Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1033: That thrilling name… Biography. (1)

After receiving advice from Hyang, Hyeon decided to sell weapons to Poland and Lithuania.

“The double rifle is a weapon that the imperial army also uses now. Selling it would jeopardize the security of the nation, so it is not allowed! Please inform us!”

“Please inform me!”

When the subjects came out to shout opposition to Hyeon’s decision, Hyun smiled slightly and accepted the words.

“‘Please inform me.’… It’s been a long time since I heard that.”

The faces of the ministers turned white from the subtly exuding life.

‘They say you can’t steal seeds… Even the slightest inconvenience makes you burst out with life…’ ‘

But you still have to say what you have to say! That’s a subject’s job!’

Hyun’s face turned white, but when he saw the expressions of the ministers who did not give up their will, he slightly shook his head.

‘Is that kind of kkojangkkojangham a tradition? Even though people have changed, kkojangkkojangham remains the same….’

“Whoa~.”

Hyun sighed lightly and continued.

“Let me ask the ministers who claim the opposite: Didn’t the imperial army lose a single rifle in the last war in Italy?”

“….No.”

“It’s been a long time since the war ended in Italy, but has a long gun similar to a military rifle been released?”

“….There wasn’t any.”

“Do you know the expression ‘rainy day’ (杞憂 useless worry)?”

All the subjects who were shouting against Hyun’s words had to bow their heads.

“Please forgive my narrow vision and short thinking.”

“Forgive me!”

“Tsk! It’s truly beautiful that the ministers are worried about the safety of the country, but…”

Starting with clicking his tongue, Hyeon’s sermon continued for almost half a hour (about an hour).

“…So proceed with your work in accordance with Jim’s decision.”

“I follow your orders.”

With that concluded, the ministers moved and massaged their stiff backs and necks as they left Geunjeongjeon.

“Oh my, my back, my neck…”

“It’s not easy to hold on like this anymore…”

The ministers who were groaning and hearing the crackling sound of each joint glared at the ministers who were shouting opposition. The ministers who had been shouting opposition hurriedly opened their mouths at the unusual looks of their colleagues.

“I’m sorry. Buy me a drink!”

“Tsk! Buy two drinks!”

* * *

As soon as the Polish-Lithuanian deal was concluded, the empire moved quickly. As soon as the North Sea route was opened, a Black Light-class transport ship loaded with ordered cargo arrived at Turso (now Elblag) in Poland-Pithuania.

Guided by a waterway guide, the Black Light-class transport ship passed through the narrow channel between the North Sea and the Vistula Lagoon – only 250 sheets (about 750 meters) wide – and began unloading at Elblak. Because there were no proper unloading facilities, Heukyeong-class transport ships had to unload cargo using the wheel and crane attached to the ship. The commanders of the Polish-Lithuanian army, seeing this, turned their heads to the west.

“No matter what happens, I have to get Gdansk back.”

El Blak, located at the southern end of the Vistula Lagoon, was safe thanks to the lagoon’s natural embankment, but was very weak militarily. This was because it would have been useless if only one waterway connecting the lagoon and the North Sea had been blocked. However, because Gdansk was located in a bay directly facing the North Sea, it was very easy for ships to enter and exit.

* * *

Seeing that Poland-Lithuania was struggling to supply weapons, the Kalmar Alliance also approached the empire.

“As long as you pay the bill properly, there is no problem.”

After hearing the empire’s answer, the Kalmar Alliance immediately signed a contract and paid an advance fee. And according to the contract, Heukyeong-class transport ships quickly transported weapons and money across the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The European powers, including France, were both shocked and horrified by the sight of the empire supplying weapons without any trouble.

“Supplying that much quantity without difficulty? Is that possible?”

“How many weapons are in their arsenal? And what is their transportation capacity? If they have enough troops and the will, they can invade Europe at any time! Has Mongolia appeared again?”

“No, putting that aside, according to the rumor, they are all brand new. How is that possible?”

While the former was the opinion of those maintaining the regime and the military, the last was the question of business and industry.

“To produce weapons like that, you need as many skilled craftsmen as an army. That’s nonsense!”

Although the fragrance taught me things about the Florentine factory, I did not know the knowledge about standardization and division of labor and mass production.

* * *

In the weapons factories of the European powers, many craftsmen were engaged in weapons production. They also divided the work between skilled and unskilled workers and provided continuous training for efficient mass production. The same goes for weapons.

Skilled workers produced and assembled parts according to the numbers written in the blueprint and specifications. This was the source and limitation of the problem. The parts were ‘cut’ according to the blueprint and specifications, but since it was handmade, errors occurred in each part. In order to overcome this error, each craftsman had to be responsible for everything from part processing to assembly.

Of course, there were tricks to increase efficiency. Unskilled craftsmen would make parts, skilled craftsmen would refine and assemble them, and unskilled craftsmen would do the final finishing touches and send them out. As a result, even if parts were from the same long gun, they could not be used for different long guns if the work crew was different.

