Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 52

Jjanggeura

Hello, Night.

52. Laughing and Crying at Fangirling (17)

“Ooh! It’s moving!”

Sejong clapped and cheered as the train began to move.

Hyang, looking pleased, opened his mouth.

“This is the land transportation using a steam engine that I envisioned. If the research is successful, we can travel from Hanseong [modern-day Seoul] to Busan [major port city in southern Korea] in a day. No, we can travel from Hanseong to the southern and northern ends of Joseon [historical Korean kingdom, 1392-1897] in a day. If that happens…”

Hyang paused, and the gazes of Sejong and the ministers focused on him. Receiving their undivided attention, Hyang concluded,

“If that happens, the pulse of Joseon, which had stopped, will beat again.”

“The pulse of Joseon will beat again?”

“Yes, that’s right. Looking at the current situation, the pulse of Joseon has stopped. There is almost no movement of goods, and the people cannot leave the land where they were born, living and dying there.

As a result, unless a major incident occurs, they do not know what is happening outside and live a life without change.

Then, who benefits the most? Only the landlords who rule the villages benefit. Isn’t that the case now? Why did Father forbid the Bumingoso (lawsuit by the people)? Even though it has as many disadvantages as advantages.”

When Hyang mentioned the ‘Bumingoso Prohibition Law,’ the faces of Sejong and the ministers hardened.

Joseon had been strengthening its central government since its founding. In the process, conflicts between local entrenched forces and officials sent down from the central government were inevitable.

When such conflicts arose, a flood of appeals was a natural consequence. The appeals filed individually or jointly by the local gentry registered in the Hyangso (local Confucian academy) of the troubled counties filled Sejong’s desk more than once.

Eventually, Sejong made a decision.

“The sage said that the king, the teacher, and the father are one! Local officials are those who have gone out to carry out my will on my behalf! Just as it is not right for a child to criticize their parents, it is not right to criticize them!”

Referring to the classics, Sejong created a law prohibiting Bumingoso, which Taejong, who was then the Sangwang (retired king), also agreed to implement.

However, the ‘pros and cons’ remark made by the Crown Prince now implied that there was a problem with the ‘Bumingoso Prohibition Law.’

“Does the Crown Prince mean that prohibiting Bumingoso is not right?”

“In the current situation, blocking the Bumingoso was an unavoidable choice. However, as time passes, there will be those who use it to satisfy their greed. Isn’t that what Father is trying to prevent by carrying out the Gyeongjang (reform)?”

“That’s true.”

“I believe that everything in this world has a beginning and an end. People have a lifespan, so why wouldn’t laws have a lifespan?”

“That’s right.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s words. Hyang looked at Minister of Personnel Heo Jo, who was standing behind Sejong, and continued.

“What is important about a law is not its content, but the principle it expresses. Father blocked the Bumingoso because he wanted his will to be properly spread even to those remote mountain villages, so wouldn’t it become unnecessary once the Gyeongjang is completed?”

“That’s right.”

Sejong nodded repeatedly, and even Heo Jo, known as a strict traditionalist, nodded as well.

When Hyang first met Heo Jo, it was when Heo Jo had moved from the Yeonguijeong (Chief State Councilor) faction to the Sejong faction. Hyang, who had expected that Heo Jo would be swept away along with the Yeonguijeong if a purge occurred, tilted his head at Heo Jo’s change of course.

“He’s a man of principle? Why is he so erratic?”

As time passed, Hyang revised his assessment of Heo Jo based on the information he gathered through various channels.

“This man is a royalist Seongrihak (Neo-Confucianism) Taliban faithful to loyalty to the king. He’s on thin ice….”

Hyang trailed off as he adjusted his assessment of Heo Jo.

‘He could be a card to play if there’s a problem with the Avengers later.’

Having overcome one hurdle regarding the ‘Bumingoso Prohibition Law,’ Hyang continued his explanation.

“The roads of Joseon are so blocked that even if there is a village famous for apples and pears, it is difficult to see them if you cross just one mountain, and it is safe to say ‘I heard there is such a thing’ if you cross two mountains.”

