Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 78
Episode 78 SimCity Hanseong, SimCity Joseon (2)
Hyang accompanied King Sejong to Gangwon-do.
“It’s been a while since a father and son move together.”
Although he was hesitant before departure, King Sejong enjoyed the trip after departure.
“Yes, Abama. “But the road is definitely a problem.”
Sejong nodded at Hyang’s point.
“I see. For the success of the police station, the roads need to be repaired. “I don’t know when the railroad will be completed.”
Hyang immediately bowed her head at Sejong’s words.
“Here comes the Emperor. My abilities are low….”
“It is not your abilities that are the problem, but the capabilities of this Joseon Dynasty. “I don’t know if there is another way.”
Hyang flinched under Sejong’s subtle gaze.
Although the railway was revealed in advance for shock therapy, everyone knew that there was no telling when it could start.
However, in a situation where no one was sure what the outcome of the light project would be if the implementation was suddenly announced and progressed step by step, the railroad was a symbolic entity that could actually show it.
Of course, there were side effects.
From some moment. The point is that King Sejong subtly notices the scent and the frequency of stir-frying has increased.
The procession, guarded by heavily armed cavalry, centered around King Sejong, who was paying attention, and Hyang, who was starting to take notice, moved slowly along the narrow road.
* * *
In Hanyang, King Sejong was reluctant to leave, but as the shadow of the capital city receded, he began to become more energetic little by little.
“It feels really good to be outside for the first time in a long time!”
“You have been too immersed in political affairs.”
King Sejong nodded at the words of Do Seung-ji, who accompanied him.
“I didn’t feel that way. “I think it would be good to take a break here and there.”
“That’s right.”
Hyang, who was listening to the conversation between Sejong and Do Seung-ji from behind, lightly clenched his fist.
‘Even if you don’t like YOLO, work-life balance is important! Cancer!’
In the 21st century, the word Hyang, who was a self-proclaimed ‘end-stage incurable fanatic’, surprisingly disliked was ‘Yolo (Yolo You Only Live Once)’.
‘YOLO is a waste of life!’
It was a somewhat contradictory claim, but it was a scent that didn’t really like YOLO or SNS.
“If you make a living out of being a geek or just create a piece of art, what’s the point of posting it on social media?”
Hyang always responded in the same way to the rebuttals of friends around her – friends in the very dictionary sense of the word, not connected through virtue.
“It makes a difference in productivity! I am productive and YOLO people are consumptive! “What are you treating people like?”
It was a scent that made a completely unconvincing argument.
* * *
While King Sejong was enjoying his leisure time heading towards Hoengseong, Gangwon-do, a fire broke out in a place in Hanyang.
February 15, 8th year of King Sejong’s reign.
In fact, it was the beginning of the ‘Great Fire of Hanyang’, an event that caused damage unprecedented in Joseon history except for war.
“Fire!”
The fire started at the house of Jangryong Namjong, a member of Insunbu.
The fire that burned Jangryong’s house spread to nearby areas thanks to the northwest wind that blew at the right time.
The thatched roofs of the thatched houses where the common people of Joseon lived were the perfect material for catching fire.
The embers flying in the wind quickly caught on to the roofs of nearby thatched houses, and the number of houses that began to burn began to increase exponentially.
“mama! mama! There’s a big fire! “You must escape quickly!”
“what!”
Upon receiving urgent news that a fire had broken out, Queen Soheon left her seat and went outside.
“Please escape quickly!”
“Shut up! The city is on fire and you can’t escape! Quickly, summon the guards and extinguish the fire!”
Queen Soheon, with a bulging belly because she was serving as Grand Prince Geumseong at the time, began to lead the battle herself.
“Call the ministers immediately! And see how far the fire has spread!”
“Yes mama!”
According to Queen Soheon’s order, the court ladies and eunuchs began to move diligently.
While the palace eunuchs and court ladies were moving around frantically, the ministers who received the call rushed to Queen Soheon.
“Ministers, command the Pocheong immediately and extinguish the fire!”
“Yes mama!”
“And send a messenger to Hoengseong and inform the chief minister!”
“Yes mama!”
However, rather than being suppressed, the wind-driven fire gradually expanded its scope.
“The fire is spreading, ma’am!”
Queen Soheon, who received a report on the situation from Hwang Hee, bit her lip and made a decision.
“Mobilize all your manpower to protect Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine! You can give up government offices and warehouses!”
