Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 883

883. Generational Shift (14)

As Im Soon-wook’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, Hyang continued,

“This ‘chicle’ is the sap from a specific tree that grows in the Meshika region of Shinji. When this sap hardens, it becomes waterproof.”

Im Soon-wook, slightly disappointed, replied to Hyang’s explanation.

“Pine resin also becomes waterproof when it hardens.”

“That is true…”

Pausing for a moment, Hyang rummaged through the sleeves of his dragon robe and took out a small, white ball.

“Grand Minister, please accept this.”

“Yes? Yes?”

“Throw it.”

Simultaneously with his words, Hyang threw the ball at Im Soon-wook. He didn’t just throw it; he slammed it onto the floor.

Thump!

The ball bounced lightly off the floor and into the air. Flustered, Im Soon-wook quickly reached out, but the ball hit his fingertips and fell to the ground.

Thump, thump, roll, roll.

The ball bounced lightly on the floor, rolled, and then stopped. Im Soon-wook stared at the ball with surprised eyes, then looked at Hyang. Hyang chuckled and opened his mouth.

“It’s a ball made of chicle. What do you think?”

At Hyang’s question, Im Soon-wook picked up the ball, examined it from side to side, and then answered.

“The texture is soft, it’s elastic, and you said it’s waterproof, so if it can be easily processed, it seems like it could be profitable in many ways.”

“Indeed, I thought Grand Minister Im Soon-wook would recognize it immediately.”

Hyang looked at Hyun with a confident expression.

“There are several things I want to show His Majesty and the ministers. May I ask for some time?”

At Hyang’s request, Hyun nodded his head vigorously and replied.

“Of course! Show them to us right away.”

“Thank you. Attendant, go to Sugang Palace and have all the boxes marked ‘Chi’ in the center brought here.”

“Understood.”

Half a *shichen* [approximately two hours] later, the attendant entered and reported to Hyun.

“Your Majesty, the items that the Supreme Emperor requested have arrived in the front courtyard of Geunjeongjeon Hall.”

“Is that so? Let’s go out and take a look.”

At Hyun’s command, the ministers left Geunjeongjeon Hall without a word.

* * *

In the front courtyard of Geunjeongjeon Hall, several large and small wooden boxes brought from Sugang Palace were placed.

Standing in front of the boxes, Hyang looked at Hyun and the ministers and opened his mouth.

“These are various objects made using chicle. They were not made out of simple curiosity or for amusement, but are items that will benefit the people. Of course, they will also help the empire’s finances. First, open ‘Chi-1’.”

“Yes.”

At Hyang’s command, the attendants used crowbars to pull out the nails sealing the boxes.

The first thing to appear was wheels.

“These small ones are suitable for rickshaws, and the large ones can be used for carts or wagons. Take a look.”

As Hyang stepped back, Im Soon-wook was the first to follow, followed by Jang Hang-sun, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Defense, who rushed to examine the wheels.

The ministers examined the shape of the wheels from side to side, pressed them, and lightly rolled them.

Examining them in various ways, Im Soon-wook looked up at Hyang and Hyun with a bright face.

“They are truly excellent! Until now, the outer rims of the wheels were made of wood or iron, and then covered with leather. Thanks to the empire’s people enjoying meat, there was no problem with the supply of leather, but the price was an issue.”

The ministers nodded at Im Soon-wook’s words. It was well-known that the people of the empire liked and ate a lot of meat. Thanks to this, a lot of leather was produced, but leather was an item used in many places.

In particular, cowhide was essential for rickshaw wheels or cartwheels. This was because cowhide was the most durable. However, no matter how durable it was, it would wear out, and cowhide was expensive.

Therefore, poor farming families or the military, which had to transport heavy objects such as cannons over long distances, used iron plates instead of cowhide.

However, iron plates were not cheap either. In addition, the weight was much heavier compared to using leather. To support the heavier rim, the spokes of the wheels also became thicker, and the overall weight of the wheel increased in a vicious cycle.

Finally, in winter, if the roads froze or it rained and the paved roads became slippery, accidents often occurred due to uncontrollable skidding, even with large studs embedded.

Im Soon-wook continued excitedly.

“If the Supreme Emperor guarantees it, it means that this sap can be easily obtained from the Meshika region. If so, the price will be low, which will benefit the people. And, if you look at the outside of the rim, there are bumps and grooves, which will prevent slipping easily on rainy or icy roads, reducing accidents.”

“You have a good eye.”

Hyang smiled and nodded at Im Soon-wook’s words.

Following Im Soon-wook, Jang Hang-sun opened his mouth.

“Examining the wheels used for these carts, I think they would be good for military use as well. If iron plates are added, the weight is a problem, and the noise is a problem, but the number of horses or tractors needed to pull the carts or cannons increases, and more hay, feed, coal, and clean water are needed. If we use these wheels well, it will greatly help solve that problem.”

“I agree.”

Hyang nodded with a confident expression as Jang Hang-sun also gave a good review.

‘If those two said that, the situation is over, right!’

Hyang then explained these wheels in more detail. In particular, the method of inserting tubes to reduce weight while strengthening the force to withstand the load and improving the ride quality caused the ministers, as well as Hyun, to exclaim in admiration.

