Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 979: The Clear-Eyed Madman (4)

Da Vinci’s good fortune continued. What brought da Vinci good luck this time was da Vinci’s improvisation. Even when typing a proposal on a typewriter, I would often edit the content as soon as an idea occurred to me, which was a very cumbersome task. This is because there were many cases where the content before and after the part to be edited also had to be edited, and in these cases, it had to be done all over again from the beginning.

That wasn’t all. When reviewing the written document, there were always typos, and in this case, I had to retype the page with the typos.

“This is inconvenient… No, it’s more annoying than inconvenient. I’ve never written as many documents as I do now. I’m already running out of time…”

There’s a mountain of things I need to do and things I want to do, but I’m trying to save time by writing documents. Da Vinci felt uncomfortable and regretful about eating animals and devised a solution.

“This is it!”

Da Vinci, who had extensive knowledge of various paints and additives using oil painting and fresco, the latest European art techniques at the time, and his preferred tempera technique, created a primitive correction fluid.

“Register this too!”

As expected, fellow craftsmen who smelled the money immediately registered it with the Intellectual Property Management Office. In this way, the ‘water eraser’ that appeared on the market became very popular. This was because there were many people who felt uncomfortable having to rewrite the document from scratch due to incorrectly transcribed sentences or typos.

– Use a chicle eraser for documents written with a stylus and a wet eraser for documents written with a typewriter or gold pen.

This was the public opinion after da Vinci’s water eraser was released.

* * *

Da Vinci, who had secured sufficient funds through the typewriter and harpsichord water eraser, ran wild like a fish out of water. Aside from plans that were carried out through formal procedures, whenever an impromptu idea occurred to him, he immediately locked himself in his studio.

After Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil had several accidents back in the day, several new rules were created in Areas 51 and 52, and this was one of them.

-In addition to permitted work and works, you must pay for your own personal work and works.

The problem was that even with this regulation in place, it did not become an obstacle because Jang Yeong-sil had a lot of money. This was also the case with scent. However, it was a very burdensome provision for craftsmen who could not afford it. To solve this problem, craftsmen sought out like-minded colleagues and conducted research in their own home workshops, spending time rather than money.

Of course, there were people outside looking for a jeonju (錢主) to support them, but the number was very small. This was because there were too many people who tried to obtain other things through him, such as challenge logs or top secret technologies, rather than his own development products.

“If I make a mistake, not only I but my whole family will be in trouble, so I will never do that! No, I won’t be able to!”

* * *

Da Vinci, who became a ‘fish out of water’, took on the challenge with all his might and effort: the ‘gunpowder-propelled flying machine’. Of course, this was unauthorized work. The proposal written by da Vinci and his colleagues was rejected out of favor.

-Gunpowder is an expensive and dangerous product. It is not allowed as even the slightest mistake could lead to death or injury. Da Vinci immediately presented an alternative to Wu’s decision.

“I will start experimenting with a small blade and work my way up the stairs step by step!”

“Isn’t there already good results in that area? It’s a new technology. And what is that new technology used for? Isn’t it used to catch people? It’s not allowed.”

Da Vinci, disobeying Wu’s decision, proceeded with the work privately with his fellow craftsmen. Most of the materials needed to make the flying machine were expensive, but it was not a big problem for da Vinci, who already had a deep wallet.

“The problem is gunpowder…”

Gunpowder, the most important ingredient, was something that could not be purchased privately. Da Vinci, who was thinking about a solution to this problem, soon found a solution.

“I’ll make it!”

Da Vinci already knew how to make black powder. Da Vinci obtained the ingredients for black gunpowder through casting and immediately made black gunpowder.

“All preparations are complete! It’s time to start!”

“Oooh!”

* * *

Da Vinci and his colleagues’ challenge was bold from the beginning. They told Wu they would start with a small model, but now they were working on producing the actual size. Paradoxically, it was Woo who gave them the reason for this attempt.

-A small model? You already have one, right? It’s called Singijeon.

Among those who worked with da Vinci, there were craftsmen in charge of researching and producing new items.

“Shingijeon? No one knows that better than us! The basics are similar anyway. Leave it to us!”

In this way, the gunpowder-propelled blade that da Vinci named ‘Fenice’ was introduced.

* * *

“Please allow a test flight?”

“yes!”

In response to Da Vinci and his colleagues’ loud responses, he placed his hand on his crying forehead and sighed.

“Ha~. Did you actually make this?”

Wu, who was looking at Da Vinci and his fellow craftsmen with pensive eyes, let out a long sigh again.

“Ha~. Why are you there?”

Woo’s younger brother Min was also standing among the group with Da Vinci. In the end, Wu granted da Vinci and his group’s request.

“However! For the safety of many people, the testing site is designated as Hansubyeon! Also, we will severely caution anyone who manufactures or handles gunpowder without permission. If the same thing happens again, you will be held accountable immediately. ”

“yep!”

Three days later, a large scaffolding was created on the riverside north of Sansu. A large number of Seoul residents who could not contain their curiosity after seeing the bridge being built gathered around the test site.

“What are you saying this time?”

“I heard it’s a flying test?”

“Flying? Huh! I saw that when I was very young, but it’s been a while!”

With onlookers gathered around, Da Vinci and his crew finished assembling the blade and conducted a final inspection.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong?”

