Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 79

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

Chapter 79: SimCity Hanseong, SimCity Joseon (3)

It was ambiguous whether Sejong had entrusted him with a heavy responsibility or had simply tricked him, but Hyang did his best.

The first thing Hyang did was to establish an organization with the rather verbose name of ‘Hanseong Fire Damage Recovery Promotion Temporary Headquarters’ in Area 51.

Within Hyang’s Area 51, there were several artisans with expertise in construction, as various facilities related to research were continuously being built.

Hyang conducted the meeting in the main conference hall of Area 51, with Hyang, Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, and other key figures in the front row, and mid-level officials in the back.

“First, let’s confirm the exact extent of the damage.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At Hyang’s command, Yi Cheon, bearing the title of ‘Deputy Head,’ stepped forward.

At Yi Cheon’s gesture, soldiers hung a large map of Hanseong on the wall, and Yi Cheon explained the situation with a long pointer.

“First, regarding the damage to buildings, 106 *kan* [a traditional unit of measurement for buildings] of outbuildings in the north of Insunbu were completely destroyed by fire, 1,630 houses in the central area, 150 houses in the eastern area, 90 houses in the southern area, 8 *kan* of outbuildings in Jeonokseo, and 200 houses including outbuildings and nearby houses around Jongno. In total, 2,070 houses were completely destroyed. This figure excludes the loss of palace and government buildings.”

“What about casualties?”

“Nine men and 23 women were rescued but later died. Subsequently, the casualties identified by comparing with the census registers are 23 elderly, 15 children, 46 men, and 89 women.”

“The damage is significant.”

Jeong Cho shook his head at Yi Cheon’s report.

* * *

However, in actual history, the damage was even greater.

More than 2,400 houses were destroyed, and the deaths were recorded as follows:

-Excluding the elderly and children, 9 men and 23 women died. The deaths of those who burned to death in their homes were not even identified.

However, the reorganization of the census register and the *jeongni* [arrangement/cleanup] of the land register while *jinhaeng* [proceeding with] cowpox vaccinations made it possible to estimate the number of deaths as accurately as possible.

In addition, the existence of Area 51 played a role in reducing fire damage.

Area 51 occupied most of the southern part of Hanseong—the central area of Seoul in the 21st century—which reduced the number of houses in the southern area. The other reason was the nature of Area 51, which handled all kinds of explosives and dangerous materials.

“One mistake can lead to a major accident!”

Hyang relentlessly conducted *daeeung* [response] training and *bangjae* [disaster prevention] training for emergencies, almost to the point of neurosis.

The training was not only conducted within Area 51.

They also meticulously conducted training on situations where an accident occurring inside would spread to the outside, or where an abnormal situation outside would spread to the inside.

Thanks to this, the southern region suffered surprisingly little damage in this fire.

As the fire began to spread, those staying in Area 51 immediately responded.

“Extinguish unnecessary embers immediately! Fire *bangjae* units to your positions immediately! Soldiers resting, return to your positions! Watchtowers, monitor the situation!”

“Yes!”

They moved in an orderly manner according to the command of Yi Cheon, who was in charge of the operation of Area 51.

Thanks to the quick response, there was no major danger inside Area 51.

“The fire is spreading!”

“Move according to *daechaek* [countermeasure] 2!”

“Yes!”

The gates of Area 51 opened, and carts with water tanks and pumps rushed out.

Those dispatched from Area 51 did their best to prevent the fire from spreading south.

Because the houses blocking the spreading fire were the houses where their families lived.

Thanks to such desperate efforts, the number of houses destroyed by fire in the southern part of Hanseong was reduced to only 90, instead of about 350 in the original history.

* * *

There was a place that Jeong Cho and others deliberately did not mention in the process of reporting the damage.

However, Hyang pointed it out.

“The west side is one thing, but there is almost no damage in Bukchon?”

“That is….”

