"Let it be neither too much nor too little; I wish I had exactly two bodies."
As the year of Eulsa began, Hyang found herself often lamenting this thought.
It was because she felt that her tasks had truly increased.
The reason for this busyness was none other than Sejong.
To be precise, it was Sejong's 'purchase requests' that were the problem.
"I heard that the Jin Kingdom has created its own characters..."
"I heard that the Mongols also had their own script?"
"Since we are at it, see if you can get the script from the Western Regions as well."
"I need some records regarding Hyangchal. I must understand where the rules of Idu began."
"... Yes, Your Majesty."
Every time Sejong made a purchase request, Hyang had to twist and turn to find the books.
The actual destination was Sejong, but on the surface, the recipient was Hyang.
Therefore, Hyang had to grasp the contents of the books with a heavy heart.
This was due to the occasional questions thrown at her by the ministers, who were as stubborn as old ginger.
"Your Highness, I heard you acquired some unusual books last time? I, too, am interested in foreign texts; could you tell me what they are about?"
"Oh, I'm still organizing them. There are many books that came in together."
"Is that so? I heard those books are quite expensive..."
Hyang quickly countered, sensing the pressure regarding the source of funds.
"Hahaha! That's why my pockets are always empty. Unlike some people, I have no connection to gifts."
"Is that so? Hmm! Hmph!"
For this reason, Hyang found herself learning not only phonetics but also foreign languages against her will.
Her struggles did not end there.
The library, created for the purpose of laundering sources and reference, had to be opened to others.
"Isn't there a lot of empty space in the library?"
"The King has taken some."
"Is that so?"
Hyang looked around the empty spaces in the library upon hearing the attendant's response.
"If only the phonetics books were taken, but why the math books... Is His Majesty also laundering sources?"
"There are many fascinating books in the library of the East Palace!"
"The King also borrows several volumes!"
Such rumors made the members of the research institute restless.
"I want to see some higher-level math books..."
"I want to see the original texts regarding urban development that I am currently assigned..."
Unable to suppress their desires, the members drafted a petition and submitted it to Hyang.
"Sigh! It can't be helped! Writing down each request separately is a hassle. With the amount I've secured so far, I can manage some source laundering."
Having made a decision, Hyang immediately requested a separate building in the East Palace.
"Isn't it fine to just remodel the rooms in the East Palace as we are now?"
"I also need a space for personal living."
"It's quite convenient to visit now."
"Your Majesty, to hide a tree, one must hide it in the forest."
At Hyang's last words, Sejong accepted the request.
Thanks to the skilled carpenters gathered in large numbers, another separate building was quickly completed.
Once the building was finished, Hyang moved most of her books there, keeping only a few essential ones.
"Well... I've moved everything, but if a fire breaks out, it will be the end!"
Worried about a fire, Hyang immediately took action.
She placed buckets filled with sand in various spaces and dug a small pond outside the separate building.
Once all preparations were complete, Hyang made a request to Sejong.
"Please give it a name."
"A name..."
As Sejong pondered, he picked up a brush instead of a gold pen and wrote the name on paper.
"Jipjiwon (집지원)."
"Books are vessels of knowledge. Your library gathers not only our Joseon books but also those from the distant West, making it a place where the knowledge of the world converges. The name Jipjiwon suits it best."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
With Sejong's handwritten plaque hung, Jipjiwon officially began its activities.
The main duties of Jipjiwon were the management and lending of books.
There were different terms for borrowing books: Hyang and Sejong could borrow indefinitely, royal family members for a maximum of ten days, members of the research institute for five days, and members from other departments for three days.
Additionally, immediate re-borrowing after returning was prohibited to prevent one person from monopolizing the books.
While creating the borrowing rules, Hyang pondered about the 'royal family.'
"Is there really a royal family member who would come all the way here to borrow books? But it's not bad to prepare in advance for the distant future."
As Jipjiwon began its activities, the most frequent visitor was Sejong.
"These are the books the Crown Prince referred to; perhaps I should take a look as well."
As he said this, he would often take out five or six books at a time, and among them were books related to language.
