I inherited a wasteland, but thanks to the system, I built a modern civilization there.

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[00:25] But Ganjian woke up to someone shaking his shoulder.
[00:27] A maid stood over him, her face contorted, repeating the same thing over and over.
[00:30] Young master, get up.
[00:33] Young master, the ceremony is in 3 days.
[00:36] He blinked.
[00:39] The ceiling was wooden.
[00:42] The beams were rough and crooked.
[00:45] It smelled of dampness and something sour.
[00:47] He tried to sit up, but his body wouldn't obey.
[00:50] His arms were thin.
[00:52] His chest was sunken.
[00:55] His knees stuck out like a teenager's after an illness.
[00:57] The last thing he remembered was the crack of the formwork and the foreman's scream, then darkness, then
[01:00] Foreman's scream, then darkness, then this ceiling.
[01:00] He looked at his palms.
[01:03] This ceiling.
[01:03] He looked at his palms.
[01:06] Not a single callous, not a single scar from the rebar, someone else's hands, someone else's body.
[01:12] The maid kept chattering about the land distribution ceremony and how his grace, the Duke, had ordered him to appear in clean clothes.
[01:22] Gonchan or whoever now bore that name nodded silently.
[01:27] She left.
[01:27] He sat on the edge of the bed and stayed there for about 10 minutes.
[01:33] Park Junho, 29 years old, a graduate of Qaist, a civil engineer, the bridge across Assan Bay, the formwork collapsing, death.
[01:43] And now this.
[01:46] He stood up.
[01:46] His legs were shaking.
[01:48] In the corner of the room stood a bronze mirror, dull and cloudy.
[01:51] He walked over and saw a stranger's face.
[01:54] Thin, pale, dark, deep set eyes.
[01:58] He looked about 19.
[01:58] A thin chain with the
[02:02] looked about 19.
[02:04] A thin chain with the no family seal was visible around his neck.
[02:07] The fourth son of Duke Noah to Hwan, the very one the servants called an empty vessel.
[02:10] No talent with a sword, not a drop of mana, not a single useful skill by this world's standards.
[02:13] Gonchan swallowed.
[02:17] His throat was parched.
[02:20] There was a jug of water on the table.
[02:22] He reached for it and noticed the scrolls, a map of the Huan Empire, a list of provinces, the names of the brothers and their assignments.
[02:25] The first son, no Gon Min, received Chonggh, a rich land with a port and three cities.
[02:27] The second son was to receive Namuan, fertile plains and two trade routes.
[02:31] The third son was to receive Tongrim, a forested province with hunting grounds and iron ore.
[02:33] The fourth son, no Gonchang, was to receive Hassogun.
[02:36] He unfolded the description.
[02:39] A semi- deserted territory on the southwestern border.
[02:42] 3,200
[03:05] southwestern border.
[03:05] 3,200 inhabitants.
[03:05] The soil is rock and clay.
[03:08] inhabitants.
[03:08] The soil is rock and clay.
[03:08] The river dries up in the summer.
[03:11] One dirt road, no wall, no garrison, no market.
[03:14] A debt to the treasury of 4,000 gold pieces with an annual income of 200.
[03:18] Nickname at court dusty pit.
[03:20] Gonchan read it twice.
[03:24] Then he sat back down on the bed.
[03:27] In a past life, he had seen sites far worse.
[03:29] an industrial zone in Inchan where the soil was so contaminated that they had to remove 2 meters of top soil before laying the foundation.
[03:35] A marshy shore near Busousan where the piles sank into the mud and held nothing.
[03:37] That's where he learned the most important lesson.
[03:39] There's no such thing as a bad site.
[03:42] There's a lack of information about the soil.
[03:44] He looked at the map again.
[03:47] Limestone in the hills, clay in the soil, sulfur, a river with seasonal flow.
[03:49] 3,000 people out of
[04:06] with seasonal flow.
[04:06] 3,000 people out of work.
[04:09] His fingers traced the outline of the site.
[04:11] The engineering part of his brain was already at work.
[04:14] Limestone plus clay plus firing equals cement.
[04:18] A river with seasonal flow means we need a dam.
[04:21] Wind from the desert means energy.
[04:25] 3,000 pairs of hands mean a workforce.
[04:29] This isn't a dusty pit.
[04:29] It's a construction site.
[04:31] 3 days later, the ceremony took place.
[04:34] A huge hall in the Duke's ancestral estate.
[04:37] Columns of black stone, the family banners, but with a silver hawk.
[04:40] The four sons stood in a row before their father.
[04:43] Duke no Tuan sat on a deis massive broad shouldered.
[04:46] His gray beard was neatly trimmed.
[04:49] His eyes were cold and appraising.
[04:54] He looked at each of his sons.
[04:56] First his gaze lingered with pride.
[04:59] On the second with approval, on
[05:09] Pride.
[05:09] On the second with approval, on the third with indifference.
[05:12] On the third with indifference, on the fourth he did not linger at all.
[05:15] The fourth he did not linger at all.
[05:15] The ceremony was brief.
[05:17] The ceremony was brief.
[05:17] Each son received a scroll with his appointment and the Lord's seal.
[05:19] Each son received a scroll with his appointment and the Lord's seal.
[05:22] When Gonchan accepted his seal, his elder brother Gonmin leaned toward him.
[05:24] Gonchan accepted his seal, his elder brother Gonmin leaned toward him.
[05:24] He quietly offered his congratulations.
[05:27] He quietly offered his congratulations.
[05:27] Now Gonchan was lord of 3,000 hungry mouths and a single dry well.
[05:30] Now Gonchan was lord of 3,000 hungry mouths and a single dry well.
[05:34] Laughter rippled through the room.
[05:38] Laughter rippled through the room.
[05:38] Gonchan said nothing.
[05:41] Gonchan said nothing.
[05:41] He clenched the seal in his fist and left the hall.
[05:43] He clenched the seal in his fist and left the hall.
[05:43] The next morning he departed.
[05:46] The next morning he departed.
[05:46] The wagon was old and creaky.
[05:48] The wagon was old and creaky.
[05:48] There was only one horse and it was skinny.
[05:51] There was only one horse and it was skinny.
[05:51] Of his servants, only an old coachman named Mangill traveled with him.
[05:54] Of his servants, only an old coachman named Mangill traveled with him.
[05:54] The journey to Hassogun took 5 days.
[05:57] The journey to Hassogun took 5 days.
[05:57] For the first two days, the landscape was pleasant.
[05:59] For the first two days, the landscape was pleasant.
[05:59] Fields, villages, peasants on the roadside bowed when they saw the code of arms on the wagon.
[06:02] Fields, villages, peasants on the roadside bowed when they saw the code of arms on the wagon.
[06:04] On the third day, the fields grew
[06:12] wagon.
[06:12] On the third day, the fields grew sparse.
[06:15] sparse.
[06:15] On the fourth day, they disappeared entirely.
[06:18] The earth turned gray.
[06:18] The grass withered.
[06:21] The trees became short and gnarled.
[06:24] The wind carried dust.
[06:26] Mongio remained silent the whole way.
[06:29] But on the fifth day, he couldn't hold back.
[06:31] He said that Hogan began ahead and that if the young master wanted to turn back, it would be better to do so now.
[06:35] Gonchan looked ahead.
[06:37] Brown hills were visible on the horizon.
[06:40] A thin line of road snaked between them.
[06:43] He said they would continue on.
[06:46] Mongiel sighed and whipped the horse.
[06:49] Hogan greeted him with dust.
[06:52] A steady dry wind blew from the southwest.
[06:54] The village, if it could be called the village, consisted of several dozen mud brick houses.
[06:57] The roofs were thatched.
[07:00] Half of them had caved in.
[07:02] Skinny chickens and even skinnier children wandered between the
[07:12] Skinnier children wandered between the houses.
[07:12] The road ended at a well.
[07:16] The houses.
[07:16] The road ended at a well.
[07:16] The well was lined with cracked stones and clearly yielded murky water.
[07:21] People had gathered around the well, about 30 of them.
[07:23] They stared at the wagon in silence.
[07:25] No greetings, no boughs, only tired eyes and tight lips.
[07:29] Gonchan climbed down from the wagon.
[07:32] His legs were stiff from 5 days of jostling.
[07:35] He stood before them and introduced himself.
[07:38] He said he was the new Lord of Hassogun.
[07:43] Silence.
[07:45] Then an old man stepped out of the crowd, one arm, his left sleeve tucked into his belt, his face like the bark of an old tree.
[07:48] He called himself Han, a former soldier.
[07:51] He'd lived here for 40 years.
[07:54] He'd seen three lords come and go before this one.
[07:57] Han looked Gonchan in the eye and spoke plainly.
[08:00] Everyone here will die this winter.
[08:03] Not
[08:13] Everyone here will die this winter.
[08:13] Not by enemies, by starvation.
[08:17] The new lord has three months.
[08:20] has three months.
[08:22] No one around him objected.
[08:22] They all knew this.
[08:24] Gonchan looked at the old man, then at the village, then at the hills beyond it.
[08:27] He said one word.
[08:31] Enough.
[08:33] Han blinked.
[08:36] Gonchan turned to Mangle and asked him to bring the bag of tools from the wagon.
[08:38] Then he bent down and scooped up a handful of earth.
[08:41] He rubbed it between his fingers.
[08:43] Clay, dense, high in kalin.
[08:47] He sniffed it.
[08:51] No salts, suitable for firing.
[08:54] He raised his head and looked at the hills to the northeast.
[08:56] Light colored rock on the slopes.
[08:58] Limestone.
[09:01] He looked at the riverbed.
[09:04] dry now, but the marks on the banks spoke of a strong seasonal flow.
[09:07] He looked at the wind, steady from the southwest, at least six meters per second.
[09:10] In his mind, Park Junho was
[09:16] Second. In his mind, Park Junho was already making plans.
[09:18] The well needs to be deepened and properly lined.
[09:21] A brick kiln should be placed at the foot of the eastern hill where the clay is closest to the surface.
[09:25] Limestone should be quaried from the northern slope.
[09:27] The dam should be built at a narrow point in the riverbed about three lee to the west.
[09:30] He was so absorbed in his calculations that he didn't notice a girl approaching him.
[09:37] She was about 17, skinny like everyone here, but her back was straight and her gaze sharp.
[09:42] She asked what he was doing.
[09:45] Gonchan looked up.
[09:48] She introduced herself.
[09:50] Yun So Hyun, the daughter of the late village headman.
[09:53] Gonchan asked if she could read and write.
[09:56] So Hyun lifted her chin.
[09:58] She said she was the only literate person in the whole village.
[10:00] Gonchan nodded.
[10:02] Then he said he needed someone who could count and keep records.
[10:05] He asked if she was willing to work.
[10:07] So sized him up with her eyes for a long time.
[10:11] Then she
[10:18] with her eyes for a long time.
[10:18] Then she said that the three previous lords had also promised her work.
[10:24] The first ran away after a month, the second after two weeks, the third didn't last three days.
[10:31] weeks, the third didn't last three days.
[10:31] Gonchan replied that he promised nothing except that there would be plenty of work and little sleep.
[10:36] except that there would be plenty of work and little sleep.
[10:36] So snorted.
[10:40] She said they were used to that here.
[10:43] And so ended Noon Chan's first day in Hogun.
[10:47] He stood in the middle of a dusty square with a handful of clay in his hand and a list of tasks in his head.
[10:49] with a handful of clay in his hand and a list of tasks in his head.
[10:52] Around him were 3,000 starving people, one dry well, and 3 months until winter.
[10:55] were 3,000 starving people, one dry well, and 3 months until winter.
[11:00] In his past life, Pakjunho had built bridges across bays.
[11:04] In this life, he had to build a civilization out of mud.
[11:06] across bays.
[11:06] In this life, he had to build a civilization out of mud.
[11:10] The next morning, Ganchon woke up before dawn.
[11:13] The former village head's house where he had been put up was slightly
[11:15] dawn.
[11:15] The former village head's house where he had been put up was slightly
[11:20] where he had been put up was slightly sturdier than the rest.
[11:23] The walls were sturdier than the rest.
[11:25] The walls were made of mud bricks, but at least they had a stone foundation.
[11:28] The roof didn't leak.
[11:30] The floor was earthen and packed down.
[11:33] He sat down on a mat and took out of his bag the only valuable item he had taken from his father's estate.
[11:36] a set of drafting tools, a ruler, a set square, a few graphite stubs, a stack of rice paper.
[11:39] He spread the paper on the floor and began to draw.
[11:43] The first sketch was simple, a well.
[11:45] The existing well in the village was 4 m deep, lined with rough huneed stone.
[11:48] The joints were open.
[11:51] Groundwater seeped through the walls and carried mud with it.
[11:55] People drank the murky water and fell ill.
[11:58] The solution was simple.
[12:01] Dig it down to 8 m.
[12:03] Line it with fired bricks using a mortar of lime and sand.
[12:06] Build a clay ring around the top so rainwater wouldn't run inside.
[12:22] Top so rainwater wouldn't run inside.
[12:22] Put a lid on it.
[12:25] He finished drawing and put a lid on it.
[12:25] He finished drawing and moved on to the second sheet.
[12:28] A brick kiln.
[12:28] The simplest design, a rectangular pit 2x 3 m.
[12:35] The walls were lined with unfired bricks, a stone grate at the bottom for the firebox, loaded from the top, firing temperature around 900°.
[12:44] Firewood is scarce here, but on the hillsides, he saw dry brush, and there was Pete here, too.
[12:49] He noticed dark patches near a bend in the river, a classic sign of a Pete bog.
[12:56] Pete burns for a long time and provides enough heat for firing.
[12:59] Third sketch, a lime pit.
[13:02] The limestone from the northern slope had to be broken into pieces and fired at a high temperature.
[13:07] This produces quick lime.
[13:09] Add water and you get slaked lime.
[13:13] Mix it with sand and there you have mortar.
[13:15] Mix it with volcanic ash or in this case with the fine pummus he'd seen in the western ravine and you get
[13:24] seen in the western ravine and you get Roman concrete, a material that isn't
[13:26] Roman concrete, a material that isn't afraid of water and lasts for centuries.
[13:30] afraid of water and lasts for centuries.
[13:30] In this world, they built with clay mortar.
[13:32] It washed away every spring.
[13:35] Houses crumbled, walls cracked, bridges collapsed.
[13:38] Concrete will change everything.
[13:41] When the sun rose, Gonchan stepped out into the square.
[13:44] So Hyan was already waiting for him.
[13:47] Hong stood nearby and about 20 other people.
[13:49] Curious onlookers, or perhaps those who had nothing left but curiosity.
[13:55] Gonchan crouched down and smoothed the ground with a stick.
[13:58] He began to draw.
[14:00] Here is a well.
[14:04] This is how it works now.
[14:06] Dirty water seeps through the walls.
[14:09] People get sick.
[14:13] This is how it will be.
[14:18] Deeper bricks, a clay lock, clean water.
[14:21] He looked at their faces, empty, confused.
[14:21] They didn't know what a
[14:24] empty, confused.
[14:27] They didn't know what a brick was.
[14:27] To them, a stone was just a stone.
[14:31] Gonchan stood up.
[14:31] He asked So Hyun to gather all the men capable of working.
[14:33] Not tomorrow, today.
[14:37] So Hyan frowned and asked how many he needed.
[14:39] He replied that he needed all of them.
[14:42] An hour later, about 120 people stood before him.
[14:46] Skinny, ragged, someone was coughing.
[14:49] Two had festering wounds on their hands.
[14:52] Ganchon divided them into three groups.
[14:54] The first group of 40 men is going to the eastern hill to dig for clay.
[14:57] He pointed out exactly where on the map.
[14:59] The clay must be reddish and dense, not gray and crumbly, but specifically red.
[15:03] The second group of 30 men is going to the northern slope to break up limestone.
[15:05] We need pieces the size of a fist, no bigger.
[15:09] The third group of 50 people stays in the village there to dig
[15:26] People stayed in the village there to dig a pit for a kiln.
[15:28] He measured the dimensions with his strides right on the ground.
[15:31] The people exchanged glances.
[15:34] A middle-aged man stepped forward and asked why all this was necessary.
[15:36] Gonchan answered simply, "Winter is 3 months away.
[15:39] If they do nothing, everyone will die of starvation.
[15:42] If they do what he says, they'll have sturdy houses, clean water, and a food supply.
[15:45] The man asked how the new lord knew all this.
[15:47] Gonchan said he'd read it in a book, a very old one.
[15:50] It had burned.
[15:53] The man looked at him as if he were mad.
[15:56] But he went to dig.
[15:59] The rest followed him, not because they believed him, but because there was nothing else to do and nowhere else to go.
[16:03] The first three days were hell.
[16:06] Gonchan worked alongside everyone else.
[16:09] His body was weak and unaccustomed to physical labor.
[16:11] By the end of the first day, his palms were raw.
[16:26] end of the first day, his palms were raw and bleeding.
[16:29] and bleeding. By the end of the second, he could barely straighten his back.
[16:32] he could barely straighten his back. By the end of the third, he was sick with exhaustion.
[16:34] the end of the third, he was sick with exhaustion.
[16:38] exhaustion. But he didn't stop. People noticed.
[16:40] noticed. The Lord who needs clay with his bare hands.
[16:43] his bare hands. The Lord who hauls stones and falls but gets back up.
[16:47] stones and falls but gets back up. A lord who didn't leave.
[16:50] lord who didn't leave. It didn't mean anything yet, but they noticed.
[16:53] anything yet, but they noticed. By the fourth day, the pit for the kiln was ready.
[16:55] fourth day, the pit for the kiln was ready.
[16:57] ready. Gonchan lined the walls with adobe bricks.
[16:59] adobe bricks. He showed them how to shape it from wet clay and dry it in the sun.
[17:02] shape it from wet clay and dry it in the sun.
[17:05] sun. The simplest form, a wooden frame, fill it with clay, tamp it down, remove the frame, dry for 2 days.
[17:08] fill it with clay, tamp it down, remove the frame, dry for 2 days.
[17:12] the frame, dry for 2 days. In a week, they made 400 adobe bricks, enough for the kiln walls and the great.
[17:15] they made 400 adobe bricks, enough for the kiln walls and the great.
[17:18] the kiln walls and the great. He conducted the first firing himself.
[17:21] conducted the first firing himself.
[17:23] He loaded the adobe bricks into the kiln.
[17:26] He built a fire from Pete and dry brush.
[17:26] He covered it with clay slabs to retain
[17:28] He covered it with clay slabs to retain the heat.
[17:28] The fire burned all night.
[17:31] The heat.
[17:31] The fire burned all night.
[17:31] Gonchan didn't sleep.
[17:31] He sat by the kiln and monitored the temperature.
[17:33] He judged the heat by the color of the flame.
[17:36] Orange was too low.
[17:38] Yellow was just right.
[17:41] White was too high.
[17:41] He kept it at yellow for eight hours.
[17:44] In the morning, when the kiln had cooled, he pulled out the first brick, red, resonant.
[17:47] When struck against each other, the two bricks rang like bells.
[17:49] Gonchan smiled for the first time since coming into this world.
[17:53] So stood nearby and looked at the brick in his hands.
[17:54] She asked what it was.
[17:57] He replied that it was Hugin's future.
[17:59] She raised an eyebrow skeptically, but she wrote it down in the log.
[18:02] Fired brick, first batch, 400 pieces, good quality.
[18:04] At the same time, he launched lime production.
[18:07] Limestone from the northern slope was crushed and loaded into a separate pit.
[18:10] It was fired for a day.
[18:12] The resulting white lumps
[18:29] for a day.
[18:29] The resulting white lumps were doused with water.
[18:33] The reaction was violent.
[18:33] Hissing, steam, heat.
[18:37] One worker burned his hand because he stuck it too close.
[18:39] After that, Gonchan established the first safety rule.
[18:41] Do not approach the lime without gloves.
[18:44] The gloves were sewn from rags in two layers.
[18:47] Primitive, but it worked.
[18:49] Slate lime mixed with sand produced a mortar.
[18:53] Strong, quick setting.
[18:55] Gonchan smeared it on the wall of the village headman's house as a test.
[18:58] Two days later, the mortar had set solidly.
[19:00] The wall, which had previously crumbled at the slightest touch, could now withstand a punch.
[19:03] Han came to take a look.
[19:06] He felt the wall.
[19:08] He tapped it.
[19:11] He shook his head and walked away without saying a word.
[19:14] By the end of the second week, Gonchan began work on the well.
[19:17] The old well was dismantled.
[19:20] They deepened the pit to 8 m.
[19:22] Five men worked in shifts.
[19:24] The walls
[19:31] Five men worked in shifts.
[19:31] The walls were lined with fired bricks set in line mortar.
[19:35] Around the top, they built a clay ring a fist thick.
[19:39] They placed a stone cover with a hole in it.
[19:41] When the work was finished, Gonchan lowered a bucket.
[19:43] He pulled it up.
[19:46] The water was clear.
[19:49] People stood around watching.
[19:49] Someone scooped up a mugful and tasted it.
[19:54] An expression crossed his face that Gonchan didn't immediately understand.
[19:57] Then he understood.
[20:00] surprise.
[20:00] They had never drunk clean water here.
[20:05] They didn't know water could be like this.
[20:09] That evening, Gonchan sat in his house and made a list.
[20:11] We have clean water.
[20:11] There are bricks.
[20:14] There is mortar.
[20:14] The next step is the road.
[20:18] The dirt road to Kashogun was the only link to the outside world.
[20:23] When it rained, it turned into a swamp.
[20:26] Merchants gave it a wide birth.
[20:26] Without a road, there is no trade.
[20:28] No trade, no money.
[20:28] No money, no
[20:32] trade. No trade, no money. No money, no food for the winter. He sketched out a
[20:35] food for the winter. He sketched out a plan. Drainage ditches on both sides. A
[20:38] plan. Drainage ditches on both sides. A base of compacted gravel, a surface of a
[20:41] base of compacted gravel, a surface of a mixture of clay and lime. The Romans
[20:44] mixture of clay and lime. The Romans called this opus cmentissium. No one
[20:47] called this opus cmentissium. No one here knew that. So Hyan entered without
[20:50] here knew that. So Hyan entered without knocking. She placed a scroll before
[20:53] knocking. She placed a scroll before him. The census. 3,187
[20:57] him. The census. 3,187 residents. Of those, 412 able-bodied
[21:01] residents. Of those, 412 able-bodied men, 530 women capable of work, 240
[21:06] men, 530 women capable of work, 240 children over 10 years old who can help.
[21:10] children over 10 years old who can help. The rest are sick and elderly, 6 weeks
[21:13] The rest are sick and elderly, 6 weeks worth of grain, almost no livestock, 12
[21:16] worth of grain, almost no livestock, 12 goats, three oxen, chickens. Gonchin
[21:20] goats, three oxen, chickens. Gonchin looked at the numbers. 6 weeks worth of
[21:22] looked at the numbers. 6 weeks worth of grain, but 12 weeks until winter, a 6-w
[21:26] grain, but 12 weeks until winter, a 6-w week shortfall. They need to either find
[21:29] week shortfall. They need to either find food, earn money for it, or grow it. He
[21:32] food, earn money for it, or grow it. He asked Sohan when they usually sew here.
[21:35] asked Sohan when they usually sew here. She replied that it's in the spring.
[21:37] She replied that it's in the spring. It's summer now. The sewing season has
[21:40] It's summer now. The sewing season has passed. Gonchin thought it over. In this
[21:43] passed. Gonchin thought it over. In this climate, with enough water, they could
[21:45] climate, with enough water, they could grow fast maturing crops. turnips, peas,
[21:49] grow fast maturing crops. turnips, peas, radishes, 30 to 40 days until harvest.
[21:53] radishes, 30 to 40 days until harvest. If they planted now and if the dam
[21:55] If they planted now and if the dam provided water, there would be at least
[21:57] provided water, there would be at least something by fall. He told Sohan that
[22:00] something by fall. He told Sohan that tomorrow they were going to the river.
[22:02] tomorrow they were going to the river. She asked why. He replied that they were
[22:05] She asked why. He replied that they were going to build a dam. She looked at him
[22:08] going to build a dam. She looked at him the way one looks at a man who suggests
[22:10] the way one looks at a man who suggests catching the moon with a net, but she
[22:13] catching the moon with a net, but she made a note of it. The river was called
[22:15] made a note of it. The river was called Hansu, a thin, murky ribbon of water in
[22:18] Hansu, a thin, murky ribbon of water in a wide, dry bed. In summer, it turned
[22:22] a wide, dry bed. In summer, it turned into a stream. In spring, it overflowed
[22:25] into a stream. In spring, it overflowed and flooded the lowlands. All the water
[22:27] and flooded the lowlands. All the water came and went to no avail. Gochan stood
[22:31] came and went to no avail. Gochan stood on the bank and watched. The engineer's
[22:34] on the bank and watched. The engineer's eyes saw not a river, but a problem. The
[22:37] eyes saw not a river, but a problem. The riverbed was 30 m wide at this point,
[22:40] riverbed was 30 m wide at this point, but 3 km to the west, it narrowed to 12.
[22:44] but 3 km to the west, it narrowed to 12. Rocky outcrops on both banks. The
[22:47] Rocky outcrops on both banks. The perfect spot for a dam. He went there
[22:49] perfect spot for a dam. He went there and spent half a day taking
[22:51] and spent half a day taking measurements, a stick with notches
[22:53] measurements, a stick with notches instead of a tape measure, a stone on a
[22:56] instead of a tape measure, a stone on a string instead of a plum line. The depth
[22:59] string instead of a plum line. The depth of the riverbed at the narrowest point
[23:00] of the riverbed at the narrowest point was 4 m. The rock on the banks was hard
[23:04] was 4 m. The rock on the banks was hard limestone. The bottom was sandy with a
[23:07] limestone. The bottom was sandy with a clay subs soil. He sat down on a rock
[23:10] clay subs soil. He sat down on a rock and began to calculate. The dam would be
[23:13] and began to calculate. The dam would be 5 m high. The base would be 8 m wide.
[23:17] 5 m high. The base would be 8 m wide. The crest would be 3 m wide. The length
[23:20] The crest would be 3 m wide. The length would be 12 m. The materials are stone
[23:24] would be 12 m. The materials are stone and clay with lime mortar. The volume of
[23:27] and clay with lime mortar. The volume of masonry is approximately 700 m. With a
[23:32] masonry is approximately 700 m. With a 100 workers and manual labor, that's 2
[23:35] 100 workers and manual labor, that's 2 months. He had 10 weeks until winter.
[23:38] months. He had 10 weeks until winter. Tight, but possible. He returned to the
[23:42] Tight, but possible. He returned to the village and announced the construction.
[23:44] village and announced the construction. The reaction was predictable. No one
[23:47] The reaction was predictable. No one knew what a dam was. He explained, "A
[23:51] knew what a dam was. He explained, "A stone wall across the river. Water
[23:53] stone wall across the river. Water accumulates. A lake is formed. From the
[23:57] accumulates. A lake is formed. From the canals lead from the lake to the fields.
[23:59] canals lead from the lake to the fields. The fields are irrigated, food grows.
[24:03] The fields are irrigated, food grows. The explanation was simple, but people
[24:05] The explanation was simple, but people looked at him with suspicion. One old
[24:08] looked at him with suspicion. One old man said that the gods give water when
[24:10] man said that the gods give water when they want to and take it away when they
[24:12] they want to and take it away when they want. Building a wall across the river
[24:15] want. Building a wall across the river is like arguing with the heavens.
[24:18] is like arguing with the heavens. Gonchan replied that he wasn't arguing
[24:20] Gonchan replied that he wasn't arguing with the heavens. He was simply asking
[24:23] with the heavens. He was simply asking the water to wait. The joke fell flat.
[24:26] the water to wait. The joke fell flat. But the next morning,
[24:28] But the next morning, 120 people went out to the river. So
[24:31] 120 people went out to the river. So Hyun organized the logistics. She turned
[24:34] Hyun organized the logistics. She turned out to be a natural-born manager. She
[24:36] out to be a natural-born manager. She divided the people into teams. She
[24:38] divided the people into teams. She appointed foremen. She kept track of
[24:41] appointed foremen. She kept track of working hours. Every evening she brought
[24:44] working hours. Every evening she brought Gonchan a report. How many stones had
[24:46] Gonchan a report. How many stones had been quarried? How much mortar had been
[24:48] been quarried? How much mortar had been mixed? How many rows had been laid?
[24:51] mixed? How many rows had been laid? Gonchan taught the masons from scratch.