“It can’t be ‘same’! You have to be sure!”

After so many meticulous inspections, all preparations were completed, and my father-in-law, who was selected as the pilot because he was the smallest and lightest among the crew, sat in the cockpit.

“Huh!”

The father-in-law, wearing a windshield over his eyes and fastening the seat belt of his chair, held up a green flag and waved it.

“Light it up!”

Cheek!

The craftsmen waiting lit the long fuse behind the blade.

Quaaaaa!

The spark that entered the fuse ignited the thruster behind the blade. As the propeller, which had five propeller cylinders arranged in a pentagon shape that looked like a trumpet attached to a solid iron cylinder, started operating, craftsmen next to the scaffold released the brake. When the brakes were released, the blade ran down the Biwondae runway, which stretched downward like a slide.

The speed of the blade gradually increased due to the acceleration force of gunpowder plus the force of gravity. The fly that arrived at the end of the scaffolding rising into the sky immediately rose into the sky.

“It’s up!”

“Hmph!”

Kwachang!

However, the flying frame that rose into the sky soon fell into the river. Fortunately or unfortunately, the flying frame did not fall from the head, but started from the fuselage. As the fuselage hit the water, a large splash was created and the wings of the flying machine fell off.

But the flying didn’t stop. The fuselage of the flying machine rushed to the opposite riverside, dragging the spray created by the flames emitted by the combustors like a tail.

“Egg money!”

“Ouch!”

“It’s coming this way!”

“Avoid!”

Kwazijic!

While people watching and frightened on the opposite riverside were running away in all directions, the fuselage of the flying machine that crossed the Han River climbed onto the sandy beach of the riverside and came to a halt.

Chi-ik~.

When the combustor of the blade, which had used up all the gunpowder, stopped, onlookers who had run away from a distance slowly approached the blade. Among them, those who were more courageous than others approached the blade. They found their father-in-law sitting in the cockpit and started talking to each other.

“You don’t even make a move?”

“I don’t think he’s dead though?”

Those who approached the flying machine tapped the craftsman who was frozen in the cockpit and spoke to him.

“Ibosho?”

“Hello?”

“Oh my gosh. I’m lost. Hey guys! Lend me a hand!”

“Gruntcha!”

The onlookers were busy as they forcibly released the hands that would not let go of the control stick and took out the father-in-law.

“Someone call the doctor!”

“Get me some cold water! Cold water!”

* * *

The experiment conducted by Da Vinci and his gang turned the government upside down.

“You must be punished!”

“It’s a flying craft loaded with gunpowder! I can’t even imagine the tragedy that would have occurred if it had hit even a pillar of the Hansu Bridge! They must be punished!”

There have been repeated claims that da Vinci and his craftsmen should be punished, but the county resolutely rejected this.

“It was an experiment that ensured safety in accordance with established laws and procedures. We have already taken strict warning measures for the gunpowder manufacturing part, so we cannot be charged with the crime again. It was just bad luck, and there was no illegal activity, so we cannot be charged with the crime.” .And if they are punished like that every time, who would go to the trouble of learning tricks and making new objects? Therefore, they are innocent!”

“Hello, Your Majesty!”

“Tsk!”

When Hyeon clicked his tongue, the ministers who insisted on punishment fell silent. The county’s decision was reasonable and it was a situation that was tongue-in-cheek. I had to step back from here. But the ministers knew it well.

‘Among the things that your Majesty the Emperor, as well as the situation and the state of affairs, have done from the past to the present and in the future, there will be more than one or two such outrageous incidents! So you made a move in advance!’

These were ministers who were already familiar with Hyang and its descendants. The flying experiment ended in failure, but things went strangely once again. A naval officer who was visiting at the time came up with a brilliant idea.

“Isn’t the speed amazing? What if a ship that fast charges? No, what if it’s loaded with gunpowder and crashes into an enemy ship?”

The naval officer’s eyes lit up as he pondered over the idea that suddenly came to his mind.

“Is this possible? Who did you say made that?”

* * *

“Ah! Such a number!”

When da Vinci heard the idea of the naval officer who found him, he slapped his knee in admiration.

“If you attack it, it will become a powerful weapon!”

Da Vinci, who had been depressed due to the failure of the experiment, blushed again as soon as he heard the suggestion.

“I will write a proposal immediately! But this is not just mine, and I would like to know the officer’s name.”

“It’s called Kangbaekdu. Wear a white bag and a headgear. I heard your parents took me on a trip to Mt. Baekdu?”

The proposal written by Kang Baek-doo and Da Vinci received surprisingly good reviews and was promoted to the top. Hyang, who was in charge of the final review, read the proposal and his eyes lit up.

“It’s a ‘self-propelled bomb.’ If you just look at the concept, it’s a torpedo? Are the proposers Da Vinci and Kang Baek-doo?”

Hyang looked at the personnel report that was uploaded and had a strange expression on his face.

“Whitehead if written in English? Is this also fate?”

It was a scent that reminded me that it was Whitehead who created the first modern torpedo.

“Anyway… a torpedo is useful.”

My brother wrote a review saying, ‘I think it would be better to allow development,’ and sent it to Hyeon. In this way, the world’s first torpedo was revealed through the hands of da Vinci.