‘Damn it! I want to eat Andong salted mackerel… Ugh! I’m digressing again!’

Quickly gathering his thoughts, Hyang continued.

“However, if we lay railroads like this and run trains, we can move many people and goods at once, so Joseon, which was stagnant like a pond, will flow proudly like the Han River [major river in South Korea].”

“Hmm….”

After Hyang’s explanation, Sejong stroked his beard and pondered.

“Minister Jeong.”

While Sejong was deep in thought, Hwang Hee called Jeong Cho in a small voice.

“What is it, Minister Hwang?”

When Jeong Cho asked the reason, Hwang Hee pointed to the model train and carriages with the tip of his chin and asked.

“Do you think those toy-like things will actually be useful?”

At Hwang Hee’s words, Jeong Cho chuckled and replied.

“Does it seem to you that it is just His Highness’s amusement?”

“It’s not that, I’m just wondering if it will really be useful.”

“Do you see those lumps of iron placed on the carts behind it?”

“I see them.”

“All of them together weigh 10 geun (approximately 13 pounds). The toy you mentioned pulls and moves 15 geun (approximately 20 pounds) when you add the weight of the cart. Do you get the idea?”

Hwang Hee closed his mouth at Jeong Cho’s words. The other ministers around him were the same.

Meanwhile, Sejong, who had been pondering deeply, asked Hyang a question.

“It is a well-known fact since the previous dynasty that the roads of our Joseon are a mess. Therefore, both the previous dynasty and our Joseon mainly use ships to transport goods. Will this railroad have the capacity to replace it?”

“Although a lot of wealth will be invested in the construction process, over time, we can recover not only that wealth but also more than enough. And, regarding water transport, a considerable amount of the taxes collected in the southern provinces (Chungcheongdo, Jeollado, Gyeongsangdo) is lost every year when transported by ship. The amount of taxes that disappear every year due to reasons such as ships sinking in storms or running aground on reefs is usually about 10% of the amount that comes in annually. No, isn’t it a situation where even just 10% is considered successful?”

“That’s true.”

“Is that really the case?”

“Huh?”

At Hyang’s question, Sejong and the ministers perked up their ears. Hyang looked at Sejong and the ministers and continued.

“The sailors of the transport ships that carry the taxes are experienced. Wouldn’t they know the signs of a storm? Or would they not know the location of reefs on a route they travel every time? It’s just that they turn a blind eye because there is no clear evidence, isn’t it?”

“That’s right….”

Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyang’s point. As Hyang pointed out, most of the taxes collected in the southern provinces were transported to Hanseong by transport ships. In the process, the amount of taxes that disappeared due to various accidents was quite large. The court also established several measures to prevent the loss, but no optimal solution was found. Once a ship went out to sea, communication was impossible until it arrived.

‘No! There are even times when they say Cheonan and Wonju are in the metropolitan area! How can it make sense that it becomes unreachable just by crossing the Han River! A country with such a small land area!’

Hyang persistently listed the advantages of the railroad.

“It is not only useful for the movement of people and goods. It is also very advantageous for communication.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong stroked his beard and nodded.

“‘Advantageous for communication.’… Indeed, that’s right. If, as you say, we can arrive in Hanseong from the southern or northern ends in a day, we can receive urgent reports more quickly. Then we can respond more quickly and accurately.”

“That is correct. Of course!”

Seeing Hwang Hee and other ministers about to speak, Hyang raised his voice. As Hyang’s voice grew louder, the mouths of the ministers who were about to say something closed tightly. Hyang, who had silenced the ministers, continued.

“Of course, there are still beacon towers to signal urgent reports with beacons, but beacons can only be used to report matters related to national defense. Even then, we can only know which direction the incident occurred in, and we have to wait for the Janggye (official report) to arrive to get detailed information. If we are not careful, we may miss an important moment while waiting for the Janggye.”

“… That’s true.”

The ministers nodded at Hyang’s point. Hyang continued.

“Urgent reports are not limited to war. There are also things like epidemics, floods, and droughts. If we can receive news quickly whenever these unfortunate events occur, wouldn’t we be able to respond with a little more leeway?”

“That’s true.”

