While the Joseon army was announcing their victory near the Amnok River, Hyang was still busily moving about.
"Is the connection of the rivers nearly complete?" "Yes, Your Highness."
Looking at the large map spread out on the table, Hyang and the officials were discussing their plans. 'To connect the rivers throughout Hanyang, centered around Cheonggyecheon and the major rivers, to solve the sewage problem.' This was the ultimate goal of Hyang's plan, and what had been done so far was the first phase, which prioritized the maintenance of small rivers in areas where houses had been completely destroyed by fire.
According to Hyang's plan, the exposed rivers were densely connected using sewers.
Most of the sewers were open channels above ground, but those crossing major roads were buried underground.
Of course, for this work, large quantities of sewer pipes made from quicklime and rebar were supplied from District 51.
"Making sewer pipes with quicklime and rebar? How fascinating."
"It is called reinforced concrete."
"Reinforced concrete? I have never heard of it before."
Both Sejong, who was receiving the report, and the ministers tilted their heads at this unfamiliar term.
"It is a combination of Chinese characters and the words of the Westerners. The mixture of quicklime, sand, and gravel is what the Westerners call concrete. I could not think of a suitable name to replace it, so I used it as is. It is a matter of my lack of skill, so I have no face to show to Father. I am deeply sorry."
"No. It is well known that the Crown Prince has many tasks and limited time, so it is an unavoidable situation. We will think about how to change that unfamiliar name later. What do you all think?" At Sejong's question, the ministers all bowed their heads and answered in unison.
"It is a fitting decision!" However, there were those who were in an uproar over Sejong's decision.
They were the historians who were recording the events and the clerks of the Office of State Affairs who were taking notes. 'What are we supposed to do with this concrete!' The historians and clerks were momentarily frozen in a state of panic.
"But what is the utility of combining rebar and concrete?" At Sejong's question about its utility, the historians and clerks snapped back to attention and began to diligently take notes.
The place where the 'concrete' would be used was left blank, using the punctuation marks that had begun to be widely used around the Hall of Worthies and the research institute.
In response to Sejong's question, Hyang explained its utility.
"Yes, mixing quicklime, sand, and gravel is akin to artificially creating stone. This stone can withstand compressive forces well, but it is weak against tensile forces."
"Is that so?" In response to Sejong's question, the Minister of Public Works answered immediately.
"Indeed. That is why, in quarries, they insert wedges into the cracks and use ropes to pull the stones out."
"I see, and so?" "Iron, on the other hand, can withstand tensile forces well but is weak against compressive forces. Thus, by combining the two, we can complement each other's weaknesses while enhancing their strengths."
"Oh~."
"Ah! Such a method..."
Admiration erupted from various corners of the hall at Hyang's explanation.
"Ah, this truly embodies the harmony of the mutual generation and mutual restraint of the Five Elements! What a marvelous method!" Sejong and the ministers were genuinely impressed.
"I have heard enough. You must be busy with disaster recovery, so you may leave."
"I am deeply grateful."
After concluding the report that began with sewer pipes and ended with reinforced concrete, Hyang paid his respects to Sejong.
As Hyang left, Sejong looked back at the ministers.
"Let us take a short break."
"I am deeply grateful!" As soon as Sejong declared the meeting adjourned, the historians and clerks jumped up and hurriedly left.
"Huh?" Sejong, puzzled by the sight of the historians and clerks, quietly followed them.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!" As Hyang was discussing the construction status with those waiting just outside the hall, he stopped at the sound of someone calling him.
"What is it?" "Ah, ha, huff. Your Highness... it is..."
"Catch your breath and then speak."
"I am deeply sorry, Your Highness."
"And do some exercise; how far is it from the hall to here... tsk!" As Hyang scolded, the historians, red-faced, were catching their breath while continuing to discuss with the officials.
"It is not that... how should we use the word concrete?" While talking with the officials, Hyang did not turn around and extended his hand.
"Writing tools."
"Here it is, Your Highness."
As a historian hurriedly handed over the writing board and gold brush, Hyang absentmindedly began to write.
"Concre... ack!" "Your Highness!" Suddenly, as Hyang screamed, everyone around jumped in shock.
"It is nothing, nothing at all."