"Since all the books are in the original language, there is a need for translation..."
Sejong would casually borrow language books, using this excuse every time the ministers saw him.
With Jipjiwon and the research institute established around the East Palace, the area was always bustling with people.
This busy scene caught the attention of Yu.
"Why are there so many people at the East Palace?"
Now just entering the age of eight, Yu was trying to adopt a more mature demeanor.
In response to Yu's question, the Prince's teacher answered simply.
"Because the Crown Prince has many tasks."
"My brother?"
Tilting his head, Yu asked the Prince's teacher.
"Can I go take a look?"
Considering Yu's request, the Prince's teacher weighed the possibilities.
"The prince has a very lively personality, but there are many things in the research institute that could be dangerous if handled carelessly... However, perhaps he could be inspired and develop an interest in learning? In this situation, even if it's not Confucian studies, he should at least take an interest in some form of knowledge!"
Having made a decision, the Prince's teacher replied to Yu.
"I will ask His Majesty for permission."
Upon hearing the Prince's teacher's request, Sejong asked him,
"Among the items in the research institute, many are delicate and should not be touched carelessly. Will Yu not meddle with them?"
Sejong knew well that Yu was quite reckless, which is why he posed the question.
In response to Sejong's inquiry, the Prince's teacher answered firmly.
"I will personally assist the prince."
"Hmm..."
Sejong stroked his beard, deep in thought at the Prince's teacher's words.
After a while of contemplation, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"Very well. Speak to the Crown Prince and set a date."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
In response to the Prince's teacher's contact regarding Yu's training, Hyang set a date and replied.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"Thank you for your attention to Yu's training."
At Hyang's praise, the Prince's teacher recalled the hardships he had endured and shed tears.
"Thank you, Your Highness! Sniff!"
"Oh! A grown man crying like this! Stop!"
A strange situation unfolded where a young child comforted a middle-aged man with a white beard.
On the appointed day, Yu, accompanied by the Prince's teacher, visited the research institute.
"Your Highness, how do you do?"
"Ah, it's been a while since I've seen you. I apologize for not being able to see you often, even though we live in the same palace."
"It’s alright, Your Highness."
At Hyang's words, Yu hurriedly shook his head.
From Yu's perspective, Jeonghye Princess and Hyang were the same—
- People who make one weary when seen too often.
This was Yu's sentiment towards Jeonghye Princess and Hyang.
Nevertheless, Yu could not help but be curious about the items in the secret area.
As Yu entered the research institute, he gaped at the display case made in the hallway.
"Wow~ Wow~."
Seeing all sorts of fascinating items, Yu repeatedly exclaimed "Wow~."
Especially in the area displaying models of sailing ships and battleships, he stood frozen like a wooden statue, unable to take a step.
"Children will be children..."
Seeing Yu so engrossed in his exploration, Hyang remarked, causing everyone around to look at her in disbelief.
'Who do you think you are?'
This was a common thought shared by everyone present.
After forcing his reluctant steps, Yu arrived at a room that even surprised Sejong.
"Your Highness, what is this room?"
"This is the room with the geographical model of Joseon and the train model."
"Geographical model? Train model? Teacher, what are those?"
In response to Yu's question, the Prince's teacher also looked troubled.
"I am not quite sure about that..."
"Since it is originally a confidential place, many do not know about it. Especially since you are here, Yu, I will show you. Open the door."
"Yes, Your Highness."
At Hyang's command, the attendant opened the door.
As the sliding door opened, what caught Yu's eye first was a massive table occupying the center of the room.
Being still a child, Yu could not see what was on the table.
"Bring me a stand."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Wow!"
Upon being lifted onto the stand brought by the attendants, Yu exclaimed at the geographical model on the table.
It was a sight he had never seen before.
"Is this Joseon?"
"It is a rough imitation of Joseon's land and rivers. It is not entirely accurate."
"Wow."
Seeing Yu continuously exclaiming "Wow," Hyang smiled slightly.
'Children do act like this when they go to an amusement park.'
Watching Yu, who was gaping in awe, Hyang glanced at the Prince's teacher standing beside him and clenched his fists behind his back to suppress a laugh.
