Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 318: Hero? New demon? (One)

As the 13th year of King Sejong’s reign (1431, the year of Sinhae) was almost over, the ships that had gone to Cheonchukguk returned.

The captains of Haeung Ship No. 5 and Haeung No. 6, who discovered ships returning while patrolling the coast near Jeju Island, looked at the approaching ships with tense faces and raised telescopes.

The first thing they looked at was the signal flag fluttering at the top of the mast.

‘Please don’t just use muted colors.’

The captains, who had been looking at the approaching ships with tense faces, sighed with relief.

“Thank goodness it’s green. Send signal to ship number 6. “I mean, escorting.”

“A signal has already come from ship number 6.”

The captain of ship number 5, who received the manager’s report, shook his head slightly and muttered.

“His personality… “As I boarded Haeung, I became more urgent.”

* * *

As the number of challenger-class ships increased to 9 ships, the government hastened to organize an ocean-going fleet heading to the west.

While the government and the military were concerned about organizing the fleet, what the county was concerned about was the problem of diseases coming through ships.

“The good news is that the speed of movement is incredibly slow compared to the 21st century?”

Considering the incubation period of all kinds of infectious diseases that Hyang remembers, even if there were a series of infectious diseases among sailors, there was little chance of harm to Joseon.

Because we’ll all die when we get there.

You might say it was inhumane, but it was true.

“But, there are also variables…”

Because of the problem of variables, Hyang, who was involved in the process of creating operating rules for the ocean fleet, created strict quarantine rules.

-Ships returning from ocean voyages are prohibited from entering the swimming port immediately.

– Suyeong’s thief, where the ocean-going fleet is deployed, establishes a primary port of call on an island close to Suyeong, where ships returning from the ocean are docked first. At least 5 days for anchorage.

-Afterwards, lawmakers are brought on board to check the presence or absence of infectious disease patients and disease outbreak records.

-If an infectious disease patient occurs during the voyage and the situation becomes serious, the ship’s doctor has the duty and right to urge the ship’s captain or supreme commander to abandon the voyage.

-The captain or top commander who has received goodwill advice will call at the nearest Joseon naval base or port.

-If the infection is so severe that it is difficult to operate the ship and it is determined that there is a high risk of external transmission, the captain or top commander must disembark the crew and then scuttle the ship. This is to prevent further spread due to contaminated ships.

-The captain or top commander hoists a large signal flag at the highest point of the ship so that the situation can be quickly and easily checked from the outside.

The color of the signal is… (abridged)

“I think it would be too much to scuttle a ship. If you consider the cost of construction and the value of the guns and cargo being loaded…”

Military officials and officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy expressed their disapproval at the rules proposed by the township, but the township was adamant.

“If there is a way to completely decontaminate a plague-ridden ship, I will do it. “Although the value of the wires and the goods on them is enormous, I think it is worth taking when you consider the loss of life and property that an epidemic would cause in Joseon.”

Those in charge of the military and the Ministry of Finance and Economy fell silent at Hyang’s words. Although the number of Hyangs decreased significantly through active management of public hygiene and water resources, this was because the entire Joseon Dynasty was shaken every time a plague broke out.

In particular, smallpox was now treated like a toothless tiger due to the spread of cowpox in incense, but every time smallpox broke out, even the king would come forward and offer ancestral rites.

And, upon receiving the proposal, King Sejong immediately stamped the royal seal.

“I think the crown prince’s words are reasonable, since a little effort can prevent a major disaster. Just keep going.”

“I follow your orders!”

“By the way. The ‘closest Joseon naval base’ written here. I can’t believe he’s referring to the naval forces and Yeongjin (營鎭) in Joseon, and it doesn’t seem to be the Japanese country… Are you really saying that you are going to build a naval base in a foreign country and a remote area far away?”

Hyang and Jo Mal-saeng answered King Sejong’s question at the same time.

“yes.”

“That is so, Your Majesty. “It is something that must be done.”

“Hmm… “Let’s discuss it carefully with the Ministry of Finance and Economy.”

It was Sejong who secretly handed over homework to Hyang and Jo Mal-saeng.

