Chapter 136: Fishing. (1)
After burning incense and making a round trip between Gyeongbokgung Palace and District 51, Mal-bok headed to the trading company where he had worked, pulling his rickshaw.
Jingle jingle~.
"Look at that! Look at that!"
Children with eyes full of curiosity ran behind the rickshaw, which was running with a small bell hanging in place of a phonograph ringing cheerfully.
"Sir! It's me, Mal-bok!"
Arriving at the trading company where he had worked, Mal-bok looked for the head merchant. The head merchant who came out saw the rickshaw and asked Mal-bok.
"Did His Highness the Crown Prince make that for you?"
At the head merchant's question, Mal-bok nodded his head greatly.
"Yes, sir!"
"I see..."
Examining the rickshaw while listening to Mal-bok's answer, the head merchant turned to look at Mal-bok.
"Do you put people in this?"
"Yes!"
"Hmm..."
The head merchant continued examining the rickshaw while asking Mal-bok questions.
"This back seat is swaying?"
"Yes. His Highness the Crown Prince said he deliberately made it that way."
"Really?"
At Mal-bok's answer, the head merchant bent his waist to examine the part with the wheels.
Two curved iron plates, about 1/4 chi (approximately 0.8cm) thick and about two fingers wide, were positioned above the wheel axle, and these iron plates were connected to the seat.
"Why would he make it this way?"
Suppressing his curiosity while examining the rickshaw, the head merchant discovered the cover wrapped around the chair back.
"Is this for when it rains?"
"Yes!"
Mal-bok excitedly unfolded the cover attached to the rickshaw.
"If you unfold the cover like this and lower the cloth curtain, he said customers won't get wet even if it rains or snows!"
"I see, it really is so!"
At Mal-bok's explanation, the head merchant sincerely expressed his admiration.
"How did he think of this?"
The head merchant continued expressing admiration at the simple yet clear explanation with no useless parts.
After looking at the rickshaw for a while, the head merchant turned to Mal-bok.
"Have you done your first business?"
At the head merchant's question, Mal-bok searched his sleeve and showed a small piece of silver.
"His Highness the Crown Prince was the first to ride!"
"Really? It's a shame I couldn't give you your first business, but let me ride too."
"Yes!"
Answering energetically, Mal-bok took out the footboard that had been inserted behind the rickshaw and placed it down.
"Please ride, sir."
"Alright."
* * *
"Truly wonderful!"
The head merchant, who had ridden the rickshaw pulled by Mal-bok around the neighborhood once, exclaimed again.
"You don't need to learn how to ride like a horse or donkey, and it doesn't shake violently like a palanquin, so it's truly an exquisite vehicle! They say His Highness the Crown Prince knows many things and creates many mysterious items, and it's really true!"
"Heheheh!"
At the head merchant's praise, Mal-bok was happy as if he himself had been praised.
Looking at Mal-bok and the rickshaw, the head merchant asked Mal-bok the most important thing.
"So. How much did you set the fare?"
"Ah, that! His Highness the Crown Prince told me to ask you, sir! He said you would know the answer! Ah! He also told me to convey this message! 'If it's the conduct you heard through Mal-bok, you will be able to give a good answer.'"
At Mal-bok's words, the head merchant smiled bitterly.
"His Highness has given me a truly troublesome assignment. Anyway, since I've been given an assignment, I must give an answer... Let me see... Hmm..."
The head merchant, who crossed his arms and calculated in his head, spoke to Mal-bok.
"In my opinion, when traveling to and from the inner half of Hanseong centered on Gyeongbokgung, two hop of white rice or one doe of beans would be appropriate, and when going near the Four Great Gates, about four hop of white rice or two doe of beans would be proper."
At the head merchant's answer, Mal-bok immediately bowed his head.
"Thank you very much! I will accept that!"
"And, to add one more thing, when you start working in earnest, go to Bukchon before sunrise."
At the head merchant's words, Mal-bok tilted his head.
"Bukchon, you mean?"
"Yes. No matter how I look at it, this is something ordinary people would have difficulty riding. However, it seems it would be quite useful for those who live in Bukchon and commute to the palace and their families."
After thinking for a moment at the head merchant's explanation, Mal-bok bowed deeply again.
"Thank you very much! Head merchant sir! Thank you very much! I will also tell His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Why would you tell His Highness?"
