Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 664

“…So, what I initially envisioned was to combust the air drawn in from the front of the thruster in this internal combustion chamber, using that force to rotate the blades attached to the rear. Then, the rotational force created by those blades would be sent to the propeller for propulsion.”

When Jang Yeong-sil’s explanation concluded, Hyang couldn’t close his gaping mouth.

‘What is this monster! A turboprop! Is he really an alien?’

“Your Majesty?”

Snapping out of it at Jang Yeong-sil’s call, Hyang asked him,

“So, what are the chances of success?”

At Hyang’s curious question, Jang Yeong-sil bowed his head with a troubled expression.

“I am sorry to report, but the probability of realization is extremely low.”

“Why is that?”

Jang Yeong-sil explained the reasons why realization was highly unlikely.

– First. The fuel is the problem.

Coal has many limitations to properly utilize the concept of a combustion chamber. To solve this, I tried using finely crushed coal powder, but it still doesn’t combust properly.

– Second. The problem lies in the material to make the engine.

I’ve applied all the steels developed so far, but the durability is too low under high temperature and high-pressure conditions.

“…In the case of a multi-blade engine using steam from a steam engine, there is no major problem because it only has to withstand the heat of the steam, but the heat of the combustion chamber is a problem. If it is to produce proper power, it would have to be at least hot enough to melt iron.”

“I see. So, it’s impossible right now?”

“That is correct.”

At Jang Yeong-sil’s answer, Hyang nodded silently. However, inwardly, he was breathing a sigh of relief.

‘That’s right! This is how it should be! If a proper turboprop engine came out of here! That would be an alien, not a person!’

As Hyang was inwardly sighing in relief, Jang Yeong-sil became restless. It was because Hyang was maintaining silence.

In the end, Jang Yeong-sil brought out ‘Plan B.’

“So, I have a new idea!”

“What is it?”

“It is to use Daeshin-gijeon [large-sized rocket arrow].”

“Daeshin-gijeon? Are you suggesting using gunpowder as fuel?”

“That is correct!”

After thinking for a moment at Jang Yeong-sil’s answer, Hyang immediately began to point out the problems.

“Do you remember why all the Shin-gijeon [rocket arrows], except for the small Shin-gijeon used by the military to send emergency reports, were retired?”

“Because of the explosion of the gunpowder used as a propellant.”

“You wouldn’t have forgotten that we put in a lot of effort to solve that problem, but in the end, we couldn’t solve it properly and retired them, would you?”

At Hyang’s criticism, Jang Yeong-sil’s head drooped.

* * *

The gunpowder rocket, symbolized by Shin-gijeon, was an extremely unstable object.

Many experiments had to be done to maintain the latter, at the crossroads of instantaneous explosion or continuous combustion.

The result of that experiment was to cover a cone made of steel with a body made of paper and pack gunpowder into it. After that, if you remove the cone, that conical space becomes the combustion chamber.

This method made it possible to launch with minimal stability, but thanks to the nature of gunpowder, the risk of explosion was quite high. In particular, the Daeshin-gijeon, which uses a large amount of gunpowder, was far more dangerous than the small Shin-gijeon.

In addition, since the fuel was gunpowder, a large amount of gunpowder, the manufacturing cost as well as the maintenance cost was not cheap.

Therefore, as the performance of cannons was greatly improved through Hyang’s efforts, and Biyeokjincheonle [a type of cannon] and long guns were developed and supplied in large quantities, Daeshin-gijeon and Sanhwa-Shin-gijeon [another type of rocket arrow] were retired.

However, it did not completely disappear just because it was retired.

– Development of fuel suitable for the Shin-gijeon propulsion method.

– Development of a method to control the propulsion of Shin-gijeon.

The above problems were listed in the challenge book. Of course, the difficulty was an unimaginable level called Ugong Yisan [a Chinese fable about a man who tried to move a mountain, symbolizing perseverance].

* * *

Jang Yeong-sil, who had been bowing his head at Hyang’s criticism, carefully offered an alternative.

“What if we make the body out of steel instead of paper?”

“Would that structure and material be enough to hold that body?”

“It seems like we can use iron instead of wood.”

“Then the weight will increase, and then the Shin-gijeon will have to be bigger? Then the aircraft will become heavier again; you haven’t forgotten the word vicious cycle, have you?”

“Ah….”

“And, there is also the problem of controlling the propulsion, which is one of the problems listed in the challenge book, isn’t there?”

At Hyang’s criticism, Jang Yeong-sil eventually waved the white flag.

“I am sorry. I had too many absurd thoughts. I was too arrogant because Your Majesty has cherished me so much.”

At Jang Yeong-sil’s self-reproach, Hyang smiled and comforted him.

“I don’t think it’s absolutely absurd. It’s just that there are many things lacking to actually do it now. If our descendants do not forget Myeonmyeonbujeol [unbroken lineage or continuous effort], they will be able to make your thoughts a reality.”

“I can only hope that it will be so. Then I will finish the production according to the drawings Your Majesty has given me.”

“I trust you.”

Hyang, who was about to turn around and leave after finishing the conversation, suddenly stopped and returned to Jang Yeong-sil.

“I have something to ask you. Perhaps….”

After carefully considering Hyang’s words that followed, Jang Yeong-sil soon nodded.

“I think it’s possible.”

“Then let’s proceed with that as well.”

“I will follow your orders.”

Hyang, who came out after finishing the meeting with Jang Yeong-sil, sighed inwardly.

‘Hoo~. I barely saved it from disappearing due to the Anyeo [royal palanquin] incident, but it almost caused an even bigger accident!’

