"Hmm... The restoration can proceed like this, but let's think of a way to prevent such a tragic event from happening again."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Even as they responded, the ministers' heads turned automatically. Their expressions were all anxious, and at the end of their gazes sat Hyang.
Sure enough, Hyang was the first to speak, and the ministers let out a small sigh.
"We need to establish an organization that can respond promptly to fires, floods, and other disasters."
"Establish an organization?"
With Sejong's interest, Hyang explained in more detail.
"While managing Zone 51, I also managed a disaster response team. As Your Majesty knows, Zone 51 uses a lot of fire, but it also has many dangerous materials like gunpowder."
"That's right."
"In this fire, the disaster response team from Zone 51 played a significant role in controlling the fire that spread to the southern part of the capital. Considering this, I think we should establish an organization to prevent disasters throughout the capital."
"Bring the fire report."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After reviewing the report that summarized the damage from the fire, Sejong nodded.
"Indeed, that's the case. Is it the result of training?"
"It's partly due to training, but we also have specialized equipment."
"Specialized equipment? Let me see it."
The ministers who followed behind murmured softly.
"Beating drums and playing gongs."
"Ha. What will it be this time...?"
"Do they know and agree, or do they agree without knowing?"
* * *
Following Hyang's instructions, carts loaded with the disaster response team's equipment from Zone 51 headed to the palace.
"Hmm... The helmet is quite unique."
The helmet worn by the disaster response team had a longer visor at the back than the front, and the helmet's surface was made of thick leather instead of metal plates, with thick cotton padding inside to protect the head from impact and heat.
The clothing was similar, with thick cotton padding to protect the wearer from impact and heat.
However, what caught Sejong and the ministers' attention was the water cart (放水車) that sprayed water at fires.
"Put out fires with this cart?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
At Hyang's command, the disaster response team members connected a cloth tube to the bronze device on the cart. Two members stood firmly holding the bronze handle at the end of the tube, while two others began turning the handle on the bronze device.
Whoosh!
A strong stream of water shot out from the bronze nozzle at the end of the cloth tube, and Sejong and the ministers clapped.
"Wow!"
"It would be very effective for putting out fires!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Hyang explained to Sejong and the ministers.
"If we place such specialized units in each district, we can extinguish fires in their early stages. Even if a fire is larger than expected, we can prevent it from spreading widely."
"That makes sense."
Sejong, as well as the other ministers, nodded. Some ministers, with expressions of relief as if to say, "Not us!" turned their heads slightly.
There, a person was gradually turning pale.
He was Kim Jeom, the Minister of the Board of Revenue.
"Your Majesty... How large should the districts be?"
After seeing the pale face of the Minister of the Board of Revenue, Hyang did a quick calculation and answered.
"The fewer households in a district, the safer it will be. However, considering the budget, we should have at least two units per坊 (district). And in each designated location, there should be at least three water carts."
Hearing Hyang's explanation, the Minister of the Board of Revenue did some quick calculations.
'With 52坊 in the five districts of Hanseong, that's at least 104 locations, and with at least three carts each... 312 carts... The budget... But if something like this happens again...'
As the Minister of the Board of Revenue's expression became complicated with various variables, Hyang added more.
"Creating and equipping these units will require a lot of funds, and maintaining them will also be costly. However, if we have such prepared units, they can respond quickly when an incident occurs. This will reduce damage and the cost of reconstruction."
Hearing Hyang's words, the Minister of the Board of Revenue let out a long sigh.
"Phew~. I understand that. But the budget is the problem. The budget..."
In response to the Minister of the Board of Revenue's complaint, Hwang Hee stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, we should release some of the silver from the sale of Buddhist scriptures and the silver stored from the mines."
Hwang Hee's suggestion made Sejong nod.
"That seems necessary."
With Sejong's decision, the Minister of the Board of Revenue bowed deeply.
"Your grace is boundless!"
It was a truly grateful voice.
* * *
Although the responsibility for rebuilding the areas destroyed by the fire was given to Hyang, the court was not idle.
First, they announced the list of those who passed the annual examination (式年試).
"According to tradition, we would have held a banquet to celebrate the passing of the examination, but due to the current situation, it has been canceled, and I apologize. Following last year's... "
The Minister of Personnel, who read out Sejong's words, looked at the successful candidates with a bitter smile.
"Now, the situation is urgent, so practical training will begin quickly! Follow along! Those who fall behind here will have their qualifications revoked and be sent back to their hometowns!"
Not long after the successful candidates cheered, they began to groan.
Next, the court issued orders regarding the military.
- Investigate and report if any families who lost their homes in the fire have members who have committed crimes and are serving in the military.
- Immediately allow those living in the affected areas who wish to quit their jobs, and give a two-month leave to those who volunteer to continue working to rebuild their homes.
Many chose to stay rather than retire.
- Give a seven-month leave to those working in the palace and various government offices, such as the Office of Special Inspection and the State Council.
- Send back to their hometowns those who were renting and are on duty this month.
- For those who have homes in the affected areas but must work in the palace or government offices, count their family members' work as their own and pay their salaries.
Hyang whistled at the last imperial order.
"This guy, once he opens his wallet, he really spends!"
This was the same measure taken in the original history, but thanks to the funds steadily accumulated over the past period, there was no opposition.
