1592 The Empire We All Dreamed of - Chapter 333



Only Krnovel

1592 The Empire Everyone Dreamed of (333)

Purification

The iron horse ran, emitting white steam.

Choo choo choo, bang, bang, beep.

Rattle rattle.

After leaving Chahohan, the train picked up speed and then slowed down as it approached the Solbin downtown area. The eight luggage compartments were filled with coal and scrap iron.

“Every time, an iron horse runs.”

“Wow.”

Children who had just finished school ran after the train.

Beep, beep, rattle rattle.

From the moment we entered the city center, we were followed by patrol cavalry.

Drumroll, drumroll.

“You guys, it’s dangerous. Stay further away.”

“Hahahaha. Run.”

The horses foamed at the mouth while the cavalry controlled the surroundings. Even in the midst of all this, the stamina of the joyful children was truly a miracle.

The railroad went through the city center and the outskirts of the port to Solbin Industrial Complex. A train loaded with coal and miscellaneous iron stopped with white steam.

Beep, squeak.

Rattling.

“The train has arrived.”

“Wait a moment. Stop completely and then I’ll connect the conversation.”

When the train stopped, the freight cars were separated first. Then, they were divided into coal and miscellaneous iron cars and each was placed on its own connecting track.

Soon, three or four Mongolian horses were connected to each cargo hold.

Hehehee.

“Wow, good. Okay, let’s go.”

Rattle rattle.

There were those who watched blankly as the Mongoma disappeared, dragging its cargo.

“Ha. What a pity. Even if there is a way, it can’t be used.”

“Brother Mindol. Isn’t there a better way?”

“Is there anything special about me? Rubber is not a material that we can use carelessly.”

Steam engines used pressure, so sealing was of the utmost importance. Mindol, as an air cylinder maker, knew this better than anyone. However, rubber was a strategic material.

“It doesn’t make sense to say that one run consumes 10 pounds of rubber.”

Senior researcher Ji-dong Ahn scratched his head nervously.

“But even if the heat consumption is severe, it is too severe.”

“Is this why you said the orbital path should be centered around a coal mine?”

“maybe?”

Senior researcher Lee Byeong-woo spat out the dog grass he had been chewing.

“Sir, when will the lightweight organization start?”

“Let’s think about it after your vacation is over.”

“What is a vacation? A vacation is when you can do whatever you want.”

“Right. Let the staff rest more and we can start with the design.”

Mindol smiled bitterly.

“You guys are sick. You’re like workaholics.”

“Hehehe. Look at the iron horse we made. Didn’t the king order us to carve our name on the head of the train?”

“They say our names will be on the elementary school textbooks too.”

“It is an honor for the family to have their name remembered by future generations.”

Someone was laughing.

“Where can you find a family as lowly as ours?”

“Solbin has no innate status.”

Mindol raised his hand and waved his index finger.

“There is a progenitor in our family who left behind great achievements. Have you already forgotten? His Majesty said that we are the progenitors of our family.”

“Oh.”

Those who had been lying on the roof of the research center rose one by one.

“Let’s do it. Shouldn’t we first decide on a direction?”

“I heard that the iron horse rolls the wheels with pushing and pulling force, and this time it’s a little different.”

Min-dol, who was nodding his head, started to cry.

“This time he told me to turn the pinwheel.”

“A pinwheel? What do you do with a pinwheel turned by steam?”

“He told me to move the boat.”

“A ship is powered by oars? If so, the structure of the iron horse can be applied as is.”

“Your Majesty said that a pinwheel would be more effective. To be exact, it has a slightly different shape from a pinwheel. Wait a minute, I’ll bring you a drawing of Your Majesty.”

As Mindol went down the roof, An Ji-dong frowned.

“Can a windmill push that big ship?”

“If it’s about pushing out water, it might be possible.”

“Tsk tsk tsk, they say it’s dark under the lamp, but you can’t see it even though it’s right in front of you? Look, what the pinwheel does.”

Kim Yong-seong pointed behind his back with his thumb.

There was a huge windmill turning there.

Squeak, creak.

As the force transmitted by the large windmill moved the gears and moved the latch up and down, about 100 hammers struck the hot iron ingot.

Ttadang, ttadang, ttadang, ttadang.

A scorching heat that put midsummer to shame swept through.

When shirtless men stepped on a stepping stone with a lump of iron in front of them, the hammer struck the iron on its own. It was a simple operation that mass-produced steel of consistent quality.

