The First 2-Year Economic Development Plan (1)
As the doors of the Gigi-cheong swung open, the roar of the bellows quieted, and the hammering ceased. The technicians lifted their heads one by one, and the moment they spotted Yi Si-woo standing at the threshold, someone shouted.
"Lord Director of the Gigi-cheong has returned!"
Technicians tossed aside their hammers and tongs, rushing forward in a wave. Parting the crowd was Jeong Yak-yong, sleeves rolled up and stained with ink.
"Si-woo! You've truly returned safely? I lost sleep for days hearing you'd faced five thousand wako on Tsushima!"
Behind him, Man-seok emerged slowly.
"Young master, you've returned unharmed. As ordered, I protected Lord Jeong and preserved the Gigi-cheong."
"Well done."
"Young master, those scratches on your face... You must have suffered on Tsushima."
Man-seok's low murmur drew Jeong Yak-yong's gaze to Si-woo's face, his brows furrowing.
"What in the world happened? You're back safe, thank heavens, but looking like this!"
Si-woo scanned the workshop with impassive eyes. Tools neatly arranged, process charts densely pinned to the walls. It was even more refined than when he'd left.
"I'm alive, aren't I? That's what matters. Has the Gigi-cheong been running smoothly under you, Yak-yong?"
Jeong Yak-yong slapped the stack of reports on the workbench.
"We followed your process charts to the letter, without deviation. Continued the gunpowder mixing experiments and cast two more cannons. Enough admiration—sit down. I have improvements to the gun carriage I devised in your absence."
Jeong Yak-yong's gaze shifted past Si-woo. A stranger stood at the Gigi-cheong's entrance—a Western woman with platinum blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. She looked young, but her eyes held no hesitation. Beside her stood Choi Seok, the interpreter from the Yeogwan, glued to her side.
"Th-that... she's a Western woman?"
Jeong Yak-yong gaped. Si-woo nodded curtly.
"Brought her from Tsushima. Ana de Bruin, Dutch merchant. Youngest daughter of a massive European trading house. She oversees East Asian trade herself. Came for dealings with the Japanese shogunate but judged our terms better and tagged along."
Ana de Bruin glanced around in bewilderment before asking Choi Seok something in Japanese.
"...She asks if this is where weapons are made."
Choi Seok translated into Joseon speech, and Si-woo replied.
"Yes. And today, we need your help."
Choi Seok relayed it in Japanese. Ana nodded and responded briefly.
"She says she'll help with anything. But trading terms later, separately."
Jeong Yak-yong sidled up to Si-woo and whispered.
"How can we trust her?"
"It's not about trust. It's about use."
Si-woo sat, unfolding an oil-paper bundle from his robes. Peeling back the layers revealed a yellowed technical manual, dense with unfamiliar Western script and geometric curves.
"What script is this? Odd-looking—not Qing characters..."
Jeong Yak-yong peered in. Si-woo slid the manual toward Ana.
"Choi Seok, ask the merchant if she can read this."
Choi Seok passed it in Japanese. Ana picked it up, scanned it, and her eyes widened. She spoke rapidly.
"She can read it. It's on lens-making... written by a Dutch East India Company technician, she thinks."
Jeong Yak-yong's eyes bulged.
"East India Company? That Dutch house?"
Si-woo looked at Ana.
"Have her explain the formulas one by one. Choi Seok, translate her Japanese directly into Joseon speech. Don't miss a thing."
Choi Seok nodded and relayed. Ana opened the first diagram and began explaining in Japanese. Choi Seok rendered it into Joseon speech.
"The shorter the radius of the lens curve, the more it bends light. For near vision, use a high-curvature lens; for distance..."
Ana stumbled on a term, switching to Dutch. Choi Seok faltered.
"Uh, I don't know that word in Japanese."
"Tell her to draw it."
Ana snatched paper and sketched a lens cross-section. Choi Seok nodded.
"Ah, convex and concave surfaces."
Jeong Yak-yong clicked his tongue.
"Triple translation? Dutch to Japanese, Japanese to Joseon... Nothing lost in between?"