And, it was the moment when the notoriety of Joseon’s naval forces, which would threaten European powers advancing into Asia starting from the east of Africa, was born.

As soon as King Sejong’s order was issued, the military and government moved quickly.

Yeongjong Island in the West Sea, Dali Island in the South Sea, and Mureung Island (Ulleungdo) in the East Sea were designated as primary ports of call for ships returning from ocean voyages, and port construction began.

* * *

The ships arrived at Suyeong, Mokpo, escorted by sea emergency fronts and entered a temporary port of call under construction at Dalido.

“It’s desolate.”

Gangnam-gil muttered softly as he looked at the desolate sight of the pier, which had been under construction for some time.

“However, military law is strict…”

Gangnam-gil, who accepted the situation, shouted to the sailors.

“Practice the Tao for five more days! Five days is enough! “You don’t want to see your family in pain, right?”

“yes.”

The sailors responded, suppressing their desire to land right away. They also knew well the fear of plague. They had family members or relatives who lost their lives due to the plague just two or three bridges over.

* * *

After safely enduring the quarantine period and making sure there was no problem, the two ships were able to dock at Mokpoyeong.

With the help of tugboats belonging to Mokpoyeong – the name was grandiose, but it was a little bigger than a ferry and a little smaller than a Hyeopseon – the two ships safely docked at the dock, and soon they were on the deck leading to the wharf. I opened the cover and operated the potter’s wheel.

“Be careful! This is all salt grass! “Yeomcho!”

“The whole dock is full of salt grass! “Bring all the carts you can!”

At the shouts of the sailors on the ship, the sailors who had parked the cart at the dock and received the cargo looked at the drafts of the ships that had docked all at once.

The sailors opened their mouths at the same time when they saw that the draft was almost touching the lapping sea surface.

“How much did you carry?”

“Hmm…”

According to what I had experienced so far, no matter how much I loaded, the waterline, which was located one foot (about 30 cm) above the water, was right next to the water.

* * *

Reports on the cargo and property unloaded from the two ships were immediately delivered to Hanseong via dispatch.

“This is a report from Mokpo Swim! “This is about the quantity and wealth we brought this time!”

“Give it to me!”

Kim Jeom, who was handed the item as if he had taken it from his subordinate, quickly examined the item.

“huh? this···.”

Kim Jeom rubbed his eyes and looked at the object once again.

Kim Jeom, who had been checking the items several times, looked back at his subordinate management.

“Are these numbers accurate?”

“There is no error.”

“Send someone to Mokpo Suyeong and conduct a due diligence (actually investigate or inspect) immediately! Right Now!”

“yes!”

Kim Jeom, who quickly issued an order to his subordinate officials, looked at the items again. His eyes were fixed on the ‘Yeomcho’ item.

A total of 27,000 cans of saltweed (about 100 tons)

27,000 geun was equivalent to almost 170,000 geun in terms of geun.

If we were to calculate the amount of salt vinegar produced in Joseon at the time, it was a little short of 30,000 geun.

This was also achieved by building cattle ranches in all directions as the expansion progressed and building a chojeon near them. The problem was that these were just numbers. To obtain proper salt vinegar, the roasted salt vinegar had to be aged for three years. Considering the process, the actual amount supplied to the military was at best half.

However, in just one voyage, enough salt was obtained to last for five years.

Kim Jeom rechecked the special information written next to it.

– Top quality product ready for immediate use.

After checking the contents, Kim Jeom muttered softly.

“Captain Cho will take a firm stance. No, do I have to pay?”

* * *

After checking the reports posted through the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Military Ministry, King Sejong looked back.

“There is a reason why you cried out for Heavenly Kingdom like that. “It’s great.”

“That’s too much praise.”

Hyang bowed her head in response to Sejong’s praise.

King Sejong, who was looking at the incense with a happy face, looked back at his ministers.

“Now that we have obtained a large amount of salt plants using Cheonchukguk, the military should be more diligent in training. However, one thing to keep in mind is that you should not use it carelessly just because you can get it in abundance.”