Mal-bok told the head merchant about the conditions Hyang had set. Hearing Mal-bok's story, the head merchant exclaimed once more.
"Truly a person of deep thought! That such a person is the Crown Prince is Hongbok (great fortune) for this Joseon!"
"That's right!"
By now, the conversation between the head merchant and Mal-bok was almost coming to an end. The head merchant gently patted Mal-bok's shoulder and encouraged him.
"Live diligently. You need to let your grandmother who suffered because of you live comfortably."
"Yes! Head merchant sir!"
"Then I'll go inside."
"Please go in!"
Ending the conversation with Mal-bok and turning his body, the head merchant saw the people gathered around the shop and its surroundings.
Seeing the envy in the eyes of men who were the same age as Mal-bok or a little older, the head merchant stroked his beard.
"Hmm..."
Stopping his steps for a moment and thinking this and that, the head merchant soon called Mal-bok.
"Mal-bok!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Early tomorrow morning, come here... no! Come with me somewhere right now!"
"Yes?"
"Just wait a moment!"
The head merchant went inside the shop, quickly put on his hat, came out, and boarded the rickshaw.
"Let's go!"
"Yes!"
Starting the rickshaw, Mal-bok asked the head merchant.
"Where shall I take you?"
"To District 51!"
"Yes?"
"Let's go quickly! There's no time!"
"Yes!"
Urging Mal-bok, the head merchant muttered quietly.
"It can't be that only I had this thought..."
* * *
"Let's stop here for today."
Ending the meeting about the work being done in District 51, Hyang added.
"If we do a little more, we can report good news to His Majesty. So let's try a little harder."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Thus ending the meeting and finishing organizing documents, when Hyang was preparing to return to Gyeongbokgung Palace, a eunuch came in and reported.
"Your Highness. Mal-bok and the head merchant Im Ga who was in charge of Mal-bok are asking to see Your Highness."
"Head merchant Im Ga?"
Hearing the eunuch's report, Hyang stroked his chin.
'Has he already made a move? He's fast.'
Thinking for a moment, Hyang ordered the eunuch.
"Show them in."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Even after the eunuch went out, Hyang unconsciously stroked his chin and muttered.
"Beard is already growing? Should I make a razor? While I'm at it, skin... Ack! I went off on a tangent again. Damn it!"
Hyang was scolding himself for flowing off to random places following the stream of consciousness if he wasn't careful.
After a while, the eunuch reported.
"Your Highness~. Head merchant Im Ga and Mal-bok are entering."
"Have them come in."
"Yes."
After a while, the head merchant who entered Hyang's office bowed deeply to Hyang.
"This humble merchant Im Mo (a certain person) bows to Your Highness."
"It's nice to meet you. Seeing Mal-bok again so soon?"
"Yes, yes!"
"Please sit in that chair."
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude, Your Highness."
When the head merchant sat in the chair Hyang offered, Hyang examined the head merchant's appearance.
"Are you from a noble family?"
"Yes."
"Did you take the civil service examination?"
"Yes. I passed the small examination."
At the words 'small examination graduate,' curiosity appeared in Hyang's eyes.
"If you passed the small examination, why did you go into commerce?"
At Hyang's question, the head merchant answered carefully.
"My origin is Uiju..."
"Ah..."
At the head merchant's answer, Hyang unconsciously trailed off. The person before him was a victim of 'Northwest discrimination.'
"Still, starting this year, Northwest people won't be blocked from government service, so tell any family members who have the will to try."
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude!"
At Hyang's words, the head merchant bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.
"I see... What did you want to see me about?"
"Please sell the rickshaw!"
"The rickshaw? Why?"
Hyang asked the head merchant with sparkling eyes.
'I can tell what kind of person he is!'
Whether knowing Hyang's mind or not, the head merchant explained the reason in a calm voice.
"The rickshaw Your Highness created is truly a useful tool. However, with just one, it can only be a rare spectacle. If at least twenty or more can be operated, it can become a new Hangsan (means of livelihood) for the people."
"Pass!"
"Yes?"
At Hyang's sudden shout, the head merchant asked with a bewildered expression, and Hyang quickly organized the situation.
"Ah, it's nothing. I think your opinion is good. However, this is not something I can permit on my own."
"Then..."
At Hyang's words, slight disappointment appeared on the head merchant's face. Seeing the head merchant's expression, Hyang added.
