As the years passed, Hyang often found herself muttering this complaint.
Hyang had a lot on her plate, and the reason for her busyness was Sejong.
To be precise, it was Sejongâs "proxy purchases" that were the problem.
"Jin has created its own characters, they say..."
"Mongolia also had its own script, didnât it?"
"Since weâre at it, could you also try to get some books on the script of India?"
"I need some records about the Xiangcha. I need to understand where the rules for using Idu started."
"âŚYes, Your Majesty."
Because of these requests, Hyang had to twist and turn to find the books.
Even after all the trouble of securing the books, her job wasnât over.
While the actual recipient was Sejong, the official recipient on the surface was Hyang.
Therefore, she had to painstakingly understand the contents of the books.
This was because the ministers, who were like old ginger, would occasionally ask questions.
"Your Majesty, you mentioned that you acquired some unusual books. Could I know what they are about?"
"Ah, Iâm still organizing them. There are many books that came in together."
"Is that so? I heard they were quite expensive..."
Hyang quickly countered the subtle pressure on the funding source.
"Hahaha! Thatâs why my pockets are always empty. Unlike some people, I donât receive gifts."
"Is, is that so? Cough! Cough!"
Because of this, Hyang had to learn not only phonology but also additional foreign languages.
Hyangâs troubles didnât end there.
She had to open a library that she created for the purpose of laundering the sources of the books.
"Why are there so many empty spaces?"
"His Majesty took them."
"Is that so?"
While checking the empty shelves, Hyang worried about a fire and immediately took action.
She placed buckets filled with sand at regular intervals and dug a small pond outside the annex.
After completing all the preparations, Hyang asked Sejong for a name.
"Name it."
"Name...?"
After some thought, Sejong picked up a brush instead of a gold pen and wrote a name on the paper.
'Jijiyuan (éćşé˘)'
"Books are containers of knowledge. Your library has books from not only our Joseon but also from the distant West, making it a place where the worldâs knowledge converges. The name Jijiyuan fits best."
"Your grace is boundless!"
With Sejongâs personal inscription, the sign was hung, and Jijiyuan officially began its operations.
The main task of Jijiyuan was the management and lending of books.
There were different loan periods: indefinite for Hyang and Sejong, up to ten days for the royal family, five days for officials of the institute, and three days for officials from other departments.
To prevent anyone from monopolizing the books, re-lending was prohibited immediately after return.
While creating the lending rules, Hyang pondered about the "royal family."
"Will any of the royal family members come here to borrow books? But, itâs better to be prepared for the future."
Sejong was the one who visited Jijiyuan the most.
"These are the books the Crown Prince referred to, so I want to refer to them too."
Among the books he borrowed, there were always those related to language.
"Since all the books are in their original languages, thereâs a need for translation..."
Sejong would make such excuses every time the ministers asked, borrowing books on linguistics naturally.
* * *
With the establishment of Jijiyuan and the institute around the Donggung Palace, the area was always bustling with people.
This busy scene caught the attention of Yu.
"Why are there so many people at the Donggung Palace?"
Yu, who had just turned eight, was trying to act more mature.
To Yuâs question, the princeâs tutor replied simply.
"Because the Crown Prince has many tasks to do."
"Brother?"
Yu tilted his head and asked the tutor.
"Can I visit once?"
Considering Yuâs request, the tutor thought:
'This prince is very active, and there are many things in the institute that could cause trouble if mishandled... But, he might be stimulated and develop an interest in learning. In the current situation, itâs better to make him interested in miscellaneous studies rather than Confucian classics!'
The tutor decided and replied to Yu.
"I will request permission from His Majesty."
"Your grace is boundless!"
Upon receiving the tutorâs request, Hyang set a date and replied.
"Your grace is boundless, Your Highness!"
"Boundless... I appreciate your attention to Yuâs education."
Hyangâs praise made the tutor shed tears, thinking of his hard work.
"Your grace is boundless, Your Highness! Sob!"
"Ah! A grown man shouldnât cry so easily! Stop it!"
A peculiar situation arose where the young child was comforting the middle-aged man with a white beard.
* * *
On the agreed date, Yu visited the institute with his tutor.
"Your Highness, how are you?"
"Ah, itâs been a while. Iâm sorry I havenât seen you often because Iâve been busy."
"No, Your Highness."
To Yu, both Princess Jeonghye and Hyang were the same.
- People who make him feel mentally exhausted when he sees them often.
This was Yuâs feeling towards Princess Jeonghye and Hyang.
Despite this, Yu couldnât help but be interested in the secret objects in the institute.
As he entered the institute, Yuâs jaw dropped at the display cases in the hallway.
"Wow~ Wow~."
Yu repeated "Wow~" as he saw all sorts of amazing objects.
Especially at the display of models of sailing ships and warships, he stood still like a scarecrow, unable to move.
"Kids are kids..."
Seeing Yuâs enthusiastic sightseeing, Hyang muttered, and everyone around her looked at her with a baffled expression.
'Who are you to say that?'
This was the common thought of everyone present.
