Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Hyang continued explaining to Jang Yeong-sil1, who was buried in the blueprints.

“As you can see, I’ve divided it based on 12 sections,, then divided the middle in half to indicate the ‘beginning,’ and then divided that in half again. So, the smallest unit is 2 gak 2.”

“I understand.”

“But there’s a problem. It’s difficult to connect it to the device that tells time by sound. I wish you could handle this one.”

“But, we have just received a command from His Royal Majesty right now...”

“Isn’t it the same clock, after all? Think of it as a warm-up before you build the big one. And, I’ll explain it well to His Majesty. Don’t worry.”

At Hyang’s words, Jang Yeong-sil began to ponder. Seeing Jang Yeong-sil’s serious face, Hyang was inwardly pleading and pleading again.

‘Please do it, just do it!’

As if unaware of Hyang’s feelings, Jang Yeong-sil, who had been pondering, opened his mouth, “To be honest, I really want to make the Crown Prince’s clock. But, there is a strict command from His Royal Majesty...”

“That problem! I’ll solve it!” Hyang hastily cut off Jang Yeong-sil’s words.

“Huh? What?”

“I’ll solve the problem regarding His Majesty! And, you said the calculations were difficult, didn’t you? Do you know someone who is good at that?”

Taken aback by the sudden shift, Jang Yeong-sil stuttered in response, “We have Officer Jeong Cho from the Ministry of Rites, and Officer Jeong In-ji3from the Hall of Worthies, and I’ve heard that even Il-cheon from the Ministry of Law Enforcement is good at arithmetic calculations, and umm...”

“That’s enough! Got it. Keep those blueprints safe!”

“Huh? What? What? Your Highness? Your Highness!”

Holding the blueprints that Hyang practically threw at him, Jang Yeong-sil desperately called out to the fading figure of Hyang in the distance. But, Hyang didn’t hear him.

“If I can’t do basic calculations, and Jang Yeong-sil can’t do basic calculations, then we should find people who are good at calculations!”

As he hurriedly moved towards the Royal Secretariat, a warning light went on in Hyang’s mind for one person’s name. “Wait? Jeong In-ji? That Jeong In-ji? The one who’s in cahoots with Suyang4?”

Pausing at the name Jeong In-ji, Hyang quickly made a decision. “Oh, yes! Jeong In-ji, you are definitely going to work overtime!”

“The Crown Prince has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

King Sejong, who was discussing government affairs with the ministers, granted entry at the unexpected news of Hyang’s arrival.

“What brings you here?”

In response to King Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately replied, “I have a request to ask of you, Father.”

“A request?”

At the word ‘request,’ all the ministers, starting from the Minister of Personnel, froze. The storm that dyed the beginning of the year in blood was triggered by that very ‘request.’

King Sejong also asked Hyang with a tense face, “A request? So, what is it?”

“Please assign people to me!”

“People?”

“Yes! Jeong-cho from the Office of Administration, Il-cheon from the Ministry of Law Enforcement, Jeong In-ji from the Hall of Worthies. Ah! I also need Jang Yeong-sil, and I also need military technicians from time to time.”

“Jeong-cho, Il-cheon, Jeong In-ji...”

King Sejong started to search his memory for information about the mentioned individuals. As King Sejong was trying to recall, the officials from the departments to which the people in question belonged turned pale.

“Your Majesty! These people...”

“Why? Is there a problem with them?”

“No, it’s not that...”

Looking at the hesitant ministers, the Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel took charge. “Your Highness Crown Prince, the individuals you requested are important talents in each department, and if they are pulled out, it will be difficult to carry on with the work. It seems that you must have something important in mind to have made such a request, but managing the nation is also a serious matter...”

To put it simply, it was ‘What do we do if you take away those who work well? We will not give them up!’.

“Is that so? Why does the Crown Prince want them?”

“I’ve contemplated a few mechanisms for the advancement of Joseon. However, to implement these into physical reality requires precise calculation, and for that, individuals skilled in arithmetic are necessary.”

“Hmm... mechanisms...”

When Sejong seemed intrigued, Hyang quickly struck while the iron was hot. “First and foremost, I intend to make a clock!”

“A clock?”

“Yes. The current water clock that Your Majesty mentioned is bulky enough to require a separate building.”

“That’s true.”

“I thought the Joseon nobles liked to solve maths problems. What should I do about this?”

What Hyang expressed as a difficulty was that it was hard to teach maths with his own skills. After much contemplation, Hyang soon found a solution.

“Ah! There’s Hui people!”

___________________

A month later, the Dream Team kept their promise. Sejong was greatly satisfied with the completed clock.

“Produce these in large quantities and install them primarily in the palace and the Six Ministries!”

“We will follow your order!”

Thus, clocks were installed throughout the palace and every corner of the Six Ministries.

And soon, a nightmare for all the officials present.

As the balance of power was significantly inclined towards Sejong, the official debates were drastically reduced to half in the hours of 9 AM~11 AM and 3 PM~5 PM. This was because there was no longer a need to humble the ministers through debates, as it was deemed unnecessary.

When it was time for the debates, the government officials and ministers hurriedly moved to the debate hall. If anyone was even slightly late, Sejong, who had come early and was waiting, silently glanced at the tardy minister and then at the clock.

Without uttering a single word, every time this happened, the late minister had to sweat coldly.

If the ministers were sweating cold, for the other regular officials of the Six Ministries, the gates of hell had been wide opened for them.

“When can you finish this report?”

“I can finish it by exactly 4 PM.”

“Really? Understood.”

And when the promised time came, the superiors reprimanded their subordinate officials.

“Look at this! It’s already 4 PM! Is it still far off?”

“I apologize. Just a bit more time...”

“Hmph! Hurry up!”

As these incidents increased, the subordinates came up with strategies, but they too became the subject of squabbles.

“When can you finish this report?”

“If it’s exactly by 6 PM...”

“Only by then? It’s now 7 AM~9 AM. Have you given up on getting promoted?”

“No, that’s not it!”

“Hmph! A talent from Sungkyunkwan University is this slow in doing his work... tsk tsk.“

“I apologize.”

“Get back to work!”

Eventually, the highly stressed officials made it a routine to head straight to the bar or a nearby tavern to drink as soon as they got off work.

Sejong kept his promise.

“Right. Those you wanted are now your people. What are you going to do now?”

“Please establish an independent agency.”

“An independent agency?”

Hyang explained in detail to Sejong. After listening to the explanation, Sejong fell into deep thought. After a long contemplation, Sejong spoke, “It’s tough to make a decision on the spot. I’ll give you an answer in five days.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Five days later, Sejong made his decision. “I permit it.”

“Your graciousness is immeasurable!”

Unable to hide his joy, Hyang bowed deeply.

This is how the largest research institution in Joseon, the ‘Joseon Science and Technology Development Institute'7 was established.

__________ ????FootnotesFamous Korean scientist and engineer during Sejong’s reign. Read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jang_Yeong-sil for info.[↩]刻, gak = quarter, 15 minutes[↩]Read more about him HERE[↩]Hyang’s younger brother, also later reigned as King Sejo after setting a coup d’etat against his own nephew (Yi Hong-wi (or King Danjong)) for the throne.[↩]Anecdote for a reality Korean TV Show, a sports game genre[↩]doing 2 jobs at once[↩]LOL. A Joseon version of KAIST[↩]___________

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