When Yi Cheon trailed off, Hyang added.

“I know it too. I’m just saying it.”

“I am sorry.”

The place Hyang pointed out was the *buchon* [affluent village] of Bukchon.

Bukchon, a high-end residential complex where *jojeong*’s [royal court] ministers and influential *sadaebu* [scholar-officials] lived, suffered almost no damage in this fire.

Most of the roofs were tiled rather than thatched roofs that would immediately catch fire if there were embers, and each house had high walls and large yards, reducing the possibility of fire spreading.

Finally, because there were many *nobi* [slaves/servants] in each house, they could put out the fire immediately even if it started.

In the process of preventing this fire, the homeowners in Bukchon conveniently refused to send out their *nobi*, making excuses such as:

“We must prevent the fire from spreading!”

At this, Sejong was grinding his teeth.

“Just you wait and see!”

* * *

After *hwagin* [confirming] the damage situation, Hyang got up from his seat and stepped forward.

Hyang, standing on the platform, looked at those gathered in the conference room and opened his mouth.

“As you can see from the sign, we have been tasked with *jaegeon* [reconstructing] the area that suffered from this fire.”

“If you mean *jaegeon*, do you mean *jaegeon* all the houses that burned down?”

At Jeong In-ji’s question, Hyang shook his head.

“We don’t have enough *jaemul* [resources/funds] to do that. Our goal is to change the structure of Hanseong so that fires like this do not recur. The starting point is the area destroyed by this fire, and the final point is the entire Hanseong. The estimated time required is five years.”

At Hyang’s words, the eyes of those gathered sparkled.

Almost a *sedae* [generation] had passed since Yi Seong-gye’s *cheondo* [moving the capital] to Hanyang. Although Joseon was slow to change, various inconveniences began to appear, unlike at the time of *gaeguk* [founding of the nation].

“Move the map onto the *sang* [table].”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At Hyang’s command, the soldiers took the large map hanging on the wall and spread it on a large *sang* in the center of the conference room.

Hyang pointed to the map with a pointer and opened his mouth.

“First of all, the first step in all work is the *jeongbi* [maintenance/improvement] of Cheonggyecheon….”

* * *

“…Therefore, the main streams flowing through Cheonggyecheon and Hanseong are connected to *suro* [waterways/channels] to collect sewage and discharge it into the Han River. The advantages of this are that it makes it easier to treat sewage inside Hanseong, it clearly divides each *bang* [district] and *dong* [neighborhood], and it allows us to quickly prepare for fires like this one, as well as floods.”

Pyeonjeon of Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbok Palace].

Hyang explained the ‘Hanseong *jaegeon* [reconstruction] Plan’ to Sejong and his ministers.

Sejong stroked his beard after hearing Hyang’s explanation.

“It’s larger in scale than I expected.”

“We expect a time limit of five years. First of all, the focus is on *jaegeon* [rebuilding] the area destroyed by this *hwama* [fire demon/devastating fire], and then we will gradually expand the area.”

“Hmm, I see… But what is a *pojang* [paved] road?”

“It literally means *pojang* [paving] the road. If you look at the roads in Hanseong now, the ground turns into a quagmire whenever it rains, making it difficult for *uma* [oxen and horses] as well as people to *tonghaeng* [pass/travel]. By *pojang* [paving] it, people and *uma* [oxen and horses] can *tonghaeng* [pass/travel] without discomfort even when it rains.”

“That’s good….”

While Sejong was nodding, Hwang Hee asked a question.

“Does *pojang* [paving] the road mean laying *poseok* [flagstones]? Wouldn’t that cost too much *yesan* [budget]?”

At Hwang Hee’s *jijeok* [point/remark], other ministers also nodded.

The *hojo*’s [Ministry of Taxation] officials had completely given up going home to secure the *yesan* [budget] going to those who had lost their homes and property in this fire.

