Black Corporation: Joseon

Yi Soonji, along with the new and existing researchers, were grappling with the tasks assigned by Hyang.

While the increase in personnel made some tasks easier to complete, there were quite a few that did not benefit from the extra hands. Among the remaining challenges, the most outstanding of all was the calibration of the calendar system.

[Late at night…]

“Hmm… I don’t understand…”

Yi Soonji, with a book filled with formulas spread out in front of him, crinkled his forehead. His current concern was that the formula for calibrating the calendar system had too many variables.

“On leap years… leap months, leap days, and the solstices…”

He could simply add a leap month according to the existing tradition, and adjust the solstices as taken from Chinese calendars, but then, there would be no point in revising the calendar system now.

“No, if I adjust the formula based on the data I’ve researched, the accuracy would surely increase. But… Ugh~”

Yi Soonji stretched and continued his soliloquy with a groan.

“Every year I’d have to calibrate it, and every two or three years I’d have to recalibrate the calibration… This doesn’t make sense. The teachings of the sages, as well as Buddha’s, were definitely simple (than this).”

As far as Yi Soonji is concerned, even the teachings of the sages and Buddha were simple indeed.

As a result, Yi Soonji had the following principles.

‘Truth should be simple and concise!’

According to his newly gained principle, the formula that he was creating (now) was a complete mess. It needed to be calibrated every year, and every two or three years, a leap month had to be added. Moreover, the two and three years were variables. In other words, it meant that there was an absurd situation where repeated calibrations were needed.

Yi Soonji kept pondering this unsolved problem, even delaying his departure from the office. He moved the tea cups that were next to him, mumbling.

“This is the earth… the sun, moon, stars revolve around this earth, creating day and night…”

Placing a teapot in the middle and spinning the teacups around it, Yi Soonji suddenly stopped.

“Wait! What if the center of this rotation isn’t this earth we’re living on?”

Yi Soonji began to calculate, drawing imaginary orbits with his own finger. After waving his hands around and muttering like a madman, Yi Soonji came to a conclusion.

“If the center of the rotation is the sun, then the formula works! I just need to place the sun at the center!”

He then grabbed the empty papers stacked on one side and started writing down the formula quickly. As if enlightened by a deity, Yi Soonji wrote the formula frantically, then at one moment, he put down his pen and clenched his fist.

“Finally! There are no more variables for variables! Hahaha! Uwaa!”

Yi Soonji burst out laughing as if he had gone crazy, and let out a triumphant shout. A sensation stronger than when he had his first rain and sunshine¹ combined was flooding his entire body.

He stood up, opened the window, and shouted, “The center of the world is not this earth! This earth is just a dependent variable!”

* * *

Having found the solution through an overnight epiphany, Yi Soonji dedicated himself to organizing the formulas he discovered. Forgoing his departure was a given, and he even skipped meals occasionally, so rumors began to circulate among the researchers.

“The weirdo’s gone crazy!”

Upon hearing the rumor, Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji, who came to check the situation, were left open-mouthed at the sight of the papers stacked next to Yi Soonji.

“What’s this…”

While scanning the shocking sight before them, they soon began to scrutinize the contents written on the papers.

“Hmm… Huh?”

“Wait, what?”

As Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji, who both had expertise in arithmetic, recognized the value of the formulas that Yi Soonji was working on. With a tense expression, Jeong-cho turned to Jeong Inji.

“I’m going to report this directly to His Highness, you stay here and keep an eye on him.”

“Understood, sir.”

Not much time passed before Hyang, who rushed from the Area 51 after receiving the urgent news, examined the papers in question.

Hyang’s face crumpled in seriousness as he looked over the contents of the papers.

‘Damn it! This level is even too much for me!’

Others didn’t know, but in the 21st century, Hyang had chosen arts due to math. His most confident approach was a traditional one, where he tackled problems head on. While he couldn’t understand it fully, he grasped the general concept and ordered Jeong-cho and Jeong Inji.

“Summon the physician right away!”

“Understood!”

“Also, until this friend finishes his work and formally report to my royal Father, keep this matter confidential.”

“We receive the command!”

“And… it seems like I’ve won the debate, hasn’t it?”

“Urgh…”

At Hyang’s question, Jeong Cho and Jeong Inji groaned.

* * *

There had been disputes among Hyang, Jeong Cho, and Jeong Inji as the institute was established and modifications to the calendar system were underway.

The subjects of debate were ‘The Earth is round.’, and ‘The Earth revolves around the Sun.’.

Observations of celestial bodies were essential for revising the calendar system, and in the process, these conceptual conflicts arose.

The ‘The Earth is round.’ argument was easily won by Hyang.

