The Weight of Progress
Yi I let out a long exclamation after hearing the King's explanation.
He had studied the first steps of science, which the King claimed had been written after a dog ran off with the original manuscript, and thought he already understood how matter was composed.
The smallest unit of matter in the world was the atom.
Atoms could not exist alone except in special cases.
Only when they bonded with one another to form molecules did they become stable matter. Thus, he already knew that nearly everything in the world was made of molecules.
Yet the fact that the same molecule could exhibit entirely different properties depending on how its atoms were bonded struck him as utterly fascinating.
"Your Majesty, does that mean the main component of sand is silicon (Si), and when oxygen (O) is inserted between silicon atoms, the oxygen acts like a joint and turns the material soft like rubber?"
"Exactly. That substance is called silicone rubber (Silicone rubber, Si O Si). If you add silica (Silica, SiO2) or carbon black to it, you can adjust its hardness just as you would with rubber."
"Then are you saying that silica or carbon black serves the same role as rebar in concrete?"
"Correct. We call such additives fillers. The same principle applies not only to concrete and rubber but to nearly every material."
"Ah…"
Yi I nodded with a dazed expression, marveling at knowledge that had not even appeared in the first steps of science.
Then he asked a question no one could have anticipated.
"Your Majesty, if we use electrically conductive carbon black as a filler to make silicone rubber, could it be used in place of wires?"
"That would not work. Just as inserting rebar into concrete does not make it conduct electricity."
"How disappointing, Your Majesty."
"What is?"
"Electrically conductive carbon black exists only as powder, so it cannot be drawn into wires. I thought that mixing it into silicone rubber might produce usable wiring. To learn it cannot is truly regrettable."
"Hmm…"
Yi Yeon felt the same regret. If it had worked, they would no longer need to worry about copper.
'Even if we bring copper from Dongjoseon, it will never be enough.'
Demand for copper was exploding by the day.
It was essential not only for coins, cartridge cases, generators, motors, and wires, but also for heating pipes.
That was why construction of the Paldang hydroelectric dam had been postponed. Even if it produced enormous amounts of electricity, there would be no way to use it.
Long-distance transmission technology did not yet exist.
Even if it did, bringing power all the way to Hanyang and the Geompo industrial complex would require an enormous quantity of wire.
'The same problem existed with electricity generated by solar panels along the western coast.'
In his previous life, solar power facilities installed along the western coast had produced more electricity than could be consumed during summer. Yet the power had to be discarded because there were no transmission facilities to deliver it where it was needed.
Building additional transmission infrastructure was no simple matter. Opposition to erecting transmission towers was fierce.
Knowing these difficulties, Yi Yeon placed his hopes on the development of steam turbines. Power plants could then be built close to demand, after which aluminum could replace copper for wiring.
Electricity was required to produce aluminum in the first place.
"In any case, develop an efficient steam turbine as quickly as possible. Only then can we manufacture pipes from silicone rubber and replace copper piping."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
Yi Yeon ended the discussion there. The steam turbine was the most urgent priority.
'With it we can build induction furnaces, and later even electric arc furnaces.'
If sand could be melted, they could produce not only silicone rubber but also metallic silicon. The processes differed, yet both relied on sand as the raw material.
Yi I asked nothing further. As a genius among geniuses, he could clearly discern what mattered most and the proper sequence of development.
August 10, 1572 (lunar calendar).
Yi Yeon convened a grand court meeting for the first time in a long while. He intended to appoint a new Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to fill the vacancy left by Yi Jun-gyeong's departure and to reward those who had rendered distinguished service ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
When Yi Yeon entered Geunjeongjeon, the officials who had been conversing beneath the breeze of ceiling-mounted fans all rose and offered their respects.
"""We greet Your Majesty."""
Yi Yeon nodded with a pleased expression and surveyed the transformed interior of Geunjeongjeon.
'It looks splendid.'
Unlike before, the elongated Geunjeongjeon now appeared far more majestic. Originally five bays wide on both the front and sides, the front bays had been longer, resulting in a horizontally rectangular hall measuring roughly thirty meters by twenty-one meters—about one hundred and ninety pyeong.