Thanks to this, Sejong had given *eosik* [food bestowed by the king] twice to the *hojo*’s [Ministry of Taxation] officials who were struggling with *gwalo* [overwork].

At Hwang Hee’s *jijeok* [point/remark], Hyang nodded.

“That’s right. *Poseok* [flagstones] costs a lot of *jaemul* [resources/funds]. So we won’t use *poseok* [flagstones]. To be precise, we will make *poseok* [flagstones].”

“Make *poseok* [flagstones]?”

At Hyang’s answer, the eyes of Sejong and the ministers began to shine fiercely.

“How do you make it?”

“We will make it with *sokhoe* [slaked lime].”

“With *sokhoe* [slaked lime]?”

Lime was not an unfamiliar object in Joseon.

As it was a common mineral, it was *manhi* [frequently] used in relation to architecture, and the Sejong Sillok Jiriji [Annals of King Sejong, Geography Section] had the following record.

-Ganghwa Island’s local products include *cheongnanseok* (a type of turquoise) and *amseok* [amstone]. *Cheongnanseok* is carved and used as *biseok* [tombstones], and *amseok* is cut and *byeonjo* [processed] for use.

Here, *byeonjo* [processed] means baking it in a *seokhoe* [lime] kiln before using it. (Note 1)

“Making roads with *seokhoe* [lime]… would that be possible?”

“It is possible!”

Hyang answered confidently.

Sejong made up his mind at Hyang’s confident answer.

“Good! Crown Prince, I trust you! Give it a try!”

“*Seongeun-i manggeukhaopnida* [I am deeply grateful for your grace]!”

Although he liked and supported the Crown Prince’s grand plan, Sejong did not forget reality.

“Roads are important, but the first priority is to create a place for those who have lost their homes in this fire. How will you do this?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang answered without hesitation.

“You are right. As I just said, roads are important, but *jaegeon* [rebuilding] the area destroyed by the fire is definitely the most urgent thing. So….”

At Hyang’s gesture, the eunuch handed over the *gwaedo* [illustrated map].

The next page of the *gwaedo* [illustrated map] showed the *yesang* [estimated] floor plan of the area destroyed by the fire after it was *bokgu* [restored].

“This is the *yesang* [estimated] *jaegeon* [reconstruction] map of the area destroyed this time. As you can see, regulations have been established to dig one well for every five households to secure *saenghwal yongsu* [domestic water] and *banghwasu* [firefighting water].”

“Can so *manhi* [many] wells be secured?”

At Hwang Hee’s question, the Minister of Public Works answered.

“It is possible. Surprisingly, Hanseong is not a place where *mul* [water] is *bujok* [lacking].”

Seoul—especially the Hanyang area during the Joseon Dynasty—had a lot of *jihasu* [groundwater].

Among the experiences that Hyang’s father, uncles, and great-uncles told him in the 21st century, there was a story that *mul* [water] flowed next to the subway tracks at Jongno Subway Station, and they thought it was a sewer that had burst, but it was *jihasu* [groundwater].

In fact, there was also an article that *jihasu* [groundwater] management accounted for the largest part of the management problems of high-rise buildings in the Jongno area of Seoul.

(Note 2)

“But why are there *muljangsu* [water vendors]?”

The Minister of Public Works’ answer to Hwang Hee’s question was simple.

“There is a problem that you have to dig a little deep.”

“Oh…”

Hwang Hee hurriedly stopped trying to click his tongue. There were only two people who could click their tongues in this Jeongjeon [main hall] without any problems.

One was Sejong, who made the habit of getting angry popular, and the other was his son, Hyang.

With the support of the Minister of Public Works, Hyang continued his explanation.

“Digging wells is *ilgeoyangdeok* [killing two birds with one stone]. One is to give the *ijae-min* [disaster victims] who lost their homes in the fire a job and give them a chance to collect *jaemul* [resources/funds] to rebuild their homes. The other is to secure *saenghwal yongsu* [domestic water] and *banghwayongsu* [firefighting water] that I just mentioned.”

