Chapter 133
As the Joseon court was experimenting and revising various aspects for the transformation of Joseon, changes were gradually taking place in the country.
These changes were slowly happening among the people of Joseon as well. Although the changes seemed minor, their effects were spreading wider and wider.
***
In Yeongdeung-po, near Hanyang.
In a blacksmith’s shop located on one side of a village, the loud sound of hammering echoed.
Bang! Clang! Bang!
The hammering ceased, and the blacksmith wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at his creation.
“Hmm… this turned out well?”
With a satisfied smile, the blacksmith gazed at a large square frame with criss crossed iron wires – a wire mesh.
***
Song Il-chul, known as ‘Blacksmith Song’ – his parents and acquaintances called him Han-soi – had made the wire mesh as a side job.
The reason Il-chul had to take up a side job was due to Hyang’s development of weapons in Area 51.
At that time, Hyang had evaluated blacksmiths in Hanyang and nearby areas to check the feasibility of rapid supply.
In the evaluation, Il-chul was eliminated in the final stage. His quality was excellent, but he failed in standardizing his products.
“It’s okay! It’s better not to deal with the hassle of government conscription!”
Though Il-chul had boasted loudly when he received the results, his pride was hurt.
‘Shit! How am I inferior to those guys!’
As time passed, the number of customers at Il-chul’s blacksmith shop began to decrease. This was due to the changed perception of the people in Hanyang and nearby areas.
‘Those who supply to Area 51 are skilled, those who don’t are not.’
As the people’s perception changed, Il-chul’s shop began to lose customers. Of course, neighbors who knew Il-chul well still frequented his shop, but customers from afar dwindled.
The decrease in distant customers was a significant loss for Il-chul. Ironware had a long lifespan, so relying on neighbors was not profitable.
***
Eventually, Il-chul’s wife stepped forward.
“We should start a side business.”
“A side business?”
Il-chul, who would have scoffed at such a suggestion in the past, now listened seriously to his wife.
Seeing her husband attentive, Il-chul’s wife raised her voice.
“You know about fried chicken, right?”
“Of course. Jang-soi and Dol-soi would wake up from sleep to eat fried chicken. Why, thinking of opening a fried chicken restaurant?”
“Yes.”
“Selling fried chicken is not an easy business…”
As Il-chul hesitated, his wife made a sullen face.
“Am I not famous for my pancake skills? Have you forgotten how often Lady Oh’s family calls me for feasts and rituals?”
“Hmm… As far as I know, the flour used for the coating has to be bought from the market, and it’s quite expensive.”
“I’ve tasted it and think I know what goes into it. That’s why I want to try making it myself.”
“Hmm…”
Contemplating his wife’s words, Il-chul did some calculations.
The most important ingredients for fried chicken were chicken, flour for coating, oil, and finally fuel.
‘There’s a soybean oil mill nearby for the oil, and fuel… No worries about coal supply due to the blacksmith shop…’
A soybean oil manufacturing facility was nearby, thanks to the beans grown in Neobeolseom, and the blacksmith shop ensured they had no concerns about fryers or coal.
“The problem lies in sourcing the chickens and the taste…”
Il-chul shared his concerns with his wife.
“Where will we get the chickens?”
At Il-chul’s question, his wife replied nonchalantly.
“There are more places selling chickens these days, and if things get a bit tough, we can raise them ourselves. We just need to think a bit about the taste.”
“Hmm…”
Despite his wife’s confidence, Il-chul couldn’t make a decision right away.
“Let’s think about this a little more.”
“Honey!”
“Just give me a few more days to think!”
Eventually, after being pestered by his wife for over two weeks, Il-chul had no choice but to wave the white flag.
***
A month later,
“Mom, fried chicken again today?”
“Mom, now whenever I open my mouth, I smell like chicken poop.”
“Wife, let’s give up on this.”
Il-chul and his children were pleading with his wife.
A month after the decision to open a fried chicken restaurant, Il-chul’s family had to endure a not-so-pleasant ordeal.
“I’m creating my own unique blend!”
Il-chul’s wife had decided to make her own frying powder for fried chicken instead of buying it from the market.
“It’s not just about money, but we won’t profit much if it tastes the same as other places.”
