Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 728
Episode 728: Jang Yeong-sil’s Legacy (5)
“First of all, I will show you where to make iron horses.”
Hyang shook his head at Jang On’s words.
“Starting from the steel mill. Iron horses, railroad tracks, and other equipment all require high-quality iron, so it makes sense to start with the steel mill.”
Jinpyeong, who was sitting next to Hyang, nodded at Hyang’s words. Jang On was right next to the two people’s reactions. He grabbed the Jeonseong-gwan attached to him and changed his destination.
“We are moving to the steel mill.”
-Yes, I will go to the steel mill first.
After a while, the tow truck pulling the fisherman turned around.
Inside the train heading to the steel mill, Hyang muttered to himself.
‘According to a report we received two years ago, we were researching a new iron-making method under the leadership of Jang Yeong-sil. And the report I received just before coming said that they were preparing for mass production using a new steelmaking method.
If that is true, it should be applied to this newspaper immediately. By the way, Jang Yeong-sil had a hand in iron making… was it really made properly? ‘
Hyang looked out the window with a mixture of anticipation and worry.
***
Not long after, the fish truck arrived at the steel mill.
The scent coming from the fishing car exuded admiration at the enormous steel mill facilities unfolding before my eyes.
“It’s truly huge!”
Jang On responded to Hyang’s exclamation with a face full of pride.
“I am confident that it is no less large than the steel mills in our hometown!”
“I see. Let’s go inside.”
“I will guide you! Please come this way!”
Hyang-hyang, who entered the steel mill under Jang-on’s guidance, could not stop admiring it.
“This is where Gorojang comes.”
“It’s huge!”
The four-story steel structure was woven horizontally and vertically, and many indigenous people and local craftsmen were working among it.
“To be honest, it feels more properly polished than the steel mills in the main area.”
“That’s because it was created with the problematic parts there in mind from the beginning.”
“Is that so? ”
Hyang nodded in response to Jang On’s answer.
The steel mill in the main site was based on the traditional iron making method, which was expanded in size and gradually changed to suit mass production. A
blast furnace using stone and earth was replaced with plaster and iron refractory. By converting to a large-scale blast furnace using bricks and
using a blower using a steam engine instead of a bellows,
the amount of steel produced by the two steel mills alone exceeded the amount of steel produced in the entire Ming Dynasty. The quality was even better.
However, the blast furnace and production facilities here now looked almost similar to the steel mills of the 19th century seen in documentaries and other historical books.
‘Not only the design and layout of the facilities were similar, but even the production methods and production volume were similar. If you do this, this is a revolution!’
Hyang-hyang, whose expectations were growing higher, immediately asked Jang-on,
“Will it melt twice here too? ”
The steelmaking method that Hyang chose through the competition was to cool the molten metal that was first melted and then melt it again to reduce the amount of carbon.
Through this process, it was possible to obtain large quantities of high-quality steel, but only at the expense of increased coal consumption. In response to Hyang’s question ,
Jang On smiled brightly and answered,
“It only comes once! ”
“Is it possible with number 1?”
“It is possible by using a stove!”
“A stove? Let me see!”
“This way!”
An object resembling a huge kettle was moving at the place Jang-on guided.
The object, which was filled with molten iron coming out of the discharge port of the blast furnace through the spout, was moved with the spout up and pulled by a tow truck.
The place where it was moved was blocked on three sides by a round dome-shaped fire wall.
As soon as the equipment arrived in place, a large blowing pipe was connected. And after some time, large flames and drops of molten metal came out like lava through the high spout.
When Hyang saw that, she screamed inwardly.
‘me! me! I’ve seen this on the internet!
This is the Bessemer Converter! ‘
Jang On excitedly explained whether he knew what Hyang was feeling or not.
“….. If you blow hot air like that for a certain period of time, you can easily obtain steel of the desired quality.”
“Are you adjusting the blowing time? ”
Jang On answered Hyang’s question with a surprised face.
“That’s right! Knowing the principle just by looking at it once is truly a waste of time! ”
“That’s too much praise. Then what about the annual production?”
“It’s close to the annual production of the No. 1 steel mill in the area.”
“Is that so? ”
‘Huh? It’s worse than expected?’
Seeing Hyang’s expression full of disappointment, Jang-on immediately added,
“Right now, only about 1/3 of the entire area is operating properly.”
“huh? So does that mean that by moving only 1/3, the annual production of the first steel mill can be achieved? ”
“That’s right.”
“Why is only 1/3 moving?”
“Most of the remaining areas are still under construction and there is a severe shortage of workers.” ”
Then, many of the buildings seen from the outside are just shells. Is it there? “
“We only have a roof and pillars.”
Hyang slightly frowned at Jang On’s words.
“Wasn’t it too hasty to build a roof and pillars when it wasn’t necessary yet? Maintaining them would also cost a lot of money, right?”
“Of course it is. However, if you prepare the ground in advance, you can immediately know where it is convenient to transport people and materials…”
Hyang stroked his chin and muttered to himself,
‘So, the simulation was run on a 1:1 scale…’
Looking at Hyang with a frown on his face, Jang On hurriedly took out his avoidance card.
“The previous director suggested it, and Tae Sang-tae gave his approval to do it. However, if you give me your order, I will immediately demolish it.”