Si-woo said nothing, dipping his brush to transcribe the formula. Click, click. Abacus beads clacked alongside brush strokes, three languages weaving a bizarre symphony through the Gigi-cheong. Man-seok watched from the corner, shaking his head quietly.
Three days passed. In the Gigi-cheong's rear yard stood a target at five hundred paces. Technicians squinted at the dot-like speck, none believing a man's shot could reach it.
Si-woo fitted a small tube atop the matchlock barrel. Inside nestled two lenses, meticulously ground over three days from Ana's explanations and Jeong Yak-yong's calculations.
Jeong Yak-yong leaned in.
"This the sight?"
Si-woo shouldered the gun, peering through the lens. The target five hundred paces away sharpened as if inches from his nose, the ink bullseye crisp.
"Yak-yong, take a look."
Jeong Yak-yong peered through, falling silent for a long moment.
"Si-woo... really five hundred paces?"
"Yes."
"It looks like it's right in front of me."
Jeong Yak-yong lowered the gun slowly. Technicians surged forward, clamoring to see. Ana stood arms crossed, a satisfied smile as Choi Seok translated.
Si-woo took the gun back and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Gun smoke billowed; the distant target shuddered. Ana flinched back at the blast but returned sheepishly after Choi Seok's words.
Technicians squinted, then someone yelled.
"Hit! Dead center!"
The workshop erupted in cheers. Jeong Yak-yong stared, dazed.
"Five hundred paces... dead on."
Si-woo set down the gun, inhaling the powder scent. It's just a prototype at five hundred paces, but refine the lens polish, adjust tube length and magnification, and effective range doubles—triples. Pair with rifled barrels, and the battlefield changes forever.
Si-woo eyed Ana as he set the gun aside. Choi Seok waited nearby.
"Mass production needs precision glass. Know any glass traders in Hanyang?"
Choi Seok translated. Ana thought, then nodded.
"She knows a merchant in Hanyang's markets trading with Qing houses. Says she'll connect you."
Si-woo nodded.
"Appreciated."
Ana grinned, adding something.
"Says dealing with Joseon was smart. But introduction fee separate."
Si-woo replied curtly.
"Payable."
At the same hour, in a side hall of Gyujanggak in Changdeok Palace. King Jeongjo's map detailed Joseon's eight provinces—mountains, rivers, key cities densely marked. Before it sat Senior Counsellor Chae Je-gong and Nam-in faction officials.
The king spoke.
"You've seen Hwaseong's tax haul this year."
Chae Je-gong nodded.
"Nearly double last year's, Your Majesty."
"One road and one market, and taxes double."
Jeongjo tapped Suwon on the map.
"The Gigi-cheong director touched Hwaseong mere years ago. Dug canals, paved roads, built markets—folk started handling money themselves. Taxes followed naturally."
A Nam-in official ventured cautiously.
"Your Majesty, if one Hwaseong yields this... what of all eight provinces?"
"My thoughts exactly."
Jeongjo rose.
"Add Tsushima's silver, and our coffers match two years' budget. Now is the time to reform the eight provinces."
Chae Je-gong murmured low.
"Your will is right, Your Majesty. But reforming all at once strains us. Finances aside, we lack planners and directors."
"I know. That's why I consider entrusting it to Yi Si-woo. Your thoughts?"
Chae Je-gong replied without hesitation.
"Gigi-cheong Director Yi Si-woo can manage it."
Nam-in officials bowed as one.
"Agreed, Your Majesty."
Jeongjo turned to the Minister of Rites.
"Relay to the Gigi-cheong: Director Yi Si-woo, enter the palace at once!"
Si-woo, hearing of Ana's glass deal at the Gigi-cheong, looked up at approaching hoofbeats. Moments later, an eunuch burst in, panting.
"Gigi-cheong Director Yi Si-woo, by royal command—enter the palace immediately!"
Jeong Yak-yong eyed Si-woo.
"What now?"
Si-woo stood, adjusting his gat.
"I'll know when I get there."