After making the decision, Il-chul’s wife spent a month frying chickens in search of the ‘perfect blend,’ and Il-chul and his children were forced to eat chicken to the point of exhaustion.
“Ah! I’m confident this time!”
Despite the protests of Il-chul and his children, his wife confidently placed a plate of fried chicken on the table.
“We’ve heard that for a month now…”
“Just shut up and try it!”
At his wife’s fierce command, Il-chul and his children reluctantly picked up pieces of fried chicken.
“Huh? The pieces are smaller this time?”
“Sniff sniff! It has a unique smell?”
“It smells good.”
This time, noticing a pleasantly different aroma, Il-chul and his children bit into the fried chicken with a glimmer of hope.
A moment later,
“Mom! This one’s delicious!”
“Really tasty!”
“Not bad!”
Il-chul and his children gave their highest praise to Il-chul’s wife. Her face, which had been tense for so long, finally relaxed at her family’s approval.
***
Three days later, Il-chul and his wife, carrying their fried chicken, visited Mr. Oh, a respected scholar.
“Do we really have to do this? It’s just fried chicken.”
Filled with apprehension, his wife asked, to which Il-chul replied,
“This is how business thrives.”
Hearing that ‘Blacksmith Il-chul and his wife had come to visit,’ Mr. Oh leisurely appeared on the front porch.
Seeing Mr. Oh’s face, Il-chul and his wife bowed deeply.
“Scholar sir, how have you been?”
“Well, I’ve been fine. What brings you here today?”
At Mr. Oh’s question, Il-chul respectfully replied,
“Yes, sir. This one’s wife decided to open a fried chicken shop. We’ve come to ask you to taste it.”
“Fried chicken?”
“Yes, sir.”
At Il-chul’s gesture, his wife carefully climbed up the stone steps and respectfully extended the basket.
Hearing their voices, Mr. Oh’s wife came out of the inner room, received the basket, and sniffed it slightly.
“Ho! The fragrance is unique.”
“Yes, madam. Since the fried chicken tastes are similar, my wife has tried her hand at them.”
“Your cooking skills promise good taste. Sir, why don’t you try some?”
“Ho!”
Tasting the fried chicken brought by Il-chul’s family, Mr. Oh exclaimed in admiration.
“Even though it’s a bit cold, it tastes good! The seasoning is spot on, especially the aroma is exceptional! People will flock to this!”
“Your cooking skills indeed need to be recognized.”
“We are humbled!”
As Mr. Oh and his wife praised them, Il-chul’s family beamed with smiles, bowing repeatedly. Il-chul secretly rejoiced.
‘It’s done! If Mr. Oh approves, it’s a success!’
Mr. Oh was known as the wealthiest and a gourmet in the area. His approval meant guaranteed success.
“So… Have you named the shop?”
“Not yet.”
“Shall I name it for you?”
“That would be an unparalleled honor!”
Elated, Il-chul watched as Mr. Oh moved his writing desk closer.
“Indeed, such things are better with a brush than a gold pen.”
Dipping a top-quality brush made of marten fur into the ink, Mr. Oh swiftly wrote a name on the paper.
‘Unique Flavored Fried Chicken’
“I can’t guarantee it’s the best in the world, but it could be the best in Hanyang.”
“Thank you! Sir, we’re truly grateful!”
“May it prosper. I want to eat it often myself.”
“Yes!”
***
Thus, ‘Unique Flavor Fried Chicken’ emerged in Yeongdeungpo, gradually attracting more visitors through word of mouth.
Eventually, even people from inside the city walls crossed the river to buy it after hearing the rumors.
“Is this the famous Unique Flavor Fried Chicken?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Hyang picked up a piece of the fried chicken brought by the eunuch and tasted it.
“This flavor and scent… are they pepper and turmeric?”
‘It’s like curry chicken! Not bad.’
“Hmm… Good. Invite the maker of this fried chicken to the palace sometime. His Majesty might enjoy it too.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After eating a couple more pieces, Hyang pushed the plate away and commanded.
“Tell the palace, and you all share it too.”
“We are deeply honored!”
At Hyang’s command, the eunuch bowed deeply and joyfully took the plate away.
