During King Sejong's journey to Gangwon-do, he was accompanied by Hyangdo.
"It's been a long time since a father and son have traveled together," he remarked.
Although he hesitated before departure, once they set off, Sejong began to enjoy the trip.
"Indeed, Father. However, the roads are certainly a problem," Hyang pointed out, to which Sejong nodded in agreement.
"That's true. For the success of the railway, we must improve the roads. Who knows when the railway will be completed?" At Sejong's words, Hyang immediately bowed his head.
"I am unworthy, Your Majesty..."
"It's not your ability that's the issue, but the capacity of Joseon itself. If there were another way, it would be different."
Under Sejong's subtle gaze, Hyang flinched.
Although he had revealed the concept of the railway as a form of shock therapy, everyone knew that it was uncertain when it would actually begin.
However, in a situation where no one could be sure of the results of the railway's implementation, it became a symbolic presence that could demonstrate the potential for progress.
Of course, there were side effects.
At some point, Sejong had begun to subtly hint and pressure Hyang more frequently.
Thus, a procession of heavily armed cavalrymen, centered around Sejong, who was giving hints, and Hyang, who was starting to feel the pressure, moved slowly along the narrow path.
While Sejong, who had been reluctant to leave Hanyang, began to feel a bit of excitement as the shadow of the capital faded away.
"It's truly refreshing to be out on an excursion after such a long time!" "You have been too immersed in state affairs," said the accompanying Dosungji.
Sejong nodded at his words.
"I can't deny that. It seems good to take breaks like this from time to time."
"Indeed."
Listening to the conversation between Sejong and Dosungji from behind, Hyang lightly clenched his fist. 'Even if I don't like YOLO, work-life balance is important! Absolutely!' In the 21st century, Hyang, who was recognized as a 'terminally ill enthusiast,' surprisingly disliked the term 'YOLO' (You Only Live Once). 'YOLO is a waste of life!' It was a somewhat contradictory argument, but Hyang was not fond of YOLO or social media.
"What about when being an enthusiast becomes a profession? What's wrong with posting my works on social media?" In response to the rebuttal from friends—who were not connected through fandom but in the most literal sense—Hyang always replied the same way.
"There's a difference in productivity! I'm productive, while the YOLO crowd is consumptive! How do you treat people like that!"
As Sejong enjoyed his leisure while heading towards Hoengseong in Gangwon-do, a fire suddenly erupted in Hanyang.
On February 15, the 8th year of Sejong's reign, the 'Great Fire of Hanyang' began, an event that would bring unprecedented damage in Joseon's history, excluding wars.
"Fire!" The fire started at the home of Jang Yong, a member of the Insunbu.
The flames that consumed Jang Yong's house spread to nearby areas, carried by the northwestern wind.
The thatched roofs of the humble homes where common people lived were the perfect material for the fire to catch.
Sparks carried by the wind quickly ignited the roofs of nearby thatched houses, and the number of burning homes began to increase exponentially.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! A great fire has broken out! You must escape quickly!" "What!" Upon hearing the urgent news of the fire, Queen Sohyeon jumped up and rushed outside.
"Hurry and escape!" "Shut up! There's a fire in the capital, and you want to run away? Quickly summon the royal guards and put out the fire!" At that time, she was pregnant with Prince Geumseong, and with her swollen belly, Queen Sohyeon began to take charge directly.
"Immediately summon the ministers! And find out how far the fire has spread!" "Yes, Your Majesty!" Following Queen Sohyeon's orders, the palace maids and eunuchs began to move busily.
While the palace maids and eunuchs were frantically moving, the summoned ministers rushed to Queen Sohyeon.
"Ministers, immediately take charge of the fire department and put out the fire!" "Yes, Your Majesty!" "And send a messenger to Hoengseong to inform the King!" "Yes, Your Majesty!" However, the fire, carried by the wind, continued to spread rather than being suppressed.
"The fire is spreading more and more, Your Majesty!" After receiving a report from Hwang Hee about the situation, Queen Sohyeon bit her lip and made a decision.