* * *
After forcing himself to move, Yu arrived at a room that even surprised Sejong.
"Your Highness, what is this room?"
"This is the room with the model of Joseonâs geography and the train model."
"Geography model? Train model? Tutor, what are these?"
Yuâs tutor, also puzzled, replied.
"I donât know much about them..."
"Since itâs a secret place, not many people know about it. Iâm showing it to you, Yu, as a special favor. Open the door."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The eunuch opened the door at Hyangâs command.
As the sliding door opened, the first thing Yu saw was a massive table in the center of the room.
Being a young child, Yu couldnât see what was on the table.
"Bring a stand."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Wow!"
Standing on the stand, Yu shouted in amazement at the geographical model on the table.
It was a scene he had never seen before.
"Is this Joseon?"
"Itâs a rough imitation of Joseonâs land and rivers. Itâs not accurate."
"Wow!"
Seeing Yuâs continuous exclamations of "Wow~," Hyang smiled slightly.
'Like kids at an amusement park.'
Hyang chuckled at Yuâs wide-eyed amazement, but she noticed the princeâs tutor, who was standing next to Yu, also had his mouth open wide.
She clenched her fists behind her back to suppress her laughter.
"Your Highness, what is this road?"
Pointing to the railway, Yu asked, and Hyang immediately answered.
"Itâs the track for the train."
"Track?"
"Eunuch."
"Yes, Your Highness."
At Hyangâs command, the eunuchs brought the model locomotive and carriages and placed them on the track. They connected the locomotive, carriages, and coal cars, and pushed a lantern filled with alcohol into the locomotive, lighting it.
"Wait a moment."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yu, who had been showing signs of impatience while waiting for the water to boil, calmed down at Hyangâs words.
Choo!
When the signal indicating sufficient pressure was heard, Hyang released the lever, making the locomotive move.
"Ah... Ah!"
Yu, seeing the locomotive move, was so amazed that he couldnât even exclaim and just stood there like a stone statue.
His breathing became faster as he stared at the model locomotive moving on the track.
"Ha~. Ha~."
"Yu?"
Seeing Yuâs strange symptoms, Hyang called out to him, but Yu just panted and stared at the trainâs movement.
The model locomotive, which had been pulling the model carriages and coal cars, stopped after two laps around the large geographical model due to the water running out.
The eunuchs removed the model locomotive and trains from the track.
After safely removing the lantern, the model locomotive was placed back on the display.
Yu, who had been watching, quickly turned to Hyang.
"Brother! No, Your Highness! Does something like that actually move in real life?"
From his title, it was clear that Yu was in a daze.
"Thatâs a model made to verify a theory. The real thing looks different."
Hyang gestured, and the eunuchs brought the model locomotives on display.
Starting with a model similar to Stephensonâs Rocket, they included four types of steam locomotives familiar from movies and dramas. These models were made at Hyangâs command after Sejongâs visit.
However, unlike what Sejong and Yu saw, these models didnât move; they were just static models.
Hyang pointed to the Rocket and explained.
"As mathematics and technology develop, they will evolve from this to this."
"Wow~."
"If locomotives and trains are completed and tracks are laid, this Joseon will become a one-day journey."
"Wow~!"
Yuâs mouth grew wider as he listened to Hyangâs explanation.
After listening, Yu, still staring at the model locomotive, said to Hyang.
"Your Highness! I want to make this locomotive!"
But Hyang immediately shook her head.
"You canât."
"Why not!"
"You donât study, do you?"
Hyangâs blunt statement made Yuâs face fall.
Seeing Yuâs expression, Hyang explained in more detail.
"To make a locomotive, you need many skilled craftsmen and smart mathematicians.
In our institute, for example, passing the lower-level exams is the minimum, and many have passed the higher-level exams.
Of course, Confucian classics and mathematics might not be directly related. But, can someone who finds Confucian studies boring and doesnât study properly do well in mathematics?"
"Neigh..."
Hyangâs stern words made tears well up in Yuâs eyes.
"You are a prince. If you get involved in this, youâll have to take on a responsible position. If your Confucian studies and mathematics are a mess, will you be treated properly? Will you throw tantrums and cry like this when that happens?"
"Sniff! No, no!"
"Confucian studies are not only essential but also about harmonizing relationships. If you want to be involved in this massive project, study properly first!"
"Sniff!"
Hyangâs stern words made Yu wipe his tears with his sleeve and ask.
"If I study hard, can I do this job?"
"If you have the skills!"
"I will definitely meet Your Highnessâs expectations!"
"..."
Seeing Yuâs eyes gleaming with desire, Hyang was taken aback and muttered.
'What, whatâs so scary!'
After that, Yuâs behavior completely changed.
He studied Confucianism seriously and didnât neglect his martial arts training.
He often requested to spend time in the room with the train models, strengthening his resolve, and unknowingly became a train enthusiast.
"Ha~. Ha~. Trains are the best~."
Of course, his occasional exclamations made the eunuchs tense.
With Yuâs transformation, it was now Yongâs turn to cause problems.