This was thanks to the observation report stating ‘The horizon seen from the high mountains and sea draws a circle.’ and the help of the Hui people.

However, the heliocentric theory had a quite long debate, as for Hyang, who only had a shallow understanding through entrance exam education, perfect refutation was impossible.

Moreover, as this debate ended in a stalemate, the study hall of the institute did not have a celestial globe in place.

‘Ah! The damage of my entrance exam education that only knows Galileo, Copernicus, and annual parallax!’

Hyang, who could not win the argument because he only knew the names but not the contents, shouted at the harm of his previous entrance exam education while looking up at the sky.

* * *

A month later, Hyang held a presentation about ‘calendar system correction’ with Sejong and the ministers.

The presenter was Yi Soonji. To relieve tension, Yi Soonji, who even took Cheongsimhwan (a calming pill), proceeded with the presentation calmly.

“…That’s all.”

When Yi Soonji ended the presentation, Sejong, who had been concentrating on the presentation until the end, praised Yi Soonji.

“You’ve worked hard. It was a truly great theory. Crown prince, what do you think of this offficail’s theory?”

“I compared it with previous calendars and records of solar and lunar eclipses, and there were no discrepancies.”

“Then, shall we say we’ve finally created our own calendar system?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang corrected the term.

“It’s a correction method. Father.”

“Right, it’s ‘correction method’.”

Sejong, who had been nodding with a bitter face, looked back at the ministers.

“What do you guys think?”

At Sejong’s question, Hwang Hui responded as the ministers’ representative.

“I think the correction of the calendar system should be applied and used immediately. However, the problem arises when we make it into a book and use it for education. The book will inevitably be released to the outside, and that may cause issues. We need to remove a few sentences.”

“Remove sentences?”

At Sejong’s question, Hwang Hui responded, “‘The world is spherical’ and ‘the world revolves around the sun.’ These notions might cause problems with the Ming dynasty if mishandled.”

“Hmm… I see.”

King Sejong nodded to Hwang Hui’s caution.

The prevailing worldview so far had been ‘The world is flat. And the center of the world is the ‘Ming’’

However, the theory emerging from the research institute now was contradicting this. Removing such statements did not sit well with King Sejong’s palate. Of course, with the Ming being a superior nation and due to the difference in national power, they needed to be mindful of the Ming’s mood, but he didn’t like the idea of compromising his pride.

“Is there no other way?”

At Sejong’s question, Hwang Hui replied again, “We need to emphasize that these are just simple truths of nature.”

“Simple truths of nature? Hmm… I see.”

As Sejong nodded, Hwang Hui added, “To make this claim, we need solid evidence to back it up. The evidence provided by the research institute currently is insufficient.”

“I see. Inform the crown prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you know what you need to do?”

“Yes, I will gather more evidence to solidify the theory.”

“Good. Then, what should the Ministry of Rites do?”

At Sejong’s question, Lee Jik stepped forward to answer. “We need to make them understand that these are just simple truths of nature, not straying from the rites of the four cardinal directions.”

“You’re well aware. Minister of Rites, your responsibility is grave.”

At Sejong’s words, the Minister of Rites, bowed his head and answered, “I will receive and carry out the royal command with utmost devotion!”

“Then, let’s wrap it up here.”

As Sejong announced the end of the meeting, the ministers brushed off their seats and left the room.

“Sigh~.”

“My lord, you’ve worked hard.”

“My lord, you have a long road of hardships ahead.”

As the other ministers who came out with him said a word or two, Hwang Hui burst out.

“Gosh! Why is the crown prince doing such unnecessary…”

“My lord!”

The Minister of Rites, who was about to say something about the crown prince and the research institute, immediately shut his mouth at Hwang Hui’s sharp reproach.

“Unnecessary? Do you really think that?”

“Well, so far, just enough…”

“You’re so frustrating! You’ve forgotten about the people who suffered because we couldn’t follow the seasons properly because of that ‘just enough’? And yet you’re a minister!”

“I apologize.”

At Hwang Hui’s criticism, the Minister of Rites had to bow his head.

In Joseon, where agriculture was everything to the economy, following the seasons was extremely important. If they didn’t follow the seasons properly, the people’s complaints were all directed at the king, and the king had to answer by disciplining the relevant parties.

“I know the burden on you and the Ministry of Rites has increased! But it’s your duty to solve it! How can you only look for what’s convenient for you! If you want to live comfortably, submit your resignation and go! I’m sick of being criticized as a minister! Sick of it!”

Hwang Hui was sincere in his last sentence.

Therefore, to avoid a clash with the Ming dynasty, the problematic sentences were removed from the books distributed at the Astronomy department, and the original copy was treated as top-secret and stored in a safe.

