Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 649

649. The Country Bumpkins Come to Seoul (5)

The young monks’ predictions were spot on.

From the next day, the professors split into groups and began touring the institute’s facilities and research progress.

“Oho~.”

“Ooooh~.”

The professors, entering one of the many labs in the institute, exclaimed in unison.

The blackboard, filling one side of the wall, was covered with all sorts of numbers, shapes, and formulas. And in one corner of the blackboard, researchers gathered, repeatedly writing and erasing formulas, continuing their discussion.

“What is that formula?”

To the professors’ question, the young monk in charge of the tour checked the paper hanging on the lab entrance and answered.

“They are doing research related to sequences.”

“Sequences?”

As soon as they heard the word ‘sequence,’ the professors’ eyes twinkled. Sequences were not unfamiliar to them either. Since ancient Greece, many scholars, including Pythagoras and Archimedes, had studied and proved the concepts and formulas of sequences.

And because a remarkable book called ‘Liber Abaci’ was also born 100 years ago, written by the outstanding mathematician Fibonacci.

“If it’s a sequence, it’s a part we know well, so let’s take a look.”

“Indeed. Our advice will surely be helpful.”

With such confident faces, the professors approached the blackboard, but soon their faces turned embarrassed.

“What on earth are these symbols?”

Most of the symbols used in the formulas written on the blackboard were symbols they did not know.

And Hyang had anticipated this situation.

* * *

After the use of Cheonchuksu [an ancient Korean unit of measurement] was first accepted, Hyang strongly advocated the use of mathematical symbols—especially arithmetic operations and equal signs.

-Writing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in formulas with letters one by one makes it difficult to recognize quickly. It is better to use symbols!

‘Damn it! I already have so much to do and so much to order, I can’t wait 100 years, can I? I’ll use it in advance! Aftermath? Butterfly effect? Who cares!’

Along with this claim, when he presented examples of actually using arithmetic operation symbols, Sejong [King Sejong the Great, the fourth ruler of the Joseon dynasty] nodded and asked a question.

“It is certainly easier to recognize. However, these are symbols I have never seen in Western books… What principle were these symbols created with?”

“Yes. Using the principle of yin and yang…”

To Sejong’s question, Hyang rattled off the theory he had thought of in advance. And when Hyang’s explanation ended, the officials pointed out enthusiastically.

“Your Highness, according to the principles of yin and yang written in the Book of Changes…”

“If we consider the principles of yin and yang and the five elements…”

Despite the officials’ enthusiastic criticism, Hyang stood firm.

“My learning is shallow, so there are some incorrect parts. However, please consider the meaning and usefulness as symbols first. In particular, please consider that all the people who deal with numbers can reduce their labor.”

Having heard Hyang’s words, the officials examined the formulas Hyang had cited as examples. Formulas using arithmetic symbols were much simpler to look at than formulas written with cumbersome Chinese characters for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

In the end, Sejong and the officials accepted Hyang’s proposal, and arithmetic operation symbols began to take their place in all documents containing formulas, starting with various official documents.

And this was welcomed not only by the officials in charge but also by the merchants.

“It’s really convenient!”

“I don’t have to write letters in a cumbersome way, and it catches my eye!”

“By the way, who came up with this symbol first?”

“It’s the Crown Prince!”

“A young man is so outstanding, it is our Joseon’s great fortune!”

While the people’s praise was rising like that, roars were erupting from the homes of high-ranking officials.

“The Crown Prince, who is younger than you, is already working like that, but you are still stuck in the Four Books and Three Classics!”

“Grandfather, I am doing my best…”

“Shut up and roll up your sleeves!”

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately? The time of hardship that the children had to endure ended not long after. This was because the heads of the families first waved the white flag as Hyang accumulated more and more achievements.

“Heo~. His vessel is completely different, and his talent is different!”

As the research institute became active, Hyang immediately issued a task.

-Analyze all the Sanhak [ancient Korean mathematics] books handed down in Joseon, as well as those transmitted to the Ming [Chinese dynasty], Muslims, and Westerners, and create Sanhak symbols!

And this task was ranked as the first Sangsang [highest rank] grade of the newly created Challenge Log.

* * *

Because of this background, the situation arose where the professors could not properly understand the formulas even after seeing them.

The monk sighed softly at the sight of the professors looking embarrassed and helpless.

“Hoo~.”

‘I knew this would happen!’

The professors, who were looking at the blackboard with troubled expressions, looked at the monk. Seeing their expressions, the monk made an unavoidable expression.

“Let’s go back to yesterday’s lecture hall. I will explain the symbols.”

“Can’t we do it here?”

“It’s a distraction to those who are researching.”

At the monk’s answer, the professors left the lab without a word.

Not long after the professors who came out of the lab arrived at the main lecture hall, the professors from the other groups also entered the lecture hall.

As the professors gathered in the lecture hall again, Angelo, who had been contacted, went up to the podium.

“Even if the schedule is delayed a bit, it would be good to know this part.”

The special lecture on Sanhak symbols that started like that lasted more than half a month. It took less than three days to know what the symbols meant, but the process of getting used to actually using them and the time to get used to Hangeul [Korean alphabet] used as variables were added.

As an aside, the European scientific community underwent considerable changes due to the professors who learned various things from the Empire and returned.

Immediately, the mass use of the Empire’s Sanhak symbols in newly published academic books and papers was basic, and the use of consonants of Hangeul such as ‘ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ’ as symbols symbolizing variables became common.

Later, Hyang, who obtained these books through trading companies trading with Europe, chuckled and muttered.

“Isn’t this going to be ‘ㅎ-ray’ instead of ‘X-ray’ later?”

