Sejong was accompanied by Hyang on his journey to Gangwon Province.
"It's been a while since we've traveled together, Father."
Although he hesitated until the departure, Sejong enjoyed the trip once they set off.
"That's right, Your Majesty. However, the roads are indeed a problem."
Sejong nodded in agreement with Hyang's observation.
"Indeed. For the success of the capital expansion, we must improve the roads. We don't know when the railway will be completed."
Hyang immediately bowed his head at Sejong's words.
"I am ashamed. My abilities are humble..."
"It's not your abilities that are the issue, but the capabilities of this Joseon. If there were other solutions, it would be different."
Sejong's subtle gaze made Hyang flinch.
Although he had introduced the railway as a form of shock therapy, everyone knew when it could actually start.
However, in a situation where no one was confident about the outcome of the capital expansion, the railway was a symbolic presence that could show the actual results.
Of course, there were side effects.
From a certain point on, the frequency of Sejong subtly hinting and teasing Hyang increased.
As the entourage, guarded by heavily armed cavalry, moved slowly along the narrow road, Hyang clenched his fist lightly.
'Even if you don't like YOLO, work-life balance is important! Yes, it is!'
In the 21st century, Hyang, who was a well-known 'terminal otaku,' surprisingly disliked the term 'YOLO (You Only Live Once).'
'YOLO is a waste of life!'
It was a somewhat contradictory argument, but Hyang didn't particularly like YOLO or social media.
"When did being an otaku become a livelihood, or why do you post everything you create on social media?"
In response to his friends' rebuttals—friends he had formed through otaku interests, not just acquaintances—Hyang always gave the same answer.
"There's a difference in productivity! I'm productive, and YOLO people are consumptive! How do you treat people!"
Hyang's argument was entirely unconvincing.
* * *
While Sejong was enjoying his leisure on the way to Hongseong, Gangwon Province, a fire broke out in a part of Hanyang.
On February 15, Sejong 8th year.
The 'Great Fire of Hanyang,' which brought unprecedented damage in Joseon history except for wars, began.
"Fire!"
The fire started at the house of Jangryong, a male servant of the Insoonbu.
The flames from Jangryong's house spread to the nearby area, carried by a northwestern wind.
The thatched roofs of the commoners' houses in Joseon were the perfect material for the fire to spread.
The sparks that flew with the wind quickly caught the roofs of nearby thatched houses, and the number of burning houses began to increase exponentially.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! A big fire has broken out! We must evacuate quickly!"
"What!"
Upon receiving the urgent report of the fire, Queen Soheon rushed out of her seat.
"Evacuate quickly!"
"Silence! The capital is on fire, and you talk about fleeing! Gather the royal guards and extinguish the fire!"
At the time, Queen Soheon, who was pregnant with Grand Prince Geumseong, began to take command personally.
"Summon the ministers immediately! And check how far the fire has spread!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Following Queen Soheon's orders, the palace maids and eunuchs began to move busily.
While the palace eunuchs and maids were moving frantically, the ministers who had been called rushed to Queen Soheon.
"Ministers, command the Pochong to extinguish the fire!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Also, send a messenger to Hongseong to inform the king!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
However, the fire, fueled by the wind, spread even further instead of being extinguished.
"The fire is spreading, Your Majesty!"
Biting her lip after receiving the report from Hwang Hee, Queen Soheon made a decision.
"Mobilize all personnel to protect Changdeok Palace and the Jongmyo! It's acceptable to abandon the government offices and warehouses!"
"This will result in a shortage of personnel to extinguish the fire!"
"Protect the people first. Evacuate them from the burning houses."
Although it seemed like an inhumane order, both Queen Soheon and the ministers understood its necessity.
If the Jongmyo and the palace were to burn, the political responsibility would be secondary, but the restoration would require a tremendous amount of resources.
* * *
"Your Majesty! An urgent report from the capital!"
"What is the urgent report?"
Sejong, who was resting at a point almost reaching Hongseong, stood up from his chair at the words of the Doseongji.
"A big fire has broken out in the capital!"
"What! Turn the horses around immediately!"
A military official who was accompanying Sejong tried to dissuade him.
"Your Majesty, the sun is about to set. The night road is dangerous..."
"We will go! Send messengers to all the stations on the way to the capital! Mobilize soldiers to light the path!"
"Understood, Your Majesty!"
Following Sejong's orders, the military officials dispatched messengers to convey Sejong's commands.
"Go!"
As the messengers galloped away, Sejong gave orders to those accompanying him.