Hearing Jang On’s words, Hyang threw up his hand.
“It was absolutely necessary, so the Emperor Taesang must have approved it.” And demolishing it again would be expensive, so just take good care of it.”
“I will obey your orders!”
“Then see you next time.”
“Yes! Then, I will show you the process of making tracks for railroad tracks!”
“Your Majesty! Let’s go!”
As soon as Jang On’s words came out, Jinpyeong’s eyes sparkled and he smelled incense. Seeing Jinpyeong like that, Hyang sighed softly and responded.
“Hehe~ Okay, let’s go. Go.”
“I will prepare a car! ”
“How far can I go by car? ”
“That’s right.”
In response to Jang On’s answer, Hyang grumbled slightly.
“This damn piece of land….”
***
After seeing the manufacturing process at the orbital factory, Hyang lightly shook his head and expressed his impressions.
“Indeed, the land is large. This is a possible method.”
Along the endlessly long factory, long pillar-shaped steel materials were being made into tracks through a rolling process.
When we first made tracks for iron horses, we used castings. However, it was difficult to achieve uniform quality and
there were problems with mass production.
Thanks to this, Hyang worked together with artisans from Area 51, starting with Jang Yeong-sil, to study rolling methods.
Because the supply and demand of steel materials was smooth and the steam engine was introduced, the development and introduction of the rolling process went smoothly.
There was just one problem: lack of space.
Area 51 was already almost full, and the same was true outside.
Residential areas and rice fields were already in place in a space suitable for a factory.
Of course, due to the royal land ideology, land nationalization had ended, meaning all land in the country belonged to the king. However, there was also a problem with unconditionally expelling residents.
Thanks to this, township officials had no choice but to acquire enough land near Area 51 and the steel mill to build a track manufacturing plant without causing complaints.
As a result, the track of the railway laid in this area could not exceed 8 pieces (approximately 24m) no matter how long it was.
***
The form of the factory that Hyang sees now is a typical form of sacrificing space for production efficiency.
“How long is it?”
“There are about 400 pieces (about 1.2km) from end to end.”
“Is it because of the furnace and warehouse? ”
“If you include the yard, it’s about 10 ri (about 4 km).”
“10 ri…”
At Jang On’s answer, not only Hyang but even Jinpyeong of the world gaped in surprise.
But Hyang soon came to his senses and understood. He nodded with a look on his face.
“Thanks to you, we can save a lot of time and resources in the production process.”
“That’s right! ”
Jang On nodded with a proud face.
The process of making tracks in the track manufacturing factory that Jang On showed me was as follows.
The steel in the yard is put into the heating furnace by a lifter, and from then on, other processes are made until the final finished product is produced. There was no way to move from place to place. It was mounted on a long roll and all processes started and ended on one line. In short, it
was a production method that would be difficult to even think about unless there was an endless amount of land.
‘Scientific design that only thought about production efficiency. It’s the pinnacle of.’
Jang On, perhaps aware of Hyang’s feelings, excitedly explained,
“We are not only producing 8 single track tracks for use in mountainous or curved areas, but we are also producing the most regular 20 track tracks (approximately 60m) in length. There is.”
Jinpyeong immediately joined in on Jang On’s words.
“8 chapters is the standard in this newspaper, but that’s standard here? ”
“That’s right. Since most of the tracks are flat and straight, it is advantageous to make the track longer.”
Hearing that, Hyang took offense.
“There is a problem with the track stretching in the summer, so we limit the length and leave the joints open. But is it okay if it is longer?”
“That part ? We also found the optimal joint space through experimentation and measurement. We are also continuing to research steel materials. So the ultimate goal is to produce a Jangtae orbit with a length of 100 Jang (approximately 300 m).”
“100 Jang! We must succeed!”
When Jinpyeong was holding Jang On’s hand and earnestly asking for it. Hyang looked at the factory once again.
‘The size of this factory… the long rail was the goal…’
Hyang, who had a bored expression on his face as he looked at the long factory ignorantly, asked Jang On.
“Was the design of this factory also done by the former director? ”
“yes! And the Tae Sang-tae has been granted permission! ”
In response to Jang On’s response, Hyang placed his hand on his forehead.
‘These noblemen!’
The report sent by King Sejong from Shinji simply said:
– Construction of an orbital production plant.
– Construction of a steel mill.
– Details omitted due to limited length. .
Shaking his head, Hyang looked at Jang On.
“It was possible because of Shinji.”
Hyang’s words had several meanings.
– When carrying out large-scale construction and civil engineering projects, the most important thing to worry about is the budget.
– And this Where the budget is spent the most is materials and wages.
– However, in the case of Shinji, construction materials, including wood, were everywhere in abundance. Compared to the main paper, it is safe to say that there is almost no cost to obtain and transport materials.
– Also, the quality is good. Iron ore and coal mines were discovered, and transportation costs were greatly reduced through water transport using Daehogun.
– And labor costs were greatly reduced by hiring the natives of the new area as laborers. Of course, as time passed, these people also became skilled workers and did not discriminate against natives. We will have to pay wages, but this is not the case right now
– the most important thing. It is difficult for officials from this newspaper – especially the Ministry of Finance and the Board of Audit and Inspection – to come and investigate in detail. In other words, as long as you stay within the given budget, crazy things like what you see are possible!