Yi Yeon had believed the original design existed to admit sunlight; a longer southern façade would keep the interior bright. That reason no longer applied. All windows had been fitted with transparent glass, and electric bulbs now illuminated the space. He had therefore ordered the hall extended to fifty meters—more than double its former length.
As a result, not only Geunjeongmun but also Heungnyemun and Gwanghwamun had been shifted southward by one hundred meters each. A fifty-meter-wide platform and a five-hundred-meter-wide plaza had been created in front of Gwanghwamun, extending along Unjung-ro all the way to Cheonggyecheon. The Ministry of Internal Affairs building was to rise on the eastern side of the plaza, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Inspector General's Office, and other royal institutions, along with a performance hall seating three thousand, would occupy the western side.
Gong Gye-ju, emboldened by the construction of the submerged weir and bridge across the Han River, had confidently declared that such buildings were well within his capability.
Rail tracks had also been laid along Gwanghwa-ro and Unjung-ro, which passed on either side of the plaza and in front of Gwanghwamun. Horse-drawn carriages currently ran along them, but once sufficient electricity was available and induction motors were developed, they would be converted to electric trams.
Furthermore, the roads through Seochon and Bukchon had been widened to accommodate carriages. Looking far into the future, Yi Yeon had ordered all houses between Unjung-ro and Gwanghwa-ro cleared to create straight new streets and rebuilt residences. Most were thatched-roof houses with no defense against fire. Sewers and water mains were to be installed on a scale large enough to accommodate future expansion.
No official raised objections to these massive undertakings. With shops in the district and metropolitan stations thriving, the royal and state treasuries overflowed. After Yi Hwang and his disciples abolished slavery, former slaves who had flocked to Hanyang seeking work were being given employment. Moreover, since the former Japanese territories had been incorporated as Dongjoseon, praise for the throne was unanimous.
Of course, many also expected their own homes to be replaced, just as the industrial complexes ringing Hanyang had been.
Seated upon the throne, Yi Yeon offered a brief word of encouragement before addressing the officials seated in long rows on either side.
"I intend to appoint Hong Seom as Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If anyone objects, raise your hand and state your reason."
"""⋯"""
No one raised a hand. No one even turned to exchange questioning glances. It seemed everyone had already known Hong Seom would receive the post.
"Since there are no objections, I hereby appoint Hong Seom as Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I trust you will continue to serve him as diligently as before."
"""Yes, Your Majesty."""
"Next, I intend to appoint Bak Sun, former Magistrate of Hanyang, as Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has managed the eight industrial complexes and academies around Hanyang without incident. I believe he will administer the structurally similar Ministry of Foreign Affairs with equal competence. If anyone objects, raise your hand."
Again, no hands were raised.
"Then I appoint Bak Sun as Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and shall dispatch him to Ming at once. With a new emperor on the throne, congratulations must be offered, and as Head of the Ministry his presence will not violate protocol."
After speaking, Yi Yeon looked toward Hong Seom. The handsome man bowed his head slightly in gratitude.
"Hong Seom, Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, come forward and preside over the meeting."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hong Seom ascended the dais prepared beneath the throne and performed a deep bow toward the King.
"Your Majesty, your grace is boundless. This humble servant Hong Seom shall do his utmost not to disappoint Your Majesty's expectations."
"I am grateful for those words."
"It is nothing, Your Majesty. There was a time when I doubted Your Majesty's intentions. Even now that I know those doubts were baseless, the feeling still returns often."
The hall grew suddenly cold. The newly appointed Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs—effectively the Chief State Councillor—had uttered words that should never have been spoken.
Yet Yi Yeon merely smiled and asked, for he knew exactly what sort of man Hong Seom was.
"Why do you think so?"
"The present prosperity of this nation is entirely due to Your Majesty. Yet Your Majesty has personally taken the field of battle. With no heir at present, should anything happen to Your Majesty…"
Hong Seom let his words trail off and looked at the King. Even the upright man realized he could say no more.
The King, however, lifted his chin slightly, signaling him to continue.
"I am deeply ashamed, Your Majesty. In any case, I beg you—please refrain from entering battle yourself again. I also believe that securing an heir is more important than anything else."
