< Chapter 44: Laughing and Crying Over Fandom (9) - This is the end of the free chapter. >
Chapter 44: Laughing and Crying Over Fandom (9)
Hyang continued explaining to Jang Yeong-sil, who was buried in the design drawings.
"As you can see, I divided the 12-hour clock into halves, marked the initial segments, and then divided them again. So, the smallest unit is 2 keok (刻)."
"I understand."
"However, there's a problem. It's very difficult to connect this with a device that announces the time with sound. I would like you to try it once."
"But, His Majesty has given me an order..."
"Isn't it the same clock? Think of it as a warm-up before making the big one. And don't worry, I'll explain it to the King."
Hearing this, Jang Yeong-sil began to ponder. Seeing his serious face, Hyang silently prayed.
'Please ask, ask!'
Whether he understood Hyang's thoughts or not, Jang Yeong-sil finally spoke.
"To be honest, I really want to make the Prince's clock. But, there is His Majesty's strict order..."
"That problem! I'll solve it!"
Hyang quickly interrupted Jang Yeong-sil.
"Really? Really?"
"I'll solve the problem with the King! And, you said the calculations were difficult? Do you know someone who is good at it?"
Caught off guard by the sudden change, Jang Yeong-sil stammered.
"First, there's Jeong Choe, and Jeong In-ji, and I've heard that Yi Cheon is also good at arithmetic, and... and..."
"Stop! I got it. Keep that drawing well!"
"Really? Really? Your Highness? Your Highness!"
Holding the drawing that Hyang almost threw at him, Jang Yeong-sil called out desperately as Hyang disappeared into the distance. But Hyang didn't hear his voice at all.
"If I can't do basic calculations and Jang Yeong-sil can't either, we need to find people who are good at it!"
While moving briskly towards the Gyeongjeongjeon, a warning light went off in Hyang's mind.
"Wait a minute? Jeong In-ji? That Jeong In-ji? The one who was paired with Suyang?"
Stopping to think about the name Jeong In-ji, Hyang quickly came to a conclusion.
"Alright! Jeong In-ji, you're definitely going to work overtime!"
* * *
"The Prince has arrived~."
"Let him in."
Sejong, who was discussing state affairs with his ministers, allowed Hyang to enter, even though he hadn't been summoned.
"What brings you here?"
Hyang immediately answered Sejong's question.
"I have a request to make to His Majesty."
"A request?"
The word 'request' made all the ministers, starting from the Prime Minister, freeze. The bloodbath that began at the beginning of the year was triggered by such a 'request'.
Sejong, too, asked with a tense face.
"A request? What kind of request?"
"Please give me some people!"
"People?"
"Yes! Jeong Choe from the Ministry of Personnel, Yi Cheon from the Ministry of War, and Jeong In-ji from the Jiphyeonjeon. Oh, and I also need Jang Yeong-sil, and I will need personnel from the Military Equipment Bureau from time to time."
"Jeong Choe and Yi Cheon, Jeong In-ji...?"
Sejong began to recall information about these people. While Sejong was recalling, the heads of the departments to which these people belonged turned pale.
"Your Majesty! They are..."
"Why? Is there a problem with them?"
"It's not that..."
Seeing the hesitant ministers, the head of the Ministry of Personnel stepped forward.
"The people the Prince wants are important talents in each department. If they leave, it will be very difficult to manage. Given the Prince's character, he must have a significant reason for this request, but the state affairs are also important..."
In short, 'If you take away the best workers, what will we do? We can't give them!'
"Is that so? Why does the Prince want them?"
"I have thought of several devices to promote the prosperity of Joseon. I have figured out the principles, but to make them into actual devices, precise calculations are needed. Therefore, I need people who are skilled in arithmetic."
"Hmm... devices..."
Seeing Sejong's interest, Hyang quickly added.
"The first thing I want to make is a clock!"
"A clock?"
"Yes. The water clock that His Majesty has ordered is so large that a separate pavilion is needed."
"That's true."
