Since he had promised Emperor Emeritus Sejong, Hyang prepared to register it in the challenge log.
“This should be sufficient…”
After gathering the documents detailing the challenge’s content, expected grade, and reasoning for the grade, Hyang left Geunjeong Hall.
“I’m heading to Sugang Palace. If anything comes up, come find me there.”
“Yes, sir.”
After informing the official of his destination, Hyang began walking toward Sugang Palace.
“Your Majesty, it’s quite a distance to Sugang Palace. Perhaps you’d prefer to take a horse or palanquin?”
At the eunuch’s words, Hyang smiled dismissively and answered.
“If such a walk could cause problems, that would be even more concerning.”
“But the sun is quite strong…”
“Isn’t it good for health to get some sunlight once in a while?”
Though he started walking with such bold words, as time passed, Hyang slightly regretted his decision.
“It is a bit far.”
From his residence at Geunjeong Hall to Sejong’s residence at Sugang Palace—now Changgyeong Palace—was approximately 1.6 kilometers in a straight line.
Following the winding corridors within the palace and the alleys between Gyeongbok Palace and Sugang Palace, the distance easily became 5 li (approximately 2 kilometers).
“But an emperor must maintain his dignity…”
Steeling his resolve once more, Hyang strode vigorously toward Sugang Palace.
***
When Hyang arrived at Sugang Palace, the former Chief Royal Secretary who attended Sejong rushed out to greet him.
“His Majesty has arrived! I shall inform the Emperor Emeritus of your arrival!”
“No need, how could I make Father come to me? It is filial to go where he is. Lead the way.”
“Yes. This way, please.”
Following the former Chief Royal Secretary’s guidance, Hyang expressed slight curiosity.
“This is the path to the palace archery range? Father is practicing archery? How unexpected.”
Perhaps due to inheriting Taejo Yi Seong-gye’s blood, Sejong’s archery skills weren’t particularly poor. However, being someone who disliked exercise, Sejong didn’t enjoy archery. In other words, maintaining such archery skill despite not practicing much suggested he had unexpectedly inherited considerable talent.
***
As they neared the palace archery range, the puzzlement on Hyang’s face deepened.
Unfamiliar sounds were coming from the range.
No way! A sound familiar in the 21st century, why is it here?
Thwack! Thwack!
“Nice shot!”
Entering the archery range while hearing these familiar yet unfamiliar sounds, Hyang momentarily fell into confusion.
Where am I? Who am I?
At the shooting platform, Sejong and the former captain of the inner palace guards stood side by side, vigorously swinging mallets.
Thwack!
“Nice shot~!”
Watching the ball fly with a satisfied expression, Sejong immediately put down his mallet upon seeing Hyang and approached.
“What brings you all the way to Sugang Palace?”
“Yes. I’ve prepared a draft for the challenge log registration you mentioned previously.”
“For such a matter, you could have summoned me…”
“How could I, even as Emperor, commit such filial impiety?”
Hearing Hyang’s response, Sejong smiled and began examining the documents handed to him.
While Sejong reviewed the documents, Hyang picked up the defensive mallet and examined it from various angles.
It’s certainly similar yet different…
***
Hyang too had a connection with golf.
He had learned golf as an elective in university, and after starting his civil service career, had to learn golf half willingly, half unwillingly.
It was because of his superior at the time, an old-fashioned man.
“Hey! If you want to succeed, golf is essential!”
Thanks to that old-timer, Hyang had to learn golf starting from indoor screen golf facilities to indoor driving ranges, and eventually had to frequent country clubs following his superior.
Because of these circumstances, golf was a love-hate relationship for Hyang. It wasn’t that he disliked golf itself. However, the unpleasant behavior of bureaucrats and politicians he’d seen at golf courses and the psychological burden of being forced to participate had been one of the major factors that led to his depression.
***
“Hmm… This looks good. But the grade is upper-lower… Isn’t that too low?”
To Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately responded.
“I set it that way because I believe the technical aspects are somewhat sufficient.”
“So you’re saying it’s a matter of conception?”
“Yes.”
At Hyang’s concise answer, Sejong’s suspicion turned to certainty.
See! This guy already had the answer!
“Then will you implement good solutions immediately if they emerge?”
“Wouldn’t that be unreasonable? The Type B rifle is only just beginning deployment. And there are budget issues too. Therefore, if good results come faster than expected, it would be better to make small quantities of prototypes and continuously improve them.”
“That seems best. Seeing the Emperor handle matters so clearly truly puts my mind at ease.”
“You praise me too highly.”
As this warm atmosphere continued between father and son, Sejong noticed the defensive mallet in Hyang’s hands and spoke.
“Would you like to try hitting?”
“Would that be alright?”
“Of course, go ahead.”
At Sejong’s words, Hyang gripped the mallet, took his stance, and swung vigorously.
Thwack!
Though the ball flew with a loud sound, it didn’t travel as far as the sound suggested.
“Hahaha! Hitting a ball far isn’t as easy as it looks!”
Slightly blushing at Sejong’s words, Hyang continued swinging the mallet.
However, when good results remained elusive, Hyang returned the mallet to Sejong and said.
“The mallet doesn’t suit my hands well, so I showed you poor form.”
“It’s not the mallet that’s the problem but that you seem to have neglected your physical conditioning.”
“What?”
Hyang was dumbfounded at Sejong’s words.
Coming from someone whose obesity was recorded in history! Though you’re just slightly well-built now, are you qualified to say such things?
