Chapter 73: People (6)
"If only I had exactly two bodies, no more, no less."
With the coming of the Eulsa year, Hyang found himself making this complaint more frequently.
Even Hyang felt that there truly was much more work to do.
And behind this busyness stood Sejong.
To be precise, Sejong's 'proxy purchasing' was the problem.
"I heard the Jin Dynasty created their own writing system..."
"Mongol also had its own separate script, did it not?"
"Since you're at it, try to obtain some scripts from Tianzhu as well."
"I need some records regarding Hyangchal. I need to understand where the rules for using Idu originated."
"...Yes, Father."
Each time Sejong made a purchase request, Hyang had to twist things this way and that to procure the books.
"To understand the behavior of the Jurchen people, I need to understand the military system of the Jin Dynasty established by them. Please procure relevant texts. If possible, please prioritize those recorded in Jin script first."
"I wish to learn about Northern Yuan, so please obtain records of its predecessor, the Yuan Dynasty. Since records written by Ming may be biased, please prioritize those written in Mongolian if possible, and also obtain commentaries together with them."
"They say Tianzhu has developed mathematics considerably. Could you procure some relevant texts?"
"I need to examine texts on mathematics written by our ancestors. Please procure some."
"Regarding the texts you procured last time. Idu was used quite extensively. Could you possibly obtain records regarding Hyangchal?"
It didn't end with just obtaining books by twisting things this way and that.
While the actual destination was Sejong, the outwardly listed recipient was Hyang.
Therefore, Hyang had to understand the contents of the texts with a bitter heart.
This was because of the questions occasionally thrown by the ministers who were like old ginger.
"Your Highness, I heard you obtained some unusual texts recently? I too am interested in foreign texts, may I know what contents they contain?"
"Ah, I am still organizing them. Many books came in together."
"Is that so? I heard the price of those books was quite substantial..."
Sensing an attempt to subtly pressure him about the source of funds, Hyang immediately countered.
"Hahaha! That is why my pockets are always empty. Unlike some people, I have no connection with gifts."
"I-is that so? Ahem! Ahem!"
For this reason, Hyang unwillingly had to learn not only phonology but also additional foreign languages.
Hyang's suffering did not end here.
He had no choice but to open the library created for the purpose of laundering sources and for reference.
"The books are decreasing quite a bit?"
"His Majesty the King has taken them."
"Is that so?"
Listening to the eunuch's answer, Hyang surveyed the empty spaces in the library.
'He could have just taken the phonology books, why the mathematics books... Is Father also laundering sources?'
'The library at the East Palace is full of amazing texts!'
'Even His Majesty borrows several volumes at a time!'
Those whose hearts burned at such rumors were the officials of the research institute.
"I wish to see more advanced mathematical texts..."
"I wish to see the original Western texts about city planning that I am currently tasked with..."
The officials who could not overcome their desires submitted a joint petition to Hyang.
"Tsk! It can't be helped! It's annoying to write them out separately one by one. With the volume secured so far, the source laundering is somewhat done anyway."
Having made his decision, Hyang immediately requested permission to build a separate annex at the East Palace.
"Would it not be fine to just remodel the rooms of the East Palace as we are doing now?"
"I also need space for my private life."
"It is quite convenient to visit as it is now."
"Father, to hide a tree, one must hide it in the forest."
At Hyang's final words, Sejong granted the request.
Thanks to gathering skilled master builders in large numbers, another annex was quickly completed.
Once the building was completed, Hyang moved most of the texts he possessed to that place, except for a few volumes he absolutely needed to keep.
"Well... I've moved everything, but if a fire breaks out once, it will be the end."
Worried about fire, Hyang immediately took action.
He placed buckets filled with sand at regular intervals, and dug a small pond outside the annex.
Having finished all preparations, Hyang made a request to Sejong.
"Please give it a name."
"A name..."
After pondering, Sejong picked up a brush instead of the golden tablet and wrote a name on the paper.
'Jipjiwon (集智院)'
"Books contain knowledge. Your library contains not only our Joseon's texts but also those from the far West, so is it not a place where all the world's knowledge gathers? The name Jipjiwon would be most fitting."
"I am overwhelmed by your grace!"
With the plaque engraved with Sejong's handwriting hung, Jipjiwon began its operations in earnest.
The main tasks of Jipjiwon were the management and circulation of texts.
There were differences in borrowing texts: Hyang and Sejong, as owners of the texts, had no time limit; royal family members up to ten days; officials belonging to the research institute five days; and officials from other departments three days.
Furthermore, after returning a text, immediate re-borrowing was prohibited to prevent one person from monopolizing a text.
While creating rules regarding borrowing, what Hyang worried about was the 'royal family.'
