Black Corporation: Joseon

Won’s story was immediately relayed to Hyang through a court eunuch.

Hearing the story, Hyang muttered with a troubled expression.

“This is difficult to give advice about… I could if it were the opposite case, but…”

In the opposite case, that is, a situation similar to what Hyang experienced in the 21st century – where the child wants to pursue their hobby but the parents oppose it – Hyang was confident he could give decent advice.

“Just maintain balance! Just balance!”

However, Won’s current situation was the complete opposite. While contemplating this tricky situation with no easy solution, Hyang let out an amused chuckle.

“Come to think of it… Jinpyeong had his hobby accident at the same place, and Anpyeong had his at the performers’ show, but it didn’t happen much with the children, did it?”

***

The exhibition hall, originally built in the Eastern Palace and later moved to the Research Institute, remained a pilgrimage site for young royals. When they reached a certain age, Sejong’s young princes, Hyang’s children, and the children of other princes all invariably passed through that place.

The same was true for performers’ shows. The most highly rated performance troupes and singing courtesans selected through the Comprehensive Entertainment Office’s touring shows were called to perform at royal feasts and holiday banquets.

Being called to perform like this was an immense honor for the performers and singing courtesans. Just being selected to perform before the king would change their performance fees from the very next show.

Interestingly, few children experienced hobby accidents while viewing the exhibition hall and performances. Of course, Jinpyeong and Anpyeong’s eldest sons immediately had hobby accidents, perhaps due to their fathers’ influence, but many children had their hobby accidents while observing military training.

Otherwise, they would have hobby accidents while watching equation-solving at the Research Institute, or while observing bruise treatment at the Royal Clinic.

Smirking, Hyang soon reflected on his own fault.

“Well, if we’re being honest, it’s my fault for making excuses to pursue my hobbies…”

Hyang readily admitted his own mistake.

***

The greatest advantage Hyang gained from reincarnation was being the king’s eldest son. Thanks to this, as long as he achieved the scholarly accomplishments Sejong and the ministers wanted, he could do whatever he wanted to his heart’s content.

“The hardship for those scholarly achievements? Laughable compared to the twelve years I was ground down during my school days in the 21st century!”

Moreover, since most of what Hyang created brought great benefits, it wasn’t long before he received Sejong’s full support.

“The circumstances were good too…”

Having access to Lee Soonji, a recognized genius in mathematics, and Jang Yeong-sil, who could be considered Joseon’s finest craftsman, was a once-in-a-lifetime fortune for Hyang.

“With my math skills, I can handle Renaissance, no, 19th-century level inventions. But if there’s someone better, of course you should use them! Same with manufacturing! People should live comfortably!”

Hyang had already benefited plenty from similar methods in the 21st century.

During his high school days, when submitting works to various competitions, Hyang would come up with ideas while leaving the numerical calculations and production to his science-track friends.

“I’m liberal arts, you know. You think I should do the calculations?”

“You talk well, you sure do…”

“Because I’m liberal arts!”

“Shit!”

As a side note, Hyang’s reincarnation was also a blessing for Joseon’s craftsmen of this era. In Joseon’s climate where everything except Confucian studies was despised, these craftsmen would have disappeared without even leaving their names. It was entirely thanks to Hyang that Joseon’s technologies and craftsmen, destined to decline as excellent techniques like the Gabin Type disappeared, could spread their wings and soar.

***

“Anyway, I should call him and say something. It would be troublesome if he goes wrong thinking ‘I’m going to go astray!'”

After organizing his thoughts, Hyang soon called Won through a court eunuch.

“You called for me, father?”

“Yes, I heard the story. Are you alright?”

At Hyang’s question, Won raised his head and stared at him. Won’s eyes were mixed with all sorts of emotions and thoughts.

Seeing Won’s face, Hyang slightly averted his gaze and cleared his throat.

“Ahem! cough!”

After clearing his throat, Hyang continued.

“The Research Institute and Area 51 probably still have much of my influence remaining. After a little more time passes, it will be dyed in your color. I hear your administrative abilities are excellent, so it would be fine to make that your color.”

Nodding at Hyang’s words, Won soon raised an objection.

“However, I am your son, father. If I receive good evaluations only for administrative ability, that’s only half of what I should achieve.”

“So? What do you want to do?”

At Hyang’s question, Won answered with a troubled face.

“I too want to create something outstanding, but… I don’t know what to do.”

After pondering Won’s words, Hyang found and gave him an answer.

“Read the Challenge Records and Response Records. You’ll find your answer there.”

Won expressed dissatisfaction at Hyang’s words.

“The Challenge Records and Response Records already contain the thoughts of many people, including you, father. Isn’t it not purely my own? I won’t receive proper evaluation.”

“You’re mistaken.”

Hyang explained how Won’s thinking was wrong.

“Your current words are like someone who hasn’t properly learned the Thousand Character Classic and Hunmin Jeongeum trying to discuss the Four Books and Three Classics.”

At Hyang’s concise point, Won blushed and bowed his head.

“Your son’s thinking was shallow!”

“Start by properly reading the Challenge Records and Response Records and examining the actual items. If you go through that process properly, you’ll know what you really want to create.”

