Sejong clapped and rejoiced at the sight of the train moving.
Hyang, looking at him with a proud expression, spoke.
"This is the land transportation system using steam engines that I have conceived. If the research is successful, we can travel from Hanyang to Busan in a day. No, we can move from Hanyang to the southern and northern ends of this Joseon within a day. If that happens…"
Hyang paused, and Sejong and the ministers focused their attention on her. With all eyes on her, Hyang concluded.
"If that happens, the pulse of Joseon will beat again."
"The pulse of Joseon will beat again?"
"Yes, that's right. Observing the current situation, the pulse of Joseon has stopped. There is almost no movement of goods, and the people cannot leave the land where they were born, living and dying there.
As a result, they do not know what is happening outside unless it is a major event, and they lead a life without change.
Then, who would benefit the most from this? Only the landlords who dominate the village would benefit. Isn't that the case even now? Why did Your Majesty prohibit the complaints of the common people, despite the many drawbacks?"
"That's true."
When Hyang mentioned the 'Prohibition of Commoners' Complaints Law,' Sejong and the ministers' faces hardened.
Joseon had strengthened central authority from the beginning of its founding. In this process, conflicts between local forces and officials sent from the center were inevitable.
When such conflicts arose, it was natural for a flood of petitions to come in. The petitions from local scholars, who had vested interests in the troubled counties, filled Sejong's desk more than once.
In the end, Sejong made a decision.
"Seonghyeon said that the military and the government are one! The local officials are those who have gone out to carry out my will on my behalf! Just as it is wrong for a child to criticize their parents, it is also wrong to criticize them!"
Citing classics, Sejong enacted the law prohibiting commoners' complaints, and this was also agreed upon and implemented by Taejong, who was the former king.
However, the 'gain and loss' comment made by the current crown prince implied that there was a problem with the 'Prohibition of Commoners' Complaints Law.'
"Are you saying that prohibiting commoners' complaints was wrong?"
"In the current situation, blocking the complaints of the common people was an inevitable choice. However, as time passes, people will use this to satisfy their own greed. Isn't that what Your Majesty is trying to prevent by conducting the land survey?"
"That's true."
Sejong nodded, and Hwang Hee, known for his strict adherence to principles, also nodded.
Hyang first met Hyeojo when he switched from the Yeonguijeong faction to the Sejong faction. Expecting that he would be swept away with the Yeonguijeong if a purge occurred, Hyang had been puzzled by Hyeojo's change of allegiance.
"Are you a principled person? Why are you so inconsistent?"
Over time, Hyang revised her assessment of Hyeojo based on various rumors.
"This man is a loyal royalist, a Neo-Confucian Taliban. It's a close call…."
While adjusting her assessment of Hyeojo, Hyang trailed off.
'This could be a card to play if there's a problem with the Avengers later.'
Thus, Hyang overcame one hurdle regarding the 'Prohibition of Commoners' Complaints Law' and continued her explanation.
"Consider how blocked the roads of Joseon are. Even if there's a town famous for apples and pears, it's difficult to visit just over one mountain, and if you cross two mountains, you can only say, 'I heard there's such a thing.'"
'Snap! I want to eat the dried pollack from Andong… Ah! I'm getting sidetracked again!'
Hyang quickly gathered her thoughts and continued.
"But, if we lay down these railways and run trains, we can move many people and goods at once, so Joseon, which has been stagnant like a pond, will flow smoothly like a river."
"Hmm…."
After Hyang's explanation, Sejong stroked his beard and fell into deep thought.
"Listen, Jeong Daeam."
While Sejong was deep in thought, Hwang Hee called out to Jeong Cho in a low voice.
"What is it, Hwang Daeam?"
When Jeong Cho asked the reason, Hwang Hee pointed to the model locomotive and trains with the tip of his finger and asked.
"Do these toy-like things really have practical use?"
Jeong Cho chuckled and replied.
"Do they just seem like a pastime to you, Daeam?"
"It's not that, but I'm just curious if they will be useful."
"Do you see the lumps of iron on the wagons behind them?"
"I see them."
"If you add them all up, it's 10 geun (6 kg). The toy you mentioned, including the weight of the wagons, can move 15 geun. Does that give you an idea?"
Jeong Cho's words left Hwang Hee speechless. The other ministers present were also silent.
Meanwhile, Sejong, who had been deep in thought, asked Hyang.
"It's well known that the roads of our Joseon have been in disarray since the previous dynasty. Therefore, both the previous dynasty and our Joseon primarily use boats to transport goods. Will these railways have the capability to replace them?"
"Although a lot of resources will be required for construction, over time, not only will the resources invested be recovered, but more than that will be possible. Moreover, regarding water transport, a considerable amount of tax grain is lost each year when it is transported by boat from the Three Southern Provinces (Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang). It's common for 10% of the annual grain to be lost due to storms, shipwrecks, and grounding on reefs. In fact, a 10% loss is considered a success."
"That's true."
"Is it really?"
"Huh?"
At Hyang's question, Sejong and the ministers perked up their ears. Hyang continued, looking at Sejong and the ministers.