“Then, I think it would be good to have these chicle wheels made and supplied from Shinji. What do you all think?”

None of the ministers opposed Hyun’s words. Representing those ministers, Han Myung-hoi stepped forward.

“If Shinji can become self-sufficient, the burden on the empire’s other territories, including Bonji and Bukji, will be greatly reduced. However, I am a little worried about whether that will be possible with just these wheels, but it seems like a good foundation.”

“I think so too. But…”

Pausing for a moment, Hyun looked at the other boxes that were still sealed and continued.

“I think it will depend on what is in those other boxes.”

“Ah!”

At Hyun’s words, the ministers exclaimed in unison. Enjoying the expressions of Hyun and the ministers, who were full of curiosity, Hyang ordered the attendant.

“Open the ‘Chi-2’ box.”

“Yes.”

The side lid of the long, narrow box was opened, and what came out was a bicycle, or more precisely, a ‘rice shop bicycle’ [a sturdy bicycle used for deliveries] from memory.

“If you turn the pedals on the large sprocket in the front, these chains will transmit that power to the small sprocket on the rear wheel. Then, the wheel will turn with that power and move forward.”

After briefly explaining the principle, Hyang rolled up the bottom of his dragon robe. Instantly, all the ministers who saw this were shocked.

“Your Majesty!”

Even though Hyun was present, the word ‘Your Majesty’ came out unconsciously, but Hyang didn’t care.

“Don’t worry about it.”

With an expression that it was nothing, Hyang got on the bicycle and pedaled.

Hyang, who circled the wide front yard of Geunjeongjeon Hall and returned, looked at the ministers and Hyun.

“What do you think?”

The first to come to his senses at Hyang’s question was Im Soon-wook.

“Can only one person ride it?”

“It is safer for only one person to ride. But, you can load more luggage.”

“How much heavy luggage can you load?”

“Excluding the rider, you can carry up to one *bag of rice* [about 80kg]. Of course, you can load more if you push it, but it will break down soon.”

At Hyang’s words, Im Soon-wook immediately replied.

“Did you perhaps aim for that?”

“Half and half.”

At Hyang’s short answer, the ministers all nodded.

‘That’s right! Who is that person!’

Usually, items made of iron boasted a long lifespan. This item could also carry up to one *bag of rice*, so it would not be an ordinary sturdy item. And the general common sense of the people of the empire was this.

‘Made of iron = sturdy = can be used for a very long time.’

Therefore, Hyang had deliberately set a limit.

It was a trick that would later be infamously known as ‘Hyang Timer’ or ‘Imperial Timer’.

Knowing Hyang’s thoughts, Im Soon-wook created a great excuse.

“If you manage it properly, you can use it for a long time, but if you do not follow the precautions explained in advance, it will be damaged due to your own fault, so there will be nothing to be criticized.”

“That’s right! So what do you think?”

“I don’t know about the peddlers who have to travel on rough mountain roads with overlapping uphill and downhill slopes, but it seems very useful when traveling on well-paved roads in cities or villages. It seems useful for those who deliver in cities or villages, or those who transport official documents. Ah! Even if you combine this item with a rickshaw, a good item will come out! Did you perhaps make that too?”

“I only brought the blueprints. The artisans in Area 51 will be able to produce it sufficiently.”

At Hyang’s answer, Im Soon-wook glanced at the Minister of Finance. Seeing the Minister of Finance with an expression that he would jump out to Hyun right now, Im Soon-wook immediately reported to Hyun.

“This item will be of great help to the people. However, the price will be a problem.”

At Im Soon-wook’s words, Hyun turned to Hyang. At the silent question, Hyang immediately answered.

“The price can be set reasonably. It is an item that requires a lot of work, but Shinji’s wages are still cheap.”

At Hyang’s words, Hyun immediately made a decision.

“Then, let’s have this produced in Shinji as well. By the way, what is the name of this item?”

At Hyun’s question, Hyang answered with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“That’s, I wanted you to decide from now on. I couldn’t think of a suitable name…”

‘When I tried to make it a two-wheeled vehicle, there were not one or two things with two wheels, and when I tried to make it a bicycle, the etymology was a problem… I’m terrible at naming things!’

At Hyang’s words, Hyun and the ministers began to argue about what would be a suitable name.

“You have to pedal to go, so how about *Jokdongcha* [foot-powered cart]?”

“You have to pedal a cart to go too. Whether it’s the feet of livestock or the feet of people.”

“And *Jokdongcha*… doesn’t the pronunciation sound a bit frivolous?”

“*Jok*… that’s true…”

As various names came out and were pushed back, Han Myung-hoi stepped forward.

“How about *Balgureumcha* [foot-cloud cart]?”

“*Balgureumcha*?”

“Hmm…”

The ministers, who were chewing on the name Han Myung-hoi had put out, nodded.

“It seems okay, but…”

The ministers, who had reached their own agreement, all looked at Hyun and Hyang. Seeing the expressions of the ministers, Hyun nodded.

“*Balgureumcha*, it feels kind of friendly, but isn’t it too long? How about *Gureumcha* [cloud cart]?”

“That would be great!”

That’s how the name ‘Gureumcha’ was given to the bicycle.