As the recruitment progressed, the community of craftsmen in Joseon, particularly the metalworkers, experienced a significant upheaval.
The reason for this upheaval was due to a chain reaction that started from the Military Supplies Bureau.
With a large number of craftsmen from the Military Supplies Bureau moving to the research institute and Area 51, there was a need for more craftsmen at the bureau.
"Select the best craftsmen from the land forces, cavalry, and garrison forces across Joseon and bring them to the capital. After evaluating their skills, fill the vacant positions at the Military Supplies Bureau."
"I will comply with your order."
Following Sejong's command, chaos erupted in military camps across the country.
Among the craftsmen who made weapons like swords and bows in the military camps, those known for their exceptional skills were brought to the capital.
Sejong also attended the evaluation of craftsmen to work at the Military Supplies Bureau.
Sejong's desire for talent shone through even here, as he selected about 30% more craftsmen than the bureau's quota.
"Send the remaining craftsmen who exceed the quota to Area 51."
"… I will comply with your order!"
Fragrance, feeling like she had received an unexpected gift, bowed deeply to Sejong.
"Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty!"
Naturally, this chain reaction led to further developments.
"If you take away the craftsmen who make swords, what are we supposed to do!"
"It's already bad enough to pick out the best meat from the feast, but taking people like this…."
Suddenly deprived of their skilled craftsmen, the military camps had to search for renowned craftsmen from the civilian sector to bring into the military.
Amidst this turmoil, one positive outcome was that the perception of craftsmen began to change for the better.
Both the government and the people started to value skilled craftsmen more, and their treatment improved.
This was the butterfly effect created by Sejong and Fragrance's insatiable desire for talent.
* * *
As soon as the decision was made to establish a state-owned enterprise dedicated to iron production, Fragrance and the ministers exchanged opinions on the preparation process.
To be precise, Fragrance forced her way into the discussion among the ministers.
"You already have so much work, and you don't need to be involved in this…."
"Considering the amount of iron that the research institute and Area 51 will consume, this is a necessary task."
Worried about the situation where his sister-in-law, who was even more annoying than his mother-in-law, would meddle, Hwang Hee tried to dissuade her, but Fragrance firmly secured her place.
"Since we're doing this at Area 51, I'll take charge of the evaluation!"
"It's not necessary to go that far…."
"It's a great national project! As the crown prince, I must take the lead!"
"… Very well."
Fragrance, who volunteered to take charge of the evaluation, managed to persuade Sejong and received his approval.
"Will it be alright?"
The ministers, filled with concern, asked, and Hwang Hee replied with a nonchalant expression.
"Isn't this a good thing for us? We already have so much to do, after all."
* * *
The first selection criteria for iron craftsmen were proposed by Fragrance.
- Regions with a high ratio of wrought iron in the total amount of iron produced.
Instead of choosing regions with the highest overall iron production, the criteria focused on regions that produced a relatively high amount of wrought iron, which eliminated many areas.
Through this first evaluation, one location in Chungcheong Province and two locations, Gyeongju and Hapcheon, in Gyeongsang Province were selected.
There were other regions with high iron production, but these three were chosen because they had a higher ratio of wrought iron to cast iron and pig iron.
Once the first candidates were selected, the cavalry soldiers carrying the imperial edict rode out.
"Imperial edict!"
Local officials, upon hearing the cry that an imperial edict had arrived from the capital, straightened their official attire, bowed deeply towards the capital, and received the edict respectfully.
After unsealing the edict and reading its contents, the local officials sighed.
"Ah~. More work, it seems."
* * *
Following the imperial edict, the selected craftsmen from the three ironworks came to the capital.
"We need a place to evaluate their skills."
In response to Hwang Hee's suggestion, Sejong looked at Fragrance. Understanding the silent command, Fragrance immediately replied.
"I'll prepare a place at Area 51."
"Very well."
The location for the evaluation was decided, but a problem arose among the craftsmen.
"The craftsmen are refusing to smelt iron in the same place."
Upon receiving this report from the metalworker, Fragrance frowned and asked for the reason.
"Why is that?"
"Extracting iron is a secret technique, and they say they cannot show it to their competitors."
"Oh…."
Faced with this difficult situation, Fragrance looked at the ministers. Among them, Hwang Hee, who had a similar expression, spoke up.
"Can't we just force them?"
Hwang Hee's suggestion was met with a shake of the head from the metalworker.
"If we force them, they will just leave."
"Even though it's a national project?"
"These are tough people who have done dangerous work, and they have strong egos. They would rather be beheaded than be forced to do this."
"Truly… tsk!"
Fragrance, in response to the metalworker's answer, examined the map of Area 51.
"How much space is needed to build a bloomery furnace? If we provide empty spaces here, here, and here, they won't overlap, so it should be possible, right?"
"Please wait a moment!"
In response to Fragrance's suggestion, the metalworker immediately went outside to conduct measurements.
After measuring the designated empty spaces, the metalworker returned and reported to Fragrance.
"It seems possible."
"Then, inform the head blacksmiths."
Fragrance's suggestion was immediately accepted by the head blacksmiths.
After drawing lots to determine their positions, the head blacksmiths led their teams to the designated locations.
