Black Corporation: Joseon

As Hyang took a step back, Jo Mal-saeng and the military personnel came out separately to discuss.

“What do you all think?”

“It’s not bad. As the civil officials said, we can reduce that time since we’re selecting those who have already learned basic studies through public schools and middle schools.”

“Even those who fail and drop out in the first 3 years can have a chance to rise if they serve properly in the military, so it’s not entirely disadvantageous.”

“However, quite a few hidden talents might be lost, unable to show their abilities due to the record of ‘failing in the 3rd year’.”

At the point that they might miss hidden talents who give up after failing in the third year, Jo Mal-saeng spoke up.

“Let’s filter them out.”

As the military personnel made uncomfortable expressions at Jo Mal-saeng’s cold words, he added more.

“If they’re truly late-blooming talents, they’ll overcome those hardships and shine. Rather, it’s more troublesome if those who give up during that process rise to the top.”

“Then the conclusion is settled.”

And so, the education period for the Military Academy was decided.

It was the birth of a brutal commander training process, called ‘The Rebirth of Sparta’, where only those who proved themselves through practical work and actual combat could rise to the top.

***

Through this process, the Military Academy was steadily preparing for its establishment.

However, the biggest obstacle was still the Military Medical Department.

To be precise, it was the issue of surgery that would be in charge of treating external injuries.

The issues of diseases and pharmacology could be solved with traditional Korean medicine that had been passed down until now.

The problem was that this was difficult with surgery.

Like Hua Tuo, who lost his life after telling Cao Cao he would drill a hole in his skull and perform surgery to treat him, there were techniques related to surgery in Korean medicine.

However, the level of these passed-down external injury treatment methods was very low.

“Of course, if we’re talking about levels, it’s the same on both sides…”

Hyang pouted with a face full of dissatisfaction as he summarized the situation.

Whether it was this side where specialized tools for surgical procedures barely existed, or the other side that had properly squandered things more precious than the gold accumulated since ancient Roman times. He was equally displeased with both.

“Even until the 18th century, surgeons also worked as barbers, right?”

While grumbling and recalling the origin of the three-colored advertising lights that used to spin next to barber shop signs, Hyang moved ceaselessly.

At first through bookstores in Beijing, then through Mansur, and then using the navy’s warships that regularly traveled between Alexandria and Joseon, he collected medical texts that remained in the Byzantine Empire and Islamic countries.

“It’s not just medical texts that are important.”

After securing a considerable number of medical texts – nearly 600 volumes – Hyang next collected medical instruments.

“Oh, this…”

Seeing the surgical instruments passed down from Roman times, Hyang lightly shook his head.

The surgical instruments, almost unchanged from Roman times, were quite similar to the modern ones he had seen in dramas or movies in the 21st century.

“That drama’s line really hits home now…”

It was a line spoken by a leading character in a drama about people traveling between stars through gates made by ancient civilizations.

‘If we hadn’t squandered what we accumulated in Roman times, we might be freely traveling between stars by now!’

Although there might be some exaggeration, Hyang thought there was still some possibility.

***

Anyway, after collecting these surgical instruments, Hyang gathered those said to be most skilled in surgical treatment from the Royal Clinic and showed them the tools obtained from the West and documents translating their usage methods.

“Do you understand how to use these?”

“We understand roughly, but…”

“Then can you use these in treatment?”

At Hyang’s question, all the doctors shook their heads.

“There’s a world of difference between guessing and actually knowing how to use them. Especially with items directly related to life, we absolutely must not use them based on guesswork.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is!”

Hearing the doctors’ firm answers, Hyang returned to the Crown Prince’s palace and shouted at the medical texts piled knee-high on the floor due to lack of bookshelves.

“When am I supposed to translate all of this!”

***

Hyang’s hardship was somewhat resolved when monks and alchemists came from Italy.

“These need to be translated too.”

At Hyang’s order, Angelo, who was examining the books, turned to him.

“These are medical texts. I see many of Galen’s works in particular.”

“I’ve heard he’s the most famous doctor.”

Angelo nodded at Hyang’s words.

“First, I want you to translate the books related to surgical techniques.”

“…Understood.”

After passing the work to the monks and alchemists like this, Hyang also passed work to Hassan.

“I’ve obtained a medical text left by a famous scholar named Ibn Sina.”

“Yes. He was a renowned doctor and scholar since ancient times. Which one should we translate first?”

“Start with the Canon of Medicine. The Book of Healing (کتاب الشفاء) might be politically problematic.”

“As far as I know, politics is omitted from the Book of Healing?”

“Instead, it includes religion.”

At Hyang’s words, Hassan immediately nodded.

“I understand. I will prioritize translating only the Canon of Medicine.”

“I’m counting on you. There might be rewards if the results are good.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Not long after assigning the work like this, Angelo reported to Hyang.

“There are several duplicate books.”

“Duplicate books?”

“Yes, books with the same title but written in Latin and Greek.”

At Angelo’s words, Hyang immediately gave an order.

“Cross-verify them.”

“Cross… verify?”

“Unless they’re both originals, there could be errors, right? So, cross-verify the contents with the alchemists before translating.”

“…Yes.”

“Good work. I look forward to good results.”

After quietly bowing and leaving, Angelo looked up at the sky and unconsciously muttered.

“Damn it! Shit!”