“Then we won’t have enough manpower to put out the fire!”
“If a house catches fire, evacuate people first rather than putting out the fire.”
Although it was a heartless order in some ways, it was an order that both Queen Soheon, who gave the order, and the ministers who received the order understood its necessity.
This was because if Jongmyo Shrine and the palace burned down, a huge amount of money would be spent on restoration, not to mention political responsibility.
* * *
“majesty! “It’s coming urgently from the capital!”
“What kind of emergency is this?”
King Sejong, who was resting at the point where he had almost reached Hoengseong, stood up from his chair at Do Seung-ji’s words.
“They say there is a big fire in the city!”
“what! “Change your words immediately!”
The military officer who had been obeying King Sejong’s orders stepped forward to stop him.
“Your Majesty, the sun will set soon. The road at night is dangerous…”
“Go! Immediately send messengers to all the pavilions on the way to the capital! Mobilize the soldiers and light the way!”
“I follow your orders!”
In response to King Sejong’s orders, military officers selected messengers and delivered King Sejong’s orders.
“Hey!”
The messengers who received King Sejong’s orders rode out on horseback, and King Sejong gave orders to those who served him.
“Return to the capital immediately! “Finish preparations!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
While King Sejong was hurriedly leading his men and riding his horse, the sun completely set.
“This is a bit dangerous…”
Just as I was worried about the scent as I watched the road getting dark, the road became brighter.
Local leaders who received orders through messengers sent by King Sejong in advance mobilized soldiers to clear the way.
With soldiers holding torches standing on either side of the road, the horses on which King Sejong and his party rode ran down the road with a rough pounding of the ground.
And Hyang realized one thing.
‘This gentleman is good at riding horses?’
* * *
Thanks to riding his horse without stopping, King Sejong was able to return to the palace that night.
“welcome.”
“I’m glad you’re safe. “Thank you for your hard work.”
Under the reign of King Sejong, Queen Soheon seemed to have finally relaxed.
“Bring the main battle inside.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
King Sejong sent in Queen Soheon, who was suffering from pregnancy, and immediately went to check on the situation without even changing his clothes.
“What is the situation?”
“For now, it looks like the big fire has been put out.”
“How much damage is there?”
“We are counting now. Fortunately, Jongmyo Shrine and Changgyeonggung Palace escaped the fire.”
“Whoa~.”
Sejong let out a long sigh and examined the situation in more detail.
“What about the victims?”
“We are currently counting.”
“Strengthen security as thieves will take advantage of the chaotic times to steal goods.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“It’s cold, so call the military camp and ask them to set up a tent.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After that urgent night, a report came in that the big fire had been put out.
“Thank goodness.”
As King Sejong looked relieved, people’s screams were heard outside.
“Fire!”
“Fire!”
‘Fire!’ When the shout began to be heard again, Sejong kicked up his seat.
“Where is it!”
“Check now…”
As Hwang Hee was about to give an order, an official came in from outside.
“majesty! “There’s a fire!”
“Where is it!”
“We’re near Jeonokso!”
“Extinguish the fire immediately!”
“yes!”
The officials delivered King Sejong’s order with an urgent look on their faces.
Sejong’s face became sharp as he took a moment to sort out the situation.
“There’s something strange about a fire that was almost extinguished starting again! Someone started the fire! Find the arsonist!”
“I follow your orders!”
After the desperate efforts of the government and people, the great fire in Hanyang was contained.
With fire shaking from all directions, King Sejong organized the situation.
“Please report the damage confirmed so far.”
“Yes, first of all, the dead are 9 men and 23 women, excluding infants and the elderly. “Those who were burned to death in the house are being identified by comparing them with family registers.”
“Whoa~. “What about the houses?”
“We are counting now, but even if we exclude Haengnangchae and Jeonokso in Insunbu, there are at least 1,800 houses.”
“Oh my… I lost my house this winter…” As
Sejong lamented, Hyang next to him joined in.
“Abama. Losing your home is a big deal, but losing food is even bigger. “People who have nothing to eat are more likely to commit sin.”
“I see! “I need to contact the rice warehouse in Bupyeong right away.”
In response to Sejong’s words, Hyang pointed out the problem.
“Even if you contact the rice warehouse, bringing it in and processing it takes a long time. “There is a significant amount of dry matter stored in Area 51, so please use it first.”
