72
The artisans progressed, the artisan society of Joseon, especially the blacksmiths, began to suffer from a bout of turmoil.
The reason for this turmoil stemmed from a chain reaction initiated by the Military Affairs Office.
Many artisans belonging to the Military Affairs Office moved to the research institute and District 51, creating a demand for artisans within the office.
"Select the skilled artisans among the troops of the Land Guard, the Cavalry, and the Garrison across the nation and bring them to Hanyang. Assess their skills and fill the vacancies in the Military Affairs Office."
"Understood."
Following the royal decree of King Sejong, chaos erupted in the military camps across the country.
Skilled artisans known for crafting weapons like swords and bows were summoned to Hanyang.
King Sejong himself attended the assessment of the artisans who would work in the Military Affairs Office.
His ambition for talent shone through as he selected about thirty percent more than the official quota.
"Send those who exceed the quota to District 51."
"... Understood!"
Delighted by this unexpected gift, Hyang bowed deeply to Sejong.
"Your grace is boundless, Father!"
With the situation unfolding this way, a chain reaction was only natural.
"What are we supposed to do if you take away the artisans who make swords?"
"It's disgraceful to pick only the meat from the banquet table, but to take people like this..."
Suddenly deprived of their skilled artisans, the military had to search for renowned artisans among the civilians and bring them into the military.
Amidst this uproar, one positive outcome emerged: the perception of artisans began to shift positively.
Both the government and the people started to value skilled artisans, and their treatment improved.
This was a butterfly effect created by the ambitious Sejong and Hyang.
As soon as the decision was made to establish a state-owned enterprise dedicated to iron production, Hyang and the ministers exchanged opinions on the preparations.
To be precise, it was Hyang who forcibly interjected into the ministers' discussion.
"You already have so much work to do; you don't need to get involved in this as well..."
"Considering the quantity needed for the research institute and District 51, this is absolutely necessary."
Wanting to avoid the situation of an annoying sister-in-law intruding more than the mother-in-law, Hwang Hee stepped in to stop her, but Hyang firmly claimed her place.
"Since it's happening in District 51, I will take charge of the assessment!"
"You don't have to go that far..."
"This is a great national undertaking! As the Crown Prince, I must step forward!"
"... Then do as you wish."
Hyang, who insisted on taking charge of the assessment, persuaded Sejong and obtained his permission.
"Is this really alright?"
In response to the worried ministers' questions, Hwang Hee replied with a nonchalant expression.
"Isn't this a good thing for us? We already have a lot to do."
The first selection criteria for artisans related to iron production were proposed by Hyang.
- Regions with a high proportion of refined iron in the overall tribute.
Not just any region with a large quantity of iron, but those that produced relatively more refined iron.
As a result, many regions were eliminated.
Through this first assessment, one location was selected in Chungcheong-do, and Gyeongju and Hapcheon were chosen in Gyeongsang-do.
Although there were other places with high production of iron, these three had a higher proportion of refined iron compared to others.
Once the first candidates were determined, cavalrymen carrying the royal decree rode out.
"It is a royal decree!"
Upon hearing the announcement of the royal decree from Hanyang, the local officials neatly arranged their attire, bowed deeply towards Hanyang, and respectfully received the decree.
After breaking the seal and confirming the contents, the local officials sighed.
"Ah~. More work again."
According to the royal decree, the selected individuals from the three ironworks moved to Hanyang.
"We need a place to test their skills."
At Hwang Hee's words, Sejong looked at Hyang.
Responding to the unspoken command, Hyang immediately replied.
"I will prepare a place in District 51."
"Very well."
Thus, a location was decided for the skill competition, but a problem arose among the artisans.
"The artisans refuse to smelt in the same place."
Upon receiving this report from the blacksmiths, Hyang frowned and asked for the reason.
"What is the reason?"
"Extracting iron is a top-secret technique, and we cannot show it to competitors."
"Oh dear..."
Faced with this awkward situation, Hyang looked at the ministers.
