Having found what they believed to be the answer, Wan and his craftsmen began by creating small models based on the copied challenge records.
They attached wings made of bamboo and Korean paper to a live axle[1] crafted from shaped wood.
“It looks like a windmill, but will it actually work?”
While the craftsmen were half-skeptical looking at the model they’d made, someone brought over a hand-cranked fan and directed it at the wings of their model.
Rattle-rattle-rattle.
“It spins well…”
“If it didn’t spin, that would be the problem. Now try connecting the duct.”
“Right.”
After roughly confirming that it rotated well, the craftsmen brought over the duct components they had set aside and assembled them to surround the wings.
Finally, after fitting the fan to the duct inlet and joining them together, the craftsmen double-checked that everything was properly connected.
“Alright! Let’s try spinning the fan again!”
“Here we go!”
The craftsmen wound up the fan’s spring and closed its switch.
Whiiiiir~
Not long after the fan began turning, the live axle started to rotate.
“It spins perfectly!”
After confirming the live axle was spinning enthusiastically, the craftsmen set up the fan and connected a propeller to the axle.
“Turn it!”
Seeing the propeller begin to spin smoothly as the axle rotated again, the craftsmen let out sighs of relief.
“Whew~ We’ve made it this far successfully.”
“Let’s report to His Highness.”
***
Rushing over as soon as he received the report, Wan saw the working model and praised the craftsmen.
“Well done indeed! Excellent work!”
The craftsmen bowed their heads deeply at Wan’s praise and responded.
“Your words are too kind.”
“We are humbled by your praise.”
After commending the craftsmen, Wan showed even more enthusiasm.
“Now then, let’s examine this scale model again and consider what issues might arise. Let’s find both potential problems and their solutions.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“We shall give it our utmost effort!”
Though Wan and the craftsmen began their analysis with such enthusiasm, they soon hit another wall.
“With this current configuration, the heating furnace would need to be enormously large.”
“Indeed, Your Highness. This conflicts with our original goal of creating a ‘small but powerful and easily controlled power plant.'”
“How should we resolve this?”
“We need more time…”
The senior craftsmen wore peculiar expressions as they watched Wan and the young craftsmen struggling with this difficult problem.
“Well now… They’re so close to the answer, it feels like it could pop out at any moment. But if we step in now, it would be like just adding a spoon to a fully set table…”
“I heard rumors that Master Jang Yeong-sil will return soon, and I doubt he’ll have anything good to say when he sees this…”
***
After being tormented by Hyang and Sejong, Jang Yeong-sil had developed one bad habit. Actually, it was a habit common to all those who had suffered under Hyang and Sejong.
That habit was sharp criticism. Father and son Hyang and Sejong would be half a step to several steps ahead, wearing expressions that seemed to say “You don’t even know that?” as part of their daily routine.
Thanks to this, those who suffered under them developed a habit of harsh scolding.
“You don’t even know that? Is that head on your shoulders just decoration to fill empty space?”
Starting with such direct criticisms, they would twist their words this way and that, turning people’s stomachs with their cutting remarks.
Of course, there was one exception: Lee Soonji.
From the time he took his position at the research institute, his sharp tongue was as famous as his mathematical skills.
***
Receiving reports that “Wan and the young craftsmen are struggling,” Hyang stroked his chin in deep thought.
“What should I do? Should I quietly give them a hint? No, that might create a bad habit of always depending on me. Hmm… What to do?”
After considering what would be the best approach, Hyang finally decided to offer some guidance.
“Ah, forget it! Watching this is making my head burst!”
Having made his decision, Hyang immediately summoned Wan.
“You called for me, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, I hear you’ve been struggling to solve a difficult problem lately. What seems to be the issue?”
“While there is indeed a somewhat challenging problem, Your Majesty need not be overly concerned. We shall find the answer soon.”
“For someone saying that, your complexion doesn’t look particularly good. While you are the administrator of the research institute and Area 51, remember that you are also the Crown Prince who will lead this empire’s future. So what is the problem?”
Under Hyang’s pressing, Wan explained the troublesome issue to him.
“Hmm…”
After hearing Wan’s explanation, Hyang fell silent while stroking his chin.
Let’s wait a bit longer before starting. If I give the answer right away, he might develop bad habits.
After deliberately letting the tension build, Hyang continued his questioning.
“So… You’re saying the problem is that you need a large heating furnace to supply sufficient steam to the multi-blade propulsor?”
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
“Have you considered how small the steam exhaust pipes are in the steam engines used in iron horses and assault ships? And what about the size of the intake and discharge pipes in the water pumps used for wells in small villages and by the fire brigade’s water cannons?”
At Hyang’s observations, Wan looked rather confused and asked in return:
“But aren’t those different applications, Your Majesty? And in Jang Yeong-sil’s design, the intake and exhaust pipes are the same diameter as the multi-blade propeller. Surely the great Jang Yeong-sil wouldn’t make a mistake?”
From Wan’s response, Hyang clearly understood what the biggest problem was.
So it’s the weight of the name!
Jang Yeong-sil was renowned as a master craftsman of his generation. His creations were so marvelous that even among the scholar-officials, quite a few respected him.
If even the scholar-officials felt this way, the weight of the name “Jang Yeong-sil” among craftsmen was enormous.