In the subsequent reconstruction work, a policy was decided to change the landscape of Hanseong.
Hyang submitted the approval documents to Sejong.
"There are several reasons why the fire spread so widely this time, but one of the main reasons is that the houses are too closely packed together. While we have addressed this issue to some extent through the reconstruction and reorganization of the areas, we need Your Majesty's approval to solve other problems."
"What is it?"
"The majority of the houses have thatched roofs, except for the residences of officials and some buildings. These need to be replaced with tile roofs."
Sejong nodded at Hyang's request.
"Indeed. Minister of the Board of Revenue, Minister of the Board of Works."
"Yes! We will follow your orders, Your Majesty! Please share your thoughts with us."
Thus, the three practical managers submitted a plan to Sejong within a day.
After reading the plan, Sejong immediately stamped it with the imperial seal.
"Approved."
"Your grace is boundless!"
Sejong's decision and the bows of Hyang, the Minister of the Board of Revenue, and the Minister of the Board of Works expressed their gratitude.
While bowing, Hyang was inwardly amazed.
'What is this! They're moving faster than 21st-century civil servants!'
In the original history, Sejong made the same decision. However, the difference after Hyang's involvement was that the tiles would be made from lime plaster, which Hyang had created, rather than traditional tiles.
"It takes a lot of time to gather tile makers, collect clay, recruit new labor, and build kilns. Let's use lime plaster."
"But doesn't lime plaster also need to be fired in a kiln?"
"Zone 51 has kilns and labor. All we need is limestone and coal for the kilns. We can use the sand from the Han River, which has been dredged and piled up over the past two years."
"An excellent idea!"
The Minister of the Board of Revenue was delighted at Hyang's suggestion.
'This will reduce the budget! The budget!'
However, the Minister of the Board of Revenue's joy did not last more than a day.
Hyang submitted a plan to support the construction funds for commoners to Sejong.
"Support construction funds from the state?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Those who lost their homes and all their possessions in this fire, where will they get the money to rebuild?
Even if they can build walls with nearby soil and straw, where will they get the timber for the beams, rafters, and pillars?
And where will they get the money to buy tiles for the roofs? They will have to resort to usury.
However, if the court provides low-interest loans, they won't need to resort to usury and can avoid harsh situations like selling their sisters."
"Hmm..."
Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought at Hyang's words.
The suffering of the people due to usury was not a new issue.
"Then, what interest rate do you suggest?"
"Twenty percent per year."
"Twenty percent per year... Building a house is not cheap, so that's not a low rate."
"Yes. Therefore, I thought about something called '거치 (据置).'"
"거치?"
At Hyang's words, Sejong and the ministers all perked up their ears.
After listening to Hyang's lengthy explanation, Sejong slapped his knee.
"An excellent idea! Let's do it! Minister of the Board of Revenue, listen!"
The Minister of the Board of Revenue immediately responded to Sejong's call.
"I will immediately prepare a plan and submit it... "
"Indeed, Minister of the Board of Revenue! Your wisdom makes me feel secure!"
"Your grace is boundless!"
While bowing and showing humility in response to Sejong's praise, the Minister of the Board of Revenue was inwardly weeping.
'Kim Jeom. I don't know if I can live to a ripe old age with this!'
However, Hyang's speech was not over.
"Your Majesty. While investigating the owners of the houses destroyed in this fire, I learned something new that I didn't know before."
At the same time, Kim Jeom began to sweat coldly down his back.
His expression clearly said, "Please, stop!"
"What did you learn?"
Sejong's question was met with a brief answer from Hyang.
"There are many people in Hanseong who rent their homes."
Hyang's expression was very complex.
'Landlords in the Joseon era! I can understand landlords, but landlords who rent out houses!'
The housing shortage in Hanseong was quite well-known.
Those who came to Hanseong to serve in the government, such as military officers and newly appointed officials, did not have homes in the capital and had to rent or live in shared accommodations.
As a result, the stories of the hardships of living in rented rooms were not uncommon in the historical records and writings of famous people.
Thus, Hyang was genuinely surprised when he learned the truth.
"Rented homes..."
While Sejong was pondering, many ministers nodded.
Many of the ministers and high-ranking officials had their own homes in Bukchon, but there were still quite a few who lived in rented homes.
Especially, the lower-ranking officials looked at Hyang with bright eyes.
"Yes, I've heard that living in a rented home is full of hardships. I've also heard that having a thatched roof on your own home is better than living in a tiled-roof rented home."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Many ministers responded loudly to Sejong's words.
"Are you also living in rented homes?"
"..."
"Such... So, what do you suggest we do?"
"Immediately abolishing rented homes would be criticized as unjust, as the only crime is renting them out."
"That's true."
"Therefore... After this reconstruction, how about building official residences?"
"Official residences? Like those for local magistrates?"
"Similar. I will submit a plan later."
"Understood. I look forward to it."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The official recording the conversation between Sejong and Hyang wrote:
- Therefore, the king ordered the crown prince to submit a plan.
The official commented:
The hardships of living in rented rooms do not discriminate based on rank or social status. How can one not feel sad about this?
In this situation, we can only hope for the wisdom of the crown prince. The responsibility must be held by these ministers and high officials.