Profit.

When the forged iron was immersed in water, steam rose up in a rapid stream.

As a man pulled on the bar, the misaligned gears meshed and turned, causing molten iron to flow down the pipe from the red-hot furnace.

As a large roller passed over the molten iron that had pooled on the floor, it cooled and flattened in an instant.

Cheeeeek.

Ten plates of iron were created at a time with steam.

“We are producing 1,200 plates and 1,600 tracks per month. The ratio is flexible and 3 plates per track can be substituted.”

“It’s okay if inventory piles up. Just keep increasing the equipment.”

Jang Man-soo bowed his head.

“I hold the saying that iron is national strength as precious as gold.”

“If you have any problems, please let me know at any time.”

“Everyone is actively cooperating so there are no problems. However.”

“but?”

“As we have expanded our scale whenever we had the chance, these days we are able to see the Prime Minister’s every move.”

Jiwoo sighed at Jang Mansu’s grumbling.

“Isn’t this all because of my greed? I hope none of my people get hurt.”

“I understand it in my head, but my heart seems to be in a different realm.”

The reason human life is difficult is because of people.

A single word or action can unintentionally cause misunderstandings and exaggerate trivial matters. Perhaps I didn’t know that whether I did a good job or not was something that came afterward.

“I guess I’ll have to mention it at the next meeting.”

“I hope you mention it often. There is no reason for people working towards the same goal to clash with each other, right?”

“Good point. This is something a leader should step up to.”

As time passed, the age of the bureaucrats also increased. As a result of efforts to increase manpower, the working hours were reduced to less than five hours (10 hours).

But there was no other way to deal with the mental distress.

“As the Prime Minister said, I think it is enough to raise awareness that ‘we are one.’”

“What if a bonus is added to that?”

“Perhaps people’s hearts will become much more generous.”

Both people laughed.

As I left the steel mill and took off my thermal suit, the summer breeze felt cool.

At that time, the messenger delivered the document to Adjutant Kim Myeong-seop.

“This is a letter from the Governor-General of Taiwan.”

“I was waiting for you anyway.”

Jiwoo received the letter and opened it.

[I am so happy to report that we won the war against Spain last June. With this, Portugal withdrew to Hainan Island, and Holland returned Fort Zeelandia and moved to Macau. Among the spoils, gold and silver will be paid to the upper class through the Steel Bank, and the South Sea Navy took 90 galleons. In addition, it was agreed to impose a 3% tariff on Taiwanese waters in the future… … . We are planning to build a rubber tree plantation plant on Sumatra Island.]

“Hoo.”

As expected, it was the undefeated Yi Sun-sin. Yando was reaping the fruits of victory everywhere.

“In four or five years, the supply of rubber will become much easier.”

As the population grew and institutions became established, an economic structure was formed.

In the land of opportunity he created, many people were passionate about realizing their greed. On the one hand, there was a concern that foul play would become routine or that it would flow into materialism.

I wondered whether it would be possible to implement morality and justice in the midst of pursuing the interests of the erased.

“It’s times like these when we need a boring Confucian scholar.”

What was needed now was not a group of yangban prisoners with eyes blinded by corruption and wealth, but a true Confucian scholar.

Even while he was struggling, the industrial complex continued to operate.

Beep, squeak.

A train slowly moved along the distant tracks.

* * *

Good news was delivered to Jeongneung Palace where the rain had stopped.

“Your Majesty, Pastor Choi Gwang of Uiju has informed me that 100,000 seoks of rice that came from Andong (Dandong) are headed to Pyongyang.”

“Oh.”

“Goryeo has responded to Your Majesty’s request. Heaven has helped.”

The good news continued to pour in.

“It is said that 400,000 seok of beans and barley arrived in Anju ten days ago.”

“This is a report that 100,000 seoks of white rice and mixed grains have arrived in Ulsan by ship.”

Gwanghae looked relieved.

“Okay. How are you going to convey this to Jaemin Lee?”

“We plan to distribute it to the upper level under the supervision of the government office.”

Then the ministers began to murmur.

“It’s a shame that we have to rely on mere merchants.”

“Are you saying that the government office is short on manpower?”

“stop.”

Gwanghae hit the armrest.

“What honor can there be in a time of urgent need? It was the Sangdan who transported hundreds of thousands of seok across the border in the first place, and it was also the Sangdan who knew the fastest way to reach the people.”

