Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Joseon Steel Mill (7)
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Industry rests on the foundation of iron.
This was a fact well-known even in Joseon, despite their ignorance of commerce, though realistic constraints had kept iron production low.
Every king of Joseon, from King Taejo Lee Seong-gye and King Jeongjong to King Taejong Lee Bang-won and King Sejong, had deeply regretted this issue.
But those were all matters of the past.
"To think the steel mill built in Jaeryeong can now produce 50,000 geun of refined steel and 100,000 geun of raw iron each year. This is a great blessing for the nation."
The amount of iron produced at the steel mill in Jaeryeong, which Kim Dae-bung had built in just a few months, already surpassed by more than twelve times the output of what had been known as Joseon's largest ironworks until then.
Moreover, according to Kim Dae-bung's report, they could double that next year, and if such mills were established across the country...
He had submitted an optimistic report stating that producing over 2 million geun of iron annually was no mere dream.
With this level of production, if it could support the Military Armory and the workshops around Hanyang, they could easily equip every soldier with at least a breastplate.
For those like spearmen or halberdiers who fought in close combat, they could even outfit them in full-body armor.
"Is that truly the case, Minister of Works?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Furthermore, according to the report from Ironworks Magistrate Kim Dae-bung, this is merely the beginning."
King Sejong's lips curled up to his ears.
Even at the current rate, iron shortages wouldn't pose a problem, but to produce even more?
That would make it possible to craft not only soldiers' armor and weapons but also all the farming tools and implements used by the common people from iron.
For example, the ox-drawn plows commonly used in Joseon today had only the blade tip made of iron, with the body of wood, making them fragile and unable to plow deeply.
But if the entire blade—and even the parts connecting it to transmit force—were all made of refined steel...
They could plow far deeper into the earth.
And if other tools could also be made with iron, their quality would revolutionize, leading to a dramatic increase in production.
"The Ironworks Magistrate states that they built relatively small furnaces for now to gain experience before constructing larger ones. With the artisans' experience accumulating, they say they could easily build furnaces five or six times larger than the current ones in the future."
Any official unfamiliar with Kim Dae-bung would have thought upon hearing this:
'What does that guy know, strutting around when he's not even an artisan?'
But those in the court who had worked with Kim Dae-bung raised no doubts about his capabilities.
No further proof was needed beyond how he had single-handedly drafted the initial Bangwon Law, implemented it himself, and multiplied tax revenues several times over—an achievement beyond human ability, bordering on the supernatural.
So when such a man said he had built furnaces to vastly increase steel production, people simply nodded in understanding. And when he claimed they could produce even more, they accepted it without question.
"The Ironworks Magistrate also reported that in the Liaodong region bordering Hamgyong Province (southern Manchuria), there are coal deposits. Using that coal would allow for even greater iron production. Thus, we must secure that area now to supply coal. Without it, he warned, surrounding timber could be depleted in as little as seven years, or at most ten."
"At most ten years. So the Jaeryeong steel mill could halt after a decade?"
"I apologize, Your Majesty."
"This is not your fault, Minister of Works. No need to worry."
This was the primary reason Kim Dae-bung emphasized coal.
At the current rate of operation, Jaeryeong's timber would be exhausted in ten years.
The steel mill would then have to shut down.
And with Joseon's population growing and ondol underfloor heating spreading for winter...
His calculations showed that by the early to mid-16th century, timber across the eight provinces would be nearly depleted.
Thus, he sought to replace as much fuel for heating and industry with coal as possible.
"Ten years is no long time. We must prepare for this in advance."
"But could we not use coal mined in Joseon itself, apart from Liaodong? According to reports from magistrates across the eight provinces, coal is readily available here."
At this time, coal types were not yet finely classified.
So King Sejong naturally assumed they could simply mine and use anthracite from Joseon.
"According to the artisans at the steel mill, the coal mined in Joseon produces no smoke and has weak heat output, making it suitable for heating ondol or cooking, but unusable in blast furnaces or reverberatory furnaces."
"I hadn't realized coal varieties differed so greatly in application. Then how does the Liaodong coal near the border differ from ours?"
"While searching for coal, iron, or gold near Liaodong at Kim Dae-bung's request, Supreme Commander Yi Sun-mong found surface-exposed coal, lit it, and found it ignited fiercely with intense heat."
"To think the same coal could differ so much."
"Therefore, to build and operate multiple steel mills across the eight provinces, we must secure coal from Liaodong."
King Sejong agreed.
If timber depletion halted the mills, Joseon's progress would stall. With resources available and the expedition ongoing, they had to claim those coal mines.
"Right Prime Minister."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Do you believe the expeditionary force has the strength to advance further north?"
"If Your Majesty desires it, they could push another 100 li (40 km)—no, 200 li (80 km). Supply lines are an issue, but won't our Ironworks Magistrate handle that when he arrives?"
Jo Mal-saeng decided to shove the headache onto Kim Dae-bung.
By his common sense, the current supply lines were already excessively long; extending them another 200 li seemed absurd.
Yet this was the man who, facing iron shortages, invented entirely new steel furnaces to mass-produce it and planned to multiply output several times over.
Extending supply lines by 200 li seemed something he could manage somehow.
From time immemorial, wasn't it the duty of a true senior to entrust heavier tasks to the capable, giving them opportunities to grow further?
"Very well. Then issue orders for the Supreme Commander to advance further north, occupy a coal-mining area, and establish a township there, centered on suitable appointees. Just as Kim Dae-bung did."
Hwang Hui responded.
"Chief State Councillor Hwang Hui reports: Kim Jong-seo, formerly Inspector General, and Hwang Bo-in are exceptionally capable. Jang Ho-mun, recent magistrate of Jinhae, also excels at caring for the people. How about promoting them prominently?"
"Appoint Kim Jong-seo as governor of the newly conquered land, have Jang Ho-mun assist him, and put Hwang Bo-in in charge of the coal mines."
"They will be overjoyed to undertake such vital duties for the nation."
Hwang Hui thought to himself.
Since I'm not the one being sent there, no great concern of mine.
And those three were indeed quite outstanding by his judgment; they'd handle their tasks well enough.
"Kim Dae-bung is due back in Hanyang soon. Order him to compile all knowledge needed for pioneering and governing new townships."
"To record his knowledge and methods in a book?"
"With Joseon's national power now vastly strengthened, such conquests and new township establishments will become frequent. We can't send Kim Dae-bung every time, dooming him to a lifetime tending remote frontiers. Better to have him document his successful strategies for all new magistrates to study and reference—it would be immensely helpful."
Minister of Personnel Maeng Sa-seong nodded gravely.
Deep inside, he sighed heavily.
Once Kim Dae-bung's policies were set in a book, new township governors would know exactly what to do, starting easily at first...
But later, they'd exhaust themselves digesting and surpassing it.
The court's evaluation standards would rise accordingly.
So Maeng Sa-seong seriously pondered.
Should I keep my grandson from office while Kim Dae-bung lives? Send him to some quiet provincial spot to teach instead?
Fame and glory were fine, but being compared to Kim Dae-bung in pursuit of them...
'My grandson would be ground down like beans on a millstone from overwork.'
"Truly, the Chief State Councillor is wise. Then, sending Kim Dae-bung to the Hall of Worthies..."
At that moment, Hwang Hui abruptly changed tack.
"Your Majesty, Kim Dae-bung must soon depart as deputy envoy to Ming. Upon his return, please spare him heavy duties and let him prepare solely for that mission."
King Sejong spoke, unable to hide his regret.
"So be it."
Not long after, a bombshell arrived from Ming.
This diplomatic mission required bringing the Crown Prince as well.