Imperial Year 3 (1451).
“Hah~.”
After letting out a long sigh and finishing his signature, Wan handed the report before him to the waiting eunuch.
“Let’s end today’s work here.”
“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Having completed reviewing the approval documents from the research institute and Area 51, Wan rose from his seat and lightly stretched his back.
“Sitting for so long has made my back a bit stiff…”
After loosening up with light stretching – which, naturally, had originated with Hyang and somehow spread to everyone – Wan left his office.
“I’ll go to the Deputy Director’s office. Follow with the approved documents.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The eunuchs, officials, and researchers passing through the corridor hurriedly paid their respects to Wan.
“We greet Your Highness!”
“Shh! Quietly. Wouldn’t you be disturbing those who are working?”
“Ah, yes. Yes.”
After gently cautioning those who had raised their voices to pay respects, Wan headed to Jeong In-ji’s office.
“His Highness has arrived.”
Upon being notified of Wan’s visit, Jeong In-ji immediately rose from his seat and rushed to the door.
“Welcome, Your Highness!”
Entering the office with Jeong In-ji’s welcome, Wan commanded the eunuch.
“Give the approved documents to the Deputy Director.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Receiving the documents from the eunuch, Jeong In-ji examined the thick stack and unconsciously let out a small sigh.
“Hah~.”
At Jeong In-ji’s sigh, Wan smiled slightly and spoke.
“There’s quite a lot of work today too, isn’t there?”
“Ah! My apologies. I showed an unseemly side.”
“No, isn’t it always true that work creates more work at the research institute and Area 51?”
Jeong In-ji nodded at Wan’s words.
“That’s true indeed.”
Before a servant had brought black bean tea, Wan and Jeong In-ji continued their conversation.
“I didn’t understand before why His Majesty entrusted me with the work here, but lately I think I’m beginning to understand.”
“Is that so? What reason do you think it might be?”
Jeong In-ji received the words with a smile almost like that of a parent looking at their child. The once awkward appearance had disappeared, and now Wan showed the demeanor of a seasoned administrator.
To Jeong In-ji’s question, Wan answered with a smile.
“This is the perfect place to learn and become familiar with imperial studies. Isn’t the greatest principle of ‘advancing the Empire’s learning and making it powerful and prosperous’ not just limited to the research institute and Area 51? Doesn’t all state affairs follow this principle?”
Jeong In-ji nodded at Wan’s words.
“That’s true indeed. Your words are most correct.”
Encouraged by Jeong In-ji’s agreement, Wan spoke with more conviction.
“To realize such principles, examining various proposals carefully, discarding inappropriate ones, weighing their relative importance, and determining their order – isn’t this the work of an emperor? And the most important task: ‘creating maximum results within the given budget’ and sometimes ‘learning to fight for more budget.’ Aren’t these the most crucial lessons in imperial studies? That seems to be why His Majesty entrusted this position to me.”
“Indeed, that is so.”
While agreeing with Wan’s words, Jeong In-ji muttered internally:
‘For something like that, I remember His Majesty wearing quite an unwilling expression when handing it over.’
“However, as director, when I see the results coming from the research institute and Area 51, I honestly feel I wouldn’t want to hand this over to my child later.”
At Wan’s following words, Jeong In-ji muttered internally:
‘Indeed, that blood runs true.’
As time passed in this warm atmosphere, Wan rose from his seat.
“Well, I must go resolve today’s final task.”
“If you mean the final task…”
Trailing off briefly while searching his memory, Jeong In-ji looked at Wan in horror.
“Your Highness! Surely not!”
“That ‘surely’ is correct.”
“It will absolutely not receive approval!”
“Since it’s necessary, I will request approval. If needed, I’ll submit a memorial to the throne.”
“Oh my, Your Highness!”
Seeing Jeong In-ji’s pale face, Wan continued with a confident expression.
“Surely it won’t come to a memorial? His Majesty will understand the importance of this plan.”
Watching Wan leave with such determination, Jeong In-ji placed his hand on his forehead.
“Hah~. He’s exactly like his uncle, Duke Jinpyeong. One is obsessed with steam locomotives, and another with the sky… Hah~.”
Continuously sighing deeply, Jeong In-ji selected one of the medicinal cups from the tea table and drank it.
“Ugh~.”
To counter the bitter taste of the medicine, Jeong In-ji put a sugar confection in his mouth and grumbled while looking at the closed door.
“I can’t stop taking medicine because of that father and son! I’m about to get cursed at again! My damn life, taking medicine because of curses!”
On the tea table beside Jeong In-ji’s desk, various medicinal decoctions were always arranged by type – for headaches, stomach problems, and abdominal pain from frustration.
***
“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“Let him enter.”
As soon as Hyang’s permission was given, Wan entered Gyeongnyeongjeon and prostrated himself.
“Yes. You’ve worked hard today too. What brings you here?”
At Hyang’s question, Wan pulled out a thick document from his breast and presented it.
“I request your approval.”
“Couldn’t this wait for tomorrow’s administrative meeting?”
Taking the document with visible skepticism, Hyang’s expression hardened.
The title itself was extraordinary.
“Self-Powered Flying Sphere[1]?”
“Yes! While the flying sphere is truly useful, it has a fatal flaw. That is, it cannot determine its own direction and move…”
“Enough.”
Cutting off Wan’s lengthy explanation, Hyang examined the document’s contents thoroughly.
“Hah~.”
After silently reviewing the document for a long time, Hyang put it down with a sigh, while Wan watched with a tense expression.
Arms crossed, Hyang glared at the document before finally speaking.
“Denied.”
“But, Your Majesty! This has not only military applications but also civilian…”
“The objective is good. However! The problem is that its feasibility is almost non-existent.”