[24:54] Gonchan taught the masons from scratch. He showed them how to place stones in
[24:56] He showed them how to place stones in the mortar, how to level the rows, how
[24:58] the mortar, how to level the rows, how to tie the joints so the wall wouldn't
[25:00] to tie the joints so the wall wouldn't collapse. Patiently, 10 times over, they
[25:05] collapse. Patiently, 10 times over, they made mistakes. The walls came out
[25:07] made mistakes. The walls came out crooked. The mortar was sometimes too
[25:10] crooked. The mortar was sometimes too runny, sometimes too thick. Gonchan
[25:13] runny, sometimes too thick. Gonchan would redo it and show them again. In
[25:16] would redo it and show them again. In his past life, Park Junho had managed
[25:19] his past life, Park Junho had managed construction crews. He knew that people
[25:21] construction crews. He knew that people learn not from explanations but from
[25:24] learn not from explanations but from repetition. Within a week, the masons
[25:27] repetition. Within a week, the masons could already lay a straight row without
[25:30] could already lay a straight row without his supervision. After 2 weeks, they
[25:32] his supervision. After 2 weeks, they began to do it quickly. The dam grew,
[25:36] began to do it quickly. The dam grew, row by row, stone by stone. The work was
[25:40] row by row, stone by stone. The work was hard. People carried stones on their
[25:42] hard. People carried stones on their backs. They mixed the mortar with their
[25:44] backs. They mixed the mortar with their feet in pits. Their hands were covered
[25:47] feet in pits. Their hands were covered in scrapes and calluses. But no one
[25:50] in scrapes and calluses. But no one complained. Not because they were
[25:52] complained. Not because they were heroes, but because the alternative was
[25:55] heroes, but because the alternative was simple. Don't build the dam and die in
[25:58] simple. Don't build the dam and die in the winter. Or build it and maybe
[26:01] the winter. Or build it and maybe survive. In the third week, the first
[26:04] survive. In the third week, the first emergency occurred. The wall at the
[26:06] emergency occurred. The wall at the bottom cracked. Water was seeping
[26:08] bottom cracked. Water was seeping through the joints. Gonchan inspected
[26:11] through the joints. Gonchan inspected the damage and realized his mistake. The
[26:14] the damage and realized his mistake. The foundation had been laid on sand without
[26:16] foundation had been laid on sand without compaction. The sand had been washed
[26:18] compaction. The sand had been washed away and the stones had settled. In a
[26:21] away and the stones had settled. In a past life, this was called a mistake in
[26:23] past life, this was called a mistake in foundation preparation, a standard
[26:26] foundation preparation, a standard situation. He ordered the bottom three
[26:28] situation. He ordered the bottom three rows to be dismantled, dig out the sand
[26:31] rows to be dismantled, dig out the sand down to the clay subgrade, tamp down the
[26:34] down to the clay subgrade, tamp down the clay, lay a layer of large stones, and
[26:37] clay, lay a layer of large stones, and only then start building, laying the
[26:39] only then start building, laying the foundation a new. Three days of work
[26:42] foundation a new. Three days of work were lost. The men grumbled. One foreman
[26:45] were lost. The men grumbled. One foreman said outright that the new lord didn't
[26:47] said outright that the new lord didn't know what he was doing. Gonchan didn't
[26:50] know what he was doing. Gonchan didn't argue. He picked up a shovel and began
[26:52] argue. He picked up a shovel and began digging himself in silence. An hour
[26:56] digging himself in silence. An hour later, the foreman joined him silently,
[26:59] later, the foreman joined him silently, too. By the end of the fourth week, the
[27:02] too. By the end of the fourth week, the dam had reached half its height, and
[27:05] dam had reached half its height, and then the rains came. Not the rainy
[27:08] then the rains came. Not the rainy season, just a stormfront. Two days of
[27:11] season, just a stormfront. Two days of downpours. The river rose. Water poured
[27:16] downpours. The river rose. Water poured into the unfinished dam. Gonchan stood
[27:19] into the unfinished dam. Gonchan stood kneedeep in water and gave orders. Bags
[27:22] kneedeep in water and gave orders. Bags of clay to the crest, stones into the
[27:24] of clay to the crest, stones into the gaps. Faster. Everyone worked. Men,
[27:29] gaps. Faster. Everyone worked. Men, women, children over 10. Even Han with
[27:32] women, children over 10. Even Han with one hand hauled sacks by clamping the
[27:35] one hand hauled sacks by clamping the rope between his teeth. By the morning
[27:38] rope between his teeth. By the morning of the third day, the rain had stopped.
[27:41] of the third day, the rain had stopped. The dam held. The lower section, which
[27:44] The dam held. The lower section, which they had rebuilt after the crack, held
[27:46] they had rebuilt after the crack, held perfectly. The upper section got wet but
[27:50] perfectly. The upper section got wet but didn't crumble. Gonchan sat on a wet
[27:53] didn't crumble. Gonchan sat on a wet rock and caught his breath. His hands
[27:55] rock and caught his breath. His hands were shaking from exhaustion. So walked
[27:59] were shaking from exhaustion. So walked over and sat down beside him. She was
[28:01] over and sat down beside him. She was silent for a moment. Then she said she'd
[28:04] silent for a moment. Then she said she'd noticed something. All three previous
[28:07] noticed something. All three previous lords had fled before the first reign.
[28:10] lords had fled before the first reign. Gonchan replied that rain was just
[28:12] Gonchan replied that rain was just water. She smiled Riley and said she'd
[28:16] water. She smiled Riley and said she'd tell that to the people who'd stood in
[28:17] tell that to the people who'd stood in the river for 2 days because he'd asked
[28:20] the river for 2 days because he'd asked them to. After the rain, the work went
[28:23] them to. After the rain, the work went faster. Something had changed. The
[28:26] faster. Something had changed. The people were no longer just following
[28:28] people were no longer just following orders. They began to understand. They
[28:31] orders. They began to understand. They saw how the water was pooling behind the
[28:33] saw how the water was pooling behind the unfinished dam. They saw that the level
[28:36] unfinished dam. They saw that the level was rising. They saw that the wall was
[28:39] was rising. They saw that the wall was holding. An elderly peasant named Bo Mu
[28:43] holding. An elderly peasant named Bo Mu approached Gonchan and said he
[28:44] approached Gonchan and said he understood why the dam was needed. The
[28:47] understood why the dam was needed. The water stays put instead of running away.
[28:50] water stays put instead of running away. Then it can be released onto the fields.
[28:52] Then it can be released onto the fields. That's what you do with a barrel. Only
[28:55] That's what you do with a barrel. Only this barrel is big. Gonchan nodded.
[28:59] this barrel is big. Gonchan nodded. Exactly. A big barrel.
[29:02] Exactly. A big barrel. By the end of the sixth week, the dam
[29:04] By the end of the sixth week, the dam was finished. 5 m high, 12 m long.
[29:09] was finished. 5 m high, 12 m long. Stone masonry set with lime mortar. A
[29:13] Stone masonry set with lime mortar. A spillway at the top for floods. A gate
[29:15] spillway at the top for floods. A gate made of oak logs to regulate the flow.
[29:19] made of oak logs to regulate the flow. The water began to accumulate. A small
[29:22] The water began to accumulate. A small lake was forming behind the dam. Gonchan
[29:25] lake was forming behind the dam. Gonchan stood on the crest and watched. In a
[29:28] stood on the crest and watched. In a past life, he had built bridges across
[29:30] past life, he had built bridges across estuaries. This dam was a thousand times
[29:33] estuaries. This dam was a thousand times simpler than any of them. But looking at
[29:36] simpler than any of them. But looking at it, he felt something he had never felt
[29:39] it, he felt something he had never felt before. It was the first structure in
[29:42] before. It was the first structure in this world that could save lives. Not
[29:45] this world that could save lives. Not abstractly, like a bridge that cars
[29:47] abstractly, like a bridge that cars drive across, but literally. Without
[29:51] drive across, but literally. Without this water, 3,000 people would die in
[29:54] this water, 3,000 people would die in the winter. With it, they would survive.
[29:58] the winter. With it, they would survive. The next step was the canals. Gonchan
[30:01] The next step was the canals. Gonchan marked out the route from the lake to
[30:03] marked out the route from the lake to the fields. a slope of 2 cm per meter.
[30:07] the fields. a slope of 2 cm per meter. The canal's width was half a meter. The
[30:10] The canal's width was half a meter. The depth was 40 cm. The walls were coated
[30:13] depth was 40 cm. The walls were coated with clay so the water wouldn't seep
[30:15] with clay so the water wouldn't seep into the ground. Three main canals
[30:18] into the ground. Three main canals fanned out from the lake. Each served
[30:21] fanned out from the lake. Each served its own section of fields. Everyone dug.
[30:25] its own section of fields. Everyone dug. The work was easier than building the
[30:27] The work was easier than building the dam. By this point, people already knew
[30:30] dam. By this point, people already knew how to dig in an organized manner. The
[30:32] how to dig in an organized manner. The teams worked in unison. So Hilan kept an
[30:35] teams worked in unison. So Hilan kept an eye on the schedule. 10 days later, the
[30:37] eye on the schedule. 10 days later, the canals were ready. Gonchan opened the
[30:40] canals were ready. Gonchan opened the gate. The water flowed
[30:43] gate. The water flowed slowly down the stone trough. Then
[30:47] slowly down the stone trough. Then through the canal to the first field.
[30:50] through the canal to the first field. The peasants stood and watched as the
[30:52] The peasants stood and watched as the water spread across the dry, cracked
[30:55] water spread across the dry, cracked earth. Silence.
[30:58] earth. Silence. Then a woman in the crowd began to cry.
[31:01] Then a woman in the crowd began to cry. Gonchan didn't wait. He was already
[31:04] Gonchan didn't wait. He was already handing out seeds, turnips, peas,
[31:06] handing out seeds, turnips, peas, radishes, fast growing crops. 30 to 40
[31:10] radishes, fast growing crops. 30 to 40 days until harvest. He explained how to
[31:13] days until harvest. He explained how to plant them in rows with spacing. Not all
[31:16] plant them in rows with spacing. Not all together as they were used to, but each
[31:18] together as they were used to, but each crop in its own plot. The peasants
[31:21] crop in its own plot. The peasants didn't understand why. They had always
[31:23] didn't understand why. They had always planted everything mixed together.
[31:25] planted everything mixed together. That's how their grandfathers did it.
[31:27] That's how their grandfathers did it. Gonchan explained, "Different plants
[31:30] Gonchan explained, "Different plants take different nutrients from the soil.
[31:32] take different nutrients from the soil. If planted together, they compete. If
[31:35] If planted together, they compete. If planted separately, each gets more." And
[31:38] planted separately, each gets more." And another thing, peas return to the soil
[31:40] another thing, peas return to the soil what the turnups take. That's why the
[31:43] what the turnups take. That's why the following year, these plots need to be
[31:45] following year, these plots need to be swapped. This is called crop rotation.
[31:48] swapped. This is called crop rotation. The peasants listened. They didn't
[31:50] The peasants listened. They didn't believe him, but they planted as he
[31:52] believe him, but they planted as he said. Because the water in the canals
[31:54] said. Because the water in the canals was real, and the bricks were real, and
[31:57] was real, and the bricks were real, and the well provided clean water. Maybe
[32:00] the well provided clean water. Maybe this strange lord isn't lying about the
[32:02] this strange lord isn't lying about the seeds, either. In the evening, Gonchan
[32:05] seeds, either. In the evening, Gonchan sat on the roof of the village headman's
[32:07] sat on the roof of the village headman's house and looked out at the fields. In
[32:09] house and looked out at the fields. In the moonlight, he could see the water
[32:11] the moonlight, he could see the water glistening in the canals, small
[32:13] glistening in the canals, small rectangles of planted plots. He counted
[32:16] rectangles of planted plots. He counted in his head. If the seedlings came up
[32:18] in his head. If the seedlings came up normally and if there were no frost
[32:20] normally and if there were no frost before the season, then in 40 days there
[32:23] before the season, then in 40 days there would be the first harvest. That
[32:25] would be the first harvest. That wouldn't be enough for the winter, but
[32:27] wouldn't be enough for the winter, but it would cover the shortfall. 6 weeks of
[32:30] it would cover the shortfall. 6 weeks of grain from the reserves, plus the
[32:31] grain from the reserves, plus the harvest of fast growing crops, plus the
[32:34] harvest of fast growing crops, plus the little that could be gathered from wild
[32:36] little that could be gathered from wild plants in the hills. Just enough. But
[32:39] plants in the hills. Just enough. But just enough isn't zero. He lay on his
[32:43] just enough isn't zero. He lay on his back and looked at the stars. The sky
[32:45] back and looked at the stars. The sky here was incredible. Not a single speck
[32:48] here was incredible. Not a single speck of light pollution. The Milky Way like a
[32:51] of light pollution. The Milky Way like a river stretching from horizon to
[32:53] river stretching from horizon to horizon. He had never seen so many stars
[32:56] horizon. He had never seen so many stars in soul. Park Junho thought that if he
[32:59] in soul. Park Junho thought that if he were to die, at least the sky here was
[33:02] were to die, at least the sky here was beautiful. But Gonchan thought it was
[33:05] beautiful. But Gonchan thought it was too early to die. The turnips sprouted
[33:07] too early to die. The turnips sprouted on the ninth day. Green shoots broke
[33:10] on the ninth day. Green shoots broke through the damp earth in neat rows. The
[33:12] through the damp earth in neat rows. The peasants came to look at them as if they
[33:14] peasants came to look at them as if they were a miracle. For them, it was a
[33:17] were a miracle. For them, it was a miracle. Hogun's land had never yielded
[33:20] miracle. Hogun's land had never yielded two harvests a year. It barely yielded
[33:23] two harvests a year. It barely yielded one at all. And here, the summer sewing
[33:26] one at all. And here, the summer sewing had sprouted in 9 days. The peas
[33:29] had sprouted in 9 days. The peas sprouted on the 12th day, the radishes
[33:31] sprouted on the 12th day, the radishes on the 7th. The fields turned green.
[33:35] on the 7th. The fields turned green. Water from the canals nourished the
[33:36] Water from the canals nourished the roots. Gonchan walked around the crops
[33:39] roots. Gonchan walked around the crops every morning and checked their
[33:41] every morning and checked their condition. He counted the sprouts. He
[33:43] condition. He counted the sprouts. He looked at the color of the leaves. He
[33:45] looked at the color of the leaves. He felt the soil. These were the skills of
[33:48] felt the soil. These were the skills of an aronomist, not an engineer. But at
[33:51] an aronomist, not an engineer. But at Kais, he had taken a course in soil
[33:53] Kais, he had taken a course in soil science and remembered the basic
[33:54] science and remembered the basic principles. Nitrogen for the leaves,
[33:57] principles. Nitrogen for the leaves, phosphorus for the roots, potassium for
[34:00] phosphorus for the roots, potassium for the fruits. Peas fix nitrogen from the
[34:03] the fruits. Peas fix nitrogen from the air through bacteria in their roots.
[34:05] air through bacteria in their roots. That's why he planted the peas next to
[34:07] That's why he planted the peas next to the turnips to enrich the soil. While
[34:10] the turnips to enrich the soil. While the fields were turning green, Gonchan
[34:12] the fields were turning green, Gonchan turned his attention to the road. The
[34:14] turned his attention to the road. The dirt road from Hogun to the nearest
[34:16] dirt road from Hogun to the nearest town, Volsen, was in terrible condition.
[34:20] town, Volsen, was in terrible condition. Potholes, holes, sections where the clay
[34:23] Potholes, holes, sections where the clay had been washed away into impassible
[34:25] had been washed away into impassible mud. Carts got stuck. Merchants took
[34:28] mud. Carts got stuck. Merchants took detours. A two-day journey could be cut
[34:31] detours. A two-day journey could be cut to one if the road were repaired. He
[34:33] to one if the road were repaired. He started with the nearest section about
[34:35] started with the nearest section about 10 mi from the village, the most damaged
[34:38] 10 mi from the village, the most damaged stretch. The method was simple. Dig
[34:40] stretch. The method was simple. Dig drainage ditches on both sides. Fill the
[34:43] drainage ditches on both sides. Fill the base with crushed limestone gravel. Tamp
[34:45] base with crushed limestone gravel. Tamp it down. A layer of clay and lime
[34:48] it down. A layer of clay and lime mixture on top. Tamp it down again.
[34:51] mixture on top. Tamp it down again. Roman roads lasted for thousands of
[34:53] Roman roads lasted for thousands of years. This one won't last a thousand,
[34:56] years. This one won't last a thousand, but it will definitely survive the rainy
[34:58] but it will definitely survive the rainy season. He sent 60 men to work on the
[35:00] season. He sent 60 men to work on the road. The rest continued working at the
[35:02] road. The rest continued working at the brick kiln and the lime pit. Production
[35:05] brick kiln and the lime pit. Production of building materials couldn't stop. He
[35:07] of building materials couldn't stop. He needed thousands of bricks, dozens of
[35:10] needed thousands of bricks, dozens of barrels of mortar. Gonchan also started
[35:12] barrels of mortar. Gonchan also started composting. He gathered all the vill's
[35:15] composting. He gathered all the vill's organic waste, food scraps, straw,
[35:18] organic waste, food scraps, straw, manure from goats and oxen. He piled it
[35:20] manure from goats and oxen. He piled it into a pit, alternating layers, green
[35:23] into a pit, alternating layers, green waste, dry waste, manure, soil. He
[35:26] waste, dry waste, manure, soil. He watered it down. He explained that in
[35:28] watered it down. He explained that in two months it would turn into fertilizer
[35:31] two months it would turn into fertilizer that would make the soil more fertile.
[35:33] that would make the soil more fertile. The peasants looked at the pit of
[35:35] The peasants looked at the pit of rotting waste with disgust. One said
[35:37] rotting waste with disgust. One said that the lord was forcing them to pile
[35:39] that the lord was forcing them to pile up trash instead of throwing it away.
[35:42] up trash instead of throwing it away. Gonchan replied that in 2 months this
[35:45] Gonchan replied that in 2 months this pile of trash would be more useful than
[35:47] pile of trash would be more useful than all of Hassogun's manure in a year. They
[35:51] all of Hassogun's manure in a year. They didn't believe him, but they left the
[35:53] didn't believe him, but they left the pit alone. At the same time, Gonchan
[35:56] pit alone. At the same time, Gonchan began boiling water. Every evening he
[35:59] began boiling water. Every evening he gathered the people and explained,
[36:01] gathered the people and explained, "Water must be boiled before drinking.
[36:04] "Water must be boiled before drinking. Tiny creatures live in the water that
[36:05] Tiny creatures live in the water that cause disease. Boiling kills them." The
[36:09] cause disease. Boiling kills them." The reaction was predictable. What
[36:11] reaction was predictable. What creatures? The water is clear. Nothing
[36:13] creatures? The water is clear. Nothing lives in it. Our grandfathers drank
[36:15] lives in it. Our grandfathers drank unboiled water and lived. Gonchan didn't
[36:19] unboiled water and lived. Gonchan didn't argue. He asked Sohan to keep track of
[36:21] argue. He asked Sohan to keep track of the sick. Eight people fell ill during
[36:24] the sick. Eight people fell ill during the first week. All of them had drunk
[36:26] the first week. All of them had drunk untreated water. Not a single person
[36:29] untreated water. Not a single person among those who had boiled their water
[36:31] among those who had boiled their water fell ill. After a month, the statistics
[36:34] fell ill. After a month, the statistics were convincing. Stomach ailments had
[36:36] were convincing. Stomach ailments had decreased by 2/3. People began to boil
[36:40] decreased by 2/3. People began to boil their water. Not because they believed
[36:42] their water. Not because they believed in tiny creatures, but because the
[36:44] in tiny creatures, but because the numbers were obvious. At the end of the
[36:47] numbers were obvious. At the end of the second month, a traveler arrived in
[36:49] second month, a traveler arrived in Hugun. Big, dirty, wreaking of booze. He
[36:55] Hugun. Big, dirty, wreaking of booze. He stumbled into the village toward evening
[36:57] stumbled into the village toward evening and asked where the blacksmith's shop
[36:59] and asked where the blacksmith's shop was. They pointed him to a ramshackle
[37:02] was. They pointed him to a ramshackle building on the outskirts. It was Peek
[37:04] building on the outskirts. It was Peek Tallsu's blacksmith shop, or rather what
[37:07] Tallsu's blacksmith shop, or rather what was left of it. Gonchan had long wanted
[37:11] was left of it. Gonchan had long wanted to talk to the local blacksmith, but the
[37:13] to talk to the local blacksmith, but the man avoided everyone. He drank, he
[37:16] man avoided everyone. He drank, he slept, sometimes he hammered at bronze
[37:19] slept, sometimes he hammered at bronze with no visible result. The villagers
[37:22] with no visible result. The villagers said he was useless. He could only work
[37:25] said he was useless. He could only work with bronze and nobody needed bronze.
[37:28] with bronze and nobody needed bronze. There was no iron in Hogun and they had
[37:31] There was no iron in Hogun and they had no money to buy any. Gonchan went to the
[37:34] no money to buy any. Gonchan went to the smithy. Tulsu sat by an extinguished
[37:37] smithy. Tulsu sat by an extinguished furnace and staring into space. Bronze
[37:41] furnace and staring into space. Bronze blanks lay scattered nearby, shapeless,
[37:44] blanks lay scattered nearby, shapeless, crooked. He raised his cloudy eyes to
[37:47] crooked. He raised his cloudy eyes to Gonchan and asked what the Lord wanted
[37:50] Gonchan and asked what the Lord wanted from a drunken failure.
[37:52] from a drunken failure. Gonchan sat down beside him. He examined
[37:55] Gonchan sat down beside him. He examined the furnace, a smelting furnace,
[37:58] the furnace, a smelting furnace, primitive, maximum temperature of,200°.
[38:02] primitive, maximum temperature of,200°. Enough for bronze, not for iron, and
[38:05] Enough for bronze, not for iron, and certainly not for steel. He asked Thallu
[38:08] certainly not for steel. He asked Thallu if he knew what iron was. Thalsu
[38:10] if he knew what iron was. Thalsu snorted. Of course, he knew. Iron was
[38:13] snorted. Of course, he knew. Iron was brought in from Volona. Expensive,
[38:16] brought in from Volona. Expensive, heavy, it rusts, but stronger than
[38:19] heavy, it rusts, but stronger than bronze. They make swords for warriors
[38:21] bronze. They make swords for warriors and plows for rich land owners out of
[38:23] and plows for rich land owners out of it. Gonchin asked if Thalsu wanted to
[38:26] it. Gonchin asked if Thalsu wanted to make something better than iron. Thu
[38:29] make something better than iron. Thu stared at him. Better than iron. He
[38:32] stared at him. Better than iron. He didn't understand the question. Nothing
[38:34] didn't understand the question. Nothing is better than iron. Except maybe
[38:37] is better than iron. Except maybe magical weapons from the Tower of the
[38:39] magical weapons from the Tower of the Wise. But that's magic, not
[38:42] Wise. But that's magic, not blacksmithing.
[38:43] blacksmithing. Gonchin pulled a scroll from his bosom,
[38:46] Gonchin pulled a scroll from his bosom, a blueprint. He had worked on it for
[38:48] a blueprint. He had worked on it for three nights. A blast furnace, a
[38:52] three nights. A blast furnace, a vertical structure 4 m high, an inner
[38:55] vertical structure 4 m high, an inner diameter of about a meter, walls made of
[38:58] diameter of about a meter, walls made of fire brick, hand operated bellows for
[39:01] fire brick, hand operated bellows for supplying air, loaded from the top,
[39:04] supplying air, loaded from the top, alternating layers of ore, coal, and
[39:07] alternating layers of ore, coal, and flux. The temperature inside reaches 1
[39:10] flux. The temperature inside reaches 1 and a half,000°.
[39:13] and a half,000°. At that temperature, iron melts
[39:16] At that temperature, iron melts completely.
[39:18] completely. It doesn't slag like in a raw iron
[39:21] It doesn't slag like in a raw iron furnace. It actually melts. The liquid
[39:24] furnace. It actually melts. The liquid metal flows downward. The slag rises to
[39:27] metal flows downward. The slag rises to the top. The result is cast iron. And
[39:31] the top. The result is cast iron. And from cast iron, through a second firing
[39:33] from cast iron, through a second firing with air blowing through it, steel is
[39:36] with air blowing through it, steel is produced. Thu looked at the drawing. for
[39:39] produced. Thu looked at the drawing. for a long time. His hands stopped shaking.
[39:43] a long time. His hands stopped shaking. His eyes became clear for the first time
[39:46] His eyes became clear for the first time in years. He ran his finger along the
[39:49] in years. He ran his finger along the lines of the furnace. He asked where the
[39:52] lines of the furnace. He asked where the Lord had gotten this drawing. Gonchan
[39:55] Lord had gotten this drawing. Gonchan said he'd read it in a book, an old one.
[39:58] said he'd read it in a book, an old one. It had burned. Thu looked at him, then
[40:01] It had burned. Thu looked at him, then back at the drawing, then back at him,
[40:04] back at the drawing, then back at him, and said that if it was true, he needed
[40:06] and said that if it was true, he needed ore. Gonchan smiled. He knew there were
[40:10] ore. Gonchan smiled. He knew there were deposits of brown iron ore in the hills
[40:13] deposits of brown iron ore in the hills to the east. Low iron content, about
[40:16] to the east. Low iron content, about 30%. But enough for a blast furnace.
[40:20] 30%. But enough for a blast furnace. He'd seen the characteristic reddish
[40:22] He'd seen the characteristic reddish brown outcrops on the slopes. He also
[40:25] brown outcrops on the slopes. He also needed coal, wood coal. Pete wasn't
[40:28] needed coal, wood coal. Pete wasn't suitable for smelting. Gonchan had
[40:31] suitable for smelting. Gonchan had already spotted a grove about 10 mi to
[40:33] already spotted a grove about 10 mi to the north. The trees were dry and old.
[40:36] the north. The trees were dry and old. They'd have to be felled and burned in
[40:38] They'd have to be felled and burned in charcoal pits and flux, limestone, which
[40:42] charcoal pits and flux, limestone, which was in abundance here. He told Thalls
[40:45] was in abundance here. He told Thalls that the ore would be ready in a week,
[40:46] that the ore would be ready in a week, coal in two. The flux was already there.
[40:50] coal in two. The flux was already there. Ths could he build the furnace according
[40:53] Ths could he build the furnace according to the blueprint. Thod, straightened
[40:56] to the blueprint. Thod, straightened himself. He turned out to be tall, broad
[40:59] himself. He turned out to be tall, broad shoulders, huge hands, the hands of a
[41:02] shoulders, huge hands, the hands of a blacksmith who had been hammering bronze
[41:04] blacksmith who had been hammering bronze for 20 years and lived with the feeling
[41:06] for 20 years and lived with the feeling that he was wasting his life. He said he
[41:09] that he was wasting his life. He said he would build it. Gonchan nodded and left.
[41:13] would build it. Gonchan nodded and left. So Hyan was waiting for him outside. She
[41:15] So Hyan was waiting for him outside. She had seen the blueprint when Gonchan was
[41:17] had seen the blueprint when Gonchan was drawing it and added it to her list.
[41:20] drawing it and added it to her list. Book number 48. It burned. She said the
[41:24] Book number 48. It burned. She said the list was getting long. Gonchan shrugged.
[41:27] list was getting long. Gonchan shrugged. Meanwhile, the harvest was approaching.
[41:30] Meanwhile, the harvest was approaching. On the 35th day after sewing, the
[41:32] On the 35th day after sewing, the turnips were ready to be harvested.
[41:34] turnips were ready to be harvested. Large, juicy.
[41:36] Large, juicy. The peasants dug them up and couldn't
[41:38] The peasants dug them up and couldn't believe it. That size from this soil.
[41:42] believe it. That size from this soil. It's impossible. But the turnups lay in
[41:44] It's impossible. But the turnups lay in the baskets and were completely real.
[41:47] the baskets and were completely real. The peas ripened on the 40th day. The
[41:50] The peas ripened on the 40th day. The pods were full. The seeds were uniform.
[41:53] pods were full. The seeds were uniform. The radishes grew even faster than
[41:56] The radishes grew even faster than Gonchan had expected. The soil turned
[41:58] Gonchan had expected. The soil turned out to be better than it looked. The
[42:00] out to be better than it looked. The kale and clay retained moisture and with
[42:03] kale and clay retained moisture and with proper irrigation from the canals
[42:05] proper irrigation from the canals provided a good environment for root
[42:07] provided a good environment for root crops. The harvest wasn't huge, but it
[42:10] crops. The harvest wasn't huge, but it was enough to cover the 6- week
[42:12] was enough to cover the 6- week shortfall. Gonchan ordered everything to
[42:15] shortfall. Gonchan ordered everything to be gathered and divided into three
[42:17] be gathered and divided into three parts. one-third for food now, one-third
[42:20] parts. one-third for food now, one-third in storage for the winter, one-third for
[42:23] in storage for the winter, one-third for seeds for the next planting. The
[42:26] seeds for the next planting. The peasants didn't understand why they
[42:28] peasants didn't understand why they should save seeds. They were used to
[42:30] should save seeds. They were used to eating everything right away and hoping
[42:32] eating everything right away and hoping for the next year. Gonchan explained,
[42:36] for the next year. Gonchan explained, "If they ate the seeds now, there would
[42:38] "If they ate the seeds now, there would be nothing to plant in the spring, and
[42:40] be nothing to plant in the spring, and next fall there would be famine again.
[42:44] next fall there would be famine again. If they save them, each crop would yield
[42:46] If they save them, each crop would yield more than the last. They listened for
[42:50] more than the last. They listened for the first time. They listened
[42:51] the first time. They listened attentively, not as a Lord's command,
[42:54] attentively, not as a Lord's command, but as the words of a man who had never
[42:57] but as the words of a man who had never once lied. The water in the well was
[43:00] once lied. The water in the well was clear. The dam stood firm. The canals
[43:03] clear. The dam stood firm. The canals were working. The turnups had grown.
[43:07] were working. The turnups had grown. Maybe he was right about the seeds, too.
[43:10] Maybe he was right about the seeds, too. That evening, Hong came to Gonchan's
[43:12] That evening, Hong came to Gonchan's house. He stood at the door. Then he
[43:15] house. He stood at the door. Then he went inside. He said that in the spring
[43:18] went inside. He said that in the spring he had said everyone here would die in
[43:20] he had said everyone here would die in the winter. Gonchan replied that he
[43:23] the winter. Gonchan replied that he remembered. Hong was silent for a
[43:26] remembered. Hong was silent for a moment. Then he said he had come to
[43:28] moment. Then he said he had come to apologize.
[43:30] apologize. Maybe not everyone would die. Gonchan
[43:33] Maybe not everyone would die. Gonchan invited him to sit down and eat some
[43:35] invited him to sit down and eat some porridge. Hong sat down. They ate in
[43:38] porridge. Hong sat down. They ate in silence. It was the first meal Gonchan
[43:41] silence. It was the first meal Gonchan had shared. Not as a lord with a
[43:43] had shared. Not as a lord with a subject, but as one human being with
[43:46] subject, but as one human being with another. Autumn was at the doorstep.
[43:49] another. Autumn was at the doorstep. Winter lay ahead, the hardest time of
[43:52] Winter lay ahead, the hardest time of all. But Hustogun now had water in the
[43:56] all. But Hustogun now had water in the well and in the canals. There were
[43:58] well and in the canals. There were bricks and mortar. There was a repaired
[44:01] bricks and mortar. There was a repaired road. There was grain in the granary.
[44:04] road. There was grain in the granary. And there was a blacksmith who, for the
[44:06] And there was a blacksmith who, for the first time in years, wasn't drinking,
[44:09] first time in years, wasn't drinking, but was building a furnace that would
[44:11] but was building a furnace that would change everything.