This was a critical problem in terms of production speed as well as weapon maintenance. However, the empire had already established a mass production system. This was because they had steel and steam engines that were far superior to the steel of the European powers. While European craftsmen were hammering and carving out each piece one by one, the Empire was putting iron plates into steel molds and stamping and carving them using steam pressure. Because of this, the empire was able to achieve an overwhelming production rate even though it had a much smaller number of people compared to the European powers.

Of course, the empire also had its limits. Although it produced superior steel than other countries, it was inferior to those of the 20th or 21st centuries. As a result, the lifespan of the mold was short and it had to be replaced frequently. And this problem caused headaches for those in charge of maintaining the imperial weapons. This was because parts made in the same production cycle (lot) as the parts used in the weapons that caused the problem had to be used. Later, for one reason or another, the ordnance corpsmen and soldiers of the countries allied with the imperial army responded in this way whenever they heard complaints from those in charge of the imperial army.

“You’re sitting there saying you’re full!”

“We don’t know whether we are artisans or soldiers!”

Ordnance corpsmen and soldiers from other countries found it quicker and more convenient to cut and polish their own parts than to find replacements for problematic parts. In any case, the sight of the empire smoothly supplying weapons to Poland-Lithuania and the Kalmar Alliance caused European powers to reexamine their policies toward the empire.

And the conclusions they reached were largely the same.

-Make friends as much as possible.

* * *

While the European powers were once again in trouble over the empire, Hyang was in trouble in Seoul.

“I finally learned about electricity, but they asked for a change of name…”

– Buy time by changing people and budget.

Following this policy, elements were being discovered one by one, starting with oxygen. However, the electric field was still sluggish, and Hyang added methods.

-The results are not good? If so, add more people.

Leaving aside the cries of the lab researchers, Hyang kept pushing and the results were finally out. There was a reason why the scent was so intense. This was because research on electricity did not start from nothing.

The existence of electric fish was known in ancient Egypt around 2570 BC, as were scholars in Greek and Roman times. Even people like Pliny the Elder left records about electric shock and conduction. In addition, Thales recorded his observations on static electricity.

And these records were also located in the research institute through the collection of books from the East and the West that began around the time Hyang was crown prince. This made the scent even more frustrating and impatient.

“No, you have all the knowledge of ancient scholars, so why can’t you find it? I’m not telling you to just head to the ground!”

With the pressure of that scent combined with the research enthusiasm of scholars, the concept and basic properties of electricity were finally discovered. And this is where the request for name change came to Hyang.

“I need to change my name? Why?”

David Gilbert, who was in charge of the scent, came forward and answered the question.

“The ‘noe’ in the ‘noegi (雷氣)’ given by His Majesty means thunder or a loud sound. If someone who does not know about noegi yet encounters this name, they will think that noegi has the nature of making loud noises. However, this brain “When I studied energy, I saw light and flame first, not sound. So I think ‘electricity’ is more appropriate instead of ‘brain.’”

“Hmm… it’s a pretty good reason.”

Hyanghyang nodded and looked at Gilbert with a new expression.

“But… weren’t you born in England? Usually, people from Europe and Arab countries complain that it is difficult to learn the imperial language even if they quickly learn the correct pronunciation. I am surprised that you can even explain its meaning.”

Gilbert muttered without realizing it, as the scent’s words brought back memories of his past hardships.

“It’s so difficult…hehe!”

“Yes, yes… Even if you don’t know the correct pronunciation, it’s really difficult to learn the imperial language. Still, it’s surprising that you were able to interpret the meaning. It’s truly amazing.”

Gilbert, who regained his confidence thanks to the incense’s praise, continued speaking.

“I came up with the idea because I felt that the younger students who came as researchers were having a hard time finding their way because of the ‘brainy’ letters.”

“I see…” Hyang,

who had been nodding at Gilbert’s words, concluded.

“Since Department Head Gilbert’s opinion is reasonable, I will report it to His Majesty the Emperor and receive permission to change the name.”

Researchers from the empire expressed concern about the direction’s decision.

“Ha, it is a name that the Great Emperor himself created, so changing it is blasphemous and could be criticized.”

Hyang responded right away.

“What is the problem with changing the name to a more appropriate one? Isn’t this a bigger problem if one’s high or low status becomes an obstacle to studying the laws of all things in the world?”

Due to the firm meaning of this scent, ‘Noegi’ was renamed to ‘Jeongi’.

And upon seeing this, Hyang smiled and muttered.

“If I think about it now, Noegi was a really clever naming. After all, I’m not good at naming. Anyway…”

Hyang, who was speechless for a moment, continued as he looked through reports related to chemistry.

“Looking at the current situation, it looks like all the names of the elements that will be listed on the periodic table will be changed to imperial style… If a second round comes out other than mine, that friend will also be in trouble… Well, it’s none of my business, but… .”