"We will return to the capital immediately! Prepare the horses!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Thanks to the continuous galloping, Sejong was able to return to the palace that night.
"Welcome back."
"Thankfully, you are safe. You must have worked hard."
With Sejong's praise, Queen Soheon seemed to finally relax.
"Please take the Queen inside."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Sejong, who had brought in the heavily pregnant Queen Soheon, did not even change his clothes and immediately began to assess the situation.
"What is the situation?"
"The big fire seems to be mostly under control."
"What is the extent of the damage?"
"The tally is ongoing, but fortunately, the Jongmyo and Changgyeong Palace have escaped the flames."
"Phew~."
Sejong took a long breath and examined the situation more closely.
"What about the displaced people?"
"The tally is ongoing."
"Chaos may lead to theft. Strengthen the security."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Since it's cold, contact the military camp to set up tents for the displaced people."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Finally, Sejong gave orders to maintain security.
"Post five guards at the center of each district and each neighborhood, and have the inspectors and special patrol officers inspect each area."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After issuing the orders for maintaining security, Sejong paused to organize his thoughts.
"During this disaster, I found something strange. We almost extinguished the first big fire, so why did the second one break out? While it's true that a fire can spread easily with a little carelessness, I can't understand this. This must be arson. Issue a warrant."
Sejong decided on the content of the warrant to catch the arsonists as follows:
-If you capture and report the arsonist, all commoners, regardless of their status, will be given an official position, and all commoners will be exempted from taxes. A reward of 200 bolts of silk will also be given.
* * *
Despite the Great Fire of Hanyang turning many parts of the city into ashes, the cleanup proceeded surprisingly quickly.
The first reason was that the household registers, continuously updated through the inoculation program, provided significant help.
Knowing exactly how many people lived where made the damage assessment and mobilization of personnel much smoother.
The second reason was that the dried meat Hyang had prepared played a significant role.
The warm porridge, rich with meat, was a great help to those who had suffered a significant mental and physical blow in the cold winter.
The dried meat, which Hyang had prepared and stored, fulfilled its role until the rice from the Bupyeong granary arrived.
However, there was a side effect.
"Here, take the rice."
"Sir..."
"What's wrong?"
"Can you give us dried meat instead of rice?"
"Huh?"
"Most of our pickles were completely burned."
"..."
"All the pickled vegetables are spoiled and inedible. We don't have salt... Can you give us dried meat?"
A fatal side effect occurred: the displaced people's taste preferences were elevated.
Moreover, merchants came to find Hyang at the 51st district.
"What brings you here?"
"We want to produce dried meat."
"Huh?"
"It's very useful as food for the road and can be stored for a long time, making it suitable as emergency rations. And it tastes good, so it's also great as a special dish."
Listening to the merchant's explanation, Hyang shook his head.
'The instincts of a merchant!'
* * *
Meanwhile, many people actively pursued the arsonists following Sejong's warrant.
"We have captured the arsonists."
"How many?"
"A total of 11."
At the answer from the Minister of Punishments, Sejong gritted his teeth.
"What the hell were these scoundrels doing?"
"They are mostly water sellers from the Bukcheong, Gilju, and Yeongheung regions."
"Water sellers? You can't be serious!"
"Your Majesty's suspicions are correct."
Striking the armrest at the Minister of Punishments' answer, Sejong said,
"What despicable people! They did this for their own gain! Execute them by dismemberment, and have all the male family members exiled. Make their wives and daughters slaves!"
"Understood, Your Majesty!"
Due to this judgment, many families suffered tragedies, but almost no one felt pity. Those who had lost their property and families in an instant needed someone to vent their anger on.
* * *
After the arsonists were executed and 300 stones of grain and pickles were distributed to the displaced people, the first phase of the cleanup was completed.
"Even if the houses lost to the fire are rebuilt, we need a plan to prevent such fires..."
Sejong glanced at Hyang, slightly trailing off.
"Crown Prince, would you like to try? No, you're still too young, so I should entrust this to someone else."
"I will do it, Your Majesty! Please entrust it to me!"
"Can you really do it?"
Sejong, looking at Hyang with a doubtful eye, received a firm answer.
"I am confident!"
"Let's see if you can do it."
"Understood, Your Majesty!"
Hyang, who answered confidently, left the hall to prepare.
Watching Hyang's back as he left the hall, Sejong smiled slightly.
"Well, what will you show me this time?"
"Can't miss the live-action SimCity... Huh?"
Hyang, who had confidently left the hall, suddenly stopped and tilted his head.