"To carry out what you said, His Majesty's approval is needed. However, with just what was said now, it will be difficult to get approval. Can you write a proper plan by this time tomorrow?"
"It is possible!"
At the head merchant's answer, Hyang concluded.
"Write a plan by this time tomorrow and come to Gyeongbokgung Palace. But!"
Hyang gave the head merchant a warning.
"If you're late, no matter how good the plan is, I won't accept it on my end. Do you understand why?"
"Of course! Because credit is the most important thing in business!"
"Then let's meet tomorrow. You may go."
"Yes! I will definitely come to Gyeongbokgung Palace tomorrow!"
After sending out Mal-bok and the head merchant, Hyang burst into laughter.
"Heh! Is a taxi appearing before a bus?"
* * *
Returning to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hyang immediately went to find Sejong and reported about the head merchant.
"Hmm... Do you think the head merchant's plan has a high probability of success?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Hmm..."
Stroking his beard and weighing this and that, Sejong looked at the ministers.
"I think it's a good thing that the means of livelihood where people can live a little more fully are increasing. What do you all think?"
At Sejong's question, Kim Jeom answered immediately.
"It is welcome! Being able to give the people more types of jobs is a good thing that can prevent the people's hunger!"
Starting with Kim Jeom, the ministers expressed their support.
When the ministers supported it, Sejong looked at Hyang.
"You said to come to Gyeongbokgung Palace tomorrow?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What kind of person did he seem like?"
"He seemed very useful."
At Hyang's answer, the ministers' eyes began to shine.
It had already been several years since the ministers were tormented by Sejong and Hyang. Thanks to that, they became skilled at catching the inner meaning even in such seemingly abstract conversations.
At Hyang's answer, Sejong concluded with an expression full of curiosity.
"Is that so? Then I'll have to see for myself tomorrow."
* * *
"I am Im Mo who came by order of His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Please wait."
The next day, the head merchant who arrived at Gyeongbokgung Palace reported to the gatekeeper. Before long, led by the eunuch who ran out from inside, the head merchant was taken into Geunjeongjeon.
"Are you Im Mo?"
"Yes. This humble merchant Im Mo bows to Your Majesty!"
Directly facing Sejong, the head merchant answered while sweating cold sweat and lying flat on the ground.
"Good. What is your name?"
"I am called Sun-uk!"
"Im Sun-uk, that's a good name. So, have you completed what the Crown Prince ordered?"
"Yes!"
Answering energetically, Sun-uk searched his sleeve and took out a scroll.
Receiving the scroll through the court attendant, Sejong slowly read the contents written on the scroll.
"Hmm... Oh... Hmm?"
Showing various reactions while reading the sentences, Sejong asked Sun-uk.
"Transportation for residents who are not financially well-off? What is this?"
"Yes. I heard that among the horses that recently came from the Western Regions, there are horses with incomparable size and strength. I propose making large carriages pulled by those horses and having people use them while moving along certain routes."
"A similar story existed in the court too. Using relay stations."
"That is for moving long distances, and what I wrote is for moving within Hanseong or cities."
"Moving only within Hanseong? Is there a need?"
At Sejong's question, Sun-uk explained the reason.
"People walking on two feet is slow. Therefore, many people rent houses near their workplaces. However, in most cases, they rent, which becomes a big burden. But if there is a means that can reduce that time even if it's a little farther, people can reduce the burden of rent."
"I see... It's not bad. Let the ministers see this scroll."
Nodding his head, Sejong handed the scroll to the court attendant.
While the ministers who received the scroll through the court attendant were reading the contents, Sejong asked Sun-uk.
"You passed the civil service examination?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"When did you take it?"
"20 years ago."
"Really? What was your ranking?"
"I received the rank of Eul-gwa (4th~10th place) in the second examination."
At Sun-uk's answer, the ministers stopped reading the scroll and fixed their gaze on Sun-uk. The ministers' eyes were full of greed.
"Oh? So you were a talent. Ministers, listen. I think Im Sun-uk's plan is worth executing."
"It is so!"
"Crown Prince, listen."
"Yes."
"Coordinate Sun-uk's plan with the Minister of Personnel."
"I will obey the command."
When Hyang bowed his head, Kim Jeom shouted in a loud voice.
"His Majesty's grace is overwhelming!"