In the history before Hyang intervened, Jang Yeong-sil was held responsible for the accident in which the Anyeo that Sejong was riding in was destroyed and disappeared from history. The birth and death records themselves completely disappeared, becoming a mysterious existence.

However, as Hyang intervened, Jang Yeong-sil became a key figure in Area 51 and a celebrity who was called ‘incomprehensible’.

However, if the aircraft made according to Jang Yeong-sil’s second plan were to cause an accident, it would cause a bigger accident than the Anyeo.

Hyang’s thoughts, which had been going on until then, suddenly went off on a tangent.

‘Could it be that that person is a real alien and was aiming for it?’

If it was Sejong or Hyang’s personality, it was certain that it would end with dismissal if there were no casualties. Then, he would disappear into the records of history.

Thinking that far, Hyang smiled and shook his head.

“Hey~. That’s too much.”

“Your Majesty? Do you have any orders?”

Hyang, who came to his senses at the question of Sangseon [a court attendant], who heard Hyang’s mutterings, shook his head again and answered.

“Ah, no. I was just thinking nonsense for a moment.”

* * *

A month later, a notice was posted in the unit that operated Bigu [flying airship].

“What’s this notice?”

“Recruiting applicants?”

Soldiers flocked to the suddenly posted recruitment notice to check the contents.

– This time, Area 51 has created a new device called Naltteul [literally “flying shuttle” or “flying machine”]. We need people to handle it.

– Naltteul is a device that flies in the sky like Bigu.

– Applicants are selected from those who operate Bigu.

– Those with good eyesight, quick movements, good strength, and great courage are welcome.

– It is a very experimental device, so it is very dangerous.

“Hey~. Bigu is also dangerous, but the word ‘very’ wasn’t attached, right? But ‘very’ is attached? It’s best not to go.”

“Yeah! My body is my property, so if I become disabled, I’m the only one who loses!”

Even while saying that, the soldiers could not leave the front of it.

The first reason was that they were soldiers who handled Bigu. They knew the charm of floating in the sky better than anyone else.

The second reason was because of the condition attached at the very end.

– Those who pass the test will receive double the salary. If you lose your life or become disabled due to an accident, you will receive treatment equivalent to a first-class war merit.

Salary was also a problem, but so was the treatment of ‘meritorious person’. The treatment was only given to those who had participated in the ‘Battle of Defense of Uiju’ and the ‘Battle of Liaoyang Fortress’ and accumulated meritorious deeds.

In the end, applicants flocked in less than two days after the notice was posted.

* * *

Summer of the 3rd year of the Imperial Calendar (1451).

In the middle of the hot season after the rainy season, people gathered again at the Han River.

“What is the King going to show us this time?”

“It’s called Naltteul?”

“Naltteul? What is that?”

“I heard it’s a device that flies in the sky.”

“Then is it Bigu?”

“I heard it’s different from that one?”

“Really?”

Amidst the cries of hawkers selling all kinds of snacks, curious people gathered, and professors from Europe gathered in one place, shining their eyes.

“‘Naltteul’… what should we call it?”

“Wouldn’t we know after seeing the real thing?”

“The Empire is good in everything else, but when a device is made, it only tells us the Imperial language name….”

“Isn’t it an honor to decide the Latin name of the device? By the way, the international students are still not coming….”

“I heard rumors that there were almost no people who passed the first test. They are taking the retest again.”

The professors all sighed at the rumors their fellow professor told them.

“Hoo~. I clearly sent a letter telling them to select the test takers as carefully as possible….”

“The level of the Empire is too high.”

As the story went on, loud music and shouts of hurray from the people began to erupt.

“It’s His Majesty the Emperor!”

“Hooray!”

“Hooray! Hooray!”

According to the newly established etiquette, people did not have to prostrate themselves on the floor. Instead, the people expressed their respect for the Emperor by enthusiastically shouting cheers.

This may be a way of paying respect, but it was also evidence that their loyalty to Hyang was strong.

Hyang, who lightly raised his hand in response to the people’s cheers, soon went up to the prepared platform.

As the court officials all took their seats following Hyang, the demonstration soon began.

* * *

The ensuing demonstration of Naltteul gave a great shock to everyone except those involved.

This was because Naltteul, a small leather boat with large biplane wings and a propeller, without a gasbag like the one attached to Bigu, soared into the sky solely by human power.

“It flies! It flies!”

“It flew! It flew!”

“Wow!”

Amid the shouts of the people, Naltteul, which soared to about 20 lengths (about 60m), circled over Hyang’s head and soon flew towards the lower reaches of the Han River.

Naltteul, which had flown far out of sight, returned after some time.

The flight of Naltteul ended with a smooth landing on the Han River through the skillful control of the person in charge of piloting. Hyang stood up from his seat and applauded vigorously.

“It’s truly admirable! Admirable!”

At Hyang’s praise, the two soldiers who were in charge of the flight of Naltteul prostrated themselves on the floor and shouted.

“The Emperor’s grace is boundless!”

That day, the large and small taverns and girl houses in Seoul recorded the highest sales.

Also, professors from Europe wrote letters like crazy.

“You have to come and see it right now!”

“It flies in the sky!”

* * *

While many people were admiring the flight of Naltteul, there were others who were not.

It was Wan and the artisans he led.

“I feel empty.”

“What have we been doing?”

While they were focused only on Bigu with a steam engine, the Emperor and Jang Yeong-sil had created something completely different.

As Wan and the artisans were feeling empty, Hyang summoned them.