"Your Highness, but what is this path?"
Pointing at the tracks, Yu asked, and Hyang immediately answered.
"It is the path where the train runs. It is called a railway."
"Railway?"
"Attendant."
"Yes, Your Highness."
At Hyang's command, the attendants brought a model locomotive and passenger car that had been on display and placed them on the tracks.
The attendants connected the locomotive to the passenger and freight cars and inserted a wick into the locomotive, lighting it.
"Please wait a moment."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As they waited for the water to boil, Yu, who was becoming impatient, calmed down at Hyang's words.
Beep!
Upon hearing the signal that sufficient pressure had built up, Hyang released the lever, causing the locomotive to move.
"Uh... uh!"
Seeing the locomotive move, Yu was so astonished that he couldn't even utter an exclamation and became a statue.
With his mouth agape, he began to breathe heavily while watching the model locomotive run on the tracks.
"Ha~. Ha~."
"Yu?"
Seeing Yu's unusual condition, Hyang called out to him, but Yu merely panted, staring blankly at the train's movement.
At that moment, Hyang suddenly felt something.
'Could it be! A revelation!'
The model locomotive, puffing steam, made two laps around the large geographical model before stopping as the water ran out.
Once the locomotive stopped, the attendants removed the model locomotive and train from the tracks.
As Yu watched the safely removed model locomotive being placed back on display, he hurriedly turned to Hyang.
"Is, is that really how it moves?"
Just from the way he addressed Hyang, it was clear that Yu was completely captivated.
"That is an object made to demonstrate a theory; the actual one looks different."
At Hyang's gesture, the attendants brought over the model locomotives that were on display.
Starting from one resembling Stephenson's Locomotion to the steam locomotives that Yu had become familiar with through movies and dramas, four types of locomotive models were created following Sejong's visit and Hyang's orders.
However, unlike what Sejong and Yu had seen, these models were stationary, true to their name as models.
Hyang pointed to the Locomotion and explained in order.
"As the studies and technology develop, this will gradually evolve from here to there."
"Wow~."
"When the locomotives and trains are completed, and the tracks are laid, the eight provinces of Joseon will become a day’s journey."
"Wow~!"
As Hyang explained, Yu's mouth grew wider.
While watching the model locomotives, Yu said to Hyang,
"Your Highness! I want to make this locomotive!"
However, Hyang immediately shook his head.
"You cannot."
"Why not?"
"Because you are not studying."
At Hyang's firm statement, Yu's face fell.
Seeing Yu's expression, Hyang explained in more detail.
"To create this locomotive, many skilled artisans are needed, but also many intelligent scholars. Just looking at our research institute, there are quite a few who have passed the lower examination and even the higher examination. Of course, Confucian studies and practical studies may not be directly related. But do you think someone who finds studying Confucianism boring will excel in practical studies?"
"Sniff..."
At Hyang's stern words, tears began to well up in Yu's eyes.
"You are a prince. If you get involved in this, you will have to take on some responsibilities. If your Confucian studies and practical studies are both a mess, will you receive proper treatment? Will you still cry and throw a tantrum like now?"
"Sniff! No, I won't!"
"Confucian studies are a fundamental discipline that must be learned and a study that harmonizes relationships between people. If you want to be involved in this grand endeavor, you must study properly first!"
"Sniff!"
At Hyang's stern words, Yu wiped his tears with his sleeve and asked,
"Then, if I study hard, can I do this work?"
"If you have the ability!"
"I will definitely meet Your Highness's expectations!"
"..."
Seeing Yu's eyes gleaming with desire as he shouted, Hyang flinched and muttered to himself.
'What, what is this, so scary!'
After that, Yu's behavior changed completely.
He studied Confucianism seriously and diligently practiced martial arts.
Additionally, he requested Hyang to spend time in the room with the train models whenever he could, and without realizing it, he began to fall into the path of a train enthusiast.
"Ha~ Ha~. Indeed, trains are the best~."
Of course, he occasionally made such remarks, causing the attendants to become tense.
As Yu changed, now it was Yong who began to cause problems.