Black Corporation: Joseon

Under Hyang’s leadership, the road construction proceeded smoothly.

Standing on the gate tower of Gwanghwamun with Hyang, Sejong marveled at the road stretching out before him.

[TL/N: The gate tower would be something like this.]

“Hoo~, rebar and concrete… Ah, did you say it’s called ‘plaster’?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Upon Hyang’s reply, Sejong nodded.

Before his eyes was a bright gray road starting from Gwanghwamun and extending all the way to Namdaemun.

Designed to slightly curve to prevent direct flow of fire energy from Gwanaksan from extending directly, the road boasted a width of 50 kan (approximately 100 meters) and stretched north to south.

“How refreshing!”

While admiring the road stretching smoothly to the south, Sejong turned his head to look at Unjong-ga Street¹.

Overlapping with the main road leading to Namdaemun, another road that cut across Hansung (Seoul) from east to west also had a width of 30 kan (approximately 50 meters) and stretched refreshingly.

“Is it all completed?”

Hyang lowered his head at Sejong’s inquiry.

“We have finished about 60% of it.”

“Only 60%?”

“We still have finishing touches to apply, as well as drainage and sidewalk construction on both sides of the road.”

“Is that so?”

Listening to Hyang’s explanation, Sejong descended from the gate tower and left Gwanghwamun.

“Make way! Clear the path! His Majesty is proceeding!”

The workers scattered to the sides and prostrated themselves on the ground.

“Continue with your tasks.”

At Sejong’s command, the laborers rose and resumed their work.

“Um, Your Majesty”

“Yes?”

Hyang looked back at Sejong as a hesitating official approached him.

“Your Majesty, may I step aside for a moment to check on something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Your grace is boundless.”

After paying respects to Sejong, Hyang moved to the side, following the official.

Sejong watched Hyang as he conferred with other officials and supervisors over the map, his eyes filled with pride. 

“Hasn’t he grown up a lot?”

The Chief State Councillor answered Sejong’s query promptly.

“He has always been mature, but now he certainly can be called a man.”

“Do you think so too?”

Sejong continued to watch Hyang with a satisfied smile.

Due to family circumstances, Hyang had grown up quickly. Now at the age of twelve, he was a head taller than his peers.

His growth wasn’t limited to his height. He had also become comfortable using respectful language when dealing with officials and craftsmen.

However, Hyang had his own frustrations.

“I’m getting at least 8 hours of sleep and eating well! I wish I could grow faster!”

Hyang was feeling anxious as his younger siblings were growing at an unprecedented rate.

Before the rainy season began, the road construction across Hansung was completed.

Thanks to a layer of graphite-mixed asphalt, the road turned a deep gray. With the edges filled with white lime, it was even visible at night.

People strolling on the newly-constructed road couldn’t help but exclaim their amazement.

“Isn’t this a marvel sight?”

“Right? Right?”

“Was it the crown prince who did this?”

“Yes, indeed!”

“Wow, how does such a young nobleman know all these amazing things?”

“Indeed, he’s of a different breed…”

The residents of Hansung marveled at the newly paved road.

Their awe transformed into praise for Sejong and the crown prince when the rainy season began.

No matter how much it rained, the new road never turned into a mud pool.

Water did pool in some areas, but most of the road remained clear, with the rainwater draining through the gutters on both sides.

The sidewalk next to the road was no different. A sidewalk built with sand and concrete blocks also only got wet in the rain, but it didn’t turn into a muddy puddle.

Thanks to this, the people of Hanyang could walk around without becoming mired in mud, even when it rained.

“Come see Hanyang’s newly made road path!”

“Let’s go!”

“‘I heard the newly paved road in Hanyang is something extraordinary!'”

People from various local cities and villages flooded into Hanyang, their interest piqued by the rumors spread by merchants and petty traders.

Of course, it wasn’t some average farmer; it was those with some means.

With the influx of people coming to see the new road, a new business was born in Hanyang.

It was an inn that doubled as a restaurant.

Of course, there were already guesthouses and taverns, but cheaper accommodation facilities were now established.

Hearing the report that was submitted to Sejong, Hyang had to hold back his laughter.