Hastily waving his hands to calm everyone down, Hyang smeared ink all over the letters he had written.
After thoroughly erasing the letters, he wrote anew. 'Concrete' "In the script of the Westerners, it is written like this. If you cannot think of a suitable name in Idu, just use this character as it is."
"Yes, Your Highness. I am deeply grateful."
"Then I must be busy..."
After confirming that he had properly erased it, Hyang walked away briskly. 'Phew! That was close!' While maintaining a calm expression on the outside, Hyang was desperately trying to calm his wildly racing heart as he crossed the threshold of Gwanghwamun. 'Get a grip! Lee Hyang! You almost caused a major accident, a meteor-level disaster!' He had almost unconsciously written the Korean word for 'concrete' while being absorbed in discussing the construction site.
Fortunately, he had realized it halfway through and erased it, but even now, Hyang's back was damp with cold sweat. 'If anything goes wrong, I'm finished! Enjoying a hobby is welcome, but forced hobbies are out of the question!' "How do I convey this..."
The historian who had learned the word from Hyang was deep in thought as he returned to the hall.
His fellow historians and clerks walking alongside him were also struggling to find a suitable word.
"Should we use 반절 (banjeol)?" "That seems the best... The problem is with '크' and '트'. '콘' combines '쾌' and '온'..."
While they were discussing suitable methods to transcribe the word 'concrete', Sejong called out to them.
"Historians and clerks over there. Come here for a moment."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" "So, what did you ask the Crown Prince?" "Uh... we were inquiring how to use the word concrete."
"May I see it?" At Sejong's question, the historians briefly discussed among themselves and then respectfully presented the writing board to Sejong.
"Since it is not a record... it is possible."
Receiving the writing board, Sejong read the word written on it.
"Con... crete..."
As Sejong read the word, the eyes of the historians and clerks widened.
"Your Majesty, can you read it?" "I learned it while reading the Western books that the Crown Prince brought back. But... what is this ink smear?" "It was smeared suddenly."
"Suddenly? What letter was it?" At Sejong's question, a quick-witted historian among them answered.
"It was a character I had never seen before."
"You have never seen it before? You mean it is not the script of the Westerners written here?" "It looked completely different."
"Is that so?" Sejong replied briefly, then thought for a moment before returning the writing board to the historian.
"You observed well."
"I am deeply grateful."
"By the way! If you remember what it looked like, write it down and bring it back."
"I caught a glimpse of it..."
The historian, who had exclaimed in admiration, wrote on the writing board.
"You wrote two characters, and both started with the same shape."
Sejong received what the historian had written. 'ㅋㅋ' "..."
Upon seeing the letters written on the board, Sejong frowned and tilted his head before returning the writing board to the historian.
The historian, receiving the writing board back, politely bowed and returned to the hall.
After sending the historians and clerks away, Sejong stood with his hands behind his back, lost in thought. 'Looking at the letters, or rather the symbols written by the historian, it seems to be a character I have never seen before.
Is it from the Tianzhu or Huihui? No, as far as I know, there are no similar characters.
And, there are words of the Westerners and their characters, so there is no reason to use the characters of Tianzhu or Huihui.
The same goes for the characters of Jin or Mongol...
Then did they simplify the Chinese characters themselves? It is not impossible, but there is no need to smear it like that...' What began as simple curiosity was growing larger in Sejong's mind.
Sejong recalled the meeting held at Jeongcho's house not long ago. 'Everyone knows the Crown Prince is exceptional.
But few know just how exceptional.
This is because he is someone who tries not to reveal himself beyond a certain degree.
Why is that?' As he pondered, Sejong unconsciously muttered to himself.
"He schemed to do only what he wants. What a sly fellow."
"Your Majesty?" "Just talking to myself."
Sejong replied briefly to Sangseon’s question and continued to organize his thoughts. 'It has not been long since the Crown Prince was appointed, and he has subtly mentioned our own script.
And the most important thing is the phonology books...
That fellow had already read them all as soon as he entered.' Even when the phonology books arrived through the purchasing agency that Sejong had requested, they did not go directly to Sejong.
They had to be kept for a considerable time to avoid the prying eyes of the ministers.
However, when he actually went to borrow them, he often received responses like this.
"I am deeply grateful, but it is already checked out..."