"But, the clock I want to make can be as small as a grown man or as large as a pavilion."
"About the size of a grown man?"
"Exactly! If completed properly, it can be installed not only in the palace but also in the offices of the Six Ministries and local government offices. If this happens, all the people of Joseon will be able to check the time easily. How could this not be good?"
"Hmm... installing them in the palace and offices... nationwide..."
Sejong, intrigued by Hyang's words, made a decision.
"Alright! I will assign the people you want to you! However, this is temporary. Prince, if you can make the clock properly, I will remove the word 'temporary'! This is because the people you want are also needed for state affairs!"
"I am deeply grateful!"
Hyang answered loudly and bowed deeply.
Thus, the 'Dream Team' that would later make Joseon soar began to take shape.
The people selected by Sejong's order gathered at the Donggung Palace.
"O! Jang Byeol-jo! How have you been?"
"Sir! It's been a while!"
Jeong Choe and Jang Yeong-sil greeted each other warmly.
After Jang Yeong-sil was specially selected by Sejong, Jeong Choe was the first person he connected with. After exchanging pleasantries, Jeong Choe asked Jang Yeong-sil.
"Is it true that the Prince wants to make a clock?"
"Yes."
"Is it true that the size can be adjusted freely?"
"Yes."
Hearing Jang Yeong-sil's answers, the others who were summoned to the Donggung Palace gathered around. Jang Yeong-sil brought out a stack of drawings and unfolded them.
"These are the drawings of the clock drawn by the Prince. Instead of water, it uses the fall of this weight."
"Hmm..."
"Wow..."
As Jang Yeong-sil explained, the others examined the drawings. While tracing the parts with their fingers and checking the movement paths, Jeong Choe spoke up.
"It seems that the Prince has divided the day using the regular time system (定時法)."
"Yes."
Hearing Jang Yeong-sil's answer, the others fell into deep thought. In Joseon, the regular time system (定時法) was used during the day, dividing the day into 12 hours, while the irregular time system (不定時法) was used at night, dividing the night into five watches. However, the irregular time system had the problem of varying hour lengths depending on the season.
"The Prince wants the common people to use it too, but won't this cause problems?"
While Jeong In-ji was pointing out the issue, Hyang's voice came from behind.
"The length of the night changes, so the length of the day will also change. Therefore, I think it's better to get people used to the regular time system. For the future, too."
"Your Highness!"
Seeing Hyang, the people bowed in unison. Hyang lightly returned the bow and gestured.
"Please sit down."
Following Hyang's order, the people gathered around the meeting table. Hyang, sitting at the head of the table, placed a stack of papers on the table and continued.
"Although His Majesty said 'temporary,' I think I can easily remove that label. Have you seen the drawings?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"What do you think?"
"There is a problem with using only the regular time system, but I think it can operate reliably."
"I agree."
Hearing Hyang's question, everyone was confident of success. Nodding slightly, Hyang spoke.
"I think so too. The problem is making a device that announces the time with sound. I would like you to do the calculations and design for that part."
"Hmm..."
After a moment of thought, the people answered in unison.
"We accept the Prince's order!"
Although they hesitated for a moment, they accepted it immediately because they were also interested.
Hearing their answer, Hyang handed them the stack of papers.
"First, I want to see your arithmetic skills. Please solve these problems."
Hyang handed them problems he had selected from a mathematics book of the Eastern Roman Empire. Taking the test papers, the people soon took out ink brushes and inkstones from their sleeves and began calculating.
"Stop."
After about half an hour, Hyang declared the end. Collecting the test papers, Hyang checked the answers against the answer sheet he had prepared in advance.
"Hmm..."
After grading the papers, Hyang looked at the people.
"Let's start with the clock's production. Since you are now under my command, there will be no part-time jobs. Therefore, please focus on completing the prototype of the clock."
"We accept the order!"
"How long will it take?"
Hearing Hyang's question, the people put their heads together and discussed. After a short discussion, Jeong Choe answered as the