“Yes, father. I will keep your teachings, precious as jade and gold, deeply in my heart.”

“Work hard.”

After Won paid his respects and left, Hyang muttered quietly.

“I wonder what will pop up. Though there’s a possibility it might blow up…”

****

Following Hyang’s advice, Won began thoroughly studying the Challenge Records and Response Records and carefully observing the devices currently under experimentation.

The one who was most pleased when Won started showing such interest was Jinpyeong.

“Now that you’re finally working properly, I’m truly relieved! Hahaha!”

At Jinpyeong’s words, Won bowed his head and answered.

“Please help me a lot, uncle!”

“Of course, of course! When the Crown Prince’s son asks, I must do my best! Don’t worry! Hahaha!”

Jinpyeong heartily laughed while patting Won’s shoulder.

And hearing about this, Hyang developed a headache.

“Was that really not just a nightmare… No matter what happens, I need to take him along when I move, that won’t do otherwise.”

***

Becoming immersed in the Research Institute and Area 51’s work this way, Won soon became addicted.

“This is fun, isn’t it?”

Having developed a taste for it, Won handled his duties while eating and sleeping at the Research Institute and Area 51.

Thanks to this, the administrators handling administrative work found themselves on a path of suffering.

“At least His Highness the Crown Prince would go home…”

The administrators shed tears watching Won, who had even brought bedding to his office in the research lab.

Finally, Hyang stepped in to settle this matter.

-Unnecessary overtime is prohibited except for the chief director of the Research Institute and Area 51.

***

As Won became more of an enthusiast this way, he gained one good friend.

“Oh, Chief Jo! Explain this to me!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Approaching at Won’s call, Chief Jo began explaining in detail about the device Won was pointing to.

Chief Jo, who explained things to Won, was Jang Yeong-sil’s disciple.

When leaving for New Territory, Jang Yeong-sil left his disciple at Area 51.

“I will follow you, master!”

“You have much work to do here.”

“But master, who will take care of you if not me…”

“My arms and legs still work fine!”

After leaving his disciple behind like this, Jang Yeong-sil muttered quietly on the ship departing for New Territory.

“At least you should live…”

Area 51 in New Territory was just beginning, and the person in charge was Sejong, who was as famous as Hyang for giving lots of work.

That’s why Jang Yeong-sil left his disciple behind.

Thus, Chief Jo Man-bok, who remained at the Research Institute, became Won’s dedicated private tutor.

This was because Man-bok was the youngest among the proven craftsmen.

***

“Hmm…”

Glaring at the Challenge Records and Response Records in his office, Won unconsciously let out a groan.

“This isn’t easy… ugh…”

Continuing to make sounds of suffering, Won organized the situation.

-Selecting one from existing Challenge Records is beyond his current level.

-For the same reason, it’s impossible to select and improve something from the Response Records.

-The same goes for touching the theories being researched at the Institute.

-Conclusion: Venturing into a completely new field is easiest. Even if he fails, if he produces somewhat satisfactory results, they can be registered in the Challenge Records.

“And I can flatten the noses of those who compared me to father!”

After organizing the situation this way, Won reached a conclusion.

“Let’s try making something new!”

Having firmed his resolve this way, Won looked around but soon burst out in frustration.

“Oh father! What on earth haven’t you touched!”

Things Hyang had made were crawling all over land and sea.

“What on earth should I do…”

With his mind feeling stifled in this situation with no answer, Won looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh.

“Haa~. That… huh?”

Won, who had been sighing while looking at the sky, froze in place. Soon, a huge smile began to appear on Won’s face as he blankly stared at the sky.

“That’s it! The sky!”

Having found his direction, Won ran straight to the Eastern Palace.

“Father! I’ve finally found it!”

At Won’s words, Hyang asked with a face mixing joy and curiosity.

“Oh? That’s fortunate! Well, what is it?”

“Your son will fly in the sky!”

“Huh?”

Pausing briefly at Won’s words, Hyang soon answered with a serious face.

“That’s truly a good idea. Give it a try. However, there’s one condition. If you’re going to experiment with human passengers, you must absolutely not board! This is an order!”

“Huh? What? Yes.”

Momentarily dumbfounded at Hyang’s unprecedented firm order, Won soon answered.

“Keep my words in mind. Do well.”

“Thank you!”

Though there was an incomprehensible order in the middle, Won left Seunghwadang excitedly after obtaining Hyang’s permission.

After sending Won out, Hyang muttered with a troubled face.

“Well now, this seems to have bounced off in an unexpected direction? Or not?”

Knowing Won’s concerns through the court eunuchs, Jeong In-ji, Lee Chun, and others who assisted Won, Hyang muttered with a troubled face.

“I now understand how my parents in the 21st century and current father and mother must have felt.”

****

Meanwhile, Won, who returned to Area 51 excitedly, called for Chief Jo.

“Hey, Chief Jo! Chief Jo!”

“Yes, Your Highness! What is it?”

“I’ve finally got permission!”

Chief Jo, who knew well what concern had been eating at Won all this time, was genuinely congratulatory while also feeling curious.

“Congratulations! So what will you do?”

“We’re going to fly in the sky! You must help me!”

“What?”

For a moment, Chief Jo froze in place.