"Hmm…"
Queen Insun raised the same subject every morning when Yi Yeon paid his respects. The Queen herself was even more insistent, claiming she must be incapable of bearing children. Each time, Yi Yeon could only smile. The thought of taking another woman while such a gentle lady stood beside him was difficult for someone who retained all the memories of his previous life.
In a way, it was an excuse. He was actually afraid that another dissolute child might be born. Even if he had rejected Kim Gong-bin, who bore Imhae-gun and Gwanghae-gun, there remained In-bin Kim, mother of Uian-gun, Sinseong-gun, and Injo. He did not even know who she was. After them, few decent offspring could be found. From the serial killer Sunhwa-gun to Gyeongchang-gun and Hongan-gun, both implicated in treason, the list continued.
Yi Yeon had begun to suspect that King Seonjo's genes themselves were defective. When so many children—excluding those who died young—turned out this way, and when it was said that mental illness could be inherited, the possibility could not be dismissed.
The greater problem was that he was even entertaining such thoughts. In his previous life he had never once worried about these matters.
Yi Yeon let out a long sigh before speaking.
"It is a kind concern, yet I shall handle the matter myself. Speak of it no further. Even if I should meet an unfortunate end, this nation need not fear for its future in its present state. Therefore let us set the subject aside and, on this joyful day before the Chuseok holiday, attend to the business everyone desires."
"Understood, Your Majesty. It seems this humble servant has once again worried needlessly."
Hong Seom pressed his forehead to the floor in a deep bow, then rose and took his place before the dais.
"First, let us confer the Industrial Order of Merit. Those whose names are called, please step forward."
In the past, civil officials would have been honored first, followed by military officials. That order no longer held. No one could deny that those who had advanced the nation were the industrial warriors the King had spoken of.
Yet Yi I and Kim Ji were absent, as were several of the six engineering directors. They had sent letters requesting leave, stating they had urgent work to complete.
In their absence, Yi Yeon personally pinned medals on the recipients, presented monetary rewards, and shook each man's hand while offering words of encouragement.
The final recipients were Ki Dae-seung and Sim Ui-gyeom, who had not been seen for some time. Ki Dae-seung remained composed, but Sim Ui-gyeom was more excited than ever.
"Your Majesty! Your grace is boundless."
"I hear you have endured much hardship."
"Not at all, Your Majesty."
Tears welled in his eyes. In truth, Sim Ui-gyeom received death threats almost daily. Anonymous letters filled with resentment arrived constantly: "Because of you, our family line has ended." Each time the security forces investigated, yet the culprits could not be found. Yi Yeon had therefore assigned bodyguards to Sim Ui-gyeom and his family, declaring that anyone caught would be beheaded without exception.
The reason such threats arose was simple: anyone who committed corruption was boldly exposed and punished, and even the sons or grandsons of those the Royal Investigation Bureau hesitated to touch were arrested and executed without mercy if they were involved in sexual assault.
After these events, Sim Ui-gyeom's personality had changed. Once quick to speak his mind, he now held his tongue.
"Nevertheless, because you were here, we could punish those who gnawed at the nation's foundations, and this has become a safe place where women and children may walk alone at night. Continue to serve without bending, and work diligently."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
Thus the grand court meeting before Chuseok concluded.
Once again Yi Yeon locked the gates of Gyeongbokgung and summoned only his closest associates to celebrate the holiday together.
No sooner had Chuseok ended than news of a major incident arrived.
"What? A man detonated a pipe bomb out of resentment over gambling debts?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And you say he belonged to the Hwaryeokgun?"
"I am deeply ashamed to confirm it is true."
"Ha…!"
Yi Yeon thought the inevitable had finally occurred. Once people had enough to eat, they would inevitably turn to mischief; he had known such an incident would happen.
Yet gambling could not be suppressed. He understood it was something that could never be eradicated.
Instead, he had already prepared measures.
"Understood. Go at once and convene the grand court meeting."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Also, summon Haneunggun."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yi Yeon decided to use this opportunity to enact financial laws and finally resolve the long-delayed establishment of ordinary banks.