Watching him, Hyang murmured to himself.
“I need to revise the royal tribute system… I’ve become too accustomed to it and forgot. Time for some reflection.”
***
A few days later, Il-chul and his wife were summoned to the palace.
Seeing the couple trembling with nervousness, an official smiled reassuringly at them.
“Your fried chicken is renowned as the best in Hanyang, and His Majesty has requested to taste it. Show us your culinary skills. If you do well, there could be a great reward.”
“Yes, yes!”
At the mention of a ‘great reward,’ Il-chul’s wife was instantly energized.
After tasting Il-chul’s family’s fried chicken, King Sejong was so pleased that he awarded them ten rolls of the finest silk.
With the rumor spreading that ‘even the King praised its flavor,’ Il-chul’s fried chicken shop thrived.
***
However, as the saying goes, “good fortune and calamity lie side by side.”
Just when it seemed that Il-chul and his wife’s fried chicken shop was doing well, they encountered a stumbling block: The ‘chickens.’
“From today, the price of chickens has gone up.”
“What do you mean, raising the price all of a sudden?”
As Il-chul protested, the poultry shop owner shrugged.
“It can’t be helped. fried chicken shops are increasing, but the supply of chickens is limited.”
“This is frustrating…”
Il-chul was vexed by the poultry shop owner’s words.
Unlike pigs or cows, chickens were a common source of protein. Almost every household raised at least a few chickens.
As fried chicken’s popularity increased, the demand for chicken meat rose, and the supply from household-raised chickens was not enough.
Consequently, professional poultry farmers appeared, but the demand still outpaced the supply.
“What’s the price increase then?”
At Il-chul’s question, the poultry shop owner answered briefly.
“It’s increased by 10%.”
At the owner’s words, Il-chul shouted in anger.
“10%? You thieves!”
Despite Il-chul’s anger, the poultry shop owner remained calm, cleaning his ears as he replied.
“Then don’t buy it…”
“Ugh…”
In the end, Il-chul had no choice but to buy the chicken at the increased price. And not even a fortnight later, the price went up by another 5%.
But soon, Il-chul was deeply frustrated to discover that only his shop was being charged the increased prices.
“I’ll report you to the authorities!”
The infuriated Il-chul threatened, to which the poultry shop owner responded with the same calm demeanor.
“Go ahead. Have I sold spoiled meat? Have I lied about the quantity? I’ve just sold it at a higher price. Isn’t the selling price up to the seller?”
“Listen here!”
“Really! Why are people like this? If you’re making money, you should share it with us too, right?”
“Grrr!”
Grinding his teeth in frustration, Il-chul visited other poultry shops. However, as soon as he mentioned the name ‘Unique Flavored Fried Chicken,’ they all tried to charge him more.
Eventually, Il-chul, unable to contain his anger any longer, picked up a hammer.
“Dammit! I’ll raise chickens myself! I just need to build a coop!”
***
Deciding to raise chickens himself was one thing, but actually doing it was another challenge.
The first problem was the chicken coop. When raising just a few chickens, a corner of a barn or shed would suffice. But for large-scale rearing, a dedicated facility was needed.
To solve this problem, Il-chul secretly observed nearby poultry farms.
“They all look similar…”
The chicken coops at each farm had a similar design.
They constructed pillars and roofs out of wood, and the lower half of the walls was covered with boards or clay. The upper half had wooden shutters, left open during the day and closed during rain or at night. 𝚏𝗿𝗲ew𝐞b𝐧o𝚟𝚎𝗹.com
Therefore, the biggest challenge for those raising chickens was keeping them confined.
If they looked away for even a moment, the chickens would escape through the open shutters, jumping over the fence or invading neighboring yards to peck at crops.
However, closing the shutters risked suffocating the chickens or causing them to die from heat.
After identifying these issues in poultry farming, Il-chul was deep in thought.
“The coop needs to allow air flow but also prevent the chickens from escaping…”
As he pondered a solution, Il-chul absent-mindedly fiddled with some wire.
“Hmm…”
While contemplating, Il-chul suddenly looked at the wire in his hand. His eyes sparkled as he looked at it.
“This is it!”
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