[44:13] change everything. Winter struck at the beginning of the
[44:15] Winter struck at the beginning of the 11th month. The wind from the desert
[44:17] 11th month. The wind from the desert turned icy. Temperatures dropped below
[44:20] turned icy. Temperatures dropped below freezing at night. The mud brick houses
[44:23] freezing at night. The mud brick houses froze through and through. People
[44:25] froze through and through. People huddled around the hearths and burned
[44:27] huddled around the hearths and burned anything that would burn. Gonchan knew
[44:29] anything that would burn. Gonchan knew that winter would be harsh. He prepared.
[44:33] that winter would be harsh. He prepared. Two weeks before the first frost, he
[44:35] Two weeks before the first frost, he organized the insulation of the houses.
[44:37] organized the insulation of the houses. The walls were coated with a double
[44:39] The walls were coated with a double layer of clay mortar mixed with straw.
[44:42] layer of clay mortar mixed with straw. The cracks in the roofs were filled with
[44:44] The cracks in the roofs were filled with a mixture of clay and horsehair. The
[44:47] a mixture of clay and horsehair. The doors were hung with heavy hides. 10
[44:49] doors were hung with heavy hides. 10 houses were in such poor condition that
[44:52] houses were in such poor condition that it made no sense to repair them. Gonchan
[44:55] it made no sense to repair them. Gonchan ordered them to be torn down and the
[44:57] ordered them to be torn down and the residents moved into new houses. The new
[45:00] residents moved into new houses. The new houses were simple but sturdy. Brick
[45:03] houses were simple but sturdy. Brick walls set in lime mortar, roofs of logs
[45:07] walls set in lime mortar, roofs of logs and straw, small windows covered with
[45:10] and straw, small windows covered with oiled cloth, a stove in the corner with
[45:13] oiled cloth, a stove in the corner with a chimney leading outside. Each house
[45:17] a chimney leading outside. Each house was built in five days by a crew of 10
[45:21] was built in five days by a crew of 10 men. They managed to build eight houses
[45:24] men. They managed to build eight houses before the snow fell, not 10. The
[45:27] before the snow fell, not 10. The remaining two had to be patched up in a
[45:29] remaining two had to be patched up in a hurry. Gonchan blamed himself. He should
[45:33] hurry. Gonchan blamed himself. He should have started earlier. Food supplies were
[45:36] have started earlier. Food supplies were counted every day. So Hyan kept track
[45:40] counted every day. So Hyan kept track down to the last handful of grain,
[45:42] down to the last handful of grain, turnips, peas, dried radishes, wild
[45:46] turnips, peas, dried radishes, wild onions from the hills, salted fish they
[45:49] onions from the hills, salted fish they managed to trade for four barrels of
[45:52] managed to trade for four barrels of lime from a passing caravan. The caravan
[45:55] lime from a passing caravan. The caravan driver laughed at first. Lime? Who needs
[45:59] driver laughed at first. Lime? Who needs lime in the desert? Then Gonchan showed
[46:02] lime in the desert? Then Gonchan showed him how the mortar bonds the stones. The
[46:05] him how the mortar bonds the stones. The caravan driver stopped laughing and gave
[46:08] caravan driver stopped laughing and gave them the fish, and he promised to return
[46:10] them the fish, and he promised to return in the spring. Every evening, Gonchan
[46:14] in the spring. Every evening, Gonchan sat down with Sohan and did the math.
[46:17] sat down with Sohan and did the math. daily rations, consumption, remaining
[46:20] daily rations, consumption, remaining supply, number of mouths to feed. He
[46:24] supply, number of mouths to feed. He instituted rationing. Every adult
[46:27] instituted rationing. Every adult received two bowls of porridge a day.
[46:29] received two bowls of porridge a day. Children, three. Pregnant and nursing
[46:32] Children, three. Pregnant and nursing women got four. No exceptions. He
[46:35] women got four. No exceptions. He himself ate two bowls. People saw this.
[46:38] himself ate two bowls. People saw this. The Lord eats as much as they do. No
[46:41] The Lord eats as much as they do. No more. That meant more than all his
[46:43] more. That meant more than all his words. By the third week of winter, food
[46:46] words. By the third week of winter, food had become critically scarce. Gonchan
[46:49] had become critically scarce. Gonchan hadn't slept for 3 days. He calculated,
[46:53] hadn't slept for 3 days. He calculated, recalculated, he checked, he looked for
[46:55] recalculated, he checked, he looked for reserves. There were none. He sat over
[46:59] reserves. There were none. He sat over the scrolls, and the numbers blurred
[47:00] the scrolls, and the numbers blurred before his eyes. On the fourth day, So
[47:03] before his eyes. On the fourth day, So Hyan entered the room. Without knocking,
[47:06] Hyan entered the room. Without knocking, as always, she placed a bowl of porridge
[47:09] as always, she placed a bowl of porridge in front of him. Hot. Gonchan looked at
[47:12] in front of him. Hot. Gonchan looked at her. So Hyan didn't leave. She stood
[47:15] her. So Hyan didn't leave. She stood there watching until he picked up a
[47:17] there watching until he picked up a spoon. He ate. The porridge was watery.
[47:21] spoon. He ate. The porridge was watery. There were fewer grains in it than
[47:22] There were fewer grains in it than water, but it was hot. So Hyan sat down
[47:26] water, but it was hot. So Hyan sat down across from him. She said that all three
[47:29] across from him. She said that all three previous lords had fled before winter.
[47:31] previous lords had fled before winter. He was the first to stay behind to
[47:34] He was the first to stay behind to count. Gonchan didn't answer. He
[47:37] count. Gonchan didn't answer. He finished his porridge and went back to
[47:39] finished his porridge and went back to the numbers. In the morning, he found a
[47:42] the numbers. In the morning, he found a solution. Not perfect, but it worked.
[47:45] solution. Not perfect, but it worked. There were fish in the lake behind the
[47:47] There were fish in the lake behind the dam. Not many, small ones, but they were
[47:50] dam. Not many, small ones, but they were there. The Hansu River carried fry from
[47:53] there. The Hansu River carried fry from its headwaters, and they remained in the
[47:55] its headwaters, and they remained in the pond. In two months, they had grown.
[47:58] pond. In two months, they had grown. Gonchan sent out fishermen. There were
[48:00] Gonchan sent out fishermen. There were no fishermen in Hugun. There were
[48:03] no fishermen in Hugun. There were peasants to whom he explained how to
[48:05] peasants to whom he explained how to weave a simple net from plant fibers. It
[48:08] weave a simple net from plant fibers. It took three days to weave. The first cast
[48:11] took three days to weave. The first cast brought in two dozen fish, small ones,
[48:14] brought in two dozen fish, small ones, but it was protein. The second cast
[48:16] but it was protein. The second cast yielded more. By the end of the week,
[48:19] yielded more. By the end of the week, fishing provided an extra ration to go
[48:21] fishing provided an extra ration to go with the porridge. Gonchan also
[48:24] with the porridge. Gonchan also remembered the soybeans. Wild soybeans
[48:26] remembered the soybeans. Wild soybeans grew in the lowlands by the river. He
[48:29] grew in the lowlands by the river. He had seen them in the summer, but hadn't
[48:30] had seen them in the summer, but hadn't paid them any mind. Now the pods had
[48:33] paid them any mind. Now the pods had dried out and stood on their stems. The
[48:36] dried out and stood on their stems. The seeds inside were small, but edible. He
[48:39] seeds inside were small, but edible. He sent the women and children out to
[48:41] sent the women and children out to gather them. In a week they collected
[48:43] gather them. In a week they collected nearly a sackful. Not much, but every
[48:47] nearly a sackful. Not much, but every handful counted. Winter dragged on. The
[48:51] handful counted. Winter dragged on. The days were all the same. Gray skies and
[48:54] days were all the same. Gray skies and icy wind, the smell of smoke from the
[48:57] icy wind, the smell of smoke from the stoves, the crunch of frozen ground
[49:00] stoves, the crunch of frozen ground underfoot.
[49:01] underfoot. Gonchan used the winter months for tasks
[49:03] Gonchan used the winter months for tasks that didn't require working outdoors.
[49:06] that didn't require working outdoors. Teaching. Every evening he gathered
[49:08] Teaching. Every evening he gathered people in the largest house, the very
[49:11] people in the largest house, the very one that had been plastered with lime
[49:12] one that had been plastered with lime mortar. He spoke, he explained, he drew
[49:16] mortar. He spoke, he explained, he drew with a stick on the earthn floor. Topic
[49:20] with a stick on the earthn floor. Topic one, crop rotation. Why you can't plant
[49:23] one, crop rotation. Why you can't plant the same thing in the same field every
[49:25] the same thing in the same field every year. Why you need to alternate grains
[49:28] year. Why you need to alternate grains and legumes. Why one field out of three
[49:31] and legumes. Why one field out of three needs to rest. The farmers listened
[49:33] needs to rest. The farmers listened skeptically. Their grandfathers had
[49:36] skeptically. Their grandfathers had planted wheat in the same field for 30
[49:38] planted wheat in the same field for 30 years straight. Gonchan explained that
[49:41] years straight. Gonchan explained that this was precisely why the harvest were
[49:43] this was precisely why the harvest were getting smaller every year. The soil was
[49:46] getting smaller every year. The soil was being depleted. It needed time and
[49:49] being depleted. It needed time and legumes. The peas they had planted in
[49:52] legumes. The peas they had planted in the summer had already begun to restore
[49:54] the summer had already begun to restore the fields. In the spring, they would
[49:57] the fields. In the spring, they would see the difference.
[49:58] see the difference. Topic two, hygiene. Wash your hands.
[50:02] Topic two, hygiene. Wash your hands. Boil water. Don't relieve yourself near
[50:05] Boil water. Don't relieve yourself near the well. Take waste outside the
[50:07] the well. Take waste outside the village. This topic met with the most
[50:10] village. This topic met with the most resistance. Wash your hands. Why?
[50:14] resistance. Wash your hands. Why? They're already clean. Gonchan didn't
[50:17] They're already clean. Gonchan didn't bother explaining about bacteria.
[50:19] bother explaining about bacteria. Instead, he cited statistics. So, Hyan
[50:22] Instead, he cited statistics. So, Hyan kept records from day one. In homes
[50:25] kept records from day one. In homes where people washed their hands in
[50:26] where people washed their hands in boiled water, they got sick half as
[50:29] boiled water, they got sick half as often. The numbers were more convincing
[50:31] often. The numbers were more convincing than words.
[50:33] than words. Topic three, basics of construction. How
[50:36] Topic three, basics of construction. How to lay bricks, how to mix mortar, how to
[50:39] to lay bricks, how to mix mortar, how to maintain a right angle, how to measure
[50:42] maintain a right angle, how to measure distance in steps. Gonchan was training
[50:45] distance in steps. Gonchan was training future builders. A major construction
[50:48] future builders. A major construction project was coming up in the spring, and
[50:50] project was coming up in the spring, and he would need people who could at least
[50:52] he would need people who could at least keep a wall from collapsing on the third
[50:54] keep a wall from collapsing on the third day. Among the listeners, a young man
[50:57] day. Among the listeners, a young man named So Dao stood out. 20 years old,
[51:01] named So Dao stood out. 20 years old, quiet, but he remembered everything the
[51:04] quiet, but he remembered everything the first time. A week later, he was
[51:06] first time. A week later, he was explaining to the others how to mix
[51:08] explaining to the others how to mix mortar. Two weeks later, he was drawing
[51:11] mortar. Two weeks later, he was drawing building plans on the floor. A bit
[51:13] building plans on the floor. A bit crooked, but correct. Gonchan appointed
[51:17] crooked, but correct. Gonchan appointed him senior apprentice.
[51:19] him senior apprentice. Meanwhile, Thu was building a blast
[51:21] Meanwhile, Thu was building a blast furnace in the smithy all by himself
[51:25] furnace in the smithy all by himself every day. He erected a stone frame and
[51:28] every day. He erected a stone frame and lined it with fire bricks. Gonchan fired
[51:31] lined it with fire bricks. Gonchan fired the fire bricks himself at a higher
[51:33] the fire bricks himself at a higher temperature, adding sand to the clay for
[51:36] temperature, adding sand to the clay for heat resistance. Thausu made the bellows
[51:39] heat resistance. Thausu made the bellows from goat skins and wooden frames. Two
[51:42] from goat skins and wooden frames. Two bellows, pumping them with his hands one
[51:45] bellows, pumping them with his hands one after the other. The air supply was
[51:47] after the other. The air supply was continuous.
[51:49] continuous. The furnace grew meter by meter. Thousu
[51:53] The furnace grew meter by meter. Thousu didn't drink. He barely ate. He worked
[51:56] didn't drink. He barely ate. He worked from dawn till dusk. His eyes burned
[51:59] from dawn till dusk. His eyes burned with a fire that had nothing to do with
[52:01] with a fire that had nothing to do with alcohol. It was the fire of a master who
[52:04] alcohol. It was the fire of a master who had waited 20 years for a real
[52:07] had waited 20 years for a real challenge. By mid-inter, the furnace was
[52:10] challenge. By mid-inter, the furnace was almost ready. There wasn't enough ore.
[52:14] almost ready. There wasn't enough ore. Mining in the hills was impossible in
[52:16] Mining in the hills was impossible in winter. The ground was frozen solid.
[52:19] winter. The ground was frozen solid. There weren't enough tools. Thalsu paced
[52:22] There weren't enough tools. Thalsu paced around the furnace like a hungry dog
[52:24] around the furnace like a hungry dog circling a bowl. He waited for spring.
[52:27] circling a bowl. He waited for spring. The hound waited with him. He knew that
[52:30] The hound waited with him. He knew that the first smelting would change
[52:32] the first smelting would change everything. Steel isn't just a metal.
[52:35] everything. Steel isn't just a metal. Steel is plows that cut twice as deep
[52:38] Steel is plows that cut twice as deep into the earth. Axes that chop twice as
[52:40] into the earth. Axes that chop twice as fast. Saws, hammers, nails. Every steel
[52:45] fast. Saws, hammers, nails. Every steel tool increases productivity tenfold.
[52:48] tool increases productivity tenfold. And steel is also a weapon. But it's too
[52:52] And steel is also a weapon. But it's too early to think about that. Winter was
[52:55] early to think about that. Winter was past its midpoint. The darkest days, the
[52:58] past its midpoint. The darkest days, the coldest nights. Two old men died, one
[53:01] coldest nights. Two old men died, one from the cold, the other from lung
[53:04] from the cold, the other from lung disease. Gonchan attended the funerals.
[53:07] disease. Gonchan attended the funerals. He didn't know their names when they
[53:08] He didn't know their names when they were alive. So Hyan knew. She named
[53:12] were alive. So Hyan knew. She named them. Park Yon Su, 73 years old, a
[53:16] them. Park Yon Su, 73 years old, a former farmer. Kim Bonhi, 68 years old,
[53:20] former farmer. Kim Bonhi, 68 years old, a widow. Gonchan remembered. The next
[53:24] a widow. Gonchan remembered. The next day, he ordered a warm room to be set up
[53:26] day, he ordered a warm room to be set up for the elderly and the sick. An entire
[53:29] for the elderly and the sick. An entire house was set aside for this purpose.
[53:31] house was set aside for this purpose. The stove was stoked around the clock.
[53:34] The stove was stoked around the clock. There was always hot water to drink.
[53:36] There was always hot water to drink. Guards kept watch over the fire. No more
[53:39] Guards kept watch over the fire. No more elderly people died that winter.
[53:43] elderly people died that winter. Spring arrived at the beginning of the
[53:44] Spring arrived at the beginning of the second month. Slowly, first the wind
[53:48] second month. Slowly, first the wind grew warmer. Then the snow began to
[53:50] grew warmer. Then the snow began to melt. The ground softened. Green shoots
[53:53] melt. The ground softened. Green shoots emerged from beneath the brown grass.
[53:56] emerged from beneath the brown grass. The river swelled with meltwater. The
[53:58] The river swelled with meltwater. The dam filled to the brim. The spillway was
[54:01] dam filled to the brim. The spillway was working. The excess water flowed out
[54:03] working. The excess water flowed out through the chute and did not flood the
[54:05] through the chute and did not flood the village. Gonchan stood on the crest of
[54:08] village. Gonchan stood on the crest of the dam and looked out at the lake.
[54:11] the dam and looked out at the lake. full, glistening in the spring sun.
[54:14] full, glistening in the spring sun. Behind him lay the village that had
[54:16] Behind him lay the village that had survived the winter. 3,123
[54:20] survived the winter. 3,123 people. They'd lost two. They could have
[54:23] people. They'd lost two. They could have lost hundreds. He turned to Soon, who
[54:26] lost hundreds. He turned to Soon, who was standing nearby with a journal in
[54:28] was standing nearby with a journal in her hands. He asked how much grain was
[54:30] her hands. He asked how much grain was left. She looked at her notes. 12 sacks,
[54:34] left. She looked at her notes. 12 sacks, enough for a week. But in 3 weeks, the
[54:38] enough for a week. But in 3 weeks, the first spring planting would begin. And
[54:40] first spring planting would begin. And in two months, the first real harvest.
[54:43] in two months, the first real harvest. They exchanged glances. Both smiled.
[54:46] They exchanged glances. Both smiled. Hosagon had survived its first winter.
[54:49] Hosagon had survived its first winter. Now the real work began. Spring arrived
[54:53] Now the real work began. Spring arrived quickly. The snow melted in 10 days. The
[54:56] quickly. The snow melted in 10 days. The ground dried out. Gonchan didn't waste a
[54:59] ground dried out. Gonchan didn't waste a single day. On the morning of the first
[55:02] single day. On the morning of the first dry day, he led everyone able to work
[55:04] dry day, he led everyone able to work out into the fields. The spring sewing
[55:07] out into the fields. The spring sewing was nothing like that emergency summer
[55:09] was nothing like that emergency summer sewing. Now Gonchan had a plan. Three
[55:12] sewing. Now Gonchan had a plan. Three fields. The first was sewn with wheat,
[55:15] fields. The first was sewn with wheat, the second with peas and beans. The
[55:18] the second with peas and beans. The third was leftow. Goats and oxen were
[55:21] third was leftow. Goats and oxen were driven onto the field. Their manure
[55:24] driven onto the field. Their manure would serve as fertilizer. A year later,
[55:26] would serve as fertilizer. A year later, the fields would switch places. a
[55:29] the fields would switch places. a classic three- field crop rotation that
[55:32] classic three- field crop rotation that had been practiced for 2,000 years in
[55:34] had been practiced for 2,000 years in his former world. Here they didn't know
[55:36] his former world. Here they didn't know it. Here they planted the same crop on
[55:39] it. Here they planted the same crop on the same field until the soil turned to
[55:42] the same field until the soil turned to dust. Then they abandoned the field and
[55:45] dust. Then they abandoned the field and cleared a new one.
[55:47] cleared a new one. If there was anything to clear in Hogun,
[55:50] If there was anything to clear in Hogun, there was nothing to clear. That's why
[55:52] there was nothing to clear. That's why the harvest fell every year. That's why
[55:55] the harvest fell every year. That's why there was famine. That's why there was
[55:57] there was famine. That's why there was death.
[55:58] death. Gonchan marked out the plots with
[56:00] Gonchan marked out the plots with stakes. He explained the planting scheme
[56:03] stakes. He explained the planting scheme to the foremen. He showed them the depth
[56:05] to the foremen. He showed them the depth of the furrows, the distance between
[56:07] of the furrows, the distance between rows, the seeding rate. The peasants
[56:10] rows, the seeding rate. The peasants worked with confidence. Over the winter,
[56:12] worked with confidence. Over the winter, they had grown accustomed to listening
[56:14] they had grown accustomed to listening to his explanations, and most
[56:17] to his explanations, and most importantly, they saw the results. The
[56:20] importantly, they saw the results. The summer turnups had grown. The winter
[56:22] summer turnups had grown. The winter peas had produced pods. The canals were
[56:25] peas had produced pods. The canals were working. The well provided clean water.
[56:28] working. The well provided clean water. This strange lord who read burnt books
[56:31] This strange lord who read burnt books had not made a single mistake so far.
[56:34] had not made a single mistake so far. Alongside the sewing, Gonchan launched
[56:36] Alongside the sewing, Gonchan launched ore mining. Thalsu had been waiting for
[56:39] ore mining. Thalsu had been waiting for this moment all winter. He personally
[56:42] this moment all winter. He personally led a brigade of 20 men to the eastern
[56:44] led a brigade of 20 men to the eastern hills. Brown iron ore came to the
[56:47] hills. Brown iron ore came to the surface in layers, loose, rustcoled.
[56:51] surface in layers, loose, rustcoled. They chipped away at it with pickaxes
[56:52] They chipped away at it with pickaxes and loaded it into baskets. In a week
[56:55] and loaded it into baskets. In a week they hauled in 200 poos. Not much, but
[56:59] they hauled in 200 poos. Not much, but enough for the first smelting. They
[57:02] enough for the first smelting. They burned the ore in pits north of the
[57:04] burned the ore in pits north of the village. They felled dry trees, chopped
[57:07] village. They felled dry trees, chopped them into logs, stacked them in a cone
[57:09] them into logs, stacked them in a cone in the pit, covered them with turf, set
[57:12] in the pit, covered them with turf, set them a light from below. The smoke
[57:14] them a light from below. The smoke billowed for 3 days. On the fourth day,
[57:18] billowed for 3 days. On the fourth day, they opened the pit. Black chunks of
[57:20] they opened the pit. Black chunks of coal, light and crisp. Falsu picked up a
[57:24] coal, light and crisp. Falsu picked up a piece and sniffed it. He smiled. Good
[57:27] piece and sniffed it. He smiled. Good coal. Hot. The first smelting took place
[57:31] coal. Hot. The first smelting took place in the middle of the third month.
[57:33] in the middle of the third month. Gonchan came to the furnace at dawn.
[57:35] Gonchan came to the furnace at dawn. Falsu was already there. He hadn't slept
[57:38] Falsu was already there. He hadn't slept all night. He checked the masonry,
[57:41] all night. He checked the masonry, cleaned the nozzle, adjusted the
[57:43] cleaned the nozzle, adjusted the bellows. The loading was done in layers.
[57:46] bellows. The loading was done in layers. coal or limestone as flux. Coal again
[57:51] coal or limestone as flux. Coal again ore again. They filled the furnace to
[57:54] ore again. They filled the furnace to the brim. Falsu lit the fire. Two
[57:57] the brim. Falsu lit the fire. Two assistants began pumping the bellows one
[58:00] assistants began pumping the bellows one after the other. Left, right, left,
[58:03] after the other. Left, right, left, right. Air flowed continuously. The
[58:07] right. Air flowed continuously. The flames roared. The temperature rose. One
[58:11] flames roared. The temperature rose. One hour, two three. The furnace hummed. The
[58:16] hour, two three. The furnace hummed. The stones glowed red hot, then white hot.
[58:20] stones glowed red hot, then white hot. The heat was so intense that it was
[58:22] The heat was so intense that it was impossible to stand closer than three
[58:24] impossible to stand closer than three steps away. Thalsu stood two steps away.
[58:28] steps away. Thalsu stood two steps away. His face glistened with sweat. His eyes
[58:31] His face glistened with sweat. His eyes never left the outlet at the bottom of
[58:33] never left the outlet at the bottom of the furnace. At 5:00, something began to
[58:36] the furnace. At 5:00, something began to flow from the opening. First slag, gray,
[58:41] flow from the opening. First slag, gray, lightweight, glassy. Thalsu guided it
[58:44] lightweight, glassy. Thalsu guided it aside with a clay trough. Then from
[58:47] aside with a clay trough. Then from beneath the slag, metal appeared, white,
[58:51] beneath the slag, metal appeared, white, blinding, liquid. It flowed slowly like
[58:55] blinding, liquid. It flowed slowly like honey. It dripped into a stone mold
[58:58] honey. It dripped into a stone mold lined with wet sand. Thalsu stood and
[59:02] lined with wet sand. Thalsu stood and watched. His hands hung at his sides.
[59:05] watched. His hands hung at his sides. His lips trembled. Tears streamed down
[59:08] His lips trembled. Tears streamed down his cheeks. He was crying. This huge man
[59:12] his cheeks. He was crying. This huge man who had been hammering bronze for 20
[59:14] who had been hammering bronze for 20 years and considered himself useless
[59:17] years and considered himself useless stood by the furnace and wept as he
[59:20] stood by the furnace and wept as he watched the first smelting of his life.
[59:23] watched the first smelting of his life. Gonchan stood behind him and said
[59:25] Gonchan stood behind him and said nothing. He knew what this moment meant.
[59:29] nothing. He knew what this moment meant. Not for Hogun, for Thaloo personally. 20
[59:34] Not for Hogun, for Thaloo personally. 20 wasted years had just found meaning. The
[59:37] wasted years had just found meaning. The cast iron cooled for 2 hours. Then
[59:40] cast iron cooled for 2 hours. Then Thalsu pulled it out of the mold. Gray,
[59:43] Thalsu pulled it out of the mold. Gray, heavy, fragile. It wasn't steel yet.
[59:48] heavy, fragile. It wasn't steel yet. Cast iron. Too much carbon. Gonchan
[59:51] Cast iron. Too much carbon. Gonchan explained the next step. Refiring in an
[59:54] explained the next step. Refiring in an open furnace with air blowing through
[59:56] open furnace with air blowing through it. Oxygen burns off the excess carbon.
[01:00:00] it. Oxygen burns off the excess carbon. Cast iron becomes steel. Thu listened
[01:00:03] Cast iron becomes steel. Thu listened intently. He nodded. He memorized it.
[01:00:07] intently. He nodded. He memorized it. The next day he loaded the cast iron
[01:00:09] The next day he loaded the cast iron pieces into the furnace. He pumped the
[01:00:12] pieces into the furnace. He pumped the bellows. He began the blowing. Gonchan
[01:00:16] bellows. He began the blowing. Gonchan watched temperature, time, the color of
[01:00:20] watched temperature, time, the color of the metal. When the cast iron turned
[01:00:22] the metal. When the cast iron turned cherry red, Thalsu snatched it out with
[01:00:25] cherry red, Thalsu snatched it out with tongs and began to forge it. The hammer
[01:00:28] tongs and began to forge it. The hammer crashed down on the red hot ingot.
[01:00:30] crashed down on the red hot ingot. Sparks flew in all directions. A blow.
[01:00:34] Sparks flew in all directions. A blow. Another blow. Another thu hammered like
[01:00:38] Another blow. Another thu hammered like a man possessed. He turned it over,
[01:00:41] a man possessed. He turned it over, folded it, hammered it again. The metal
[01:00:44] folded it, hammered it again. The metal changed under his hands. It became
[01:00:46] changed under his hands. It became denser, brighter, ringier. An hour
[01:00:50] denser, brighter, ringier. An hour later, a strip of steel lay on the
[01:00:52] later, a strip of steel lay on the anvil. Thu picked it up. He tried to
[01:00:55] anvil. Thu picked it up. He tried to bend it. The strip sprang back and
[01:00:58] bend it. The strip sprang back and returned to its original position. He
[01:01:00] returned to its original position. He ran his finger along the edge. He raised
[01:01:03] ran his finger along the edge. He raised his head and looked at Gonchan. He said
[01:01:05] his head and looked at Gonchan. He said one word, "Seal."
[01:01:09] one word, "Seal." Gonchan nodded. "Steel."
[01:01:12] Gonchan nodded. "Steel." The news spread through the village
[01:01:14] The news spread through the village within an hour. The blacksmith had
[01:01:16] within an hour. The blacksmith had forged iron from stones from the hills.
[01:01:19] forged iron from stones from the hills. People came to the smithy and stood
[01:01:20] People came to the smithy and stood watching. Thalsu paid them no mind. He
[01:01:24] watching. Thalsu paid them no mind. He was already making plans. The first
[01:01:26] was already making plans. The first items should not be weapons. Gonchan had
[01:01:29] items should not be weapons. Gonchan had made that clear in advance. The first
[01:01:31] made that clear in advance. The first items would be tools. a steel plow, a
[01:01:35] items would be tools. a steel plow, a steel axe, a steel saw, steel nails.
[01:01:39] steel axe, a steel saw, steel nails. Each such tool replaced three iron ones
[01:01:42] Each such tool replaced three iron ones and 10 bronze ones. A steel plow cut
[01:01:46] and 10 bronze ones. A steel plow cut deeper into the earth. It turned over a
[01:01:48] deeper into the earth. It turned over a thicker layer of soil. The furrow was
[01:01:51] thicker layer of soil. The furrow was smoother. A single peasant with a steel
[01:01:53] smoother. A single peasant with a steel plow could plow as much in a day as
[01:01:56] plow could plow as much in a day as three with wooden ones. Thalsu forged
[01:01:58] three with wooden ones. Thalsu forged plows first, 10 of them in two weeks.
[01:02:02] plows first, 10 of them in two weeks. Gonchan distributed them among the
[01:02:04] Gonchan distributed them among the teams. Plowing for the second crop went
[01:02:07] teams. Plowing for the second crop went three times faster. The farmers stroke
[01:02:10] three times faster. The farmers stroke the steel blades and shook their heads
[01:02:11] the steel blades and shook their heads in amazement. One elderly farmer said
[01:02:14] in amazement. One elderly farmer said that in the province of Chungha, only
[01:02:16] that in the province of Chungha, only the lord's personal farmers had such
[01:02:18] the lord's personal farmers had such plows. But here in Dusty Pit, every work
[01:02:22] plows. But here in Dusty Pit, every work crew had one. Next came the axes. A
[01:02:26] crew had one. Next came the axes. A steel axe felled a tree in 20 minutes
[01:02:28] steel axe felled a tree in 20 minutes that would have taken half a day to chop
[01:02:30] that would have taken half a day to chop with a bronze one. Timber harvesting
[01:02:32] with a bronze one. Timber harvesting sped up exponentially. Logs for
[01:02:35] sped up exponentially. Logs for construction, firewood for the winter,
[01:02:37] construction, firewood for the winter, coal for the furnace. All of this
[01:02:40] coal for the furnace. All of this required wood, and steel axes made wood
[01:02:42] required wood, and steel axes made wood accessible. Then saws, then nails, then
[01:02:46] accessible. Then saws, then nails, then shovels with steel blades. Each new tool
[01:02:49] shovels with steel blades. Each new tool opened up new possibilities. With nails
[01:02:52] opened up new possibilities. With nails and saws, it was possible to build
[01:02:54] and saws, it was possible to build wooden frames. With shovels, digging was
[01:02:57] wooden frames. With shovels, digging was faster. With axes, they could chop wood.
