Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 523

Episode 523 Rolling, rolling… (4)

After 15 days, Wan started working as the head of the laboratory and Area 51.

In the early days of taking charge of the job, he struggled through various trials and errors, but soon he began to handle the work with considerable familiarity.

Officials from the research institute and Area 51, who had seen Wan’s rapid adaptation, also began to change their reactions over time.

“Compared to his grandfather and father, he is…”

“Compared to the crown prince who made him feel fear, not because he was amazing…”

The reactions of those who criticized Wan behind him every time he panicked began to change.

“It is said that there is no wise man under the command of a nobleman…”

“As expected, blood cannot be deceived…”

Although the evaluation was changing, the most senior officials, Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon, were reticent to say anything.

‘This is just the beginning. Hasty judgment is prohibited.’

‘This is not simply a performance evaluation. This is an evaluation of the person who will inherit the next presidency. As carefully as possible! ‘As objectively as possible!’

Because they had made this decision, they consistently gave vague answers whenever other ministers – even Hwang Hui – asked about Seson’s work ability.

“We’re just starting to get our head around things, so how can we know?”

But slowly, as time passed, Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon were able to make a rough judgment.

-He is a talented person, but compared to his father, he is not good enough.

While chatting at Jeong In-ji’s house, the two added words.

“If my predecessor had not been a descendant of the crown prince, he could have been evaluated as having studied the military world well. But…”

When Jeong In-ji trailed off slightly, Lee Cheon also nodded.

“Your predecessor was such a great man… Well, this problem isn’t something that only the third generation has to deal with. “From now on, those in charge of the research institute and Area 51 will have to accept the fate of having to continue to be compared to the founder, the Crown Prince.”

At Lee Cheon’s words, Jeong In-ji emptied her glass and accepted his words.

“Among those who will suffer from that problem will be our successors. By the way. Don’t you wonder how the historians of that time would evaluate us? ‘Those who built this golden age of Joseon history’ or ‘the lucky and unlucky ones’? “What do you think?”

“Lucky or unlucky?”

“Among the many officials, you are lucky to have been chosen by the Crown Prince and held a position. You are unlucky to have suffered so much to reveal the Crown Prince’s dazzling glory.”

At Jeong In-ji’s words, Lee Cheon laughed and emptied his glass.

After emptying his glass, Li Cheon closed his mouth for a moment to choose his words, then opened his mouth to reply.

“It will depend on what we do. But since you are in a position, wouldn’t it be good to be evaluated by the former? “There should be at least one good line written on the tombstone erected in front of the grave.”

“That’s right. Now that he has entered the civil service, he should have something like that engraved on his tombstone.”

* * *

Wan, who had his work ability proven, worked hard to get the job done.

“It can be said that most of what the director of the research institute and Area 51 does is related to the budget.”

Wan nodded and concentrated on Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon’s explanations.

“On the outside, it seems like the research institute is only talking about wild theories and eating up the budget, but Area 51 cannot work properly if the research center does not analyze basic theories and the properties of minerals. The problem is that the process of persuading this part is not easy. “If you play tug-of-war with the Ministry of Finance and Economy over this issue, you will immediately understand why the Ministry of Finance and Economy has become a public enemy.”

“Even though the person responsible was your father?”

In response to Wan’s question, which had the meaning of ‘Even though the crown prince stepped forward, he was pushed out?’, Jeong In-ji answered with a slight smile.

“The Ministry of Finance and Economy has your back.”

“Ah…”

Wan nodded at Jeong In-ji’s answer.

Looking at that, Jeong In-ji swallowed back her words.

Because of this budget issue, Hyang visited Sejong several times, but each time, he was scolded and kicked out.

“Get out you bastard!”

Jeong In-ji, who had barely overcome the crisis of almost telling the dark history of incense, immediately continued her explanation.

“Budget restrictions are something we have no choice but to endure, so the research institute and Area 51 use other methods to make up for the shortfall in the budget.”

“Surely it’s not illegal?”

In response to Wan’s question, Jeong In-ji shook her head.

“No. “It means actively exercising ‘intellectual property rights.’”

The research institute and Area 51 released them through Jobo (??) whenever a new theory or technology was discovered.

Of course, anything related to new technologies or equipment related to the military was to be hidden and announced as much as possible.

And every time a report like this came out, merchants throughout Joseon purchased dozens of copies and began analyzing it.

After that analysis, if there were any items or technologies that seemed to be beneficial to them, they immediately negotiated with the research center and Area 51 and signed a contract.

“The royalties secured in this way are divided, some are given to parties who own the intellectual property, some are used as rewards for area 51 officials at the research institute, and the remainder is used to cover insufficient budget.”

“Hoo~. “If that were the case, the researchers at the research institute and the artisans at Area 51 would work hard to research it, right?”

“yes. And they compete fiercely with each other.”

Wan, who nodded at Jeong In-ji’s answer, soon continued to ask a question.

“Merchants are greedy for profit, so why don’t they use tricks in the process of value analysis?”

In response to Wan’s question, Jeong In-ji laughed bitterly.

“We do the analysis and the Ministry of Finance and Economy also does it. Moreover, there is not just one top in Joseon. If you try to do something carelessly, you will be caught right away. And if you play tricks like that, you will never be able to use our technology for the rest of your life.”

