Black Corporation: Joseon

After fifteen days, Won began his work as the head of the Research Institute and Area 51.

While he initially showed signs of fumbling through various trial and error in the early stages of taking charge, it wasn’t long before he began handling tasks quite competently.

As the administrators of the Research Institute and Area 51 observed Won’s quick adaptation, their reactions began to change over time.

“Compared to his grandfather and father though…”

“Compared to the Crown Prince who inspired not just awe but fear…”

The reactions of those who had been criticizing Won whenever he fumbled began to change.

“They say there’s no wise son under a tiger father, and yet…”

“Indeed, blood will tell…”

While evaluations were changing like this, the highest-ranking officials, Jeong In-ji and Lee Chun, remained reserved in their comments.

This isn’t simply a job evaluation. It’s an assessment of the one who will inherit supreme authority two generations from now. We must be as careful as possible! As objective as possible!

Because they had made such resolutions, whenever other ministers – even Hwang Hui – asked about the Crown Prince’s son’s work ability, they consistently gave vague answers.

“How could we know when he’s just beginning to grasp the work?”

However, as time gradually passed, Jeong In-ji and Lee Chun were able to make rough judgments.

-Though talented, he falls short compared to his father.

While sharing drinks at Jeong In-ji’s house, they added:

“If his predecessor hadn’t been His Highness the Crown Prince, he could have been evaluated as one in a thousand. However…”

As Jeong In-ji let his words trail off, Lee Chun nodded.

“The predecessor was such an extraordinary person… Well, this isn’t something only the current Crown Prince’s son will face. Future heads of the Research Institute and Area 51 must accept their fate of constantly being compared to His Highness the Crown Prince, their founder.”

Emptying his cup at Lee Chun’s words, Jeong In-ji continued:

“Our successors will be among those who suffer from this issue. But you know what? I wonder how the historians of that time will evaluate us? As ‘those who built Joseon’s golden age’ or as ‘the fortunate yet unfortunate ones’? What do you think?”

“The fortunate yet unfortunate?”

“Fortunate because we were chosen by His Highness from among many officials and secured our positions, unfortunate because we work ourselves to death only to illuminate His Highness’s brilliant radiance.”

At Jeong In-ji’s words, Lee Chun smirked while emptying his cup.

After emptying his cup, Lee Chun remained silent for a moment, choosing his words, before finally responding:

“It depends on what we do. But since we hold these positions, wouldn’t it be better to receive the former evaluation? There should be at least one good line written on the stone monument before our graves.”

“Indeed. Since we’ve entered public service, we should at least have that much engraved on our monuments before we go.”

***

Having thus proven his work capabilities, Won diligently handled his duties.

“Most of what the head of the Research Institute and Area 51 does relates to budget.”

Won nodded and focused on Jeong In-ji and Lee Chun’s explanation.

“On the surface, it might seem like the Research Institute just talks about theoretical abstractions and consumes budget, but without the Institute analyzing basic theories and mineral properties, Area 51 couldn’t function properly. The problem is that the process of persuading others about this isn’t easy. Once you experience the tug-of-war with the Ministry of Finance over this issue, you’ll immediately understand why they became the public enemy.”

“Even with father as the head?”

To Won’s question implying ‘They pushed back even against the Crown Prince?’, Jeong In-ji answered with a slight smile:

“The Ministry of Finance has His Majesty backing them.”

“Ah…”

Won nodded at Jeong In-ji’s answer.

Watching this, Jeong In-ji swallowed his following words.

The fact that Hyang had visited Sejong several times over this budget issue, only to be scolded and driven out each time.

“Get out, you brat!”

Having narrowly avoided the crisis of almost mentioning Hyang’s dark history, Jeong In-ji immediately continued his explanation:

“Since budget restrictions are inevitable, the Research Institute and Area 51 make up for insufficient budget through other means.”

“Surely nothing illegal?”

To Won’s question, Jeong In-ji shook his head.

“No. We actively exercise ‘intellectual property rights.'”

Whenever new theories, technologies, or devices emerged, the Research Institute and Area 51 disclosed them through the Court Gazette.

Of course, they concealed as much as possible when announcing anything related to new military technologies or devices.

And merchant groups throughout Joseon would purchase dozens of copies of these gazettes whenever they were released, beginning their analysis.

After such analysis, if they found devices or technologies that seemed profitable, they immediately negotiated contracts with the Research Institute and Area 51.

“We split the usage fees secured this way, giving some to those who own the intellectual property, some as rewards to the Research Institute and Area 51 staff, and the rest supplements our insufficient budget.”

“Oh~. With such a system, the Institute’s researchers and Area 51’s craftsmen must work hard?”

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

Nodding at Jeong In-ji’s answer, Won soon continued his questions.

“Merchants are beings who pursue profit, don’t they try to pull tricks during value analysis?”

At Won’s question, Jeong In-ji smiled slyly.

“We do our own analysis, and so does the Ministry of Finance. Moreover, there isn’t just one merchant group in Joseon. Any attempts at trickery would be immediately exposed. And if they try such tricks, they’ll never be able to use our technology again.”

“How good are the merchant groups’ analytical abilities?”