* * *

After experiencing these twists and turns, the professors who had experienced their own growing pains once again embarked on a full-scale exploration of the research institute.

And the professors, who learned about the research being conducted at the institute, were pushed to the brink of despair beyond admiration.

“Damn it! They’re already this far ahead!”

“The re-establishment of the classics is already over!”

Most of the professors were lamenting their situation, still clinging to the classics, except for a very few outstanding pioneers like Fibonacci.

“There’s no other way! Let’s learn as much as we can!”

The professors, driven to a situation close to despair, gritted their teeth, shook off their seats, and asked Jeong In-ji for guidance.

“A scholar should not be lazy in learning even for a moment.”

“That’s right!”

The professors, whose faces brightened at Jeong In-ji’s answer, turned black at the following words.

“However, all the researchers at the institute have a lot of work to do, so they can’t be easily removed. That authority rests solely with His Highness the Crown Prince, the director of the research institute.”

At Jeong In-ji’s words, the professors immediately went to Wan and pleaded. Wan, who received the professors’ request, answered with a troubled expression.

“I will report to His Majesty the Emperor.”

A few days later, Wan notified the professors.

“There are personnel restrictions in the engineering and Sanhak institutes attached to the research institute, and there are restrictions on your schedules, so I will accept only 20 people first.”

The professors who received Wan’s notification soon began a fierce debate.

“I have to stay!”

The debate, in which even the president of the University of Florence participated, soon broke through the critical point.

“Whether it’s skill or anything else, I’m the right person!”

“With that skill? Huh!”

“You English bumpkin!”

“Where are you, you French idiot, glaring at me!”

As the conflict between the professors worsened to the point where a fistfight was about to break out, Wan, who received the report, offered a compromise.

“There is a way that everyone can accept.”

“What is it?”

“Let’s take an exam.”

“An exam… are you saying?”

“Why don’t you like it?”

“Ah, no.”

In this way, a Sanhak exam for professors was decided.

Hyang, who heard the story, called Wan and asked.

“How did you think of taking the exam?”

“They said they would stay and learn, but they are humans who will get involved in the field by any means. Then, the best way is for us to step in and select talents.”

At Wan’s answer, Hyang clapped his knees and laughed.

“Hahaha! You’ve been working hard!”

“You are too kind.”

At Hyang’s praise, Wan bowed his head and answered.

And the historian who recorded all of this diligently added words.

-… When the Emperor praised him, the Crown Prince showed humility.

The historian says.

Like father, like son? Evil company corrupts good morals? Birds of a feather flock together?

* * *

Ten days later, a selection test was conducted for professors.

The professors who gathered in the usual lecture hall waited for the exam with pounding hearts.

“Then let’s begin.”

Following Lee Soon-ji’s words, who came in as a supervisor, the young monks who were waiting distributed the exam papers to the professors.

The professors who received the exam papers and checked the questions all took a rough breath.

“Heok!”

The questions they received were a little more difficult than they had expected. Lee Soon-ji’s voice was heard over their heads.

“Please do your best. Don’t turn your eyes there! Are you already turning your eyes! If you do it one more time, I will kick you out unconditionally!”

The next day, the results were notified to the professors’ lodgings.

“It’s done!”

“Euhuk!”

Amid the mixed reactions among the professors who received the notification, Angelo continued.

“I will not announce the rankings. However, I will let you know if you wish. What would you like to do?”

At Angelo’s words, the professors all waved their hands.

“You don’t have to reveal it.”

“I understand.”

* * *

In this way, those who would leave and those who would stay were decided, and the schedule was almost coming to an end.

As the day of departure was approaching, the professors petitioned Hyang again.

“They asked to see the Challenge Log?”

Hyang, who heard the professors’ request from Wan, thought for a moment and soon came to a conclusion.

“I allow it. Open the Challenge Log storage room to them.”

“Would that be okay?”

Hyang asked Wan with a mischievous smile at his concern.

“Where did I say to open?”

“Challenge Log storage room…. Ah!”

Wan, who understood Hyang’s meaning, bowed his head with a bright face.

“I will follow your orders!”

* * *

The professors could not hide their excitement at the thought of being able to see the Challenge Log they had dreamed of.

“This is the Challenge Log storage room.”

The professors, entering the storage room while listening to the manager’s answer, could not hide their embarrassment.

In the storage room, which they had expected to have dozens of books, there was only a table with nine books placed in the front, and behind it were dozens of bookshelves. And the bookshelves were full of printing typefaces.

“A little explanation….”

The professors requested an explanation from Angelo, who accompanied them as a guide. At the professors’ request, Angelo began to explain.

“Those on the table are books that record the list of Challenge Logs. There are nine books in total, from Sangsang to Haha [lowest rank]. If you find the part you need from that list and request it, we will find the corresponding one from the typefaces in that bookshelf and print it out.”

“Heo….”

The professors, who were making a futile expression at Angelo’s explanation, simultaneously came up with similar thoughts.

‘You shouldn’t even think about stealing it secretly.’

“For reference, those typefaces are also challenge items listed in the Challenge Log. The goal is to create smaller and clearer typefaces. The difficulty level is Sangha [middle rank].”

In the end, the professors had no choice but to leave the storage room right away.

“Then, the Challenge Log only exists in that typeface?”

Angelo immediately answered the president’s question.

“According to rumors, there are printed copies that have been printed out in preparation for possible accidents or disasters that are secretly kept somewhere, but it’s just a rumor. There are so many people who covet the Challenge Log.”

“Is that so?”

The professors’ eyes changed strangely at Angelo’s answer.