Chapter 49: Rejoicing in Obsession, Weeping in Obsession. (14)
"What is that rascal up to these days...?"
Sejong, who had been taking a brief rest after reviewing state affairs with his ministers, murmured while gazing out the window. The 'rascal' Sejong referred to was Hyang.
* * *
After taking away people, buildings, and a not-insignificant budget, Hyang rarely showed his face at the main palace.
"May I be excused from this afternoon's lecture?"
"Is it something you absolutely must attend to?"
"Yes."
"...Very well."
At Hyang's firm answer, Sejong granted permission after some deliberation.
As soon as Sejong's permission was given, Hyang began moving busily with the people he had gathered.
The problem was that while he was busy moving about, he didn't announce what he was doing. No, he did announce it.
"I am conducting research for the livelihood of Joseon's people and Joseon's national defense. However, there is a problem."
"A problem?"
"It takes some time to document the mathematical knowledge and experience as written materials."
"Is that so? Hmm..."
Sejong, who had been silently watching Hyang for a while, nodded.
"I, your father and Crown Prince, trust you."
"Your Majesty's trust. I will absolutely not disappoint you."
A few days after the Mid-Autumn Festival had passed, Hyang and Jeongcho made an announcement in the presence of Sejong and the gathered ministers.
"This is what I and the research institute's officials have researched."
"Very well, what is it?"
"Mathematical formulas to adjust the Niantong (Year Calendar) brought from Ming to suit our Joseon."
"Oh?"
Sejong and the ministers showed interest at Hyang's announcement. With the eyes of Sejong and the ministers all upon him, Hyang continued his presentation.
"You will remember the Gusiknye (Salvation Ritual) from a few years ago. Due to the Seoun-gwan's mistake at the time, the timing was off, and the official in charge, Lee Cheon-bong, was flogged. Your Majesty will remember this as well."
At Hyang's pointed remark, Sejong nodded.
"I remember."
The incident in question had occurred in the 4th year of Sejong's reign.
On the afternoon of the 1st day of the 1st month in the 4th year of Sejong, a solar eclipse had been predicted. According to precedent, Sejong and the ministers wore simple white clothing and prepared for the Gusiknye. However, the eclipse began one gak (about 15 minutes) later than the time the Seo Gwan had predicted. Because of this, Lee Cheon-bong, who had been in charge of the eclipse forecast, was flogged.
Using this past incident as an example, Hyang continued his explanation.
"The reason such an outrageous event occurred at that time was because China's calendar did not match our Joseon. To correct this, I have researched mathematical formulas to revise the calendar system."
Hyang, who had stopped speaking, gestured to the eunuchs standing behind him. Upon seeing Hyang's gesture, the eunuchs distributed thick books to Sejong and the ministers.
"Calendar Revision Mathematics 1st Layer? Very straightforward indeed."
"If necessary, I am also considering renaming it."
Reading the title, Sejong opened the book and examined its contents. Mathematical formulas for adjusting the solar terms written in Ming's calendar system to fit Joseon's circumstances were recorded in complex detail.
"This is good. It will be helpful in many ways."
"As you can see from the title, it is not yet a completed version."
At Hyang's words, Sejong examined the title and contents again, then looked at Hyang.
"Of course, the title is as you say. But looking at the contents, it seems already sufficiently usable?"
Sejong, who had his own considerable expertise in mathematics, highly evaluated the value of the formulas written in the book. However, Hyang shook his head.
"There are still many errors. What is written in the book now is only approximate figures. These must be corrected. Otherwise, errors will occur every year."
"However?"
At Hyang's answer, Sejong clicked his tongue in regret.
"Then I shall wait for a proper version. Work hard."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With his answer, Hyang once again shut himself in the research institute with his people.
After that, even with the end of the year right before them, there was no news. No, it wasn't complete silence.
He recruited those skilled in mathematics among the Huihui (Muslim) followers as Sanhak Hundos (Mathematics Instructors), increasing the number of people. Through the regular merchant caravans of the trading company established in Ming, he brought in the Datong Tonggui (Great Unity Comprehensive Orbit), Ming's calendar calculation book. He sent people throughout Joseon to measure the positions of stars. He was moving busily.