* * *

Ever since His Majesty’s announcement, the ministers have changed significantly.

No, they had no choice but to change.

They had to adapt to Sejong’s rebukes that sprang up whenever a task was even slightly unsatisfactory.

At the forefront of these changing ministers were the government officials. The first to take the brunt of criticism when the work of the six ministries or those under them was inadequate were the officials.

Thanks to this, the disposition of the officials also became rather harsh.

Not only Lee Jik and Hwang Hui, but even Maeng Saseong, known for his amiability, would regularly spit venom when the work was inadequate.

“Ah! After becoming an official, people change! He’s turned into a real nasty nobleman!”

Looking at the three grumpy people, the common assessment was made.

However, the ministers had something to say too.

“Then do your job well!”

“Why should I get scolded by your excellency? Am I a scapegoat?”

“If you don’t want to be scolded, don’t do anything scold-worthy!”

“If you’re unfairly treated, file a complaint or resignation letter! Submit your resignation!”

Thus, being pressured for change, the ministers became quicker in their work.

A prime example was when they returned after inspecting Area 51.

Noticing that Sejong wanted mass production, Hwang Hui told Minister of Taxation in advance, so he could prepare the records regarding iron production and present them to Sejong.

Such changes meant the ministers heard less of what they least wanted to hear.

“It’s not as good as I’ve heard…”

These were the words.

* * *

Hwang Hui and the ministers were recently troubled by one issue.

The issue they pondered was ‘iron supply.’

With the decision to mass produce the armored gun and the b0mb, the government needed a large amount of iron, especially cast iron.

During the Goryeo era and the early Joseon era, the iron distribution center was in place where the people directly received iron, but due to severe opposition from farmers, the system had to be changed.

The iron mining assembly system was chosen as an alternative to iron distribution center, where an iron mill was created near the iron mines, and farmers were mobilized during the farming off-season to produce iron.

However, this center had its problems too as it involved forced labor from the farmers, leading to their resistance and a decrease in motivation.

In the end, Sejong’s answer was simple.

“We buy those that satisfy the set standards and quality!”

However, the officials and ministers in charge of practical affairs had headaches.

“There’s no budget! No budget!”

Eventually, the ministers, unable to find a good answer even after putting their heads together, informed Sejong of the issue.

“Your Majesty, there is an issue in implementing the solution you proposed.”

“Issue? Hmm… Is it about the budget?”

“That is correct.”

At the ministers’ reply, Sejong clicked his tongue for the first time in a while.

“Tsk!”

But this time, the ministers had something to say too.

“Your Majesty, we are sourcing from the amount coming in through the assembly iron mill system to solve the budget issue, but there is a portion we must use. After deducting this amount, there is not much left.”

“Your Majesty, the budget is the issue when it comes to purchasing the deficit even after such sourcing.”

“Your Majesty, to solve this budget issue, we need to resolve the taxation issue, but the preparations are insufficient.”

“Taxes aren’t the only issue. When we buy iron, we have to pay for it. There are limits to the grains and cotton fabrics that can be used as payment. To solve this, we must implement currency usage, but again, the preparations are…”

“Oh dear…”

At the ministers’ responses, Sejong also felt frustrated. He wanted to enthusiastically carry out the tasks, but the lack of capacity in Joseon was holding him back.

“Let’s think a bit more.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After sending the ministers out, Sejong sighed.

“Hoo… What kind of a country is this… It’s not even all it’s cracked up to be…”

Hearing the rumor, Hyang clicked his tongue.

“Tsk! It’s so hard to build up…”

Hyang started writing on a blank piece of paper.

“A state-owned enterprise would be the best, right? Ironworks! How nice would that be?”

* * *

Sejong, who received the report suggesting, ‘Let’s create a state-owned enterprise to handle iron supply,’ immediately slapped his knee.

“That’s right!”

However, the ministers who read Hyang’s report shook their heads.

“How could the state engage in commerce…”

“Even if it’s a state-owned enterprise, it will pursue profits. How can the government pursue profits?”

“Tsk!”

At the ministers’ responses, Sejong clicked his tongue.

As soon as Sejong clicked his tongue, the ministers tensely reconsidered their words.

“Do you only think short-term? Does the government only benefit if it produces iron? Isn’t it the case that not all regions in Joseon produce iron? In regions where iron is produced, the price is low, and in other regions, it’s high, causing the people to struggle. Don’t you think that if the government produces iron, it can solve these difficulties? Can’t you see it can also solve the trade deficit problem?”

“Ah…”

“Please think before you speak, a bit!”

The ministers were lost for words at Sejong’s scolding.

1. Just a saying of having great luck or fortune[↩]