Chapter 223
Chapter 223
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: The One I Kneeled To (2)
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The Samjeondo Stele was erected by Joseon.
The inscription was composed by Munchungong Yi Gyeongseok, who had been (forcibly) selected by King Injo, and even the stonemasons who chiseled and polished the stone were all Joseon people.
Not only did the ignorant Jurchens lack the ability to write such a long text in Classical Chinese, but there was an even more important reason.
"Now, who is your master? Say it with your own mouth! Show everyone your shameful state!"
In the end, Injo had to confess—engraved in stone no less—that he had unwittingly bent his waist in gratitude for the immense benevolence of the Great Qing Emperor.
Afterward, every Qing envoy who visited Joseon made sure to include Samjeondo on their tour itinerary.
In terms of genetics, Injo emerged victorious. All subsequent kings of Joseon were his descendants. No one could escape that yoke.
Not even his fifth-generation descendant, Yi Hwon.
The Samjeondo Stele was inscribed in three languages: Manchu, Mongolian, and Classical Chinese.
And among monuments created in this manner, it is the only one to survive into the 21st century.
With a bit of exaggeration, it could be called a candidate for the Rosetta Stone of East Asian languages. This is why even the future Korean government preserves it privately, despite public backlash.
But this is 18th-century Joseon. To the Joseon people, the scribblings of barbarians they needed to eradicate held no archival value whatsoever.
Thus, among the crowds swarming Samjeondo like clouds, no one tried to stop the Westerners bustling about, setting up gunpowder. Had soldiers not been guarding the site, people might have even rolled up their sleeves to help.
However, the Joseon trait of avid spectatorship remained unchanged. They refused to give up their right to point fingers and chatter, deploying every bit of knowledge they possessed.
"Why are they drilling holes?"
"They stuff gunpowder in those holes and shatter it to pieces. Didn't you hear the soldiers saying that earlier while clearing people out? You must've gotten smacked for dawdling and still not get it!"
"To destroy that rock, why not just tie ropes and topple it? Why waste expensive gunpowder like that?"
"The stone won't rot. That way, it wouldn't last a thousand years. Besides, with all that saltpeter from the Yinggil-ri barbarians piled up like Mount Tai in the garrison—gifted to Lord Dog-Beating Stick Kim—why skimp on powder for such a satisfying task?"
"Even so. I hear the flatland merchants have been buying up gunpowder at high prices lately. If they'd given it to me, I'd smash it to dust with a hammer."
"Heavens, you who can't muster energy at night and let your wife roam Inwangsan, yet your mouth's as big as Xiang Yu the Giant."
"What'd you say? Wait, before that—where'd you hear that?"
"Well, the other day when I was at your house... Oh no."
Meanwhile, a conversation between two boys standing a bit farther away was on a somewhat higher level. After being dragged to the pharmacy by Kim Ihwan previously, Park Jega and Yu Deokgong—now bonded through their lowborn special forces friendship—discussed the devices the Westerners were installing.
"Why does that fuse glow like metal? It doesn't look twisted like regular cord."
"That's copper. They've hammered it thin into wire."
"How do you light a fire with copper?"
Yu Deokgong, who had frequented Chunbae Pharmacy longer than Park Jega, explained like a senior instructing a junior.
"You don't light it on fire. Haven't you seen the spring thunder armor at Chunbae Pharmacy? It has copper wire inside too. 'Spring' in spring thunder armor corresponds to east in directions and wood in the five elements—thus the Azure Dragon that commands thunder and lightning. They're channeling lightning through it to ignite the gunpowder. Didn't lightning strike and blow up a powder magazine two or three years ago?"
"So that's a big piece of spring thunder armor? But if what you say is true, it's odd. Copper is metal, and metal overcomes wood. How can it harmoniously transmit energy like that?"
Yu Deokgong flinched at Park Jega's unexpected counterargument.
"Th-that must be something the eldest son of the Jangdong Kim clan knows, having inherited the family secrets. Aren't you closer to him? Oh, there he is."
They were close, sure, but Park Jega couldn't help worrying what Kim Ihwan might wheedle out of him next.
Fortunately, he spotted an excuse. Pretending to peer intently that way, Park Jega shook his head.
"Too many officials swarming around. Hard to ask now."
"Is the rumor true about them handling palace secrets? Well, with the Crown Prince here specially, it doesn't seem like idle talk."
"Yeah. So don't sneak glances and risk a scolding. Let's just watch closely. From their gestures, it looks like the Western instructors are teaching hole placement and depth precisely. There must be some clever principle there too."
The two boys returned to debating destructive engineering.
Over there, two commoners who had tangled into a fight suddenly made peace as soldiers approached with clubs.
Despite the lingering chill, the festive heat could melt even the ice on the Han River. Sales at the Samhwangdang street vendor alliance (chairman Kaoru) from nearby Songpa Ferry soared endlessly.
Even if Kim Ihwan had heard Park Jega and Yu Deokgong's questions, he couldn't have answered them.
He had once asked his father something similar long ago, but Kim Unhaeng had only said lightning flows through metal.
When he pressed for details, his father flew into a rage unlike even when asked how babies are made.