[01:03:00] faster. With axes, they could chop wood. Hassogun began to change before our
[01:03:02] Hassogun began to change before our eyes. Gonchan used the spring for
[01:03:05] eyes. Gonchan used the spring for large-scale construction. He divided the
[01:03:07] large-scale construction. He divided the work into three areas. First, housing.
[01:03:12] work into three areas. First, housing. New brick houses for all residents. Not
[01:03:15] New brick houses for all residents. Not 10, not 20, for everyone. A standard
[01:03:19] 10, not 20, for everyone. A standard design. Four walls of fired brick, a
[01:03:22] design. Four walls of fired brick, a stone foundation, a roof of logs and
[01:03:25] stone foundation, a roof of logs and tiles. Yes, tiles. Gonchan launched the
[01:03:29] tiles. Yes, tiles. Gonchan launched the production of clay tiles in the same
[01:03:31] production of clay tiles in the same kiln that fired the bricks. The shapes
[01:03:33] kiln that fired the bricks. The shapes were simple. Flat tiles with a curved
[01:03:36] were simple. Flat tiles with a curved edge. Firing made them waterproof. A
[01:03:39] edge. Firing made them waterproof. A house with a tiled roof didn't leak,
[01:03:41] house with a tiled roof didn't leak, didn't rot, didn't catch fire from an
[01:03:43] didn't rot, didn't catch fire from an accidental spark. Dal oversaw the
[01:03:46] accidental spark. Dal oversaw the construction. Over the winter, he'd
[01:03:48] construction. Over the winter, he'd mastered the basics and now commanded a
[01:03:51] mastered the basics and now commanded a crew of 30 men. They built two houses a
[01:03:54] crew of 30 men. They built two houses a week. Brick walls rose row by row,
[01:03:57] week. Brick walls rose row by row, straight, neat. Dal turned out to be a
[01:04:00] straight, neat. Dal turned out to be a perfectionist. He checked every joint.
[01:04:03] perfectionist. He checked every joint. He repositioned bricks that had been
[01:04:05] He repositioned bricks that had been laid crookedly. His crew grumbled, but
[01:04:08] laid crookedly. His crew grumbled, but the walls stood flawlessly.
[01:04:10] the walls stood flawlessly. The second project, the bridge. The
[01:04:13] The second project, the bridge. The Hansu River divided the Hassogun
[01:04:15] Hansu River divided the Hassogun territory in half. People lived on the
[01:04:18] territory in half. People lived on the south bank. The north bank held pastures
[01:04:20] south bank. The north bank held pastures and forest. They crossed by waiting. In
[01:04:24] and forest. They crossed by waiting. In spring and fall, when the water rose,
[01:04:26] spring and fall, when the water rose, crossing was impossible. The livestock
[01:04:29] crossing was impossible. The livestock on the north bank was left unattended.
[01:04:32] on the north bank was left unattended. People drowned. Not often, but one
[01:04:35] People drowned. Not often, but one person every year. Gonchan was building
[01:04:38] person every year. Gonchan was building an arch bridge, a single span, a stone
[01:04:41] an arch bridge, a single span, a stone arch. The river was 18 m wide at the
[01:04:45] arch. The river was 18 m wide at the chosen spot. The arch was 6 m high, high
[01:04:48] chosen spot. The arch was 6 m high, high enough for water to pass under the
[01:04:50] enough for water to pass under the bridge even during high water. He built
[01:04:53] bridge even during high water. He built the arch on wooden formwork. It was the
[01:04:56] the arch on wooden formwork. It was the only structure in his life where he
[01:04:58] only structure in his life where he could apply his professional skills
[01:05:00] could apply his professional skills directly. Formwork for an arch was what
[01:05:03] directly. Formwork for an arch was what he had been taught at university. Load
[01:05:06] he had been taught at university. Load calculations, the thickness of the arch,
[01:05:08] calculations, the thickness of the arch, the size of the wedge-shaped stones, the
[01:05:10] the size of the wedge-shaped stones, the keystone at the top. He explained every
[01:05:14] keystone at the top. He explained every step to the masons. The stones for the
[01:05:16] step to the masons. The stones for the arch had to be cut into wedges. The wide
[01:05:19] arch had to be cut into wedges. The wide part facing outward, the narrow part
[01:05:22] part facing outward, the narrow part facing inward. When the arch closes,
[01:05:25] facing inward. When the arch closes, each stone will press against the one
[01:05:27] each stone will press against the one next to it, and the entire structure
[01:05:29] next to it, and the entire structure will become stronger under load. This is
[01:05:32] will become stronger under load. This is counterintuitive. Weight makes the arch
[01:05:35] counterintuitive. Weight makes the arch stronger. The Masons didn't believe it.
[01:05:38] stronger. The Masons didn't believe it. How could weight make something
[01:05:40] How could weight make something stronger? Gonchan demonstrated with his
[01:05:42] stronger? Gonchan demonstrated with his fingers. He folded his hands into a
[01:05:45] fingers. He folded his hands into a house shape. He pressed down from above.
[01:05:48] house shape. He pressed down from above. His hands didn't spread apart. On the
[01:05:50] His hands didn't spread apart. On the contrary, they squeezed tighter. An arch
[01:05:54] contrary, they squeezed tighter. An arch works the same way. Building the bridge
[01:05:57] works the same way. Building the bridge took 6 weeks. When the formwork was
[01:06:00] took 6 weeks. When the formwork was removed, everyone froze. They expected
[01:06:03] removed, everyone froze. They expected it to collapse. The arch stood firm.
[01:06:07] it to collapse. The arch stood firm. Gonchan was the first to walk across it
[01:06:10] Gonchan was the first to walk across it alone. Then he stood in the middle and
[01:06:13] alone. Then he stood in the middle and jumped. The stone didn't budge. The rest
[01:06:16] jumped. The stone didn't budge. The rest followed him carefully. Then more
[01:06:19] followed him carefully. Then more boldly. Then they drove an ox with a
[01:06:22] boldly. Then they drove an ox with a loaded cart across. The bridge held
[01:06:26] loaded cart across. The bridge held third direction. The road. The section
[01:06:29] third direction. The road. The section they repaired in the fall survived the
[01:06:31] they repaired in the fall survived the winter without a single pothole. Gonchan
[01:06:34] winter without a single pothole. Gonchan expanded the work. 30 men continued
[01:06:37] expanded the work. 30 men continued paving the road toward Volona. crushed
[01:06:40] paving the road toward Volona. crushed stone, lime mixture, tamping. Every day
[01:06:44] stone, lime mixture, tamping. Every day the road grew by 200 m. By summer,
[01:06:48] the road grew by 200 m. By summer, Ganchchan expected to extend the good
[01:06:50] Ganchchan expected to extend the good road to the intersection 40 Lee from
[01:06:52] road to the intersection 40 Lee from Hassogun. There it joined the Imperial
[01:06:55] Hassogun. There it joined the Imperial Highway and the Imperial Highway led to
[01:06:58] Highway and the Imperial Highway led to Volen and on to Chonggh and on to the
[01:07:02] Volen and on to Chonggh and on to the capital. A road is a blood vessel.
[01:07:05] capital. A road is a blood vessel. Without it, a city is dead. With it, it
[01:07:09] Without it, a city is dead. With it, it lives. The spring harvest confirmed
[01:07:11] lives. The spring harvest confirmed everything Gonchan had promised. The
[01:07:14] everything Gonchan had promised. The wheat field yielded one and a half times
[01:07:16] wheat field yielded one and a half times more than it had before. The pea field
[01:07:19] more than it had before. The pea field enriched the soil with nitrogen. Theow
[01:07:22] enriched the soil with nitrogen. Theow field, after the goats had grazed there,
[01:07:24] field, after the goats had grazed there, was ready for the next season. The
[01:07:27] was ready for the next season. The peasants stood at the edge of the field
[01:07:29] peasants stood at the edge of the field and looked at the wheat, thick, tall.
[01:07:33] and looked at the wheat, thick, tall. The heavy ears of grain bent toward the
[01:07:36] The heavy ears of grain bent toward the ground. They had never seen anything
[01:07:39] ground. They had never seen anything like this before. One old man said that
[01:07:42] like this before. One old man said that his grandfather had told him about the
[01:07:44] his grandfather had told him about the harvests in Chonggh. He said that there
[01:07:47] harvests in Chonggh. He said that there the wheat stood like a wall. The old man
[01:07:50] the wheat stood like a wall. The old man had thought it was just a fairy tale.
[01:07:53] had thought it was just a fairy tale. Now it stood like a wall here in dusty
[01:07:57] Now it stood like a wall here in dusty pit. But Hogun was no longer dusty pit.
[01:08:02] pit. But Hogun was no longer dusty pit. Brick houses, clean water, a bridge
[01:08:04] Brick houses, clean water, a bridge across the river, a road, steel. People
[01:08:08] across the river, a road, steel. People walked straighter. They looked more
[01:08:10] walked straighter. They looked more confident. Children played instead of
[01:08:12] confident. Children played instead of wandering around with empty eyes. Women
[01:08:14] wandering around with empty eyes. Women wash clothes in clean water from the
[01:08:16] wash clothes in clean water from the canals instead of in the murky river
[01:08:19] canals instead of in the murky river backwater. Men worked with steel tools
[01:08:22] backwater. Men worked with steel tools and accomplished in a day what used to
[01:08:24] and accomplished in a day what used to take a week. Gonchan stood on the bridge
[01:08:27] take a week. Gonchan stood on the bridge and watched it all. 5 months since his
[01:08:30] and watched it all. 5 months since his arrival. A well, the furnace, the dam,
[01:08:33] arrival. A well, the furnace, the dam, the canals, bricks, mortar, the road,
[01:08:37] the canals, bricks, mortar, the road, steel, the bridge, roof tiles, crop
[01:08:40] steel, the bridge, roof tiles, crop rotation. Every step led to the next.
[01:08:44] rotation. Every step led to the next. Every innovation opened the door to
[01:08:46] Every innovation opened the door to three others. This is called a
[01:08:48] three others. This is called a technological cascade. One invention
[01:08:51] technological cascade. One invention makes 10 possible. But Gonchan knew the
[01:08:54] makes 10 possible. But Gonchan knew the flip side as well. Every success
[01:08:57] flip side as well. Every success attracted attention, and attention in
[01:08:59] attracted attention, and attention in this world meant danger. The first
[01:09:02] this world meant danger. The first merchants from Volona appeared at the
[01:09:04] merchants from Volona appeared at the beginning of summer. They were three
[01:09:06] beginning of summer. They were three merchants, the man trading house from
[01:09:08] merchants, the man trading house from Volona. The eldest of them, a stout man
[01:09:11] Volona. The eldest of them, a stout man named Mundego, rode a mule. Two
[01:09:14] named Mundego, rode a mule. Two assistants walked behind a cart loaded
[01:09:16] assistants walked behind a cart loaded with goods. They had heard about Hugun
[01:09:19] with goods. They had heard about Hugun from the very same caravan driver who
[01:09:21] from the very same caravan driver who had traded salted fish for lime that
[01:09:23] had traded salted fish for lime that winter. The caravan driver spoke of a
[01:09:26] winter. The caravan driver spoke of a mortar that bonds stones together
[01:09:28] mortar that bonds stones together tightly, of bricks as resonant as bells,
[01:09:31] tightly, of bricks as resonant as bells, of water as clear as a mountain stream.
[01:09:34] of water as clear as a mountain stream. No one believed him. But Mundo became a
[01:09:37] No one believed him. But Mundo became a merchant not because he believed rumors,
[01:09:40] merchant not because he believed rumors, but because he verified them. He drove
[01:09:42] but because he verified them. He drove along the new road and grew suspicious
[01:09:45] along the new road and grew suspicious even then. Smooth, solid, not a single
[01:09:49] even then. Smooth, solid, not a single pothole. He had only seen roads like
[01:09:51] pothole. He had only seen roads like this in the capital province. When he
[01:09:54] this in the capital province. When he entered Hugan, he stopped his mule and
[01:09:56] entered Hugan, he stopped his mule and sat motionless for a minute. Brick
[01:09:58] sat motionless for a minute. Brick houses, tile roofs, a stone bridge
[01:10:02] houses, tile roofs, a stone bridge across the river, water channels running
[01:10:04] across the river, water channels running from the lake to the fields, and people,
[01:10:07] from the lake to the fields, and people, not the gaunt, ragged peasants he
[01:10:10] not the gaunt, ragged peasants he remembered from two years ago. Normal,
[01:10:12] remembered from two years ago. Normal, well-fed, working. Mundo had been a
[01:10:15] well-fed, working. Mundo had been a merchant for 30 years. He had seen many
[01:10:19] merchant for 30 years. He had seen many towns. He knew the smell of poverty and
[01:10:21] towns. He knew the smell of poverty and the stink of wealth. Hosagon smelled of
[01:10:25] the stink of wealth. Hosagon smelled of work, fresh clay, hot iron, smoke from
[01:10:29] work, fresh clay, hot iron, smoke from the smithy, bread from the ovens.
[01:10:32] the smithy, bread from the ovens. Gonchan received the merchants in a
[01:10:34] Gonchan received the merchants in a house that no longer looked like a
[01:10:36] house that no longer looked like a village headman's hut. The walls were
[01:10:38] village headman's hut. The walls were lined with brick. The floor was wooden.
[01:10:41] lined with brick. The floor was wooden. The table and chairs were knocked
[01:10:43] The table and chairs were knocked together from planained boards. On the
[01:10:46] together from planained boards. On the table stood a clay teapot and cups,
[01:10:49] table stood a clay teapot and cups, simple but neat. Mundil sat down and
[01:10:52] simple but neat. Mundil sat down and looked around. He looked at the walls,
[01:10:55] looked around. He looked at the walls, at the ceiling, at the window covered
[01:10:57] at the ceiling, at the window covered with oiled cloth. Then he looked at
[01:11:00] with oiled cloth. Then he looked at Gonchan, a 19-year-old boy, thin, pale,
[01:11:05] Gonchan, a 19-year-old boy, thin, pale, the Duke's fourth son, the very one the
[01:11:09] the Duke's fourth son, the very one the courters called an empty vessel.
[01:11:12] courters called an empty vessel. Digle asked directly what the Lord
[01:11:14] Digle asked directly what the Lord wanted to sell. Gonchan replied that he
[01:11:17] wanted to sell. Gonchan replied that he didn't want to sell but to buy. Digle
[01:11:20] didn't want to sell but to buy. Digle raised an eyebrow. People usually come
[01:11:23] raised an eyebrow. People usually come to the seller to buy, not the other way
[01:11:25] to the seller to buy, not the other way around. Gonchan explained he needed
[01:11:29] around. Gonchan explained he needed seeds, flax, cotton, oil seeds. He
[01:11:33] seeds, flax, cotton, oil seeds. He needed hides, cow and pig.
[01:11:37] needed hides, cow and pig. He needed copper ore and tin and salt
[01:11:40] He needed copper ore and tin and salt peter if available. Deagle listened and
[01:11:43] peter if available. Deagle listened and did the math in his head. Everything the
[01:11:46] did the math in his head. Everything the young lord had listed was worth a pretty
[01:11:48] young lord had listed was worth a pretty penny. He asked how Hugun intended to
[01:11:51] penny. He asked how Hugun intended to pay. Annual income of 200 gold pieces,
[01:11:55] pay. Annual income of 200 gold pieces, debt of 4,000.
[01:11:57] debt of 4,000. Where would the money come from? Gonchin
[01:12:00] Where would the money come from? Gonchin stood up. He asked the merchant to come
[01:12:02] stood up. He asked the merchant to come with him. They went out. Gonchin led him
[01:12:05] with him. They went out. Gonchin led him to the smithy. Thalsu was working. The
[01:12:08] to the smithy. Thalsu was working. The hammer clanged. Sparks flew. Finished
[01:12:11] hammer clanged. Sparks flew. Finished items hung on a rack by the wall. Steel
[01:12:14] items hung on a rack by the wall. Steel knives, steel plowshare tips, steel
[01:12:17] knives, steel plowshare tips, steel axes, steel nails in a wooden box.
[01:12:20] axes, steel nails in a wooden box. Deagle took a knife. He turned it over
[01:12:23] Deagle took a knife. He turned it over in his hands. He tested the blade with
[01:12:26] in his hands. He tested the blade with his finger. He pulled his hand back. He
[01:12:28] his finger. He pulled his hand back. He ran it along a hair on his wrist. The
[01:12:31] ran it along a hair on his wrist. The hair split. Deagle put the knife back
[01:12:34] hair split. Deagle put the knife back slowly. His face changed. The mask of
[01:12:38] slowly. His face changed. The mask of the good-natured fat man vanished.
[01:12:41] the good-natured fat man vanished. Beneath it was a calculating predator
[01:12:44] Beneath it was a calculating predator with 30 years of experience. He asked
[01:12:47] with 30 years of experience. He asked how many such knives the blacksmith
[01:12:49] how many such knives the blacksmith could make in a month. Gonchan replied
[01:12:52] could make in a month. Gonchan replied that currently 20. In 6 months when the
[01:12:55] that currently 20. In 6 months when the second furnace was ready, 100. Teil fell
[01:12:58] second furnace was ready, 100. Teil fell silent. A steel knife of this quality
[01:13:01] silent. A steel knife of this quality cost 15 silver pieces at the Volsen
[01:13:04] cost 15 silver pieces at the Volsen market. That's half the price of capital
[01:13:06] market. That's half the price of capital steel, and the quality is better. He'd
[01:13:09] steel, and the quality is better. He'd seen capital steel. It couldn't cut a
[01:13:11] seen capital steel. It couldn't cut a hair. This one could. He offered a
[01:13:14] hair. This one could. He offered a contract. The man trading house would
[01:13:16] contract. The man trading house would take on the supply of all the materials
[01:13:19] take on the supply of all the materials the Hassogun needed. In return, it would
[01:13:22] the Hassogun needed. In return, it would receive exclusive rights to sell steel
[01:13:24] receive exclusive rights to sell steel products in Volona. Gonchan shook his
[01:13:27] products in Volona. Gonchan shook his head. No exclusives. He explained the
[01:13:30] head. No exclusives. He explained the terms. The man trading house would
[01:13:32] terms. The man trading house would receive priority. The first shipment
[01:13:35] receive priority. The first shipment would always go to them, but other
[01:13:37] would always go to them, but other merchants could buy as well, a free
[01:13:39] merchants could buy as well, a free market. Competition lowers prices and
[01:13:41] market. Competition lowers prices and increases volumes. Degill frowned. He
[01:13:45] increases volumes. Degill frowned. He was used to exclusivity. That's how
[01:13:47] was used to exclusivity. That's how trade worked in the empire. One
[01:13:49] trade worked in the empire. One supplier, one buyer, a monopoly, a
[01:13:52] supplier, one buyer, a monopoly, a markup. Gonchan offered him something
[01:13:54] markup. Gonchan offered him something else. Instead of a sales monopoly, he's
[01:13:58] else. Instead of a sales monopoly, he's giving Deagle a transportation monopoly.
[01:14:01] giving Deagle a transportation monopoly. The man trading house becomes the
[01:14:03] The man trading house becomes the shogun's official carrier. All goods go
[01:14:06] shogun's official carrier. All goods go through it. A fixed rate for
[01:14:09] through it. A fixed rate for transportation.
[01:14:10] transportation. Volumes will grow. Income will grow
[01:14:13] Volumes will grow. Income will grow along with them. But he has no control
[01:14:16] along with them. But he has no control over the prices of the goods. Deagle
[01:14:19] over the prices of the goods. Deagle thought long and hard. He calculated. He
[01:14:22] thought long and hard. He calculated. He crunched the numbers in his head. He
[01:14:24] crunched the numbers in his head. He wasn't a fool. He had seen this city. He
[01:14:28] wasn't a fool. He had seen this city. He had seen the dam and the canals and the
[01:14:30] had seen the dam and the canals and the brick houses. He had seen the steel
[01:14:33] brick houses. He had seen the steel tools. This young man was building
[01:14:36] tools. This young man was building something unprecedented.
[01:14:38] something unprecedented. If volumes doubled from current levels,
[01:14:40] If volumes doubled from current levels, the monopoly on transportation would be
[01:14:43] the monopoly on transportation would be worth more than the exclusive right to
[01:14:45] worth more than the exclusive right to sell knives. And judging by what he'd
[01:14:47] sell knives. And judging by what he'd seen, volumes wouldn't double. They'd
[01:14:50] seen, volumes wouldn't double. They'd increase 20fold. He agreed. They shook
[01:14:54] increase 20fold. He agreed. They shook hands. So Hyan wrote up the contract
[01:14:57] hands. So Hyan wrote up the contract terms in two copies. Both parties
[01:15:00] terms in two copies. Both parties affixed their seals. It was the first
[01:15:03] affixed their seals. It was the first trade contract in the history of
[01:15:05] trade contract in the history of Hassogun.
[01:15:06] Hassogun. Mundel left 2 days later. He took with
[01:15:10] Mundel left 2 days later. He took with him 20 steel knives and 10 plow points.
[01:15:13] him 20 steel knives and 10 plow points. 3 weeks later he returned with wagons,
[01:15:16] 3 weeks later he returned with wagons, seeds, hides, copper ore, tin, and salt
[01:15:21] seeds, hides, copper ore, tin, and salt peter. Three sacks. Gonchan met the
[01:15:24] peter. Three sacks. Gonchan met the caravan in person. He inspected every
[01:15:27] caravan in person. He inspected every sack. The salt peter was a bit dirty
[01:15:29] sack. The salt peter was a bit dirty with impurities, but usable. He put it
[01:15:32] with impurities, but usable. He put it in a separate storage room, locked it
[01:15:34] in a separate storage room, locked it up. So asked why he needed the salt
[01:15:37] up. So asked why he needed the salt peter. Gonchan replied that he would
[01:15:39] peter. Gonchan replied that he would explain later. She looked at him. She
[01:15:42] explain later. She looked at him. She recorded it in the log. Book number 93.
[01:15:46] recorded it in the log. Book number 93. It burned. Summer was a time of growth.
[01:15:49] It burned. Summer was a time of growth. Hugun's population began to increase.
[01:15:52] Hugun's population began to increase. Refugees were coming from the south.
[01:15:54] Refugees were coming from the south. Peasants who had fled famine in
[01:15:56] Peasants who had fled famine in neighboring counties, vagabons, landless
[01:15:59] neighboring counties, vagabons, landless families. Rumors were spreading.
[01:16:02] families. Rumors were spreading. Somewhere on the edge of the desert,
[01:16:03] Somewhere on the edge of the desert, there is a place where they give work
[01:16:05] there is a place where they give work and food. Where the houses are made of
[01:16:07] and food. Where the houses are made of brick and the water is clean, where the
[01:16:10] brick and the water is clean, where the new lord doesn't beat people and doesn't
[01:16:12] new lord doesn't beat people and doesn't take more than his share. Gonchan
[01:16:15] take more than his share. Gonchan welcomed everyone. Every newcomer was
[01:16:18] welcomed everyone. Every newcomer was given a day of rest and three bowls of
[01:16:21] given a day of rest and three bowls of porridge. Then a conversation with
[01:16:23] porridge. Then a conversation with Sojun. What skills you have, what you
[01:16:26] Sojun. What skills you have, what you used to do. Do you have a family?
[01:16:29] used to do. Do you have a family? Assignment to work crews, construction,
[01:16:32] Assignment to work crews, construction, agricultural, mining, blacksmithing,
[01:16:35] agricultural, mining, blacksmithing, road work. By the end of summer, the
[01:16:38] road work. By the end of summer, the population had reached 5,000, a nearly
[01:16:42] population had reached 5,000, a nearly two-fold increase in six months. This
[01:16:45] two-fold increase in six months. This created problems. More people meant more
[01:16:48] created problems. More people meant more food, more houses, more water, more of
[01:16:52] food, more houses, more water, more of everything. Gonchan scaled up. A second
[01:16:56] everything. Gonchan scaled up. A second brick kilm, a third, a second blast
[01:16:59] brick kilm, a third, a second blast furnace for Tulsu, new canals from the
[01:17:02] furnace for Tulsu, new canals from the lake, expansion of the fields to the
[01:17:04] lake, expansion of the fields to the northshore.
[01:17:06] northshore. Now that the bridge was in place, the
[01:17:08] Now that the bridge was in place, the northshore was accessible. The soil
[01:17:11] northshore was accessible. The soil there turned out to be better than on
[01:17:12] there turned out to be better than on the south side. Less rock, more top
[01:17:15] the south side. Less rock, more top soil. Gonchan laid out new fields there
[01:17:19] soil. Gonchan laid out new fields there and implemented a full crop rotation
[01:17:21] and implemented a full crop rotation scheme with compost fertilizer. The
[01:17:24] scheme with compost fertilizer. The compost matured over the winter turned
[01:17:27] compost matured over the winter turned out exactly as he had promised, dark,
[01:17:30] out exactly as he had promised, dark, loose, smelling of earth, not rot. The
[01:17:34] loose, smelling of earth, not rot. The peasants who had looked at the waste pit
[01:17:36] peasants who had looked at the waste pit with disgust in the fall now looked at
[01:17:39] with disgust in the fall now looked at the compost with respect. The fields
[01:17:42] the compost with respect. The fields fertilized with compost yielded twice as
[01:17:44] fertilized with compost yielded twice as much as the unfertilized ones. Gonchan
[01:17:48] much as the unfertilized ones. Gonchan stood next to the foreman and watched
[01:17:49] stood next to the foreman and watched the seedlings. The foreman, the very
[01:17:52] the seedlings. The foreman, the very same man who on the first day and asked
[01:17:55] same man who on the first day and asked why all this was necessary, shook his
[01:17:58] why all this was necessary, shook his head. He said that the earth was like a
[01:18:00] head. He said that the earth was like a woman. If you take care of her, she
[01:18:03] woman. If you take care of her, she responds. Gonchan thought that this
[01:18:05] responds. Gonchan thought that this wasn't the most scientific analogy, but
[01:18:08] wasn't the most scientific analogy, but he kept quiet. Meanwhile, Mundiel
[01:18:11] he kept quiet. Meanwhile, Mundiel brought news from Volen. The steel
[01:18:14] brought news from Volen. The steel knives from Hosagon had caused a stir in
[01:18:17] knives from Hosagon had caused a stir in the market. The local blacksmiths were
[01:18:19] the market. The local blacksmiths were furious, and their iron knives were
[01:18:22] furious, and their iron knives were inferior in every way. Merchants were
[01:18:25] inferior in every way. Merchants were fighting for the right to buy them. The
[01:18:27] fighting for the right to buy them. The price Gonchan had set was a third lower
[01:18:30] price Gonchan had set was a third lower than in the capital with better quality.
[01:18:33] than in the capital with better quality. Deel said that by next month he could
[01:18:36] Deel said that by next month he could sell twice as much, three times as much,
[01:18:39] sell twice as much, three times as much, as much as he wanted. The demand was
[01:18:42] as much as he wanted. The demand was endless. Gonchan nodded, but he warned
[01:18:46] endless. Gonchan nodded, but he warned that the increase in volume would be
[01:18:48] that the increase in volume would be gradual. First tools for Hugun himself,
[01:18:51] gradual. First tools for Hugun himself, then for sale, his own city first and
[01:18:55] then for sale, his own city first and foremost. Del argue. He was already
[01:18:58] foremost. Del argue. He was already calculating future profits, and he liked
[01:19:01] calculating future profits, and he liked what he saw.
[01:19:02] what he saw. Del also mentioned something less
[01:19:04] Del also mentioned something less pleasant in Volsen. People were asking
[01:19:07] pleasant in Volsen. People were asking where Hosagon got his steel. The fourth
[01:19:10] where Hosagon got his steel. The fourth son of Duke No, a disgrace to the
[01:19:13] son of Duke No, a disgrace to the family. An empty vessel. And suddenly
[01:19:17] family. An empty vessel. And suddenly steel knives that cut hair. Some of the
[01:19:20] steel knives that cut hair. Some of the merchants had written letters to the
[01:19:22] merchants had written letters to the capital, to Chunghe, to the Tower of the
[01:19:25] capital, to Chunghe, to the Tower of the Sages. Gonchan listened in silence. He
[01:19:29] Sages. Gonchan listened in silence. He knew this would happen. Every innovation
[01:19:31] knew this would happen. Every innovation attracts attention. Steel steel would
[01:19:34] attracts attention. Steel steel would attract more attention than anything
[01:19:36] attract more attention than anything else. Steel is power. Whoever controls
[01:19:39] else. Steel is power. Whoever controls steel controls weapons. Whoever controls
[01:19:42] steel controls weapons. Whoever controls weapons controls the world. Previously,
[01:19:46] weapons controls the world. Previously, steel had been the monopoly of the
[01:19:48] steel had been the monopoly of the capital's blacksmiths who worked with
[01:19:50] capital's blacksmiths who worked with ore imported from the northern
[01:19:52] ore imported from the northern provinces. Now, a boy from the desert is
[01:19:55] provinces. Now, a boy from the desert is making better steel from local ore. In a
[01:19:59] making better steel from local ore. In a homemade furnace, this isn't just news.
[01:20:03] homemade furnace, this isn't just news. It's a threat. Gonchan returned home and
[01:20:06] It's a threat. Gonchan returned home and sat down at the table. He took out a
[01:20:08] sat down at the table. He took out a sheet of paper. He began to write. Not a
[01:20:11] sheet of paper. He began to write. Not a blueprint, not a construction plan, a
[01:20:14] blueprint, not a construction plan, a list of threats. First, the no family,
[01:20:18] list of threats. First, the no family, his older brother, his father. They'll
[01:20:21] his older brother, his father. They'll find out. The question is when. Second,
[01:20:24] find out. The question is when. Second, the Tower of Sages. Steel doesn't yet
[01:20:27] the Tower of Sages. Steel doesn't yet pose a direct threat to magic, but
[01:20:29] pose a direct threat to magic, but they'll see the trend. Third, the
[01:20:32] they'll see the trend. Third, the Emperor. The most unpredictable. He
[01:20:35] Emperor. The most unpredictable. He might help. He might destroy it. Fourth,
[01:20:39] might help. He might destroy it. Fourth, the neighbors, Miron beyond the desert.