Among the ministers who wore similar expressions, Hwang Hee spoke up.
"Can't we just force them?"
At Hwang Hee's suggestion, the blacksmiths shook their heads.
"They would just leave if we did that."
"Even for national affairs?"
"Due to the harsh work, everyone has a rough personality and considerable pride. They would rather face execution than be forced."
"Goodness... tsk!"
Hyang, hearing the blacksmiths' response, examined the map of District 51.
"How much space is needed to build a blast furnace? If we create spots in these empty areas, they won't overlap, so it should be possible."
"Please wait a moment!"
At Hyang's words, the blacksmiths immediately went outside to take measurements.
After surveying the empty areas, the blacksmiths returned to report to Hyang.
"It seems feasible."
"Then tell the heads of the blacksmiths."
The heads of the blacksmiths readily accepted Hyang's proposal.
They drew lots to determine their locations and led their artisans to establish their spots.
Watching the scene of the heads of the blacksmiths and their subordinates moving from one side of the research institute, Hyang turned to the blacksmiths.
"There are quite a few people joining us?"
"If we include the heads of the blacksmiths, the assistants, the furnace builders, and the charcoal makers, there are quite a few."
"Is that so?"
Hearing the blacksmiths' response, Hyang rubbed his hands together in excitement.
"It will be fun when the competition officially begins."
"Will you be watching the whole time, Your Highness?"
"When else will I get to see such a spectacle?"
"... That is true."
Hyang was thrilled.
Even when he received teachings from traditional swordsmiths in the 21st century, he had seen the creation of small fittings in a small furnace, but he had never witnessed the full process of making iron like this.
Once the location was selected, Hyang gathered the heads of the blacksmiths.
"The location is prepared, and the materials you requested are also ready. Let's check if anything is missing."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Following Hyang's command, the heads of the blacksmiths headed to the place where the prepared materials were located.
The first thing they checked was the most important materials: iron ore and charcoal for fuel.
And then, the first testing process prepared by Hyang.
"Huh?"
When the heads of the blacksmiths arrived at the pile of iron ore, they all looked at Hyang with troubled expressions.
"Your Highness, the ore we need to extract iron from is stone iron, isn't it?"
Nodding at the question posed in their unique dialect, Hyang replied.
"Most of it is stone iron. I found some good iron ore recently. Why, can't you do it?"
"It’s a bit troublesome, but it’s not impossible."
"That's right."
"Well, it's not something we can't do."
Hyang murmured quietly to the attendant standing behind him.
"Everyone gets one point."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As Hyang evaluated the heads of the blacksmiths, his eyes widened in surprise.
The heads of the blacksmiths were displaying behavior that Hyang had not anticipated.
They randomly selected pieces of iron ore from the pile and took out hammers from their baskets to smash the ore.
As an adequate amount of iron ore powder was produced, the heads of the blacksmiths took out iron needles and lamps from their baskets.
They dipped the iron needles in saliva and coated them with iron powder.
After coating the iron needles with an appropriate amount of iron powder, the heads of the blacksmiths lit the lamp and inserted the iron needles into the flame.
As the needles entered the flame and the color changed, the heads of the blacksmiths murmured.
"This has a bit too much sulfur, doesn't it?"
At this moment, Hyang was astonished.
'They know about the flame reaction!'
The heads of the blacksmiths, having checked the state of the most important raw material, moved to the pile of yellow earth they had set aside.
Without exception, the heads of the blacksmiths tasted the yellow earth with their fingers and shook their heads slightly.
"Is there a problem?"
"There is too much sulfur mixed in the stone iron. To make good iron, we need to extract the sulfur, but the energy in this soil makes it a bit difficult."
"That's right!"
"The soil is a bit off."
Upon hearing the heads of the blacksmiths' responses, Hyang immediately organized the situation.
"Then, you should find suitable soil."
"And, I don't see any lime."
"Get some."
In this ongoing selection process, the heads of the blacksmiths found themselves in a difficult situation again.