While watching the head blacksmiths and their subordinates move to one side of the research institute, Fragrance turned to Hwang Hee.
"There are quite a few people working together?"
"Considering the head blacksmiths, assistant blacksmiths, furnace workers, and charcoal makers, it's quite a number."
"Is that so?"
Fragrance, hearing the metalworker's answer, rubbed her hands together excitedly.
"It will be interesting once the competition starts."
"Will Your Highness continue to observe?"
"When will I see such a spectacle again?"
"… That's true."
Fragrance was excited.
In the 21st century, when she learned traditional sword-making, she had seen small bloomery furnaces produce wrought iron, but she had never seen the process of iron production on such a scale.
Once the locations were determined, Fragrance gathered the head blacksmiths.
"The locations are ready, and the materials you requested are also prepared. Check if anything is missing."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Following Fragrance's order, the head blacksmiths went to the place where the materials were prepared.
The first thing the head blacksmiths checked was the most important material, iron ore, and the charcoal.
Then, they were presented with the first test process prepared by Fragrance.
"Huh?"
Upon seeing the pile of iron ore, the head blacksmiths all looked at Fragrance with perplexed expressions.
"Your Highness, the iron we need to extract is from stone iron, right?"
Asked in their characteristic dialect, Fragrance nodded.
"Most of it is stone iron. We recently found good iron ore. Can't you do it?"
"It's a bit troublesome, but we can manage."
"Exactly."
"Sure, we can do it."
Fragrance, hearing the head blacksmiths' answers, muttered to the eunuch standing behind her.
"Add one point to everyone's score."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Fragrance's eyes widened as she watched the head blacksmiths perform an unexpected action.
The head blacksmiths randomly picked iron ore from various piles and used hammers from their baskets to crush the ore.
Once they had a sufficient amount of iron ore powder, they took out iron needles and lamps from their baskets.
The head blacksmiths wet the iron needles with their saliva and dipped them in the iron powder.
After lighting the lamps, they pushed the iron needles into the flames.
As the color of the flames changed, the head blacksmiths muttered.
"There's quite a bit of sulfur here, it seems."
Fragrance was impressed by this point.
'They knew about flame tests!'
After confirming the state of the iron, the head blacksmiths moved to a pile of clay.
Without hesitation, they tasted the clay with their fingers and shook their heads slightly.
"Is there a problem?"
"The stone iron and coal contain a lot of sulfur. To make good iron, we need to remove the sulfur, but the clay here isn't sufficient for that."
"Right!"
"The clay is not good enough."
Fragrance, hearing the head blacksmiths' answers, immediately addressed the situation.
"Then, find suitable clay."
"There's no limestone here either."
"I'll have it brought."
In this selection process, the head blacksmiths found themselves in a difficult situation again.
"What is this stone?"
"It's called coal. It will be used instead of charcoal. Go Yejang."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Following Fragrance's order, Go Yejang explained the use of coal to the head blacksmiths.
Since the craftsmen working at Area 51 were the first to use coal, Go Yejang, who had the most experience with it, was the one to explain.
The head blacksmiths, understanding the explanation from someone in the same field, soon nodded.
"Coal… it sounds interesting."
"They say it has better heat output than charcoal. Hmm… how should we mix it?"
"Since there's sulfur… more clay and limestone…."
"Can't you do it?"
Fragrance's question was met with head shakes from the head blacksmiths.
"Then, prepare the materials, and start building the furnaces. Since the furnace in Gyeongju will take the longest, we'll start the competition once it's completed."
"Yes, Your Highness."
That day, Fragrance, returning to the Donggung Palace, scratched her head nervously and muttered.
"To think they knew about flame tests… Damn! How much did this Joseon hide its talents!"
* * *
Ten days after Fragrance received the title at the palace, officials and soldiers in official and military uniforms gathered at Duksoo's house in Gyeongju.
"Imperial edict!"
"Huh? What's this about?"
Duksoo's family, who were working in the house and the adjacent blacksmith shop, were thrown into confusion and fumbled around.
"Family members of the head blacksmith Duksoo, come out and receive the imperial edict!"
"Kim Duksoo? Your father's name is Duksoo, right? But Kim?"
"Is that a problem? It's an imperial edict!"
Duksoo's family, rushing out, knelt in the courtyard.
The official standing in front of Duksoo's family unrolled the scroll and read it aloud.
"To the head blacksmith Duksoo of Gyeongju ironworks, I hereby grant you the rank of 5th class official and the surname Kim! Additionally, I grant the surname Kim to Duksoo!"
Behind him, the official who had read the edict for a long time rolled up the scroll and asked.
"Who is the eldest son of Kim Dosa?"
A well-built young man from the blacksmith shop stood up.
"It's me."
"Congratulations."
The official, along with his congratulations, handed the young man the scroll containing the imperial edict, various documents recording his new rank, and rewards.
"Where is your father?"
"Kim Dosa received the imperial edict and immediately left for Hwanghae Province."
That day, Duksoo's family held a feast with all their possessions.
And the miraculous story of Duksoo's family's rise in status became a legend in the region.
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Note 1: Research on the operation method of stone-built iron smelting furnaces. Shin Kyung-hwan, Kim Kwon-il, Choi Young-min.