Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 282
Episode 282 Chick-chug-pocket-pocket! (3)
Agenda regarding ‘Hansung Circular Train’ and ‘Managed Housing Village’ were decided. But the railroad-related agenda did not end there.
A week later, a cabinet meeting was held at Geunjeongjeon.
“Then the next item on the agenda is about ‘building a third steel mill.’”
When the ‘3rd steel mill’ was put on the agenda, the atmosphere of King Sejong and the ministers became heavy.
“Didn’t the second steel mill in Musan start producing iron some time ago?”
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development Jeong Yeok (Note 1) immediately answered Sejong’s question.
“That’s right. However, the amount of iron needed by the people of Joseon continues to increase, and it is becoming difficult for the first steel mill in Anju and the second steel mill in Cheongjin to meet the demand.”
“Is it that much?”
“That’s right.”
At the gesture of Jeong Yeok’s hand, a low-ranking official who had been waiting behind him came forward holding a ruler. The low-ranking official who bowed to King Sejong hung the royal chart on a hanger and stepped back.
Jeong Yeok passed the marker on the chart with the pointing stick.
When I turned the cover, a large solid graph painted in various colors appeared.
“This line here is the monthly production of Steel Mill No. 1. The next line is the monthly production of the second steel mill. And this line is the total production volume of the two steel mills, and the last line is the consumption of iron used throughout Joseon.”
Sejong, who was looking at the graph while listening to Jeong Yeok’s explanation, looked interested.
“The people consume a lot of iron?”
“That’s right.”
Looking at the graph of the chart made by Jeong Yeok, the graph recording the amount of iron consumed in Joseon was gradually sloping steeply to the right.
Meanwhile, Hyang, who was looking at the graph, was thinking about something else.
‘These guys use graphs until they dry out and wear out?’
When I first learned about graphs, I thought, ‘What are they used for?’ It was the ministers and officials who responded, but now it is graphs and tables that appear like licorice in a pharmacy.
“Why do the people use so much iron?”
Kim Jeom answered King Sejong’s question on Jeongyeok’s behalf.
“Women that used to be made of wood or pottery are increasingly being replaced with iron. The most famous one is ‘Pail’.”
* * *
As the war progressed, people who became rich appeared. There were merchants, but surprisingly, blacksmiths also made up a significant number of them.
It was thanks to the ‘Intellectual Property Management Office’ that blacksmiths were able to acquire wealth.
Blacksmiths immediately registered the new products they came up with with the Intellectual Property Management Office. The items so registered were known throughout Joseon through official gazettes.
Among those known products, the most useful ones were those that merchants signed production contracts with or paid royalties for and mass-produced them in their own workshops.
Through this process, many products became a hit, so-called.
Among them, the most famous one was ‘Pail’.
Until then, water was carried using wooden or appropriately sized pots, but pails took their place.
As soon as the bucket was released on the market, it monopolized the love of women. Because it was light and strong, it was comfortable to carry water, and it was also useful for boiling laundry or mowing the grass in the kitchen.
Thanks to this, the blacksmith who made the bucket became rich enough for ‘three generations to have fun’.
* * *
Kim Jeom, who had been explaining using ‘pail’ as an example, continued speaking.
“Many of these items are being made as well-refined steel is supplied in large quantities at low prices through steel mills. In particular, sturdy farm tools are being produced in large quantities, which is of great help to farming.”
“is it?”
“Thanks to you, tax revenue is increasing.”
“This is truly a good thing.”
Sejong’s face brightened at Kim Jeom’s words.
Hyang, who saw that, muttered to himself.
‘Truly the rice of industry.’
* * *
Joseon’s ironware culture flourished as large quantities of iron (guaranteed to be of above-average quality) were supplied at low prices from two steel mills.
This was thanks to the government taking responsibility for the iron-making process, which is the part that consumes the most resources in the process of producing iron products.
Blacksmiths throughout Joseon were able to obtain the iron they needed and make products through monopoly shops. This was a blessing for blacksmiths. Blacksmiths who still lacked skills obtained better materials than when they made them themselves, and blacksmiths with good skills were able to make better quality iron easily and quickly by adding a little effort.
Equipment made from iron materials in this way – especially agricultural tools – showed superior efficiency.
When clearing farmland or digging furrows in fields, the newly made farming tools were not easily damaged and were able to dig deeper furrows than before.
Agricultural production increased with the use of proper deep cultivation methods.
* * *
“I understand, but wouldn’t it be better to expand the two already existing steel mills?”
In response to Sejong’s question, Kim Jeom moved to the side of Jeong Yeok and began to explain.
“That is one way, but there is a problem. In the case of Anju, expansion work has already been carried out and the location itself makes it difficult to expand further.”
“What about Cheongjin’s second steel mill?”
“The second steel mill has limitations in the materials itself, making it difficult to achieve profitability.”
Sejong’s face became serious at Kim Jeom’s words.
“What is the problem with the material itself?”
“First of all, in the case of iron ore, the quality of stone iron ore mined in Musan is somewhat poor. In addition, the quality of coal mined in Aoji is greatly reduced.”
As Kim Jeom said, the iron ore mined in Musan and the coal produced in Aoji had quality problems.
* * *
In the history before Hyang intervened, the iron ore discovered in Musan had problems.
Musan iron ore was discovered during the colonial era. Because it was an open pit mine, it was easy to mine, but Japan did not pay much attention because the iron content was only 37-40%.
However, as Japan’s imperialistic behavior intensified, the Musan mine began to be developed in earnest.
The same was true for Aoji’s coal. The coal mined in Aoji’s coal mine was lignite. It was an item that caught fire easily, but produced a large amount of ash and had low calorific value.