[01:20:42] the neighbors, Miron beyond the desert. They don't know yet, but they will find
[01:20:44] They don't know yet, but they will find out. Fifth, money. A debt to the
[01:20:48] out. Fifth, money. A debt to the Treasury of 4,000 gold pieces. 200 gold
[01:20:51] Treasury of 4,000 gold pieces. 200 gold pieces in income each year. If we sell
[01:20:55] pieces in income each year. If we sell steel for a,000 gold pieces this year,
[01:20:57] steel for a,000 gold pieces this year, the debt will be paid off in four years,
[01:21:00] the debt will be paid off in four years, if we make it in time. Gonchan set down
[01:21:04] if we make it in time. Gonchan set down his brush. He looked out the window. The
[01:21:07] his brush. He looked out the window. The sun was setting behind the hills. Orange
[01:21:09] sun was setting behind the hills. Orange light flooded the brick walls of the
[01:21:11] light flooded the brick walls of the houses.
[01:21:13] houses. Children were running across the square.
[01:21:15] Children were running across the square. A woman was carrying a jug of water from
[01:21:17] A woman was carrying a jug of water from the well. Men were returning from the
[01:21:19] the well. Men were returning from the fields with steel hoes on their
[01:21:21] fields with steel hoes on their shoulders. A peaceful scene, beautiful,
[01:21:24] shoulders. A peaceful scene, beautiful, fragile. Gonchan knew the calm wouldn't
[01:21:28] fragile. Gonchan knew the calm wouldn't last. But for now, it was there. And he
[01:21:31] last. But for now, it was there. And he was using every day of this calm to make
[01:21:34] was using every day of this calm to make Hassugun stronger because when the storm
[01:21:37] Hassugun stronger because when the storm comes, and it will come, the only
[01:21:39] comes, and it will come, the only protection will be the walls, stone,
[01:21:42] protection will be the walls, stone, steel, and human.
[01:21:45] steel, and human. Autumn brought the harvest and guests.
[01:21:48] Autumn brought the harvest and guests. The harvest was magnificent. The wheat
[01:21:51] The harvest was magnificent. The wheat stood like a wall. The peas filled their
[01:21:54] stood like a wall. The peas filled their pods to bursting. The flax sewn from
[01:21:57] pods to bursting. The flax sewn from seeds brought by deill yielded its first
[01:21:59] seeds brought by deill yielded its first crop. The oil seeds ripened on the
[01:22:02] crop. The oil seeds ripened on the southern slopes where Gonchan had laid
[01:22:04] southern slopes where Gonchan had laid out separate plots protected from the
[01:22:06] out separate plots protected from the wind by movable walls. The total harvest
[01:22:10] wind by movable walls. The total harvest exceeded the Hosogan's needs three-fold.
[01:22:13] exceeded the Hosogan's needs three-fold. For the first time in the history of
[01:22:15] For the first time in the history of this district, there was not just enough
[01:22:17] this district, there was not just enough food, there was a surplus.
[01:22:20] food, there was a surplus. Gonchan managed the surplus precisely. A
[01:22:23] Gonchan managed the surplus precisely. A third went into strategic reserves, a
[01:22:26] third went into strategic reserves, a brick granary with a raised floor and
[01:22:28] brick granary with a raised floor and ventilation. He explained to Sohan that
[01:22:31] ventilation. He explained to Sohan that grain spoils from moisture and mice. The
[01:22:34] grain spoils from moisture and mice. The raised floor prevents moisture from
[01:22:36] raised floor prevents moisture from rising from the ground. The ventilation
[01:22:38] rising from the ground. The ventilation slits prevent the grain from spoiling
[01:22:40] slits prevent the grain from spoiling and the cats keep the mice away. So took
[01:22:44] and the cats keep the mice away. So took note and she got four cats, a third for
[01:22:48] note and she got four cats, a third for sale. Mundiel took the grain along with
[01:22:51] sale. Mundiel took the grain along with the next shipment of steel. A third was
[01:22:53] the next shipment of steel. A third was for seeds and livestock feed. The herd
[01:22:56] for seeds and livestock feed. The herd had grown. The goats had multiplied.
[01:22:59] had grown. The goats had multiplied. Deiel brought two cows and a bull.
[01:23:02] Deiel brought two cows and a bull. expensive, but Gonchan knew that milk
[01:23:04] expensive, but Gonchan knew that milk and meat were needed for the growing
[01:23:06] and meat were needed for the growing population. The guests were less
[01:23:09] population. The guests were less pleasant. The first to arrive was an
[01:23:11] pleasant. The first to arrive was an official from the Imperial Treasury.
[01:23:14] official from the Imperial Treasury. Petty, fussy, with papers. He came to
[01:23:17] Petty, fussy, with papers. He came to remind him of the debt, 4,000 gold
[01:23:20] remind him of the debt, 4,000 gold pieces, an annual payment of 500,
[01:23:23] pieces, an annual payment of 500, already 3 years overdue. The total debt
[01:23:27] already 3 years overdue. The total debt with interest was 4,800.
[01:23:31] with interest was 4,800. Gonchan received him in the new
[01:23:32] Gonchan received him in the new administrative building. The first
[01:23:34] administrative building. The first two-story building in Hassogun. Brick,
[01:23:37] two-story building in Hassogun. Brick, tile, wooden floors, glass windows. Yes,
[01:23:42] tile, wooden floors, glass windows. Yes, glass. Gonchan had started a glass
[01:23:44] glass. Gonchan had started a glass workshop a month ago. The glass was a
[01:23:47] workshop a month ago. The glass was a bit cloudy with bubbles, far from
[01:23:49] bit cloudy with bubbles, far from perfect, but it was there, transparent,
[01:23:52] perfect, but it was there, transparent, letting light through. In a world where
[01:23:55] letting light through. In a world where glass was a luxury available only to the
[01:23:57] glass was a luxury available only to the Imperial Court and the Tower of the
[01:23:59] Imperial Court and the Tower of the Wise, glass windows in the
[01:24:01] Wise, glass windows in the administrative building of a backwater
[01:24:03] administrative building of a backwater county were a statement. The official
[01:24:06] county were a statement. The official saw the windows and stumbled over his
[01:24:08] saw the windows and stumbled over his words. Then he pulled himself together.
[01:24:11] words. Then he pulled himself together. He presented the bill. Gonchan looked at
[01:24:14] He presented the bill. Gonchan looked at the numbers. Then he opened his desk
[01:24:17] the numbers. Then he opened his desk drawer. He took out a pouch. He poured
[01:24:20] drawer. He took out a pouch. He poured gold coins onto the table. 500, the
[01:24:24] gold coins onto the table. 500, the annual payment. The official counted
[01:24:27] annual payment. The official counted them twice. The amount was exact. He
[01:24:30] them twice. The amount was exact. He asked where Lord Hassugun had gotten
[01:24:32] asked where Lord Hassugun had gotten such money. Gonchan replied that it was
[01:24:35] such money. Gonchan replied that it was from trade. The official looked out the
[01:24:38] from trade. The official looked out the window at the city beyond. He wrote
[01:24:41] window at the city beyond. He wrote something in his log book. He stamped
[01:24:43] something in his log book. He stamped the receipt. He left. Gonchan knew that
[01:24:46] the receipt. He left. Gonchan knew that this official's report would reach the
[01:24:48] this official's report would reach the treasury, and from the treasury, the
[01:24:51] treasury, and from the treasury, the information would spread to the emperor,
[01:24:53] information would spread to the emperor, to the advisers, to the great houses.
[01:24:57] to the advisers, to the great houses. The Duke's fourth son had paid off the
[01:24:59] The Duke's fourth son had paid off the Shogun's annual debt in a single
[01:25:02] Shogun's annual debt in a single installment from a district that three
[01:25:04] installment from a district that three years ago couldn't scrape together even
[01:25:07] years ago couldn't scrape together even a hundred gold pieces. A wake-up call
[01:25:10] a hundred gold pieces. A wake-up call for those who know how to listen.
[01:25:14] for those who know how to listen. The second guests were a delegation from
[01:25:16] The second guests were a delegation from Volona, not merchants, a guild of
[01:25:19] Volona, not merchants, a guild of artisans. Three masters, a blacksmith, a
[01:25:23] artisans. Three masters, a blacksmith, a potter, a carpenter. They came to look
[01:25:25] potter, a carpenter. They came to look at the steel, at the bricks, at the roof
[01:25:28] at the steel, at the bricks, at the roof tiles. Gonchan showed them everything
[01:25:31] tiles. Gonchan showed them everything openly. He led them through the
[01:25:34] openly. He led them through the workshops, showed them the brick kilm,
[01:25:36] workshops, showed them the brick kilm, showed them the blast furnace, showed
[01:25:38] showed them the blast furnace, showed them how the archbridge works. The
[01:25:41] them how the archbridge works. The masters watched and remained silent. The
[01:25:44] masters watched and remained silent. The blacksmith from Volona, an old and
[01:25:46] blacksmith from Volona, an old and experienced man, took Thaloo's steel
[01:25:49] experienced man, took Thaloo's steel knife and turned it over in his hands
[01:25:52] knife and turned it over in his hands for a long time. Then he put it back and
[01:25:55] for a long time. Then he put it back and said that in 30 years of work, he had
[01:25:58] said that in 30 years of work, he had never seen such metal. He asked how it
[01:26:02] never seen such metal. He asked how it was made. The potter explained the
[01:26:05] was made. The potter explained the principle in general terms. a blast
[01:26:08] principle in general terms. a blast furnace, high temperature, air blowing
[01:26:10] furnace, high temperature, air blowing through it. He didn't go into details.
[01:26:14] through it. He didn't go into details. The craftsmen left deep in thought.
[01:26:17] The craftsmen left deep in thought. Gonchan knew what they would tell their
[01:26:19] Gonchan knew what they would tell their guild. The guild would tell the city
[01:26:22] guild. The guild would tell the city council. The council would write to the
[01:26:24] council. The council would write to the capital. Another trickle of information.
[01:26:28] capital. Another trickle of information. The third guest appeared unexpectedly. A
[01:26:32] The third guest appeared unexpectedly. A rider in fine clothes on a thoroughbred
[01:26:35] rider in fine clothes on a thoroughbred horse with the family crest on his
[01:26:37] horse with the family crest on his cloak. He arrived alone without an
[01:26:41] cloak. He arrived alone without an entourage. He stopped in the square and
[01:26:44] entourage. He stopped in the square and asked where to find the lord. Gonchan
[01:26:47] asked where to find the lord. Gonchan went out to meet him. The horsemen
[01:26:50] went out to meet him. The horsemen dismounted and introduced himself. Gone
[01:26:53] dismounted and introduced himself. Gone men had sent him a personal messenger
[01:26:56] men had sent him a personal messenger from his older brother. He handed over a
[01:26:59] from his older brother. He handed over a letter.
[01:27:01] letter. Gonchan unrolled the scroll. Gonman's
[01:27:04] Gonchan unrolled the scroll. Gonman's handwriting was beautiful and confident,
[01:27:06] handwriting was beautiful and confident, the calligraphy of the first son. The
[01:27:09] the calligraphy of the first son. The letter was short. Gonman wrote that he
[01:27:11] letter was short. Gonman wrote that he had heard of the changes in Hogun, that
[01:27:14] had heard of the changes in Hogun, that he was happy for his younger brother,
[01:27:16] he was happy for his younger brother, that he would like to visit in person to
[01:27:18] that he would like to visit in person to see it with his own eyes. He would
[01:27:20] see it with his own eyes. He would arrive in a month with a small
[01:27:22] arrive in a month with a small entourage. He asked that guest quarters
[01:27:25] entourage. He asked that guest quarters be prepared. Gonchan read it twice.
[01:27:29] be prepared. Gonchan read it twice. Every word was polite. Every sentence
[01:27:32] Every word was polite. Every sentence exuded venom. Gone was not pleased. Gon
[01:27:37] exuded venom. Gone was not pleased. Gon was testing him. Rumors of the steal
[01:27:39] was testing him. Rumors of the steal from Hogun had reached Chungh. The older
[01:27:43] from Hogun had reached Chungh. The older brother, whose income from the province
[01:27:45] brother, whose income from the province was 10 times that of Hogun, wanted to
[01:27:48] was 10 times that of Hogun, wanted to see for himself if it was true that his
[01:27:50] see for himself if it was true that his younger brother was surpassing him.
[01:27:53] younger brother was surpassing him. Gonchan folded the letter. He told the
[01:27:55] Gonchan folded the letter. He told the messenger that his brother would be
[01:27:57] messenger that his brother would be received with due honors. The messenger
[01:28:00] received with due honors. The messenger nodded and left. So stood nearby and
[01:28:03] nodded and left. So stood nearby and read the letter over his shoulder. She
[01:28:06] read the letter over his shoulder. She said this wasn't a courtesy visit.
[01:28:08] said this wasn't a courtesy visit. Gonchang replied that he knew. She asked
[01:28:11] Gonchang replied that he knew. She asked what he was going to do. Gonchang
[01:28:14] what he was going to do. Gonchang paused. Then he said he would show his
[01:28:16] paused. Then he said he would show his brother everything. Every house, every
[01:28:19] brother everything. Every house, every furnace, every canal. There was no point
[01:28:22] furnace, every canal. There was no point in hiding anything. The steel is already
[01:28:25] in hiding anything. The steel is already in the market. The bricks are visible
[01:28:28] in the market. The bricks are visible from the road. The bridge stands over
[01:28:30] from the road. The bridge stands over the river. There's nothing to hide. But
[01:28:33] the river. There's nothing to hide. But he would show only what was already
[01:28:35] he would show only what was already there, not what would be. So Hian
[01:28:38] there, not what would be. So Hian nodded. Then she opened the journal. The
[01:28:41] nodded. Then she opened the journal. The list of burned books had reached 120
[01:28:44] list of burned books had reached 120 titles. She said that when someone asked
[01:28:46] titles. She said that when someone asked him to explain how a single library
[01:28:48] him to explain how a single library could contain so much diverse knowledge,
[01:28:51] could contain so much diverse knowledge, Gonchang replied that it was a very
[01:28:54] Gonchang replied that it was a very large library. She looked at him for a
[01:28:57] large library. She looked at him for a long time. She didn't believe him, but
[01:29:00] long time. She didn't believe him, but she didn't ask. Gonchan made full use of
[01:29:03] she didn't ask. Gonchan made full use of the month before Gon's arrival. He
[01:29:06] the month before Gon's arrival. He launched three new projects. The first,
[01:29:09] launched three new projects. The first, a paper workshop. In this world, paper
[01:29:12] a paper workshop. In this world, paper was made from silk. Expensive, rare.
[01:29:16] was made from silk. Expensive, rare. Only 4% of the population was literate.
[01:29:19] Only 4% of the population was literate. And paper was one of the reasons. If
[01:29:21] And paper was one of the reasons. If there is no cheap paper, there are no
[01:29:23] there is no cheap paper, there are no cheap books. No books, no education. No
[01:29:26] cheap books. No books, no education. No education, no progress. Gonchan knew how
[01:29:29] education, no progress. Gonchan knew how to make paper from plant fibers. The
[01:29:32] to make paper from plant fibers. The flax they had grown was the ideal raw
[01:29:34] flax they had grown was the ideal raw material. The stocks were soaked. They
[01:29:36] material. The stocks were soaked. They were boiled down in a lie made from wood
[01:29:39] were boiled down in a lie made from wood ash. The resulting mass was pounded with
[01:29:41] ash. The resulting mass was pounded with hammers into a uniform pulp. The pulp
[01:29:44] hammers into a uniform pulp. The pulp was diluted with water and poured in a
[01:29:47] was diluted with water and poured in a thin layer onto a mesh frame. It was
[01:29:49] thin layer onto a mesh frame. It was dried in the sun, then removed. paper,
[01:29:53] dried in the sun, then removed. paper, rough, yellowish with fibers visible
[01:29:56] rough, yellowish with fibers visible against the light. But paper, you can
[01:29:58] against the light. But paper, you can write on it, draw, print. The cost of a
[01:30:02] write on it, draw, print. The cost of a single sheet is 10 times lower than that
[01:30:04] single sheet is 10 times lower than that of silk paper. The second project, a
[01:30:07] of silk paper. The second project, a school. Gonchan set aside one of the new
[01:30:10] school. Gonchan set aside one of the new houses as a classroom. He appointed
[01:30:13] houses as a classroom. He appointed Sohan as the teacher. She resisted. She
[01:30:16] Sohan as the teacher. She resisted. She said she was barely literate herself. He
[01:30:19] said she was barely literate herself. He replied that she was the only literate
[01:30:21] replied that she was the only literate person in Hassogun and that made her the
[01:30:23] person in Hassogun and that made her the most qualified teacher. So Hun snorted
[01:30:27] most qualified teacher. So Hun snorted but agreed. Every morning 30 children
[01:30:30] but agreed. Every morning 30 children aged 7 to 12 came to school. So Hyun
[01:30:34] aged 7 to 12 came to school. So Hyun taught them to read and write on paper
[01:30:36] taught them to read and write on paper from her own workshop with ink made from
[01:30:39] from her own workshop with ink made from soot and glue using goose quills.
[01:30:43] soot and glue using goose quills. Gonchan wrote the textbook himself.
[01:30:46] Gonchan wrote the textbook himself. Basic Literacy, Arithmetic, The Basics
[01:30:48] Basic Literacy, Arithmetic, The Basics of Weights and Measures, of hygiene. 30
[01:30:51] of Weights and Measures, of hygiene. 30 pages, the first textbook in the history
[01:30:54] pages, the first textbook in the history of Hogun.
[01:30:56] of Hogun. The third project, the wall, not
[01:30:59] The third project, the wall, not decorative, defensive, a stone wall
[01:31:02] decorative, defensive, a stone wall around the city. Gonchan understood that
[01:31:05] around the city. Gonchan understood that Hogun's growth would attract not only
[01:31:07] Hogun's growth would attract not only merchants and officials. Gangs roamed
[01:31:10] merchants and officials. Gangs roamed the border with the desert. Deserters,
[01:31:12] the border with the desert. Deserters, nomads, scum from the outskirts of
[01:31:15] nomads, scum from the outskirts of Murion. Until now, they hadn't touched
[01:31:18] Murion. Until now, they hadn't touched Hogun because there was nothing to take.
[01:31:21] Hogun because there was nothing to take. Now there was. The wall was designed
[01:31:24] Now there was. The wall was designed according to a simple principle. 4 m
[01:31:26] according to a simple principle. 4 m high, 2 m thick at the base, 1 meter at
[01:31:30] high, 2 m thick at the base, 1 meter at the top.
[01:31:32] the top. stonemasonry on concrete, not on lime
[01:31:35] stonemasonry on concrete, not on lime mortar, but on real concrete. Gonchan
[01:31:39] mortar, but on real concrete. Gonchan had finally found the right ingredient.
[01:31:42] had finally found the right ingredient. The pummus from the western ravine
[01:31:44] The pummus from the western ravine turned out to be more than just pummus.
[01:31:46] turned out to be more than just pummus. It was volcanic tough. Finally crushed
[01:31:49] It was volcanic tough. Finally crushed and mixed with slaked lime, it produced
[01:31:52] and mixed with slaked lime, it produced a pausalic reaction. Roman concrete, the
[01:31:56] a pausalic reaction. Roman concrete, the very same kind that has held up the
[01:31:58] very same kind that has held up the Pantheon for 2,000 years.
[01:32:02] Pantheon for 2,000 years. The concrete set within a day. It
[01:32:04] The concrete set within a day. It hardened within a week. After a month,
[01:32:07] hardened within a week. After a month, it couldn't be broken with a
[01:32:09] it couldn't be broken with a sledgehammer. A wall made of this
[01:32:11] sledgehammer. A wall made of this concrete would withstand a battering
[01:32:13] concrete would withstand a battering ram. Construction of the wall began on
[01:32:16] ram. Construction of the wall began on the south side. That's where the threat
[01:32:19] the south side. That's where the threat was most likely to come from. So, Dao
[01:32:21] was most likely to come from. So, Dao supervised the work. His crew had grown
[01:32:24] supervised the work. His crew had grown to 60 men. They worked in two shifts.
[01:32:28] to 60 men. They worked in two shifts. The wall grew by 20 m a day.
[01:32:31] The wall grew by 20 m a day. When Gonmen arrived, a quarter of the
[01:32:33] When Gonmen arrived, a quarter of the wall was complete. The southside and
[01:32:36] wall was complete. The southside and part of the east. He arrived with 10
[01:32:38] part of the east. He arrived with 10 horsemen, his personal guard, all in
[01:32:41] horsemen, his personal guard, all in armor, all with swords, handsome,
[01:32:45] armor, all with swords, handsome, dangerous. Gunman dismounted at the
[01:32:48] dangerous. Gunman dismounted at the gate. He was just as Gonchan remembered
[01:32:50] gate. He was just as Gonchan remembered him from the memories of the body's
[01:32:52] him from the memories of the body's former owner. Tall, broad-shouldered, a
[01:32:55] former owner. Tall, broad-shouldered, a handsome face with sharp features, eyes
[01:32:58] handsome face with sharp features, eyes cold and appraising. an exact copy of
[01:33:01] cold and appraising. an exact copy of his father, only younger and more
[01:33:03] his father, only younger and more vicious. He saw the wall, brick houses,
[01:33:07] vicious. He saw the wall, brick houses, a bridge, glass windows in the
[01:33:09] a bridge, glass windows in the administrative building, a paved square,
[01:33:12] administrative building, a paved square, water channels, people in clean clothes
[01:33:15] water channels, people in clean clothes with tools in their hands. Gonchan saw
[01:33:18] with tools in their hands. Gonchan saw his face change. First curiosity, then
[01:33:22] his face change. First curiosity, then surprise, then confusion, then something
[01:33:25] surprise, then confusion, then something dark and heavy. Gonman turned to
[01:33:27] dark and heavy. Gonman turned to Gonchan. He smiled. The smile didn't
[01:33:31] Gonchan. He smiled. The smile didn't reach his eyes. He said his younger
[01:33:33] reach his eyes. He said his younger brother had surprised him. Gonchan bowed
[01:33:36] brother had surprised him. Gonchan bowed as a younger brother should before an
[01:33:38] as a younger brother should before an elder. He invited him into the house,
[01:33:40] elder. He invited him into the house, showed him the city, led him through the
[01:33:42] showed him the city, led him through the workshops. Gman looked, touched, asked
[01:33:46] workshops. Gman looked, touched, asked questions. The questions were how much
[01:33:49] questions. The questions were how much steel the forge produced, what the
[01:33:51] steel the forge produced, what the annual income was, how many people
[01:33:54] annual income was, how many people worked on the wall, where the ore came
[01:33:56] worked on the wall, where the ore came from. Gonchan answered honestly to all
[01:34:00] from. Gonchan answered honestly to all questions except one. When Gonman asked
[01:34:03] questions except one. When Gonman asked where he knew all this from, Gonchan
[01:34:06] where he knew all this from, Gonchan replied that he had read it in a book, a
[01:34:08] replied that he had read it in a book, a very old one. It had burned. Gonman
[01:34:12] very old one. It had burned. Gonman looked at him. He didn't believe him. He
[01:34:14] looked at him. He didn't believe him. He didn't press the matter. The visit
[01:34:16] didn't press the matter. The visit lasted 3 days. Gonman behaved
[01:34:19] lasted 3 days. Gonman behaved impeccably, polite, courteous. He
[01:34:22] impeccably, polite, courteous. He praised the wall. He admired the bridge.
[01:34:25] praised the wall. He admired the bridge. He tested the steel and nodded
[01:34:27] He tested the steel and nodded approvingly. On the third day, before
[01:34:29] approvingly. On the third day, before leaving, he remained alone with Gonchan.
[01:34:32] leaving, he remained alone with Gonchan. The smile vanished. He said his father
[01:34:35] The smile vanished. He said his father would be displeased. The younger must
[01:34:37] would be displeased. The younger must not surpass the elder. That is a
[01:34:40] not surpass the elder. That is a violation of the order. It was a
[01:34:42] violation of the order. It was a disgrace to the clan. He proposed a
[01:34:44] disgrace to the clan. He proposed a solution. Gonchan would pass on the
[01:34:47] solution. Gonchan would pass on the steelmaking technology to the clan. The
[01:34:50] steelmaking technology to the clan. The family would distribute it fairly.
[01:34:52] family would distribute it fairly. Everyone would win. Gonchan replied that
[01:34:55] Everyone would win. Gonchan replied that the technology belonged to Hassogun, not
[01:34:58] the technology belonged to Hassogun, not to the clan, not to the family, to the
[01:35:01] to the clan, not to the family, to the people who lived and worked here. He
[01:35:03] people who lived and worked here. He would not pass it on. Gonman looked at
[01:35:06] would not pass it on. Gonman looked at him for a long time in silence. Then he
[01:35:10] him for a long time in silence. Then he said that Gonchan was making a mistake.
[01:35:12] said that Gonchan was making a mistake. He turned and left. An hour later, his
[01:35:15] He turned and left. An hour later, his unit left Hassogun. Gonchan stood on the
[01:35:18] unit left Hassogun. Gonchan stood on the wall and watched them ride away. Dust
[01:35:21] wall and watched them ride away. Dust rose in a column from beneath their
[01:35:22] rose in a column from beneath their hooves. So Hyan stood beside him. She
[01:35:25] hooves. So Hyan stood beside him. She asked what his older brother had said.
[01:35:28] asked what his older brother had said. Gonchan replied that he had asked to
[01:35:30] Gonchan replied that he had asked to share. She asked what he had answered.
[01:35:32] share. She asked what he had answered. He said he had refused. So Hyun was
[01:35:35] He said he had refused. So Hyun was silent for a moment. Then she said that
[01:35:37] silent for a moment. Then she said that his older brother wasn't the type to
[01:35:39] his older brother wasn't the type to take no for an answer. Gonchan nodded.
[01:35:42] take no for an answer. Gonchan nodded. He knew. Gonman had left white with
[01:35:45] He knew. Gonman had left white with rage. And that was only the first wave.
[01:35:49] rage. And that was only the first wave. After Ganman's departure, Gonchan had
[01:35:51] After Ganman's departure, Gonchan had two months of silence. He knew it wasn't
[01:35:54] two months of silence. He knew it wasn't peace, but a pause. Ganman went to see
[01:35:57] peace, but a pause. Ganman went to see his father. His father would think it
[01:35:59] his father. His father would think it over. Duke no Tahheewan knew how to
[01:36:02] over. Duke no Tahheewan knew how to think slowly and heavily like a
[01:36:04] think slowly and heavily like a millstone. But when the millstone
[01:36:06] millstone. But when the millstone turned, it ground down everything in its
[01:36:09] turned, it ground down everything in its path. Gonchan used those two months with
[01:36:12] path. Gonchan used those two months with surgical precision, the wall. By the
[01:36:15] surgical precision, the wall. By the beginning of winter in the second year,
[01:36:17] beginning of winter in the second year, it was complete. The perimeter 4 meters
[01:36:20] it was complete. The perimeter 4 meters high, 2 m thick at the base. Concrete on
[01:36:24] high, 2 m thick at the base. Concrete on volcanic tough, four gates, north,
[01:36:27] volcanic tough, four gates, north, south, east, western. Each gate made of
[01:36:31] south, east, western. Each gate made of oak logs reinforced with steel strips.
[01:36:34] oak logs reinforced with steel strips. Above the southern gate, Gonchan ordered
[01:36:37] Above the southern gate, Gonchan ordered a gate house to be built 6 m high, a
[01:36:40] a gate house to be built 6 m high, a view 15 m out toward the desert. So Dal
[01:36:43] view 15 m out toward the desert. So Dal built the tower himself and put
[01:36:45] built the tower himself and put everything he knew into it. The walls
[01:36:48] everything he knew into it. The walls were perfectly smooth, loopholes on
[01:36:50] were perfectly smooth, loopholes on every side, a spiral staircase inside.
[01:36:54] every side, a spiral staircase inside. When the tower was ready, Soda climbed
[01:36:56] When the tower was ready, Soda climbed to the top and stood there for half an
[01:36:58] to the top and stood there for half an hour just looking.
[01:37:02] hour just looking. Gonchan climbed up after him. He asked
[01:37:04] Gonchan climbed up after him. He asked why he was standing there. So Dao
[01:37:06] why he was standing there. So Dao replied that 6 months ago he didn't know
[01:37:09] replied that 6 months ago he didn't know how to lay bricks and now he had built a
[01:37:12] how to lay bricks and now he had built a tower. Gonchan slapped him on the
[01:37:15] tower. Gonchan slapped him on the shoulder. He said this was only the
[01:37:17] shoulder. He said this was only the beginning.
[01:37:19] beginning. By this point, the population had
[01:37:21] By this point, the population had surpassed 8,000. Refugees continued to
[01:37:24] surpassed 8,000. Refugees continued to arrive. But now it wasn't just starving
[01:37:28] arrive. But now it wasn't just starving peasants coming. Artisans were arriving.
