The first section of the road construction project ran from Gwanghwamun to Heunginjimun, cutting through the heart of Hanyang from north to south. This road, along with Yunjongga, which crossed Hanyang from east to west, was one of the most important in Hanyang, so Hyang mobilized all available labor.
While adjusting the schedule, Hyang discussed the mobilization of labor with the officials.
"If the labor available in Hanyang is insufficient, mobilize more from the nearby counties and districts."
"The farming season has just begun."
"Take one person from every other household for ten days. After ten days, take one person from the other households."
The official nodded after doing some quick calculations.
"It should be fine."
With the labor mobilization plan set, Hyang took a short break and grumbled.
"Phew~ At least it's fortunate that we don't have to bring people from the Three Southern Provinces like during the reigns of Taejo and Taejong, right?"
Hyang sighed deeply, considering the reality that mobilizing labor from near Hanyang was already a blessing.
"Phew~. If only we had a few excavators and bulldozers... and ready-mix concrete..."
As the construction began, Hyang found himself particularly longing for 21st-century construction machinery.
In a world where most tasks were done by human labor, and animals like oxen and donkeys were used for more difficult tasks, Hyang's resolve grew even stronger.
"No matter what, I'll start by making a steam engine!"
"Huh? Why am I suddenly feeling a chill..."
"You too?"
The officials and craftsmen who were researching steam engines and various other devices at the research institute and Area 51 suddenly felt a chill run through their bodies.
"I guess I need to take some herbal medicine..."
"Does anyone know a good doctor?"
* * *
In the 21st century, such a large construction project would have been divided into sections, and Hyang had to do the same.
However, the scale of these sections was much smaller compared to the 21st century.
Still, Hyang made every effort to maximize efficiency.
He not only mobilized labor from the areas near Hanyang but also created various tools to improve efficiency.
Among these, the most commonly made were concrete mixers and wheelbarrows.
Hyang, who had created mixers ranging from small ones operated by human labor to large ones powered by oxen and donkeys, explained their use to the officials and supervisors.
"Use the large mixers for the main road from Gwanghwamun to Heunginjimun, and the small mixers for the smaller side streets."
"It seems fine. The most important thing about making mortar is to mix the sand, gravel, and slaked lime well, and these mixers will be very useful."
The officials and supervisors were very pleased with the mixers. As they reported to Hyang, the most crucial part of making mortar was ensuring that the slaked lime, sand, and gravel were well mixed.
In the traditional method of mixing lime, the mixture of water, sand, and lime was stirred while being applied to walls. However, mortar, which was thinner than lime plaster, was much harder to mix properly.
When the craftsmen first made slaked lime at Area 51, this was the first issue they pointed out.
In the end, Hyang, drawing on his 21st-century knowledge, proposed the idea of a mixer, and the craftsmen, after several trials and errors, managed to create the mixers.
* * *
"Stop! Stop!"
People who were pouring mortar over gravel and rebar stopped their work at the supervisor's shout.
"Who mixed this mortar?!"
The supervisor pointed to a cart, and upon seeing the mortar in the cart, he flew into a rage.
"Who mixed this? Is this mortar? It looks like porridge!"
"Um?"
The supervisor's shout made the foreman check the mortar in the cart, and he looked flustered.
The mortar in the cart was incredibly thin.
"If you pour this, will it even set properly? Forget setting, will it even have the right strength?!"
"I'm sorry!"
"Mix it again and send it over! If I get something like this again, your head will be on the line!"
"I'll send it over properly!"
"Ugh! We're already short on time! And you can't even mix mortar properly!"
After scolding the foreman, the supervisor spat and left.
The foreman, who had been scolded by the supervisor, glared at the workers responsible for mixing the mortar with a furious expression.
"Who mixed this?"
"..."
When no one raised their hand in response to the foreman's question, he shouted.
"Who mixed this mortar? If you don't come forward in three seconds, I'll make all of you stand in the scorching sun and do nothing but hold sticks!"
The workers' gazes all focused on one person.
"You?"
"I'm sorry!"
"Damn it! I told you to mix mortar, not porridge! Even if it's hard, you need to get the ratio right, didn't I?"
"I'm sorry!"
"Enough! Take this and mix it properly! If you mess it up again, I'll cut your head off immediately!"
"Yes, yes!"
The worker, who had been warned, pulled the cart back to the mixer he was responsible for.
As such incidents occurred multiple times at the construction site, reports eventually reached Hyang.
"Can't you even supervise the mixing of mortar properly?"
"I apologize!"
"There's no doubt that the construction schedule is tight. I know it's not an easy task, but how can you allow such shoddy work to happen?"
"We will ensure it doesn't happen again!"
"Don't forget that you are officials who have received ranks. And remember, these civil engineering projects will continue in the future."
Hyang's warning, which was rich with the meaning of 'no promotion if things go wrong,' made the supervisors respond loudly.
"We will do our best!"
After this road construction project, a new proverb emerged among the people.
'When asked to mix mortar, they make porridge.'
It was a proverb that mocked the inability to do a proper job when given a task.
* * *
At the construction site, many tools proposed by Hyang and made by the craftsmen were used.
Among these tools, one that was particularly well-liked by both the workers on site and the general public was the wheelbarrow.
Wheeled carts were already common in Joseon.
However, the existing carts had very high beds.
Hyang, inspired by the wheelbarrows commonly used in the 21st century, created a new type of wheelbarrow.
The wheelbarrows, made using the wrought iron produced in large quantities at the first state-owned ironworks in Anju, under the direction of Kim Deoksu last year, were much sturdier than the previous carts.
"This is a magical thing!"
The workers, who were using the wheelbarrows for the first time, were unanimous in their praise.