“‘Even in the 21st century, people flocked to see the 63 Building² built during my father’s young days, didn’t they?'”

Sejong, who had received the report, also smiled.

“It’s only natural to be amazed. When I first saw a paved road, I felt the same… However, where crowds gather, so do miscreants. Be thorough in security measures.”

“We receive your command!”

***

“The tourism for Hanyang’s new road peaked as the autumn harvest ended.”

The reason being, farmers who now had some free time joined the tourism brigade.

And those who toured and returned started to ruffle the feathers of their village leaders and nobles.

“Let’s have such a road in our place too!”

“Ah, it was darn good!”

Especially strong petitions came from various places, especially in the provinces of Jeonju, Gyeongju, Yeongheung, and Pyongyang.

“What’s wrong with our area? Lacking in history? Lacking in population?”

The nobles of these regions jointly filed petitions to Sejong.

Faced with petitions from across the country, Sejong summoned Hyang and his ministers.

“What should we do about this?”

Representing the ministers, Hwang Hui stepped forward.

“The intention is good, but there’s no viable method. Even looking at the construction of Hanyang’s new road, a third of the resources were spent waiting for iron from Anju. If we accept these petitions, we’ll run into supply issues.”

“That’s true…”

Acknowledging Hwang Hui’s point, Sejong looked at Hyang.

Hyang immediately responded, “What Right State Councilor Hwang Hui pointed out is accurate. Anju is already working on increasing its production. If we divert the iron needed for civilian use to road construction, the people will suffer. The same goes for asphalt. The supply from Area 51 is already insufficient. First, we need to build a factory specializing in production.”

“The budget is the problem, then… It’s fortunate that silver and gold mines have been developed.”

Sejong mumbled in frustration.

The most crucial part of the development plan was securing finances.

Explorers sent nationwide by Sejong’s orders brought back information on mines. Based on that, Sejong and his ministers selected mines to be developed first.

The most important criterion for selection was ‘places difficult for Ming to notice.’

For this reason, places like the Unsan gold mine, where large amounts of gold and silver were confirmed, were excluded for the time being if they overlapped with the routes taken by envoys from Ming.

[TL/N: Back in late 1890s, an American-based company was established near Unsan situated in south of Pyongyang, to mine for gold. From a geographical standpoint, it’s also a major route towards Ming’s capital.]]

“Let’s mine there when we become stronger.”

“Your order is received!”

Both Sejong, who gave the order, and the ministers who received it, didn’t look particularly pleased.

“It’s tough to accomplish even straightforward tasks when the nation is weak.”

Sejong complained, and the ministers all bowed in agreement.

“Please forgive our incompetence!”

“Please grant us death!”

***

In this process, mines in the Gangwon-do area were prioritized for mining.

The exception was the Gahak Mountain gold mine located in Geongmegol in Siheung-gun (now Gwangmyeong).

“In case we urgently need funds, there should be at least one mine nearby,” was King Sejong’s decision to prepare for emergencies.

Unbeknownst to many, Sejong was storing gold and silver while expanding trade with Japan.

“Find out what the Japanese people like other than the Buddhist scriptures!”

Upon Sejong’s command, the officials and traders in Dongnae discovered that ceramics were the next big thing after the scriptures. Sejong then transformed the public offices in Gwangju into a state-owned enterprise called the “Joseon Ceramics Corporation.”

Later, Minister of Taxation who was ordered by Sejong, then underwent discussions with the Dongnae merchants.

“We will give priority, but not monopoly.”

Although the Dongnae merchants wanted a monopoly, they had no choice but to accept Sejong’s firm decision.

***

Later, the Japanese posts in Sampo-Busanpo, Naeipo, Yeompo were consolidated into a single location in Busanpo. This was to prevent illegal trade due to the influx of Japanese.

Sejong, while cracking the whip, also dangled the carrot. He significantly increased the variety and quantity of goods that the Japanese merchants in Busanpo could trade.

The biggest beneficiaries of this situation were the Ouchi and Kujo regions. They were granted preferential trading licenses as they already had strong relationships with Joseon.