[01:37:31] peasants coming. Artisans were arriving. Carpenters, weavers, even a single
[01:37:33] Carpenters, weavers, even a single healer, an old man half blind with
[01:37:36] healer, an old man half blind with trembling hands. But he knew herbs. He
[01:37:40] trembling hands. But he knew herbs. He knew how to set a dislocated joint and
[01:37:42] knew how to set a dislocated joint and stitch up a wound. Gonchan sat him down
[01:37:45] stitch up a wound. Gonchan sat him down next to him and talked for 3 hours. He
[01:37:48] next to him and talked for 3 hours. He asked about illnesses, about treatments,
[01:37:50] asked about illnesses, about treatments, about what local medicine knew. The
[01:37:53] about what local medicine knew. The doctor knew a lot and didn't know the
[01:37:56] doctor knew a lot and didn't know the basics. Didn't know that wounds needed
[01:37:58] basics. Didn't know that wounds needed to be washed. Didn't know that dirty
[01:38:01] to be washed. Didn't know that dirty hands spread disease. Didn't know that
[01:38:03] hands spread disease. Didn't know that boiling kills germs. Gonchan told him
[01:38:07] boiling kills germs. Gonchan told him carefully, not as a teacher to a
[01:38:09] carefully, not as a teacher to a student, but as a colleague to a
[01:38:12] student, but as a colleague to a colleague. The doctor listened at first
[01:38:15] colleague. The doctor listened at first skeptically, then attentively, then
[01:38:18] skeptically, then attentively, then eagerly. When Gonchan explained the
[01:38:20] eagerly. When Gonchan explained the principle of alcohol disinfection, the
[01:38:23] principle of alcohol disinfection, the doctor froze. He asked, asked again, and
[01:38:26] doctor froze. He asked, asked again, and asked him to repeat it. Then he said
[01:38:29] asked him to repeat it. Then he said that if this were true, half the deaths
[01:38:31] that if this were true, half the deaths from wounds in this world had been in
[01:38:33] from wounds in this world had been in vain. Gonchan replied that it was true.
[01:38:37] vain. Gonchan replied that it was true. The doctor's name was O Bang Ho. Gonchan
[01:38:41] The doctor's name was O Bang Ho. Gonchan appointed him chief physician of the
[01:38:42] appointed him chief physician of the Hassogun. He gave him a room,
[01:38:45] Hassogun. He gave him a room, instruments, a supply of alcohol made
[01:38:47] instruments, a supply of alcohol made from fermented grain distilled through a
[01:38:50] from fermented grain distilled through a simple still. Obong-ho began his work.
[01:38:53] simple still. Obong-ho began his work. He washed wounds with alcohol. He boiled
[01:38:56] He washed wounds with alcohol. He boiled his instruments. He washed his hands
[01:38:59] his instruments. He washed his hands before every examination.
[01:39:01] before every examination. In the first month, he didn't lose a
[01:39:04] In the first month, he didn't lose a single wounded man. Before three out of
[01:39:07] single wounded man. Before three out of 10 wounded men died from infection, from
[01:39:10] 10 wounded men died from infection, from gang green, from fever. Now no one died.
[01:39:15] gang green, from fever. Now no one died. Obong-ho walked through the city with
[01:39:17] Obong-ho walked through the city with the look of a man who had just been
[01:39:19] the look of a man who had just been shown that the earth is round. stunned,
[01:39:23] shown that the earth is round. stunned, turned upside down, angry at his own
[01:39:26] turned upside down, angry at his own past ignorance. He told everyone who
[01:39:29] past ignorance. He told everyone who would listen that they needed to wash
[01:39:30] would listen that they needed to wash their hands, boil water, not touch a
[01:39:34] their hands, boil water, not touch a wound with dirty fingers. People
[01:39:36] wound with dirty fingers. People listened. They trusted the doctor more
[01:39:38] listened. They trusted the doctor more than the Lord. The doctor was old. He
[01:39:42] than the Lord. The doctor was old. He knew life. If he said to wash your
[01:39:44] knew life. If he said to wash your hands, then you had to wash them.
[01:39:48] hands, then you had to wash them. Infant mortality began to fall slowly
[01:39:51] Infant mortality began to fall slowly but noticeably over the course of a
[01:39:54] but noticeably over the course of a year. So recorded a three-fold decrease.
[01:39:57] year. So recorded a three-fold decrease. Out of 30 newborns, 28 survived before
[01:40:02] Out of 30 newborns, 28 survived before 15 to 20. Gonchan read the entry and sat
[01:40:05] 15 to 20. Gonchan read the entry and sat in silence for a long time. 28 out of
[01:40:09] in silence for a long time. 28 out of 30. Two deaths. two unnecessary deaths
[01:40:13] 30. Two deaths. two unnecessary deaths that could have been prevented if he'd
[01:40:15] that could have been prevented if he'd had more knowledge, more tools, more
[01:40:18] had more knowledge, more tools, more medicines. He wasn't a doctor. He was an
[01:40:21] medicines. He wasn't a doctor. He was an engineer. But he knew about antiseptics,
[01:40:24] engineer. But he knew about antiseptics, about sterility, about quarantine. And
[01:40:27] about sterility, about quarantine. And that knowledge saved 12 children who
[01:40:30] that knowledge saved 12 children who would otherwise have died. 12 children
[01:40:33] would otherwise have died. 12 children in one year in one small town. He
[01:40:38] in one year in one small town. He thought of the millions dying across the
[01:40:40] thought of the millions dying across the continent from things that could be
[01:40:42] continent from things that could be treated with boiled boiled water and
[01:40:44] treated with boiled boiled water and washed hands. And he couldn't stop that
[01:40:47] washed hands. And he couldn't stop that thought. It burned. Meanwhile, events
[01:40:51] thought. It burned. Meanwhile, events were accelerating. A letter from his
[01:40:53] were accelerating. A letter from his father arrived at the beginning of the
[01:40:55] father arrived at the beginning of the first winter month. Duke No Teuan
[01:40:58] first winter month. Duke No Teuan summoned his fourth son to the ancestral
[01:41:00] summoned his fourth son to the ancestral estate. The wording was dry and official
[01:41:03] estate. The wording was dry and official to appear in person. Within two weeks,
[01:41:07] to appear in person. Within two weeks, matters of family inheritance. Gonchan
[01:41:10] matters of family inheritance. Gonchan read it and understood. Gungmen reported
[01:41:13] read it and understood. Gungmen reported his father had made his decision. He had
[01:41:16] his father had made his decision. He had to go. Refusal would be tantamount to
[01:41:19] to go. Refusal would be tantamount to rebellion against the head of the clan,
[01:41:21] rebellion against the head of the clan, and rebellion against the clan head is a
[01:41:23] and rebellion against the clan head is a formal pretext to strip him of his title
[01:41:25] formal pretext to strip him of his title of lord and of Hogun. He left Sojon in
[01:41:29] of lord and of Hogun. He left Sojon in charge. He gave her a list of
[01:41:31] charge. He gave her a list of instructions for every day of his
[01:41:32] instructions for every day of his absence. Do not stop construction. Do
[01:41:36] absence. Do not stop construction. Do not shut down the furnaces. Do not close
[01:41:38] not shut down the furnaces. Do not close the school. He appointed So Daly Ya as
[01:41:41] the school. He appointed So Daly Ya as construction supervisor, Tulsu as head
[01:41:44] construction supervisor, Tulsu as head of production. He asked Hona to keep an
[01:41:46] of production. He asked Hona to keep an eye on things. The old man nodded and
[01:41:49] eye on things. The old man nodded and said he would with one hand. Gonchan
[01:41:52] said he would with one hand. Gonchan smirked. The journey to the clan estate
[01:41:55] smirked. The journey to the clan estate took four days. He rode on horseback
[01:41:58] took four days. He rode on horseback alone without guards through Vulsen
[01:42:01] alone without guards through Vulsen along the Imperial Highway. The Duke's
[01:42:04] along the Imperial Highway. The Duke's estate stood on a hill in the center of
[01:42:06] estate stood on a hill in the center of Chungh Province. Massive stone with
[01:42:10] Chungh Province. Massive stone with towers and walls. An ancestral castle
[01:42:13] towers and walls. An ancestral castle built five generations ago. Gonchan rode
[01:42:16] built five generations ago. Gonchan rode into the courtyard and felt eyes on him.
[01:42:19] into the courtyard and felt eyes on him. Servants, guards, everyone was watching.
[01:42:23] Servants, guards, everyone was watching. The fourth son had returned, an empty
[01:42:26] The fourth son had returned, an empty vessel. Only now rumors had preceded
[01:42:29] vessel. Only now rumors had preceded him. Lord Hugan, the one who makes
[01:42:32] him. Lord Hugan, the one who makes steel. His father received him in the
[01:42:35] steel. His father received him in the main hall, one-on-one. No brothers, no
[01:42:38] main hall, one-on-one. No brothers, no advisers, just the Duke and the fourth
[01:42:41] advisers, just the Duke and the fourth son. But Tahwan sat in his chair like a
[01:42:44] son. But Tahwan sat in his chair like a rock, huge, immmobile, the family's
[01:42:48] rock, huge, immmobile, the family's silver hawk on the wall behind him. He
[01:42:51] silver hawk on the wall behind him. He looked at Gonchan and said nothing. A
[01:42:54] looked at Gonchan and said nothing. A minute, two, three. Gonchan stood and
[01:42:58] minute, two, three. Gonchan stood and waited. He knew this tactic, pressure
[01:43:01] waited. He knew this tactic, pressure through silence. In his past life,
[01:43:04] through silence. In his past life, clients on construction sites did the
[01:43:06] clients on construction sites did the same thing. They remained silent and
[01:43:09] same thing. They remained silent and waited until the contractor started to
[01:43:11] waited until the contractor started to get nervous and give in. Gonchan wasn't
[01:43:14] get nervous and give in. Gonchan wasn't nervous. He was an engineer. Engineers
[01:43:17] nervous. He was an engineer. Engineers were used to pressure. Finally, the Duke
[01:43:20] were used to pressure. Finally, the Duke spoke. He said that Gonchan was bringing
[01:43:23] spoke. He said that Gonchan was bringing shame upon the family. The youngest son
[01:43:26] shame upon the family. The youngest son must not surpass his elder. It violates
[01:43:29] must not surpass his elder. It violates the order. It violates tradition. It
[01:43:32] the order. It violates tradition. It violates the law of the clan. He
[01:43:34] violates the law of the clan. He demanded that Gonchan hand over the
[01:43:36] demanded that Gonchan hand over the technology to the clan. Everything,
[01:43:39] technology to the clan. Everything, steel, concrete, brick, glass,
[01:43:43] steel, concrete, brick, glass, everything he had created must belong to
[01:43:45] everything he had created must belong to the family and be distributed according
[01:43:48] the family and be distributed according to seniority. Gonman would receive it
[01:43:50] to seniority. Gonman would receive it first because he is the eldest. That is
[01:43:54] first because he is the eldest. That is how the world works. Gonchan listened in
[01:43:57] how the world works. Gonchan listened in silence. Then he replied calmly without
[01:44:01] silence. Then he replied calmly without insulence but firmly. He said that
[01:44:03] insulence but firmly. He said that technology is not something that can be
[01:44:05] technology is not something that can be handed down like a sack of grain. It is
[01:44:08] handed down like a sack of grain. It is knowledge and skills and the people who
[01:44:11] knowledge and skills and the people who possess them. Handing over a blueprint
[01:44:14] possess them. Handing over a blueprint for a blast furnace is pointless if
[01:44:16] for a blast furnace is pointless if there is no master who knows how to
[01:44:18] there is no master who knows how to operate it. Handing over a blueprint is
[01:44:21] operate it. Handing over a blueprint is pointless if there is no one who knows
[01:44:24] pointless if there is no one who knows exactly what kind of stone is needed and
[01:44:26] exactly what kind of stone is needed and at what temperature it should be fired.
[01:44:29] at what temperature it should be fired. He proposed an alternative, not a
[01:44:31] He proposed an alternative, not a technology transfer, but a trade
[01:44:33] technology transfer, but a trade agreement. Hassogun supplies the clan
[01:44:36] agreement. Hassogun supplies the clan with steel, bricks, and glass at cost.
[01:44:40] with steel, bricks, and glass at cost. No markup.
[01:44:42] No markup. The clan receives the best materials in
[01:44:44] The clan receives the best materials in the empire cheaper than anyone else.
[01:44:46] the empire cheaper than anyone else. Hugun preserved production and
[01:44:49] Hugun preserved production and personnel. Everyone wins. The Duke
[01:44:52] personnel. Everyone wins. The Duke listened. His expression did not change.
[01:44:55] listened. His expression did not change. When Gonchan finished, the Duke spoke a
[01:44:57] When Gonchan finished, the Duke spoke a single sentence. He said that Gonchan
[01:45:00] single sentence. He said that Gonchan was refusing his father. Silence. It was
[01:45:04] was refusing his father. Silence. It was not a request. It was a statement of
[01:45:07] not a request. It was a statement of fact. In this world's value system,
[01:45:10] fact. In this world's value system, defying one's father was tantamount to
[01:45:12] defying one's father was tantamount to treason. Gonchan replied that he was not
[01:45:15] treason. Gonchan replied that he was not defying him. He was proposing a better
[01:45:18] defying him. He was proposing a better path. The Duke stood up. He was a head
[01:45:22] path. The Duke stood up. He was a head taller than Gonchan, twice as broad. He
[01:45:25] taller than Gonchan, twice as broad. He stepped closer. He looked down at him
[01:45:28] stepped closer. He looked down at him and said that Gonchan had two months. If
[01:45:31] and said that Gonchan had two months. If the technology was not transferred
[01:45:33] the technology was not transferred within 2 months, the Duke would appeal
[01:45:35] within 2 months, the Duke would appeal to the emperor to reconsider the
[01:45:37] to the emperor to reconsider the appointment. Hogun would be transferred
[01:45:40] appointment. Hogun would be transferred to Gonmen. Gonchan would be recalled to
[01:45:42] to Gonmen. Gonchan would be recalled to the estate without a title, without
[01:45:45] the estate without a title, without land, without anything, an empty vessel
[01:45:48] land, without anything, an empty vessel once more. Gonchan bowed and left. His
[01:45:52] once more. Gonchan bowed and left. His hands did not tremble. His voice did not
[01:45:56] hands did not tremble. His voice did not falter. But when he mounted his horse
[01:45:59] falter. But when he mounted his horse and rode out of the estate, he gripped
[01:46:01] and rode out of the estate, he gripped the rains so tightly that his knuckles
[01:46:04] the rains so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
[01:46:06] turned white. Two months on the way back, he did not
[01:46:09] Two months on the way back, he did not stop. He rode the horse until dark. He
[01:46:12] stop. He rode the horse until dark. He slept for 4 hours. Back in the saddle,
[01:46:16] slept for 4 hours. Back in the saddle, he returned to Hogun in 3 days instead
[01:46:19] he returned to Hogun in 3 days instead of four. So met him at the gate. She
[01:46:22] of four. So met him at the gate. She looked at his face and understood
[01:46:24] looked at his face and understood everything. She asked how long it had
[01:46:27] everything. She asked how long it had been. He replied, "2 months." She
[01:46:30] been. He replied, "2 months." She nodded. She asked what to do. Gonchan
[01:46:34] nodded. She asked what to do. Gonchan replied, "Work faster. Two months isn't
[01:46:37] replied, "Work faster. Two months isn't enough time to negotiate with the Duke,
[01:46:40] enough time to negotiate with the Duke, but it's enough to make Hogun so
[01:46:42] but it's enough to make Hogun so valuable that taking it away would cost
[01:46:44] valuable that taking it away would cost more than keeping it. He sat down at the
[01:46:47] more than keeping it. He sat down at the table and began to plan. He needed to
[01:46:50] table and began to plan. He needed to transform Hogun from a merely successful
[01:46:53] transform Hogun from a merely successful county into an indispensable economic
[01:46:56] county into an indispensable economic hub, one that couldn't be handed over to
[01:46:58] hub, one that couldn't be handed over to another lord without everything
[01:47:00] another lord without everything collapsing. Because everything doesn't
[01:47:03] collapsing. Because everything doesn't rest on blueprints. Everything rests on
[01:47:06] rest on blueprints. Everything rests on a single person who knows why the arch
[01:47:09] a single person who knows why the arch doesn't fall. And that person isn't
[01:47:12] doesn't fall. And that person isn't going anywhere.
[01:47:14] going anywhere. 2 months, 60 days. Gonchan mapped out
[01:47:18] 2 months, 60 days. Gonchan mapped out each one. First task, the debt to the
[01:47:21] each one. First task, the debt to the treasury. 4,000 gold pieces minus the
[01:47:24] treasury. 4,000 gold pieces minus the 500 already paid equals 3,500.
[01:47:29] 500 already paid equals 3,500. If he pays off the debt in full, Hagun
[01:47:31] If he pays off the debt in full, Hagun is formally in the clear with the
[01:47:33] is formally in the clear with the empire, and a debt-free district is
[01:47:36] empire, and a debt-free district is harder to seize. A pretext is needed.
[01:47:39] harder to seize. A pretext is needed. The debt could serve as a pretext.
[01:47:42] The debt could serve as a pretext. Without the debt, there are fewer
[01:47:44] Without the debt, there are fewer pretexts. Gonchan summoned Moon Deagel.
[01:47:47] pretexts. Gonchan summoned Moon Deagel. He arrived a week later. Gonchan offered
[01:47:51] He arrived a week later. Gonchan offered him a deal. The man trading house would
[01:47:53] him a deal. The man trading house would pay off Hugun's debt to the Treasury.
[01:47:56] pay off Hugun's debt to the Treasury. 3,500
[01:47:57] 3,500 gold pieces. In return, it would receive
[01:48:00] gold pieces. In return, it would receive a fiveyear contract, exclusive rights to
[01:48:04] a fiveyear contract, exclusive rights to transportation and trade mediation, a
[01:48:07] transportation and trade mediation, a fixed rate, prepayment for the first
[01:48:10] fixed rate, prepayment for the first year's goods. Deagel did the math. 3,500
[01:48:15] year's goods. Deagel did the math. 3,500 gold pieces is the annual turnover of an
[01:48:18] gold pieces is the annual turnover of an average trading house in Vulsen. A large
[01:48:21] average trading house in Vulsen. A large sum. But he had seen Hugun. He had seen
[01:48:25] sum. But he had seen Hugun. He had seen the wall, the bridge, 10,000 people,
[01:48:28] the wall, the bridge, 10,000 people, steel, glass, concrete, brick, paper,
[01:48:32] steel, glass, concrete, brick, paper, grain. If in 5 years, Hagon produces at
[01:48:36] grain. If in 5 years, Hagon produces at least twice as much as it does now, and
[01:48:38] least twice as much as it does now, and it will clearly produce 10 times as
[01:48:40] it will clearly produce 10 times as much, then this contract will pay for
[01:48:43] much, then this contract will pay for itself in 2 years. The remaining 3 years
[01:48:46] itself in 2 years. The remaining 3 years are pure profit. Deagel agreed. Two
[01:48:50] are pure profit. Deagel agreed. Two weeks later, a wagon load of gold set
[01:48:52] weeks later, a wagon load of gold set off for the capital. The receipt for the
[01:48:54] off for the capital. The receipt for the debt payment returned a month later.
[01:48:56] debt payment returned a month later. Hugan was in the clear. So Hyan made a
[01:49:00] Hugan was in the clear. So Hyan made a note in the ledger. Debt fully repaid.
[01:49:02] note in the ledger. Debt fully repaid. Date, amount, source. She underlined it
[01:49:06] Date, amount, source. She underlined it twice. Second task, economic dependence.
[01:49:10] twice. Second task, economic dependence. Gonchan began supplying goods not only
[01:49:13] Gonchan began supplying goods not only through Deel. He opened a trading post
[01:49:15] through Deel. He opened a trading post in Hugogun. Any merchant could come and
[01:49:18] in Hugogun. Any merchant could come and buy directly. Steel tools, bricks, roof
[01:49:22] buy directly. Steel tools, bricks, roof tiles, paper, lime, mortar, glass. Every
[01:49:26] tiles, paper, lime, mortar, glass. Every item had a fixed price, standard
[01:49:28] item had a fixed price, standard quality.
[01:49:30] quality. A guarantee. The word guarantee was new
[01:49:33] A guarantee. The word guarantee was new to this world. Gonchan explained to
[01:49:36] to this world. Gonchan explained to every buyer, "If the item breaks within
[01:49:38] every buyer, "If the item breaks within 6 months under normal use, we'll replace
[01:49:41] 6 months under normal use, we'll replace it for free." The merchants didn't
[01:49:44] it for free." The merchants didn't believe him. Then one returned with a
[01:49:46] believe him. Then one returned with a cracked pane of glass. Gonchan replaced
[01:49:49] cracked pane of glass. Gonchan replaced it without question. The news spread
[01:49:52] it without question. The news spread instantly. Merchants flocked to Hogun
[01:49:55] instantly. Merchants flocked to Hogun like flies to honey. Not because the
[01:49:57] like flies to honey. Not because the goods were cheap, but because here the
[01:50:00] goods were cheap, but because here the Lord's word is law. If he said he'd
[01:50:03] Lord's word is law. If he said he'd replace it, he would. In an empire where
[01:50:06] replace it, he would. In an empire where deception was the norm in business, this
[01:50:09] deception was the norm in business, this was a revolution. By the end of the
[01:50:11] was a revolution. By the end of the first month, the marketplace was open
[01:50:13] first month, the marketplace was open every day. 20 to 30 merchants at a time.
[01:50:17] every day. 20 to 30 merchants at a time. Carts line the road, tents sprang up
[01:50:20] Carts line the road, tents sprang up beyond the wall. Gonchan introduced
[01:50:22] beyond the wall. Gonchan introduced standardized weights and measures. One
[01:50:25] standardized weights and measures. One Hosogun pound is exactly 450 g. One
[01:50:29] Hosogun pound is exactly 450 g. One Hogun cubit is exactly 50 cm. All scales
[01:50:34] Hogun cubit is exactly 50 cm. All scales in the city were calibrated to a
[01:50:35] in the city were calibrated to a standard kept in the administrative
[01:50:37] standard kept in the administrative building. At first, the merchants were
[01:50:40] building. At first, the merchants were outraged. They were used to every city
[01:50:42] outraged. They were used to every city having its own measures. In Vul, a pound
[01:50:46] having its own measures. In Vul, a pound is 400 g. In Chonggh 420, in the
[01:50:50] is 400 g. In Chonggh 420, in the capital, 450. The difference allowed for
[01:50:54] capital, 450. The difference allowed for cheating. Buying by the larger pound,
[01:50:57] cheating. Buying by the larger pound, selling by the smaller one. Gonchan
[01:50:59] selling by the smaller one. Gonchan eliminated that possibility. In Hogun,
[01:51:02] eliminated that possibility. In Hogun, one pound is one pound everywhere,
[01:51:05] one pound is one pound everywhere, always for everyone. The merchants
[01:51:09] always for everyone. The merchants protested for a week. Then they
[01:51:11] protested for a week. Then they understood. A standard is not a
[01:51:14] understood. A standard is not a restriction. A standard is trust. If you
[01:51:18] restriction. A standard is trust. If you know that a Hassogun pound is always the
[01:51:20] know that a Hassogun pound is always the same, you can plan, calculate, not fear
[01:51:24] same, you can plan, calculate, not fear being cheated. Trade in Hassogun became
[01:51:27] being cheated. Trade in Hassogun became easier and more predictable than
[01:51:29] easier and more predictable than anywhere else in the empire. And the
[01:51:31] anywhere else in the empire. And the merchants appreciated that. The third
[01:51:34] merchants appreciated that. The third task, the population. Genchan understood
[01:51:38] task, the population. Genchan understood that more people were needed. 10,000 is
[01:51:41] that more people were needed. 10,000 is good, but not enough. He needed a city,
[01:51:44] good, but not enough. He needed a city, not a village. He sent messengers to
[01:51:47] not a village. He sent messengers to neighboring counties. The announcements
[01:51:49] neighboring counties. The announcements were simple. Hassogun welcomes everyone.
[01:51:53] were simple. Hassogun welcomes everyone. Housing, work, work, protection. Every
[01:51:56] Housing, work, work, protection. Every artisan receives a workshop and tools
[01:51:58] artisan receives a workshop and tools for a year free of charge. In exchange,
[01:52:01] for a year free of charge. In exchange, 20% of the output goes to the city.
[01:52:04] 20% of the output goes to the city. After a year, the workshop becomes his
[01:52:06] After a year, the workshop becomes his property. The terms were unprecedented.
[01:52:09] property. The terms were unprecedented. In the empire, artisans paid guilds for
[01:52:12] In the empire, artisans paid guilds for the right to work. They paid lords for
[01:52:14] the right to work. They paid lords for the right to live. They paid taxes to
[01:52:16] the right to live. They paid taxes to the treasury. But here, they were given
[01:52:19] the treasury. But here, they were given a workshop for free and tools, steel
[01:52:22] a workshop for free and tools, steel ones. People came, blacksmiths, potters,
[01:52:26] ones. People came, blacksmiths, potters, weavers, leather workers, brick layers,
[01:52:29] weavers, leather workers, brick layers, carpenters, even a single jeweler.
[01:52:32] carpenters, even a single jeweler. Within 2 months, the population reached
[01:52:35] Within 2 months, the population reached 12,000. Hassogun ceased to be a village.
[01:52:39] 12,000. Hassogun ceased to be a village. It became a city. The fourth task,
[01:52:42] It became a city. The fourth task, information. Gonchan launched the first
[01:52:44] information. Gonchan launched the first issue of the newspaper. No, not a
[01:52:47] issue of the newspaper. No, not a newspaper. A bulletin, one page weekly,
[01:52:51] newspaper. A bulletin, one page weekly, printed on paper produced locally. The
[01:52:53] printed on paper produced locally. The content was simple. Prices for goods in
[01:52:56] content was simple. Prices for goods in Hassugun. Job listings. Schedule of
[01:52:59] Hassugun. Job listings. Schedule of market days. News. A new house was
[01:53:01] market days. News. A new house was built. A new workshop opened. The school
[01:53:05] built. A new workshop opened. The school was enrolling students. The bulletin was
[01:53:07] was enrolling students. The bulletin was distributed through merchants. Each
[01:53:10] distributed through merchants. Each received 10 copies for free. They took
[01:53:12] received 10 copies for free. They took them back to their own towns. They
[01:53:14] them back to their own towns. They showed them to their acquaintances. A
[01:53:16] showed them to their acquaintances. A month later, the Huston bulletin was
[01:53:19] month later, the Huston bulletin was being read in Volsen, two months later
[01:53:21] being read in Volsen, two months later in Chungh. It was an advertisement, the
[01:53:24] in Chungh. It was an advertisement, the most primitive form of marketing. But in
[01:53:27] most primitive form of marketing. But in a world where information was
[01:53:28] a world where information was transmitted only through rumors, even a
[01:53:31] transmitted only through rumors, even a one-page bulletin with precise figures
[01:53:34] one-page bulletin with precise figures was a weapon. Every merchant who read
[01:53:36] was a weapon. Every merchant who read that a steel knife cost 10 silver coins
[01:53:39] that a steel knife cost 10 silver coins in Hosogun and 25 in the capital thought
[01:53:42] in Hosogun and 25 in the capital thought the same thing. We must go to Hogun.
[01:53:46] the same thing. We must go to Hogun. The fifth task, the most secret one,
[01:53:49] The fifth task, the most secret one, gunpowder.
[01:53:51] gunpowder. Gung Chan began his work quietly in a
[01:53:53] Gung Chan began his work quietly in a separate workshop outside the city at
[01:53:56] separate workshop outside the city at the foot of the western hill far from
[01:53:58] the foot of the western hill far from residential buildings. One assistant, a
[01:54:01] residential buildings. One assistant, a silent young man, a former vagrant named
[01:54:04] silent young man, a former vagrant named Chew Mugan. Tulsu knew. So Hyan knew. No
[01:54:08] Chew Mugan. Tulsu knew. So Hyan knew. No one else. There was Salt Peter. Three
[01:54:11] one else. There was Salt Peter. Three sacks from Deil plus what they managed
[01:54:13] sacks from Deil plus what they managed to extract from the latrines. Nitrate
[01:54:16] to extract from the latrines. Nitrate forms when organic matter decomposes in
[01:54:18] forms when organic matter decomposes in the presence of alkali. Gonchan gathered
[01:54:21] the presence of alkali. Gonchan gathered leech soil from under old latrines. He
[01:54:24] leech soil from under old latrines. He washed it. He evaporated it. He got
[01:54:27] washed it. He evaporated it. He got crystals, dirty ones with impurities.
[01:54:30] crystals, dirty ones with impurities. But it was salt peter. There was sulfur.
[01:54:34] But it was salt peter. There was sulfur. Yellow crystals in the crevices of the
[01:54:36] Yellow crystals in the crevices of the western ravine. He'd found them back in
[01:54:38] western ravine. He'd found them back in the first week. Getting them wasn't
[01:54:40] the first week. Getting them wasn't hard. Cleaning them was harder. He
[01:54:43] hard. Cleaning them was harder. He distilled the sulfur using the simplest
[01:54:45] distilled the sulfur using the simplest distillation method. He heated it. He
[01:54:48] distillation method. He heated it. He collected the vapors on a cold surface.
[01:54:50] collected the vapors on a cold surface. Pure yellow crystals. There was coal,
[01:54:54] Pure yellow crystals. There was coal, wood charcoal from those same coal pits.
[01:54:57] wood charcoal from those same coal pits. The recipe was simple. 75 parts of salt
[01:55:00] The recipe was simple. 75 parts of salt peter, 15 parts coal, 10 parts sulfur.
[01:55:05] peter, 15 parts coal, 10 parts sulfur. Grind each component into the finest
[01:55:07] Grind each component into the finest powder. Mix, moisten, granulate, dry. He
[01:55:12] powder. Mix, moisten, granulate, dry. He mixed the first batch himself by hand in
[01:55:15] mixed the first batch himself by hand in a stone mortar thoroughly carefully.
[01:55:19] a stone mortar thoroughly carefully. Chew Muhan stood nearby and watched
[01:55:21] Chew Muhan stood nearby and watched suspiciously.
[01:55:22] suspiciously. He didn't know what it was. Gonchan said
[01:55:25] He didn't know what it was. Gonchan said it was a new formula for signal fires. A
[01:55:28] it was a new formula for signal fires. A halftruth. He conducted the first test
[01:55:30] halftruth. He conducted the first test at night. He poured a fist-sized mound
[01:55:33] at night. He poured a fist-sized mound of powder onto a stone. He led Muhan
[01:55:36] of powder onto a stone. He led Muhan behind cover. He lit it with a long
[01:55:38] behind cover. He lit it with a long fuse. A flash, a roar, a cloud of smoke.
[01:55:43] fuse. A flash, a roar, a cloud of smoke. The rock on which the gunpowder lay
[01:55:45] The rock on which the gunpowder lay split in two. Muhan fell to the ground
[01:55:48] split in two. Muhan fell to the ground and covered his head with his hands.