Jo Mal-saeng immediately bowed his head and responded to King Sejong’s point.

“I will keep this in mind.”

After Jo Mal-saeng finished answering, Heo Jo came forward.

“The new Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications is Heo Jo Aryo. “Now that the issue of salt grass to be used in the military has been resolved, I think it would be better to divert the salt grass and manure produced at livestock farms to the private sector.”

“Shall we divert the salt and manure produced at the ranch to the private sector?”

When Sejong showed interest, Heo Jo explained the reason.

“There has been a lot of complaining about the first fight since long ago. The reason is that salt grass and manure are essential items for fertilizer to be used during fertilization. Therefore, since the military’s problem has been resolved, I think it would be better to return the quantity from the ranch to the private sector for use.”

Sejong immediately nodded at Heo Jo’s words.

“I think Minister Heo is right. However, since fertilizer is important for farming, greed and corruption can occur. Ministers, please gather opinions and come up with a solution to this.”

“I follow your orders!”

* * *

After organizing the agenda regarding the cornerstone, King Sejong moved on to the next agenda.

“Appeals to extend the semester at the Social Democratic Institute until summer continue to come in. What do you think of this?”

Jo Gye-saeng responded to King Sejong’s question.

“This happened because of the social democratic school’s curriculum. “Let me explain in detail…”

According to Jo Gye-saeng’s explanation, the problem was due to the completion process of the Social Democratic Institute.

The Social Democratic Institute did not have a set educational period – that is, in the 21st century, there was no set grade or completion period.

Children attending social school had to satisfy only one condition in order to advance to the next class. The condition was that the process had to be completely understood. You could never move on to the next process until that condition was achieved.

What poured oil there and lit the fire was the ‘age restriction’.

Usually, children from 5 to 15 years old, that is, the age group before they were certified as adults by going through the customs for noblemen and lifting stones for commoners, were admitted to social ministries. However, this was an ‘implicit’ rule and there was no official age limit.

Just as there was no age limit for joining the party, there was also no age limit for completion.

This is where competition between parents arose.

“My child has to graduate faster than other families’ children!”

In the early days of the Social Democratic Institute, the situation was just the opposite.

“They teach me for free and feed me? Son! “Hold on as long as you can!”

Parents who were apprehensive about being able to feed their children at least one meal a day for free were worried that their children would graduate quickly.

However, as the economy progressed and the economic situation improved, parents’ thoughts began to change little by little.

“oh! Is that house’s son still a thousand characters? My son took off the thousand-character text and moved on… Hmm…”

Dolsoe’s mother, who was humiliated by an enemy she met at the laundry, looked for Dolsoe as soon as she returned home.

“It’s a key! “It’s a key!”

“Yes, Tusk.”

“What are you doing now?”

“Have you cut down fodder to feed the cows?”

Dolsoe’s mother screamed at Dolsoe’s answer.

“Right now, the cow’s behavior is the problem, and your behavior is the problem! “Go in and study right now!”

Similar situations occurred here and there in Joseon.

“owner! Don’t you know what’s important now? I became a joke to that damn Yongpal guy! Damn it, you guy! “Go in and study right now!”

Author’s words.

hello?

This is Gukppong, who writes ‘Black Enterprise Chosun’. Thank you for reading ‘Black Enterprise Chosun’.

First of all, I apologize for the sudden hiatus.

Early Monday morning, my sister complained of chest pain and had to go to the emergency room.

There was a family history related to heart disease, and my sister was single, so I had to go as her guardian.

As a result of the test, the procedure was performed because there was a problem with the blood vessels in the heart. Afterwards, an arrhythmia occurred and cardiac arrest occurred.

Fortunately, I escaped cardiac arrest, but I had to stay in the intensive care unit, and as the situation worsened, I was unable to write the manuscript.

Now, the situation has stabilized to some extent and work has resumed.

I was planning to take a hiatus until this week, but I feel like it’s putting pressure on my readers, so I’m writing it every now and then and uploading a series.

I just apologize for the sudden hiatus.

I will do my best to serialize it.

Please, readers, please be generous.

Gukbbong dream.

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