Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 662

662. A Little Seasoning Makes Deokjil Delicious (3)

Wan and the artisans, having what they believed to be the correct answer, created small models, referencing the copied Challenge Records.

They attached wings made of bamboo and Korean paper to a living axis [a rotating shaft] crafted from trimmed wood.

“It looks like a windmill, but will it really work?”

The artisans, with some doubt, looked at the model they had created. They brought a windmill from one side and blew air onto the wings of their model.

Flutter, flutter.

“It turns well….”

“It would be a problem if it didn’t turn. Let’s connect the conduits then.”

“Let’s do that.”

After roughly confirming that it turned well, the artisans took the conduit parts that had been placed nearby and assembled them in a shape that surrounded the wings.

Finally, the artisans fitted the windmill to the entrance of the conduit and checked once again to ensure that it was properly connected.

“Alright! Let’s turn the windmill again!”

“Let’s do it!”

The artisans wound the spring of the windmill and then closed the windmill’s hatch—the switch.

Wee-ing~.

The windmill began to turn, and before long, the living axis began to rotate.

“It turns so well!”

Having confirmed that the living axis was spinning enthusiastically, the artisans set up the windmill and connected a pinwheel to the living axis.

“Turn it!”

Seeing the pinwheel begin to spin gently as the living axis turned again, the artisans breathed a sigh of relief.

“Whew~. We’ve come this far without a hitch.”

“Let’s inform His Majesty.”

* * *

Having received the report, Wan rushed over and praised the artisans after seeing the model in operation.

“You have truly worked hard! Well done!”

At Wan’s praise, the artisans bowed their heads and replied.

“You flatter us.”

“We are deeply grateful.”

Wan, having praised them, began to show even more enthusiasm.

“Now, let’s examine this scaled-down model again and consider what the problems might be. Let’s find out what could be problematic and what methods we can use to solve those problems.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“We will do our best!”

Wan and the artisans, showing such enthusiasm as they began their analysis, soon faced a wall once more.

“With this framework, the heating furnace would have to be incredibly large.”

“That’s right. If that happens, it will conflict with our initial goal of creating a ‘small, high-output, and easily controllable power engine’.”

“How can we solve this?”

“We need more time….”

Looking at Wan and the young artisans struggling with the difficult problem, the veteran artisans wore strange expressions.

“Goodness…. It feels like the answer will pop out if they just go a little further. But if we intervene, it would be like adding a spoon to a fully set table… [unnecessary intervention].”

“There’s a rumor that Master Jang Yeong-sil will be returning soon. If he sees this, I don’t think he’ll have anything good to say….”

* * *

While suffering under Hyang and Sejong, Jang Yeong-sil developed a bad habit. Or rather, it was a habit commonly seen among those who suffered under Hyang and Sejong.

That habit was harsh criticism. It was routine for Hyang and Sejong, father and son, to be a half-step or two or even further ahead, wearing expressions that seemed to say, ‘You don’t even know that?’

Thanks to them, those who suffered under them developed a habit of berating subordinates.

“Don’t you even know that? Is the head on your neck just for show if it’s empty?”

Starting with such direct criticism, they would twist and turn their words to tear people apart.

Of course, there were exceptions. One was Yi Sun-ji.

From the time he took a position at the research institute, his harsh criticism was as famous as his mathematical skills.

* * *

Having received a report that ‘Wan and the young artisans are struggling,’ Hyang stroked his chin and pondered.

“What should I do? Should I subtly hint at it? No. If I do that, they might develop a bad habit of only looking to me for answers. Hmm…. What should I do?”

Pondering what the best method would be, Hyang eventually decided to offer some advice.

“Ugh! Watching this is making my stomach churn!”

Having made his decision, Hyang immediately summoned Wan.

“Did you call for me?”

“Yes, I heard that you are struggling to solve a difficult problem these days. What is the issue?”

“There is a somewhat difficult problem to solve, but you don’t need to worry too much about it. We will find the answer soon.”

“Your complexion doesn’t seem to reflect that. You must remember that you are not only the manager of the research institute and Area 51 [a secret research facility], but also the Crown Prince who will lead this empire into the future. What is the problem?”

At Hyang’s urging, Wan explained the troublesome problem to Hyang.

“Hmm….”

After listening to Wan’s explanation, Hyang stroked his chin and fell into silence.

‘Let’s wait a little longer before starting. If I give the answer right away, they’ll develop bad habits.’

After pausing appropriately, Hyang continued his questioning of Wan.

“So… the problem is that a large heating furnace is needed to supply enough steam to the multi-wing propeller, is that right?”

“That is correct.”

“What do you think about the fact that the steam ejector pipes of the steam engines that go into the ironclad horses [early trains] or assault turtle ships [armored warships] are quite small? And what do you think about the fact that the intake and outlet pipes of the water supply devices that supply water from small village wells to the fire prevention troops are small?”

At Hyang’s pointing out, Wan looked puzzled and asked back.

“Aren’t the uses different? And according to Jang Yeong-sil’s designs, the diameter of the intake and outlet pipes is the same as the diameter of the multi-wing pinwheel. There’s no reason why the great Jang Yeong-sil would make a mistake, is there?”

At Wan’s question, Hyang realized exactly what the biggest problem was.

‘Was it because of his reputation!’

Jang Yeong-sil was a renowned master craftsman. The objects he created were so ingenious that even among the scholar-officials, there were quite a few who respected Jang Yeong-sil.