"Mobilize all available manpower to protect Changdeokgung and Jongmyo! We can abandon the government offices and warehouses!" "If we do that, we will lack manpower to suppress the fire!" "If the commoners' homes catch fire, prioritize evacuating the people over putting out the fire."
It was a harsh command, but both Queen Sohyeon, who issued the order, and the ministers who received it understood the necessity of the command.
If Jongmyo and the palace burned, the political responsibility would be secondary, and the cost of recovery would be enormous.
"Your Majesty! Urgent news from the capital!" "What is the urgent news?" Sejong, who was resting just before reaching Hoengseong, stood up at Dosungji's words.
"A great fire has broken out in the capital!" "What! Turn the horses around immediately!" A military officer accompanying Sejong tried to dissuade him.
"Your Majesty, the sun is about to set. The night road is dangerous..."
"Go! Immediately send messengers to all the offices along the way to light the path with soldiers!" "Understood!" Following Sejong's command, the military officers selected messengers to relay his orders.
"Go!" The messengers, having received Sejong's orders, rode off, and Sejong commanded those accompanying him.
"We are returning to the capital immediately! Prepare yourselves!" "Yes, Your Majesty!" As Sejong hurriedly led the group, the sun completely set.
"This is a bit dangerous..."
As Hyang worried while looking at the darkening road, the path suddenly brightened.
The local officials, who had received orders through the messengers Sejong had sent earlier, mobilized soldiers to light the way.
Soldiers holding torches lined both sides of the road, and the horses carrying Sejong and his party galloped forward with a thunderous sound.
And Hyang realized one thing. 'This gentleman rides quite well!'
Thanks to the continuous galloping, Sejong was able to return to the palace that night.
"Welcome back."
"I am relieved to see you safe. You have worked hard."
Under Sejong's praise, Queen Sohyeon finally seemed to relax.
"Bring the Queen inside."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After sending in Queen Sohyeon, who was struggling with her pregnancy, Sejong did not even change his clothes and immediately began to assess the situation.
"What is the situation?" "It seems that the large fire has been mostly contained."
"What is the extent of the damage?" "We are currently counting."
"The Jongmyo and Changkyung Palace have fortunately escaped the flames."
"Hoo~."
Sejong sighed deeply and examined the situation more closely.
"How many victims are there?" "We are currently counting."
"In this chaotic time, thieves will emerge to steal, so strengthen the security."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Since it is cold, contact the military camp to set up tents."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After a tense night passed, a report came in that the large fire had been completely contained.
"That's a relief."
Just as Sejong was showing a look of relief, screams were heard from outside.
"Fire!" "It's a fire!" As the cries of 'fire!' began to ring out again, Sejong jumped up.
"Where is it?" "We are currently checking..."
Just as Hwang Hee was about to give orders, a government official rushed in urgently.
"Your Majesty! There is a fire!" "Where is it?" "Near the Jeonokso!" "Immediately suppress the fire!" "Yes!" At Sejong's command, the officials hurriedly relayed his orders with anxious faces.
As Sejong was organizing the situation for a moment, his expression sharpened.
"The fire that was almost contained has reignited; something is strange! This must be arson! Find the arsonist!" "Understood!" After desperate efforts from the officials and citizens, the Great Fire of Hanyang was finally brought under control.
Amidst the smell of smoke filling the air, Sejong organized the situation.
"Report the damage situation confirmed so far."
"Yes, first, excluding infants and the elderly, there are 9 men and 23 women dead. We are currently comparing with the household registers to identify those who died in their homes."
"Hoo~. What about the houses?" "We are currently counting, but even excluding the Insunbu's servants' quarters and Jeonokso, there are at least over 1,800 houses."
"Oh no... Losing homes in this winter..."
As Sejong lamented, Hyang interjected.
"Father, losing homes is a serious matter, but losing food is even more critical. The likelihood of the hungry commoners committing crimes is high."
"That's true! We must contact the rice warehouse in Bupyeong immediately."
At Sejong's words, Hyang pointed out the issue.
"Even if we contact the rice warehouse, it will take time to process and bring it. The amount of grain stored in area 51 is substantial, so let's use that first."