As if knowing Hyang’s thoughts, Sejong continued with a slightly stern expression.
“To send a ball far with a mallet swing, you can’t just swing your arms forcefully. First, your legs must provide a firm foundation, your lower abdomen must become a solid axis, and only then can your arms do their part.”
Having said that, Sejong’s gaze subtly shifted to Hyang’s lower waist area.
Seeing where Sejong’s gaze had landed, Hyang raised his voice.
“I’m still in my prime!”
“Your belly has grown quite large. According to what you once told me…”
Hyang hastily interrupted Sejong.
“I’ll lose it!”
With that brief banter ending the visit, Hyang returned to Gyeongbok Palace.
Entering Geunjeong Hall, Hyang grumbled quietly.
“The belly is one thing, but that mallet really wasn’t right… Before Father returns to the New Frontier, I must show him what a proper mallet really is.”
At that moment, the craftsmen of Area 51 shivered from an inexplicable chill.
Having made this decision, Hyang looked down at his belly and sighed.
“Whew~ I really should lose this.”
***
Two days later, a new paper appeared on Area 51’s bulletin board.
“‘Development of a new rifle’?”
“The Type B just came out, how long has it been?”
Craftsmen with curious expressions gathered around the bulletin board.
“So, while the Type B loads five rounds, they want something that loads even more and continues loading not by hand but by some other method?”
“Difficulty grade upper-lower? That seems harder than expected?”
The craftsmen wore troubled expressions. Even the Type B rifle’s five-round loading system was the result of countless efforts.
Fitting both the firing mechanism and bolt into a not-too-large action was already quite challenging, and making the small steel parts within that action withstand gunpowder explosions was an even more difficult problem.
It was quite challenging even with Joseon’s metalworking technology, which they considered far ahead of other countries.
Through that development process, they had taken one step forward, but now an even more difficult assignment had emerged.
“They set the grade at upper-lower while knowing all this? This is…”
“Seems they’re overestimating us?”
The craftsmen and researchers shared bitter smiles, feeling they were being overestimated.
Meanwhile, Jang Yeong-sil, watching from behind, muttered with a deeply worried expression.
“Should I hide this or not…”
After pondering until evening that day, Jang Yeong-sil reached a decision.
“Better to report it now than be caught later and hear talk about business ethics.”
The next day, Hyang received a visit from Jang Yeong-sil.
“Ah! Director Jang, or should I say Deputy Director Jang now? It’s been a while! How’s your health?”
“I’m still doing well.”
“Deputy Director Jang’s skill is unmatched in the world. Therefore, please take care of your health.”
At Hyang’s kind words, Jang Yeong-sil prostrated himself and called out loudly.
“Your imperial grace is boundless!”
***
When Sejong established Area 52 in the New Frontier, Jang Yeong-sil was promoted to Deputy Director.
Sejong had wanted to make him Director, but Jang Yeong-sil insisted he lacked administrative ability and became Deputy Director instead.
Of course, the biggest reason Jang Yeong-sil declined the Director position was his desire not to miss the joy of working on the front lines.
After accepting Jang Yeong-sil’s request, Sejong later clicked his tongue and muttered.
“Tsk. Has he been around that guy too long? His way of wiggling out is exactly the same.”
***
“Well then. What brings you to see me so suddenly today?”
In this warm atmosphere, Hyang asked Jang Yeong-sil his reason for visiting.
At Hyang’s question, Jang Yeong-sil opened his bag and took out a blueprint.
“It’s because of this.”
Receiving the blueprint through a eunuch, Hyang’s face instantly hardened.
“Historians and scribes, please step outside for a moment. This is a confidential matter.”
At Hyang’s command, the historians and scribes immediately rose and went outside.
“Eunuchs as well, step outside.”
After sending out even the eunuchs, Hyang asked Jang Yeong-sil with a serious expression.
“How did you come up with this idea?”
At Hyang’s question, Jang Yeong-sil immediately began explaining.
“The recoil when firing a rifle is quite powerful. Even adult men naturally stumble momentarily, and it’s common for purple bruises to form on the shoulder supporting the rifle. So, I thought about how we might use that recoil.”
Hyang nodded at Jang Yeong-sil’s words.
Gaining confidence as Hyang showed no negative reaction, Jang Yeong-sil continued with more force in his voice.
“Then, seeing the mechanism of the newly developed Type A machine gun, I found the answer.”
“Hmm… I see…”
Hyang examined the blueprint Jang Yeong-sil had submitted with a serious expression.
The blueprint was for a blowback-operated rifle utilizing the recoil from firing rounds.
Another feature was that it had a magazine feeding from top to bottom.
In some ways it resembles a Bren without the gas piston… Anyway, this man is also beyond normal specifications.
After carefully examining the blueprint, Hyang gave Jang Yeong-sil his conclusion.
“Let’s seal this proposal for ten years.”
“What? Why?”
To Jang Yeong-sil’s question, Hyang smiled and answered.
“While it would be nice if we did everything ourselves, wouldn’t that prevent future generations from developing?”
“We?”
When Jang Yeong-sil expressed doubt, Hyang opened the drawer of his mirror stand to his right and pulled out a blueprint.
“Take a look.”
Carefully approaching to receive and examine the blueprint, Jang Yeong-sil looked at Hyang with surprised eyes.
“This is!”
Hyang’s blueprint showed a design combining the Type B rifle with a gas piston and magazine system, resembling a combination of the K31 and M14.