Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 524

524. Rolling, Rolling… (5)

Wan’s story was immediately conveyed to Hyang through a court eunuch.

Upon hearing the story, Hyang wore a troubled expression and muttered,

“It’s difficult for me to give any advice on this… I could if it were the opposite situation, though…”

In the opposite situation—similar to what Hyang had experienced in the 21st century, where a child wants to indulge in their passion but the parents oppose it—Hyang was confident he could give good advice.

“Just balance it! Just balance it!”

However, Wan’s current situation was the complete opposite. After pondering over this difficult situation where a solution didn’t readily emerge, Hyang chuckled as if amused.

“Come to think of it… Jin-pyeong had his ‘deoktong’ [a moment of sudden realization or inspiration] moment in the same place, and An-pyeong had his during the Jaein [traveling entertainers] troupe’s performance, but our children haven’t had many such instances?”

* * *

The exhibition hall, initially created in the Crown Prince’s residence and later moved to the research institute, remained a pilgrimage site for the young royals. The young Grand Princes and Princes of Sejong, as well as Hyang’s children, and the children of the Grand Princes and Princes, all passed through that place at a certain age.

The same went for the Jaein performances. The Jaein troupes or female entertainers (Gagi) deemed most excellent through the national tour conducted by the General Entertainment Agency were invited to perform at royal banquets or holiday feasts.

Being invited to perform like this was an immense honor for the Jaein troupes or Gagi. Just being selected and performing before the King immediately increased their value from the next performance onwards.

Interestingly, not many children had their ‘deoktong’ moment while touring the exhibition hall or watching the performances. Of course, Jin-pyeong and An-pyeong’s eldest sons had their moments right away, perhaps influenced by their fathers, but many children had their ‘deoktong’ moment while observing military training rather than the exhibition hall or Jaein troupe performances.

Or, they would have their ‘deoktong’ moment while watching the process of solving equations at the research institute, or while getting treatment for bruises at the royal infirmary.

Hyang chuckled, then soon reflected on his own faults.

“Well, when you think about it, it’s my fault for indulging in my passions with all sorts of excuses…”

Hyang readily admitted his fault.

* * *

The biggest advantage Hyang gained from being reincarnated was being the King’s eldest son. Thanks to this, he could do whatever he wanted as long as he achieved the level of academic success that Sejong and his ministers desired.

“The hardship for that academic success? It’s nothing compared to the 12 years I spent grinding away in school in the 21st century!”

Moreover, since most of the things Hyang created brought great benefits, Sejong was able to receive unwavering support before long.

“The circumstances were good too…”

Being able to utilize Lee Soon-ji, a genius in mathematics, and Jang Yeong-sil, who could be considered the best craftsman in Joseon, was a stroke of luck for Hyang.

“If it’s at the level of the Renaissance or the inventions of the 19th century, my math skills are enough. But if there’s someone who’s better, I should definitely use them! The same goes for manufacturing! People should live comfortably!”

Hyang had already benefited handsomely from similar methods in the 21st century.

In high school, when submitting works to various contests, Hyang would come up with the ideas, and the numerical calculations and manufacturing would be left to his science-oriented friends.

“I’m in the humanities. How can I do calculations?”

“You talk a good game, you do…”

“Because I’m in the humanities!”

“Damn it!”

As a side note, Hyang’s reincarnation was also a blessing to the artisans of Joseon at this time. These artisans, who couldn’t even leave their names behind due to Joseon’s tendency to despise everything except Confucianism, were destined to decline as the excellent technologies, including the Gapinja type [a metal movable type printing system], disappeared. It was entirely thanks to Hyang that Joseon’s technologies and artisans, who were on the verge of decline, could spread their wings and fly.

* * *

“Anyway, I should call him and say something. It would be troublesome if he goes astray because of this.”

After sorting out the situation, Hyang soon summoned Wan through a court eunuch.

“Did you call for me?”

“Yes, I heard the story. Are you alright?”

At Hyang’s question, Wan raised his head and stared at Hyang. Wan’s eyes were filled with all sorts of emotions and thoughts.

Seeing Wan’s face, Hyang subtly averted his gaze and cleared his throat.

“Ahem! Cough!”

After clearing his throat, Hyang continued,

“My influence still remains strong in the research institute and Area 51, so that’s probably why you feel that way. It will be colored with your own hue soon enough. I heard that your work processing skills are excellent, so it would be good to make that your color.”

Wan nodded at Hyang’s words, but soon raised an objection.

“However, I am your son, Father. If I am only evaluated well for my work abilities, that is only half of what I should be.”

“So? What do you want to do?”

At Hyang’s question, Wan answered with a troubled expression.

“I also want to create something outstanding… but I don’t know what to do.”

After pondering over Wan’s words, Hyang found an answer and told him,

“Read the Book of Challenges and the Book of Responses. The answer will be there.”

Wan expressed dissatisfaction at Hyang’s words.

“The Book of Challenges and the Book of Responses already contain the thoughts of many people, including you, Father. It is not entirely my own, is it? I will not be properly evaluated.”

“You are mistaken.”

Hyang explained that Wan’s thinking was wrong.

“Your words are like someone who has not even mastered the Thousand Character Classic [a foundational text for literacy] and the Hunminjeongeum [the Korean alphabet] trying to discuss the Four Books and Five Classics [core Confucian texts].”

At Hyang’s simple and clear criticism, Wan blushed and bowed his head.

“My thoughts were short-sighted!”