Firmly cutting off Wan’s words, Hyang explained the reasons for denial:
-First, the size of the gas bag for containing heat is problematic. According to the current plan, the gas bag size is a massive 70 chang (about 210m). The current military flying spheres use gas bags of about 7 chang (about 21m), and even those require many highly trained soldiers for proper operation.
-Personnel requirements aren’t the only issue. The materials for the gas bag are silk and Korean paper. Both are vulnerable to fire. When filling such a large 70-chang gas bag with proper heat, overheating will definitely cause fires.
-The steam engine as the power source for self-powered flight seems to be the main reason for the increased size. This is the biggest problem. Not only is the steam engine’s bulk an issue, but the coal fuel is an even bigger problem. The explanation is insufficient regarding how to adjust for the constantly changing weight as the heavy coal stones are consumed.
-Additionally, handling ash from the steam engine is problematic. Dropping hot, fiery ash from the sky could cause major disasters. Even storing it inside the vessel poses a high fire risk.
“…Therefore, denied.”
To Hyang’s words, Wan immediately countered:
-To solve the overheating problem, the gas bag will be divided into three main sections with independent heat supply.
-Also, dividing the gas bag this way will prevent immediate crashes even if damage occurs to part of the gas bag.
-Regarding the steam engine, using the latest technology makes it smaller than before. This means we don’t need to load excessive amounts of coal fuel.
-Also, weight changes from coal consumption can be adjusted by adding or reducing heat in the gas bag.
-The ash can be stored internally. Water can be used to handle the remaining heat and fire issues.
-And accidents can be avoided if operated only by well-trained personnel.
Hyang immediately countered Wan’s arguments:
“The very last point is the biggest problem. No matter how well-trained people are, they can always make mistakes. Don’t think ‘disasters can be avoided with well-trained personnel,’ but rather think ‘humans will definitely make mistakes’ – that’s how you can best avoid disasters.”
After saying this, Hyang reaffirmed his conclusion:
“I’ll say it again, this level is not approvable. Think about it more.”
“These are the most advanced technologies available!”
“Look at the Challenge Record again.”
“The Challenge Record? Is the answer there?”
Seeing Wan’s doubtful expression, Hyang shouted angrily:
“You brat! Do I need to spoon-feed you everything! Go search through it! The answer is definitely there!”
“The Challenge Record is so vast in volume…”
“You brat, get out!”
After chasing Wan out, Hyang unconsciously grumbled:
“Just who did he take after…”
Suddenly, the typewriter sounds that had been loudly filling Gyeongnyeongjeon stopped. Hyang looked at the historiographers and scribes who had stopped recording and were staring at him:
“Hm? What is it?”
“Ah, nothing at all, Your Majesty!”
The historiographers furiously typed away:
-…Thus, His Majesty pointed out the plan’s problems one by one and ordered a review.
The historiographer notes: Like father, like son.
After chasing Wan away, Hyang briefly checked the calendar and asked the Chief Secretary:
“Has the regular ship to New Frontier not departed yet?”
“No. It will depart in two days.”
“I see.”
Upon hearing the Chief Secretary’s answer, Hyang took out blank paper and began writing a letter to Sejong.
Though flowery with all sorts of phrases to match etiquette, the content was simple:
-Please lend me Jang Yeong-sil.
After finishing the letter, Hyang put it in an envelope, sealed it firmly, and handed it to the Chief Secretary.
“Send this to New Frontier with the regular ship. Add that it must be delivered to His Majesty as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
***
That night, sitting alone in Gyeongnyeongjeon, Hyang smiled and muttered:
“When they’re wandering without answers, adding a little seasoning is best. Watching the connected millstones is also a special treat.”
After muttering these meaningful words, Hyang fixed blank paper to the drafting board set up in one corner of Gyeongnyeongjeon.
“Should I warm up a bit before Jang Yeong-sil arrives?”
Holding the technical pen, Hyang hesitated momentarily.
“Wait… Will I have time to warm up?”
After brief contemplation, Hyang reached a clear conclusion:
“What’s the point of keeping Minister Hwang Hui and the other ministers around? Got to make good use of them at times like this.”
That night, all officials from Minister Hwang Hui down had nightmares.
And for the first time in a while, all medicinal ingredient shops in Seoul ran out of tonic materials.
***
Two weeks later, by the Han River.
On the sandy beach where the Han River’s waters lapped, Hyang, Wan, all the officials, researchers, and Area 51’s craftsmen had gathered. Behind them, Seoul’s residents had gathered to see the new spectacle.
“What I want to show you is that the steam engine is not the only means for self-powered movement.”
“Yes.”
As Wan bowed his head at Hyang’s words, Hyang gave the order.
“Launch the flying sphere.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At Hyang’s command, the flying sphere rose into the sky. Watching this sight, all Seoul residents tilted their heads in confusion.
“Why is there a ferry boat attached?”
Instead of the usual square basket below the gas bag, something long like a ferry boat was hanging.
“Send the signal.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At Hyang’s command, the flag bearer waved the signal flag. Seeing the signal, a soldier in the attached boat called out to his companions behind him:
“Signal! Pedal!”
“Heave-ho!”
With a short shout, the soldiers began turning the pedals. And as the gears and chains connected to the pedals turned, the windmills attached to both sides of the boat began to spin.
As the windmills spun faster and faster, the airborne flying sphere slowly began to move forward. When the soldier at the very back moved the rudder with its wide wooden board, the flying sphere slowly began moving in a circle.
Confirming this sight, Hyang turned to Wan.
“Did you see?”
“I did, Your Majesty.”
“Then what must you do?”
“I will do my best to search through the Challenge Record.”