In addition, the positions of the Ouchi and Kujū regions were strengthened by allowing them to build large buildings in the Port of Busan.

As a result, Tsushima became desperate. So Sadamori, the lord of Tsushima, had to personally rush to Hanyang and bow deeply in front of King Sejong.

“After the last military expedition, you promised loyalty, but there’s no evidence that you have kept it! How long should we bear with your tribe?”

“Please forgive our disloyalty, Your Majesty!”

At the end of So Sadamori’s desperate plea, Tsushima was barely able to keep its trade vessels.

***

Thus, the trade area built in the Port of Busan thrived due to trade with Japan.

Although there was a trade port established by Ming in Shandong, the Japanese merchants preferred Busan.

Ming’s navy had a large presence in Shandong, but their main tasks were protecting the sea routes between Ming and Joseon and defending Ming’s southeastern coast.

Therefore, Japanese merchants preferred the less risky Busan over Shandong.

In Busan, Japanese merchants mainly imported Joseon’s Buddhist artifacts and ceramics, paying in silver.

And the silver that came in as tax was diligently stacked in the treasury of the King of Joseon.

Sejong was able to push forward with his reform plan based on these accumulated funds.

Although there were unexpected large expenditures to recover from the massive fire in Hanyang, no issues arose in implementing the reforms.

Despite this, the officials in the Ministry of Taxation had to give up their normal lives in this prosperous times.

***

Sejong warned his ministers.

“Despite the desperate wishes of the commoners, the fact that we can’t fulfill their needs means not only that there’s a problem with the government, but also that the ministers’ capabilities are still lacking. Keep this in mind and strive to do better.”

“We’ll heed your words!”

Although they replied energetically, the ministers felt as if they were facing death.

‘Just kill us! Kill us already!’

‘How much more effort is he expecting from us here?’

Sejong, having had his say to the ministers, turned his attention elsewhere.

“Crown Prince, why has the performance of the Anju National Steel Mill faltered?”

“The scale of operations has been expanded once again, and new facilities have been introduced. The process of implementing these changes is ongoing. Normal operations will be possible before the end of the year.”

“If that’s the case, it would indeed be good news. Lately, I have been increasingly aware of the importance of iron.”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

The Anju National Steel Mill was shouldering all of Sejong’s expectations.

Kim Deoksu, employing not only his colleagues but also people from the surrounding areas, had established a steel mill. After overcoming various trials and errors, they soon began mass-producing soft iron and steel.

Minister of Taxation, who calculated the mill’s production, immediately reported it to Sejong.

“With just one national steel mill, our court can meet its annual need for soft iron and steel.”

“Is that so? However, starting with the military, the demand for iron continues to rise. Issue orders to the steel mill to devise a way to increase production.”

“I shall carry out your command!”

Upon receiving the royal command, Deoksu immediately rushed to the capital to explain the situation to Minister of Taxation.

“In order to increase production, we would need to expand the kilns or build new ones, but manpower is the issue!”

“Manpower?”

In summary, Deoksu explained that doubling the production would require at least four times more manpower.

“The part that requires the most manpower is the furnace workers. Continuously fueling the fire is not an easy task!”

Upon hearing Deoksu’s complaint, Hyang immediately responded.

“Is that so? I’ll find a solution as soon as possible.”

The solution that Hyang came up with was to significantly enlarge the centrifugal pump installed on the water barrier, turning it into a large centrifugal blower.

“Instead of manpower, we have horsepower. If used correctly, this could be a big help.”

The centrifugal pumps created by Hyang were quickly moved to Anju’s foundry.

Along with the arrived manpower and the blower, Deoksu constructed new, large kilns and proceeded to trial production.

Any defective iron produced through these trial and errors was all moved to Area 51.

“What a waste, right? Let’s find a way to use them.”

While looking for ways to recycle the defective iron, a fire broke out in Hansung, and all of those iron pieces were turned into rebar, consumed in road construction.

1. Today’s Jongno. An area connecting the east gate of Heunginmun with the west gate of Donuimum.[↩]
2. Famous skyscraper overlooking Han River built in the ‘80s[↩]