Having momentarily cursed, Angelo diligently crossed himself and asked for forgiveness.

Meanwhile, Hyang, left alone, was grumbling on his own.

“Damn it! Duplicate purchases! This isn’t some random box! ‘Don’t ask, just buy’ is the problem here! It’s not like I can go there myself!”

As he was grumbling like this, Hyang suddenly stopped talking and his eyes sparkled.

“Should I go there myself?”

His eyes sparkling like this, Hyang soon shook his head.

“Impossible. If I bring it up to Father, I’ll be hit not with a rod but with a pillar from Geunjeongjeon.”

Shaking his head like this, Hyang’s eyes sparkled again.

“But maybe? No… No…”

Hyang was wavering back and forth over an event that stimulated his collector’s heart.

***

The translation work, which was expected to progress well after being handed over to experts like this, was sluggish.

What made the work speed sluggish was, of course, Chinese characters. Translating Arabic, Latin, and Greek into Chinese characters was a murderous task.

Eventually, Angelo, tired of translation, went to find Hassan.

The two were in a relationship that might be as immiscible as oil and water – a Catholic priest and a Muslim. However, thanks to the common point of being ‘beings ground down by Hyang’, they were able to build a sort of friendship.

“How did the department head manage all those translations until now?”

At Angelo’s complaint, Hassan answered with a bitter smile.

“Among those translations, what I did doesn’t even amount to 1 percent.”

“Then the rest?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince did them.”

“That’s impossible! That amount would take at least 10 years!”

To Angelo’s words full of disbelief, Hassan added.

“He started translating at age 8. And that wasn’t dedicating all day to it, but in between his Crown Prince lessons and Area 51 work.”

At Hassan’s answer, Angelo let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair, muttering.

“Is he even human?”

“He was born as the first son of His Majesty. Sigh~.”

Hassan, sighing and drinking coffee, said to Angelo.

“If Europeans were to learn of His Highness the Crown Prince’s existence, they would immediately call him a ‘living wonder’.”

“To that extent?”

“Among the things made in the research institute and Area 51, there’s little that hasn’t passed through His Highness’s hands. Ah! Except for the craftsman named Jang Yeong-sil! Come to think of it… if Jang Yeong-sil’s existence were also known…”

Hassan paused for a moment, counted on his fingers, and then continued.

“There would be three living wonders in this Joseon.”

“Three?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince. Jang Yeong-sil, and…”

Hassan pointed towards Gyeongbokgung Palace as he concluded.

“Lastly, His Majesty the King.”

***

The translation work, which had been sluggish like this, gained speed after Hunminjeongeum was created.

Even before being publicly promulgated to the people, Hunminjeongeum began to be used in government offices and educational institutions, and the research institute and Area 51 couldn’t be left out.

No, the research institute and Area 51 were the first to use it.

This was inevitable given the characteristics of the research institute and Area 51. Just looking at the languages used by the members, there were four: Korean, Arabic, Latin, and Greek. On top of that, Chinese characters were used for documents.

“We need to use Hunminjeongeum for our own convenience!”

As the difference between using Chinese characters and using Hunminjeongeum was clearly visible, the research institute and Area 51 rather actively used Hunminjeongeum.

“For now, let’s put aside proper nouns and translate general sentences using Hunminjeongeum first.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The people who resumed translation work after receiving Hyang’s order shook their heads at the greatly increased efficiency.

“The king created such a convenient writing system alone? While handling such busy state affairs?”

“Is he human?”

“Both the king and prince are wonders.”

“Look at the craftsman called Jang Yeong-sil. Everyone in this country is a wonder.”

“I agree.”

The conversation shared like this was soon recorded in Angelo’s letter and headed to Italy.

And Hyang, who was censoring this letter, did not erase that part.

“Does this become evidence of historically and traditionally recognized national pride acknowledged by the world?”

It was Hyang, selecting here and there with a face full of mischief and blacking out parts.

***

The translation work, which had overcome one hurdle like this, came to have fierce debates over proper nouns related to diseases and body organs that included medical terms.

“It’s to be used by us Joseon people in our Joseon, so of course it should be in Korean!”

With Hyang’s strong insistence, everything was translated into Korean as much as possible.

While directing this entire process, Hyang inwardly muttered.

‘I absolutely refuse to hear specialists mumbling unintelligible Latin when getting a medical examination at the hospital!’

And the results of such intense work were the books that were presented to King Sejong’s hands.

***

“Good work. With this, the establishment of the Military Medical Department will gain speed.”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

Flipping through the translations once more, Sejong turned to Hyang.

“The Royal Clinic will need surgery too, right?”

“That’s correct.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong pondered for a moment and soon reached a conclusion.

“Since we’re planning to establish a medical academy to train doctors anyway, we should include surgery in the medical academy as well. What do you all think?”

At Sejong’s question, the ministers answered in unison.

“It’s truly a beautiful decision!”

“It’s truly a beautiful decision as the treatment of injured people will become easier!”

As the ministers agreed, Sejong turned to Hyang.

“Then. Mass print these translations.”

“We’re a bit short on budget.”

“Hey!”

Sejong, who was about to shout angrily, soon let out a long sigh.

“Sigh~. Minister of Finance.”

At Sejong’s call, Kim Jeom forcibly opened his mouth.

“I will allocate the budget.”