- This was conceived by the great Jang Yeong-sil! It must be absolutely correct!
“Whew~”
Letting out a long sigh, Hyang continued speaking to Wan.
“Let me ask you, Crown Prince. What was the title of the challenge record you and your craftsmen referenced?”
“‘Ducted Multi-blade Propulsor,’ Your Majesty.”
“And what are you trying to build now?”
“Pardon?”
Seeing Wan’s still uncomprehending expression, Hyang asked again.
“Are you building a propulsor, or are you building the power delivery system for a propulsor?”
“The power delivery… Ah!”
Only then did Wan realize what the problem was. Watching Wan’s expression change, Hyang delivered his final point.
“Next time, make sure you fully understand the title before you begin.”
“I shall certainly do so! Your Majesty’s teaching is like gold and jade, and I shall engrave it in my bones and heart!”
As Hyang watched Wan excitedly hurry away having found his answer, he suddenly broke into a smirk.
“The mechanics researchers at the institute are going to have some nosebleeds. According to Lee Soonji’s reports, the professors’ qualities are somewhat usable, so we should polish them up a bit and put them in.”
Hyang had decided on the hardships awaiting the professors.
After settling the situation, Hyang muttered while looking at the calendar.
“It’s almost time for Jang Yeong-sil’s return. That should be interesting.”
As he spoke, Hyang cast a meaningful look at the drafting board placed in one corner of the room. Looking at the board, locked with a padlock and covered to prevent others from seeing it, Hyang muttered:
“Once a proper turbine engine is created, everyone from Wan to the research institute and Area 51 will understand what the problems with steam engines are. That will accelerate the development of divine technology. If we can properly digest divine technology, many of the worries darkening the empire’s future will be reduced.”
Hyang continued speaking while looking at the world map hanging on the wall.
“We just need to secure divine technology. Just that. Whether by rail or canal, once the Suez is breached, the scramble for colonies will begin.”
This was what concerned Hyang.
“Our defensive military power isn’t a worry. We have more than enough. But if we consider expansion, it’s insufficient. If we think about Southeast Asia, let alone Australia or Europe, it’s woefully inadequate. No, it’s not just military power that’s lacking, but the nation’s overall strength.”
Hyang was reaching negative conclusions about the empire’s imperialistic expansion.
- We could acquire powerful weapons, but we lack the soldiers to use them.
- Even if military power is possible, our supply capabilities are severely lacking.
- If we try to build up supply capabilities, excessive military spending would destroy the national economy.
- If we restructure the national economy for total war, healthy economic growth becomes impossible. The best example is Japan from the Meiji Restoration until 1945.
- Finally, once the shortened route through Suez is created, the full-scale scramble for colonies will begin.
“It wasn’t the Industrial Revolution that caused the scramble for colonies; it was the wealth gained from colonies that accelerated the Industrial Revolution.”
Hyang anticipated countermeasures for the future.
“We need to buy time by leaving them appetizing prey. If the empire consumes everything from South America to Australia in the current situation, the empire itself becomes the prey. We must prevent that at all costs. Whew~”
After sighing, Hyang continued:
“Their methods of attacking the empire aren’t limited to military power. Drugs would be their best option. There’s already an excellent precedent for that.”
The ‘excellent precedent’ Hyang referred to was the Opium Wars.
Facing massive trade deficits with Qing, Britain began distributing opium to address the situation.
This opium distribution not only brought Britain enormous profits but also weakened Qing.
Along with government corruption, the economy collapsed due to opium, and Qing became prey for the great powers.
Looking at the numbers alone, Qing, which should have been able to stand against the great powers, had fallen.
Hyang did not want the empire to meet the same fate.
“It won’t be immediate, but Europe consists of predators who will definitely try to devour us once they’ve built up sufficient capability. If we throw them delicious prey, they’ll happily tear each other apart. The remaining regions of Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, India, Vietnam and the Indochina Peninsula, Japan, and finally, Ming. That should be quite appetizing prey. Especially Ming – that would be the ultimate prize.”
Hyang was prepared to turn a blind eye to other nations’ misfortunes for the empire’s safety.
“Meanwhile, the empire must fully digest the divine technology and Siberian regions.”
Looking at the world map with its remaining blank spaces, Hyang strengthened his resolve.
***
Two weeks later, Jang Yeong-sil finally returned.
“You must be tired from your journey to the frontier.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty.”
“There is something I absolutely want to create with you. You are the only one who can properly build what I have in mind.”
At Hyang’s words, Jang Yeong-sil bowed his head and responded:
“Your magnificent imperial grace in placing such trust in this old, useless ox of a subject truly overwhelms me.”
“Even an old ox, though lacking in strength, tends to be wise. As for strength, we can use young oxen for that.”
Hearing Hyang’s words, Hwang Hui, who was listening nearby, found himself nodding unconsciously. Meanwhile, Kim Jongseo, standing beside him, unconsciously rubbed his arms as goosebumps rose.
“Then what would Your Majesty have this humble one create?”
At Jang Yeong-sil’s question, Hyang gestured to a eunuch. Seeing Hyang’s signal, the eunuch brought forward the still-padlocked drafting board and set it up before Jang Yeong-sil.
Taking out the key from his breast pocket and unlocking the padlock, Hyang removed the cover and spoke:
“Wings.”