Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 136
Episode 136: Fishing. (1)
After burning incense and going back and forth between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Area 51, Malbok pulled a rickshaw and headed to the store where he worked.
Tingling~.
“Look at that! Look at that!”
The little children who saw the rickshaw running while cheerfully ringing the small bell hanging in place of the horn ran behind the rickshaw with eyes full of curiosity.
“Elder! “It’s a horse suit!”
Malbok arrived at the company where he worked and visited the company’s head. Haengsu came out and saw the rickshaw and asked Malbok.
“Is that what His Majesty the Crown Prince made?”
Manbok nodded his head sharply in response to Haengsu’s question.
“Yes sir!”
“I see…”
Haengsu looked at the rickshaw while listening to Malbok’s answer and then looked back at Malbok.
“Are you putting people here?”
“yes!”
“Hmm…”
Haengsu continued to look at the rickshaw and asked Manbok a question.
“Is this back seat shaking?”
“yes. “The Crown Prince said he made it that way.”
“okay?”
In response to Malbok’s answer, Haengsu bent down and looked at the area where the wheels were.
Two curved steel plates about 1/4 inch (about 0.8 cm) thick and as wide as two fingers were located on the wheel axle, and the seats were connected to the steel plates.
“Why was it made like this?”
Haeng-su, who was examining the rickshaw while holding back his curiosity, discovered packaging surrounding the back of the chair.
“Is this something you use when it rains?”
“yes!”
Malbok was excited and opened the package attached to the rickshaw.
“They said that if you open the packaging and lower the noren like this, your guests won’t get wet even if it rains or snows!”
“That’s right, that’s really true!”
Haengsu expressed sincere exclamation at Malbok’s explanation.
“How did you come up with this idea?”
Haengsu repeatedly exclaimed in exclamation at the simple yet clear explanation, with no useless parts.
Haengsu, who had been looking at the rickshaw for a while, looked back at Malbok.
“Did you do the magic spell?”
In response to Haengsu’s question, Malbok searched through his sleeves and pulled out a small silver nugget.
“Your Majesty the Crown Prince rode it for the first time!”
“okay? “It’s a shame I can’t ride you, but please give me a ride too.”
“yes!”
Malbok responded vigorously, took out the step that he had put on the back of the rickshaw, and put it down.
“Please get in, old man.”
“OK.”
* * *
“How good it is!”
Haengsu rode around the neighborhood in a rickshaw pulled by a horse and was impressed once again.
“You don’t have to learn how to ride it like a horse or a donkey, and it doesn’t shake too much like a palanquin, so it’s truly an exquisite vehicle! “I heard that Your Majesty the Crown Prince knows a lot and creates many truly magical things. It is true!”
“Hehehe!”
Malbok was delighted with Haengsu’s praise as if he had received the praise himself.
Haengsu, who was looking at Malbok and the rickshaw, asked Malbok what was most important.
“okay. How much did you decide on the wage?”
“Oh, that’s it! The crown prince told me to ask the monk! He said that Haengsu would know the answer! ah! He told me to tell you this too! ‘If I hear about your actions through Malbok, I will be able to give you a good answer.’ “That’s right!”
Haengsu smiled bitterly at Malbok’s words.
“You gave me a really difficult homework. Anyway, since you gave me homework, I guess I have to answer it… Let’s see… Hmm…”
Haengsu, who was crossing his arms and doing calculations in his head, said to Malbok.
“I think that when going to and from the inner half of Hanseong around Gyeongbokgung Palace, 2 kilb of white rice or 2 kilo of beans would be appropriate. If you’re going to get near the four main gates, 4 kilb of white rice or 2 kilo of beans would be appropriate.”
Malbok immediately lowered his head in response to Haengsu’s answer.
“Thank you so much! “That’s how I’ll take it!”
“And I would like to add one thing: When you start working in earnest, go to Bukchon before sunrise.”
Malbok tilted his head at Haengsu’s words.
“You mean Bukchon?”
“okay. No matter how you look at it, it is something that is difficult for ordinary people to ride. However, I think it will be quite useful for those who live in Bukchon and come to the palace and their families.”
Malbok thought for a moment about Haengsu’s explanation and bowed again.
“Thank you so much! Old man Haengsu! Thank you so much! “I will also tell your Majesty the Crown Prince!”
“Why me?”
Malbok told Haengsu about the conditions set by the incense. After hearing Malbok’s story, Haengsu was impressed once again.