“That’s good… But is there a reason why the roads have to be *gakji* [straight/angular]?”

“If you look at the alleys of Hanseong now, they are like a tangled maze. Look at this fire. The *chogajip* [thatched-roof houses] that were *buteun* [stuck] so closely together quickly caught fire, and the *baekseong* [common people] trapped in the maze-like alleys had to be burned to death and injured. Therefore, we must widen the width of the roads and *jeongni* [organize] the sections so that *baekseong* [common people] can easily escape in case of an emergency.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong and the ministers nodded.

“And, if we make it like this, it will be good for *chian* [public order]. Even if the *sungwan* [patrol officers] and *byeolsun* [special patrol officers] of the *pocheong* [police station] chase a criminal in the maze-like alleys of Hanseong now, they cannot easily find him if he hides in this alley. To solve this problem, *manhi* [many] personnel must be *tuip* [invested/deployed], which creates a *gongbaek* [gap/void] in other places. However, if we *jjamyeon* [organize] this *guhwek* [district/section], the efficiency will increase.”

“That’s good.”

While Sejong was nodding, Hwang Hee, who was looking at the map, pointed to one place.

“In Your Highness’s map, it says *gongdong* [public] bathhouse in the middle, is it really a bathhouse?”

“That’s right.”

At Hyang’s answer, Hwang Hee pointed out the problem.

“If it is a bathhouse, it collects a lot of *mul* [water], so it is good for *banghwa* [fire prevention]. However, as seen in the *setae* [social customs] of the *jeonjo* [previous dynasty], there is a problem that men and women gather naked to take a bath, which becomes a hotbed of *munranham* [disorder/immorality].”

“I know that well. So, the new *gongdong* [public] bathhouse will *gubeun* [distinguish] men and women from the entrance, separate the buildings themselves, and *mageul* [block] the two buildings with a *dam* [wall].”

“Is it really necessary to build a bathhouse to that extent?”

At Hwang Hee’s words, Hyang nodded *keuge* [greatly/emphatically].

“Of course there is! You have to take a bath often to prevent *yeokbyeong* [epidemics/plagues]!”

“Huh?”

* * *

When Sejong and the ministers showed interest, Hyang told the eunuch to submit a report.

“This is a *uimugirok* [medical record] for those who work in Area 51 and their families.”

“*Uimugirok* [medical record]?”

“There are *manhi* [many] people who get hurt because they handle so *manhi* [many] dangerous materials. Anyway! If you look at the skin disease and other disease parts, the number of skin diseases has *keuge* [greatly] decreased after taking a bath regularly. According to the *jonghap* [comprehensive] opinions of the doctors in charge of *jinlyo* [medical treatment] at the time, not only did skin diseases decrease, but *janbyeongchire* [minor illnesses] also decreased *manhi* [greatly] as the *yukche* [body] maintained *cheonggyeol* [cleanliness].”

“Hmm….”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong and the ministers *gomin* [pondered] between realistic *silli* [practical benefits] and *yugyojeok* [Confucian] *myeongbun* [justification]. Seeing that *gwanggyeong* [scene], Hyang *ppuryeotda* [sprinkled] MSG [metaphorically, added something to make it more appealing].

“And, if you use this bathhouse well, it can help *hwapye* [currency] *yutong* [circulation].”

“How?”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong showed great interest.

“Wouldn’t it be too much to carry *myeonpo* [cotton cloth] and rice every time you take a bath?”

“Ah!”

Funnily enough, it was this problem that led Sejong and the ministers to support Hyang’s public bathhouse.

—–

Note 1) Song Jong-taek. Professor, Department of Advanced Materials Engineering, Dankook University. Ceramist February 2009.

Note 2) 현장추적(hyeonjangchujeok)1234. June 10, 1999. KBS.