[01:55:50] and covered his head with his hands. Then he got up. He looked at the split
[01:55:53] Then he got up. He looked at the split rock, at the smoke, at Gonchan. His eyes
[01:55:56] rock, at the smoke, at Gonchan. His eyes were huge. He asked what that was.
[01:56:00] were huge. He asked what that was. Gonchan said it was a force that would
[01:56:02] Gonchan said it was a force that would change the world and that Mugan would
[01:56:04] change the world and that Mugan would tell no one what he had seen. No one
[01:56:08] tell no one what he had seen. No one ever. Mugan nodded. He was one of those
[01:56:12] ever. Mugan nodded. He was one of those people who knew how to keep quiet. That
[01:56:14] people who knew how to keep quiet. That was why Gonchan had chosen him. The
[01:56:16] was why Gonchan had chosen him. The gunpowder worked. The formula was
[01:56:19] gunpowder worked. The formula was correct. The granulation ensured even
[01:56:22] correct. The granulation ensured even combustion. The power was sufficient.
[01:56:25] combustion. The power was sufficient. Now a weapon was needed. But that was
[01:56:28] Now a weapon was needed. But that was the next step. First he had to get
[01:56:30] the next step. First he had to get through his father's visit. Two months
[01:56:33] through his father's visit. Two months had passed. No letter had arrived.
[01:56:36] had passed. No letter had arrived. Instead of a letter, the Duke himself
[01:56:38] Instead of a letter, the Duke himself had come. No, not the Duke. Gonin with a
[01:56:43] had come. No, not the Duke. Gonin with a detachment of 50 horsemen and with a
[01:56:46] detachment of 50 horsemen and with a document bearing the Duke's signature
[01:56:47] document bearing the Duke's signature and the clan's seal. A decree
[01:56:50] and the clan's seal. A decree transferring control of Hzogun from no
[01:56:52] transferring control of Hzogun from no Gonchan to no Gonm. The formal reason,
[01:56:56] Gonchan to no Gonm. The formal reason, the younger son's inability to govern
[01:56:58] the younger son's inability to govern the territory in accordance with the
[01:57:00] the territory in accordance with the clan's interests. Gonm stood at the gate
[01:57:03] clan's interests. Gonm stood at the gate and smiled. Behind him were 50
[01:57:05] and smiled. Behind him were 50 swordsmen, the best warriors of Chungh,
[01:57:09] swordsmen, the best warriors of Chungh, professionals. Opposing them in Hazugun
[01:57:12] professionals. Opposing them in Hazugun were peasants with hoes. Gonchan stood
[01:57:14] were peasants with hoes. Gonchan stood on the wall and looked down. So Hyun was
[01:57:17] on the wall and looked down. So Hyun was beside him. Taloo stood behind him, a
[01:57:20] beside him. Taloo stood behind him, a steel hammer in his hand. Hong stood
[01:57:23] steel hammer in his hand. Hong stood with one hand free and a knife at his
[01:57:25] with one hand free and a knife at his belt. So Dal stood with a dozen
[01:57:27] belt. So Dal stood with a dozen builders. Everyone had gathered.
[01:57:30] builders. Everyone had gathered. Everyone was waiting. Gonchan looked at
[01:57:33] Everyone was waiting. Gonchan looked at Gonin, at his horsemen, at the document
[01:57:36] Gonin, at his horsemen, at the document in his hand. Then he turned to Soyan and
[01:57:39] in his hand. Then he turned to Soyan and asked her to bring the receipt for the
[01:57:40] asked her to bring the receipt for the debt payment and the trade contracts and
[01:57:43] debt payment and the trade contracts and the census. So brought them a minute
[01:57:46] the census. So brought them a minute later. She had everything ready. She
[01:57:48] later. She had everything ready. She knew this day would come. Gonchan went
[01:57:51] knew this day would come. Gonchan went down to the gate. He opened it. He went
[01:57:53] down to the gate. He opened it. He went out to meet his brother alone. Gunman
[01:57:56] out to meet his brother alone. Gunman handed him the document. Gonchan took
[01:57:58] handed him the document. Gonchan took it. He read it. Then he took out his own
[01:58:01] it. He read it. Then he took out his own papers, a receipt for full repayment of
[01:58:04] papers, a receipt for full repayment of the debt, 37 trade contracts with
[01:58:07] the debt, 37 trade contracts with merchants from 12 cities. The census,
[01:58:10] merchants from 12 cities. The census, 12,000 residents, the annual tax report,
[01:58:14] 12,000 residents, the annual tax report, Hogwin's income, 1,200 gold pieces, six
[01:58:18] Hogwin's income, 1,200 gold pieces, six times more than a year ago. And the
[01:58:21] times more than a year ago. And the final document, a petition signed by
[01:58:24] final document, a petition signed by every head of household in Hassogun.
[01:58:27] every head of household in Hassogun. 3,000 signatures and fingerprints. The
[01:58:30] 3,000 signatures and fingerprints. The text was simple. We, the residents of
[01:58:33] text was simple. We, the residents of Hassogun, ask the imperial chancellory
[01:58:36] Hassogun, ask the imperial chancellory to keep Lord No Gonchan as our ruler. He
[01:58:40] to keep Lord No Gonchan as our ruler. He gave us water, homes, work, food,
[01:58:43] gave us water, homes, work, food, protection. We do not want another lord.
[01:58:47] protection. We do not want another lord. Gunman read the petition. His face
[01:58:50] Gunman read the petition. His face froze. The document from the Duke gave
[01:58:53] froze. The document from the Duke gave him the right to take Hasogun.
[01:58:55] him the right to take Hasogun. But a petition from 12,000 residents
[01:58:58] But a petition from 12,000 residents sent to the Imperial Chancellery turned
[01:59:00] sent to the Imperial Chancellery turned this into a scandal. If he enters by
[01:59:03] this into a scandal. If he enters by force against the will of the people, it
[01:59:06] force against the will of the people, it is a rebellion. Not his rebellion, a
[01:59:09] is a rebellion. Not his rebellion, a rebellion by the people he was trying to
[01:59:11] rebellion by the people he was trying to subdue. The emperor does not like
[01:59:15] subdue. The emperor does not like rebellions. The emperor likes noble
[01:59:18] rebellions. The emperor likes noble houses that provoke rebellions even
[01:59:20] houses that provoke rebellions even less. Gonchan stood calmly. He did not
[01:59:24] less. Gonchan stood calmly. He did not threaten. He did not shout. He simply
[01:59:27] threaten. He did not shout. He simply held the papers. Gone looked at him at
[01:59:31] held the papers. Gone looked at him at the wall behind him, at the faces of the
[01:59:34] the wall behind him, at the faces of the people on the wall, peasants, artisans,
[01:59:37] people on the wall, peasants, artisans, women, children. Everyone looked down
[01:59:41] women, children. Everyone looked down silently.
[01:59:42] silently. Gunman clenched his teeth. He turned his
[01:59:45] Gunman clenched his teeth. He turned his horse around. His squad moved away. 50
[01:59:49] horse around. His squad moved away. 50 horsemen rode off along the road that
[01:59:51] horsemen rode off along the road that Gonchan had built. Across the bridge
[01:59:54] Gonchan had built. Across the bridge that Gonchan had built, past the fields
[01:59:57] that Gonchan had built, past the fields that Gonchan had seown. So Hyan stood
[02:00:00] that Gonchan had seown. So Hyan stood beside him. She said she had prepared
[02:00:03] beside him. She said she had prepared the petition a week ago just in case.
[02:00:07] the petition a week ago just in case. Gonchan looked at her. He asked how she
[02:00:10] Gonchan looked at her. He asked how she knew Gon would arrive with a decree
[02:00:12] knew Gon would arrive with a decree rather than a letter. So Hyun replied
[02:00:14] rather than a letter. So Hyun replied that she didn't know, but she knew her
[02:00:17] that she didn't know, but she knew her older brother wasn't the type to write
[02:00:19] older brother wasn't the type to write twice. Gonchan nodded. Then he said this
[02:00:22] twice. Gonchan nodded. Then he said this wasn't the end. Gon Min had retreated,
[02:00:25] wasn't the end. Gon Min had retreated, but hadn't given up. He would return or
[02:00:28] but hadn't given up. He would return or find another way. So Hyan nodded. She
[02:00:32] find another way. So Hyan nodded. She knew that, too. But today, they had
[02:00:34] knew that, too. But today, they had stood their ground, and tomorrow would
[02:00:36] stood their ground, and tomorrow would be tomorrow. Gong men had retreated, but
[02:00:39] be tomorrow. Gong men had retreated, but the silence after his departure was
[02:00:41] the silence after his departure was deceptive. Gongchan knew the blow would
[02:00:43] deceptive. Gongchan knew the blow would come from another direction. The
[02:00:46] come from another direction. The petition had stopped his brother, but
[02:00:47] petition had stopped his brother, but not his father. Duke Notan was not used
[02:00:51] not his father. Duke Notan was not used to losing, and he certainly wasn't used
[02:00:53] to losing, and he certainly wasn't used to losing to his fourth son. But Gonchan
[02:00:56] to losing to his fourth son. But Gonchan had no time to wait for the family's
[02:00:58] had no time to wait for the family's next move. He was expecting another
[02:01:00] next move. He was expecting another guest, and the guest arrived. 3 weeks
[02:01:04] guest, and the guest arrived. 3 weeks after Gon's departure, a merchants's
[02:01:06] after Gon's departure, a merchants's wagon from the southern lands entered
[02:01:08] wagon from the southern lands entered Hogun. Behind it came two mules laden
[02:01:12] Hogun. Behind it came two mules laden with bales of silk and spices. The
[02:01:14] with bales of silk and spices. The driver was an older man with a
[02:01:16] driver was an older man with a weatherbeaten face. A young woman sat
[02:01:19] weatherbeaten face. A young woman sat beside him, 22 years old, dark hair tied
[02:01:23] beside him, 22 years old, dark hair tied in a simple knot, a merchants's attire,
[02:01:26] in a simple knot, a merchants's attire, expensive fabric, but a modest cut. She
[02:01:30] expensive fabric, but a modest cut. She looked around with such delight that she
[02:01:32] looked around with such delight that she forgot to close her mouth. She looked at
[02:01:35] forgot to close her mouth. She looked at a wall and her eyes widened. She looked
[02:01:38] a wall and her eyes widened. She looked at the brick houses and began counting
[02:01:40] at the brick houses and began counting under her breath. She looked at the
[02:01:42] under her breath. She looked at the bridge and pulled a small notebook from
[02:01:44] bridge and pulled a small notebook from her sleeve, quickly sketching, right in
[02:01:47] her sleeve, quickly sketching, right in plain sight of everyone. She was the
[02:01:49] plain sight of everyone. She was the worst spy in the history of espionage.
[02:01:52] worst spy in the history of espionage. Her name was Yan Nadi, princess of the
[02:01:55] Her name was Yan Nadi, princess of the kingdom of Murung, daughter of King
[02:01:58] kingdom of Murung, daughter of King Yande,
[02:01:59] Yande, sister of General Yan Tu, sent by her
[02:02:02] sister of General Yan Tu, sent by her father under the guise of a merchant to
[02:02:05] father under the guise of a merchant to find out if the rumors about the
[02:02:06] find out if the rumors about the wondrous city on the border were true.
[02:02:09] wondrous city on the border were true. Gonchan found out about her 2 days after
[02:02:12] Gonchan found out about her 2 days after her arrival. So Hion reported that the
[02:02:15] her arrival. So Hion reported that the new merchant was asking too many
[02:02:17] new merchant was asking too many questions. She's interested in the wall,
[02:02:19] questions. She's interested in the wall, the smithy, the furnaces.
[02:02:22] the smithy, the furnaces. and she's writing everything down in a
[02:02:24] and she's writing everything down in a notebook. Gonchan came to see for
[02:02:27] notebook. Gonchan came to see for himself. Nadi was standing by Talsu's
[02:02:30] himself. Nadi was standing by Talsu's blast furnace, sketching it in her
[02:02:32] blast furnace, sketching it in her notebook in detail with dimensions she
[02:02:35] notebook in detail with dimensions she measured in steps. Talu stood nearby,
[02:02:39] measured in steps. Talu stood nearby, watching her with the expression of
[02:02:40] watching her with the expression of someone observing a kitten trying to
[02:02:42] someone observing a kitten trying to catch a fly. Gonchan approached. Naughty
[02:02:46] catch a fly. Gonchan approached. Naughty saw him and hid the notebook behind her
[02:02:48] saw him and hid the notebook behind her back. Quickly, awkwardly, the notebook
[02:02:52] back. Quickly, awkwardly, the notebook fell and opened to the page with the
[02:02:54] fell and opened to the page with the furnace drawing. Silence hung in the
[02:02:56] furnace drawing. Silence hung in the air. Nadi picked up the notebook,
[02:02:59] air. Nadi picked up the notebook, pressed it to her chest, looked at
[02:03:01] pressed it to her chest, looked at Gonchan. Gonchan looked at her. He knew
[02:03:05] Gonchan. Gonchan looked at her. He knew who she was. A Miron accent, hands
[02:03:08] who she was. A Miron accent, hands without calluses, the posture of someone
[02:03:11] without calluses, the posture of someone who had been taught to sit up straight
[02:03:12] who had been taught to sit up straight since childhood, expensive fabric, a
[02:03:16] since childhood, expensive fabric, a silkclad spy with a notebook. He said
[02:03:19] silkclad spy with a notebook. He said that if she wanted to draw the furnace,
[02:03:21] that if she wanted to draw the furnace, she should come closer. From that
[02:03:23] she should come closer. From that distance, the proportions would be
[02:03:25] distance, the proportions would be inaccurate.
[02:03:26] inaccurate. Naughty blinked. Then she approached
[02:03:29] Naughty blinked. Then she approached cautiously. Then she began to draw. Thu
[02:03:33] cautiously. Then she began to draw. Thu shook his head and went back to work.
[02:03:36] shook his head and went back to work. Thus began a strange coexistence.
[02:03:39] Thus began a strange coexistence. Nari walked around the city and wrote
[02:03:41] Nari walked around the city and wrote everything down. Gonchan knew. She knew
[02:03:45] everything down. Gonchan knew. She knew that he knew. He knew that. She knew
[02:03:48] that he knew. He knew that. She knew that he knew. Both pretended that
[02:03:51] that he knew. Both pretended that nothing was happening. She was a
[02:03:53] nothing was happening. She was a merchant. He was a hospitable lord.
[02:03:56] merchant. He was a hospitable lord. Period.
[02:03:58] Period. Gonchan didn't chase her away for two
[02:04:00] Gonchan didn't chase her away for two reasons. First, the information she
[02:04:03] reasons. First, the information she could gather was useless without
[02:04:04] could gather was useless without context. A blueprint for a blast furnace
[02:04:08] context. A blueprint for a blast furnace is worthless if you don't know what ore
[02:04:10] is worthless if you don't know what ore to load, at what temperature to smelt
[02:04:12] to load, at what temperature to smelt it, how to blow air through it, and how
[02:04:14] it, how to blow air through it, and how to distinguish finished cast iron from
[02:04:16] to distinguish finished cast iron from undercooked. Falsu knew that. Gonchan
[02:04:20] undercooked. Falsu knew that. Gonchan knew that. The notebook didn't. The
[02:04:24] knew that. The notebook didn't. The second reason was strategic. Moran was a
[02:04:27] second reason was strategic. Moran was a military state beyond the desert. 20,000
[02:04:30] military state beyond the desert. 20,000 cavalry, a warlike king, an ambitious
[02:04:33] cavalry, a warlike king, an ambitious general. Sooner or later, they would
[02:04:36] general. Sooner or later, they would look at Hogun and see a prize. Gonchan
[02:04:40] look at Hogun and see a prize. Gonchan preferred that they first see a trade
[02:04:42] preferred that they first see a trade opportunity. Nari was the conduit.
[02:04:45] opportunity. Nari was the conduit. Through her, he could show Murion what
[02:04:48] Through her, he could show Murion what he wanted to show and hide what needed
[02:04:51] he wanted to show and hide what needed to be hidden. That is why he showed her
[02:04:54] to be hidden. That is why he showed her the wall and the bricks and the bridge
[02:04:56] the wall and the bricks and the bridge and the glass and did not show her the
[02:04:59] and the glass and did not show her the workshop behind the western hill where
[02:05:01] workshop behind the western hill where Cho Muhan quietly ground Salt Peter.
[02:05:06] Cho Muhan quietly ground Salt Peter. Nari turned out to be not only a poor
[02:05:08] Nari turned out to be not only a poor spy but also a good conversationalist.
[02:05:11] spy but also a good conversationalist. She was smart, well educated by Murray
[02:05:14] She was smart, well educated by Murray standards. She spoke two languages. She
[02:05:17] standards. She spoke two languages. She knew history. She knew mathematics and
[02:05:20] knew history. She knew mathematics and she was genuinely delighted by what she
[02:05:22] she was genuinely delighted by what she saw. It wasn't an act. Gonchan could
[02:05:26] saw. It wasn't an act. Gonchan could tell the difference between calculated
[02:05:28] tell the difference between calculated interest and genuine delight. Nari was
[02:05:32] interest and genuine delight. Nari was delighted. She stood in front of the
[02:05:34] delighted. She stood in front of the arched bridge and asked how the stones
[02:05:37] arched bridge and asked how the stones held up without support from above.
[02:05:39] held up without support from above. Gonchan explained the principle of the
[02:05:41] Gonchan explained the principle of the arch. Nari listened with her mouth a
[02:05:44] arch. Nari listened with her mouth a gape. Then she said that in Murion the
[02:05:47] gape. Then she said that in Murion the bridges were wooden and were washed away
[02:05:50] bridges were wooden and were washed away every spring. Gonchan replied that stone
[02:05:54] every spring. Gonchan replied that stone lasts longer. She looked at him. Then
[02:05:57] lasts longer. She looked at him. Then why doesn't anyone build with stone
[02:05:59] why doesn't anyone build with stone anymore? Gonchan shrugged because no one
[02:06:02] anymore? Gonchan shrugged because no one has read the right books. Nari laughed.
[02:06:05] has read the right books. Nari laughed. Then she asked, "What kind of books?"
[02:06:08] Then she asked, "What kind of books?" Gonchan replied that they were old,
[02:06:11] Gonchan replied that they were old, burnt. Nari stopped laughing. She looked
[02:06:14] burnt. Nari stopped laughing. She looked closely. She wrote something down in her
[02:06:16] closely. She wrote something down in her notebook. Meanwhile, Gonchan didn't stop
[02:06:20] notebook. Meanwhile, Gonchan didn't stop making progress. The year was coming to
[02:06:22] making progress. The year was coming to an end. His first full year in Hassugun.
[02:06:25] an end. His first full year in Hassugun. He took stock. Population 12,000. It had
[02:06:30] He took stock. Population 12,000. It had been 3,200,
[02:06:32] been 3,200, a four-fold increase. Revenue 1,200 gold
[02:06:37] a four-fold increase. Revenue 1,200 gold pieces. It had been 200, a six-fold
[02:06:41] pieces. It had been 200, a six-fold increase. Debt zero. It had been 4,000.
[02:06:46] increase. Debt zero. It had been 4,000. Steel production
[02:06:48] Steel production 120 units per month. It had been zero.
[02:06:52] 120 units per month. It had been zero. Brick production 10,000 bricks per
[02:06:55] Brick production 10,000 bricks per month. It had been zero. The grain
[02:06:58] month. It had been zero. The grain harvest was three times higher than the
[02:07:01] harvest was three times higher than the empirewide average for the same area.
[02:07:04] empirewide average for the same area. Literacy rate 12%. It had been zero.
[02:07:09] Literacy rate 12%. It had been zero. Infant mortality has fallen by 2/3. Zero
[02:07:13] Infant mortality has fallen by 2/3. Zero epidemics. The figures were impressive.
[02:07:16] epidemics. The figures were impressive. And Gonchan knew that each one was a
[02:07:19] And Gonchan knew that each one was a target on his back. He moved on to the
[02:07:22] target on his back. He moved on to the next phase. The gunpowder was ready. The
[02:07:24] next phase. The gunpowder was ready. The formula was perfected. 200 lb of dry
[02:07:28] formula was perfected. 200 lb of dry gunpowder in stock. Now he needed a
[02:07:31] gunpowder in stock. Now he needed a weapon. Gonchan spent three nights
[02:07:34] weapon. Gonchan spent three nights pouring over blueprints. A musket. The
[02:07:37] pouring over blueprints. A musket. The simplest matchlock musket. A cast steel
[02:07:41] simplest matchlock musket. A cast steel barrel. Barrel length 80 cm. Caliber 20
[02:07:45] barrel. Barrel length 80 cm. Caliber 20 mm. Matchlock mechanism. The stock is
[02:07:49] mm. Matchlock mechanism. The stock is wooden. The principle is simple.
[02:07:51] wooden. The principle is simple. Gunpowder is poured into the barrel. A
[02:07:54] Gunpowder is poured into the barrel. A lead or stone bullet is placed on top.
[02:07:57] lead or stone bullet is placed on top. It is rammed down with a ram rod. The
[02:07:59] It is rammed down with a ram rod. The fuse is lit. The trigger lowers the
[02:08:02] fuse is lit. The trigger lowers the burning fuse into the ignition hole. The
[02:08:05] burning fuse into the ignition hole. The gunpowder ignites. The bullet flies. The
[02:08:08] gunpowder ignites. The bullet flies. The effective range is 150 m. The best bow
[02:08:13] effective range is 150 m. The best bow in the Empire has a range of 100 m. A
[02:08:16] in the Empire has a range of 100 m. A mid-tier fire mage has a range of 80. A
[02:08:19] mid-tier fire mage has a range of 80. A musket shoots farther than a bow and
[02:08:22] musket shoots farther than a bow and farther than a mage. But range isn't the
[02:08:25] farther than a mage. But range isn't the main thing. The main thing is how
[02:08:27] main thing. The main thing is how quickly you can learn. It takes 5 years
[02:08:30] quickly you can learn. It takes 5 years of training to become an archer. It
[02:08:33] of training to become an archer. It takes 15 years and natural talent to
[02:08:36] takes 15 years and natural talent to become a fire mage. To become a
[02:08:38] become a fire mage. To become a musketeer, it takes three weeks and any
[02:08:41] musketeer, it takes three weeks and any peasant. Three weeks. Gonchan brought
[02:08:45] peasant. Three weeks. Gonchan brought the blueprint to Thu. The blacksmith
[02:08:48] the blueprint to Thu. The blacksmith stared at it for a long time. He already
[02:08:51] stared at it for a long time. He already knew about gunpowder. Gonchan had shown
[02:08:53] knew about gunpowder. Gonchan had shown him the test a month ago. Thausu hadn't
[02:08:56] him the test a month ago. Thausu hadn't slept for 2 days after that. He paced
[02:08:59] slept for 2 days after that. He paced around the smithy, muttering to himself.
[02:09:01] around the smithy, muttering to himself. Then he went to Gonchan and said he
[02:09:04] Then he went to Gonchan and said he understood. Gunpowder is the power of
[02:09:07] understood. Gunpowder is the power of fire without a mage. Gonchan nodded.
[02:09:10] fire without a mage. Gonchan nodded. Exactly. Thousu took the musket
[02:09:13] Exactly. Thousu took the musket blueprint and went into the smithy. He
[02:09:16] blueprint and went into the smithy. He cast the first barrel in a week. The
[02:09:18] cast the first barrel in a week. The method was complicated. First a wax
[02:09:21] method was complicated. First a wax model of the barrel. Then a clay mold
[02:09:24] model of the barrel. Then a clay mold around the wax. Firing the mold. The wax
[02:09:27] around the wax. Firing the mold. The wax flows out. A cavity remains. Pouring in
[02:09:31] flows out. A cavity remains. Pouring in liquid steel. Cooling. Breaking the
[02:09:34] liquid steel. Cooling. Breaking the mold. Removing the barrel. A problem.
[02:09:37] mold. Removing the barrel. A problem. The first barrel had cavities. Air
[02:09:40] The first barrel had cavities. Air bubbles in the walls. It's dangerous to
[02:09:42] bubbles in the walls. It's dangerous to fire from one like that. It'll explode.
[02:09:46] fire from one like that. It'll explode. Thalsu threw it away and started over.
[02:09:49] Thalsu threw it away and started over. Second barrel. Smaller cavities, but
[02:09:51] Second barrel. Smaller cavities, but they're still there. Thou discarded it.
[02:09:55] they're still there. Thou discarded it. Third cavities. Fourth. Fifth. Sixth,
[02:10:00] Third cavities. Fourth. Fifth. Sixth, Thalsu didn't give up. He adjusted the
[02:10:03] Thalsu didn't give up. He adjusted the pouring temperature and the thickness of
[02:10:05] pouring temperature and the thickness of the mold walls, the cooling rate. On the
[02:10:08] the mold walls, the cooling rate. On the seventh attempt, the barrel came out
[02:10:10] seventh attempt, the barrel came out clean. No cavities. The walls were
[02:10:13] clean. No cavities. The walls were smooth. The bore was straight. Thalsu
[02:10:16] smooth. The bore was straight. Thalsu examined it from all sides. He blew
[02:10:19] examined it from all sides. He blew through it. He looked at the boar. He
[02:10:21] through it. He looked at the boar. He tapped it. The sound was clear, even. He
[02:10:25] tapped it. The sound was clear, even. He showed it to Gonchan. Gonchan examined
[02:10:28] showed it to Gonchan. Gonchan examined it. weighed it in his hand, heavy, about
[02:10:32] it. weighed it in his hand, heavy, about 4 kg per barrel, but sturdy. The first
[02:10:36] 4 kg per barrel, but sturdy. The first test shot was fired behind the western
[02:10:38] test shot was fired behind the western hill at night. Gonchan, Thalsu, Mugan,
[02:10:43] hill at night. Gonchan, Thalsu, Mugan, no one else. They loaded the musket, a
[02:10:46] no one else. They loaded the musket, a powder charge, a lead bullet. Gonchan
[02:10:49] powder charge, a lead bullet. Gonchan rejected the stone one. Lead is softer.
[02:10:52] rejected the stone one. Lead is softer. It deforms in the barrel. It fills the
[02:10:55] It deforms in the barrel. It fills the boar more tightly. It flies more
[02:10:57] boar more tightly. It flies more accurately. There wasn't much lead, but
[02:11:00] accurately. There wasn't much lead, but it was enough for the test. Falsu lit
[02:11:03] it was enough for the test. Falsu lit the fuse. He rested the musket on his
[02:11:06] the fuse. He rested the musket on his shoulder as Gonchan had shown him. He
[02:11:08] shoulder as Gonchan had shown him. He aimed at a wooden shield 100 m away. He
[02:11:12] aimed at a wooden shield 100 m away. He pulled the trigger. A roar shattered the
[02:11:15] pulled the trigger. A roar shattered the night's silence. A flame burst from the
[02:11:18] night's silence. A flame burst from the barrel, a cloud of smoke. The recoil
[02:11:21] barrel, a cloud of smoke. The recoil pushed Thalsu back a step. He steadied
[02:11:24] pushed Thalsu back a step. He steadied himself. He looked at the shield. The
[02:11:26] himself. He looked at the shield. The bullet had pierced it right through. It
[02:11:29] bullet had pierced it right through. It entered the tree behind it. Thalsu
[02:11:32] entered the tree behind it. Thalsu slowly lowered the musket. He looked at
[02:11:34] slowly lowered the musket. He looked at Gonchan. His face was pale. He said that
[02:11:38] Gonchan. His face was pale. He said that this changed everything.
[02:11:41] this changed everything. Gonchan replied that this was precisely
[02:11:43] Gonchan replied that this was precisely why no one must know about it for now.
[02:11:47] why no one must know about it for now. Thu nodded. He understood. A bow and a
[02:11:51] Thu nodded. He understood. A bow and a sword are weapons that can be countered
[02:11:53] sword are weapons that can be countered by another bow and another sword. A
[02:11:56] by another bow and another sword. A musket is a weapon that cannot be
[02:11:58] musket is a weapon that cannot be countered. Not yet. Not until it is
[02:12:02] countered. Not yet. Not until it is copied. And to copy it, one must know
[02:12:05] copied. And to copy it, one must know the formula for gunpowder and the
[02:12:07] the formula for gunpowder and the technology for casting barrels. Time,
[02:12:11] technology for casting barrels. Time, months, perhaps years.
[02:12:14] months, perhaps years. Gonchan returned to the city. His heart
[02:12:17] Gonchan returned to the city. His heart was heavy. In his past life, Park Junho
[02:12:20] was heavy. In his past life, Park Junho had built bridges. Bridges connect. A
[02:12:24] had built bridges. Bridges connect. A musket kills. He had created a weapon in
[02:12:27] musket kills. He had created a weapon in a world that didn't know it. He
[02:12:29] a world that didn't know it. He understood the necessity. Without
[02:12:31] understood the necessity. Without musketss, Husun would not survive the
[02:12:34] musketss, Husun would not survive the first serious attack. The wall would
[02:12:36] first serious attack. The wall would delay, but not stop the army. But
[02:12:39] delay, but not stop the army. But musketss would stop it. Yet, every time
[02:12:42] musketss would stop it. Yet, every time he thought about the formula for
[02:12:44] he thought about the formula for gunpowder, other formulas surfaced in
[02:12:46] gunpowder, other formulas surfaced in his mind. TNT,
[02:12:49] his mind. TNT, dynamite, napom, nuclear fision. He knew
[02:12:53] dynamite, napom, nuclear fision. He knew where this was leading. He knew the
[02:12:55] where this was leading. He knew the final destination of this path. And yet
[02:12:58] final destination of this path. And yet he kept walking it because dysentery
[02:13:01] he kept walking it because dysentery kills here and now and the atomic bomb
[02:13:04] kills here and now and the atomic bomb in 500 years. He had no right to choose
[02:13:08] in 500 years. He had no right to choose a comfortable pace for other people's
[02:13:10] a comfortable pace for other people's children. At night, he lay on the roof
[02:13:13] children. At night, he lay on the roof and looked up at the sky. The Milky Way
[02:13:15] and looked up at the sky. The Milky Way blazed from horizon to horizon. Quiet,
[02:13:19] blazed from horizon to horizon. Quiet, beautiful, peaceful. Somewhere down
[02:13:22] beautiful, peaceful. Somewhere down below in Tall Su Smithy, a second barrel
[02:13:25] below in Tall Su Smithy, a second barrel was being cast. Somewhere in the
[02:13:27] was being cast. Somewhere in the workshop, Muhan was grinding salt peter.
