Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 810

810. The Fall of a Star (4)

The first thing Hyang did after being saddled with Sejong’s work was to categorize it.

“This is already in progress… this is just planned… and this is just conceptual….”

Hyang, sorting through the piles of books and scrolls, let out a long sigh.

“Haa… Shinji’s work is also urgent….”

Even while complaining, Hyang continued the sorting work without rest.

It wasn’t just sorting.

“I’ll write you a list, so go to the archives and get copies.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The eunuchs assigned to Changdeok Palace, as well as the officials assigned to assist Hyang, went back and forth between Changdeok Palace and the archives, carrying copies according to Hyang’s orders.

In the midst of this, negligence in the management of records was revealed, and those in charge were reprimanded and demoted.

Interestingly, the place they were demoted to was also the archives.

The person whose title changed from ‘Archives Supervisor’ to ‘Archivist’ clearly showed what ‘the face of someone who has fallen into the abyss’ looked like.

Amidst this commotion, Hyang’s work speed was unmatched.

The young eunuchs and officials who saw this from the side inwardly clicked their tongues.

‘To be able to process things so quickly and with almost no mistakes! It’s not of this world!’

‘So that’s why the lords, elders, and grandees would freak out at the mere mention of Sanghwang [Former Emperor]!’

Hyang also had his own reasons.

“I need to hurry up and finish this to hand it over to those younger siblings! That way, I can raid Area 51 before returning to Shinji!”

Thanks to his tireless sorting work, forgetting to eat and sleep for his own goals, Hyang was able to see the end of it in just two days.

“Is this all that’s left now….”

Looking at the less than ten remaining books, Hyang picked up the one on top.

“Let’s see… Miscellaneous Records, Volume 1?”

With an indifferent face, Hyang checked the title written on the cover and began to read the contents.

However, as the pages turned, Hyang’s face became increasingly serious.

“Could it be….”

With a stiff face, Hyang examined the titles of the remaining books.

“They’re all Miscellaneous Records….”

Quickly checking the contents of the remaining Miscellaneous Records, Hyang grabbed Volume 1 and hurriedly got up from his seat.

“I will go to Sugang Palace to see the Taesanghwang [Great Retired Emperor], so inform him in advance!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

* * *

Arriving at Sugang Palace, Hyang immediately sought out Sejong.

Sejong, helped by a eunuch to rise from his seat, ordered the eunuch.

“I’m thirsty. Go and bring some medicinal tea.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sejong, having moistened his throat with a sip of the medicinal tea brought by the eunuch, smiled and looked at Hyang.

“So, what brings you here? I already asked about your well-being this morning, so I’m curious what’s going on.”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang politely handed the Miscellaneous Records to Sejong.

“It’s because of this.”

Sejong, receiving the Miscellaneous Records from Hyang, still smiled and opened his mouth.

“Ah, this? I wrote it as a pastime. Living as a retired old man, all I have is time, isn’t it? With time to spare and nothing to do, I just have random thoughts.”

At Sejong’s answer, Hyang made an absurd expression.

“You’re saying you had time to spare when there are so many things the Taesanghwang is currently promoting or planning?”

“Haha~. Compared to the days when I ruled the Bonji when it was still a kingdom, and the days when I ruled Shinji after handing over the throne to Sanghwang, it’s nothing, isn’t it?”

“…That’s true.”

‘Indeed, that’s true.’

Hyang nodded at Sejong’s words. All the work and responsibility of managing the empire rested with the emperor. The Sanghwang and Taesanghwang were in a position to be political patrons and advisors to the emperor.

Therefore, compared to the days when he was working on the front lines, he certainly had more time.

Especially for Sejong, who was a workaholic, he would have had even more time to spare.

Understanding the situation at Sejong’s words, Hyang muttered to himself.

“Hoo~. Even from a rough look, almost all of them should be listed in the Book of Challenges, and most of them will be of the Ugong Yisan [extremely difficult] grade….”

Sejong’s eyes lit up at Hyang’s mutterings.

“Oh? Does Sanghwang see value in those miscellaneous thoughts?”

“Yes. Very high.”

“That’s quite interesting? The emperor and other officials just said they were interesting ideas? In other words, everyone thinks they’re just fantasies or delusions, but only Sanghwang doesn’t? On what basis?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang quickly made excuses, inwardly sweating bullets.

“Hahaha. Aren’t I the one who has fantasized and created things like this and that? The circumstances are different.”

“Is that so? Vice Director Jeong also thinks similarly to the others, though?”

“That’s because… Vice Director Jeong is only in charge of the research institute and the operation of Area 51, isn’t he?”

“Is that so?”

“I’ll be on my way!”

“Do so.”

Watching Hyang quickly bow and leave, Sejong wore a strange expression.

“Hmm….”

Leaving Sugang Palace, Hyang looked at the Miscellaneous Records in his hand and let out a hollow laugh.

“Haha! You’re saying you wrote this as a pastime? This?”

Looking at the Miscellaneous Records and chuckling, Hyang continued in his mind.

‘There’s a reason why you’re beyond standard….’

“But anyway….”

Hyang felt a strange sense of kinship looking at the Miscellaneous Records.

When he handed over the throne to Wan and stepped back as Sanghwang, Hyang dreamed of ‘work-life balance.’