"The crew of the grain transport ships are experienced. How could they not know the signs of a storm? Or, how could they not know the location of the reefs on a route they travel frequently? It's just that there's no solid evidence, so it's overlooked, isn't it?"
"That's true…."
At Hyang's point, Sejong and the ministers nodded. As Hyang pointed out, most of the tax grain from the Three Southern Provinces was transported to Hanyang by grain transport ships. A significant amount of grain was lost each year due to various accidents. The court had devised several plans to prevent these losses, but no optimal solution had been found. Communication was impossible until the ships arrived.
'No! There was even an era when Cheonan and Wonju were considered part of the capital region! Is it reasonable that communication is cut off just by crossing the Han River? In a country with such a small land area!'
Hyang persistently listed the advantages of the railway.
"It's not just useful for the movement of people and goods. It's also very advantageous for communication."
At Hyang's words, Sejong stroked his beard and nodded.
'Advantageous for communication… Indeed. If we can arrive in Hanyang from the south or the north in a day, as you say, we can receive urgent reports more quickly. Then, we can respond more quickly and accurately.'
"That's right. Of course!"
Seeing other ministers, including Hwang Hee, about to speak, Hyang raised her voice. As Hyang's voice rose, the ministers who were about to speak closed their mouths tightly. Hyang continued.
"Of course, we have beacon towers that signal urgent reports with fire. However, beacons can only inform about defense-related matters. Even then, they only indicate that something has happened in a certain direction, and we have to wait for the official reports to get detailed information. We might miss important moments while waiting for the reports."
"… That's true."
At Hyang's point, the ministers nodded. Hyang continued.
"Urgent reports are not limited to war. There are also epidemics, floods, and droughts. If we can receive news quickly when such disasters occur, we can respond more calmly, can't we?"
"That's true."
The ministers gradually leaned towards the idea that the railway was useful. Hyang called out to Jeong Cho.
"Bu-sojang, submit the plan to His Majesty."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As Hyang's order was given, Jeong Cho and Jeong Inji took out a stack of thick books and placed them on the table where the railway model was.
"What is this? Hmm… 'Comprehensive National Development Plan?'"
"This is a policy proposal to strengthen the capabilities of Joseon, based on the geographical and economic conditions, population distribution, and the distribution of underground resources, all of which were investigated during the nationwide astronomical observations. I wrote it hoping it would be of some help to the land survey."
Sejong counted the number of books Jeong Cho and Jeong Inji had placed.
"One, two, three… Forty-two. 'A little' doesn't seem to fit, does it?"
"It's a little."
"Hmm…."
Sejong sighed as he picked up and opened one of the books.
"Phew~."
The pages were densely filled with small text. As Sejong read the densely written sentences, he muttered to himself.
"I hate gold brushes at times like this."
Officials preferred gold brushes over bamboo brushes because they could write smaller. While bamboo brushes could also write small with fine tips, gold brushes could write much smaller. This allowed for a reduction in paper usage, but it was a hardship for the ministers whose eyesight was gradually deteriorating. Therefore, Sejong had to specify the minimum size of characters for official documents.
After briefly examining the contents of the top book, Sejong handed it to Hwang Hee.
"I believe it has sufficient value for review. Examine it with the ministers."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After passing the books to Hwang Hee and the ministers, Sejong looked around the room where the railway model was placed. His attention had been drawn to the railway model as soon as he entered, so he hadn't had the chance to look around.
"There are many maps?"
"Yes. These are maps of Joseon based on the records from Zheng He's voyages and the surveys conducted by researchers for the revision of the calendar."
"Hmm…."
Sejong, who was examining the Joseon map hanging on the wall, turned to Hyang.
"These are much more detailed than the old maps."
"Thanks to the efforts of the researchers."
"I can see the hard work. Come and take a look, everyone."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As soon as Sejong's order was given, the ministers approached to examine the maps. The one who showed the deepest interest was Jo Mal-saeng. After examining the maps, he requested from Sejong.
"Your Majesty, the most needed are the military. Although we have reformed the military and gathered talented people, there are many shortcomings in achieving their goals, and one of them is the lack of accurate maps. Please give these maps to the military."
"The Minister of War has made a good point. Crown Prince, hand over these maps to the military as well."
"I will follow the order. However, they are not yet complete. Is it alright?"
"Not complete?"
"The institute has only been around for seven months. With a shortage of people, it's impossible to produce proper results."
"Shortage of people?"
As Sejong pondered, Jeong Cho earnestly advised.
"The shortage of talent is a truly serious problem. The officials of the institute, including me, can't even go home properly."
"Is it that bad?"
At Sejong's question, Jeong Cho nodded with a face that almost looked like he was about to cry.
"As you can see, there are many ongoing projects. With so much work and so few people, how can it be easy?"
"Can't you gather more people?"
At Sejong's question, Jeong Cho answered with a choked voice.
"Rumors of the hard work have spread, and no one wants to come. At first, I brought people in by promising promotions, but as the number of people increased, Your Highness also increased the workload… As you can see, the institute has been around for just over half a year, and we have already produced so many items and carried out so many tasks. And none of these tasks are easy."