And every time he carried out such tasks, Hyang unfailingly wrote reports and submitted them to Sejong.
"Celestial observation instruments? What are these?"
"Exactly as the words say, instruments for observing celestial bodies."
"The report is a bit scant?"
At Sejong's pointed remark, Hyang glanced at the historians and ministers, then answered in a small voice.
"I will submit a separate report later. Externally, this level is appropriate."
"Hmm?"
Sejong, thinking deeply about what Hyang's answer implied, sighed.
"Hoo~. I understand what you mean."
That night, Sejong ascended the pavilion alone and sighed while looking toward the Eastern Palace.
"Hoo~. Because this father and this nation lack strength, you bear a heavy burden."
The celestial observation instruments Hyang mentioned were the Hocheon-ui (Armillary Sphere), the Dagan-ui (Large Simplified Armillary), and the Sogan-ui (Small Simplified Armillary). To create these instruments, Jang Yeong-sil and the artisans forgot sleep and immersed themselves in the work.
Until those results emerged, the research institute's officials traveled throughout the country with observation instruments brought in officially or through smuggling from Ming.
However, the reason Hyang did not report all of this in detail was because of diplomatic relations with Ming. Observing astronomy could become a major diplomatic issue considering the tributary relationship with Ming. For this reason, the calendar system was also expressed not as 'using an independent calendar' but as 'correcting the calendar bestowed by Ming.' The celestial observation instruments were also reported simply as celestial observation devices. This was a scheme Hyang employed to ensure that even if Ming later raised objections, no direct harm would come to Sejong.
Knowing why Hyang had done this, Sejong sighed.
* * *
For that reason, he was suppressing his curiosity, but what Sejong was truly curious about was the military field.
After reporting that he had dragged in Lee Cheon and Choi Hae-san to develop new chongtongs (cannons), Hyang stopped submitting reports.
"Why does the Crown Prince not submit reports?"
"It is an extremely secretive matter, so please grant me a little more time."
"You know well that without reports, it is difficult to execute the budget?"
"Please give me a little more time. And since the subject has come up, if you could add a little more to the budget..."
"You rascal!"
Even though Sejong expressed such anger, Hyang remained silent until the end. It wasn't just Hyang. Choi Hae-san and Lee Cheon were the same.
No matter how much Sejong and the ministers coaxed and cajoled, the two men's sealed lips would not open.
"I suppose I must wait until that rascal reveals it."
Sejong forcibly suppressed his curiosity, but the work Hyang was undertaking was growing in scale.
Due to major incidents occurring in Ming and among the Jurchens, Sejong accelerated the speed of the military reforms he had been planning.
As part of that reform, the existing Hunryeon-gwan was expanded into the Hunryeon-won, and Hyang requested support from Sejong.
"You ask me to support the military officers and soldiers of the Hunryeon-won? Why?"
"I need people who will actually handle the newly created weapons."
"Hmm..."
Sejong, looking at Hyang with narrowed eyes, made an expression of resignation.
"Tch! It can't be helped. I permit it."
"And if you could add a little more to the budget..."
"You rascal! Get out!"
And so, a considerable number of military officers and soldiers belonging to the Hunryeon-won were selected and assigned to Hyang. Having received such manpower support, Hyang built a training ground for them to train, located southeast of where the Gungigam was, beneath the foot of Namsan.
The interesting thing was that the military officers and soldiers assigned there also had their lips tightly sealed.
Among the selected military officers and soldiers, there were certainly those who liked to gossip, but for some reason, regarding the work Hyang was doing, everyone kept their mouths firmly shut.
Furthermore, the area where those selected military officers and soldiers trained was surrounded by high and dense wooden palisades, with soldiers standing strict guard. From inside, hidden behind those barriers, loud explosions were heard every day.
Because of this, Sejong and the ministers, as well as all the residents of Hanyang, focused their attention on this forbidden place. The signboard hanging on the gate blocking the entrance to the training ground read 'Area 51.'
As time passed, rumors leaked out little by little - roughly 'an amazing chongtong has been developed,' 'a weapon of one against ten thousand, not just one against a hundred, is being created,' and so on. And along with those rumors, a new word became popular. That word was 'Game Changer.'