“Of course, there’s a lot of work in Shinji, but if it’s Taesanghwang’s personality, he would have laid all the groundwork. I can just handle it moderately and enjoy my hobbies.”

However, not long after arriving, Hyang frowned.

“This isn’t it….”

Managing that vast Shinji, which is still expanding, was not an easy task.

In particular, with the contact with the Meshica [likely referring to people from the Americas] sooner than expected and the contact with Europeans who crossed the Atlantic, the ‘work-life balance’ he had initially planned was thrown into the trash.

In order to have the leisure to leisurely enjoy the things he wanted to do, the current emperor, Wan, had to hand over the throne to Hyeon and come to Shinji as Sanghwang.

And in preparation for the time when he would hand over the work to Wan and return to Bonji, Hyang was writing his own ‘bucket list.’

“Of course, that’s if I don’t die before then….”

This was why Hyang felt a sense of kinship.

* * *

Returning to Changgyeong Palace, Hyang steeled his heart and opened the Miscellaneous Records.

“If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it… I just have to categorize it. The real hardship is for the scholars at the research institute.”

That day, the scholars at the research institute complained of unexplained chills and collectively applied for leave.

Regardless, Hyang diligently proceeded with the sorting work, examining the contents of the Miscellaneous Records.

-It is said that the world revolves around the energies of Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements. But what about the energy that Hyang has named ‘Thunder Energy’ or ‘Thunder Force’? It is difficult to explain with traditional Yin, Yang, and Five Elements. Is it true that the only energies that move the world are Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements?

“This can be passed on to the Department of Divination. The grade is…. Ugong Yisan [extremely difficult], Middle-High.”

-The units of measurement currently in use are numerous and difficult to communicate with each other because they are all different. In the case of the Empire, the units of length were unified based on the Yeongjo Scale [a standard measurement], and the same is true for weight. However, if you look at the origins of these units of measurement, they were initially based on the human body and grains. Since all people are different in size, and the grains also have different sizes, errors are bound to occur.

Therefore, there is a need for units of measurement that do not cause errors no matter where in the world you go.

“Suddenly the difficulty spikes? This is a joint project for the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Physics. The difficulty is Ugong Yisan, High-High.”

Setting the difficulty and designating the appropriate department, Hyang crossed his arms and sighed.

“Hoo~. Ugong Yisan keeps popping up from the beginning… There will be more than one or two people who will curse me even after I die. But I have to do it.”

Moistening his throat with prepared black bean tea, Hyang moved on to the next one.

-Dancing and singing are indispensable to the entertainment enjoyed by the people. Accurate sheet music is essential to properly express dance and song. Since the way the Empire writes sheet music is completely different from the way Europe writes sheet music, compare them and find a suitable method.

“This is a bit easy. And Anpyeong will like it. The grade is Mabujakchim [easy task], High-Middle.”

Later, Anpyeong, who received the task, was furious.

“This is not a Mabujakchim grade! He also played a part in the process of creating the Imperial March!”

To be honest, Anpyeong was an innocent victim. Music was not Hyang’s hobby.

He took a breather, but Hyang sighed as he turned the next page.

“Hoo~. Damn it….”

Sejong’s miscellaneous thoughts were diverse, regardless of field.

-It is common to treat illnesses by administering medicine. However, there are many cases where people are unable to find suitable medicines depending on the time and place. If we could know which part of the medicine is effective, and if people could create it, wouldn’t we be able to reduce the misfortunes of losing lives due to missed opportunities?

“Medical Institute and Department of Chemistry. Ugong Yisan, Middle-High.”

-The military hospitals and Jesaengwon [public clinics] throughout the Empire treat poor people. However, even if they show the same symptoms and prescribe the same treatment, some improve and others do not.

Are they the same symptoms but different diseases? Then, is it possible to make an accurate diagnosis with just pulse diagnosis and questioning?

Looking at medical books, there is a technique to cut through bones and flesh and examine the inside. But we can’t cut through flesh and bones every time, can we?

Is there a way to look inside a person’s body without cutting through flesh and bones?

Hyang read the problem item several times and pondered for a long time before coming to a conclusion.

“…Medical Institute, Engineering Institute, Department of Mathematics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Physics. Difficulty Ugong Yisan, High-High-High.”

It was the moment a new grade was born.

With a tired expression, Hyang turned to the next page and shook his head.

“Is it politics this time?”

-The power of the current Empire is concentrated in the Emperor. From the Joseon era [previous dynasty], those who will succeed the throne are thoroughly trained to become royal material. However, it cannot be denied that even with training, someone lacking in qualifications may succeed the throne. In that case, not only the safety of the imperial family but also the empire itself may lead to ruin.

Is the only answer to avoid this to divide the power? If so, to whom and how much power should be distributed? And what is the way to prevent those who receive power from abusing it?

“Institute of Political Science. Ugong Yisan, High-High.”

-There have often been those who have advocated ‘communal ownership and equal distribution’ since ancient times.

As the economy of the Empire grows, the gap between the rich and the poor will certainly widen and become a problem.

Then, those who advocate ‘communal ownership and equal distribution’ will come out again and mislead the public. A way to prevent this is needed.

“Again, Institute of Political Science, Ugong Yisan, High-High-High.”

As he proceeded with the classification work step by step and moved on to the sixth volume, Hyang froze.

“So far, it’s been a joke.”