“What a thoughtful man! Since such a person is the Crown Prince, he is the Hongbok of Joseon!”
“Yes!”
The conversation between Haengsu and Malbok was almost over. Haengsu lightly patted Malbok on the shoulder and encouraged him.
“Live hard. “I need to cheer up your grandmother who worked hard because of you.”
“yes! Haengsu!”
“Then I won’t go in.”
“Let’s go in!”
After finishing his conversation with Malbok, Haengsu turned around and saw people flocking to the store and around him.
Haengsu stroked his beard after seeing the envy in the eyes of the men who were the same age or slightly older than Malbok.
“Hmm…”
Haengsu stopped for a moment and thought about this, then immediately called Malbok.
“Malbok!”
“Yes sir!”
“Come here early tomorrow morning… No! “Would you like to go somewhere with me now?”
“yes?”
“Wait a moment!”
Haengsu went inside the store, put on his hat, came out, and got into a rickshaw.
“let’s go!”
“yes!”
Malbok, who started the rickshaw, asked Haengsu.
“Where are you going?”
“To Area 51!”
“yes?”
“Let’s go quickly! There is no time!”
“yes!”
Haengsu, who was wearing horse clothes, muttered softly.
“I can’t be the only one who thought this…” * *
*
“Let’s leave it here for today.”
As he ended the meeting about the work going on in Area 51, Hyang added,
“Just a little more and I will be able to deliver good news to Abama. So let’s try a little harder.”
“Yes sir.”
After finishing the meeting and organizing the documents, Hyang was preparing to return to Gyeongbokgung Palace when an eunuch came in and announced.
“Lowering. “Imga, a minister with a horse and horse suit, is requesting to see you.”
“Haengsu Imga?”
After hearing the eunuch’s report, Hyang stroked her chin.
‘Has it already moved? It’s fast?’
After thinking for a moment, Hyang ordered the eunuch.
“Let them in.”
“Yes sir.”
Even after the inner coffin left, Hyang unconsciously stroked his chin and mumbled.
“You already have a beard? Shall we make a razor? While I was making the skin… Oh! He fell to Samcheonpo again. Damn it!”
It was a self-reproaching scent that, if you weren’t careful, would follow the stream of consciousness to a distant place.
After a while, the eunuch spoke.
“Bloody hell~. “Haengsu Imga and Malbok are taking the entrance exam.”
“Sigh.”
“yes.”
After a while, Haengsu entered Hyang’s office and bowed deeply to Hyang.
“Someone named Lim, a lowly merchant, comes to see you.”
“Nice to meet you. “I guess we’ll see Malbok again soon?”
“Yes yes!”
“Please sit on the chair over there.”
“I am devastated, Your Majesty.”
As Haengsu sat down on the chair recommended by Hyang, Hyang looked at Haengsu’s movements.
“Are you from a wealthy family?”
“yes.”
“Did you see the past?”
“yes. “I passed the civil service examination.”
Hearing the words ‘person who passed the civil service examination’, curiosity sparked in Hyang’s eyes.
“You passed the civil service examination, but why did you devote yourself to commerce?”
Haengsu carefully answered Hyang’s question.
“Because I was born in Uiju…”
“Ah…”
Hyang trailed off without realizing it at Haengsu’s answer. The person in front of us was a victim of ‘Northwestern discrimination’.
“However, starting this year, we will not stop Northwesterners from entering the civil service, so those among our relatives who are willing are encouraged to take on the challenge.”
“I am devastated!”
Hearing Hyang’s words, Haengsu bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.
“So… what made you want to see me?”
“Please sell me a rickshaw!”
“A rickshaw? why?”
Hyang asked Haengsu a question with sparkling eyes.
‘I can see who he is!’
Haengsu, perhaps aware of Hyang’s feelings, explained the reason in a calm voice.
“The rickshaw you made is truly a useful piece of equipment. However, a single car can only be a rare sight. “If we can operate at least twenty units, it can become a new source of protection for the people.”
“pass!”
“yes?”
When Haengsu asked with a bewildered expression at Hyang’s shout out of nowhere, Hyang hurriedly settled the situation.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I think Haengsu’s opinion is good. But it’s not something I can freely allow.”
“Then…”
Hearing Hyang’s words, Haengsu’s face showed a slight hint of disappointment. Looking at Haengsu’s face, Hyang added.