"There are many who have lost their homes; is that feasible?" "We can create time to process the grain from the rice warehouse and bring it."
"Alright! Do that!" "Understood!" Once Sejong gave his permission, Hyang immediately called an official to relay the orders to area 51. As security became a concern, Sejong issued commands to the ministers regarding this matter.
"Immediately order the military to dispatch troops. Let the dispatched troops and the personnel from the fire department maintain order."
"Understood!" "And set up tents in the areas that have burned or are empty, so that those who have lost their homes can rest."
"Understood."
"Finally, in the areas that have escaped the flames, station 5 guards at each center of each district, and have the district and special inspectors conduct inspections."
"Understood!" After issuing commands regarding maintaining order, Sejong paused for a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Having experienced this disaster, I find something strange. The first fire was almost contained, yet why did the second fire occur? It is said that fire can spread greatly with just a little negligence, but I don't understand. This must surely be arson, so we must investigate."
Sejong decided on the content of the announcement to catch the arsonist: - Anyone who captures and reports the arsonist will be granted official positions regardless of their social class, and commoners will be exempt from servitude.
Additionally, a reward of 200 rolls of cotton cloth will be given.
Although the great fire turned much of Hanyang into ashes, the recovery proceeded surprisingly quickly.
The first reason was that the household registers secured through continuous vaccinations were a great help.
Knowing exactly how many people lived where allowed for a swift damage assessment and mobilization of manpower.
The second reason was that Hyang's grain supply played a significant role.
Warm porridge rich in meat provided great support to those who suffered greatly during the cold winter.
Thus, the grain that Hyang had prepared and stored fulfilled its role until the rice sent from the Bupyeong rice warehouse arrived after processing.
The only side effect was...
"Here, take the rice."
"Um, sir..."
"What?" "Could you give me grain instead of rice?" "Huh?" "All the jars burned up completely." "...?" "The pickles all got ruined too, right? There's no salt... Can't you just give me grain?" A critical side effect occurred as the taste of the disaster victims had been raised.
Furthermore, merchants began to visit area 51 to meet Hyang.
"What brings you to me?" "I want to produce grain."
"Huh?" "It's very useful as food for the journey and can be stored for a long time, making it suitable as emergency food. Plus, it's delicious and flavorful, making it perfect as a delicacy."
Listening to the merchant's explanation, Hyang shook his head. 'The merchant's intuition!'
Meanwhile, many people actively pursued the arsonists under Sejong's orders.
"We have captured the arsonists."
"How many?" "There are 11 in total."
At the response from the Minister of Justice, Sejong ground his teeth.
"What on earth were these scoundrels doing?" "They are from Bukcheong, Gilju, and Yeongheung, and most of them are water carriers."
"Water carriers? No way!" "Your Majesty, what you suspect is correct."
At the Minister of Justice's response, Sejong slammed down on the armrest.
"Have you ever seen such insolent people! They commit such acts for their own gain! Execute them by dismemberment, and all the men among their families shall be executed, while their wives and daughters shall be made slaves!" "Understood!" This judgment brought tragedy to many families, but there were few who felt pity.
Those who lost their property and family in an instant needed a target for their anger.
With the execution of the arsonists and the distribution of relief grain and 300 sacks of cloth to the disaster victims, the first phase of recovery came to an end.
"Even if the houses lost to the fire are rebuilt, measures against future fires are necessary..."
Sejong trailed off slightly and looked at Hyang.
"Crown Prince, would you like to give it a try? No, you are still too young; I should entrust it to someone else."
"I can do it! Just leave it to me!" "Can you really do it?" At Sejong's doubtful question, Hyang answered firmly.
"I am confident!" "I will trust you."
"Understood!" Confidently responding, Hyang left to prepare for the task.
Watching Hyang's back as he left, Sejong smiled faintly.
"Now, what will you show this time?" "I can't miss the real-life version of SimCity... Huh?" Stepping out with enthusiasm, Hyang suddenly stopped and tilted his head.
"Why do I feel like I've been hooked?"