“What is the level of analytical power at the top?”

“If it is a competent top, it will not be defeated even if it joins the Ministry of Finance and Economy.”

“Is it that much?”

While Wan could not hide his surprise, Jeong In-ji continued speaking with a calm expression.

“Even in the early days of Gyeongjang, it wasn’t to that extent. However, as Gyeonggi reached maturity and the size of Joseon’s reign increased several times, he gained such ability.”

“Huh…”

Wan let out an exclamation without realizing it and muttered softly, recalling what Hyang had said to him.

“You said, ‘If you work at the research institute and Area 51, you will see the world outside the palace.’ Is this what you meant?”

In response to Wan’s mumbling, Jeong In-ji muttered to herself.

‘The person who played the biggest role in creating such a world is Seja.’

However, this was also a big surprise for Hyang.

Hyang also could not hide his surprise as he watched Joseon’s situation develop at an eye-watering rate in just over 20 years.

“Is this capitalism!”

Hyang, who was checking the report several times, chuckled.

“I guess that’s right… ‘In the beginning, there was money.’”

* * *

Quickly absorbing the help of Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon, Wan established himself.

With his position firmly established, Wan was able to afford to pay attention to what was going on around him.

As Wan was looking around, he suddenly noticed something strange.

Every time he visited the research institute and Area 51, the researchers and craftsmen on site seemed to have high expectations for something, but when he returned after completing paperwork, they were very disappointed.

‘why? why?’

Wan, who was suspicious of the reactions of researchers and craftsmen, also looked at the reactions of key figures, including Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon.

Jeong In-ji and Lee Cheon have not shown any such signs yet, but those closer to the scene were showing similar reactions.

“why? why? “Did I do something wrong?”

Wan was troubled by unbearable curiosity.

“I’d like to ask Captain Jeong or General Lee, but…”

Wan couldn’t ask a question because he felt it would hurt his pride.

* * *

These questions were resolved when I visited Area 51.

As soon as I was appointed as the person in charge, I visited Area 51 regularly, but every time I came, Area 51 was a new and fascinating place.

Because of this, it became Wan’s daily routine to wander around Area 51, asking questions and looking at the objects.

And when Wan visited the glass workshop, the managers, Raphael and Pietro, explained the various parts of the workshop and showed the finished products.

“That’s amazing. “Amazing… Your abilities are truly amazing.”

“thank you!”

Although Raphael and Pietro nodded in response to his praise, Wan was able to find in them the reactions to the problem that other craftsmen had shown.

‘Even the children!’

In the end, Wan argued with them directly.

“Look.”

“yes?”

“Do you guys have any regrets about me?”

“yes? No way? “How could that be!”

The two quickly shook their heads in contemplation, but Wan continued to listen.

“I’m not trying to accuse you of anything. I’m just curious. What do the researchers at the lab and the artisans at Area 51 seem to expect from me? What is that? “Is it funding?”

“Oh no.”

“Then what is it!”

Wan’s voice rose, but the craftsmen around him kept their mouths shut and only watched.

“What on earth is the problem!”

Wan’s voice rose again, but no one was willing to open their mouths.

‘Four months took place in the glass workshop!’

When Lee Cheon heard the news and rushed to the workshop, Wan was still raising his voice.

“Didn’t I tell you to speak up? “Why are you saying nothing?”

“Please fix it!”

Pietro opened his mouth at the same time as Lee Cheon came out to stop Wan, who couldn’t stand his anger.

“Let me tell you.”

“hey!”

“Look!”

Pietro, who has become quite calm now but still retains his former personality, stepped forward, and Raphael and Lee Cheon who were next to him quickly stopped him.

But Wan came first.

“Good. Please tell me why you are doing this. If I made a mistake or made a mistake, shouldn’t I correct it? Is it because I come too often and disturb you just to see the sights? “I promise not to blame you even if I get a rude answer.”

At Wan’s promise, Pietro let out the words he had been holding in.

“I don’t mind coming here often and I don’t mind taking a look. But I don’t mind if you just go.”

“huh?”

When Wan seemed not to understand, Pietro added.

“Your Majesty the Crown Prince. I rarely go there just to look around. Even if you just look around the first time, be sure to bring homework the next time you come. Or come with an assignment from the beginning.”

“What is that…”

Raphael added in desperation at Wan’s reaction that he still didn’t understand.

“That guy said it was a task, but His Majesty the Crown Prince just looked at it and rarely left. Be sure to come back the next day at the earliest or within five days at the latest. ‘I’ve been thinking about it for a while. He said, ‘Why not try making something like this?’ or not. ‘I want to make this and that, is it possible?’ While doing this, give me an assignment. “This is hard both physically and mentally, but when it is actually completed, the sense of satisfaction is incredible.”

Wan asked Raphael’s explanation with a mixture of disappointment and coolness.

“So you’re saying I’m disappointed because I don’t have something like that?”

Raphael and Pietro nodded to Wan’s question.

It wasn’t just Raphael and Pietro. Even the Koreans around them all nodded.

Seeing that, Wan turned around with his shoulders drooping.

“Thank you for your answer. Thanks to you, I relieved my boredom. Then, good luck.”

Seeing Wan trudging along like that, Lee Cheon glanced at Pietro with a frown on his face and hurriedly followed Wan.