“Is this possible when there are more than one or two people who have lost their homes?”
“We can make time to mill and bring it back from the rice warehouse.”
“good night! “Do it!”
“I follow your orders!”
When King Sejong gave permission, Hyang immediately called a government official and delivered the order to Area 51.
When security became a problem, King Sejong issued orders to ministers in this regard.
“Immediately issue an order to the military camp to mobilize troops. “Let us maintain security with the troops and personnel from the Pocheong.”
“I follow your orders!”
“And set up tents on fires and vacant lots so that those who have lost their homes can rest.”
“I follow your orders.”
“Finally, in the place where the fire was avoided, have five guards in each room and at the center of each building, and have a police officer and a byeolsun inspect each precinct.”
“I follow your orders!”
King Sejong, who gave orders for maintaining public order, paused for a moment to gather his thoughts.
“After experiencing this disaster, there was something I thought was strange. The first fire was almost completely destroyed, so why did the second fire start? In the first place, it is natural for fires to spread even if they are just a little careless, but I don’t understand. “This is most likely someone’s arson, so get a separate room.”
Sejong established the contents of the notice to catch the arsonist as follows.
-If the person who started the fire is caught and reported, all commoners will be given government positions regardless of rank, and commoners will be removed from office. In addition, 200 rolls of cotton cloth will be provided as a prize.
* * *
It was a great fire that reduced much of Hanyang to ashes, but the control proceeded surprisingly quickly.
The first reason was that the family register secured through continuous cowpox vaccination was of great help.
Because we knew exactly where and how many people lived, the damage investigation proceeded quickly and manpower mobilization was easy.
The second reason was that the dryness of the scent played a large role.
Warm porridge with plenty of meat was a great help to those who suffered a huge blow to their physical and mental health during the cold winter.
The dried grains that had been made and stored in this way fulfilled their role sufficiently until the rice that had been polished and sent from the rice warehouse in Bupyeong arrived.
If only there were side effects…
“Now, take the rice.”
“I am….”
“Why?”
“Can’t you give me dry food instead of rice?”
“Eh?”
“All the cabinets were completely burned in the fire.”
“….”
“The pickles were all overcooked and I couldn’t eat them? “There’s no salt… can’t you just give me dry food?”
A fatal side effect occurred in that the tastes of the victims were adjusted upward.
And merchants visited Area 51 to meet the incense.
“Why did you find me?”
“I want to produce dry goods.”
“huh?”
“It is very useful as food to eat while on the road, and since it can be stored for a long time, it is also suitable as emergency food. And the taste and flavor are good, so it’s perfect as a side dish.”
Hyang shook her head as she listened to the merchant’s explanation.
‘What a merchant’s instinct is!’
* * *
Meanwhile, in response to King Sejong’s order to arrest the arsonist, many people actively pursued the arsonist.
“We have caught the arsonists.”
“How many people?”
“There are 11 people in total.”
King Sejong gritted his teeth at the sentence’s answer.
“What on earth are you damn squires doing?”
“Most of them come from the Yeongheung region, Gilju, Bukcheong, and water sellers.”
“Water vendor? no way!”
“It is exactly what your highness had in mind.”
In response to the sentence judge’s answer, Sejong hit the armrest.
“Have you seen these slanderers! They’re doing this for their own gain! Put them to death, hang all the men in their family, and make their wives and daughters slaves!”
“I follow your orders!”
Although this ruling brought tragedy to many families, few felt pity. This was because those who lost their property and family in an instant needed something to vent their anger on.
* * *
The first raid ended with the arsonist being sentenced and 300 grains and 300 sacks of groceries distributed to the victims.
“Even if we can rebuild the houses lost in the fire, we still need measures against fire…”
Sejong, who was slightly speechless, looked back.
“Seja. Would you like to give it a try? No, I’m still young, so I guess I should leave it to someone else.”
“Soja will do it! “Just leave it to me!”
“Are you sure you can do it?”
In response to Sejong’s question, which had suspicious eyes, Hyang answered firmly.
“I am confident!”
“Trust me.”
“I follow your orders!”
Hyang answered confidently and went out to prepare.
Sejong smiled slightly as he watched Hyang leave.
“So what are you going to show me this time?”
“You can’t miss the live-action version of SimCity… huh?”
Hyang, who had come out with great vigor, stopped for a moment and twisted his head.
“Why do I feel like I’m being caught?”