Chapter 197: The Beginning of Spring. (2)
"Then, let us review the construction plans once more."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
At Sejong's command, the Minister of Works signaled to the officials standing behind him.
A short while later, a Works Bureau Commander who had set up a large hanging chart bowed respectfully to Sejong.
"Please begin."
"I humbly receive your command."
The Works Bureau Commander, having paid his respects to Sejong, bowed politely toward the ministers and then began to speak.
"I will now report on the road paving plan scheduled to begin this year."
'Why does that BGM sound so familiar?'
It was Hyang's feeling that he was hearing a BGM that had been used as weather forecast background music and was familiar to generations of listeners.
The Works Bureau Commander, having paid his respects politely, turned the placards with a long pointer.
*Flip!*
"The lines drawn on this map represent the main roads connecting Joseon's key regions."
"Hmm…."
"Oh ho~."
Sejong and the ministers, looking at the map, expressed their interest with nasal sounds.
The road network drawn on the map was a masterpiece created after much deliberation by the Ministry of Works officials who had forgotten to leave work.
To compose this road network, Ministry of Works officials had requested cooperation not only from the Ministry of Military Affairs but also from the research institute.
"Does this encompass all of Joseon?"
"That is correct."
The Works Bureau Commander answered politely to Sejong's question.
Red solid lines representing the road network were drawn along the outer edges of the Korean peninsula.
To the north, they followed the Amnok River and Duman River, and in other parts, the red solid lines continued along the coastline.
Internally, red lines were drawn in an X pattern centered on Hanseong.
The Works Bureau Commander continued his explanation, pointing to the red solid lines with his pointer.
"First, we will begin with the northeast direction. The northeast road starts from Heungin Gate in Hanseong, passes through Pocheon and Cheorwon, and arrives at Wonsan. After that, from Wonsan to Nokdun Island, we plan to construct an outer road along the coastline."
"Then can we consider Wonsan as the true starting point of the northeast direction?"
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
"What is the reason for selecting Wonsan?"
At Sejong's question, the Works Bureau Commander turned the map to the next page.
On the next page, an enlarged map of Wonsan was drawn.
"As you can see, Wonsan is a naturally blessed fine harbor. This long protruding Wonsan Peninsula protects ships from high waves. When developing the virgin lands of the east in the future, we will need to transport supplies by road, but ships will play the largest role. Therefore, we selected Wonsan, which has the best location as a port, as the starting point."
"I see. I understand."
Once Sejong understood, the Works Bureau Commander continued his explanation.
The Works Bureau Commander continued with his fluent speaking skills. Thanks to his concise yet easy-to-understand explanation, Sejong and the ministers could quickly grasp the content.
"That commander seems more needed in the Ministry of Rites than in the Ministry of Works."
"I think the Ministry of Personnel would be better than the Ministry of Rites."
As the ministers of each ministry began to subtly covet him, pleased with the commander's fluent speaking skills, the Minister of Works initiated a complete blockade.
"Don't even dream of it until I die and enter my coffin."
"Tch!"
At the Minister of Works' firm response, the other ministers could only click their tongues.
* * *
The smoothly flowing explanation stopped at the 'Mungyeong Saejae' section.
"Why must we pass through Joryeong at Mungyeong? I have heard and well know that the terrain of Joryeong is rugged. Is this not a wrongly chosen route?"
At Sejong's point, the commander explained the reason.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The routes coming up from Dongnae to Hanseong can be largely viewed as four. One is crossing Mungyeong Saejae, selected as the main road. Another is Hwaryeong, which shares the same path to Sangju but passes through Boeun and Chungju. The third is the path through Chupungnyeong, called the Left Road, and the fourth is crossing Jungnyeong, called the Right Road."
"I know that as well. State the reason."
The commander took a moment to catch his breath before speaking.
"Yes. The reason we did not select the Left and Right Roads is largely because they require significant detours. The Right Road was excluded because Jungnyeong's terrain is as rugged as Joryeong, and one must pass through the Danyang Gorge. Chupungnyeong on the Left Road has a low pass. However, it requires an even larger detour, and was likewise excluded due to the Geumgang Gorge. The Hwaryeong road is somewhat better, but was excluded because it still requires detouring through Boeun and Cheongju."
However, Sejong continued to raise issues.
"Very well. I understand that the road passing through Joryeong is the shortest distance. But how will you resolve the rugged terrain of Joryeong?"
At Sejong's question, the commander turned the chart's paper.
On the next paper, a road drawn in a winding pattern like the character '之' was depicted.
"We call this road form the 'Snake-winding Road.'"
"Just as the name suggests, it's like a path a snake has slithered through. Is there a reason for making it this way?"
"Yes. While the overall moving distance certainly increases, it requires less force, making it suitable for climbing rugged passes."
"Is this certain?"
At Sejong's question, the commander nodded.
"Yes. Researchers at the research institute confirmed the results while constructing the path on Mokmyeoksan (Namsan) located in Area 51."
At the commander's answer, Sejong and the ministers' gazes focused on Hyang.
'Is it you again?'
'Is it the Crown Prince again?'
As the gazes gathered, Hyang spoke with an embarrassed voice.
"The path to Mokmyeoksan was a bit rugged, so I conducted research on it."
"Report it properly."
"I did report it... but?"
"…."
Sejong, momentarily pausing at Hyang's answer, soon changed his expression and commanded the commander.