“Capable merchant groups wouldn’t lose even against the Ministry of Finance.”

“To that extent?”

While Won couldn’t hide his surprise, Jeong In-ji continued with a calm face:

“It wasn’t quite to this extent in the early stages of the Reforms. But as the Reforms matured and Joseon’s economic scale multiplied several times over, they developed such capabilities.”

“Huh…”

Unconsciously letting out an exclamation, Won recalled what Hyang had told him and muttered quietly:

“He said ‘Working at the Research Institute and Area 51 will let you see the world outside the palace.’ Was this what he meant?”

At Won’s muttering, Jeong In-ji inwardly muttered:

The Crown Prince played the biggest role in creating such a world.

However, this had also greatly surprised Hyang.

Even Hyang couldn’t hide his amazement at seeing Joseon’s dizzying development in just over 20 years.

“Is this capitalism!”

After checking reports countless times, Hyang smirked.

“That saying seems right… ‘In the beginning was money.'”

***

Quickly absorbing Jeong In-ji and Lee Chun’s help, Won established himself in his position.

As he firmly stabilized his position, Won even gained the leisure to observe his surroundings.

While doing so, Won suddenly noticed something strange.

Whenever he visited the Research Institute and Area 51, the researchers and craftsmen on site seemed to expect something greatly, but would become deeply disappointed when he left after just doing paperwork.

Why? What’s wrong?

Wondering about such reactions from the researchers and craftsmen, Won also observed the reactions of key figures including Jeong In-ji and Lee Chun.

While Jeong In-ji and Lee Chun hadn’t shown such signs yet, those closer to the field showed similar reactions.

“Why? What’s wrong? Did I make some mistake?”

Won worried about this unbearable curiosity.

“I want to ask Master Jeong or General Lee, but…”

Won couldn’t bring himself to ask, feeling it might somehow wound his pride.

***

This curiosity was resolved during a visit to Area 51.

Though he had been visiting regularly since his appointment as head, Area 51 felt new and fascinating every time.

Thus, walking around various parts of Area 51, asking questions and examining devices had become part of Won’s routine.

And when Won visited the glassworks, the heads Rafael and Pietro showed him around the workshop and displayed their finished products.

“Amazing. Amazing indeed… Your skills are truly remarkable.”

“Thank you!”

Though Rafael and Pietro bowed deeply in response to his praise, Won could see in them that problematic reaction shown by other craftsmen.

Even the Westerners!

Finally, Won confronted them directly.

“Look here.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have some grievance with me?”

“What? No, of course not! How could we!”

Though the two turned pale and hastily shook their heads, Won pressed on:

“I’m not trying to punish you. I’m just curious. It seems like the Institute’s researchers and Area 51’s craftsmen expect something from me, but what is it? Is it funding?”

“N-no, not at all.”

“Then what is it!”

Though Won’s voice rose, the surrounding craftsmen only watched carefully with sealed lips.

“What exactly is the problem!”

Though Won’s voice rose again, no one would readily open their mouth.

When Lee Chun urgently visited the workshop upon hearing ‘Trouble has broken out at the glassworks!’, Won was still raising his voice.

“Didn’t I tell you to speak! Why are you all silent!”

“Please calm yourself!”

Just as Lee Chun stepped forward to stop Won who couldn’t contain his anger, Pietro opened his mouth.

“I will tell you.”

“Hey!”

“Look here!”

When Pietro, who had become quite docile now but still retained traces of his past personality, stepped forward, Rafael and Lee Chun hurriedly tried to stop him.

However, Won stepped in first.

“Good. Tell me the reason why you’re all acting this way. If I’ve made some mistake or done something wrong, shouldn’t I correct it? Is it because I come too often and disturb you with my sightseeing? I promise not to punish you even if I hear an impolite answer.”

At Won’s promise, Pietro blurted out what he’d been holding back:

“We don’t mind you coming often, and we don’t mind you looking around. But we do mind you just leaving.”

“Huh?”

Seeing Won appear not to understand, Pietro added:

“His Highness the Crown Prince, you see. He almost never just looked around and left. Even if he just looked around and left at first, he would definitely bring a task the next time he came. Or he would bring a task from the beginning.”

“What do you…”

Seeing Won still not understanding, Rafael, who had given up, added:

“This fellow said ‘task,’ but His Highness almost never just looked around and left. He would definitely return, as soon as the next day or at latest within five days. He would say ‘I’ve been thinking about something. How about trying to make something like this?’ Or ‘I’d like to make such and such, would it be possible?’ and give us tasks. Though it’s physically and mentally exhausting, the satisfaction when we actually complete it is tremendous.”

At Rafael’s explanation, Won asked with a face mixing dejection and relief:

“So you’re saying you’re disappointed because I don’t do any of that?”

Rafael and Pietro nodded at Won’s question.

Not just Rafael and Pietro. All the Joseon people present also nodded.

Seeing this, Won turned away with slumped shoulders.

“Thank you for your answer. Thanks to you, I’ve cleared up my frustration. Well then, carry on.”

Watching Won shuffle away, Lee Chun shot Pietro a severely frowning look before hurriedly following Won.