Seeing the workers' reactions, the supervisors immediately reported to their superiors.
"More carts! More carts! We need more carts!"
Of course, the lack of rubber meant that the wheels had to be made of wood and iron, which was the only regret Hyang had.
The value of the wheelbarrows used at the construction site was quickly recognized by the general public.
"That looks really good, doesn't it?"
Merchants, sensing the potential for profit, were quick to react.
"Here it comes! Here it comes! The smell of money is in the air!"
The merchants, who had traced the source of the wheelbarrows, sighed in frustration upon discovering it.
"Area 51 again!"
"The Crown Prince again!"
However, the truly quick merchants immediately went to the government office.
"Excuse me, sir. Where do I need to go to visit the Intellectual Property Management Office?"
The official, who received the merchant's question, looked him up and down before answering.
"Do you want to register or use it?"
"I want to use it."
The official pointed in a direction in response to the merchant's answer.
"Go to the Ministry of Personnel, turn left, and enter the right door of the building you see."
"Thank you, sir."
"Sure, make good money and pay your taxes. Those Ministry of Personnel guys are dying. Damn them... always arguing about the budget..."
"Um?"
"Never mind, get back to work."
"Um... yes."
The official and the merchant then went their separate ways.
* * *
The 'Intellectual Property Management Office' was an institution that Hyang had requested Sejong to establish as a formal central agency.
"Um... I understand the meaning of 'guaranteeing the property rights of the person who first creates a new tool.' However, by including 'intellectual property,' it seems that knowledge is also included, correct?"
In response to Hwang Hee's question, Hyang nodded.
"Yes, it includes technology and knowledge."
"Tools are tangible, so it's easy to prove ownership. But knowledge is intangible, isn't it? It might be hard to recognize easily, right?"
"That's true. Therefore, it must be written down in a visible form and reviewed."
"But isn't it beautiful to share knowledge?"
Seeing that Hwang Hee and the other ministers were struggling to understand, Hyang gave an example.
"Sir, do you know why the term 'revision' came about?"
"Yes."
"You spent years revising to create a beautiful sentence. But what if someone took your sentence, used it freely, and became famous? Or what if someone used your sentence to pass the civil service exam and everyone thought it was theirs?"
In the end, the Intellectual Property Management Office was set up to include intangible knowledge.
Many patents began to be registered with the establishment of this office. Most came from Hyang's research institute and Area 51, but there were also others.
As the office began to operate, interesting things started to happen. Some people who registered their unique technologies or tools suddenly became wealthy.
Seeing this, more craftsmen, merchants, and even impoverished scholars began to focus on inventions or developing new technologies.
The seeds of the Industrial Revolution were slowly beginning to take root in Joseon.
* * *
As the wheelbarrow became a new hit product, someone was closely examining it.
"Jang Jeongrang, do you have a grudge against the wheelbarrow? Why are you glaring at it so fiercely?"
In response to his colleague's question, Jang Yeong-sil awkwardly smiled and stood up.
"Ah... I just wanted to examine its structure more closely."
"If you want to see the structure, you can go to the archives at Area 51 or the research institute... or, given your friendship with the Crown Prince, you could even get it from the Crown Prince's treasury."
"Drawings are important, but I need to see it with my own eyes to be satisfied..."
"Hahaha! Jang Jeongrang, you're a unique one!"
The rumor that 'Jang Yeong-sil is interested in wheelbarrows' reached Hyang a bit later. Hyang was extremely busy with the reconstruction after the great fire and the road paving project.
'He can't be thinking of that, right?'
"Jang Jeongrang. I heard you've been showing interest in wheelbarrows recently."
"Yes, Your Highness. Actually, I want to create a new kiln, and I think the structure of the wheelbarrow could be helpful. The kiln I want to create is one that can... move on its own..."
"Absolutely do not try to make it alone! That's an order! Form a development team immediately! And everything must be done with my approval!"
Hyang interrupted Jang Yeong-sil, alarmed. Jang Yeong-sil, surprised by Hyang's unusual reaction, bowed his head.
"Yes, yes! I will do as you say!"
Although Jang Yeong-sil agreed, Hyang, still uneasy, called an attendant.
"Bring Seo Cho and Lee Cheon here immediately!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
After giving the order to the attendant, Hyang glared at Jang Yeong-sil.
'You, sir! If you mess this up, your head will be on the line! Why do you look so aggrieved?'
Upon receiving Hyang's call, Seo Cho and Lee Cheon rushed over. Hyang ordered them to form a development team.
"Do you really need a development team to make a kiln?"
"Jang Jeongrang, explain."
"Um? Yes, Your Highness."
Following Hyang's order, Jang Yeong-sil explained the kiln he wanted to create.
"Are you saying the kiln will move on its own?"
"Is it even possible for a kiln to move on its own?"
In response to Lee Cheon's reaction, Hyang interjected.
"If we argue that way, wouldn't the same apply to a steam locomotive?"
"Ah..."
Lee Cheon's 'Ah!' expression was cut short by Hyang's point, but Seo Cho raised a counterargument.
"A steam locomotive is large and runs on a dedicated track. However, a kiln would move on existing roads and be smaller than a locomotive."
"That's why I'm suggesting forming a development team. If it succeeds, it could be very useful in many ways, right? Not just for the people's livelihoods but also for military purposes."
Hyang's words made Seo Cho and Lee Cheon think deeply.
After much deliberation, Seo Cho and Lee Cheon gave their answers.
"It's worth a try."
"Even if it fails, we will gain something."
"Good! Form the development team immediately!"
Thus, the 'An-yeo' that had once made Jang Yeong-sil disappear from history took an unexpected turn.