"Very well. Since the results have already been confirmed, I will not raise further objections. However, considering Joseon's winters, the terrain of Joryeong is dangerous. Also proceed with the development of a bypass using Hwaryeong. Though it will require additional time and budget, if we consider the safety of the people, this is absolutely necessary."
"We humbly receive your command!"
The Minister of Works and the commander answered in one voice.
Behind them, Ministry of Works officials took out paper and brushes to record Sejong's additional orders.
Next to be pointed out was the road network to be constructed along the Amnok River, Duman River, and the coastline.
"What is the reason for installing roads circling the outside like this?"
"Yes. Examining our Joseon's terrain, two-thirds are mountains. Crossing these mountains is the greatest difficulty. Therefore, to move north-south in Joseon, taking a boat was the best option. However, water transport requires large scale, making it difficult for the common people to use easily. But if we create roads along the coast and riverbanks like this, movement can be more convenient."
"Hmm…."
At the commander's explanation, Sejong stroked his beard and calculated the gains and losses.
"But won't this take too long?"
At Sejong's point, the commander moved to the next page. On the next page, many blue lines were drawn on the Korean peninsula map.
"These are auxiliary roads connecting to the main roads. If we link these well, we can minimize time loss."
The commander immediately moved to the next page.
On the next page, red lines and blue lines were interwoven, connecting all of Joseon in a complex web.
"It seems fine but…."
Sejong, looking at the drawing, could not hide his expression of regret.
"Can we not reduce the time consumed for movement a bit more?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang stepped forward.
"There is one method. But it is impossible right now."
"What method is it?"
"It is digging tunnels through mountains to create roads."
"Why is that impossible? Aren't we already digging tunnels in mountains to mine ore?"
"The scale is different. In mines, the size is for one or two people to enter, but for use as roads, at least one to two carts must pass. To dig a tunnel that large requires too much time, cost, and manpower."
At Hyang's answer, Sejong was disappointed.
Hyang, who used to whine for budget every time he came, was saying it couldn't be done because of budget.
"Seeing you make an issue of the budget, it must truly be impossible."
"With Joseon's current technological level, it is very difficult. However, if a bit more time passes, it will not be entirely impossible."
At Hyang's words, Sejong smiled faintly.
"That is somewhat comforting."
After continued explanations and Q&A, several additions were made.
"It seems the necessary matters have roughly been decided, so proceed as is."
"We humbly receive your command."
"This is an important matter that will invigorate Joseon, so I hope everyone will do their utmost."
"We will faithfully carry out your command!"
With this meeting, Joseon's land transportation began to evolve.
* * *
As soon as Sejong's approval fell, road construction began throughout Joseon.
Roads began to be developed from Hanseong in all four directions. Simultaneously, in the north at Anju, Wonsan, and Nokdun Island, and in the south at Mokpo and Dongnae, roads began to be laid toward Hanseong.
Once the first phase of X-shaped roads was completed, the next step was the outer circular road.
As road construction began throughout Joseon, countless people began to move.
Laborers participating in the construction, those supervising them, and merchants selling all kinds of goods targeting the money the laborers earned, and gisaeng moved.
"The world is changing!"
"Indeed it is. It seems a better world might come if things go well."
"A better world will come. His Majesty is such a sage king."
"Yes! A sage king has emerged!"
Filled with vitality in all directions, the people began to hold uncertain hope.
However, not everyone was pleased.
Petitions opposing the road construction began to pour into the court from opponents.
Their contents were largely similar.
"Though the road in the small one's town is narrow and rough, there is no difficulty in people and goods coming and going.
Yet now, saying they will create new roads, construction has begun - how is this not a grievous matter?
Mobilizing wealth and people for unnecessary work is grievous, and prostitutes and gamblers are flocking to target the men gathered at the construction site, defiling the town's purity - how is this not grievous?
Finally, wide roads are harmful to national defense - how is this not grievous?
If enemies rush in through well-paved roads, they will sweep through like a storm.
Therefore, the construction must be stopped…."
Sejong, reading the petition, irritably folded it and pushed it aside.
"These sadaebu types know only one thing and not two! Can such people call themselves learned!"
As Sejong burst out in anger, Hyang wore a bitter smile.
'Something similar happened just before the Imjin War, didn't it?'
* * *
Just before the Imjin War, though they had concluded that 'the Japanese army would not invade,' following the principle of preparedness, they had begun repairing castles in various places.
As soon as these repair works began, petitions opposing the repairs were submitted, mostly with the following content:
- Though the moat of the castle protecting our town is narrow, no one can leap across it.
Though the castle wall is low, even the most agile cannot easily climb it.
In this situation, mobilizing the people for repairs is unnecessary work and tyrannical rule, so it should be stopped immediately.
* * *
'And when the Imjin War broke out, what happened? They were all swept away, weren't they?'
Recalling those who opposed with narrow views, Hyang spoke to Sejong with a bitter expression.
"Father. These people seem not to trust Your Majesty."
"Me?"
"What they oppose is because they do not trust our Joseon's military. Does this not mean they do not trust Your Majesty's insight, who commands that military?"
"That would be the case…."
Sejong, nodding at Hyang's words, looked at Hyang and grinned fiercely.
"If you weren't the Crown Prince, you would have become the greatest sycophant. You are truly a frightening fellow."
At Sejong's assessment, the ministers unconsciously nodded. Hyang's appearance, having just driven those who submitted petitions into being disloyal with just a few words, was frightening to the point of fear.
The historian, recording all of this, added the following:
- The historian says:
The Crown Prince's eloquence is so excellent it is frightening.
When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the ministers must be careful with their words.