"Will there be any royals who come all the way here to borrow books? But, I don't know about the distant future, so it wouldn't be bad to prepare in advance."
The one who visited most frequently as Jipjiwon began operating in earnest was Sejong.
"These are texts that the Crown Prince referenced, so I too shall reference them."
Saying this, among the five or six volumes taken out at a time, texts related to language were always tucked in.
"Since all the texts are in their original languages, there is a need for translation..."
Sejong, making such excuses every time the ministers saw him, borrowed linguistics texts with a natural expression.
* * *
With Jipjiwon and the research institute all established around the East Palace, people came and went busily around the East Palace.
This busy scene caught Yu's attention.
"Why are there so many people at the East Palace?"
Yu, now just entering his eighth year, was trying to behave with increasing dignity.
At Yu's question, the Royal Prince's Tutor answered simply.
"It is because His Highness the Crown Prince does many things."
"My brother?"
Tilting his head, Yu asked the Royal Prince's Tutor.
"May I go take a look?"
At Yu's request, the Royal Prince's Tutor weighed the possibilities.
'He is a prince with a very active personality, and there are many things in the research institute that would be serious if tampered with... But, perhaps he could be stimulated there and become interested in learning? In the current situation, I must make him interested in learning, even if it's not Confucian classics but miscellaneous studies!'
Having decided, the Royal Prince's Tutor answered Yu.
"I shall ask His Majesty the King."
Hearing the Royal Prince's Tutor's request, Sejong asked him.
"Many of the devices in the research institute are precise and should not be touched carelessly. Will Yu not meddle with them?"
Sejong asked this knowing well that Yu was wild and reckless.
In response to Sejong's question, the Royal Prince's Tutor answered with a firm voice.
"I will personally attend to His Highness the Prince's side."
"Hmm..."
At the Royal Prince's Tutor's words, Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought. After pondering this way and that for a while, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"Very well. Tell the Crown Prince to set a date."
"I am overwhelmed by your grace!"
Upon contact from the Royal Prince's Tutor in charge of Yu's instruction, Hyang set a date and sent a reply.
"I am overwhelmed by your grace, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
"It's not that much... Thank you for paying attention to Yu's instruction."
At Hyang's commendation, the Royal Prince's Tutor recalled his hardships and shed tears.
"I am overwhelmed, Your Highness! Sob!"
"Hey! A full-grown man shedding tears so easily! Stop!"
A strange situation was created where a young child comforted a middle-aged man with a full white beard.
* * *
On the appointed date, Yu visited the research institute with the Royal Prince's Tutor.
"Your Highness, are you well?"
"Yes, it's been a while for you too. I'm sorry I haven't been able to see you often even though we live in the same palace, as I've been busy."
"Not at all, Your Highness."
At Hyang's words, Yu quickly shook his head.
From Yu's perspective, Princess Jeonghye and Hyang were the same.
- People who exhaust the mind and body if seen often.
This was Yu's feeling toward Princess Jeonghye and Hyang.
Nevertheless, Yu could not help but be interested in the devices said to be in the secret area.
Having entered the research institute, Yu saw the display stands made in the corridor and opened his mouth as if his jaw would drop.
"Wow~ Wow~."
Seeing all sorts of mysterious devices, Yu repeated the words "Wow~."
In particular, at the place where models of sailing ships and ships of the line were displayed, he stopped like a village guardian post and couldn't move his feet.
"He really is a child..."
Seeing Yu looking around excitedly, Hyang made a comment, and everyone nearby looked at Hyang with absurd expressions.
'What about you?'
This was what everyone present commonly thought.
* * *
Yu, who had forcibly moved his reluctant feet, arrived at the room that had surprised even Sejong.
"Your Highness, what is this room?"
"This is the room with Joseon's geographical model and the train model."
"Geographical model? Train model? Tutor, what are those?"
At Yu's question, the Royal Prince's Tutor also answered with an embarrassed expression.
"I too do not know that well..."
"It is originally a confidential place, so there are many who do not know. Especially since you have come, Yu, I am showing it. Open the door."
"Yes, Your Highness."
At Hyang's command, the eunuch opened the room's door.
As the sliding door opened, the first thing that entered Yu's eyes was the massive object occupying the center of the room.
Because he was still a young child, Yu could not see what was on the platform.
"Bring a stand."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Wow!"
Standing on the stand brought by the eunuchs, Yu exclaimed at the geographical model created on the platform.
It was a truly amazing sight Yu was seeing for the first time in his life.
"Is this Joseon?"
"It is a rough approximation of Joseon's land and rivers. It is not accurate."
"Wow."