The ministers were increasingly leaning towards the idea that the railroad was useful. Hyang called Jeong Cho.

“Vice Director, submit the plan to His Majesty.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As Hyang’s command was issued, Jeong Cho, along with Jeong In-ji, took out a pile of thick books and placed them on the table with the railroad model.

“What is this? Hmm… ‘National Comprehensive Development Plan?'”

“Based on the geography and economic situation of Joseon, the population distribution, and the distribution of underground resources from the Resource Office, which were investigated while traveling around the country to observe the heavens, this is a Simuchaek (detailed policy proposal) to strengthen the capabilities of Joseon. I wrote it in the hope that it would be of some help to Father’s Gyeongjang.”

Sejong counted the number of books that Jeong Cho and Jeong In-ji had placed.

“One, two, three……. Forty-two, it doesn’t seem to fit the word ‘a little bit,’ does it?”

“It is a little bit.”

“Hmm….”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong opened the book and sighed.

“Hoo~.”

Inside the book, sentences written in small letters were densely packed. Reading the densely written sentences, Sejong grumbled softly.

“I hate Geumpil (metal pen) every time this happens.”

The reason why officials favored Geumpil over Mopil (writing brush) was that they could write smaller letters. Mopil could also be used to write small letters using Sepil (fine brush), but Geumpil could write much smaller than that. Thanks to this, the amount of paper consumption was reduced compared to the past, which was good, but it was a hardship for the ministers whose eyesight was gradually deteriorating. Therefore, Sejong had to specify the minimum size of the letters to be written in official documents.

Sejong, who had briefly skimmed the contents of the book placed on top, handed the book to Hwang Hee.

“I think it is worth reviewing. Examine it with the ministers.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sejong, who had handed the books to Hwang Hee and the ministers, examined the interior of the room where the railroad model was placed. He had been so focused on the railroad model that caught his eye as soon as he opened the door that he had no time to look around.

“There are many maps?”

“Yes. This is a map of Joseon based on the Cheonhado (map of the world) from Zheng He’s voyage records and the research conducted by the researchers who went out to measure the heavens to revise the calendar.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong, who was examining the map of Joseon hanging on the wall, turned to look at Hyang.

“It’s much more detailed than the old maps.”

“Thanks to the efforts of the researchers.”

“Their hard work is visible. Everyone, come and see.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As soon as Sejong’s order was issued, the ministers came and began to look at the maps. Jo Mal-saeng was the most interested. After examining the maps, he requested Sejong.

“Your Majesty, the military needs precise maps the most. We have reformed the military system and gathered talented people, but there are many shortcomings in carrying out what they intend, and maps are one of them. Please give these maps to the military.”

“The Minister of War speaks truly. Crown Prince, hand over these maps to the military.”

“I will follow the order. But, is it okay since it’s not a proper completed version yet?”

“Not a completed version?”

“The research institute has only been around for seven months. We don’t have enough people, so there’s no way we can produce proper results.”

“Not enough people, you say?”

As Sejong pondered, Jeong Cho earnestly spoke.

“The lack of talent is a truly serious problem. Even now, the officials of the research institute, including myself, are not able to go home properly.”

“To that extent?”

At Sejong’s words, Jeong Cho nodded with an almost tearful face.

“As Your Majesty can see, there are not just one or two things that we have undertaken. There is a lot of work and few people, so how can we be comfortable?”

“Wouldn’t it be possible to gather a few more people?”

At Sejong’s question, Jeong Cho sobbed and replied.

“Rumor has it that the work is hard, so they don’t want to come. At first, I brought them in by raising their ranks, but every time the number of people increased, His Highness increased the work as well… As Your Majesty can see, the research institute has only been around for a little over half a year, but we have already made so many instruments and carried out so many tasks. And none of those tasks are easy.”

Jeong Cho, recalling his past hardships, became teary-eyed and could not continue speaking properly.

Sejong glared at Hyang at the sight of the old official’s miserable appearance. Hyang, receiving Sejong’s sharp gaze, lightly stuck out his tongue and acted cute.

“Dehat! [a playful exclamation]”

“You little rascal! Ma! [exasperated exclamation]”