If even the scholar-officials were like this, the weight of the name ‘Jang Yeong-sil’ among the artisans was enormous.

-The great Jang Yeong-sil thought of it! It can’t be wrong!

“Hoo~.”

Hyang let out a long sigh and continued speaking to Wan.

“I will ask the Crown Prince. What is the title of the Challenge Record that you and your artisans referenced?”

“‘Conduit-Type Multi-Wing Propeller’.”

“What are you supposed to be making now?”

“Yes?”

Seeing that Wan still didn’t understand, Hyang asked again.

“Are you making a propeller, or are you making the part that transmits power to the propeller?”

“Transmitting power to the propeller… Ah!”

Only then did Wan realize what the problem was. Seeing Wan’s expression, Hyang wrapped things up.

“From now on, make sure you understand the title before you start.”

“I will definitely do so! I will engrave the golden words that Your Majesty has given me upon my heart!”

Watching Wan, who had found the answer, return excitedly, Hyang suddenly burst into laughter.

“The researchers studying mechanics at the research institute will be spilling some nosebleeds [working very hard]. Yi Sun-ji’s report said that the professors’ qualifications are decent enough to use, so I need to groom them appropriately and put them in.”

Hyang had decided on the path of hardship the professors would take.

Having sorted out the situation, Hyang looked at the calendar and muttered.

“Jang Yeong-sil will be back soon. It will be interesting when he returns.”

At the same time, Hyang looked meaningfully at the drafting table placed on one side of the room. Looking at the drafting table, which was covered with a lid and locked with a padlock so that others could not see it, Hyang muttered.

“If a proper turbine engine is created, everyone in the research institute and Area 51, starting with Wan, will know what the problems with steam engines are. Then the development of Shinji [a new technology] will accelerate. If we can properly digest Shinji, many of the worries that darken the future of the empire will be reduced.”

Hyang looked at the map of the world hanging on the wall and continued.

“We just need to secure Shinji. Just Shinji. Whether it’s railroads or canals, the moment Suez [Suez Canal] is opened, a scramble for colonies will begin.”

This was the part that Hyang was worried about.

“There’s no need to worry about military power for defense. It’s more than enough. But if we think about expansion, it’s not enough. It’s woefully inadequate if we consider Southeast Asia, Australia, or even Europe. No, it’s not that military power is lacking, but that the overall national power is lacking.”

Hyang was negatively concluding about the empire’s imperialistic expansion.

-We can have powerful weapons, but we lack the soldiers to use them.

-Even if we can manage military power, our supply capabilities are very lacking.

-If we try to equip ourselves with supply capabilities, the national economy will be shattered due to excessive military spending.

-If we change the national economic structure to match a total war system, healthy economic growth will be out of the question.

-The best example is Japan from the Meiji Restoration [period of modernization] to 1945.

-Finally, if a shortened route using Suez is created, a full-scale scramble for colonies will begin.

“It’s not that the Industrial Revolution caused the scramble for colonies, but that the wealth gained through colonies accelerated the Industrial Revolution.”

Hyang predicted the subsequent measures.

“We need to buy time by leaving them a delicious bait. If the empire eats up everything in South America or Australia in the current situation, the empire itself will become bait. We must prevent this at all costs. Hoo~.”

Hyang sighed and continued.

“The way they will attack the empire is not just with military power. The best thing would be drugs. There is already an excellent example.”

The ‘excellent example’ that Hyang mentioned was the Opium War [wars fought between Great Britain and Qing China over the opium trade].

Great Britain, which had a huge deficit in trade with Qing [Qing Dynasty China], began to distribute opium to overcome this.

The opium distributed by Great Britain brought huge profits to Great Britain and weakened Qing at the same time.

With the corruption of the government and the collapse of the economy due to opium, Qing became the prey of the great powers.

Qing, which seemed unlikely to lose to the great powers in terms of numbers alone, collapsed.

Hyang did not want the empire to become like that.

“It may not be right away, but Europe is the one that will definitely try to devour us when it has enough capacity. If we throw them a delicious bait, they will gleefully tear at each other. The remaining areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, India, Vietnam and the Indochina Peninsula, Wa [ancient name for Japan], and finally Ming [Ming Dynasty China]. This is a very delicious bait. Especially Ming, which is the best bait.”

Hyang was thinking of turning a blind eye to the misfortune of other countries for the sake of the empire’s well-being.

“During that time, the empire must completely digest Shinji and the Siberian region.”

Looking at the map of the world, which still had some blank space, Hyang strengthened his resolve.

* * *

Fifteen days later, Jang Yeong-sil finally returned.

“Thank you for your hard work in coming to the palace.”

“It is nothing.”

“There is something I definitely want to make with you. You are the only one who can properly make what I have in mind.”

At Hyang’s words, Jang Yeong-sil bowed his head and replied.

“I am deeply grateful for your great appreciation of an old and useless ox like myself.”

“An old ox may not have the strength, but it is wise. We can use young oxen for strength.”

At Hyang’s words, Hwang Hee, who was listening from the side, nodded his head without realizing it. And Kim Jong-seo, who was next to him, stroked his arm, which had goosebumps, without realizing it.

“Then what is it that you want this humble servant to make?”

At Jang Yeong-sil’s question, Hyang gestured to the eunuch. Seeing Hyang’s gesture, the eunuch brought the drafting table, still sealed with a padlock, and set it up in front of Jang Yeong-sil.

Hyang took out a key from his pocket, opened the padlock, removed the screen, and opened his mouth.

“It is a flying machine.”