"What is this stone?"
"It's called coal. It will be used instead of charcoal. Blacksmiths."
"Yes, Your Highness."
At Hyang's command, the blacksmiths stepped forward to explain coal.
The first users of coal, after it was discovered by the miners, were the artisans working in District 51. Therefore, the blacksmiths, who had the most experience with coal, took the lead.
Perhaps due to the explanation from someone in the same industry, the heads of the blacksmiths soon nodded.
"Coal, huh... sounds interesting?"
"They say it has better heat than charcoal, right? Hmm... how should we balance the ratio?"
"Since it also has sulfur mixed in... we should add more yellow earth and lime..."
"Can you not do it?"
At Hyang's question, the heads of the blacksmiths all shook their heads.
"Then, once the materials are prepared, we will build the furnace right away. The furnace in Gyeongju will take the most time, so once it is completed, we will start the competition immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness."
That day, upon returning to the East Palace, Hyang scratched his head nervously and muttered.
"To think they even knew about the flame reaction... just how much has this damned Joseon forgotten!"
As the heads of the blacksmiths began to build the furnace after gathering the necessary materials, Hyang meticulously recorded the process while conducting the assessment.
"The furnace is square?"
"If we make it this way, it will be easier to stack the iron ore and charcoal."
"This furnace is a bit tall?"
"A taller height will yield better iron."
"Is that so?"
While Hyang conversed with the heads of the blacksmiths, the attendants behind him recorded the conversation and checked Hyang's signals to add or deduct points.
During the furnace construction process, Hyang's attention was drawn to Gyeongju.
Unlike other places that primarily used soil to build earthen furnaces, Gyeongju was constructing a furnace mainly from stone.
"Building it from stone, is there an advantage to this? Perhaps it withstands heat better?"
"Stone alone cannot withstand heat. It needs to be coated with soil. However, if we make it this way, we won't need to repair it every time, right?"
"Is that so?"
Upon hearing the response, Hyang made a small hand gesture.
At Hyang's signal, the attendant recorded points on the chart.
"Gyeongju gets 2 points."
Once the furnace was built, the heads of the blacksmiths began the process of extracting iron.
Although there were some trial and error in using coal instead of charcoal, Hyang did not raise any issues.
"This is a process we must go through, so I won't hold it against you!"
After experiencing a brief trial and error, the heads of the blacksmiths began to extract iron in earnest.
The competition had begun.
Excluding the time spent building the furnace, the competition that continued for the next fifteen days saw Gyeongju's heads of the blacksmiths emerge as the winners.
Hyang explained to Sejong why Gyeongju had claimed victory.
"First of all, the reason is that Gyeongju built a stone-structured furnace. While other artisans also used stone, they primarily used soil, whereas Gyeongju made stone the main material and soil the auxiliary. This allowed..."
"They could keep using the furnace, right?"
"Exactly. Next, it comes down to the manpower involved in producing refined iron. Other furnaces would take the pig iron produced from the furnace, reheat it, and have workers hammer it into refined iron."
"That would require a lot of manpower."
"Indeed."
"And what about Gyeongju? Did they use a different method?"
"Gyeongju mixed selected scrap iron into the pig iron produced and melted it again."
"Melt it again? That sounds like a waste of effort."
"It was not a waste. The iron water produced after melting it again was mostly refined iron, and a considerable amount of strong iron was also produced."
"Ah~. That's remarkable!"
At Sejong's evaluation, Hyang nodded.
Unbeknownst to Hyang, the method used by Gyeongju, which involved melting it twice, was similar to the process of the Baeseomer furnace.
This method significantly reduced the carbon content mixed in the iron during the two melting processes, and simply put, it was similar to the iron-making methods of the 20th century.
The heads of the blacksmiths from Gyeongju, who emerged as the final winners through the competition, were summoned to a place where King Sejong and all the ministers were gathered.
The blacksmith, trembling as he faced the sky-like King, lay flat on the ground, barely breathing.