"Game Changer? What does that mean?"
"They say it is a term from the West."
At the attendant's answer reporting the rumor, Sejong nodded unconsciously.
"The Crown Prince, I see."
Having guessed the origin, Sejong looked at the clock. After checking the time, Sejong clicked his tongue.
"It is time for him to be at the Gungigam now."
* * *
While causing headaches for the Ministry of Taxation with various undertakings, it was not easy for Sejong or the ministers to say anything to Hyang. Both Sejong and the ministers were suffering from heavy workloads, but Hyang's work intensity was also formidable.
Regardless of whether it was summer or winter, he woke at Myosi-jeong (exactly 6 AM), always attended morning lectures, and received martial arts training in the afternoon. For the rest of the time, he handled work moving between the research institute, the Gungigam, and Area 51. To reduce travel time, Hyang started riding horses, and the procession of Hyang and his guards moving busily on horseback became a new attraction of Hanyang.
Ending such a busy day, the time Hyang went to bed was Hasi-mal (just before midnight). Before creating the research institute, he had slept even later than that, so Sejong and Queen Soheon rather liked it.
"I was worried because you weren't sleeping enough before, so this is fortunate!"
"Indeed it is."
Whether knowing this situation or not, Hyang measured his height every day before bed, leaning against the doorframe. Seeing his height growing day by day, Hyang was satisfied.
"I'm in a proper growth spurt, so I need to sleep well! And on that note... horseback riding is helpful in many ways?"
The ministers also welcomed this upright daily life of Hyang, because the one who had always given them headaches, like a thorn in their side, was gone.
Of course, for important events like those in the latter half of the Gapjin year, Hyang faithfully visited the pyeonjeon (private council hall), but that was welcome. However, as the end of the year approached, the ministers too found it hard to suppress their curiosity.
Because immediately after the Mid-Autumn Festival, among those who had become so tight-lipped, the Naegeumwi (Royal Guard) was included.
Regarding the Naegeumwi, Sejong also seemed to know something, but he too kept his mouth shut.
"Your Majesty! I believe we must verify the results of the work His Highness the Crown Prince has been conducting recently."
"That is correct! The funds flowing into His Highness the Crown Prince's research institute are not small. We must verify whether the budget is being used properly."
Finally, entering the twelfth month, the ministers rose up in protest.
At the sight of the united ministers, Sejong nodded.
"I agree. Summon the Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
* * *
A short while later, a horse carrying a seonjeongwan (royal messenger) kicked off from Gwanghwamun.
About half a shijin later, Hyang entered the pyeonjeon, steadying his quickened breathing. After paying respects to Sejong and taking his seat, Sejong spoke.
"I am well aware that since last spring, you have been undertaking many tasks. Among them, I know well that there are matters that have shown good results, such as the calendar corrections, though incomplete. To show such results at a young age is truly worthy of praise."
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude."
At Sejong's praise, Hyang bowed deeply.
"However, the praise ends there. Aside from that, there have been many other matters, but neither I nor the ministers have received proper reports. This differs from the promise you first made to me and the ministers. What did you write in the plan you submitted when you first created the research institute? Did you not say that all expenses used in the research institute would be thoroughly disclosed?"
"I am deeply apologetic. However, because it was work that had to be kept strictly confidential..."
"Is there a secret you must keep even from me and the ministers?"
"Because it concerned our Joseon's national defense, I had to maintain maximum confidentiality until the completed product emerged. Because of unforeseen possibilities."
"Hmm..."
At Hyang's answer, Sejong fell into thought for a moment. Looking at Hyang who was prostrated, Sejong spoke.
"I cannot continue executing the budget based solely on your words, using secrecy as the reason. Even if it is an intermediate process, an audit must be conducted. Because we must avoid wasting precious budget on futile endeavors. Therefore, I will conduct an audit of the work you are carrying out. How much time do you need for preparation?"
After calculating for a moment at Sejong's question, Hyang answered.
"Please grant me five days."
"Very well. Five days from now, I will conduct a full-scale audit."