This was the fundamental problem that prevented the production of the second steel mill from easily increasing.
* * *
“So we need to build a third steel mill?”
“That’s right.”
“Do you have enough funds? No, seeing as the captain has stepped forward, it looks like he has ample funds.”
Kim Jeom responded to Sejong’s words with a small, wry smile.
“That’s right. “Although we will have to save money for a while, it is something that must be done because even greater difficulties can be solved once the steel mill is completed.”
“So, is there a suitable candidate site?”
Jeongyeok came forward again to answer King Sejong’s question.
“Yeonil-gun is coming.”
“Yeonil-kun?”
In response to King Sejong’s question, Jeongyeok immediately turned over the paper on the hanging. The new paper had a map of Yeonil-gun and nearby Dalcheon-gun in Ulsan.
“This is Yeonil-gun.”
“Why there?”
In response to King Sejong’s question, Jeong Yeok pointed to Dalcheon-gun and explained.
“There is a large iron mine located here in Dalcheon-gun. It is difficult to obtain fuel for use in the blast furnace, and since the surrounding area is all farmland and urban areas, we have only identified the location, but if you look at the size of the iron ore, it is sufficiently profitable.”
“Isn’t the fuel issue still a problem?”
At Sejong’s point, Jeongyeok immediately turned over the paper.
The next chapter depicted the Joseon mission. Jeong Yeok continued his explanation while scanning the east coast with his pointer.
“This problem can be solved immediately by laying a railroad along the flat area of the east coast and transporting the coal mined in Gangwon-do.”
“What is the means of transportation?”
“It’s coming soon.”
“Iron horse?”
Hearing the word ‘iron horse’, King Sejong analyzed the situation for a moment.
‘It’s been less than a week since you saw the iron horse, so you made this plan?’
Sejong immediately glared at Hyang.
‘Is it you?’
Hyang responded to the unspoken question in Sejong’s gaze with a slight smile. Seeing that, Sejong let out a small sigh.
“Whoa~.”
‘Now they are even controlling the ministers. I feel like I’ll get scolded if I say it directly. But still. I think it will make my job easier.’
Sejong looked at the incense and smiled meaningfully.
‘I think I’ll be able to see the results of what I’m currently researching in about two years, so let’s see then.’
Sejong’s unexpected smile suddenly made her feel chills.
‘what? ‘Is it suddenly strong?’
Anyway, King Sejong soon focused on the agenda.
“If you use the iron horse like that, isn’t there a need to build it in Yeonil-gun?”
Jeongyeok responded to Sejong’s point by pointing to Dongrae.
“Waegwan is just around the corner.”
“If Japanese pirates are the problem, Yeonil-gun is even more so…”
Sejong, who was studying the map, stopped talking and nodded.
“Janggi-gun and Heunghae-gun will block from the left and right. “I understand.”
After hearing that explanation, King Sejong looked back at the other ministers.
“What are your opinions?”
In response to King Sejong’s question, the ministers gathered their thoughts for a moment and began to open their mouths one by one.
“I think it’s reasonable.”
“I think it is absolutely necessary as the demand for iron needed by the people of Joseon is increasing.”
“I’ll buy it back. “If demand increases but supply is insufficient, tamchae (secretly mining minerals for unfair profits) may become prevalent again.”
Before the construction of steel mills, Jamchae was prevalent in Joseon. However, with the supply of steel with guaranteed performance from steel mills, shackles became a thing of the past. However, if there was a supply shortage, lock-in could become prevalent again.
Seeing that most of the ministers agreed, King Sejong came to a conclusion.
“Okay. I authorize the construction of the third steel mill. “I hope that all of you will work together to ensure that the necessary matters can be handled with ease.”
“I follow your orders!”
* * *
After finishing the meeting and returning to the Ministry of Finance and Economy building, Kim Jeom quickly checked the situation.
“Have you finished organizing the items and quantities you will bring with you when you go to Ming? Surely it’s not over yet?”
“Here it is!”
As Kim Jeom’s voice became sharper, a subordinate executive rushed over and submitted a thick report.
Kim Jeom turned the cover of the report and quickly checked the item and quantity.
“Hmm…”
After flipping through the papers and checking the numbers, Kim handed the report back to the executive in front of him.
“The quantity is too small. “Adjust it again.”
“It’s still more than twice as much?”
“You bastard! Are you proud of twice the size? In my time! If you pay tribute to Beijing and receive double the amount, you’ll be asked, ‘Did you have fun?’ He cursed me like this! It should be 3 times the basic, and 4 times the amount should be used to say, ‘Did you do some work?’ When you hear it, you have to say 5 times more, ‘You will succeed!’ It was evaluated as such! “Why are you crying over twice as much!”
“If you do something wrong, there will be diplomatic problems….”
“You bastard! Why are you worried about that! “It’s up to those guys at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to worry about that!”
“But…”
“Do you want to eat the deer antler that His Majesty the Lord gave you instead of me?”
“We will fix it right away!”
As soon as Kim Jeom finished speaking, the executive took the report and disappeared. Kim Jeom, who was watching that scene, clicked his tongue.
“Tsk! “Guys these days just know the tricks!”
Kim Jeom’s voice echoed throughout the building.
The problem was that the administrative buildings located in the area called ‘Yukjo Street’ were close together, and right next to the Ministry of Finance and Economy was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Thanks to this, the Foreign Ministry officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building had to tremble and grind their teeth as they held the gold pen.
“Pudduk!”
* * *
Note 1) Jeongyeok agrees to the position of Haeju, the main office of the civil servant during the reign of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty. Comprehensive information system for historical figures in Korea.