“First, start by properly reading the Book of Challenges and the Book of Responses and confirming the actual objects. If you go through that process properly, you will know what you really want to create.”

“Yes, Father. I will keep your teachings, which are like gold and jade, in mind, again and again.”

“You may go.”

As Wan bowed and left, Hyang muttered to himself,

“I wonder what will come out. There’s a possibility of a disaster, though…”

* * *

Following Hyang’s advice, Wan began to study the Book of Challenges and the Book of Responses and carefully observe the instruments that were actually being experimented with.

Jin-pyeong was the happiest when Wan started to show interest like this.

“I am truly relieved that you are finally working properly! Hahaha!”

At Jin-pyeong’s words, Wan bowed his head and replied,

“Please help me a lot, Uncle!”

“Of course, of course! I must do my best since the Grandson is asking! Don’t worry! Hahaha!”

Jin-pyeong patted Wan’s shoulder, laughing heartily.

And Hyang, upon hearing the story, had a headache.

“Was that really not a pipe dream… No matter what, I have to drag him along when I move, this won’t do.”

* * *

As Wan became engrossed in the work of the research institute and Area 51, he soon became addicted.

“This is fun?”

Having found it fun, Wan worked at the research institute and Area 51, eating and sleeping there.

Thanks to this, the ones who had a hard time were the administrators in charge of administrative work.

“At least the Crown Prince went home after work…”

The administrators were in tears, seeing Wan, who even brought bedding to the office in the lab and worked.

In the end, Hyang stepped in to sort this out.

-Unnecessary overtime is not allowed, except for the chief of the research institute and Area 51.

* * *

As he became a ‘deokhu’ [a passionate enthusiast or expert], like this, Wan made a good friend.

“Oh, Chief Jo! Please explain this!”

Chief Jo, who approached at Wan’s call, began to explain the instrument Wan was pointing at in detail.

Chief Jo, who was explaining to Wan, was a disciple of Jang Yeong-sil.

When leaving for Shinji, Jang Yeong-sil left his disciple in Area 51.

“I will follow my teacher!”

“You have a lot of work to do here.”

“However, if not me, then who will take care of my teacher….”

“My arms and legs are still fine!”

On the ship leaving for Shinji, leaving his disciple behind, Jang Yeong-sil muttered to himself,

“At least you have to live…”

Shinji’s Area 51 was just starting, and the person in charge was Sejong, who was as famous as Hyang for making people work a lot.

Therefore, Jang Yeong-sil had left his disciple behind.

Thus, Chief Jo Man-bok, who remained in the research institute, became Wan’s exclusive tutor.

This was because Man-bok was the youngest among the artisans whose skills had been proven.

* * *

“Hmm….”

Wan, who was staring at the Book of Challenges and the Book of Responses in his office, let out a groan without realizing it.

“This isn’t easy… Ugh….”

Wan, who continued to groan, sorted out the situation.

-It is impossible for my current level to choose one of the things in the existing Book of Challenges.

-For the same reason, it is also impossible to select and improve something appropriate from the Book of Responses.

-The same goes for touching the theories being researched at the research institute.

-Conclusion, the easiest way is to advance into a completely new field. Even if I fail, if I get a somewhat satisfactory result, I can register it in the Book of Challenges.

“And, I can make the noses of those who compared me to Father flat!”

Having sorted out the situation, Wan came to a conclusion.

“Let’s make something new!”

Having solidified his decision, Wan looked around and soon burst into frustration.

“Oh, Father! What on earth haven’t you touched!”

The land and sea were already teeming with things Hyang had made.

“What on earth should I do….”

Feeling frustrated with the situation where he couldn’t find an answer, Wan looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.

“Haa~. Huh… Huh?”

Wan, who was sighing while looking at the sky, froze. A huge smile soon began to appear on Wan’s face as he stared blankly at the sky.

“That’s it! The sky!”

Having found his direction, Wan immediately ran to the Crown Prince’s residence.

“Father! I’ve finally found it!”

At Wan’s words, Hyang asked with a face mixed with joy and curiosity.

“Really? That’s a relief! So, what is it?”

“I, your son, will fly in the sky!”

“Huh?”

Hyang, who paused for a moment at Wan’s words, soon replied with a serious face.

“That’s a very good idea. Give it a try. However, there is a condition. If you are going to experiment with people on board, you must never board it! This is an order!”

“Yes? Yes? Yes.”

Wan, who was momentarily bewildered by Hyang’s firm order, which he was hearing for the first time, soon replied.

“Keep my words in mind. Do well.”

“Thank you!”

Wan, who had obtained Hyang’s permission despite an incomprehensible order in the middle, left SeungHwa Hall excitedly.

After sending Wan out, Hyang muttered with a troubled face.

“This seems to have gone in a strange direction? Or is it not?”

Hyang, who knew about Wan’s concerns through the court eunuchs who were assisting Wan, Jeong In-ji, and Lee Cheon, muttered with a troubled face.

“I can understand how my parents in the 21st century or His Majesty and Her Majesty feel.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Wan, who had returned to Area 51 excitedly, called Chief Jo.

“Hey, Chief Jo! Chief Jo!”

“Yes, Your Highness! What’s going on?”

“I finally got permission!”

Chief Jo knew very well what the concern that had been eating away at Wan was. Therefore, he sincerely congratulated him and was also curious at the same time.

“Congratulations! So, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to fly in the sky! You have to help me!”

“Yes?”

At that moment, Chief Jo froze.