] 내관들이 열어준 문을 통해 들어선 [as they entered through the door opened by the eunuchs].

가로로 2칸(약 4.8m), 세로로 5(약 14m)칸 정도로 [About 2 kan (4.8m) wide and 5 kan (14m) long] 커다란 방의 중앙에는 [in the center of the large room] 거대한 상이 자리하고 있었다 [a huge table was located]. 그리고 그 상 위에는 [And on that table] 산이 있고 [there were mountains], 평야가 있고 [plains], 호수와 강 [lakes and rivers], 바다가 있었다 [and a sea]. 그리고 그렇게 만들어진 작은 세상에는 [And in that small world created in that way] 철로가 깔려 있었다 [rail tracks were laid].

놀란 눈으로 바라보는 [Looking with surprised eyes] 세종과 대신들을 보며 [at Sejong and the ministers] 향은 미소를 지었다 [Hyang smiled].

’21세기에서도 덕질의 끝판왕이라고 불렸던 철도 모형입니다 [This is a model railway, called the ultimate dedication even in the 21st century]!’

“아바마마께 증기기관이 달린 수레를 사용하는 모습을 보여 드리겠습니다 [I will show Abamama the sight of using a cart with a steam engine]. 내관 [Eunuch]! 기관차를 준비하게 [Prepare the locomotive]!”

“예, 저하 [Yes, Your Highness].”

향의 명령에 따라 [According to Hyang’s command] 내관들은 [the eunuchs] 철로 위에 [on the rail tracks] 모형 기관차와 [a model locomotive] 거기에 연결할 [and to connect to it] 객차와 화차 모형들을 올려놓았다 [placed model passenger cars and freight cars]. 고리를 이용해 [Using hooks] 기관차와 객차, 화차들을 연결한 [the eunuchs connected the locomotive, passenger cars, and freight cars] 내관들이 뒤로 물러서서 읍을 하자 [the eunuchs stepped back and bowed], 세종은 모형 기관차를 자세히 살피기 시작했다 [Sejong began to examine the model locomotive closely].

“아까 네가 말한 스팀 볼과 바퀴를 연결했구나 [You connected the steam ball you mentioned earlier with the wheels]?”

“예 [Yes].”

Hyang이 만든 모형 기관차는 [The model locomotive made by Hyang] 나무로 만든 수레 위에 [on a cart made of wood] 작게 만든 ‘해론의 스팀 볼’ 모형을 얹고 [placed a small model of ‘Heron’s steam ball’], 가죽끈으로 스팀 볼과 바퀴를 연결한 [and connected the steam ball and the wheels with leather straps] 원시적인 것이었다 [was primitive].

“크기가 작기에 우선 주정(酒精)을 연료로 사용했습니다 [Because it is small, we first used alcohol as fuel].”

설명과 동시에 [Simultaneously with the explanation] 향은 에탄올이 가득 담긴 등잔을 [Hyang pushed a lamp filled with ethanol] 스팀 볼 밑에 밀어 넣고는 [under the steam ball] 심지에 불을 붙였다 [and lit the wick].

삐이익 [Screech]!

시간이 지나 [As time passed] 스팀 볼에서 삐죽 튀어나온 관에서 [from the pipe sticking out from the steam ball] 수증기가 날카로운 소리를 내며 빠져나오기 시작했다 [steam began to escape with a sharp sound].

그 소리를 신호로 [With that sound as a signal] 향은 바퀴를 붙잡고 있던 제동장지를 풀었다 [Hyang released the brake holding the wheels]. 제동장치가 풀리자 [As the brake was released] 모형 기관차는 [the model locomotive] 객차와 화차들을 끌고 [pulling the passenger cars and freight cars] 천천히 움직이기 시작했다 [began to move slowly].