"How can you inherit family secrets without grasping even that much yourself?!"
So Kim Ihwan had explored on his own. Lately, his father had been grumbling extra about his eldest son's unfilial ways, making it awkward to ask again.
Kim Ihwan gathered SIT's Western scholars in his father's name.
SIT, driven mainly by Kim Unhaeng's interests, had deep expertise in mechanical engineering for figurine production and electrical engineering for spring thunder armor manufacturing.
And Russia's top scientist, Mikhail Lomonosov, had already absorbed that knowledge and advanced it far beyond.
Lomonosov was a scientist from a romance fantasy court. He had swiftly aligned himself with the northern grand duke's heir.
"In Joseon, they call static electricity the 'spring energy' and use it that way, but truly, it flows. Rough paths are hard to traverse, smooth ones easy; tailwinds speed ships, headwinds slow them. Depending on materials and weather, its flow varies in presence and strength. It can even cross empty space—proven thirty years ago."
Of course, Lomonosov never credited Englishman Stephen Gray. Joseon might then entrust work to the British.
Kim Ihwan rejoiced, feeling he'd glimpsed the pinnacle of family secrets.
"Indeed, yin-yang and five elements cycle endlessly. I knew nature holds nothing stagnant. That's the principle!"
Lomonosov didn't correct the misunderstanding. No profit in that.
Instead, he launched into a presentation of his invention.
"Yes. Among these 'materials,' the finest—saltwater and metals layered—can flow not just in flashes, but perpetually. This will advance your noble house's medical devices, bringing wealth and honor."
It was the Voltaic pile, invented nearly half a century early.
Unlike static spring thunder armor, it enabled stable current transmission over long wires. Perfect as an electrical signal detonator.
Kim Ihwan slotted a promotion for this advanced Mark II spring thunder armor into the Northern Expedition's opening salvo.
Watching from Chunbae Pharmacy, owner Kim Jeokhaeng wept tears of hope, finally able to erase his debt ledger.
Thank goodness his nephew hadn't inherited his wicked younger brother's temperament. Today called for summoning friends to celebrate with a round of gambling.
Kim Ihwan was also a politician's son.
He didn't forget to promote his brother-in-law—practically a shared fate—the Crown Prince Yi Jeong.
Kim Ihwan knew well that Yi Hwon, then Crown Prince, had selected their family estate.
Logically, befriending Crown Prince Yi Jeong now beat studying for the civil service exams.
The ruler models for ministers, the father for sons.
Despite his mother's warnings that it strayed from the righteous path, Kim Ihwan—self-recommended as a palace attendant—bowed politely to the Crown Prince.
"This is the first task your royal father entrusted to you. Offerings demand utmost sincerity in the first cup; soups reveal taste in the first spoonful. Please give it your all."
Crown Prince Yi Jeong strained to maintain dignity.
"Of course. Attendant, be my eyes and ears—inspect the Westerners closely for any mistakes."
"As you command."
During the rebellion, Kim Ihwan had reported post-facto to his father, who gritted his teeth but downplayed it in his own report.
"Lord Jeonghu-gyeom and Hong Gugyeong, relying on Princess Huwan's favor, rampaged in the capital, clashed with slum thugs, and met their end."
Yi Hwon understood as Kim Unhaeng intended. He offered brief condolences to his aloof sister, then asked Kim Unhaeng,
"No issue now, but might it cause problems later?"
Kim Unhaeng offered Yi Hwon's favorite solution.
"Yongdu Grand Prince bears no guilt. These incidents usually stem from underlings abusing their master's name. To quiet everyone, assign the Samjeondo matter to the Crown Prince. It's mere oversight, not regency—no objections."
It would solidify the Crown Prince's successor position, propping up his enemy-like son, but no choice.
Implication chains both ways. Naturally, Kim Unhaeng had "forgotten" he sparked the mess.
Yi Hwon approved readily. Kim Unhaeng requested only Westerners as actual demolishers, citing their expertise in such trivia—necessary for Joseon.
The Endeavour carried many painters. The Seoul Training Command ordered Western artists to depict the stele demolition in Western style.
For official deniability as Western private terrorism if exposed.
Childish, but effective. With Yi Hwon in Pyongyang, envoys couldn't casually demand a tour of ancestral shame archives.
Just cover it "temporarily."
And after that "temporary," envoys wouldn't return to Seoul—or even Beijing.
As Yi Hwon at Daedong Pavilion gazed south toward the envoys' quarters with a meaningful smile, Lomonosov's Mark II spring thunder armors activated vigorously near Songpa Ferry.
The experiment—distilling world engineering's essence—succeeded.
The Samjeondo Stele shattered in a massive explosion.
But no roar echoed.
The crowd's cheers drowned it out entirely.
There was reason to smash the stele first, rather than charge across the Yalu immediately.
(Uninvited to Pyongyang,) Chae Je-gong pulled strings post-event in Seoul. Flatland merchants, eager for Chinese markets, stirred agitation unprompted.
Key propagandists: An Jeong-bok, long accused of fascism by Kim Unhaeng, and Kim Yakhaeng, puffed up from planning the 64-man Palilmu dance troupe.
