Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 728

728. Jang Yeong-sil’s Legacy (5)

“First, I will guide you to the place where the Iron Horses are made.”

Hyang shook his head at Jang On’s words.

“Let’s go to the steel mill first. Iron Horses and other ironware all need high-quality iron, so it’s reasonable to see the steel mill first.”

Jin-pyeong, who was sitting next to Hyang, also nodded. Seeing their reactions, Jang On addressed the driver of the Eocha [royal carriage].

“Move to the steel mill.”

-Yes, we will go to the steel mill first.

Soon after, the tractor pulling the Eocha turned.

Inside the Eocha heading to the steel mill, Hyang muttered to himself.

‘According to the report I received two years ago, they were researching a new steelmaking method under the leadership of Jang Yeong-sil. And in the report I received just before coming, they were preparing for mass production with the new steelmaking method.

If that’s true, we should apply it to the Bonji [the mainland, Hyang’s kingdom] right away. But Jang Yeong-sil meddled with the steelmaking method… I wonder if it was made properly?’

With a face mixed with anticipation and worry, Hyang looked out the window.

***

Not long after, the Eocha arrived at the steel mill.

Hyang, who got off the Eocha, exclaimed at the enormous steel mill facilities that unfolded before his eyes.

“It’s truly gigantic!”

At Hyang’s exclamation, Jang On replied with a face full of pride.

“I am confident that it is not lacking in size compared to the steel mills in Bonji!”

“Indeed… Let’s go inside.”

“I will guide you! Please come this way!”

Guided by Jang On, Hyang entered the steel mill and couldn’t stop admiring.

“This is the blast furnace site.”

“It’s huge!”

A four-story-high steel structure was intertwined horizontally and vertically, and many natives and artisans from Bonji were working among them.

“To be honest, it feels more refined than the steel mills in Bonji.”

“That’s because we made it with the problematic parts of that place in mind from the beginning.”

“Is that so?”

Hyang nodded at Jang On’s answer.

The steel mill in Bonji was based on the traditional steelmaking method, increasing its size and gradually changing to be suitable for mass production.

They changed the blast furnace using stone and soil into a large blast furnace using bamboo ash, iron, and refractory bricks, and used a blower using a steam engine instead of bellows [a device for blowing air into a fire].

Just by doing that, the amount of steel produced in two steel mills exceeded the amount of steel produced in the entire Ming Dynasty [China during that period]. Moreover, the quality was even better.

But now, the blast furnace and production facilities here looked almost similar to the steel mills I had seen in documentaries and other historical books from the 19th century.

‘If the design and layout of the facilities, as well as the production method and production volume, are similar, this is a revolution!’

With increasing expectations, Hyang asked Jang On directly.

“Do you melt it twice here too?”

The steelmaking method that Hyang had chosen through the competition was to melt the molten iron obtained in the first melting, then cool it down and melt it again to reduce the amount of carbon.

Through that process, high-quality steel could be obtained in large quantities, but the increased consumption of coal had to be accepted.

At Hyang’s question, Jang On smiled brightly and replied.

“We only melt it once!”

“Is it possible with one time?”

“It is possible if you use a converter!”

“A converter? Let me see!”

“This way!”

At the place Jang On guided, a huge kettle-like object was moving.

The object, which filled with the molten iron coming out of the blast furnace through its spout, raised its spout upwards and was pulled by a tractor to move its position.

The place where it moved was blocked on three sides by a round dome-shaped firewall.

As the object arrived in place, a large blower pipe was soon connected. And after some time, huge flames and molten iron droplets spurted out through the raised spout as if lava was splashing.

Seeing that, Hyang shouted inwardly.

‘I! I! I’ve seen this on the internet! This is a Bessemer converter [an early method for mass production of steel]!’

Whether he knew Hyang’s heart or not, Jang On excitedly explained.

“…If you blow hot air like that for a certain period of time, you can easily obtain steel of the desired quality.”

“Is it adjusting the time to blow air?”

At Hyang’s question, Jang On replied with a surprised face.

“That’s right! Just by seeing it once, you know the principle, as expected of Sanghwang Your Majesty!”

“You flatter me. Then, what is the annual production volume?”

“It is close to the annual production volume of the first steel mill in Bonji.”

“Is that so?”

‘Huh? It’s lower than expected?’

Seeing Hyang’s face full of disappointment, Jang On immediately added.

“Only about 1/3 of the entire area is currently operating properly.”

“Huh? So, only 1/3 is moving, and the annual production volume of the first steel mill is coming out?”

“That’s right.”

“Why is only 1/3 moving?”

“Most of the remaining areas are still under construction, and the manpower is also severely lacking.”

“So, the many buildings I saw outside are just shells?”

“They only have roofs and pillars.”

At Jang On’s words, Hyang frowned slightly.

“Wasn’t it too hasty to build the roofs and pillars first when they weren’t needed yet? It would cost a lot to maintain them, too?”

“Of course, that’s true. But, if you secure the site in advance, you can immediately know the convenient location to transport people and materials…”

Hyang stroked his chin and muttered inwardly.

‘So, they ran a simulation on a 1:1 scale…’

Seeing Hyang’s frowning face, Jang On hurriedly pulled out a dodge card.