"Relax, blacksmith."
At Sejong's command, the blacksmith responded with a voice that could burst his throat.
"Your grace is boundless!"
"Oh dear, oh dear... I have a question for you. The nation is about to open the largest ironworks. Will you take on this task?"
"If you grant me this, I will stake my life on it!"
At the blacksmith's response, Sejong smiled.
"There is no need to stake your life... A large iron mine has been discovered in Pyeongan-do. Coal has also been found in Pyeongan-do. However, the two locations are somewhat distant from each other. Where do you think would be a good place to build the ironworks?"
When the question related to his expertise arose, the blacksmith's tension eased.
In response to Sejong's question, the blacksmith asked.
"As I only know Gyeongju, I am not familiar with the geography. How far apart are the two locations?"
"One hundred li. The fortunate thing is that there is a river, so we can use water transport."
After Sejong's answer, the blacksmith organized his thoughts for a moment before responding.
"When building the ironworks, while stone iron and charcoal are important, the most crucial thing is the soil. The quality of the soil determines the quality of the iron produced. From what I've seen, both the stone iron and the coal have a lot of sulfur mixed in. To extract this sulfur, we need a lot of good soil and lime."
"And then?"
"I need to see it with my own eyes. Even if it means transporting stone iron and coal, we must go to where the soil is good. The most important thing is the soil."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed!"
At the blacksmith's firm response, Sejong fell into thought.
After a long silence of contemplation, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"Very well! I shall grant you the rank of a master craftsman! Go and assess the situation, and find the optimal location to build the ironworks!"
"I-I receive the command!"
"What is your name?"
"I have no surname, just call me Deoksoo."
"I bestow upon you the surname Kim! Since your name means 'iron,' I wish for your descendants to inherit your achievements!"
"Your grace is boundless!"
Suddenly granted a surname, the blacksmith burst into tears as he left.
As the blacksmith exited, Hwang Hee and the ministers all turned to Sejong.
"Why? Are you dissatisfied with granting a fifth-rank position to a mere blacksmith?"
"I do not doubt your intentions, Your Majesty, but isn't that rank a bit too high...?"
"Is there anyone among you who knows how to make iron?"
"... No."
"Then are you looking down on a mere blacksmith?"
"... I am humbled."
"I have repeatedly said that there is no need to feel humbled."
"I am humbled."
"Tsk!"
In the time of Jang Young-sil, there would have been an uproar over granting a position to someone of a lowly profession, but such occurrences had decreased now.
It was not difficult once, nor was it difficult twice.
And knowing Sejong's character, such words would surely come out.
"Then will you try to make it?"
Ten days after Deoksoo received his surname in the palace, people dressed in official and military uniforms flocked to Deoksoo's house in Gyeongju.
"It is a royal decree!"
"Huh? What is this noise?"
Deoksoo's family, who were working in the house and the adjacent forge, were thrown into confusion.
"The family of blacksmith Kim Deoksoo, come out to receive the royal decree!"
"Kim Deoksoo? My father's name is Deoksoo, but Kim?"
"Is that a problem? It is a royal decree!"
Rushing out, Deoksoo's family knelt in the yard.
The official standing before Deoksoo's family unrolled a scroll and read aloud.
"To the blacksmith Deoksoo of Gyeongju, I bestow upon you the rank of a fifth-rank master craftsman! Furthermore, I grant you the surname Kim!"
After reading for a while, the official rolled up the scroll and asked a question.
"Who is the eldest son of Master Kim?"
At his question, a sturdy young man emerged from the forge.
"It is I."
"Congratulations."
The official congratulated him and handed the young man the scroll with the royal decree, along with various certificates and rewards.
"Where is Master Kim?"
"Master Deoksoo received the royal decree and left for Hwanghae-do immediately."
That day, Deoksoo's family spent all their wealth to hold a feast.
And the miraculous story of Deoksoo's family's rise in status became a legend in that region.