"What is the Northern Expedition? A eternally cherished name! The great resentment searing our hearts. The name we've thirsted for through tears across ages!"
Kim Yakhaeng cried fervently. For any counter like "Shut your nonsense! What Northern Expedition?", An Jeong-bok had evidence ready.
Author of Dongsa Gangmok and influencer of Balhae Chronicles, historian An Jeong-bok scattered the audience's wits with rigorous historiography.
Then he added practical rationale beyond ideology.
"No one lives without eating earth's bounty. Heaven's provisions define borders, thus human ones. Consider ginseng. See this latest compendium appendix, made with Western scholars' aid. Ginseng grows far north of the Yalu too."
It was Joseon's rough flora map, with Endeavour naturalists. Due to (forced) Western discoveries in Joseon, East Asian species bore "Joseonia" instead of "Japonica" Linnaean names—opposite future norms.
Like all Joseon endeavors now, An Jeong-bok distorted it heavily for his ends, aligning ginseng range suspiciously with old Balhae territory.
"Ginseng has been the East's prized product since Goryeo. Thus, all ginseng lands near Joseon belong to Joseon folk. Where purslane grows, hares dwell; where loaches lurk, ducks follow!"
"Oh, such profound Western learning?"
"I hear southern Neo-Confucian scholars delve deep lately!"
The crowd murmured in awe. Emboldened, An Jeong-bok ranted.
"Yet Jurchens seized by force, defying heaven and man. Qing folk brazenly plunder our ginseng. Now we reclaim the mandate!"
Even those joking Goguryeo meant sweet potato dialect knew ginseng's value. Joseon's rightful ginseng Lebensraum inflamed all.
An Jeong-bok also extended rice's northern limit to Heilongjiang and Beijing vicinity. No one noted he'd never ventured north of Yalu.
That would snatch hope from landless tenant farmers. Warm-hearted Joseon folk, treating neighbors' plights as their own, agreed all Manchurian paddies must unite [Anschluss] with Joseon.
Under Vice Minister of War and Gyunyokdang Superior Chae Je-gong's oversight, donations and volunteers overflowed.
Not expecting postwar spoils like flatland merchants. Witnessing the stele's satisfying crack compelled avenging revered King Injo.
This fervor mainly swept southward.
Though denser population and scholars there, truly because Kim Unhaeng's formidable blockade prevented "seditious rumors" from ascending via Pyeongando.
If envoys caught on before the "right moment," things would complicate severely.
But blunt suppression wasn't elegant. Envoy Wang Danmang would notice swiftly.
For press control, crude dictatorship-style censorship didn't suit.
Modern nations' method was better.
Modern man Kim Unhaeng fed Wang Danmang a full day of tailored AI YouTube Shorts. See only what you want, believe only what you like—a paradise even the Matrix couldn't reach.
Perfect YouTuber: his brother-in-law, Joseon's top social influencer Hong Daeyong.
Hong Daeyong said nonchalantly before the envoy,
"What do I know of military affairs? But en route, I did see soldiers poking around the Yalu and Tumen much."
Wang Danmang hit "like" instantly.
"Tell me more."
Author's Note
1. The claim Jurchens couldn't compose such long Classical Chinese wasn't a joke—actual taunt from Qing envoys to Injo. Excluding early defectors like Fan Wenjing (briefly mentioned in Ch. 150 'Resolution for the Nation' part, a Ming turncoat Qing lackey), few ethnic Koreans held responsible posts.
2. Samjeondo Stele was dumped in water during Korean Empire's independence from Qing, later restored by Japanese, buried post-liberation, resurfaced in floods. Now privately designated (below national treasure), but content keeps it unpopular.
In 2000s, humiliated vandal targeted it; perpetrator also tried Jo Byung-gap's Songdeokbi (real, mentioned Ch. 34) but hammer failed to crack it (so sprayed Samjeondo). Hammurabi's Code stele, 4,000 years older, survives—stone endures.
3. Barbarian/Barbaroi derives from incomprehensible "bar-bar" babble.
4. Three years prior (1762), lightning struck Seonsa Garrison in Pyeongando, igniting powder—real incident.
5. Yin-yang five elements used academically in Neo-Confucianism, position ambiguous. Seong Se-myong (Grand Scholar under Seongjong), Chae Chim (under Jungjong) dismissed as "superstition for feng shui." But Song Siyol lectured Sukjong on Taiji cosmology emphasizing them.
Amusingly, late Joseon adapts: Jeongjo ordered trees on bald mountains, noting "water begets wood per elements, but observation shows lush slopes prevent erosion, birthing springs"—scientific analysis. Park Jega-Yu Deokgong dialogue akin.
6. Stephen Gray, Briton discoverer of conductors/insulators, dyer. Did "Flying Boy" experiment (Ch. 113 'Do You Know the Way?' note): suspended boy, electrified paper clings—proved electricity defies gravity through air. Then entertainment, later wireless comms key.
7. Nazi Lebensraum "justification" drew much from agricultural needs for farmland.
8. Europe's East Asian ties via Japan first saddled regional species with Japonica despite not Japan-exclusive: camellia, Japonica rice, etc.