“I am so grateful.”

“The role of the government in times of disaster is to look after the people. The officials should be faithful to the fundamentals, but never lose sight of the essence.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

The ministers all bowed in unison.

“Your Majesty, the Chief State Councilor Hong Jin reports. The grand official who went down to Andong two weeks ago confirmed that the local leader Lee Hyeop had drowned about ten slaves and commoners while coveting timber that had drifted down the river.”

“Oh, like that.”

“Huh. I never thought that would happen.”

It was a shameful and tragic thing that a nobleman who should have guided the people killed innocent people to satisfy his greed.

“They say the criminal is currently being transported with his family.”

“Okay.”

Gwanghae groaned.

The nobles, who should educate the people by following the teachings of the sages, are causing problems.

“Listen. During the Imjin War, the scholars who fought in the righteous army died in battle, and those who fled to save their lives settled in their hometowns. They exploit the people, and this is a disgrace to the nobles.”

“… … .”

The ministers bowed silently, as if they were too ashamed to bear the face.

“I will also sound an alarm to the nearby nobles who have turned a blind eye to this. I will temporarily close the Hyanggyo in Andong and order the nobles in the vicinity to be on guard.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider.”

Andong, Gyeongbuk, can be said to be the home of the Nam-in of Yeongnam, including the Andong Kim clan, Andong Jang clan, Andong Kwon clan, and Jinseong Lee clan. Closing the hyanggyo was no different from declaring war on the yangban society.

“This is like burning down a house to catch a flea. Please understand.”

“Please contact me.”

“I, Prime Minister Shin Ui-jeong Yu Seong-ryong, would like to report this. I believe that simply punishing the criminals will be enough to sound the alarm.”

“Left State Councillor Yun Geun-su reported. Gyeongbuk was the place where many righteous armies rose up during the last Imjin War. How can you punish the entire region for the mistake of one person?”

“Your Majesty, listen up.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“If the powerful do not keep each other in check, who will look after the powerless? It is also a great sin to turn a blind eye to the sins of one’s neighbor. And the Left State Councillor!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Is it a sin or not to turn a blind eye to the fact that one’s greed is defiling the homeland where the righteous army died for their country?”

“I am so grateful.”

“Truly, it is the scholars who save the country from troubles, and it is also the scholars who ruin the country. I am also a scholar, so we have a duty to be on guard against each other.”

The ministers held their breath at his words, which were so true in every detail.

“Order the Andong government office to temporarily close the Hyanggyo. Minister of War!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Send the training officer down. He should go and check if the school is closed.”

“omg.”

As Gwanghae moved his army, the gravity of the situation became apparent.

Jeong Hyeon-ryong bowed deeply.

“I will obey your command.”

“I will conclude the meeting here today.”

Gwanghae left Daejeon without even paying any attention to his ministers.

After the storm had passed, the remaining senior officials gathered by party and wentssiping.

“Huh. What the heck is this?”

“What should I do about this?”

“We must stop it. We must not turn the scholars of Yeongnam into enemies.”

“Who doesn’t know that? Your Majesty’s will is too firm. It’s completely different from how you have been valuing the opinions of your senior officials.”

“Your Majesty, please say something.”

Yoon Geun-soo closed his eyes without saying a word.

“… … .”

“Your Majesty!”

Everyone’s attention was focused on him, but his mouth would not open.

The next day, Andong local leader Lee Hyeop and his family were taken to the Saheonbu prison and locked up. The interrogation of the criminals began immediately, and screams occasionally leaked out of the prison.

That afternoon, 500 cavalrymen were dispatched to Andong under the command of Training Commander Lee Heung-rip.

It was a real treat.

* * *

Boom, bang, bang!

“Come here!”

Yean Hyanggyo (禮安鄕校) was built in the 15th year of King Taejong’s reign (1415) to educate the people. However, after the Imjin War, it was reduced to a place for local lords to gather.

Boom, bang, bang!

“Who are you? Please wait a moment.”

Squeak, rattle.

As the door opened, soldiers carrying planks and hammers rushed in.

“Oh my, what is this?”

“Bring them all out and seal the doors of each pavilion.”

“What is this? Where are these soldiers from that are being so rude?”

“Those who resist will be given a whip.”

“These guys, how dare they, ugh.”

“Eww.”

Here and there, drunkards rolled out into the yard.

It was a mess.