[02:13:30] workshop, Muhan was grinding salt peter. Somewhere in a room, Sohan was recording
[02:13:33] Somewhere in a room, Sohan was recording lead expenses in a ledger. The world was
[02:13:36] lead expenses in a ledger. The world was changing quietly, imperceptibly,
[02:13:40] changing quietly, imperceptibly, irreversibly. The spring of the second
[02:13:42] irreversibly. The spring of the second year brought two events. The first was
[02:13:45] year brought two events. The first was good. The second was not. The good
[02:13:48] good. The second was not. The good event, the harvest. The fields
[02:13:51] event, the harvest. The fields cultivated using the three field system
[02:13:53] cultivated using the three field system with compost fertilizer and steel plows
[02:13:56] with compost fertilizer and steel plows yielded unprecedented results. The wheat
[02:13:59] yielded unprecedented results. The wheat stood waist high. The ears were heavy
[02:14:02] stood waist high. The ears were heavy and full. The peas filled the pods so
[02:14:04] and full. The peas filled the pods so full that they get on the stems. The
[02:14:07] full that they get on the stems. The flax grew taller than a man. The oil
[02:14:10] flax grew taller than a man. The oil seeds on the southern slopes glowed with
[02:14:12] seeds on the southern slopes glowed with yellow flowers stretching to the
[02:14:14] yellow flowers stretching to the horizon. The harvest exceeded the city's
[02:14:17] horizon. The harvest exceeded the city's needs four-fold.
[02:14:19] needs four-fold. Fourfold.
[02:14:20] Fourfold. Hassugun was now doing more than just
[02:14:22] Hassugun was now doing more than just feeding himself. He could feed others.
[02:14:26] feeding himself. He could feed others. Gonchan sent the first grain convoy to
[02:14:28] Gonchan sent the first grain convoy to Wolsen, the Ammun Deil. 100 sacks of
[02:14:31] Wolsen, the Ammun Deil. 100 sacks of wheat, 50 sacks of peas, 20 bales of
[02:14:35] wheat, 50 sacks of peas, 20 bales of flax. The convoy left in the morning. It
[02:14:38] flax. The convoy left in the morning. It returned two weeks later with gold and
[02:14:40] returned two weeks later with gold and supplies. Copper, tin, dyes, spices,
[02:14:45] supplies. Copper, tin, dyes, spices, fabrics,
[02:14:46] fabrics, and news. Bad news. The Tower of Sages
[02:14:49] and news. Bad news. The Tower of Sages had sent an observer. His name was Quan
[02:14:52] had sent an observer. His name was Quan Sonu, 35 years old, a third circle mage
[02:14:56] Sonu, 35 years old, a third circle mage specializing in water. He arrived in
[02:14:59] specializing in water. He arrived in Hugun riding a white horse clad in a
[02:15:02] Hugun riding a white horse clad in a blue robe with silver runes. majestic
[02:15:06] blue robe with silver runes. majestic hottie with a letter signed by the
[02:15:08] hottie with a letter signed by the supreme sage Cho Hi Song. The letter
[02:15:12] supreme sage Cho Hi Song. The letter stated that the tower was concerned
[02:15:13] stated that the tower was concerned about rumors of unusual phenomena in
[02:15:16] about rumors of unusual phenomena in Hosugun. Explosions, new materials,
[02:15:20] Hosugun. Explosions, new materials, metal superior to Imperial steel. The
[02:15:23] metal superior to Imperial steel. The tower is sending an observer to
[02:15:25] tower is sending an observer to investigate the situation. Cooperation
[02:15:28] investigate the situation. Cooperation is encouraged.
[02:15:30] is encouraged. Gonchan read the letter and understood
[02:15:32] Gonchan read the letter and understood the subtext. Cooperation is welcome
[02:15:35] the subtext. Cooperation is welcome meant cooperation is mandatory.
[02:15:39] meant cooperation is mandatory. The Tower of Sages was not merely an
[02:15:41] The Tower of Sages was not merely an organization of mages. It was a
[02:15:44] organization of mages. It was a monopoly. The Empire's sole legal
[02:15:47] monopoly. The Empire's sole legal monopoly on supernatural powers. Mages
[02:15:50] monopoly on supernatural powers. Mages healed. Mages built. Mages fought. For
[02:15:55] healed. Mages built. Mages fought. For every service, the tower charged a fee,
[02:15:58] every service, the tower charged a fee, a huge one. A water mage could fill a
[02:16:01] a huge one. A water mage could fill a well in an hour. cost 50 gold. A fire
[02:16:05] well in an hour. cost 50 gold. A fire mage could melt ore with a glance. Cost
[02:16:09] mage could melt ore with a glance. Cost 100 gold. A healer could cure the plague
[02:16:12] 100 gold. A healer could cure the plague in a village. Cost 500 gold. The empire
[02:16:17] in a village. Cost 500 gold. The empire depended on the tower. The tower
[02:16:19] depended on the tower. The tower depended on that dependence. And now a
[02:16:22] depended on that dependence. And now a boy in the desert was building wells
[02:16:25] boy in the desert was building wells without a water mage, smelting ore
[02:16:28] without a water mage, smelting ore without a fire mage, curing diseases
[02:16:30] without a fire mage, curing diseases with boiled water without a healer, and
[02:16:34] with boiled water without a healer, and he was doing it cheaper, hundreds of
[02:16:36] he was doing it cheaper, hundreds of times cheaper. Quan Senu rode into the
[02:16:40] times cheaper. Quan Senu rode into the city and stopped in the square. He
[02:16:42] city and stopped in the square. He looked around. His face remained
[02:16:44] looked around. His face remained impassive, but Gonchan noticed his
[02:16:47] impassive, but Gonchan noticed his fingers tightening on the res. The mage
[02:16:50] fingers tightening on the res. The mage saw glass windows, brick walls, water
[02:16:54] saw glass windows, brick walls, water channels, paved streets. All of this had
[02:16:57] channels, paved streets. All of this had been built without a single drop of
[02:16:59] been built without a single drop of mana. Gonchan received him in the
[02:17:02] mana. Gonchan received him in the administrative building, offered tea.
[02:17:05] administrative building, offered tea. Quanu sat down and was silent for a long
[02:17:08] Quanu sat down and was silent for a long time. Then he spoke. He was more direct
[02:17:12] time. Then he spoke. He was more direct than Gonchan had expected. He said that
[02:17:14] than Gonchan had expected. He said that the tower was not the enemy. The tower
[02:17:17] the tower was not the enemy. The tower wanted to understand how Lord Hosaguna
[02:17:20] wanted to understand how Lord Hosaguna achieved what usually requires magic
[02:17:23] achieved what usually requires magic without magic.
[02:17:26] without magic. This is an important question. If the
[02:17:28] This is an important question. If the answer is safe for the balance of the
[02:17:30] answer is safe for the balance of the world, the tower will not interfere. If
[02:17:33] world, the tower will not interfere. If it is dangerous, the tower will take
[02:17:35] it is dangerous, the tower will take action. Gonchan listened. Then he
[02:17:38] action. Gonchan listened. Then he replied cautiously. He said he does not
[02:17:41] replied cautiously. He said he does not use magic because he has no mana.
[02:17:44] use magic because he has no mana. Everyone knows that he uses knowledge,
[02:17:47] Everyone knows that he uses knowledge, the laws of nature that work the same
[02:17:49] the laws of nature that work the same for everyone. Water flows down. Fire
[02:17:52] for everyone. Water flows down. Fire melts stone. An arch bears weight. This
[02:17:56] melts stone. An arch bears weight. This is not magic. It is observation. Quanu
[02:18:00] is not magic. It is observation. Quanu looked at him. For a long time, his eyes
[02:18:03] looked at him. For a long time, his eyes were cold. He said that observation is
[02:18:06] were cold. He said that observation is not an explanation. How is it that the
[02:18:09] not an explanation. How is it that the Duke's fourth son, whom everyone had
[02:18:12] Duke's fourth son, whom everyone had considered hopeless his entire life,
[02:18:14] considered hopeless his entire life, suddenly knows what the sages of the
[02:18:16] suddenly knows what the sages of the tower, with their thousand-year history,
[02:18:19] tower, with their thousand-year history, do not know." Gonchan replied that the
[02:18:22] do not know." Gonchan replied that the sages of the tower study mana. He
[02:18:26] sages of the tower study mana. He studies matter. They are different
[02:18:28] studies matter. They are different disciplines, not contradictory.
[02:18:31] disciplines, not contradictory. Quanu raised an eyebrow. He asked where
[02:18:34] Quanu raised an eyebrow. He asked where he had learned this. Gonchan looked him
[02:18:37] he had learned this. Gonchan looked him in the eye in a book, a very old one. It
[02:18:42] in the eye in a book, a very old one. It burned. The mage did not smile. He stood
[02:18:45] burned. The mage did not smile. He stood up. He said he would remain in Hosagon
[02:18:48] up. He said he would remain in Hosagon for an indefinite period. He would
[02:18:50] for an indefinite period. He would observe, not interfere, just watch. He
[02:18:54] observe, not interfere, just watch. He asked to be provided with lodging.
[02:18:57] asked to be provided with lodging. Gonchan provided it. One of the new
[02:18:59] Gonchan provided it. One of the new brick houses with a glass window, with a
[02:19:01] brick houses with a glass window, with a stove, with clean water from a well.
[02:19:04] stove, with clean water from a well. Quan Senu inspected the house. He
[02:19:07] Quan Senu inspected the house. He touched the walls. He looked through the
[02:19:09] touched the walls. He looked through the glass. He turned on the faucet. Yes, a
[02:19:12] glass. He turned on the faucet. Yes, a water supply. Gonchan had installed it a
[02:19:15] water supply. Gonchan had installed it a month ago. Ceramic pipes glazed on the
[02:19:18] month ago. Ceramic pipes glazed on the inside. Water flowed by gravity from a
[02:19:21] inside. Water flowed by gravity from a reservoir on the hill. The reservoir was
[02:19:23] reservoir on the hill. The reservoir was filled from the lake via a canal. The
[02:19:26] filled from the lake via a canal. The pressure was low, but sufficient for
[02:19:28] pressure was low, but sufficient for water to flow from the tap. A water
[02:19:30] water to flow from the tap. A water magician cost 50 gold pieces to fill a
[02:19:33] magician cost 50 gold pieces to fill a single well. Gonchan's water supply
[02:19:36] single well. Gonchan's water supply provided water to the entire city for
[02:19:38] provided water to the entire city for free, forever.Wansenu
[02:19:41] free, forever.Wansenu turned to the tap back. The water
[02:19:44] turned to the tap back. The water stopped flowing. He stared at the faucet
[02:19:46] stopped flowing. He stared at the faucet for a long time. Then he left without
[02:19:49] for a long time. Then he left without saying a word. Gonchan knew that every
[02:19:52] saying a word. Gonchan knew that every day the mage in the city meant a report
[02:19:54] day the mage in the city meant a report to the tower. And every report would
[02:19:57] to the tower. And every report would contain the same thing.
[02:19:59] contain the same thing. Hogun's technologies are replacing
[02:20:02] Hogun's technologies are replacing magic. Cheaper, more reliable, more
[02:20:05] magic. Cheaper, more reliable, more extensive. The question was how the
[02:20:08] extensive. The question was how the tower would react. Observation was the
[02:20:11] tower would react. Observation was the first step. As for what would be the
[02:20:14] first step. As for what would be the second, Gonchan preferred not to guess,
[02:20:16] second, Gonchan preferred not to guess, but to prepare. He sped up musket
[02:20:19] but to prepare. He sped up musket production. Thalsu cast the barrels.
[02:20:23] production. Thalsu cast the barrels. After the seventh attempt, he got the
[02:20:25] After the seventh attempt, he got the hang of it, and now every barrel came
[02:20:27] hang of it, and now every barrel came out clean. two barrels a week.
[02:20:30] out clean. two barrels a week. Carpenters made the wooden stocks. Mugan
[02:20:33] Carpenters made the wooden stocks. Mugan under Thalsu's supervision. By early
[02:20:36] under Thalsu's supervision. By early summer, Gonchan had 20 musketss. He
[02:20:39] summer, Gonchan had 20 musketss. He began training. He selected 40 men,
[02:20:42] began training. He selected 40 men, young, strong, capable of following
[02:20:45] young, strong, capable of following orders. Not warriors, peasants, hunters,
[02:20:49] orders. Not warriors, peasants, hunters, fishermen, people who knew how to stand
[02:20:52] fishermen, people who knew how to stand still and do as they were told. Training
[02:20:55] still and do as they were told. Training took place behind the western hill, far
[02:20:58] took place behind the western hill, far from the city, far from Quan son, far
[02:21:01] from the city, far from Quan son, far from Nari, who was still wandering the
[02:21:04] from Nari, who was still wandering the city with her notebook. Gonchan
[02:21:06] city with her notebook. Gonchan personally led the sessions. Formation,
[02:21:10] personally led the sessions. Formation, loading, aiming, fire, reload,
[02:21:14] loading, aiming, fire, reload, formation, reload again, fire again. 4
[02:21:19] formation, reload again, fire again. 4 hours every day. The first week, people
[02:21:22] hours every day. The first week, people were afraid of the roar. They pulled
[02:21:25] were afraid of the roar. They pulled their hands away from the trigger. They
[02:21:27] their hands away from the trigger. They closed their eyes when the shot rang
[02:21:29] closed their eyes when the shot rang out. By the second week, they had gotten
[02:21:31] out. By the second week, they had gotten used to it. By the third week, they
[02:21:33] used to it. By the third week, they started hitting the target, a simple
[02:21:36] started hitting the target, a simple wooden shield 100 m away. By the end of
[02:21:39] wooden shield 100 m away. By the end of the month, eight out of 10 bullets hit
[02:21:41] the month, eight out of 10 bullets hit the shield. That was enough. A musket is
[02:21:44] the shield. That was enough. A musket is not a sniper weapon. A musket is a
[02:21:47] not a sniper weapon. A musket is a weapon of volley fire. 40 men fire at
[02:21:50] weapon of volley fire. 40 men fire at once. Even if half of them miss, 20
[02:21:53] once. Even if half of them miss, 20 bullets into a line of cavalry means 20
[02:21:55] bullets into a line of cavalry means 20 fallen horses. 20 horses means chaos in
[02:21:59] fallen horses. 20 horses means chaos in the ranks. Chaos in the ranks means
[02:22:01] the ranks. Chaos in the ranks means victory. Gonchan divided the 40
[02:22:04] victory. Gonchan divided the 40 musketeers into two rows. The first row
[02:22:07] musketeers into two rows. The first row fires, the second reloads. The first
[02:22:11] fires, the second reloads. The first steps back. The second steps forward and
[02:22:14] steps back. The second steps forward and fires. The first has reloaded in the
[02:22:16] fires. The first has reloaded in the meantime. They move forward. Continuous
[02:22:20] meantime. They move forward. Continuous fire. In Europe, this was called a
[02:22:23] fire. In Europe, this was called a caracle. Here it was called nothing
[02:22:25] caracle. Here it was called nothing because it didn't exist here yet.
[02:22:29] because it didn't exist here yet. Meanwhile, Nari was becoming a problem.
[02:22:32] Meanwhile, Nari was becoming a problem. Not because she was spying. Gonchan was
[02:22:35] Not because she was spying. Gonchan was used to that, but because she started
[02:22:37] used to that, but because she started helping out without being asked. She saw
[02:22:40] helping out without being asked. She saw that the school was short on teachers.
[02:22:43] that the school was short on teachers. She went to Sohan and offered her
[02:22:45] She went to Sohan and offered her services. She knew math. She knew it
[02:22:48] services. She knew math. She knew it well. Better than anyone in Hassugun
[02:22:50] well. Better than anyone in Hassugun except Gonchan himself. So Hyan looked
[02:22:53] except Gonchan himself. So Hyan looked at her suspiciously, then at Gonchan.
[02:22:56] at her suspiciously, then at Gonchan. Gonchan nodded. Nari started teaching.
[02:23:00] Gonchan nodded. Nari started teaching. The children liked her. She was
[02:23:02] The children liked her. She was cheerful, patient. She explained complex
[02:23:05] cheerful, patient. She explained complex things in simple words. She drew funny
[02:23:08] things in simple words. She drew funny pictures on the board so the children
[02:23:10] pictures on the board so the children would remember the numbers. Within a
[02:23:12] would remember the numbers. Within a month, she knew every child's name in
[02:23:14] month, she knew every child's name in the school.
[02:23:15] the school. Gonchan watched. He felt uneasy. Nari
[02:23:19] Gonchan watched. He felt uneasy. Nari was a spy from a hostile state. In 6
[02:23:22] was a spy from a hostile state. In 6 months, her father could send an army,
[02:23:25] months, her father could send an army, and she was teaching the children of
[02:23:26] and she was teaching the children of Hogun to count. The world was unfairly
[02:23:30] Hogun to count. The world was unfairly complicated. One evening, she approached
[02:23:33] complicated. One evening, she approached him by the wall. He was standing there
[02:23:35] him by the wall. He was standing there watching the sunset. She stood beside
[02:23:38] watching the sunset. She stood beside him. She was silent for a moment. Then
[02:23:41] him. She was silent for a moment. Then she said she had written a letter to her
[02:23:43] she said she had written a letter to her father. Gonchan didn't turn around. He
[02:23:46] father. Gonchan didn't turn around. He asked what she had written. She replied
[02:23:49] asked what she had written. She replied that she had written the truth. That
[02:23:51] that she had written the truth. That Hugun was a place that shouldn't exist.
[02:23:54] Hugun was a place that shouldn't exist. That a single man without magic and
[02:23:56] That a single man without magic and without an army had built what entire
[02:23:59] without an army had built what entire kingdoms had failed to build. That the
[02:24:02] kingdoms had failed to build. That the walls were stronger than those in the
[02:24:04] walls were stronger than those in the capital of Murion. That the steel was
[02:24:07] capital of Murion. That the steel was better than that of the finest
[02:24:09] better than that of the finest blacksmiths. that the children here were
[02:24:11] blacksmiths. that the children here were learning to read and count, that water
[02:24:14] learning to read and count, that water flowed from the wall through pipes, that
[02:24:17] flowed from the wall through pipes, that she had never seen anything like it.
[02:24:20] she had never seen anything like it. Gonchan asked what else she had written.
[02:24:23] Gonchan asked what else she had written. She paused for a moment, then she said,
[02:24:26] She paused for a moment, then she said, "Don't attack Hugun. Just trust me.
[02:24:30] "Don't attack Hugun. Just trust me. Don't attack." Gonchan turned to her.
[02:24:33] Don't attack." Gonchan turned to her. She was looking at him seriously without
[02:24:36] She was looking at him seriously without a smile, without a notebook. He asked if
[02:24:39] a smile, without a notebook. He asked if her father would listen to her. Nari
[02:24:42] her father would listen to her. Nari didn't answer. She turned away and left.
[02:24:45] didn't answer. She turned away and left. Gonchan remained on the wall. He knew
[02:24:47] Gonchan remained on the wall. He knew the answer. King Myion would not listen
[02:24:50] the answer. King Myion would not listen to his daughter. General Yante Wu
[02:24:53] to his daughter. General Yante Wu wouldn't listen to his sister. 20,000
[02:24:56] wouldn't listen to his sister. 20,000 cavalry men wouldn't stop because of a
[02:24:58] cavalry men wouldn't stop because of a letter from a girl who had fallen in
[02:25:00] letter from a girl who had fallen in love with a foreign city. The storm was
[02:25:03] love with a foreign city. The storm was approaching and Gonchan was preparing
[02:25:06] approaching and Gonchan was preparing for it the only way he knew how.
[02:25:09] for it the only way he knew how. He was building.
[02:25:15] The summer of the second year was hot
[02:25:17] The summer of the second year was hot and oppressive. Gonchan was working on
[02:25:19] and oppressive. Gonchan was working on four fronts simultaneously.
[02:25:22] four fronts simultaneously. Front one, the economy. Hogun's trading
[02:25:25] Front one, the economy. Hogun's trading hub had become the largest market in the
[02:25:27] hub had become the largest market in the southwestern part of the empire. 30 to
[02:25:30] southwestern part of the empire. 30 to 40 merchants every day, new faces every
[02:25:33] 40 merchants every day, new faces every week. From Wolson, from Namwan, from
[02:25:36] week. From Wolson, from Namwan, from Tongrim, even from the capital. The
[02:25:39] Tongrim, even from the capital. The steel tools were selling out faster than
[02:25:41] steel tools were selling out faster than Thalsu could forge them. Gonchan solved
[02:25:44] Thalsu could forge them. Gonchan solved the scaling problem. Instead of a single
[02:25:46] the scaling problem. Instead of a single master blacksmith, he set up a
[02:25:48] master blacksmith, he set up a production line. Thalsu smelted the
[02:25:51] production line. Thalsu smelted the steel and made the blanks. The four
[02:25:53] steel and made the blanks. The four apprentices he had trained over the
[02:25:54] apprentices he had trained over the course of a year forged the blanks into
[02:25:57] course of a year forged the blanks into finished products. Each specialized in
[02:26:00] finished products. Each specialized in one type. The first made knives, the
[02:26:02] one type. The first made knives, the second plows, the third axes, the fourth
[02:26:06] second plows, the third axes, the fourth made nails and small hardware. Division
[02:26:09] made nails and small hardware. Division of labor. Adam Smith in the Middle Ages.
[02:26:13] of labor. Adam Smith in the Middle Ages. Production increased five-fold from 30
[02:26:15] Production increased five-fold from 30 units a month to 150. Gonchan introduced
[02:26:20] units a month to 150. Gonchan introduced paper receipts, not money, not yet
[02:26:23] paper receipts, not money, not yet money. Receipts backed by grain from the
[02:26:26] money. Receipts backed by grain from the Strategic Reserve. One receipt is equal
[02:26:28] Strategic Reserve. One receipt is equal to 10 pounds of wheat. Can be exchanged
[02:26:31] to 10 pounds of wheat. Can be exchanged at the grainery at any time. Can be used
[02:26:34] at the grainery at any time. Can be used for payment within the Hassogun. The
[02:26:36] for payment within the Hassogun. The merchants laughed at first. A piece of
[02:26:39] merchants laughed at first. A piece of paper instead of gold. Then one tried to
[02:26:42] paper instead of gold. Then one tried to exchange it. He received grain. Exactly
[02:26:46] exchange it. He received grain. Exactly 10. No trickery. A second tried. A
[02:26:50] 10. No trickery. A second tried. A third. By the end of summer, the
[02:26:52] third. By the end of summer, the receipts were circulating within the
[02:26:54] receipts were circulating within the city on par with silver. Gonchan didn't
[02:26:57] city on par with silver. Gonchan didn't push it. Let them get used to it. In a
[02:27:00] push it. Let them get used to it. In a year, he would introduce full-fledged
[02:27:03] year, he would introduce full-fledged paper money. But first, trust. Front.
[02:27:07] paper money. But first, trust. Front. Two. Infrastructure.
[02:27:09] Two. Infrastructure. The water supply worked, but Gonchan
[02:27:12] The water supply worked, but Gonchan wanted more. Sewage. In a medieval city,
[02:27:15] wanted more. Sewage. In a medieval city, sewage flowed through the streets.
[02:27:18] sewage flowed through the streets. Diseases, stench, flies, rats. The
[02:27:22] Diseases, stench, flies, rats. The plague began with the sewer system, or
[02:27:25] plague began with the sewer system, or rather with its absence. He designed
[02:27:27] rather with its absence. He designed underground channels, ceramic pipes
[02:27:30] underground channels, ceramic pipes glazed on the inside, a 2 cm per meter
[02:27:33] glazed on the inside, a 2 cm per meter slope. Sewage flowed by gravity beyond
[02:27:36] slope. Sewage flowed by gravity beyond the city limits into a settling tank.
[02:27:39] the city limits into a settling tank. There it decomposed. The liquid was
[02:27:42] There it decomposed. The liquid was filtered through sand and gravel. After
[02:27:45] filtered through sand and gravel. After 6 months, the solid residue became
[02:27:47] 6 months, the solid residue became fertilizer, a closed cycle. The
[02:27:50] fertilizer, a closed cycle. The construction of the sewer system took
[02:27:52] construction of the sewer system took two months, so Dal oversaw it. His crew,
[02:27:56] two months, so Dal oversaw it. His crew, which had started with 10 men and
[02:27:58] which had started with 10 men and crooked bricks, now numbered 120
[02:28:01] crooked bricks, now numbered 120 builders and worked with a precision
[02:28:03] builders and worked with a precision that would have been the envy of master
[02:28:05] that would have been the envy of master craftsmen in the capital. When the sewer
[02:28:07] craftsmen in the capital. When the sewer system began operating, the smell in the
[02:28:10] system began operating, the smell in the city changed. People didn't immediately
[02:28:12] city changed. People didn't immediately realize what exactly had changed. Then
[02:28:16] realize what exactly had changed. Then they realized it didn't stink. For the
[02:28:20] they realized it didn't stink. For the first time in the history of this
[02:28:21] first time in the history of this settlement, the streets didn't stink.
[02:28:25] settlement, the streets didn't stink. Obong-ho, the doctor, walked through the
[02:28:27] Obong-ho, the doctor, walked through the town and wept with joy. He knew that
[02:28:30] town and wept with joy. He knew that sewage was linked to disease. Now the
[02:28:33] sewage was linked to disease. Now the sewage was going underground. He
[02:28:35] sewage was going underground. He predicted that there would be no
[02:28:37] predicted that there would be no epidemics this year. He was right. Front
[02:28:41] epidemics this year. He was right. Front three education.
[02:28:43] three education. The school had grown. Three classes, 90
[02:28:47] The school had grown. Three classes, 90 students, three teachers. So Hyun taught
[02:28:51] students, three teachers. So Hyun taught reading and writing. Nari taught math.
[02:28:54] reading and writing. Nari taught math. The third teacher, a former monk named
[02:28:56] The third teacher, a former monk named Jung U, taught history and the basics of
[02:29:00] Jung U, taught history and the basics of law. Gongchan personally taught one
[02:29:03] law. Gongchan personally taught one lesson a week, the basics of natural
[02:29:05] lesson a week, the basics of natural science, why water boils, why a stone
[02:29:09] science, why water boils, why a stone falls downward, why an arch supports
[02:29:12] falls downward, why an arch supports weight. simple questions with not so
[02:29:15] weight. simple questions with not so simple answers. The children listened as
[02:29:18] simple answers. The children listened as if spellbound to them. The world was
[02:29:21] if spellbound to them. The world was full of magic and spirits. A stone falls
[02:29:24] full of magic and spirits. A stone falls because the spirit of the earth pulls it
[02:29:26] because the spirit of the earth pulls it down. Water boils because the spirit of
[02:29:29] down. Water boils because the spirit of fire is angry. Gonchan didn't argue with
[02:29:33] fire is angry. Gonchan didn't argue with the spirits. He demonstrated
[02:29:35] the spirits. He demonstrated experiments. He dropped a stone and a
[02:29:38] experiments. He dropped a stone and a feather from the same height. The stone
[02:29:41] feather from the same height. The stone falls faster faster, not because the
[02:29:43] falls faster faster, not because the spirit of the earth loves the stone
[02:29:45] spirit of the earth loves the stone more, but because the air hinders the
[02:29:48] more, but because the air hinders the feather. In a vacuum, they would fall at
[02:29:51] feather. In a vacuum, they would fall at the same time. The children asked what a
[02:29:54] the same time. The children asked what a vacuum was. Gonchan smiled and said that
[02:29:58] vacuum was. Gonchan smiled and said that was a topic for the next lesson. He
[02:30:01] was a topic for the next lesson. He wasn't building a city. He was building
[02:30:03] wasn't building a city. He was building a generation. People who in 10 years
[02:30:06] a generation. People who in 10 years would think differently, not through
[02:30:08] would think differently, not through magic and spirits, but through cause and
[02:30:11] magic and spirits, but through cause and effect, through observation and
[02:30:14] effect, through observation and experiment, through numbers and facts.
[02:30:17] experiment, through numbers and facts. This was more important than steel, more
[02:30:20] This was more important than steel, more important than gunpowder, more important
[02:30:22] important than gunpowder, more important than walls. A wall will stand for a
[02:30:25] than walls. A wall will stand for a hundred years. Knowledge will live
[02:30:28] hundred years. Knowledge will live forever. Hey true fan, want videos
[02:30:30] forever. Hey true fan, want videos YouTube will never see? Join me on
[02:30:33] YouTube will never see? Join me on Patreon. Link in description.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n9Zcdi8D9s

Summary

TL;DR — A civil engineer reincarnated into a young noble's body inherits a desolate wasteland territory and, using his knowledge of modern engineering and resource management, transforms it into a thriving civilization. He overcomes numerous challenges, including natural disasters, internal resistance, and external threats, by applying scientific principles and innovative solutions.

Key points

• The protagonist, a skilled engineer from modern Earth, awakens in the body of a weak noble in a fantasy world and is assigned a barren, debt-ridden territory.

• He leverages his engineering knowledge to develop essential infrastructure like cement, dams, wells, and roads, laying the foundation for a modern civilization.

• The introduction of steel production through a blast furnace revolutionizes tools and weaponry, significantly boosting productivity and defense capabilities.

• Gonchan implements advanced agricultural techniques, crop rotation, and sanitation practices, leading to increased food production and improved public health.

• He establishes a functional economy based on trade, standardized weights and measures, and eventually paper currency, attracting merchants and refugees.

• The territory's success attracts attention from powerful entities, including his own noble family, the imperial court, and a magical order, forcing him to defend his innovations and autonomy.

Takeaway — With knowledge, innovation, and perseverance, even the most desolate land can be transformed into a prosperous civilization, but such progress inevitably attracts powerful adversaries.