Seeing Yu just repeatedly saying 'Wow~', Hyang smiled slightly.
'That's how children are when they go to an amusement park.'
Watching Yu with his mouth wide open uttering the exclamation "Wow," Hyang saw the Royal Prince's Tutor standing next to Yu and tightly clenched his fist behind his back.
It was to hold back laughter that threatened to burst out at the sight of the Royal Prince's Tutor also looking around with his mouth wide open just like Yu.
"Your Highness, but what is this road here?"
Pointing at the railroad, Yu asked, and Hyang answered immediately.
"It is the road where trains run. It is called a railroad."
"Railroad?"
"Eunuch."
"Yes, Your Highness."
At Hyang's command, the eunuchs brought the model locomotive and passenger cars displayed on one side and placed them on the railroad. After connecting the locomotive, passenger cars, and freight cars, the eunuchs pushed alcohol-filled fuel into the locomotive and lit it.
"Wait a little."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yu, who was showing impatience while waiting for the water to boil, became calm at Hyang's words.
Whistle!
Hearing the signal that sufficient pressure had built up, Hyang released the lever to make the locomotive move.
"Oh... oh!"
At the sight of the locomotive moving, Yu couldn't even utter an exclamation and just became like a stone statue.
Just standing there with his mouth open, Yu's breathing began to quicken as he watched the model locomotive running on the railroad.
"Haa~ Haa~."
"Yu?"
Seeing Yu's strange symptoms, Hyang called him, but Yu just breathed heavily and stared blankly at the train's movement.
Seeing Yu like that, Hyang suddenly felt something.
'Don't tell me! Enlightenment!'
The model locomotive, pulling the model passenger car and freight car while spouting steam, circled the large geographical model twice before stopping as the water ran out.
When the locomotive stopped, the eunuchs removed the model locomotive and trains from the railroad.
Watching the model locomotive safely placed back on the display stand after the lamp was removed, Yu hurriedly turned to look at Hyang.
"B-brother! No! Your Highness, Your Highness! Does something that looks like that actually move?"
Just from the address, one could tell that Yu was beside himself.
"That is an object made to demonstrate the theory, so the actual thing has a different shape."
At Hyang's gesture, the eunuchs brought the model locomotives displayed on one side.
Four types of locomotive models, ranging from ones similar to Stephenson's Locomotion to steam locomotives familiar from movies and dramas, were made by Hyang's order after Sejong's visit.
However, unlike what Sejong and Yu had seen, these models did not move—they were literally just models.
Hyang explained, pointing in order starting from the Locomotion.
"As mathematics and technology develop, it will gradually progress from this side to this side."
"Wow~."
"Once these locomotives and trains are completed and railroads are laid, the eight provinces of Joseon will become a day's journey."
"Wow~!"
At Hyang's explanation, Yu's mouth grew wider and wider.
After listening to the explanation and looking at the model locomotives, Yu spoke to Hyang.
"Your Highness! I want to do it! Making this locomotive!"
But Hyang immediately shook his head.
"You can't."
"Why not!"
"You don't study, do you?"
At Hyang's definitive statement, Yu's face became tearful.
Seeing Yu's face, Hyang explained in more detail.
"To create this device called a locomotive, not only many skilled artisans are needed, but also many brilliant mathematicians.
Simply looking at our research institute, passing the small examination is basic, and there are quite a few who have passed the major examination.
Of course, the classics and mathematics may not seem related. But will someone who doesn't study properly because Confucian studies are boring do well in mathematics?"
"Hnnng..."
At Hyang's stern words, tears began to well up in Yu's eyes.
"You are of the rank of a prince. If you get involved in this work, you will have to start from a position where you bear some responsibility. If both Confucian studies and mathematics are in a mess, will you be treated properly? Will you just cry and throw tantrums like you do now?"
"Sob! N-no!"
"Confucian studies are a study you must learn basically, and at the same time, it is a study that mediates between people. If you want to be involved in this massive work, study properly first!"
"Sob!"
At Hyang's stern words, Yu wiped his tears with his sleeve and asked.
"Then, if I study hard, can I do this work?"
"If you have the ability!"
"I will surely meet Your Highness's expectations!"
"......."
At the sight of Yu shouting with eyes gleaming with desire, Hyang flinched and muttered.
'W-what, that's scary!'
After that, Yu's behavior changed completely.
He studied Confucianism with a serious attitude and never missed martial arts training.
And after requesting from Hyang, he spent time in the room with the train model whenever he could, firming his resolve, and unknowingly began to fall into the path of a train enthusiast.
"Haa~ Haa~. Trains really are the best~."
Of course, he occasionally said such things that made the eunuchs nervous.
After Yu changed like that, this time Yong caused problems.