"Who checked it out?" "It was the Crown Prince."
"I see."
As Sejong recalled, he realized he had forgotten one fact. 'If I listen to the Crown Prince's answers to the questions that I or the ministers casually throw out... that fellow has read them all! And not just read them!' "Hmm..."
As Sejong sorted through various thoughts, he reached a conclusion. 'That fellow has already produced some results! What a cunning lad!' The moment suspicion turned into certainty.
With his conviction solidified, Sejong smiled and muttered to himself.
"I have been feeling a bit stuck lately, so this is good. I should find some time to dig into it."
"Your Majesty?" "Just talking to myself. Just talking to myself. Now! Let’s head back!" Stretching lightly, Sejong began to walk toward the Geunjeongjeon.
"Hey, Sangseon."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As Sejong walked leisurely, he spoke to the following Sangseon.
"Isn't it a blessing to have a talented child?" At Sejong's words, Sangseon, who was following behind, paused to recall.
Having been with Sejong almost 24 hours a day, he was well aware of what Sejong had been up to whenever he had a moment.
After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Sangseon replied.
"That is true, but... too much is as bad as not enough. He is still young."
Sangseon's answer, which had a hint of sharpness, made Sejong smile slightly as he replied.
"As for people... who would eat them?" At Sejong's words, Sangseon silently gazed at Geunjeongjeon.
The faces of the officials walking toward Geunjeongjeon were filled with exhaustion.
"Even if they don't eat them, they push them hard enough to almost die..."
"Huh?" "Ah, no."
"Ugh!" While diligently directing the construction site, Hyang suddenly felt chills all over his body and began to tremble.
"What is the matter, Your Highness?" "I suddenly feel cold..."
The official, noticing Hyang's suddenly pale face, urgently gestured to the inner court attendant.
"Bring the royal physician!" The royal physician, who had been on standby in case of an accident, rushed to Hyang upon receiving the inner court attendant's message.
"Your Highness, let me check your pulse for a moment."
"Please do."
Grabbing Hyang's wrist, the royal physician checked his temperature and complexion before making a diagnosis.
"You have accumulated a lot of fatigue. You need to rest."
"I have no time to rest for the time being."
"Still..."
"I sleep four hours a day, so it should be fine, right?" At Hyang's firm response, the royal physician sighed softly and replied.
"I will send you some herbal medicine."
"I would appreciate that."
After the royal physician left, Hyang turned to the officials.
"Now, let us begin the construction of Hanyang Road."
"Yes, Your Highness. All preparations are now complete."
"Then, let us start with the road connecting Gyeongbokgung and Sungnyemun as planned."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As the official who received the order stepped out of the tent, Hyang rubbed his still trembling body.
"What on earth is this? I suddenly feel a strange sensation..."
"We must finish the construction before the rainy season begins!" To complete the road construction before the rainy season, Hyang mobilized not only laborers but also soldiers on a large scale.
After digging about a foot deep, they dredged the river and gathered the gravel, filling in the dug pits.
Once the pits were filled to a certain extent, the laborers began to compact the gravel using a tool that looked like a large pestle.
After firmly compacting the gravel, the rebar made in District 51 was brought in neatly.
After laying the rebar in a crisscross pattern over the gravel, the supervisor shouted to the workers and soldiers.
"Pour the concrete!" Before long, the term 'concrete' had been replaced by '회죽' (hwaejuk) at the construction site.
Following the supervisor's command, carts filled with well-mixed hwaejuk lined up and poured the mixture over the rebar.
Once all the hwaejuk was poured, the laborers standing nearby used long wooden paddles to poke and push the mixture into the gaps between the rebar.
"Hey! Don't step in the rebar hwaejuk! You want to get stuck?" "I am sorry, my lord!" One laborer, who had unknowingly stepped into the concrete, quickly stepped back at the supervisor's reprimand.
Without protective gear like rubber boots or waterproof safety shoes, Hyang could only proceed with the concrete pouring using the longest sticks available.
"Going all the way to South America is a dream I can't even think of right now... Reality is always a swamp."
Every time he witnessed such a scene, Hyang would complain.
However, knowing that if he did not seize the opportunity created by the great fire, he would have to spend several times more later, he continued the construction with a heavy heart.