“The former director suggested it, and the Taesanghwang [retired king] approved it. However, if you order it, I will demolish it immediately.”

At Jang On’s words, Hyang waved his hand.

“The Taesanghwang must have approved it because it was a necessary task. And demolishing it again costs money, so just manage it well.”

“I will obey your command!”

“Then let’s see the next one.”

“Yes! Then I will show you the process of making the rails that are laid on the railroad!”

“Your Majesty! Let’s go quickly!”

As soon as Jang On’s words came out, Jin-pyeong’s eyes sparkled and urged Hyang. At Jin-pyeong’s appearance, Hyang sighed softly and replied.

“Hoo~ Okay, let’s go. Let’s go.”

“I will prepare the Eocha!”

“Is it a distance to go by Eocha?”

“That’s right.”

At Jang On’s answer, Hyang grumbled softly.

“This damn land…”

***

After seeing the manufacturing process at the factory that makes the rails, Hyang shook his head lightly and gave his impressions.

“Indeed, it’s possible because the land is wide.”

Along the endlessly long factory, long pillar-shaped steel materials were being made into rails through the rolling process.

When the rails for the Iron Horse were first made in Bonji, castings were used. However, it was difficult to obtain uniform quality, and there were problems with mass production.

Thanks to this, Hyang, starting with Jang Yeong-sil, put his heads together with the artisans of District 51 and researched the rolling method.

The supply of steel materials was smooth, and steam engines were also available, so the development and introduction of the rolling process went smoothly.

There was only one problem: the lack of space.

District 51 was already almost full, and the outside was the same.

Residential areas and rice paddies were already in place in the space where factories could be built.

Of course, the land nationalization, in which all land in the country belonged to the king due to the Wangto ideology [the idea that all land belongs to the king], was over. However, there was a problem with unconditionally evicting residents.

Thanks to this, Hyang and the managers had no choice but to acquire the land near District 51 and the steel mill only enough to prevent complaints and create a rail manufacturing factory.

As a result, the rails laid in Bonji could not exceed 8 jang (about 24m) no matter how long they were.

***

The form of the factory that Hyang is seeing now was a typical form that sacrificed space for production efficiency.

“How long is it?”

“It is about 400 jang (about 1.2km) from end to end.”

“Is that including the heating furnace and warehouse?”

“If you include the storage yard, it is about 10 li (about 4km).”

“10 li…”

At Jang On’s answer, not only Hyang but even the great Jin-pyeong was surprised and only opened his mouth.

However, Hyang, who soon came to his senses, nodded with a face that he understood.

“Thanks to that, we can greatly reduce the time and resources spent in the production process.”

“That’s right!”

Jang On nodded with a proud face.

The process of making rails at the rail manufacturing factory that Jang On showed was as follows.

When the steel material in the storage yard enters the heating furnace by a Geojunggi [crane], it never moves to another place until the final product comes out. All processes started and ended on one line while being placed on a long roller table.

In short, it was a production method that was hard to even think about unless there was an endlessly wide land.

‘It’s the epitome of a science-based design that only considers production efficiency.’

Whether he knew Hyang’s heart or not, Jang On excitedly continued his explanation.

“We are not only producing 8-jang short rails for mountainous or curved areas, but also producing the most common 20-jang (about 60m) long rails.”

Jin-pyeong immediately interjected at Jang On’s words.

“8 jang is the standard in Bonji, but here it’s called short?”

“That’s right. Most of the land is straight and flat, so it is advantageous to make the rails long.”

Hyang interrupted at that.

“There is a problem that the rails expand in the summer, so there is a length limit and the seams are spaced apart. But is it okay even if it’s long?”

“We have also found the optimal seam space through experiments and measurements. And we are constantly researching steel materials. So, the final goal is to produce 100-jang (about 300m) long rails.”

“100 jang! You must succeed!”

While Jin-pyeong was grabbing Jang On’s hand and earnestly asking, Hyang looked at the factory again.

‘This factory size… the goal was long rails…’

Hyang, who was making a tired face while looking at the ridiculously long factory, asked Jang On.

“Did the former director design this factory too?”

“Yes! And the Taesanghwang approved it!”

At Jang On’s answer, Hyang put his hand on his forehead.

‘These people!’

Sejong’s report from Shinji only stated this.

-Rail production factory construction.

– Steel mill under construction.

-Details omitted due to length restrictions.

Hyang shook his head and looked at Jang On.

“It was possible because it was Shinji.”

Hyang’s words had several meanings.

-When carrying out large-scale construction and civil engineering projects, the most concerning thing is the budget.

-And the place where this budget is most spent is on materials and wages.

-However, in the case of Shinji, there were abundant building materials, including wood, everywhere. Compared to Bonji, the cost of obtaining and transporting materials was almost non-existent.

-In addition, they found high-quality iron ore and coal mines, and greatly reduced transportation costs by using the Great Navy’s water transport.

-And, by hiring the natives of Shinji as laborers, they were able to greatly reduce labor costs. Of course, over time, they will also have to pay wages that are no different from those of the Bonji people as skilled workers, but that is not the case now.

-Most importantly, it is difficult for managers from Bonji – especially the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Board of Audit and Inspection – to come and scrutinize it. In other words, as long as it is within the given budget, crazy things like what you see now are possible!