“To carry out what you said, you need Abamama’s approval. But it’s hard to get approval with what I said just now. “Can you write a proper plan by this time tomorrow?”
“It is possible!”
Hyang came to a conclusion based on Haengsu’s answer.
“Please fill out the plan by this time tomorrow and come to Gyeongbokgung Palace. step!”
Hyang warned Haengsu.
“If it’s late, no matter how good the plan is, I won’t accept it. “You know why, right?”
“Of course! Because in business, trust comes first!”
“Then let’s see tomorrow. “Let’s go.”
“yes! “I will definitely go to Gyeongbokgung Palace tomorrow!”
Hyang, who sent Malbok and Haengsu away, burst into laughter.
“Heh! Are taxis appearing before buses?”
* * *
After returning to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hyang immediately went to see King Sejong and told him what had happened.
“Hmm… Do you think Haengsu’s plan has a high chance of success?”
“Yes Abama.”
“Hmm…”
King Sejong, who was stroking his beard and considering things, looked back at the ministers.
“I think it is a good thing that the number of ports is increasing so that the people can live a more well-fed life. What do you think?”
Kim Jeom immediately answered King Sejong’s question.
“This is welcome! “We can provide more types of jobs for the people, which is a good thing and can prevent people from going hungry!”
Starting with Kim Jeom, the ministers expressed their approval.
As the ministers supported, King Sejong looked back.
“You told me to come to Gyeongbokgung Palace tomorrow?”
“Yes Abama.”
“What kind of person did it look like?”
“It seemed very useful.”
The ministers’ eyes began to sparkle at Hyang’s answer.
Several years have already passed since the ministers were tormented by King Sejong and Hyang. Thanks to this, I have become good at picking out the true meaning of seemingly random conversations.
Sejong concluded with Hyang’s answer with an expression full of curiosity.
“Is that so? “Then I guess I’ll have to see it in person tomorrow.”
* * *
“I am a so-and-so who came under orders from His Majesty the Crown Prince.”
“Wait.”
The next day, Haengsu arrived at Gyeongbokgung Palace and reported to the gatekeeper. Not long after, Haengsu was dragged into Geunjeongjeon by an eunuch who rushed out from inside.
“Are you someone so-and-so?”
“yes. “Lim Mo, a lowly merchant, meets your highness!”
Haengsu, who was immediately face to face with King Sejong, responded while lying down in a cold sweat.
“okay. “What is your name?”
“It’s called Sunuk!”
“Im Sunwook is a good name. So, have you completed what the crown prince ordered?”
“yes!”
Sunuk answered vigorously, reached into his sleeve and took out a scroll.
King Sejong, who received the scroll through a merchant ship, carefully read the contents written on it.
“Hmm… Ho-oh… Huh?”
Sejong, who showed various reactions as he read the sentence, asked Sunwook.
“A means of transportation for residents who do not have enough money? “What is this?”
“yes. I recently heard that among the horses brought in from the West, there are horses whose size and strength are incomparable. “The idea is to build a large carriage pulled by horses and then move it along a certain route for the people to use.”
“There was a similar story in rowing. “By using the train station.”
“It moves over a long distance, and what a small person writes about moves within a city or city.”
“It only moves within Hanseong? “Is there a need?”
In response to King Sejong’s question, Sunwook explained the reason.
“When a person walks on two feet, the speed is slow. Because of this, many people buy houses near their workplaces. However, in most cases, most people live in rent, which is a huge burden. However, even if it is a little far away, if there is a means to reduce that time, the people can reduce the burden of taxes.”
“I see… It’s okay. Let the ministers see this scroll.”
Sejong nodded and handed the scroll to the merchant.
As the ministers who received the scroll via merchant ship were reading its contents, King Sejong asked Sunuk a question.
“You said you passed the state exam in the past?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“When did you take it?”
“It was 20 years ago.”
“okay? “What are your grades?”
“I received a grade of B (4th to 10th) in double vision.”
In response to Sunuk, the ministers stopped reading the scroll and fixed their eyes on Sunuk. The ministers’ eyes were full of greed.
“Hoo? He was a talented person. Ministers, listen. “I think the plan posted by Lim Sun-wook is worth implementing.”
“That’s right!”
“Crown, listen.”
“yes.”
“Coordinate Sunuk’s plan with Hopan.”
“I follow your orders.”
As Hyang bowed his head, Kim Jeom shouted in a loud voice.
“I am devastated!”